Methods and compositions for modulating tumor cell activity

Abstract

Antibodies which target clusterin, a protein involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of carcinoma cells, are identified and characterized. The antibodies may be used to modulate tumour cell activity through binding to clusterin.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A nucleic acid sequence that encodes a light chain variable region and/or a heavy chain variable region of an antibody that specifically binds clusterin, wherein the antibody is selected from the group consisting of:
 a. an antibody comprising three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:8 and three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:20;   b. an antibody comprising three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:9 and three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:20;   c. an antibody comprising three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:10 and three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:21;   d. an antibody comprising three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:11 and three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:22, and;   e. an antibody comprising three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:12 and three complementary determining regions of the light chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO.:23.   
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . The nucleic acid of  claim 36 , wherein the antibody comprises:
 a. a light chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:8 and a heavy chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:20;   b. a light chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:9 and a heavy chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:20;   c. a light chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:10 and a heavy chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:21;   d. a light chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:11 and a heavy chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:22 or;   e. a light chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:12 and a heavy chain variable region as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:23.   
     
     
         39 . A vector or vectors comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 36 . 
     
     
         40 . A cell comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 36 . 
     
     
         41 . A method of making an antibody comprising culturing the cell of  claim 40  so that the antibody is produced. 
     
     
         42 . A vector or vectors comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 38 . 
     
     
         43 . A cell comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 38 . 
     
     
         44 . A method of making an antibody comprising culturing the cell of  claim 43  so that the antibody is produced.