ANTI-ErbB2 ANTIBODIES

Abstract

Anti-ErbB2 antibodies are described which bind to an epitope in Domain 1 of ErbB2 and induce cell death-via apoptosis. Various uses for these antibodies are also described.

1 . An isolated antibody which binds to Domain 1 of ErbB2. 
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1  which binds to epitope 7C2/7F3 on ErbB2. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 1  which induces death of a cell which overexpresses ErbB2. 
     
     
         4 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising the antibody of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15  further comprising a second anti-ErbB2 antibody which does not bind to Domain 1 of ErbB2. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15  further comprising a second antibody which binds ErbB2 and inhibits growth of SKBR3 cells in cell culture by 50-100%. 
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . Nucleic acid encoding the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         23 . A host cell comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for making an anti-ErbB2 antibody comprising culturing the host cell of  claim 23  so that the anti-ErbB2 antibody is expressed and recovering the anti-ErbB2 antibody from the host cell culture. 
     
     
         26 . A method for determining the presence of ErbB2 comprising exposing a cell suspected of containing ErbB2 to the antibody of  claim 1  and determining binding of said antibody to the cell. 
     
     
         27 . A kit comprising the antibody of  claim 1  and instructions for using the antibody to detect ErbB2. 
     
     
         28 . A method for inducing cell death comprising exposing a cell which overexpresses ErbB2 to an effective amount of the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         29 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising exposing the cell to a second anti-ErbB2 antibody which does not bind to Domain 1 of ErbB2. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising exposing the cell to a second antibody which binds ErbB2 and inhibits growth of SKBR3 cells in cell culture by 50-100%. 
     
     
         34 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising exposing the cell to a growth inhibitory agent. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising exposing the cell to a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising exposing the cell to radiation. 
     
     
         40 . A method for inducing cell death comprising exposing a cell which overexpresses ErbB2 to an effective amount of the antibody of claim  91 . 
     
     
         41 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
 a container;   a label on the container; and   a composition comprising an active agent contained within the container; wherein the composition is effective for inducing cell death, the label on the container indicates that the composition can be used for treating conditions characterized by overexpression of ErbB2 and the active agent in the composition is the antibody of  claim 1 .