A novel anti-human HB-EGF monoclonal antibody with multiple antitumor mechanisms against ovarian cancer cells.

Purpose: Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family and plays a pivotal role in tumor progression in ovarian cancer. We developed an anti-HB-EGF monoclonal antibody (mAb) and investigated its antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic antibody against ovarian cancer.

Experimental Design: We prepared mAbs from HB-EGF null mice immunized with recombinant human soluble HB-EGF and evaluated their binding and neutralizing activity against HB-EGF.

Anti-human HB-EGF monoclonal antibodies inhibiting ectodomain shedding of HB-EGF and diphtheria toxin binding.

HB-EGF is a member of the EGF family of growth factors that bind and activate the EGF receptor. HB-EGF is synthesized as a membrane-anchored protein (proHB-EGF), and then proteolytically cleaved, resulting in the mitogenically active soluble form. ProHB-EGF functions as the receptor for the diphtheria toxin (DT).