Abstract: It has been found out that among antibodies showing reactivity with wild type TGF-?, antibodies less reactive with G79A-substituted TGF-? have an excellent growth-suppressing effect on cancer cells having a mutated Ras gene. Further, it has been found out that most of these antibodies have an activity of inhibiting EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and/or an induction-suppressing activity on vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: It has been found out that among antibodies showing reactivity with wild type TGF-?, antibodies less reactive with G79A-substituted TGF-? have an excellent growth-suppressing effect on cancer cells having a mutated Ras gene. Further, it has been found out that most of these antibodies have an activity of inhibiting EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and/or an induction-suppressing activity on vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for diagnosing cancer or assessing or determining the prognosis of a patient with lung cancer, by detecting the expression level of Nectin-4. The present invention also features double-stranded molecules against the Nectin-4 gene, vectors encoding them, compositions comprising them and methods comprising the step of administering them into a subject, which are useful for treating or preventing cancer. Also, disclosed are methods of identifying candidate compounds for treating and preventing cancer, using the Nectin-4 polypeptide or cells expressing the Nectin-4 gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cytoxicity based on the effector function of anti-EphA4 antibodies. Specifically, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise an anti-EphA4 antibody as an active ingredient for damaging EphA4-expressing cells using antibody effector function. Since EphA4 is strongly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells, the present invention is particularly useful in pancreatic cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides HIDE1 as novel monocyte markers. Since HIDE1 are membrane proteins, monocytes can be specifically detected by using antibodies that bind to HIDE1. Further, HIDE1-positive monocytes can also be collected from peripheral blood or the like using a cell sorter, magnet, or such. Monocytes that can be prepared based on the present invention are useful in cell immunotherapy.

Abstract: A search was conducted for functional antibodies that endogenously regulate cytokines, focusing on the relationship between inflammatory diseases and cytokines. Mice were immunized with a human peripheral blood monocyte fraction and the obtained antibodies were examined for a cytokine-regulating effect. As a result, of these antibodies, antibody #33 was confirmed to inhibit the production of numerous typical inflammatory cytokines. When, at the same time, the promoting effect of antibody #33 on IL-10 production was examined, it was revealed that antibody #33 has an effect of accelerating IL-10 production but no activity to induce an excessive IL-10 production. The antigen of this promising antibody was verified to be CD61. Therefore, it is conceivable that when anti-CD61 antibodies are applied to the treatment of inflammatory diseases, they would become pharmaceuticals with both a definite efficacy and a high safety.