Abstract: Binding agents that modulate the immune response are disclosed. The binding agents may include soluble receptors, polypeptides, and/or antibodies. Also disclosed are methods of using the binding agents for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Notch-binding agents and Notch antagonists and methods of using the agents and/or antagonists for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of one or more human Notch receptor, such as Notch2 and/or Notch3, and inhibit tumor growth. The present invention further provides methods of treating cancer, the methods comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor and inhibits tumor growth. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: Novel anti-cancer agents, including, but not limited to, antibodies and other polypeptides, that bind to human frizzled receptors are provided. Novel epitopes within the human frizzled receptors which are suitable as targets for anti-cancer agents are also identified. Methods of using the agents or antibodies, such as methods of using the agents or antibodies to inhibit Wnt signaling and/or inhibit tumor growth are further provided. Screening methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting melanoma tumor growth, methods of treating melanoma and metastatic melanoma, and methods of reducing the frequency of tumor initiating cells (or cancer stem cells) in melanoma tumors are described. The methods described comprise administering a DLL4 antagonist (e.g., an antibody that specifically binds the extracellular domain of human DLL4) to a subject. Related polypeptides and polynucleotides, compositions comprising the DLL4 antagonists, and methods of making the DLL4 antagonists are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polypeptides and cells comprising the polypeptides. The polypeptides and cells are used in methods to identify and/or isolate cells producing a protein with specific biological functions. In particular, the methods may be used for identifying, selecting, and isolating cells producing antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating neuroendocrine tumors are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of a Wnt antagonist. In one embodiment, the Wnt antagonist is an anti-FZD antibody. In another embodiment, the Wnt antagonist is a soluble FZD receptor polypeptide. In a further embodiment, the Wnt antagonist is an anti-Wnt antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Jagged-binding agents and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to an extracellular domain of human Jagged1 or human Jagged2 and modulate Jagged activity. The present invention further provides methods of using agents that modulate the activity of Jagged, such as antibodies that specifically bind Jagged, and inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to VEGF-binding agents, DLL4-binding agents, VEGF/DLL4 bispecific binding agents, and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF, antibodies that specifically bind human DLL4, and bispecific antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF and/or human DLL4. The present invention further provides methods of using the agents to inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds to an extracellular domain of human DLL4 and affects growth of a tumor comprising cancer stem cells is described. Also described is a method of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-DLL4 antibody.

Abstract: Methods for treating diseases such as cancer comprising administering a Wnt pathway inhibitor, either alone or in combination with other anti-cancer agents, and monitoring for skeletal-related side effects and/or toxicity.

Abstract: Binding agents that modulate the immune response are disclosed. The binding agents may include soluble receptors, polypeptides, and/or antibodies. Also disclosed are methods of using the binding agents for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: Methods for making heteromultimeric molecules, such as bispecific antibodies, and compositions comprising these molecules are disclosed. The methods include introducing mutations in amino acids that are in contact at the interface of two polypeptides, such that the electrostatic interaction between the ion pairs is altered.

Abstract: Novel anti-cancer agents, including, but not limited to, antibodies, that bind to human frizzled receptors are provided. Novel epitopes within the human frizzled receptors which are suitable as targets for anti-cancer agents are also identified. Methods of using the agents or antibodies, such as methods of using the agents or antibodies to inhibit Wnt signaling and/or inhibit tumor growth are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor and inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human NOTCH receptor protein and inhibits growth of tumor cells.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating neuroendocrine tumors are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of a Wnt antagonist. In one embodiment, the Wnt antagonist is an anti-FZD antibody. In another embodiment, the Wnt antagonist is a soluble FZD receptor polypeptide. In a further embodiment, the Wnt antagonist is an anti-Wnt antibody.

Abstract: Novel methods of treating pancreatic cancer are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining NOTCH mRNA expression levels in pancreatic cancer cells. In another embodiment, the method further comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of a NOTCH antagonist.

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds to an extracellular domain of human DLL4 and affects growth of a tumor comprising cancer stem cells is described. Also described is a method of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-DLL4 antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DDR1 binding agents and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to an extracellular domain of DDR1 and modulate DDR1 activity. The present invention further provides methods of using agents that modulate the activity of DDR1, such as antibodies that specifically bind DDR1, to reduce the tumorigenicity of tumors comprising cancer stem cells by reducing the frequency or number of cancer stem cells in the tumor. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RSPO-binding agents, particularly RSPO3-binding agents and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human RSPO3 proteins and modulate ?-catenin activity. The present invention further provides methods of using agents that modulate the activity of RSPO3 proteins and inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.