Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, models of bone metastasis, methods for identifying agents that modulate skeletal related events and metastasis, methods for modulating skeletal related events and metastases, and methods for detecting skeletal related events and metastases. The methods and models generally comprise co-culturing cancer cells and host cells and comparing biological markers from such co-cultured cells to control cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in inhibiting proliferation of CA IX+preneoplastic or neoplastic cells in a mammal are provided. The compositions are antagonist anti-CA IX antibodies and other inhibitory agents that target carbonic anhydrase activity of CA IX on these cells. The antagonist anti-CA IX antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof are specifically reactive with an inhibitory epitope of CA IX or biologically active variant thereof. Formation of an antibody-antigen complex between the antagonist anti-CA IX antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof and the respective inhibitory epitopes results in inhibition of carbonic anhydrase activity of CA IX or biologically active variant thereof. Other small molecule agents that inhibit carbonic anhydrase activity of CA IX or biologically active variant thereof and screening assays for identifying such agents are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, models of bone metastasis, methods for identifying agents that modulate skeletal related events and metastasis, methods for modulating skeletal related events and metastases, and methods for detecting skeletal related events and metastases. The methods and models generally comprise co-culturing cancer cells and host cells and comparing biological markers from such co-cultured cells to control cells.

Abstract: Method of treating or diagnosing cancers involving P-cadherin expression are provided using ligands that target P-cadherin, especially human anti-P-cadherin antibodies. Also provided are screens for identifying anti-P-cadherin antibodies having therapeutic activity.

Abstract: Inhibitors of laminin5beta3 are provided that reduce the expression or biological activities of laminin5beta3 or the expression of laminin5beta3 mRNA in a mammalian cell. Laminin5beta3 inhibitors include antisense molecules, ribozymes, antibodies and antibody fragments, proteins and polypeptides as well as small molecules. Laminin5beta3 inhibitors find use in compositions and methods for decreasing laminin5beta3 gene expression as well as methods for inhibiting the proliferation of mammalian cells, including tumor cells of epithelial origin, and methods for treating neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: Method of treating or diagnosing cancers involving P-cadherin expression are provided using ligands that target P-cadherin, especially human anti-P-cadherin antibodies.

Abstract: Inhibitors of laminin5beta3 are provided that reduce the expression or biological activities of laminin5beta3 or the expression of laminin5beta3 mRNA in a mammalian cell. Laminin5beta3 inhibitors include antisense molecules, ribozymes, antibodies and antibody fragments, proteins and polypeptides as well as small molecules. Laminin5beta3 inhibitors find use in compositions and methods for decreasing laminin5beta3 gene expression as well as methods for inhibiting the proliferation of mammalian cells, including tumor cells of epithelial origin, and methods for treating neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: Modulators of NET-4 are provided that reduce the expression or biological activities of NET-4 or the expression of NET-4 mRNA in a mammalian cell. NET-4 modulators include antisense molecules, ribozymes, antibodies and antibody fragments, proteins and polypeptides as well as small molecules. NET-4 modulators find use in compositions and methods for decreasing NET-4 gene expression as well as methods for inhibiting the proliferation of mammalian cells, including tumor cells, and methods for treating neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: Inhibitors of laminin5beta3 are provided that reduce the expression or biological activities of laminin5beta3 or the expression of laminin5beta3 mRNA in a mammalian cell. Laminin5beta3 inhibitors include antisense molecules, ribozymes, antibodies and antibody fragments, proteins and polypeptides as well as small molecules. Laminin5beta3 inhibitors find use in compositions and methods for decreasing laminin5beta3 gene expression as well as methods for inhibiting the proliferation of mammalian cells, including tumor cells of epithelial origin, and methods for treating neoplastic diseases.