WO2006099698A2 - Novel anti-plgf antibody - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides novel monoclonal antibodies directed to PlGF and fragments and derivatives thereof, more particularly to humanized antibodies and fragments thereof for use in the treatment and/or prevention of pathological angiogenesis.

Description

NOVEL ANTI-PLGF ANTIBODY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel antibodies and fragments and derivatives thereof particularly suited for the inhibition of angiogenesis in pathological conditions. The invention also relates to cell lines producing the specific antibodies. The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies, fragments and/or derivatives of the invention and provides methods of preventing and treating angiogenesis and/or vascular leakage where these are undesired such as in tumour formation, diseases of the eye, pulmonary hypertension and inflammatory disorders and methods of preventing and treating bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Abnormal blood vessel formation contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying vascular growth might allow the development of therapeutic strategies to stimulate vascular growth in ischemic tissues or to suppress their formation in tumours. Recent gene targeting studies in embryos have identified some of the mechanisms involved in the initial formation of endothelial channels (angiogenesis) and their subsequent maturation by coverage with smooth muscle cells (arteriogenesis). Evidence is emerging that distinct molecular mechanisms may mediate growth of blood vessels during pathological conditions, but the molecular players remain largely undetermined.

It has been established that Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is implicated in development and pathological growth of the vasculature (Ferrara N. et al, 1999, Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 237, 1-30). Furthermore, it has also been shown that Placental growth factor (PIGF), a homologue of VEGF, is a specific modulator of VEGF during a variety of pathological conditions, such as ischemic retinopathy, tumourigenesis, inflammatory disorders, and oedema. It has been shown that PlGF^"7" mice have an impaired angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in disease (Carmeliet P. et al., 2000, J. Pathol. 190, 387 - 405), while the physiological angiogenesis in normal health remains unaffected. Thus inhibitors of PlGF have a huge potential for the treatment of diseases in which angiogenesis or arteriogenesis contribute to the pathogenicity of the disease.

Inhibitors for PlGF are known in the art, such as a goat polyclonal antibody against human PlGF (R&D pharmaceuticals, Abingdon, UK) and a chicken polyclonal antibody (Gassmann et al., 1990, Faseb J. 4, 2528). Those antibodies are used for Western blotting, histochemistry and immunoprecipitation studies. WOO 1/85796 describes the use of inhibitors of PlGF, including monoclonal anti-PIGF antibodies, for the treatment or prevention of diseases, such as tumour formation. More specifically, the preparation of murine monoclonal antibodies which fully inhibit murine P1GF-2 binding to its receptor FIt-I, is described, whereby the antibody Mab-PL5D11, is selected as having the most efficient inhibitory activity. Use of the antibody in animal models of pathological angiogenesis is described.

Antibodies generated in animals have characteristics which may severely limit their use in human therapy. As foreign proteins, they may elicit an anti-immunoglobulin response (which for mouse antibodies is referred to as human anti-mouse antibody or HAMA) that reduces or destroys their therapeutic efficacy and/or provokes allergic or hypersensitivity reactions in patients, as taught by Jaffers et al., 1986 (Transplantation 1986 41 :572). While the use of human monoclonal antibodies would address this limitation, it has proven difficult to generate large amounts of human anti-human antibodies by conventional hybridoma technology. Recombinant technology has therefore been used in the art to construct "humanized" antibodies that maintain the high binding affinity of animal, such as murine monoclonal antibodies but exhibit reduced immunogenicity in humans. In particular, chimeric antibodies have been suggested in which the variable region (V) of a non-human antibody is combined with the constant (C) region of a human antibody. Methods of obtaining such chimerical immunoglobulins are described in detail in U.S. Patent 5,770,198. In other attempts to reduce the immunogenicity of murine antibodies, only the complementarity determining region (CDR), i.e. regions of hypervariability in the V regions, rather than the entire V domain, are transplanted to a human antibody. Such humanized antibodies are known as CDR-grafted antibodies. The construction of CDR-grafted antibodies recognizing more complex antigens has resulted in antibodies having binding activity significantly lower than the native non-humanized antibodies. In numerous cases it was demonstrated that the mere introduction of non-human CDRs into a human antibody backbone is insufficient to maintain full binding activity. While a refined computer model of the murine antibody of interest is required in order to identify critical amino-acids to be considered in the design of a humanized antibody, and general theoretical guidelines were proposed for such design, in all cases the procedure must be tailored and optimized for the particular non-human antibody of interest.

Subsequently, there remains a need for (monoclonal) antibodies which optimally inhibit human PlGF binding to its receptor. Furthermore, such antibodies also need to be non- immunogenic, in that they can not elicit HAMA (or have a low tendency to do so).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies and derivatives thereof directed to PlGF and capable of inhibiting the binding of PlGF to its receptor. The present ligands are the first to demonstrate inhibition of human PlGF in a pathological condition in vivo. More specifically, the antibodies and derivatives thereof according to the present invention are capable of reducing tumor size and vascularization of human tumor tissue in vivo. The antibodies of the present invention provide an alternative to anti-angiogenic therapies targeting VEGF currently used, with the important advantage that the side-effects caused by inhibition of physiological angiogenesis associated with these therapies is significantly reduced.

The present invention relates to antigen-binding molecules, particularly monoclonal antibodies, fragments or derivatives thereof, including humanized antibodies and antibody fragments, which bind to the same epitope of PlGF as the antibody referred to herein as 16D3. A first object of the present invention is the provision of novel monoclonal antibodies capable of binding to PlGF and having the capacity to inhibit the functioning of PlGF, more specifically antibodies characterized in that their heavy chain variable region comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a sequence having at least 80%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly 95% sequence identity therewith within the CDR regions and/or in that their light chain variable region comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a sequence having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity therewith within the CDR regions, such as antibody 16D3 or derivatives thereof. Additionally or alternatively, in a further embodiment, the antigen- binding molecules of the present invention have a sequence identity within the heavy and/or light chain variable regions outside the CDR regions which is at least 70%, particularly at least 80%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% identical with the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively. . According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the antibody is a humanized antibody, more particularly a hybrid antibody, most particularly a mouse/human hybrid antibody, more particularly a hybrid mouse 16D3/ human IgGlκ or IgG4κ. Alternatively the humanized antibody is one which comprises the CDR regions of the mouse 16D3 antibody of the present invention capable of binding to PlGF, grafted onto the backbone of a human antibody.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to antigen-binding fragments of the mouse 16D3 antibody or a derivative thereof, such as a humanized antibody thereof, such as but not limited to an Fab, Fab' or F(ab')2, a combination of at least two complementarity determining regions (CDRs), a soluble or membrane-anchored single-chain variable region, or single variable domain. Particular embodiments of such antigen-binding fragments include fragments which comprise at least two CDRs of 16D3 or derivatives thereof or more particularly at least two CDRs selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 (GYTFTDYY), SEQ ID NO: 18 (IYPGSGNT); SEQ ID NO: 19 (VRDSPFFDY), SEQ ID NO: 20 (QSLLNSGMRKSF), SEQ ID NO: 21 (WAS) and SEQ ID NO: 22 (KQSYHLFT), or which comprise at least two sequences having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity therewith. A particular embodiment of the invention relates to the provision of single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) of the mouse 16D3 antibody and humanized scFvs which are capable of inhibiting PlGF activity. Most particularly the present invention provides scFvs comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24 or SEQ ID NO: 26 or a sequence having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity thereto within the CDRs capable of binding PlGF. Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of cell lines producing the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention, more particularly cell line 16D3 which produces the 16D3 antibody, but also other cell lines which are capable of producing the antigen-binding molecules derived from 16D3 or fragments thereof, for instance as a result of recombinant technology.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of (undesired) angiogenesis in pathological conditions or disorders in mammals or for the prevention or treatment of bone resorption, which comprises an antibody against PlGF which is 16D3 or a fragment or derivative, more particularly a humanized version of 16D3 or an antigen-binding fragment thereof in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A specific embodiment of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition which comprises an antigen-binding fragment of 16D3 or a derivative thereof, which is selected from the group consisting of an Fab, Fab' or F(ab')2_> a soluble or membrane-anchored single-chain variable part or a single valuable domain. Most particular embodiments of the present invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antigen-binding fragment which comprises at least two CDRs selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 (GYTFTDYY), SEQ ID NO: 18 (IYPGSGNT); SEQ ID NO: 19 (VRDSPFFDY), SEQ ID NO: 20 (QSLLNSGMRKSF), SEQ ID NO: 21 (WAS) and SEQ ID NO: 22 (KQSYHLFT), or at least two having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with two different sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 to 22. A particular embodiment of thereof relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a scFv of the 16D3 antibody of the invention, more particularly comprising a scFV comprising at least two CDRs selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 (GYTFTDYY), SEQ ID NO: 18 (IYPGSGNT); SEQ ID NO: 19 (VRDSPFFDY), SEQ ID NO: 20 (QSLLNSGMRKSF), SEQ ID NO: 21 (WAS) and SEQ ID NO: 22 (KQSYHLFT) or at least two sequences having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with two different sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 to 22, such as a scFv comprising SEQ ID NO:24. Most particularly the pharmaceutical composition comprises a humanized scFv of 16D3, such as, but not limited to the humanized scFv comprising SEQ ID NO:26 or a sequence having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity therewith within the CDRs capable of binding PlGF. In yet another particular embodiment of the pharmaceutical composition according to the invention, a therapeutically effective amount of another anti-angiogenic agent is included in addition to the antigen-binding molecule capable of binding to PlGF of the invention. Most particularly in this respect anti-angiogenic agents such as VEGF- and bFGF- inhibitors are envisaged, most particularly anti-VEGF antibodies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide nucleotide sequences encoding the antigen-binding fragments of the antibodies binding to PlGF disclosed herein, more particularly nucleotide sequences encoding the heavy and light chain variable regions of 16D3 produced by cell line 16D3. Most specifically the nucleotide sequence encoding the variable regions of SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4 are envisaged. Additionally polynucleotide sequences encoding antigen-binding fragments comprising at least two CDRs of 16D3, more specifically, polynucleotides encoding at least two of the CDRs selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 (GYTFTDYY), SEQ ID NO: 18 (IYPGSGNT); SEQ ID NO: 19 (VRDSPFFDY), SEQ ID NO: 20 (QSLLNSGMRKSF), SEQ ID NO: 21 (WAS) and SEQ ID NO: 22 (KQSYHLFT), or encoding sequences comprising at least two CDRs having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 17 to 22. Specific embodiments of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention are provided in SEQ ID Nos 1, 3, 5 and 6. Further specific embodiments include the nucleotide sequences encoding the scFv of 16D3 and humanized versions thereof, most particularly the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 25 and sequences having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity therewith, most particularly within the regions encoding the CDR regions of the scFv. It will be appreciated however that a multitude of nucleotide sequences exist which fall under the scope of the present invention as a result of the redundancy in the genetic code.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of treatment and/or prevention of undesired (or pathological) angiogenesis in pathological condition in a mammal, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment or prevention a therapeutically effective amount of an active ingredient which is antibody 16D3 of the present invention or an antigen-binding fragment or derivative thereof, most particularly a scFv as described herein. Particularly suited for the methods of the present invention are the humanized antibodies and antibody fragments, such as scFvs of 16D3 or derivatives thereof. A particular embodiment of the method of the invention relates to the treatment and/or prevention of pathological conditions such as, but not limited to cancer, inflammation, diseases of the eye, pulmonary hypertension and vascular leakage. A particular aim of the present invention is to provide an effective and safe therapy (i.e. without side- effects) for pathological angiogenesis, more in particular for tumor growth, inflammation, diseases of the eye or vascular leakage, in mammals, more particularly in humans. Most particularly the method of the present invention is suitable for the treatment and/or prevention of solid tumors, more particularly for the treatment and/or prevention of colon cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanomas.

Further uses of the antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of the present invention relate to the immunological detection of PlGF in human samples, as labeled targeting moieties in diagnostic methods and for the screening of compounds with an additive effect to PlGF inhibition in the treatment of cancer.

The present invention is based on the surprising determination of new ligands, namely new murine and humanized monoclonal antibodies and fragments, derivatives and homologs thereof which inhibit PlGF veiy efficiently. Most particularly the present invention demonstrates ligands capable of reducing tumor growth, most particularly capable of reducing the size of a tumor between 20% and 50%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following description, not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments described therein, may be understood in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, incorporated herein by reference, in which:

Figure 1: Binding of antibody 16D3 (A) or humanized antibody 16D3 (hul6D3)(B) to human P1GF-2 (produced in Pichia) with an ELISA test in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2: Inhibition of P1GF-2 binding to human FIt-I receptor by the antibody 16D3

(squares) or the humanized antibody 16D3 (triangles) with an ELISA test in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3: Results of the Biacore experiments wherein rhuPlGF-2 is immobilized on a

CM5 chip in order to investigate the inhibition potential of the antibody 16D3 and its Fab fragment test in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4: Monoclonal antibody 16D3 inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG xenograft tumor model. Treatment of nu/nu mice with tumors of approximately 60 mm³ with anti-tPA ('control IgG') (1C8; 50 mg/kg body weight; n=10), anti-hPlGF 16D3 ('anti-hPlGF')(50mg/kg body weight; n=10), anti-mPlGF (PL5D1 1D4 (obtained as described in WO01/85796; 50 mg/kg body weigth; n=10), a combination of anti-hPlGF 16D3 and an anti-mPIGF PL5D11D4 ('anti-hPlGF/anti-mPlGF')(each 25 mg/kg body weigth; n=10) and 'vehicle' (n=10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. (A) Tumor size (B) tumor weight 18 days after tumor inoculation.

Figure 5: Monoclonal antibody 16D3 inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG xenograft tumor model in a dose dependent manner.

Treatment of nu/nu mice with tumors of approximately 60 mm³ with anti- hPlGF 16D3 (50 mg/kg = 'lOOOμgV 'C, 37,5 mg/kg = '750μg7 ¹D', 25 mg/kg = '500μgV Ε\ 12.5 mg/kg= '250μg7 'F'; n=10 for each concentration), control IgG (' 1C87 'B'; 50 mg/kg) and 'vehicle'/ 'A' (n=10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A: evolution of mean tumor size after tumor cell inoculation; B: average mean tumor size at day 20.

Figure 6: Monoclonal antibody 16D3 inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous human breast MDA-MB xenograft tumor model. Treatment of nu/nu mice with tumors of approximately 60 mm³ with anti-hPlGF 16D3 (50 mg/kg body weight; n=10) or vehicle three times a week in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A: tumor weight and B: tumor volume as determined 32days post inoculation.

Figure 7: Monoclonal antibody 16D3 inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous human colon LOVO xenograft tumor model. Treatment of nu/nu mice with tumors of approximately 60 mm³ with anti-hPlGF 16D3 (50 mg/kg body weight; n=10) or vehicle three times a week in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A: tumor weight and B: tumor volume as determined 30 days post inoculation.

Figure 8: Monoclonal antibody 16D3 inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous human melanoma Mel2a xenograft tumor model. Treatment of nu/nu mice with tumors of approximately 60 mm³ with anti-hPlGF 16D3 (50 mg/kg body weight; n=10) or vehicle three times a week in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Tumor weight as determined 53 days post inoculation.

Figure 9: Monoclonal antibody 16D3 prevents body weight loss in a subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG xenograft tumor model. Treatment of nu/nu mice with tumors of approximately 60 mm³ with anti-hPlGF 16D3 (50mg/kg body weight; n=10), control IgG, a combination of anti-hPlGF and anti- mPlGF (each 25 mg/kg body weigth; n=10) and vehicle (n=10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Tumor weight was subtracted from body weight prior to calculation of the percentage of body weight loss. Open bars: body weight on first day of treatment; filled bars: body weight on last day of treatment

Figure 10: Monoclonal antibody 16D3 and Avastin exert additional effect on inhibition of tumor growth in a subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG. Treatment of nu/nu mice with tumors of approximately 60 mm³ with anti-hPlGF 16D3

(37,5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, 12.5 mg/kg body weight; n=10 for each concentration), control IgG (1C8; 50 mg/kg), Avastin (15 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg body weight, i.p. twice weekly, n=10 each) and a combination of anti-hPlGF (12.5 mg/kg body weight) and Avastin (5 mg/kg body weigth; n=10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Mice were sacrificed after 20 days of tumor inoculation and tumor volume was determined.

Figure 11: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of variable parts of murine antibody

16D3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A.

Nucleotide sequence encoding variable part of heavy chain; B. Nucleotide sequence encoding variable part of light chain; C. Amino acid sequence of variable part of heavy chain; D. Amino acid sequence of variable part of light chain. Nucleotides or amino acids which can be modified for humanization purposes according to one embodiment of the invention are underlined.

Figure 12: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of humanized variable parts of 16D3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A. Nucleotide sequence encoding humanized variable part of heavy chain; B. Nucleotide sequence encoding humanized variable part of light chain; C. Amino acid sequence of humanized variable part of heavy chain; D. Amino acid sequence of humanized variable part of light chain. Nucleotides or amino acids modified for humanization purposes are underlined.

Figure 13: Illustration of the vector for expression of humanized 16D3 scFv in 293 cells

Figure 14: A: Binding of scFvl6D3 and humanized scFvl6D3 to PlGF; B: Inhibition of huPlGF-2 binding to its receptor huFlt-1 by scFvl6D3 and humanized scFvl6D3 (B).

Figure 15: A: Amino acid sequence of scFv of murine antibody 16D3; B: Amino acid sequence of humanized scFv of antibody 16D3. Regions outside heavy and light chain variable regions are underlined. Figure 16: Illustration of the vector for expression of humanized 16D3 Fab in 293 cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 17: A: Binding of humanized Fab 16D3 to huPIGF with an ELISA test in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; B: Inhibition of huPlGF-2 binding to its receptor huFlt-1 by humanized Fabl6D3

Definitions

The term ' 16D3' as used herein refers to the monoclonal antibody against PlGF produced by the cell line deposited with the BCCM/LMBP under number LMBP 6399CB.

The term "antibody fragment" refers to a sub-part of an antibody molecule which alone, or in combination with other fragments, is capable of binding to the antigen against which the corresponding antibody was raised. Typical antibody fragments are Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fv or scFv, which often retain an affinity for the antigen which is comparable to the complete antibody. Smaller fragments include complementarity determining regions or CDRs such as CDRl, CDR2 and CDR3 of the heavy or light chain and/or combinations of two or more thereof.

The term "derivative" is used herein to refer to an antigen-binding molecule which corresponds to a modification of the original antibody (e.g. as produced by a hybridoma cell line) or fragment thereof, without significantly affecting the binding to the antigen. Typical modifications include modifications of the amino acid sequence of the original antibody or modifications of the functional groups present on the amino acid sequence, e.g. in the context of humanization, for the binding of the antibody or fragment thereof to other molecules such as labels or beads, or for the modification of glycosylation. Thus, derivatives include but are not limited to humanized antibodies, hybrid antibodies, antibodies or other antigen-binding molecules which have been obtained by grafting or introducing one or more of the variable regions and/or CDRs of the original antibody on the backbone of another antibody or fragment of the same or a different species. Derivatives of an antibody include alternative structures of one or more CDRs of the antibody resulting in an antigen-binding molecule such as a synthetic polypeptide. A "humanized antibody or antibody fragment" as used herein, refers to an antibody molecule or fragment thereof in which, compared to the original antibody, amino acids have been replaced in order to more closely resemble a human antibody. The majority of these substitutions will be in the backbone of the antibody or antibody fragment, i.e. in non-antigen binding regions. However, it is envisaged that within the CDRs, amino acids which do not or hardly take part in the binding to the antigen can also be substituted.

A "Reshaped" antibody or antibody fragment or a "hybrid antibody" as used herein, refers to an antibody which comprises parts of at least two different antibodies, which can optionally be of the same or of a different species. Typically, a human hybrid antibody can be a human constant region of one antibody linked to a humanized variable region of another antibody (which is directed against the antigen of interest) or a human antibody backbone of one antibody in which amino acid sequences in the antigen binding regions have been replaced with sequences from another antibody e.g. a non-human antibody directed against a human antigen of interest. More particularly the antigen-binding regions of one (usually non- human) antibody having an affinity for an antigen of interest, such as one or more CDRs or variable regions or parts thereof, are introduced into the backbone of another (usually human) antibody (e.g. CDR-grafted antibodies).

The term "homology" or "homologous" as used herein with reference to two or more antigen-binding molecules of the present invention refers to the ability of the antigen-binding molecules to bind to the same antigen, more particularly to the same epitope. The ability of two antigen-binding molecules to bind to the same epitope can be assessed by determining whether the antigen-binding molecules can compete with each other for the binding to the same antigen, e.g. in a competitive binding assay. The binding to the antigen of homologous antigen-binding molecules should be of similar specificity. The "sequence identity" of two sequences as used herein relates to the number of positions with identical nucleotides or amino acids divided by the number of nucleotides or amino acids in the shorter of the sequences, when the two sequences are aligned. Preferably said sequence identity is higher than 70%-80%, preferably 81-85%, more preferably 86-90%, especially preferably 91-95%, most preferably 96-100%, more specifically is 100%. In view of the generally limited contribution of the backbone of the variable regions to the binding with the antigen, sequence identity is most commonly specified herein with regard to the sequence within the complementarity determining regions or CDRs, i.e. with regard to the nucleotide sequences encoding and the amino acid sequences which constitute the CDRs. Thus, when a sequence is specified to have e.g. an 80% sequence identity over a specific sequence 'within the CDRs' it is intended to provide the sequence identity between the two sequences only with regard to the sequences making up the CDRs.

The term "PlGF" is used herein to refer to placental growth factor. PlGF has been found to occur mainly in two splice variants or isoforms, PlGF-I of 149 amino acids and P1GF-2 of 170 amino acids, which comprises a 21 amino acid insertion in the carboxy-terminal region, but also other isofoπns have been found.

The term 'inhibitory' when referring to an antibody to PlGF or fragment or derivative thereof is used to indicate that the antibody, fragment or derivative is capable of inhibiting the binding of PlGF to its receptor Fit- 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with reference to certain embodiments and to certain Figures but the present invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims.

The present invention relates to antigen-binding molecules, particularly monoclonal antibodies, fragments or derivatives thereof, which bind to the same epitope of PlGF as the antibody referred to herein as antibody 16D3. "Antibody 16D3", produced by cell line LMBP 6399CB, was raised against PlGF of human origin, and binds human PlGF (both isofoπns PlGF-I and P1GF-2). Antibody 16D3 inhibits the binding of human PlGF to its receptor flt-1, inhibiting PlGF-activity. The 16D3 antibody itself and fragments or derivatives thereof, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding the antibody, fragments or derivatives, can thus be used for the inhibition of PlGF both in a therapeutic context and in an animal model for testing or screening purposes. Alternatively, the antibody can be used for detection and/or quantification of PlGF either in vivo, ex vivo, or in vitro. Thus, the present invention provides different applications of the antigen-binding molecules of the invention and the nucleotide sequences encoding them. The invention further relates to methods of producing the antigen- binding molecules of the invention, and to cell lines capable of producing these antigen- binding molecules.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to cell lines producing the antigen- binding molecules of the invention, more particularly cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies capable of binding to the same antigen as 16D3 or fragments or derivatives thereof. A particular embodiment of this aspect of the invention is the hybridoma cell line also referred to as 'cell line 16D3' which produces the monoclonal antibody 16D3 and which was deposited with the BCCM/LMBP (Belgian Co-ordinated Collections of Microorganisms/Plasmid Collection Laboratorium voor Moleculaire Biologie, University of Ghent K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, BE by Thromb-X on March 29^th, 2005 as deposit number LMBP 6399CB. The present invention further provides cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies derived from monoclonal antibody 16D3. Such cell lines can be obtained by modifying the coding sequence for monoclonal antibody 16D3, most particularly the coding sequence encoding the non-antigen binding regions of 16D3. Methods of determining the nature of the modifications to be made, and examples of suitable modifications are described herein.

A second aspect of the invention relates to antigen-binding molecules capable of binding to the same antigen as antibody 16D3. More particularly, the invention relates to the antibody named 16D3 produced by the cell line 16D3 described above and homologues, fragments and derivatives thereof capable of binding PlGF and inhibiting PlGF activity.

Thus a particular embodiment of the present invention provides the anti-human PlGF antibody monoclonal antibody 16D3 as produced by cell line LMBP 6399CB, and fragments of this antibody. Monoclonal antibody 16D3 is characterized by the amino acid sequence of the variable regions of its heavy and light chains as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively.

According to a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to fragments, more particularly antigen-binding fragments of antibody 16D3. Such fragments include, but are not limited to Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, CDR's, peptides with a sequence of a part of the antibody or its CDRs, single variable domains and combinations of these. Fab, Fab' and F(ab')2 fragments can be generated by proteolytic digestion of monoclonal antibodies using methods well known in the art, such as described by Stanworth et al, Handbook of Experimental Immunology (1978), vol.l chapter 8 (Blackwell Scientific Publications). Such fragments, which retain the ability to bind the antigen, have lost a number of properties of the parent antibody, such as complement activation or capacity to bind to Fc gamma receptors. More specifically the present invention provides fragments comprising the valuable regions of the heavy and light chains of 16D3 corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4 respectively. A further particular embodiment of the invention relates to fragments comprising the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of 16D3 and derivatives thereof. The two most commonly followed methods for identifying CDRs are IMGT and KABAT, and fragments comprising more than one of either type of CDR of 16D3 are envisaged within the context of the invention, as well as derivatives of 16D3 comprising these fragments or CDRs. According to the IMGT identification of CDRs, the CDR regions within the variable regions of 16D3 correspond to SEQ ID NO: 17 (GYTFTDYY), SEQ ID NO: 18 (IYPGSGNT); SEQ ID NO: 19 (VRDSPFFDY), SEQ ID NO: 20 (QSLLNSGMRKSF), SEQ ID NO: 21 (WAS) and SEQ ID NO: 22 (KQSYHLFT). Thus, the present invention provides for fragments of antibody 16D3 comprising one or more of the CDRs of 16D3 as provided in SEQ ID NO: 17 to SEQ ID NO: 22.

A further specific embodiment of the invention provides fragments of 16D3 which are soluble or membrane anchored single-chain variable parts of 16D3. A single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a genetically engineered antibody fragment that usually consists of the variable heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL) of an immunoglobulin, or parts thereof, joined together by a flexible peptide linker. Optionally, scFvs comprise the CDR regions of the antibody of interest and framework regions of another antibody. The amino acid sequence of the scFv framework and/or CDR regions is optionally humanized to reduce antigenicity for use as a pharmaceutical in humans. The invention provides a scFv of 16D3 and a humanized version thereof comprising SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 26, respectively. Methods for obtaining single-chain variable parts of antibodies are known to the skilled person and are described in example 6 herein. For instance the method can include amplification of the DNA sequences of the variable parts of human heavy and light chains in separated reactions and cloning, followed by insertion of a fifteen amino-acid linker sequence, for instance (Gly4 Ser)3 between VH and VL by a two-steps polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (see for instance Dieffeiibach and Dveksler, "PCR Primer, a laboratory manual" (1995), Cold Spring Harbour Press, Plainview, NY, LTSA). The resulting fragment can then be inserted into a suitable vector for expression of single-chain variable fragment as soluble or phage-displayed polypeptide. This can be achieved by methods well known to those skilled in the ait, such as described by Gilliland et al., Tissue Antigens (1996) 47: 1-20.

The present invention also provides fragments of 16D3 which are antigen-binding peptides representative of the hypervariable regions of antibody 16D3 or combinations thereof. Such peptides can be obtained by synthesis using an applied biosystem synthesizer, for instance a polypeptide synthesizer such as model 9050 available from Milligen (USA) or a model from a related technology.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to derivatives of antibody 16D3 or fragments thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to antibodies comprising a variable heavy chain region and or a variable light chain region as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively, but of which the constant regions are different from those in 16D3. Additionally or alternatively, the derivatives of antibody 16D3 of the present invention comprise at least two of the CDRs of 16D3 as provided in SEQ ID NO: 17 (GYTFTDYY), SEQ ID NO: 18 (IYPGSGNT); SEQ ID NO: 19 (VRDSPFFDY), SEQ ID NO: 20 (QSLLNSGMRKSF), SEQ ID NO: 21 (WAS) and SEQ ID NO: 22 (KQSYHLFT), while the framework regions between the CDRs and/or the constant regions are different.

According to one embodiment of the invention, derivatives of antibody 16D3 or fragments thereof are provided having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with the heavy and light chain variable region of 16D3 provided in SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:4 respectively. Most particularly the present invention provides derivatives of antibody 16D3 or fragments thereof comprising a heavy chain variable region and/or a light chain region having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively within the CDR regions. Sequence identity within the framework regions can be, but is not limited to, less than 80%. Also envisaged are derivatives comprising at least two CDRs which have at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 17 to 22, respectively.

According to a further embodiment, the invention provides derivative of a scFv of 16D3 comprising a sequence having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 24 and a sequence having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 26, most particularly within the CDR regions.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides derivatives of 16D3 or fragments thereof which are humanized. Such humanized derivatives of 16D3 are homologues in that they retain their binding affinity for PlGF. According to a particular embodiment, the humanized derivatives of 16D3 also retain the ability to inhibit PlGF activity. Humanization of non-human antibodies is a achieved by a replacement of one or more amino acids in the backbone of the antibody, i.e. those amino acids not involved in the binding of the antibody to the antigen, so as to resemble more closely the backbone of a human antibody. Different types or levels of humanization are envisaged. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to antibodies or fragments in which entire regions, more particularly the constant region(s) of the non-human antibody or fragment is(are) replaced by the constant region(s) of a human antibody, so as to result in chimeric (e.g.human/murine) antibodies or fragments. Further particular embodiments are antibodies where the antigen- binding amino acids (e.g. two or more CDRs) of the non-human antibody against PlGF is introduced into the backbone of a human antibody (e.g. CDR-grafted antibodies). Methods for associating the binding complementarity determining region ("CDR") from the non-human monoclonal antibody with human framework regions - in particular the constant C region of human gene - are known to the skilled person, such as disclosed by Jones et al. in Nature (1986) 321 :522 or Riechmann in Nature (1988) 332:323. Alternatively replacement of a more limited number of amino acids of the non-human anti-PIGF antibodies of the invention is also envisaged. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to antibodies comprising humanized variable heavy and/or light chain regions of Figure 9 or parts thereof and antibodies comprising at least two, more particularly three to five, most particularly all six CDRs of SEQ ID NO. 17 to SEQ ID NO. 22. Further embodiments of the invention relate to humanized antibodies comprising variable heavy and/or light chain regions having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 8, respectively. Alternatively, the present invention provides humanized antibodies comprising at least two, more particularly three to five, most particularly six CDRs having at least 80%, particularly at least 85%, more particularly at least 90%, most particularly at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 17 to 22, respectively.

The present invention thus relates to humanized and/or chimeric or hybrid antibodies derived from the murine antibody 16D3. In a particular embodiment, specific amino acids of the murine antibody 16D3 are mutated in order to eliminate immunogenic amino acids. Therefore, in a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to antigen-binding molecules comprising a heavy chain variable part amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2 wherein one or more of the following amino acids has been changed: I2V, P9A, K40A and/or Tl 1 IL. Additionally or alternatively, the humanized antibodies derived from antibody 16D3 are antigen-binding molecules comprising a light chain variable part amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein one or more of the following amino acids has been changed: S5T, S9D, A15L, Kl 8R, R22N and/or L89V. Thus according to a particular embodiment, the invention provides antigen-binding molecules comprising both a heavy chain variable part amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein one or more of the following amino acids has been changed: 12 V, P9A, K40A and/or Tl I lL and a light chain variable part amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 wherein one or more of the following amino acids has been changed: S5T, S9D, Al 5L, Kl 8R, R22N and/or L89V.

In another embodiment, the antibody is further humanized in that the (humanized) variable light and/or heavy chains of the murine antibody 16D3 are grafted in a human immunoglobulin frame or are coupled to the constant region of a human antibody, more in particular to a human IgG constant region. Particularly suited in this respect are IgGlκ (IgGl- kappa), which are capable of activating Natural killer cells in the body. In a particular embodiment, the present invention thus relates to a hybrid Hul6D3 - IgG lκ. An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a hybrid Hul6D3 - IgG4κ hybrid. Human IgG antibodies (and thus also hybrid antibodies obtained using human IgG backbone and/or constant regions) exhibit a prolonged half-life time, thus providing veiy stable plasma levels and allowing for a drastic reduction in the frequency of administration. Further, the use of humanized antibodies or derivatives carries a minimal risk of inducing immune responses.

Further embodiments of the present invention relate to antigen-binding molecules which are homologous to antibody 16D3 or fragments thereof, i.e. antigen-binding molecules that bind to the same epitope as antibody 16D3. In one embodiment the homologous antigen- binding molecules are produced by on purpose immunization in animals, more particularly in mouse, for instance by injecting PlGF in mice and then fusing the spleen lymphocytes with a mouse myeloma cell line, followed by identifying the cell cultures producing anti-PIGF antibodies (e.g. by screeing on binding to PlGF) and cloning them. Optionally further selection of the antibodies is performed based on reactivity with the 16D3 epitope, or competition with antibody 16D3 or a fragment thereof. Yet another aspect of the invention thus relates to methods for producing the antigen- binding molecules of the present invention. These methods include, but are not limited to, the methods of humanization to antibody 16D3 as provided in the Examples section herein.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of nucleotide sequences encoding the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention, most particularly the antigen-binding regions thereof. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to the nucleotide sequences encoding the variable heavy chain region and the light chain variable region defined by SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively, such as, but not limited to the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3, corresponding to the sequences of cell line 16D3 encoding the heavy and light chain region of antibody 16D3. Also within the context of the present invention nucleotide sequences are provided which encode one or more of the CDR regions of monoclonal antibody 16D3 as identified in SEQ ID NOs. 17 to 22. Particular embodiments of the invention include the sequence encoding scFvs and humanized scFvs of 16D3 such as but not limited to SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 25, respectively. The invention also provides nucleotide sequences encoding the derivatives of 16D3 and fragments thereof, described herein. The present invention also provides probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing to the nucleotide sequences referred to above, such as, but not limited to the primers described in the Examples section. The present invention also includes nucleotide sequences which are complementary to the sequences encoding the monoclonal antibodies, fragments or derivatives thereof, described herein.

Yet another aspect of the present invention, relates to the therapeutic application of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention. The present invention thus provides the use of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention as a medicament. In this regard, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, comprising one or more of the antigen-binding molecules of the invention, for the prevention or treatment of diseases or disorders in which angiogenesis contributes to the pathology of the disease or disorder. Accordingly methods of treatment and/or prevention of diseases in which angiogenesis contributes to the pathology of the disease or disorder comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment or prevention, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising one or more of the antigen-binding molecules described herein. In such diseases, the angiogenesis is also referred to as 'pathological angiogenesis'. Examples of such pathological angiogenesis include the angiogenesis observed in pathology of blood vessels (atherosclerosis, hemangioma, hemangioendothelioma), of bone and joints (rheumatoid arthritis, synovitis, bone and cartilage destruction, osteomyelitis, pannus growth, osteophyte formation, neoplasms and metastasis), of skin (warts, pyogenic granulomas, hair growth, Kaposi's sarcoma, scar keloids, allergic oedema, neoplasms), of liver, kidney, lung, ear and other epithelia (inflammatory and infectious processes including hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, pneumonia, asthma, nasal polyps, otitis, and transplantation, regeneration, neoplasms and metastasis in these organs), in certain pathologies of the uterus, ovary and placenta (dysfunctional uterine bleeding e.g. due to intra-uterine contraceptive devices, follicular cyst formation, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, endometriosis, neoplasms), pathologies in the brain or nerves (neoplasms and metastasis), certain heart and skeletal muscle afflictions (e.g. due to λvork overload), pathological conditions of adipose tissue (obesity) and endocrine organs (thyroiditis, thyroid enlargement, pancreas transplantation). Pathological angiogenesis can also contribute to diseases of hematopoiesis (AIDS, Kaposi), hematologic malignancies (leukemias, etc.).

In a number of diseases of the eye pathological angiogenesis is believed to be an important factor, and thus treatment with the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention is envisaged. In the 'retinal ischemic diseases' the retina's supply of blood and oxygen is decreased, the peripheral portions of the retina lose their source of nutrition and stop functioning properly. Common causes of retinopathy are central retinal vein occlusion, stenosis of the carotid artery, diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) and anemia (sickle cell retinopathy). Retinopathy is also observed in premature infants (retinopathy of prematurity). Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of visual loss in diabetic patients. In the ischemic retina the growth of new blood vessels occurs (neovascularisation). These vessels often grow on the surface of the retina, at the optic nerve, or in the front of the eye on the iris. The new vessels cannot replace the flow of necessary nutrients and, instead, can cause many problems such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and uncontrolled glaucoma. These problems occur because new vessels are fragile and are prone to bleed. If caught in its early stages, proliferative diabetic retinopathy can sometimes be arrested with panretinal photocoagulation. However, in some cases, vitrectomy surgery is the only option. Other diseases of the eye in which angiogenesis is believed to play a critical role is are choroidal and other intraocular disorders, leukomalacia, and neoplasms and metastasis. Choroideal neovascularization is the growth of new blood vessels that originate from the choroid through a break in the Bruch membrane into the sub-retinal pigment epithelium (sub-RPE) or subretinal space. The location, growth pattern, and type (1 or 2) of CNV depend on the patient's age and the underlying disease. Bleeding and exudation occur with further growth, accounting for the visual symptoms. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a major cause of visual loss. CNV is estimated to occur in 5-10% of myopes and occurs in virtually all choroidal ruptures during the healing phase; most involute spontaneously but in 15-30% of patients, CNV may recur and lead to a hemorrhagic or serous macular detachment with concomitant visual loss.

The term 'pulmonary hypertension' refers to a disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries is abnormally high. In the absence of other diseases of the heart or lungs it is called primary pulmonary hypertension. Diffuse narrowing of the pulmonary arterioles occurs as a result of pathological arteriogenesis followed by pulmonary hypertension as a response to the increased resistance to blood flow. The incidence is 8 out of 100.000 people. However, pulmonary hypertension can also occur as a complication of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis or diffuse interstitial fibrosis and in patients with asthmatiform COPD. The incidence of COPD is approximately 5 out of 10.000 people. Yet a further example of a disease in which angiogenesis contributes to the pathology of the disease, and which is envisaged for treatment with the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention, is the group of inflammatory disorders. 'Inflammation' as used herein means the local uncontrolled reaction to injury (i.e. physical, chemical or as a result of infection) of living tissues, especially the local reaction of the small blood vessels, their contents, and their associated structures. The passage of blood constituents through the vessel walls into the tissues is the hallmark of inflammation, and the tissue collection so formed is termed the exudate or oedema. Any noxious process that damages living tissue such as but not limited to infection with bacteria, excessive heat, cold, mechanical injury such as crushing, acids, alkalis, irradiation, or infection with viruses can cause inflammation irrespective of the the organ or tissue involved. Such 'inflammatory diseases' include reactions ranging from burns to pneumonia, leprosy, tuberculosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Post-operative adhesion formation (POA) is a frequent surgical complication in gynaecological, pelvic, and cardiological surgeries. Surgical trauma to the tissues often causes permanent scar formation which connects the traumatized tissue to another organ. Thus at the site of such damage, internal tissues that normally remain separate, often become joined together. Complications arising form adhesion formation are intestinal obstructions, small bowel obstructions, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility in women. The term "adhesion formation" in its medical sense refers to conglutination, the process of adhering or uniting of two surfaces or parts. For example, the union of the opposing surfaces of a wound, or opposing surfaces of peritoneum. Also, adhesions, in the plural, can refer to inflammatory bands that connect opposing serous surfaces. The term adhesion, as used herein, also includes fibrinous adhesions, which are adhesions that consist of fine threads of fibrin resulting from an exudate of plasma or lymph, or an extravasion of blood. Keloid, a smooth overgrowth of fibroblastic tissue that arises in an area of injury or, occasionally, spontaneously is also a form of adhesion. It has been shown that the inhibition of placenta growth factor(PIGF) leads to a remarkable suppression of postoperative adhesion formation (WO03063904).

It has moreover been demonstrated that diseases characterized by bone resorption, such as, but not limited to osteoporosis, can benefit from inhibition of PlGF (WO2004002524).

Thus, according to a specific embodiment the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention are particularly suited for the treatment and/or prevention of tumor growth and metastasis, diseases of the eye, inflammation, adhesion formation, and pulmonary hypertension.

A further particular embodiment of the invention relates to the use of the antigen- binding molecules of the present invention for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, such as but not limited to cancer of the breast, lung, prostate, brain, liver, pancreas, colon, kidney, uterus or bone marrow. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of the antigen- binding molecules of the present invention for the prevention and/or treatment of solid tumors such as but not limited to colon cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanomas. More particularly data are provided herein demonstrating that the antibodies of the present invention are particularly suited for obtaining regression of human pancreatic tumors. The antibodies of the present invention are demonstrated to significantly reduce tumor size in vivo, whereby reductions in size of up to about 50% are demonstrated. Thus, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing tumor size at least 20%, more particularly at least 30%, most particularly at least 50%. A further particular embodiment of the invention relates to the use of the antigen- binding molecules of the present invention in the treatment or prevention of bone disorders and more specifically for the treatment of conditions where there is an enhanced bone resorption such as for example osteoporosis or osteomalacia. Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of the above- mentioned diseases.

In important aspect of the present invention is that the antibodies, fragments and derivatives thereof allow the treatment and/or prevention of the above-mentioned diseases without the side-effects attributed to or expected with other anti-angiogenic treatments, more particularly alternative treatments targeting angiogenic factors, such as VEGF. Pre-clinical safety trials with recombinant human anti-VEGF antibodies demonstrated as early as 1999 that inhibition of VEGF results in inhibition of physiological angiogenesis, more particularly neovascularization in longitudinal bone growth and corpora lutea formation (Ryan et al., 1999) Toxicologic pathology 27(l):78-86). Recent studies describe that VEGF inhibitors cause regression of vessels in healthy trachea and thyroid glands, which may lead to organ dysfunction (Baffert et al, 2004, Circ Res 94:984-992; Inai et al., 2004 Am J Pathol 165:35- 52). Nevertheless bevacizumab, an anti-human VEGF antibody is currently on the market as suppressor of angiogenesis, despite its observed effects on wound-healing, blood-pressure and risk of thrombosis, because of the overall efficacy of this anti-angiogenic approach on tumor regression. The anti-PlGF antibodies and derivatives of the present invention allow the inhibition of undesired angiogenesis without these observed side-effects on blood pressure, wound healing, risk of thrombosis, and vessel regression in healthy organs.

A particular embodiment of the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, comprising, as an active ingredient, the monoclonal antibody 16D3 or a fragment or derivative thereof, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the antigen-binding molecule. Similarly, the present invention provides for methods of treatment and/or prevention which comprise the administration of a therapeutically effective amount one or more of the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention. A therapeutically effective amount as used herein means an amount within the range from about 0.5 nig per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) to about 50 mg/kg, more preferably from about 1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg of the mammal to be treated. It will be appreciated that, in view of the long half-life time of most IgG human antibodies, the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention which are monoclonal antibodies of this class will enjoy a periodicity of treatment which participates in the comfort of the patient.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions are provided which comprise the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention and another anti-angiogenic agent, as well as methods of treatment providing for a simultaneous or sequential administration of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention and another anti-angiogenic agent. Indeed, the present invention demonstrates an additive effect of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention and other anti-angiogenic agents, such as anti-VEGF antibodies on the inhibition of tumor growth. More particularly it is demonstrated that the combined use of the 16D3 antibody of the present invention and Avastin® is capable of reducing the tumor size of up to about 70%, while increased dosages of either Avastin® alone or the anti-PlGF antibody do not reach a reduction of tumor size of more than 55% in the same conditions. Suitable other anti-angiogenic products, as well as their usual dosage depending on the class to which they belong, are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of anti-angiogenic agents include inhibitors of VEGF acting directly on VEGF, such as the antibody directed against VEGF commercialized under the name Avastin™ or acting on the VEGF receptors. The antibodies of the present invention make it possible to decrease the dosage of e.g. VEGF inhibiting anti-angiogenic agents, known to induce a number of side effects as described above.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may further comprise, a therapeutically effective amount of other compounds/drugs active against the disease to be treated, more particularly other compounds/drugs useful in the treatment of tumour growth, inflammation, diseases of the eye and pulmonary hypertension.

Suitable pharmaceutical carriers for use in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are described for instance in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16^th ed. (1980) and their formulation is well known to those skilled in the ait. They include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents (for example phenol, sorbic acid, chlorobutanol), isotonic agents (such as sugars or sodium chloride) and the like. Additional ingredients may be included in order to control the duration of action of the monoclonal antibody active ingredient in the composition. Control release compositions may thus be achieved by selecting appropriate polymer carriers such as for example polyesters, polyamino acids, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, protamine sulfate and the like. The rate of drug release and duration of action may also be controlled by incorporating the monoclonal antibody active ingredient into particles, e.g. microcapsules, of a polymeric substance such as hydrogels, polylactic acid, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyniethyl niethacrylate and the other above-described polymers. Such methods include colloid drug delivery systems like liposomes, microspheres, microemulsions, nanoparticles, nanocapsules and so on. Depending on the route of administration, the pharmaceutical composition comprising the active ingredient may require protective coatings. The pharmaceutical form suitable for injectionable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation thereof. Typical earners therefore include biocompatible aqueous buffers, ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

The antigen-binding molecules of the present invention may be provided to a patient by any means well known in the art, i.e. orally, intranasally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intradermally, intravenously, intraarterially, parenterally or by catheterization.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention are administered by gene-therapy. Antibody -based gene therapy makes it possible to overcome a number of potential limitations associated with the administration of antibodies such as large-scale production, biodistribution, rapid blood clearance and poor retention of monovalent antibodies. In vivo production makes the antibodies less immunogenic and better tolerated and results in effective and persistant levels of Antigen-binding molecules or fragments thereof. Moreover, genetic approaches make it possible to provide the antigen-binding molecules with new functions. The feasibility of in vivo production and systemic delivery of monoclonal antibodies by different cells/tissues has been demonstrated using in vivo gene transfer by viral vectors (Pelegrin et al., 2004, Gene Ther 4: 347-356). The reduction of tumor growth in vitro and in vivo by gene-modification of fibrosarcoma cells with an anti-laminin antibody with antiangiogenic activity has also been demonstrated (Sanz et al. 2001, Cancer Immunol Imniunother 50:557-565).

Thus, according to this embodiment, the present invention provides nucleotides encoding the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention for use in gene therapy in the treatment of the diseases characterized by pathological angiogenesis described herein. Particularly, the present invention provides for compositions comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the variable heavy chain region defined by SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or nucleotide sequences encoding the light chain variable region defined by SEQ ID NO: 4, for use in gene therapy. More particularly, the present invention provides compositions comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3, corresponding to the sequences of cell line 16D3 encoding the heavy and light chain region of antibody 16D3. Also within the context of the present invention compositions commprising nucleotide sequences are provided which encode one or more of the CDR regions of monoclonal antibody 16D3 as identified in SEQ ID NOs. 17 to 22. Particular embodiments of the invention include the sequence encoding scFvs and humanized scFvs of 16D3 such as but not limited to SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 25, respectively.

The method of treatment and/or prevention according to the invention may include further treatment or prevention of the same pathological angiogenesis condition by administrating, preferably by sequentially administrating, to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a anti-angiogenic or anti-tumour agent such as disclosed hereinabove under the heading of pharmaceutical compositions. Sequentially, as used herein, means that the ligand of the present invention and the known anti-angiogenesis agent are administered to the patient sequentially but not simultaneously.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the antigen-binding molecules of the invention for the immunological detection of PlGF in human samples and as components of kits suitable for such detection. Methods of immunological detection of an antigen are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, EIA, ELISA and RIA and immunohistochemical methods. The binding of the murine antibodies of the present invention to the PlGF antigen can be detected indirectly e.g. by way of a labeled anti-mouse antibody. Alternatively the antibodies or fragments thereof can be labeled directly. A specific embodiment of this aspect of the invention relates to the use of the antibodies against PlGF and antigen-binding fragments thereof in the identification of patients susceptible to a treatment with anti-PIGF. This is of particular interest in the treatment of cancer.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention as a diagnostic tool. It has been demonstrated in the art that in a number of pathological conditions PlGF expression is upregulated. More particularly, a number of tumors have been demonstrated to over-express PlGF. The humanized antibodies or antibody fragments of the present invention can be used in the diagnosis of these pathological conditions e.g. by imaging techniques in which the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments of the invention are labeled and visualized in vivo. A variety of labels for imaging the binding of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention in vivo are known in the art and include, but are not limited to optical (e.g. fluorescent), metal, and magnetic labels, each requiring specific (radiation and) detection devices. A particular embodiment of this aspect of the invention relates to the use of the antibodies of the invention in predicting prognosis of the disease and deciding treatment regimen.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention in animal models in the screening of compounds for use in combination with anti-PIGF therapy. Such models include but are not limited to tumor models whereby growth and development of human tumor cells in nu/nu mice is investigated. Combined administration of the compound to be tested and the antibody or fragment of the present invention make it possible to identify whether the compound has an additive effect to the effect observed upon administration of the antibodies or fragments of the invention alone. Other aspects such as counter-effectiveness or toxicity of a compound in combination with an anti-PIGF antibody can also be determined in this way.

Besides the therapeutic application described above, the nucleotide sequences of the present invention described above are useful in the production of antibodies and other antigen-binding fragments, e.g. by recombinant methods. Thus, the present invention further provides methods for producing recombinant antibodies and antibody fragments, including cloning and manipulation of antibody genes, production of scFv and other antigen-binding fragments using the nucleotide sequences described herein. The protocol of these methods is available in the art. Additionally, the probes specifically hybridizing to the nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be used to screen for expression of the antibodies and antibody fragments of the present invention.

The present invention is further described by the following examples which are provided for illustrative puiposes only.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 - Production and characterization of murine anti-human PlGF antibodies (16D3)

1. Immunization of mice and fusion

Monoclonal antibodies against human PlGF were produced essentially as described by Galfre and Milstein (Galfre F, Milstein C. Preparation of monoclonal antibodies: strategies and procedures. Method Enzymol 1981; 73: 3-46). Briefly, PlGF knock-out mice (Luttun et al., 2002, Biochem Biophys Res Comm 295(2):428-34, Carmeliet et al. (2001), Nat Med 7:575- 593 or WO01/85796) were immunized by subcutaneous injection of 50μg recombinant human P1GF-2 (produced in Pichia) in Complete Freund's adjuvant, followed two weeks later by subcutaneous injection with 50 μg recombinant human PlGF in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Blood samples (about 100 μl) were collected from the tails of the mice after 10 days. The sera were tested for anti-huPIGF antibodies by ELISA using microtiter plates coated with human PlGF as capture, application of diluted sera (from 1/500 to 1/8000), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated goat-anti-mouse IgG for tagging. After an interval of at least 6 weeks, the mice (with high positive responses) were boosted intraperitoneally with 50 μg recombinant human PlGF in saline on days 4 and 2 before the cell fusion.

Spleen cells were isolated and fused with Sp2/0-Agl4 myeloma cells. After selection in hypoxantine, aminopterine, thymidine medium, positive clones were selected by application of culture supernatants into the ELISA as described above. 2. Purification of antibodies on ProSep vA Ultra

Antibodies were purified from cell culture supernatant by affinity chromatography on ProSep vA Ultra (Millipore) according to the manufacturers protocol. Briefly, 150 mM NaCl was added to the supernatant and supernatant was loaded onto a ProSep vA Ultra column that was pre-equilibrated with PBS. The column was washed with PBS and bound protein eluted with 0.1 M glycine pH 2.8. Eluted protein was dialyzed ON to PBS. Purity of the eluted protein was checked under reducing and non-reducing conditions by SDS-PAGE.

3. Binding of 16D3/hul6D3 (obtained as described in example 2) to PlGF (see Figure 1)

ELISA plates were coated ON with 1 μg/ml huPlGF-2 (Pichia) in PBS, 100 μL/well, 4°C. After blocking with 1 % BSA, lhr, RT, a dilution series of 16D3/hul6D3 was added, 100 μL/well, the antibody was allowed to bind for lhr, RT. Bound 16D3 was detected with Goat- anti-human or goat-anti-murine IgG-HRP (Sigma), 100 μL/well, Hn-, RT. The assay was developed with OPD.

4. Inhibition of PlGF binding to huFIt-1 receptor (see Figure 2)

ELISA plates were coated ON with 1 μg/ml huFlt-1 (R&D Systems), 200 μL/well, ON, 4°C. After blocking with 1 % BSA, lhr, RT, a dilution series of 16D3/hul6D3 was added, 100 μL/well, and an additional 100 μL /well of huPlGF-2 was added. After a 2 hour incubation at RT, bound PlGF was detected with Goat-anti-huPlGF (R&D Systems), 180 μL/well, lhr, RT, followed by an incubation with RAG-HRP (DAKO), lhr, RT. The assay was developed with OPD.

5. Further characterization of 16D3 and Fab 16D3 with Biacore experiments

• Inhibition: rhuPlGF-2 (Pichia, TX) was immobilized on a CM5 chip using a EDC/NHS chemistry (amine coupling kit, Biacore), giving 412 RU. The 16D3 was injected followed by rhuFlt-1/Fc Chimera (R&D Systems). This was also performed with buffer instead of the mouse antibody. These were also injected over a negative control Flow channel and these values are already substracted. This assay was performed in a phosphate buffer at pH 9.6. Compared to the maximum binding of the rhuFlt-1 to the rhuPlGF-2, the signal of rhuFlt- 1 is reduced if first 16D3 or 16D3Fab is injected (Figure 3)

6. Cloning and sequencing of the mouse variable regions of 16D3

• mRNA isolation: The mRNA of hybridoma cells of 16D3 was isolated using the QuickPrep™ Micro mRNA Purification Kit (Amersham Biosciences). This mRNA was used to make cDNA using the First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Amersham Biosciences) with the pd(N)₆ primer available in the kit. • PCR: The sequences of the variable parts of the heavy and the light chain were found by doing a PCR with a collection of primers: 8 primers starting in the leader sequence and 2 in the constant region of the heavy chain, 11 primers starting in the leader sequence and 1 in the constant region of the light chain. 8 and 11 PCR reactions with different combinations of the primers were performed.

primers used for the heavy chain of the antibody 16D3:

MHVR35'-ATG GRA TGG AGC TGK ATC WTT HTC- 3' (SEQ ID NO: 9 )

MHCRl 5'- CAS AYM CAG GGG CCA GTG GAT AGA C- 3' (SEQ ID NO: 10)

primers used for the light chain of the antibody 16D3 :

MKVR35'- ATG RAG TCA CAK ACY CAG GTC TTY RTA- 3' (SEQ ID NO: 11) MKCRl 5'- GCT CAC TGG ATG GTG GGA AGA TGG- 3' (SEQ IDNO: 12)

PCR set-up: denaturation 10 min. 94°C, denaturation 30s 94⁰C, annealing 30s 55°C, prolongation 1 min. 72°C, prolongation 5 min. 72°C, number of cycles 30.

The redundancy in the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 to 11 is indicated using the conventional abbreviations R = A or G, K= G or T, W= A or T, H= A or C or T, S= C or G, Y= C or T, M= A or C.

• Cloning and sequencing: The PCR products were loaded on an agarose gel, the right bands were selected, purified (QIAquick^® Gel Extraction kit, Qiagen GmbH) and cloned in pCR^φ4Blunt-TOPO^φ vector supplied in the Zero Blunt^® TOPO^Φ PCR Cloning Kit for Sequencing (Invitrogen™ life technologies). Plasmid DNA was prepared using the High Pure Plasmid Isolation Kit (Roche Diagnostics GmbH) and the inserts were sequenced using the T7 and M 13 reverse primers on the ABI PRISM™ 310 (PE Applied Biosystems). • The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of antibody 16D3 are depicted in SEQ ID Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4. (see figure 11)

EXAMPLE 2 - Production and characterization of humanized anti-human PlGF antibodies

(16D3)

1. Construction of humanized 16D3

Humanization of the variable regions

• Mutations: The following mutations were made in order to humanize the variable parts of the mouse antibody 16D3:

Heavy chain: 12 V

P9A

K40A

Tl I lL Light chain: S5T

S9D

A15L

K18R

R22N L89V

• The mutations were made by using the QuickChange^φ Multi Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Kit (Stratagene^1"). 1 to 5 primers containing the mutations could be used in 1 PCR. After transformation colonies were picked and the DNA sequenced to determine the clone with the most point mutations. This clone was taken to repeat this procedure till all the mutations were present in the sequence.

Linking the variable regions to a human IgG constant region: By performing a PCR the humanized variable parts of the heavy and light chain were obtained to which the appropriate restriction sites were added.

Primers for the variable part of the light chain: Primer 1 : 5'-CCACCGGT GAC ATT GTG CTG ACC CAG TCT CC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 13) Primer 2: 5'-CACCGTACG TTT TAT TTC CAA CTT TGT CCC CGA G-3'

(SEQ ID NO: 14)

Primers for the variable part of the heavy chain: Primer 3: 5'-CAG GTC CAG CTG CAG CAG TCT G-3' (SEQ ID NO: 15)

Primer 4: 5'-GATGGGCCCTTGGTCGACGC TGA GGA GAC TGT GAG CAG GG-3'

(SEQ ID NO: 16)

PCR set-up: denaturation 5 min. 94°C, denaturation 30s 94⁰C₅ annealing 30s 6O⁰C, prolongation 30s 72°C, prolongation 5 min. 72°C, number of cycles 25.

The PCR products were loaded on an agarose gel, the bands were selected and purified (QIAquick^® Gel Extraction kit, Qiagen GmbH). The PCR product of the variable part of the heavy chain of 16D3 was digested with Sail, the vector pKANEO-MCS50-Hleu-var #24 containing the complete constant part of the heavy chain of a human antibody (IgG4), with Eco47III and Sail and ligated. The PCR product of the variable part of the light chain was first cloned in pCR^φ4Blunt-TOPO^® vector supplied in the Zero Blunt^® TOPO^® PCR Cloning Kit for Sequencing (Invitrogen life technologies). The variable part of the light chain was cut out by Agel and BsiWI and cloned into the vector pKANEO-CM30-L-var #7 that already contained the constant part of a human kappa light chain. Both vectors were assembled to one vector by taking the expression cassette of the light chain out of the vector using Pmel and Pad and adding it to the vector containing the heavy chain.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the variable parts of the heavy and light chains of the humanized antibody 16D3 are represented in SEQ ID No 5, 6, 7 and 8. (see figure 12)

2. Transient expression of hul6D3

Hul6D3 IgG4κ was transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells using the FreeStyle 293

Expression System (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturers instruction. Hul6D3 was purified from the supernatant using affinity chromatography on proSep vA Ultra. Purified hul6D3 was checked for purity by SDS-PAGE under reducing and non-reducing conditions. HuI 6D3 was further tested for binding to huPIGF and for inhibition of the HuPlGF/huFLT-1 binding via ELISA (see figure 1 and 2).

EXAMPLE 3: In vivo investigation of the inhibition of tumor growth with anti-PLGF antibodies

1. General description of materials and methods

Cell culture

The murine pancreatic cell lines PancO2 and the human pancreatic cell line DanG are a kind gift of S. Rosewicz (Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany). The human breast MDA- MB, colon LOVO and melanoma Mel2a cell line were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; Manassas, VA, USA). All cells were cultured as recommended. Murine 16D3 anti-PlGF antibodies were used for all in vivo experiments, to avoid immune reaction to the antibody.

Animal experiments

All animal procedures were fully approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Female NMRI nu/nu mice were housed under semi-sterile conditions and were routinely used at 8-10 weeks of age (approximate weight, 25 g). For the preparation of tumor source, tumor cells were tiypsinized to prepare single-cell suspension, washed with PBS. The centrifuged pellet, was re-suspended in 200 μl PBS and injected subcutaneously into the right flank of the mice. For the orthotopic pancreatic tumor model, 1 x 10⁶ tumor cells in 30 μl PBS were injected into the head of the pancreas via ventral laparotomy of female C57B16 mice at the age of 9-10 weeks. Before the procedures, mice were anesthetized with ketamine (90 mg/kg body weight) and xylazine (9 mg/kg body weight).

Administration of drugs (i.e. antibodies, vehicle, etc.)

Treatment with antibodies or vehicle control was initiated when tumors reached a size of approximate 60 mm³. Antibodies P15D11D4 (WO01/85796) ,16D3, 1C8 or vehicle were administered at the indicated doses intraperitoneally every other day. Avastin was injected at the indicated doses intraperitoneally twice a week.

Measurements of tumors Subcutaneously growing tumors were measured every other day using a caliber, and tumor volumes calculated using the formula p/6 (wl x w2 x w2), where 'wl ' and 'w2' represent the largest and smallest tumor diameter, respectively. When mice were sacrificed orthotopic growing tumors of the pancreas were measured after ventral laparotomy using the same method.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed by two-tailed Student t-test for paired observations using GraphPad statistical software (GraphPad Software Inc., San-Diego, CA). All data are expressed as mean ± SEM, unless otherwise indicated. *p<0.5, **p<0.01, unless otherwise indicated.

2. Inhibition of tumor growth in a subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG xenograft tumor model with the murine anti-hPlGF antibody 16D3.

lxlθ^b tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 11 weeks old female NMRI nu/nu mice. After tumors reached a size of approximately 60 mm³, treatment with anti- hPlGF (16D3, 50mg/kg body weight; n=10), anti-mPIGF (PL5D11D4 (obtained as described in WOO 1/85796; 50 mg/kg body weigth; n=10), control IgG (1C8; 50 mg/kg body weight; n=10), a combination of anti-hPlGF and anti-mPIGF (each 25 mg/kg body weigth; n=10) and vehicle (n=10) was started. Antibodies were injected i.p. every other day. (A) Tumors were measured every other day and tumor volume calculated using the formula WlxW2xW2xp/2, whereby Wl represents the longest and W2 the smallest diameter. (B) Mice were sacrificed at day 18 after tumor inoculation, tumors resected and weighted. Mean tumor volume: vehicle: 915±90 mm³, IgG: ± 89 mm³, PL5D11D4: 832 ± 118 mm³, 16D3: 521 ± 83 mm³, PL5D11D4 + 16D3: 497 ± S6 mm³.

The results, as shown in Figure 4, show that the administration of anti-human PLGF antibody 16D3 has a clear influence on the tumor weight and size. 3. Anti-hPIGF inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG xenograft tumor model in a dose dependent manner.

1x10⁶ tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 1 1 weeks old female NMRI nu/nu mice. After tumors reached a size of approximately 60 mm3, treatment with anti-hPlGF, IgG (1C8; 50 mg/kg), 16D3 (50 mg/kg, 37,5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, 12.5 mg/kg body weight; n=10 for each concentration) and vehicle (n=10). (B) Mice were sacrificed at day 18 after tumor inoculation.

The results are shown in Figure 5. Mean tumor volume ± SEM: 16D3, 50 mg/kg body weight: 450 ± 37 mm³; 37,5 mg/kg body weight: 469 ± 97 mm³; 25 mg/kg body weight: 493 ± 107 mm³; 12.5 mg/kg body weight: 693 ± 107 mm³; IC8: 865 ± 109 mm³; vehicle: 889 ± 100 mm³.

4. anti-huPIGF inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous human breast MDA-MB xenograft tumor model.

IxIO⁷ tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 11 weeks old female NMRI nu/nu mice. After tumors reached a size of approximately 60 mni3, treatment with anti-hPlGF, 16D3 (50 mg/kg body weight; n=l 0) and vehicle (n=l 0). The results are shown in Figure 6 (and Table 1 below).

Table 1.

5. anti-huPIGF inhibits tumour growth in a subcutaneous human colon LOVO xenograft tumour model. 1x10⁷ tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 11 weeks old female NMRI nu/nu mice. After tumors reached a size of approximately 60 mm3, treatment with anti-hPlGF, 16D3 (50 mg/kg body weight; n=10) and vehicle (n=10). The results are shown in figure 7 and Table 2 below.

Table 2

6. anti-huPIGF inhibits tumour growth in a subcutaneous human melanoma Mel2a xenograft tumour model. 4x10⁶ tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 1 1 weeks old female NMRI nu/nu mice. After tumors reached a size of approximately 60 mm3, treatment with anti-hPlGF, 16D3 (50 mg/kg body weight; n=10) and vehicle (n=10). The results are shown in figure 8 and Table 3 below.

Table 3.

EXAMPLE 4: In vivo investigation of effect of the treatment with 16D3 antibodies on weight loss.

Materials and methods were as described for Example 3.

1x10^ϋ tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 11 weeks old female

NMRI nu/nu mice. After tumors reached a size of approximately 60 mni3, treatment with anti-hPlGF (16D3, 50mg/kg body weight; n=10), anti-mPlGF (PL5D11D4; 50 mg/kg body weigth; n=10), control IgG (1C8; 50 mg/kg body weight; n=10), a combination of anti-hPlGF and anti-mPIGF (each 25 mg/kg body weigth; n=10) and vehicle (n=10) was started. Antibodies were injected i.p. eveiy other day. Body weight of mice was measured at the first and last day of antibody treatment. Tumor weight was subtracted from body weight prior to calculation of the percentage of body weight loss.

The results are shown in Figure 9. It is shown that anti-hPlGF prevents body weight loss in this subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG xenograft tumor model.

EXAMPLE 5: Combination of anti-hPlGF and an anti-VEGF antibody for the treatment of tumor growth

Materials and methods were as described for Example 3.

1x106 tumor cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 11 weeks old female NMRI nu/nu mice. After tumors reached a size of approximately 60 mni3, treatment with anti-hPlGF (16D3, 50 mg/kg, 37,5 mg/kg, 12.5 mg/kg body weight i.p.eveiy other day; n=10 for each concentration), Avastin (15 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg body weight, i.p. twice weekly, n=10 each) and a combination of anti-hPlGF (12.5 mg/kg body weight) and Avastin (5 mg/kg body weigth; 11=10). Mice were sacrificed after 20 days of tumor inoculation.

The results are shown in Figure 10. Mean tumor volume ± SEM: 1C8, 37; 37,5 mg/kg body weight: 954 ± 164 mm³; 12.5 mg/kg body weight: 1398 ± 236 mm³; IgG: 1789 ± 231 mm³; Avastin: 15 mg/kg body weight: 828 ± 186 mm³; 5 mg/kg body weight: 926 ± 202 mm³; Avastin + 16D3: 569 ± 94 mm³. It is observed that anti-hPlGF and Avastin exert additional effect on inhibition of tumor growth in a subcutaneous human pancreatic DanG.

Example 6: Production of scFv of 16D3

The sequences of the variable parts of the heavy and light chain (SEQ IDs NO: 2 and 4, respectively, obtained as described in Example 1) were amplified by PCR using primers with the appropriate restriction binding sites and linker. After a SOE PCR (gene splicing by overlap extension) the scFv was cloned in pEE14.4 (Hindlll-EcoRI cloning sites) (Figure 12). This scFvhpl6D3/pEE14.4 was transfected to CHO-KI cells after linearisation with BamHI using Fugene 6 (Boehringer Mannheim) and twice subcloned by dilution. A monoclonal scFv hpl6D3, 6C5D4, was obtained and produced. This clone was also transiently transfected in 293 cells by Produce!, in parallel with scFv hpl6D3/pKANEO-MCS50-dhfrl (Nhel-NotI cloning sites)(Figure 13).

The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the 16D3 scFv are provided as SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 24, respectively. The amino acid sequence demonstrating the heavy and light chain variable regions, the linker sequence and the HA-tag and His Tag is also provided in Figure 15.

Example 7: humanization of scFv 16D3

Humanization of the variable regions of the scFv was performed as described in Example 2. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the humanized scFv of 16D3 are provided in SEQ ID NO:25 and SEQ ID NO:26, respectively. The amino acid sequence demonstrating the heavy and light chain variable regions, the linker sequence and the HA-tag and His Tag of the humanized scFv is also provided in Figure 15.

Example 8: Production of humanized Fab 16D3

1. Amplifying the VH and VL fragments from humanized scFvl6D3

Primers for amplification VH fragment of humanized scFyl6D3 16D3Vhbackblunt 5 '-CAGGTCCAGCTGCAGCAGTCTG-S ' (SEQ ID NO: 27)

16D3 VhforSalI 5 '-GATGGGCCCTTGGTCGACGCTGAGGAGACTGTGAGCAGGG-θ '

(SEQ ID NO: 28) Primers for amplification of VL fragment of humanized scFyl6D3 16D3VLBaclcAgeI S'-CCACCGGTGACATTGTGCTGACCCAGTCTCC-S' (SEQ ID NO: 29) 16D3VLForBsiWI 5 '-CACCGTACGTTTTATTTCCAACTTTGTCCCCGAG-S '

(SEQ ID NO: 30)

2. Construction of heavy and light chain vectors The PCR product of the light chain was first cloned into pCR4blunt-TOPO vector. After sequencing the light chain was removed by Agel and BsiWI digestion and cloned into the pKANEO-CM30-Lvar#7 vector. The PCR product of the heavy chain was after digestion cloned directly in pKANEO-MCS50-Fabvar#3.

3. Joining of heavy and light chain constructs

Both vectors (described above), containing the light and heavy segment, were joined together by removing the cassette containing the light segment and adding it to the vector containing the heavy segment by using the enzymes Pmel and Pad, to obtain the final construct, hpl6D3mutcmplFab/pKANEO-MCS50-Fabvar#3. (see Figure 16)

Example 9. Analysis of antigen binding and inhibition of PlGF/flt-1 interaction by scFv 16D3 and humanized scFyl6D3. (^"Figure 14)

1. Antigen binding ELISA

ELISA plates were coated ON with 1 μg/ml huPlGF-1 in PBS, 200 μL/well, 4°C. After blocking with 1 % BSA, lhr, RT, a dilution series of scFvl6D3/humanized scFvl6D3 was added, 200 μL/well, the antibody fragment was allowed to bind for lhr, RT. Bound scFvl6D3 was detected with murine anti-HA (180 μL/well, 1 hr RT) followed by incubation with goat-anti-murine IgG- HRP (Sigma), 170 μL/well, lhr, RT. The assay was developed with OPD. 2. Inhibition of PlGF/Flt-1 interaction via ELISA

ELISA plates were coated ON with 1 μg/ml huFlt-1 (R&D Systems), 200 μL/well, ON, 4⁰C. After blocking with 1 % BSA, 1In-, RT, a dilution series of scFvl6D3/humanized scFvl6D3 was added, 100 μL/well, and an additional 100 μL /well of huPlGF-2 was added. After a 2 hour incubation at RT, bound PlGF was detected with Goat-anti-huPIGF (R&D Systems), 180 μL/well, lhr, RT, followed by an incubation with RAG-HRP (DAKO), lhr, RT. The assay was developed with OPD.

Example 10. Analysis of antigen binding and inhibition of PlGF/Flt-1 interaction by humanized Fabl6D3.

1. Antigen binding ELISA ELISA plates were coated ON with 1 μg/ml huPlGF-1 in PBS, 100 μL/well, 4°C. After blocking with 1 % BSA, lhr, RT, a dilution series of humanized Fabl6D3 was added, 100 μL/well, the antibody fragment was allowed to bind for lhr, RT. Bound humanized Fabl6D3 was detected with anti-huIgG-HRP(Fab specific) (100 μL/well, 1 hr RT). The assay was developed with OPD. The results are provided in Figure 17A

2. Inhibition of PlGF/FIt-1 interaction via ELISA

ELISA plates were coated ON with 1 μg/ml huFlt-1 (R&D Systems), 200 μL/well, ON, 4⁰C. After blocking with 1 % BSA, lhr, RT, a dilution series of humanized Fabl6D3 was added, 100 μL/well, and an additional 100 μL /well of huPlGF-2 was added. After a 2 hour incubation at RT, bound PlGF was detected with Goat-anti-huPIGF (R&D Systems), 180 μL/well, lhr, RT, followed by an incubation with RAG-HRP (DAKO), lhr, RT. The assay was developed with OPD. The results are provided in Figure 17B.

Example 11. Determination of Kn values

The K_D values for 16D3, humanized 16D3 IgG4, humanized scFvl6D3 and humanized Fabl6D3 were determined by Biacore. The results are provided in Table 4 below.

Table 4: Summary table of K_D values.

KD values of 16D3, humanized 16D3 IgG4, humanized Fab 16D3 and humanized scFvl6D3.

Claims

1. An antigen-binding molecule capable of binding to PlGF, characterized in that it comprises at least two CDRs selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 to 22 or at least two sequences having at least 90% sequence identity therewith.

2. The antigen-binding molecule according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the CDR regions corresponding to the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 17 to SEQ ID NO: 22 or sequences having at least 90% sequence identity therewith

3. The antigen-binding molecule according to claims 1 or 2, which is a molecule selected from the group of Fab, Fab' or F(ab')2, a combination of at least two complementarity determining regions (CDRs), a soluble or membrane-anchored single-chain variable part, or single variable domain.

4. The antigen-binding molecule according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a sequence having at least 90% sequence identity therewith within the CDR regions and in that it comprises a light chain variable region comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 4 or a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity therewith within the

CDR regions.

5. The antigen-binding molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is antibody 16D3 as produced by the cell line deposited as LMBP 6399CB or a fragment thereof.

6. The antigen-binding molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a humanized antibody or antibody fragment.

7. The antigen-binding molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a human/mouse hybrid antibody or antibody fragment.

8. The antigen-binding molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said CDR regions are grafted on the backbone of a human antibody.

9. The antigen-binding molecule according to claims 8, wherein said human antibody is IgGlK or IgG4κ.

10. The antigen-binding molecule of claim 1 or 2, which is a single-chain variable fragment binding to PlGF which comprises at least two CDRs selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 17 to 22 or at least two sequences having at least 80% sequence identity therewith.

11. The antigen-binding molecule of claim 10, which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

12. The antigen-binding molecule of claim 1 1, which is a humanized antigen-binding molecule.

13. The antigen-binding molecule of claim 12, which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26.

14. A cell line producing an antigen-binding molecule according to claim 1 or 2.

15. The cell line according to claim 14, which is the cell line deposited as LMBP 6399CB

16. A pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of undesired angiogenesis in pathological conditions in mammals, comprising as an active ingredient an PlGF-binding molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

17. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, further comprising a therapeutically effective amount of another anti-angiogenic agent.

18. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17, wherein said other anti- angiogenic agent is selected from the group consisting of VEGF and bFGF inhibitors.

19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 18, wherein said VEGF inhibitor is and anti-VEGF antibody.

20. A polynucleotide encoding for an antigen-binding molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

21. A method of treatment and/or prevention of undesired angiogenesis in pathological condition in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment or prevention a therapeutically effective amount of an active ingredient which is one or more of an antigen-binding molecules according to any one of claims l to 13.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the pathological conditions is selected from the group consisting of cancer, inflammation, adhesion formation, diseases of the eye, pulmonary hypertension and vascular leakage.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of colon cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanomas.

24. The use of the antigen-binding molecule of any one of claims 1 to 13, for the immunological detection of PlGF in human samples.

25. The use of the antigen-binding molecule of any one of claims 1 to 13, for the screening of compounds with an additive effect to PlGF inhibition in the treatment of cancer.

26. The use of the antigen-binding molecule of any one of claims 1 to 13, as an in vitro diagnostic tool.

27. The use of an antigen-binding molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 13, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of undesired angiogenesis in pathological condition in a mammal.

28. The use according to claim 27, wherein the pathological condition is selected from the group consisting of cancer, inflammation, adhesion formation, diseases of the eye, pulmonary hypertension and vascular leakage.

29. The use according to claim 28, wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of colon cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanomas.