Using Antibodies to Block HER3 Proteins in Cancer Cells

A patent describing specific antibodies that bind to and block the HER3 protein, which is often used by cancer cells to grow and survive.

What it covers

This patent identifies specific antibodies, named 1B4C3 and 2D1D12, that target the HER3 protein. HER3 is a receptor on the surface of cells that, when activated, sends signals that can cause cells to multiply uncontrollably. By binding to HER3, these antibodies prevent the protein from sending those growth signals. The patent claims the use of these antibodies as a pharmaceutical composition to treat hyperproliferative diseases, such as tumors, often in combination with other cancer-fighting drugs.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover general methods of inhibiting HER3 that do not use the specific 1B4C3 or 2D1D12 antibodies.
• —Does not cover antibodies that lack the specific six CDR sequences defined for 1B4C3.
• —Does not cover the use of small-molecule drugs that inhibit HER3 activity through mechanisms other than antibody binding.
• —Does not cover treatments for diseases that are not related to hyperproliferative cell growth.

The clever bit

The patent specifically highlights antibodies that bind to glycosylated HER3, which is the form typically found on the surface of living cancer cells, ensuring the treatment is effective in a biological environment.

Why it matters

HER3 is a well-known target in oncology because many cancers rely on it to resist standard therapies. This patent provides a specific molecular tool to neutralize this protein, offering a potential path for targeted cancer therapy. It represents the work of Axel Ullrich, a prominent researcher in the field of receptor tyrosine kinases.

Real-world examples

• 1.Targeted antibody therapies for breast and lung cancers
• 2.Experimental cancer treatments focusing on HER3 signaling pathways