| abstract |
A neutralizing epitope is identified within amino acids 1-3 of desacyl ghrelin. Antibodies that bind this epitope fall within the scope of the invention and can be murine, chimeric, or humanized antibodies, immunoconjugates of the antibodies, or antigen- binding fragments thereof. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment or prevention of obesity and related disorders including, for example, Type II non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), Prader-Willi syndrome, eating disorders, hyperphagia, and impaired satiety. Additionally, such antibodies can be useful for the treatment or prevention of other disorders, including anxiety, gastric motility disorders (including e.g., irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia), insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-desacyl ghrelin monoclonal antibody of the invention. |