| abstract |
A therapeutically effective amount of an antibody for a compound selected from the group consisting of PTHrp, TGFalpha, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, Lymphotoxin, TNF, PGE; 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D<SUB>3 </SUB>and an antigenic fragment thereof used in the treatment of cancer metastasis to bone and cancer cell growth in bone as well as osteolysis and symptomatic sequelae thereof. An antibody immunoreactive with parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrp) is particularly preferred. Antibodies with human characteristics are included in the invention for application of the invention method to human subjects. Also, the antibody can be administered in an injectable is formulation in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a bisphosphonate or pyrophosphate having the general structure formula wherein X is a linking moiety allowing for the interconnection of the phosphonate groups, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and partial hydrates thereof. The antibody and bisphosphonate act synergistically in the treatment of cancer metastases to bone and symptomatic sequelae thereof and particularly as regards bone resorption. |