| abstract |
The present invention relates to immunogens, immunogenic compositions, and methods for treating gastrin dependent tumors. The immunogen includes a gastrin receptor immunomimetic peptide conjugated to an immunogenic carrier. The immunogen induces in vivo antibodies that bind to gastrin-responsive or premalignant gastrin receptor (GR), thereby preventing growth-stimulating peptide hormones from binding to the receptor and Has the ability to inhibit cell proliferation. The invention also relates to specific antibodies against the gastrin receptor for passive immunization. Furthermore, the present invention includes anti-GR antibodies derivatized with cytotoxic molecules. The present invention also relates to diagnostic methods for detecting gastrin dependent tumors in vivo or from tissue biopsies using the antibodies of the present invention. Active and passive immunization can be combined to provide an immune response against GR, G17 and / or G17-Gly. |