From gene expression analysis with a long-term recurrence-free group and a recurrence metastasis group of stomach cancer, CHRNB2 and NPTXR were identified as drug discovery targets. Tumor growth was successfully inhibited by an antibody medicine or a nucleic acid medicine targeting CHRNB2 or NPTXR. Furthermore, a polyclonal antibody and a monoclonal antibody linking to CHRNB2 or NPTXR are provided. Since these receptor molecules are novel molecular targets, treatment of cases which the existing therapeutic drugs have no effect on is made possible.

Disclosed herein are humanized antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, and antibody conjugates, that are capable of specifically binding to certain biantennary Lewis antigens, which antigens are expressed in a variety of cancers. The presently disclosed antibodies are useful to target antigen-expressing cells for treatment or detection of disease, including various cancers. Also provided are polynucleotides, vectors, and host cells for producing the disclosed antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment and detection, and uses of the antibodies, antigen-binding fragments, antibody conjugates, and compositions are also provided.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an anti-CKAP4 monoclonal antibody that inhibits the binding of DKK1 and CKAP4 and exhibits an exceptional antitumor effect. Provided is an anti-CKAP4 monoclonal antibody that recognizes at least part of the 451-455 region, at least part of the 481-485 region, at least part of the 502-510 region, at least part of the 503-524 region and at least part of the 585-590 region, or at least part of the 585-592 region of the amino acid sequence (amino acid sequence of CKAP4) represented by SEQ ID NO:1 as an epitope, the anti-CKAP4 monoclonal antibody effectively inhibiting the binding of DKK1 and CKAP4, the activation of AKT of S2-CP8 cells, and the proliferative ability of S2-CP8 cells or the migratory ability of S2-CP8 cells, and exhibiting an exceptional antitumor effect. The ability to develop ELISA methods in which these anti-CKAP4 monoclonal antibodies are used furthermore makes it possible, for example, to measure the serum CKAP4 in pancreatic cancer patients, and therefore also contributes to the development of companion diagnostic agents.

Provided are methods and compositions for identifying individuals having intestinal metaplasia (IM) and/or Helicobacter pylori infection based on the levels of antibodies against particular Helicobacter pylori antigens. Patient diagnosis allows for medical interventions, including therapeutic treatments, disease progression preventative measures and enhanced cancer screening. Also provided are methods and compositions for identifying individuals having IM who are at increased risk for developing gastric cancer. Patient diagnosis and stratification by risk allows for targeted screening and monitoring for signs of gastric cancer as well as earlier intervention with cancer preventative treatments.

The present invention relates to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Provided herein are uses of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) inhibitors in cancer treatment, in some cases in combination with immune stimulating agents, such as inhibitors of PD-1 or PD-L1. In some embodiments, FGFR2 inhibitors may comprise FGFR2 antibodies or FGFR2 extracellular domain (ECD) polypeptides, or FGFR2 ECD fusion molecules comprising an FGFR2 ECD and a fusion partner. In some embodiments, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors may comprise anti-PD-1 antibodies such as antibodies that bind to PD-1 or to PD-L1 and inhibit interactions between these proteins, as well as PD-1 fusion proteins or polypeptides.

Disclosed herein are humanized antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, and antibody conjugates, that are capable of specifically binding to certain biantennary Lewis antigens, which antigens are expressed in a variety of cancers. The presently disclosed antibodies are useful to target antigen-expressing cells for treatment or detection of disease, including various cancers. Also provided are polynucleotides, vectors, and host cells for producing the disclosed antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment and detection, and uses of the antibodies, antigen-binding fragments, antibody conjugates, and compositions are also provided.

Exosomes were purified from the sera of patients with gastric cancer and healthy subjects by using size-exclusion chromatography, and novel markers were obtained through mass spectrometry. In the patients with gastric cancer, 40 proteins with enhanced expression and 4 proteins with decreased expression can be suitable markers for detecting gastric cancer. Particularly, the detailed analysis of CA1, including its function, showed that gastric cancer could be detected with high sensitivity.

The invention provides that OSTERIX (a.k.a. SP7) is a marker for gastrointestinal stem cells and that OSTERIX is expressed widely and at elevated levels in human gastrointestinal tumors.

The present invention generally provides a therapy for effectively treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing CLDN18.2, in particular cancer diseases such as gastroesophageal cancer. Data are presented demonstrating that administration of an anti-CLDN18.2 antibody to human patients with gastroesophageal cancer is safe and well-tolerated up to a dose of at least 1000 mg/m.sup.2. Furthermore, data are presented demonstrating that the antibody is fully functional in these patients to execute anti-tumor cell effects and evidence for antitumoral activity was obtained.