Threapeutic methods for treating vascular eye disorders with DLL4 antagonists

摘要

A therapeutic method for treating ischemic or vascular disorders by administering an agent capable of inhibiting human delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) activity to a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, the agent is an anti-Dll4 antibody or antibody fragment capable of inhibiting the binding of Dll4 to a Notch receptor. The method of the invention is useful for treating eye disorders such as ischemic retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, corneal neovascularization, neovascular glaucoma, or retinopathy of prematurity. The method is also useful or treating ischemic or vascular disorders such as ischemic injury, cerebral ischemia, cardiac ischemia, ischemic conditions affecting the limbs and other organs or tissues, arteriovenous malformations, wound healing, organ or tissue transplantation, placental insufficiency, arterial narrowing and occlusion, atherosclerosis, and systemic or pulmonary hypertension.