PLEXIN D1 AS A TARGET FOR TUMOR DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY

摘要

The present invention relates to plexin Dl for use as a targetable protein in the treatment or diagnosis of disorders that involve expression of plexin Dl. Diagnosis is suitably effected by detecting the presence of plexin Dl in the body or a bodily tissue or fluid, whereas treatment is effected by targeting plexin Dl for delivery of therapeutics to the site where treatment is needed. The invention further relates to the use of molecules that bind plexin Dl, a nucleic acid encoding plexine Dl or a ligand of plexin Dl for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for the treatment or diagnosis of disorders that involve expression of plexin Dl. The disorders comprise disorders in which plexin Dl is expressed on tumor cells, tumor blood vessels or activated macrophages.