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Abstract
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/apoptosis-2 ligand (Apo-2L) is a member of the TNF superfamily and has recently been shown to induce apoptosis in transformed and cancer cells. In addition to the cytokine TRAIL, agonist antibodies that activate TRAIL receptors (TRAIL-R1/death receptor 4 [DR4]) and TRAIL-R2/DR5) can also induce apoptosis in receptorbearing cells. Such antibodies can be used in the prevention and treatment of human diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative, immune and inflammatory disorders and infectious disease. In this patent, Human Genome Sciences presents antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to TRAIL receptors (TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5). The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-TRAIL receptor antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids and methods for producing the same. The use of TRAIL receptor antibody is very promising and will likely provide useful highly targeted therapeutics in the future. Recent patent activity suggests this is an active area of therapy in the pharmaceutical industry where major attention will be paid to the design, selection and formulation of a range of new antibody-based products.