NCIt definition : An immunoglobulin G1 lambda monoclonal antibody directed against the Notch ligand
delta-like 4 (DLL4) with potential antineoplastic activity. Anti-DLL4 monoclonal antibody
MEDI0639 specifically binds to DLL4 and prevents its interaction with Notch receptors,
thereby inhibiting Notch-mediated signaling and gene transcription, which may block
tumor angiogenesis and eventually the inhibition of tumor cell growth. Activation
of Notch receptors by DLL4 stimulates proteolytic cleavage of the Notch intracellular
domain (NICD); after cleavage, NICD is translocated to the nucleus and mediates the
transcriptional regulation of a variety of genes involved in vascular development.
The expression of DLL4 is highly restricted to the vascular endothelium; DLL4/Notch
signaling is required for the development of functional tumor blood vessels.;
Semantic type(s)