Disclosed is the surprising discovery that aminophospholipids, such as
phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, are specific, accessible
and stable markers of the luminal surface of tumor blood vessels. The
present invention thus provides aminophospholipid-targeted diagnostic and
therapeutic constructs for use in tumor intervention.
Antibody-therapeutic agent conjugates and constructs that bind to
aminophospholipids are particularly provided, as are methods of
specifically delivering therapeutic agents, including toxins and
coagulants, to the stably-expressed aminophospholipids of tumor blood
vessels, thereby inducing thrombosis, necrosis and tumor regression.