A humanised or chimeric monoclonal antibody capable of binding to human GDF-15 (MIC-1/NAG-1), or an antigen-binding portion thereof, comprises a heavy chain variable domain CDR3 region at least 90% identical to the sequence ARSSYGAMDY, a light chain variable domain CDR3 region at least 85% identical to the sequence QQYNNFPYT, a heavy chain constant region with at least 85% identity to the human IgG1 sequence, and a light chain constant region with at least 85% identity to the human IgG1 sequence. The antibody may bind to a conformational or discontinuous epitope on human GDF-15, comprising residues 40-55 and 94-114. Antibodies of the invention can be used in methods for the treatment of cancer cachexia and also for the treatment of cancer. The invention also provides vectors encoding, and cell lines capable of producing, the monoclonal antibodies, and kits and compositions comprising the antibodies.
