The present invention provides for fully human antibodies and chimeric antibodies that bind human TYRP1 antigen with an affinity comparable to or higher than TA99, a murine antibody specific to TYRP1. The invention further provides polynucleic acids and host cells that encode and express these antibodies. The invention also provides for methods of modulating activity of TYRP1, treating growth of a cancer cell, and treating a malignant melanoma in mammals by administering an effective amount of an antibody either alone or in combination with an anti-cancer agent or treatment.
