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Khushalani NI, Ott PA, Ferris RL, Cascone T, Schadendorf D, Le DT, Sharma MR, Barlesi F, Sharfman W, Luke JJ, Melero I, Lathers D, Neely J, Suryawanshi S, Sanyal A, Holloway JL, Suryawanshi R, Ely S, Segal NH. Final results of urelumab, an anti-CD137 agonist monoclonal antibody, in combination with cetuximab or nivolumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e007364. [PMID: 38458639 PMCID: PMC10921538 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted treatments for cancer is common; thus, novel immunotherapy agents are needed. Urelumab is a monoclonal antibody agonist that binds to CD137 receptors expressed on T cells. Here, we report two studies that evaluated urelumab in combination with cetuximab or nivolumab in patients with select, advanced solid tumors. METHODS CA186-018: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) were treated in a dose-evaluation phase with urelumab 0.1 mg/kg (urelumab-0.1) every 3 weeks (Q3W)+cetuximab 250 mg/m2 (cetuximab-250) weekly; and in a dose-expansion phase with urelumab 8 mg flat dose (urelumab-8) Q3W+cetuximab-250 weekly. CA186-107: The dose-escalation phase included patients with previously treated advanced solid tumors (or treated or treatment-naive melanoma); patients received urelumab 3 mg flat dose (urelumab-3) or urelumab-8 every 4 weeks+nivolumab 3 mg/kg (nivolumab-3) or 240 mg (nivolumab-240) every 2 weeks. In the expansion phase, patients with melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, or SCCHN were treated with urelumab-8+nivolumab-240. Primary endpoints were safety and tolerability, and the secondary endpoint included efficacy assessments. RESULTS CA186-018: 66 patients received study treatment. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were fatigue (75%; n=3) with urelumab-0.1+cetuximab-250 and dermatitis (45%; n=28) with urelumab-8+cetuximab-250. Three patients (5%) discontinued due to TRAE(s) (with urelumab-8+cetuximab-250). One patient with SCCHN had a partial response (objective response rate (ORR) 5%, with urelumab-8+cetuximab-250).CA186-107: 134 patients received study treatment. Fatigue was the most common TRAE (32%; n=2 with urelumab-3+nivolumab-3; n=1 with urelumab-8+nivolumab-3; n=40 with urelumab-8+nivolumab-240). Nine patients (7%) discontinued due to TRAE(s) (n=1 with urelumab-3+nivolumab-3; n=8 with urelumab-8+nivolumab-240). Patients with melanoma naive to anti-PD-1 therapy exhibited the highest ORR (49%; n=21 with urelumab-8+nivolumab-240). Intratumoral gene expression in immune-related pathways (CD3, CD8, CXCL9, GZMB) increased on treatment with urelumab+nivolumab. CONCLUSIONS Although the addition of urelumab at these doses was tolerable, preliminary response rates did not indicate an evident additive benefit. Nevertheless, the positive pharmacodynamics effects observed with urelumab and the high response rate in treatment-naive patients with melanoma warrant further investigation of other anti-CD137 agonist agents for treatment of cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT02110082; NCT02253992.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil I Khushalani
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Patrick A Ott
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tina Cascone
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dung T Le
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Fabrice Barlesi
- Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Hopital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jason J Luke
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ignacio Melero
- CIBERONC, and Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Deanne Lathers
- Bristol Meyers Squibb Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jaclyn Neely
- Bristol Meyers Squibb Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - James L Holloway
- Bristol Meyers Squibb Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Scott Ely
- Bristol Meyers Squibb Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | - Neil H Segal
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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Ma Y, Luo F, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Xue J, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Yang Y, Fang W, Zhou T, Chen G, Cao J, Chen Q, She X, Luo P, Liu G, Zhang L, Zhao H. Preclinical characterization and phase 1 results of ADG106 in patients with advanced solid tumors and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101414. [PMID: 38330942 PMCID: PMC10897605 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
ADG106, a ligand-blocking agonistic antibody targeting CD137 (4-1BB), exhibits promising results in preclinical studies, demonstrating tumor suppression in various animal models and showing a balanced profile between safety and efficacy. This phase 1 study enrolls 62 patients with advanced malignancies, revealing favorable tolerability up to the 5.0 mg/kg dose level. Dose-limiting toxicity occurs in only one patient (6.3%) at 10.0 mg/kg, resulting in grade 4 neutropenia. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events include leukopenia (22.6%), neutropenia (22.6%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (22.6%), rash (21.0%), itching (17.7%), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (17.7%). The overall disease control rates are 47.1% for advanced solid tumors and 54.5% for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Circulating biomarkers suggest target engagement by ADG106 and immune modulation of circulating T, B, and natural killer cells and cytokines interferon γ and interleukin-6, which may affect the probability of clinical efficacy. ADG106 has a manageable safety profile and preliminary anti-tumor efficacy in patients with advanced cancers (this study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03802955).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Ma
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Fan Luo
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Qianwen Liu
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jinhui Xue
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yunpeng Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxin Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Qun Chen
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | | | | | | | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China.
| | - Hongyun Zhao
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China.
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Baudouin R, Tartour E, Badoual C, Hans S. Hypothesis of a CD137/Eomes activating axis for effector T cells in HPV oropharyngeal cancers. Mol Med 2024; 30:26. [PMID: 38355394 PMCID: PMC10868089 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00796-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is supplanting alcohol and tobacco intoxications as the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer in developed countries. HPV-related squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx (HPV + OSC) present better survival and respond better to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Regulatory T cells (TREG) are mainly described as immunosuppressive and protumoral in most solid cancers. However, TREG are paradoxically associated with a better prognosis in HPV + OSCs. The transcription factor FoxP3 is the basis for the identification of TREG. Among CD4 + FoxP3 + T cells, some have effector functions. A medical hypothesis is formulated here: the existence of a CD137 (4.1BB)-Eomesodermin (Eomes) activated pathway downstream of TCR-specific activation in a subpopulation of CD4 + FoxP3 + T cells may explain this effector function. Evidence suggest that this axis may exist either in CD4 + FoxP3 + T cells or CD8 + T cells. This pathway could lead T cells to strong antitumor cytotoxic activity in a tumor-specific manner. Furthermore, CD137 is one of the most expected targets for the development of agonist immunotherapies. The identification of CD137 + Eomes + FoxP3+/- T cells could be a key element in the selective activation of the most anti-tumor cells in the HPV + OSC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Baudouin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, 40 rue Worth, 92 150, Suresnes, France.
- School of Medicine, UFR Simone Veil, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en- Yvelines (Paris Saclay University), 2 Av. de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny- le-Bretonneux, 78 180, France.
| | - Eric Tartour
- Université Paris Cite, INSERM, PARCC, Hôpital européen Georges Pompidou, Service d'Immunologie biologique, 20, Rue Leblanc, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Cécile Badoual
- Hôpital européen Georges Pompidou, Service d'anatomopathologie, 20, Rue Leblanc, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Stéphane Hans
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, 40 rue Worth, 92 150, Suresnes, France
- School of Medicine, UFR Simone Veil, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en- Yvelines (Paris Saclay University), 2 Av. de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny- le-Bretonneux, 78 180, France
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4
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Jin X, Yi L, Wang X, Yan Z, Wei P, Yang B, Zhang H. Costimulatory capacity of CD137 mAbs on T cells depends on elaborate CRD structures but not on blocking ligand-receptor binding. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350493. [PMID: 37675596 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
CD137 is mainly a costimulatory receptor of CD8+ T cells. Two representative CD137 antibodies, utomilumab, and urelumab, show different costimulatory capacities in clinical trials. Balancing the antitumor effect and systemic toxicity of T cells activated by CD137 signaling is a challenge that requires clinical consideration. In this study, a panel of specific anti-human CD137 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were prepared and their affinities, isotypes, CD137-CRD (cysteine-rich domain) binding regions, cross-reactivity to mouse and rhesus CD137, inhibition of ligand-receptor binding and costimulatory activities were analyzed. The results showed that anti-human CD137 mAbs had high cross-reactivity with rhesus CD137. MAbs fell into three clusters according to their different binding regions of the CD137 extracellular domain. They bound to CRDI+CRDII, CRDIII or CRDIV+STP. CRDIII-binding mAbs had the strongest blocking activity. Highly costimulatory CD137 mAbs showed stronger abilities to promote CD8+ T-cell proliferation. However, the costimulatory capacity of mAbs on T cells was not closely related to their ability to block CD137L-CD137 binding and may be controlled by more elaborate CRD conformational structures. This study provides additional information for the development of next-generation CD137 mAbs to meet clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jin
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojue Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuohong Yan
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Panjian Wei
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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5
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Battin C, De Sousa Linhares A, Leitner J, Grossmann A, Lupinek D, Izadi S, Castilho A, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Stritzker J, Steinberger P. Engineered soluble, trimerized 4-1BBL variants as potent immunomodulatory agents. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3029-3043. [PMID: 37310433 PMCID: PMC10412504 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Targeting co-stimulatory receptors promotes the activation and effector functions of anti-tumor lymphocytes. 4-1BB (CD137/TNFSF9), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFR-SF), is a potent co-stimulatory receptor that plays a prominent role in augmenting effector functions of CD8+ T cells, but also CD4+ T cells and NK cells. Agonistic antibodies against 4-1BB have entered clinical trials and shown signs of therapeutic efficacy. Here, we have used a T cell reporter system to evaluate various formats of 4-1BBL regarding their capacity to functionally engage its receptor. We found that a secreted 4-1BBL ectodomain harboring a trimerization domain derived from human collagen (s4-1BBL-TriXVIII) is a strong inducer of 4-1BB co-stimulation. Similar to the 4-1BB agonistic antibody urelumab, s4-1BBL-TriXVIII is very potent in inducing CD8+ and CD4+ T cell proliferation. We provide first evidence that s4-1BBL-TriXVIII can be used as an effective immunomodulatory payload in therapeutic viral vectors. Oncolytic measles viruses encoding s4-1BBL-TriXVIII significantly reduced tumor burden in a CD34+ humanized mouse model, whereas measles viruses lacking s4-1BBL-TriXVIII were not effective. Natural soluble 4-1BB ligand harboring a trimerization domain might have utility in tumor therapy especially when delivered to tumor tissue as systemic administration might induce liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika De Sousa Linhares
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Grossmann
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Lupinek
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shiva Izadi
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Castilho
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jochen Stritzker
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Salek-Ardakani S, Zajonc DM, Croft M. Agonism of 4-1BB for immune therapy: a perspective on possibilities and complications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228486. [PMID: 37662949 PMCID: PMC10469789 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Costimulatory receptors on immune cells represent attractive targets for immunotherapy given that these molecules can increase the frequency of individual protective immune cell populations and their longevity, as well as enhance various effector functions. 4-1BB, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, also known as CD137 and TNFRSF9, is one such molecule that is inducible on several cell types, including T cells and NK cells. Preclinical studies in animal models have validated the notion that stimulating 4-1BB with agonist reagents or its natural ligand could be useful to augment conventional T cell and NK cell immunity to protect against tumor growth and against viral infection. Additionally, stimulating 4-1BB can enhance regulatory T cell function and might be useful in the right context for suppressing autoimmunity. Two human agonist antibodies to 4-1BB have been produced and tested in clinical trials for cancer, with variable results, leading to the production of a wealth of second-generation antibody constructs, including bi- and multi-specifics, with the hope of optimizing activity and selectivity. Here, we review the progress to date in agonism of 4-1BB, discuss the complications in targeting the immune system appropriately to elicit the desired activity, together with challenges in engineering agonists, and highlight the untapped potential of manipulating this molecule in infectious disease and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dirk M. Zajonc
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Michael Croft
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of California (UC) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Wan PKT, Fernandes RA, Seymour LW. Oncolytic viruses and antibodies: are they more successful when delivered separately or when engineered as a single agent? J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006518. [PMID: 37541690 PMCID: PMC10407364 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) provide the promise of tumor-selective cytotoxicity coupled with amplification of the therapeutic agent (the virus) in situ within the tumor improving its therapeutic index. Despite this promise, however, single agent-treatments have not been as successful as combination therapies, particularly combining with checkpoint inhibitor antibodies. The antibodies may be delivered by two approaches, either encoded within the OV genome to restrict antibody production to sites of active virus infection or alternatively given alongside OVs as separate treatments. Both approaches have shown promising therapeutic outcomes, and this leads to an interesting question of whether one approach is potentially better than the other. In this review, we provide a brief summary of the combination OV-antibody therapies that target tumor cells, tumor microenvironment and immune cells to help define key parameters influencing which approach is superior, thereby improving insight into the rational design of OV treatment strategies.
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Melero I, Sanmamed MF, Glez-Vaz J, Luri-Rey C, Wang J, Chen L. CD137 (4-1BB)-Based Cancer Immunotherapy on Its 25th Anniversary. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:552-569. [PMID: 36576322 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, we reported that agonist anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies eradicated transplanted mouse tumors because of enhanced CD8+ T-cell antitumor immunity. Mouse models indicated that anti-CD137 agonist antibodies synergized with various other therapies. In the clinic, the agonist antibody urelumab showed evidence for single-agent activity against melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma but caused severe liver inflammation in a fraction of the patients. CD137's signaling domain is included in approved chimeric antigen receptors conferring persistence and efficacy. A new wave of CD137 agonists targeting tumors, mainly based on bispecific constructs, are in early-phase trials and are showing promising safety and clinical activity. SIGNIFICANCE CD137 (4-1BB) is a costimulatory receptor of T and natural killer lymphocytes whose activity can be exploited in cancer immunotherapy strategies as discovered 25 years ago. Following initial attempts that met unacceptable toxicity, new waves of constructs acting agonistically on CD137 are being developed in patients, offering signs of clinical and pharmacodynamic activity with tolerable safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel F Sanmamed
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Luri-Rey
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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Kim AMJ, Nemeth MR, Lim SO. 4-1BB: A promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968360. [PMID: 36185242 PMCID: PMC9515902 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, powered by its relative efficacy and safety, has become a prominent therapeutic strategy utilized in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including cancer. Within this class of therapeutics, there is a variety of drug types such as immune checkpoint blockade therapies, vaccines, and T cell transfer therapies that serve the purpose of harnessing the body’s immune system to combat disease. Of these different types, immune checkpoint blockades that target coinhibitory receptors, which dampen the body’s immune response, have been widely studied and established in clinic. In contrast, however, there remains room for the development and improvement of therapeutics that target costimulatory receptors and enhance the immune response against tumors, one of which being the 4-1BB (CD137/ILA/TNFRSF9) receptor. 4-1BB has been garnering attention as a promising therapeutic target in the setting of cancer, amongst other diseases, due to its broad expression profile and ability to stimulate various signaling pathways involved in the generation of a potent immune response. Since its discovery and demonstration of potential as a clinical target, major progress has been made in the knowledge of 4-1BB and the development of clinical therapeutics that target it. Thus, we seek to summarize and provide a comprehensive update and outlook on those advancements in the context of cancer and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Min Jung Kim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Macy Rose Nemeth
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Seung-Oe Lim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Institute of Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Seung-Oe Lim,
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Sugyo A, Tsuji AB, Sudo H, Narita Y, Taniguchi K, Nemoto T, Isomura F, Awaya N, Kamata-Sakurai M, Higashi T. In vivo validation of the switch antibody concept: SPECT/CT imaging of the anti-CD137 switch antibody Sta-MB shows high uptake in tumors but low uptake in normal organs in human CD137 knock-in mice. Transl Oncol 2022; 23:101481. [PMID: 35820360 PMCID: PMC9284450 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137 is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy, but its expression in normal tissues induces some adverse effects in patients receiving CD137-targeted therapy. To overcome this issue, we developed a switch antibody, STA551, that binds to CD137 only under high ATP concentrations around cells. This study quantified biodistribution of murine switch antibodies in human CD137 knock-in mice to show the viability of the switch antibody concept in vivo. We utilized four antibodies: Sta-MB, Ure-MB, Sta-mIgG1, and KLH-MB. Sta-MB is a switch antibody having the variable region of STA551. The MB is a murine Fc highly binding to murine Fcγ receptor II. Ure-MB has a variable region mimicking the clinically available anti-CD137 agonist antibody urelumab, binding to CD137 regardless of ATP concentration. Sta-mIgG1 has the same variable region as Sta-MB but has the standard murine constant region. KLH-MB binds to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The four antibodies were radiolabeled with In-111, SPECT/CT imaging was conducted in human CD137 knock-in mice, and the uptake in regions of interest was quantified. 111In-labeled Sta-MB and Sta-mIgG1 showed high uptake in tumors but low uptake in the lymph nodes and spleen in human CD137 knock-in mice. On the other hand, Ure-MB highly accumulated not only in tumors but also in the lymph nodes and spleen. KLH-MB showed low uptake in the tumors, lymph nodes, and spleen. The present study provides evidence that the switch antibody concept works in vivo. Our findings encourage further clinical imaging studies to evaluate the biodistribution of STA551 in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Sugyo
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsushi B Tsuji
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Hitomi Sudo
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Narita
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenji Taniguchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nemoto
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Fumihisa Isomura
- Chugai Research Institute for Medical Science, Inc., 1-135 Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Norihiro Awaya
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2-1-1 Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mika Kamata-Sakurai
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Higashi
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan.
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11
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Kaneko C, Tsutsui H, Ozeki K, Honda M, Haraya K, Narita Y, Kamata-Sakurai M, Kikuta J, Tabo M, Ishii M. In vivo imaging with two-photon microscopy to assess the tumor-selective binding of an anti-CD137 switch antibody. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4907. [PMID: 35318394 PMCID: PMC8941111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08951-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
STA551, a novel anti-CD137 switch antibody, binds to CD137 in an extracellular ATP concentration-dependent manner. Although STA551 is assumed to show higher target binding in tumor tissues than in normal tissues, quantitative detection of the target binding of the switch antibody in vivo is technically challenging. In this study, we investigated the target binding of STA551 in vivo using intravital imaging with two-photon microscopy. Tumor-bearing human CD137 knock-in mice were intravenously administered fluorescently labeled antibodies. Flow cytometry analysis of antibody-binding cells and intravital imaging using two-photon microscopy were conducted. Higher CD137 expression in tumor than in spleen tissues was detected by flow cytometry analysis, and T cells and NK cells were the major CD137-expressing cells. In the intravital imaging experiment, conventional and switch anti-CD137 antibodies showed binding in tumors. However, in the spleen, the fluorescence of the switch antibody was much weaker than that of the conventional anti-CD137 antibody and comparable with that of the isotype control. In conclusion, we were able to assess switch antibody biodistribution in vivo through intravital imaging with two-photon microscopy. These results suggest that the tumor-selective binding of STA551 leads to a wide therapeutic window and potent antitumor efficacy without systemic immune activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisato Kaneko
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135, Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan
| | - Haruka Tsutsui
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135, Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Ozeki
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135, Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan.
| | - Masaki Honda
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135, Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan.
| | - Kenta Haraya
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135, Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Narita
- Chugai Pharmabody Research Pte. Ltd., 3 Biopolis Drive, #07-11 to 16, Synapse, Singapore, 138623, Singapore
| | - Mika Kamata-Sakurai
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200, Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, 247-0570, Japan
| | - Junichi Kikuta
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, 3-1, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mitsuyasu Tabo
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135, Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan
| | - Masaru Ishii
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, 3-1, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8, Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
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12
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Glez-Vaz J, Azpilikueta A, Olivera I, Cirella A, Teijeira A, Ochoa MC, Alvarez M, Eguren-Santamaria I, Luri-Rey C, Rodriguez-Ruiz ME, Nie X, Chen L, Guedan S, Sanamed MF, Luis Perez Gracia J, Melero I. Soluble CD137 as a dynamic biomarker to monitor agonist CD137 immunotherapies. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003532. [PMID: 35236742 PMCID: PMC8896037 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background On the basis of efficacy in mouse tumor models, multiple CD137 (4-1BB) agonist agents are being preclinically and clinically developed. The costimulatory molecule CD137 is inducibly expressed as a transmembrane or as a soluble protein (sCD137). Moreover, the CD137 cytoplasmic signaling domain is a key part in approved chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Reliable pharmacodynamic biomarkers for CD137 ligation and costimulation of T cells will facilitate clinical development of CD137 agonists in the clinic. Methods We used human and mouse CD8 T cells undergoing activation to measure CD137 transcription and protein expression levels determining both the membrane-bound and soluble forms. In tumor-bearing mice plasma sCD137 concentrations were monitored on treatment with agonist anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Human CD137 knock-in mice were treated with clinical-grade agonist anti-human CD137 mAb (Urelumab). Sequential plasma samples were collected from the first patients intratumorally treated with Urelumab in the INTRUST clinical trial. Anti-mesothelin CD137-encompassing CAR-transduced T cells were stimulated with mesothelin coated microbeads. sCD137 was measured by sandwich ELISA and Luminex. Flow cytometry was used to monitor CD137 surface expression. Results CD137 costimulation upregulates transcription and protein expression of CD137 itself including sCD137 in human and mouse CD8 T cells. Immunotherapy with anti-CD137 agonist mAb resulted in increased plasma sCD137 in mice bearing syngeneic tumors. sCD137 induction is also observed in human CD137 knock-in mice treated with Urelumab and in mice transiently humanized with T cells undergoing CD137 costimulation inside subcutaneously implanted Matrigel plugs. The CD137 signaling domain-containing CAR T cells readily released sCD137 and acquired CD137 surface expression on antigen recognition. Patients treated intratumorally with low dose Urelumab showed increased plasma concentrations of sCD137. Conclusion sCD137 in plasma and CD137 surface expression can be used as quantitative parameters dynamically reflecting therapeutic costimulatory activity elicited by agonist CD137-targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Arantza Azpilikueta
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Irene Olivera
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Assunta Cirella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria C Ochoa
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñaki Eguren-Santamaria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Luri-Rey
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria E Rodriguez-Ruiz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Xinxin Nie
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sonia Guedan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Clinic. Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel F Sanamed
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Perez Gracia
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain .,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
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13
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Muik A, Altintas I, Gieseke F, Schoedel KB, Burm SM, Toker A, Salcedo TW, Verzijl D, Eisel D, Grunwitz C, Kranz LM, Vormehr M, Satijn DP, Diken M, Kreiter S, Sasser K, Ahmadi T, Türeci Ö, Breij EC, Jure-Kunkel M, Sahin U. An Fc-inert PD-L1×4-1BB bispecific antibody mediates potent anti-tumor immunity in mice by combining checkpoint inhibition and conditional 4-1BB co-stimulation. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2030135. [PMID: 35186440 PMCID: PMC8855865 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2030135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have changed the treatment paradigm for advanced solid tumors; however, many patients experience treatment resistance. In preclinical models 4-1BB co-stimulation synergizes with ICI by activating cytotoxic T- and NK-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Here we characterize the mechanism of action of a mouse-reactive Fc-inert PD-L1×4-1BB bispecific antibody (mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB) and provide proof-of-concept for enhanced anti-tumor activity. In reporter assays mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB exhibited conditional 4-1BB agonist activity that was dependent on simultaneous binding to PD-L1. mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB further blocked the PD-L1/PD-1 interaction independently of 4-1BB binding. By combining both mechanisms, mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB strongly enhanced T-cell proliferation, cytokine production and antigen-specific cytotoxicity using primary mouse cells in vitro. Furthermore, mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB exhibited potent anti-tumor activity in the CT26 and MC38 models in vivo, leading to the rejection of CT26 tumors that were unresponsive to PD-L1 blockade alone. Anti-tumor activity was associated with increased tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and reduced regulatory T cells within the tumor microenvironment and tumor-draining lymph nodes. In immunocompetent tumor-free mice, mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB treatment neither induced T-cell infiltration into the liver nor elevated liver enzymes in the blood. Dual targeting of PD-L1 and 4-1BB with a bispecific antibody may therefore address key limitations of first generation 4-1BB-agonistic antibodies, and may provide a novel approach to improve PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
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14
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Aschmoneit N, Kocher K, Siegemund M, Lutz MS, Kühl L, Seifert O, Kontermann RE. Fc-based Duokines: dual-acting costimulatory molecules comprising TNFSF ligands in the single-chain format fused to a heterodimerizing Fc (scDk-Fc). Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2028961. [PMID: 35083097 PMCID: PMC8786347 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2028961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting costimulatory receptors of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) to activate T-cells and promote anti-tumor T-cell function have emerged as a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy. Previous studies have shown that combining two different members of the TNFSF resulted in dual-acting costimulatory molecules with the ability to activate two different receptors either on the same cell or on different cell types. To achieve prolonged plasma half-life and extended drug disposition, we have developed novel dual-acting molecules by fusing single-chain ligands of the TNFSF to heterodimerizing Fc chains (scDuokine-Fc, scDk-Fc). Incorporating costimulatory ligands of the TNF superfamily into a scDk-Fc molecule resulted in enhanced T-cell proliferation translating in an increased anti-tumor activity in combination with a primary T-cell-activating bispecific antibody. Our data show that the scDk-Fc molecules are potent immune-stimulatory molecules that are able to enhance T-cell mediated anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Aschmoneit
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Katharina Kocher
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martin Siegemund
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martina S. Lutz
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lennart Kühl
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Oliver Seifert
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Roland E. Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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15
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Korman AJ, Garrett-Thomson SC, Lonberg N. The foundations of immune checkpoint blockade and the ipilimumab approval decennial. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 21:509-528. [PMID: 34937915 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunity, and the potential for cancer immunotherapy, have been topics of scientific discussion and experimentation for over a hundred years. Several successful cancer immunotherapies - such as IL-2 and interferon-α (IFNα) - have appeared over the past 30 years. However, it is only in the past decade that immunotherapy has made a broad impact on patient survival in multiple high-incidence cancer indications. The emergence of immunotherapy as a new pillar of cancer treatment (adding to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapies) is due to the success of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) drugs, the first of which - ipilimumab - was approved in 2011. ICB drugs block receptors and ligands involved in pathways that attenuate T cell activation - such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), programmed cell death 1 (PD1) and its ligand, PDL1 - and prevent, or reverse, acquired peripheral tolerance to tumour antigens. In this Review we mark the tenth anniversary of the approval of ipilimumab and discuss the foundational scientific history of ICB, together with the history of the discovery, development and elucidation of the mechanism of action of the first generation of drugs targeting the CTLA4 and PD1 pathways.
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16
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Bardoscia L, Pasinetti N, Triggiani L, Cozzi S, Sardaro A. Biological Bases of Immune-Related Adverse Events and Potential Crosslinks With Immunogenic Effects of Radiation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:746853. [PMID: 34790123 PMCID: PMC8591245 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.746853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have gained an established role in the treatment of different tumors. Indeed, their use has dramatically changed the landscape of cancer care, especially for tumor types traditionally known to have poor outcomes. However, stimulating anticancer immune responses may also elicit an unusual pattern of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), different from those of conventional chemotherapy, likely due to a self-tolerance impairment featuring the production of autoreactive lymphocytes and autoantibodies, or a non-specific autoinflammatory reaction. Ionizing radiation has proven to promote both positive pro-inflammatory and immunostimolatory activities, and negative anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive mechanisms, as a result of cross-linked interactions among radiation dose, the tumor microenvironment and the host genetic predisposition. Several publications argue in favor of combining immunotherapy and a broad range of radiation schedules, based on the recent evidence of superior treatment responses and patient survival. The synergistic modulation of the immune response by radiation therapy and immunotherapeutics, particularly those manipulating T-cell activation, may also affect the type and severity of irAEs, suggesting a relationship between the positive antitumor and adverse autoimmune effects of these agents. As yet, information on factors that may help to predict immune toxicity is still lacking. The aim of our work is to provide an overview of the biological mechanisms underlying irAEs and possible crosslinks with radiation-induced anticancer immune responses. We believe such an overview may support the optimization of immunotherapy and radiotherapy as essential components of multimodal anticancer therapeutic approaches. Challenges in translating these to clinical practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Bardoscia
- Radiation Oncology Unit, S. Luca Hospital, Healthcare Company Tuscany Nord Ovest, Lucca, Italy
| | - Nadia Pasinetti
- Radiation Oncology Department, ASST Valcamonica Esine and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Triggiani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cozzi
- Radiotherapy Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Angela Sardaro
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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17
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Tee YC, Blake SJ, Lynn DJ. OX40-targeted immune agonist antibodies induce potent antitumor immune responses without inducing liver damage in mice. FASEB Bioadv 2021; 3:829-840. [PMID: 34632317 PMCID: PMC8493970 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2021-00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite promising preclinical and clinical data demonstrating that immune agonist antibody immunotherapies (IAAs) such as αOX40 induce strong antitumor immune responses, clinical translation has been significantly hampered by the propensity of some IAAs to induce dose-limiting and sometimes life-threatening immunotoxicities such as cytokine release syndrome and hepatotoxicity. For example, in a recent study αOX40 was shown to induce significant liver damage in mice by inducing the pyroptosis of liver natural killer T cells (NKT) cells. Surprisingly; however, given these previous reports, αOX40 treatment in our hands did not induce NKT cell pyroptosis or liver damage. We investigated numerous potential confounding factors including age, sex, tumor burden, dosing strategy, and the gut microbiota, which could have explained this discrepancy with the previous study. In none of these experiments did we find that αOX40 induced any more than very mild inflammation in the liver. Our study therefore suggests that, preclinically, αOX40 is a safe and effective immunotherapy and further studies into the clinical benefit of αOX40 are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee C. Tee
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSAAustralia
| | - Stephen J. Blake
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - David J. Lynn
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSAAustralia
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18
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Liang J, Zhang H, Huang Y, Fan L, Li F, Li M, Yan Y, Zhang J, Li Z, Yang X. A CLDN18.2-Targeting Bispecific T Cell Co-Stimulatory Activator for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:6977-6987. [PMID: 34522140 PMCID: PMC8434866 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s330637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Co-stimulatory receptor agonist antibodies have shown promising antitumor efficacy in preclinical models. However, their clinical development lags due to systemic or local adverse effects of non-specific T cell activation. Utilization of a bispecific antibody format to reduce off-tumor immune activation is a focus of co-stimulatory receptor agonist antibody design. METHODS In this study, a bispecific antibody with anti-CLDN18.2 and anti-CD28 moieties was produced. Its T cell costimulation ability was evaluated in T cell coculture assay in vitro. Its safety and anti-tumor efficacy were explored in mouse tumor models. RESULTS Anti-CLDN18.2-anti-CD28 bispecific antibody could co-stimulate T cells and increase the expression of effector cytokines in a CLDN18.2-dependent manner. Treatment of anti-CLDN18.2-anti-CD28 could reduce tumor burden and increase tumor-infiltrated T cells. Immunosuppressive cells including tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells were also reduced without systemic adverse effects. CONCLUSION This work provided proof-of-concept evidence for a new strategy to develop a bispecific co-stimulatory activator for treating CLDN18.2+ tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Huang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lilv Fan
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fanlin Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaping Yan
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junshi Zhang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zeyu Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuanming Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
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19
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Belmontes B, Sawant DV, Zhong W, Tan H, Kaul A, Aeffner F, O'Brien SA, Chun M, Noubade R, Eng J, Ma H, Muenz M, Li P, Alba BM, Thomas M, Cook K, Wang X, DeVoss J, Egen JG, Nolan-Stevaux O. Immunotherapy combinations overcome resistance to bispecific T cell engager treatment in T cell-cold solid tumors. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/608/eabd1524. [PMID: 34433637 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd1524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches are needed to promote T cell-mediated destruction of poorly immunogenic, "cold" tumors typically associated with minimal response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) molecules induce redirected lysis of cancer cells by polyclonal T cells and have demonstrated promising clinical activity against solid tumors in some patients. However, little is understood about the key factors that govern clinical responses to these therapies. Using an immunocompetent mouse model expressing a humanized CD3ε chain (huCD3e mice) and BiTE molecules directed against mouse CD19, mouse CLDN18.2, or human EPCAM antigens, we investigated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters and immune correlates associated with BiTE efficacy across multiple syngeneic solid-tumor models. These studies demonstrated that pretreatment tumor-associated T cell density is a critical determinant of response to BiTE therapy, identified CD8+ T cells as important targets and mediators of BiTE activity, and revealed an antagonistic role for CD4+ T cells in BiTE efficacy. We also identified therapeutic combinations, including ICB and 4-1BB agonism, that synergized with BiTE treatment in poorly T cell-infiltrated, immunotherapy-refractory tumors. In these models, BiTE efficacy was dependent on local expansion of tumor-associated CD8+ T cells, rather than their recruitment from circulation. Our findings highlight the relative contributions of baseline T cell infiltration, local T cell proliferation, and peripheral T cell trafficking for BiTE molecule-mediated efficacy, identify combination strategies capable of overcoming resistance to BiTE therapy, and have clinical relevance for the development of BiTE and other T cell engager therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Belmontes
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Deepali V Sawant
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Wendy Zhong
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hong Tan
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Anupurna Kaul
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Famke Aeffner
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sarah A O'Brien
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Matthew Chun
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Rajkumar Noubade
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jason Eng
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hayley Ma
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Markus Muenz
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Amgen Research GmbH, Munich 81477, Germany
| | - Peng Li
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Benjamin M Alba
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Melissa Thomas
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Kevin Cook
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Xiaoting Wang
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jason DeVoss
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jackson G Egen
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. .,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Olivier Nolan-Stevaux
- Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. .,Inflammation and Oncology Therapeutic Area, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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20
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Warwas KM, Meyer M, Gonçalves M, Moldenhauer G, Bulbuc N, Knabe S, Luckner-Minden C, Ziegelmeier C, Heussel CP, Zörnig I, Jäger D, Momburg F. Co-Stimulatory Bispecific Antibodies Induce Enhanced T Cell Activation and Tumor Cell Killing in Breast Cancer Models. Front Immunol 2021; 12:719116. [PMID: 34484225 PMCID: PMC8415424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.719116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although T cell-recruiting CD3-binding bispecific antibodies (BiMAb) have been proven to be clinically effective for hematologic malignancies, the success of BiMAb targeting solid tumor-associated antigens (TAA) in carcinomas so far remains poor. We reasoned that provision of co-stimulatory BiMAb in combination with αTAA-αCD3 BiMAb would boost T cell activation and proliferative capacity, and thereby facilitate the targeting of weakly or heterogeneously expressed tumor antigens. Various αTAA-αCD3 and αTAA-αCD28 BiMAb in a tetravalent IgG1-Fc based format have been analyzed, targeting multiple breast cancer antigens including HER2, EGFR, CEA, and EpCAM. Moreover, bifunctional fusion proteins of αTAA-tumor necrosis factor ligand (TNFL) superfamily members including 4-1BBL, OX40L, CD70 and TL1A have been tested. The functional activity of BiMAb was assessed using co-cultures of tumor cell lines and purified T cells in monolayer and tumor spheroid models. Only in the presence of tumor cells, αTAA-αCD3 BiMAb activated T cells and induced cytotoxicity in vitro, indicating a strict dependence on cross-linking. Combination treatment of αTAA-αCD3 BiMAb and co-stimulatory αTAA-αCD28 or αTAA-TNFL fusion proteins drastically enhanced T cell activation in terms of proliferation, activation marker expression, cytokine secretion and tumor cytotoxicity. Furthermore, BiMAb providing co-stimulation were shown to reduce the minimally required dose to achieve T cell activation by at least tenfold. Immuno-suppressive effects of TGF-β and IL-10 on T cell activation and memory cell formation could be overcome by co-stimulation. BiMAb-mediated co-stimulation was further augmented by immune checkpoint-inhibiting antibodies. Effective co-stimulation could be achieved by targeting a second breast cancer antigen, or by targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expressed on another target cell. In tumor spheroids derived from pleural effusions of breast cancer patients, co-stimulatory BiMAb were essential for the activation tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and cytotoxic anti-tumor responses against breast cancer cells. Taken together we showed that co-stimulation significantly potentiated the tumoricidal activity of T cell-activating BiMAb while preserving the dependence on TAA recognition. This approach could provide for a more localized activation of the immune system with higher efficacy and reduced peripheral toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten M. Warwas
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marten Meyer
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Márcia Gonçalves
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Nadja Bulbuc
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Knabe
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Luckner-Minden
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Ziegelmeier
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claus Peter Heussel
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology With Nuclear Medicine, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), German Lung Research Center (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Inka Zörnig
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Momburg
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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21
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Geuijen C, Tacken P, Wang LC, Klooster R, van Loo PF, Zhou J, Mondal A, Liu YB, Kramer A, Condamine T, Volgina A, Hendriks LJA, van der Maaden H, Rovers E, Engels S, Fransen F, den Blanken-Smit R, Zondag-van der Zande V, Basmeleh A, Bartelink W, Kulkarni A, Marissen W, Huang CY, Hall L, Harvey S, Kim S, Martinez M, O'Brien S, Moon E, Albelda S, Kanellopoulou C, Stewart S, Nastri H, Bakker ABH, Scherle P, Logtenberg T, Hollis G, de Kruif J, Huber R, Mayes PA, Throsby M. A human CD137×PD-L1 bispecific antibody promotes anti-tumor immunity via context-dependent T cell costimulation and checkpoint blockade. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4445. [PMID: 34290245 PMCID: PMC8295259 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24767-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate clinical activity in many tumor types, however, only a fraction of patients benefit. Combining CD137 agonists with these inhibitors increases anti-tumor activity preclinically, but attempts to translate these observations to the clinic have been hampered by systemic toxicity. Here we describe a human CD137xPD-L1 bispecific antibody, MCLA-145, identified through functional screening of agonist- and immune checkpoint inhibitor arm combinations. MCLA-145 potently activates T cells at sub-nanomolar concentrations, even under suppressive conditions, and enhances T cell priming, differentiation and memory recall responses. In vivo, MCLA-145 anti-tumor activity is superior to immune checkpoint inhibitor comparators and linked to recruitment and intra-tumor expansion of CD8 + T cells. No graft-versus-host-disease is observed in contrast to other antibodies inhibiting the PD-1 and PD-L1 pathway. Non-human primates treated with 100 mg/kg/week of MCLA-145 show no adverse effects. The conditional activation of CD137 signaling by MCLA-145, triggered by neighboring cells expressing >5000 copies of PD-L1, may provide both safety and potency advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jing Zhou
- Incyte Corporation, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Soyeon Kim
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marina Martinez
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shaun O'Brien
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Edmund Moon
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Steven Albelda
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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22
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Etxeberria I, Glez-Vaz J, Teijeira Á, Melero I. New emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy: CD137/4-1BB costimulatory axis. ESMO Open 2021; 4:e000733. [PMID: 32611557 PMCID: PMC7333812 DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137 (4-1BB) is a surface glycoprotein that belongs to the tumour necrosis factor receptor family (TNFRSF9). Its expression is induced on activation on a number of leucocyte types. Interestingly, for cancer immunotherapy, CD137 becomes expressed on primed T and natural killer (NK) cells, which on ligation provides powerful costimulatory signals. Perturbation of CD137 by CD137L or agonist monoclonal antibodies on activated CD8 T cells protects such antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes from apoptosis, enhances effector functionalities and favours persistence and memory differentiation. As a consequence, agonist antibodies exert potent antitumour effects in mouse models and the CD137 signalling domain is critical in chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) of CAR T cells approved to be used in the clinic. New formats of CD137 agonist moieties are being clinically developed, seeking potent costimulation targeted to the tumour microenvironment to avoid liver inflammation side effects, that have thus far limited and delayed clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñaki Etxeberria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Álvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; Department of Immunology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
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23
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Meyer JE, Loff S, Dietrich J, Spehr J, Jurado Jiménez G, von Bonin M, Ehninger G, Cartellieri M, Ehninger A. Evaluation of switch-mediated costimulation in trans on universal CAR-T cells (UniCAR) targeting CD123-positive AML. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1945804. [PMID: 34290907 PMCID: PMC8274446 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1945804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) targeting CD19 have achieved significant success in patients with B cell malignancies. To date, implementation of CAR-T in other indications remains challenging due to the lack of truly tumor-specific antigens as well as control of CAR-T activity in patients. CD123 is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts including leukemia-initiating cells making it an attractive immunotherapeutic target. However, CD123 expression in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells and endothelia bears the risk of severe toxicities and may limit CAR-T applications lacking fine-tuned control mechanisms. Therefore, we recently developed a rapidly switchable universal CAR-T platform (UniCAR), in which CAR-T activity depends on the presence of a soluble adapter called targeting module (TM), and confirmed clinical proof-of-concept for targeting CD123 in AML with improved safety. As costimulation via 4–1BB ligand (4–1BBL) can enhance CAR-T expansion, persistence, and effector functions, a novel CD123-specific TM variant (TM123-4-1BBL) comprising trimeric single-chain 4–1BBL was developed for transient costimulation of UniCAR-T cells (UniCAR-T) at the leukemic site in trans. TM123-4-1BBL-directed UniCAR-T efficiently eradicated CD123-positive AML cells in vitro and in a CDX in vivo model. Moreover, additional costimulation via TM123-4-1BBL enabled enhanced expansion and persistence with a modulated UniCAR-T phenotype. In addition, the increased hydrodynamic volume of TM123-4-1BBL prolonged terminal plasma half-life and ensured a high total drug exposure in vivo. In conclusion, expanding the soluble adapter optionality for CD123-directed UniCAR-T maintains the platforms high anti-leukemic efficacy and immediate control mechanism for a flexible, safe, and individualized CAR-T therapy of AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Malte von Bonin
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Clinic I, Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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24
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Antitumor efficacy and reduced toxicity using an anti-CD137 Probody therapeutic. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2025930118. [PMID: 34172583 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025930118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Costimulation via CD137 (4-1BB) enhances antitumor immunity mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Anti-CD137 agonist antibodies elicit mild liver inflammation in mice, and the maximum tolerated dose of Urelumab, an anti-human CD137 agonist monoclonal antibody, in the clinic was defined by liver inflammation-related side effects. A protease-activated prodrug form of the anti-mouse CD137 agonist antibody 1D8 (1D8 Probody therapeutic, Pb-Tx) was constructed and found to be selectively activated in the tumor microenvironment. This construct, which encompasses a protease-cleavable linker holding in place a peptide that masks the antigen binding site, exerted antitumor effects comparable to the unmodified antibody but did not result in liver inflammation. Moreover, it efficaciously synergized with both PD-1 blockade and adoptive T-cell therapy. Surprisingly, minimal active Pb-Tx reached tumor-draining lymph nodes, and regional lymphadenectomy did not abrogate antitumor efficacy. By contrast, S1P receptor-dependent recirculation of T cells was absolutely required for efficacy. The preferential cleavage of the anti-CD137 Pb-Tx by tumor proteases offers multiple therapeutic opportunities, including neoadjuvant therapy, as shown by experiments in which the Pb-Tx is given prior to surgery to avoid spontaneous metastases.
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25
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Compte M, Harwood SL, Erce-Llamazares A, Tapia-Galisteo A, Romero E, Ferrer I, Garrido-Martin EM, Enguita AB, Ochoa MC, Blanco B, Oteo M, Merino N, Nehme-Álvarez D, Hangiu O, Domínguez-Alonso C, Zonca M, Ramírez-Fernández A, Blanco FJ, Morcillo MA, Muñoz IG, Melero I, Rodriguez-Peralto JL, Paz-Ares L, Sanz L, Alvarez-Vallina L. An Fc-free EGFR-specific 4-1BB-agonistic Trimerbody Displays Broad Antitumor Activity in Humanized Murine Cancer Models without Toxicity. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:3167-3177. [PMID: 33785484 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-4625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The induction of 4-1BB signaling by agonistic antibodies can drive the activation and proliferation of effector T cells and thereby enhance a T-cell-mediated antitumor response. Systemic administration of anti-4-1BB-agonistic IgGs, although effective preclinically, has not advanced in clinical development due to their severe hepatotoxicity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Here, we generated a humanized EGFR-specific 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody, which replaces the IgG Fc region with a human collagen homotrimerization domain. It was characterized by structural analysis and in vitro functional studies. We also assessed pharmacokinetics, antitumor efficacy, and toxicity in vivo. RESULTS In the presence of a T-cell receptor signal, the trimerbody provided potent T-cell costimulation that was strictly dependent on 4-1BB hyperclustering at the point of contact with a tumor antigen-displaying cell surface. It exhibits significant antitumor activity in vivo, without hepatotoxicity, in a wide range of human tumors including colorectal and breast cancer cell-derived xenografts, and non-small cell lung cancer patient-derived xenografts associated with increased tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. The combination of the trimerbody with a PD-L1 blocker led to increased IFNγ secretion in vitro and resulted in tumor regression in humanized mice bearing aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the nontoxic broad antitumor activity of humanized Fc-free tumor-specific 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbodies and their synergy with checkpoint blockers, which may provide a way to elicit responses in most patients with cancer while avoiding Fc-mediated adverse reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Madrid, Spain
| | - Seandean L Harwood
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ainhoa Erce-Llamazares
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Madrid, Spain.,Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Tapia-Galisteo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Romero
- Biomedical Applications and Pharmacokinetics Unit, Centro de investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Ferrer
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), and Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva M Garrido-Martin
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), and Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana B Enguita
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pathology. Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria C Ochoa
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Belén Blanco
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Oteo
- Biomedical Applications and Pharmacokinetics Unit, Centro de investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nekane Merino
- Structural Biology Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Derio, Spain
| | - Daniel Nehme-Álvarez
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oana Hangiu
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Domínguez-Alonso
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuela Zonca
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Ramírez-Fernández
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Blanco
- Structural and Chemical Biology Department, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CIB-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Morcillo
- Biomedical Applications and Pharmacokinetics Unit, Centro de investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ines G Muñoz
- Crystallography and Protein Engineering Unit, Structural Biology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Immunology, University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - José L Rodriguez-Peralto
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pathology. Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.,Cutaneous Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), and Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Immunotherapy and Cell Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. .,Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
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26
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Middelburg J, Kemper K, Engelberts P, Labrijn AF, Schuurman J, van Hall T. Overcoming Challenges for CD3-Bispecific Antibody Therapy in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:287. [PMID: 33466732 PMCID: PMC7829968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of cancer with CD3-bispecific antibodies is an approved therapeutic option for some hematological malignancies and is under clinical investigation for solid cancers. However, the treatment of solid tumors faces more pronounced hurdles, such as increased on-target off-tumor toxicities, sparse T-cell infiltration and impaired T-cell quality due to the presence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which affect the safety and limit efficacy of CD3-bispecific antibody therapy. In this review, we provide a brief status update of the CD3-bispecific antibody therapy field and identify intrinsic hurdles in solid cancers. Furthermore, we describe potential combinatorial approaches to overcome these challenges in order to generate selective and more effective responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Middelburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Kristel Kemper
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Patrick Engelberts
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Aran F. Labrijn
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Janine Schuurman
- Genmab, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (P.E.); (A.F.L.); (J.S.)
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
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27
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Compte M, Harwood SL, Martínez-Torrecuadrada J, Perez-Chacon G, González-García P, Tapia-Galisteo A, Van Bergen En Henegouwen PMP, Sánchez A, Fabregat I, Sanz L, Zapata JM, Alvarez-Vallina L. Case Report: An EGFR-Targeted 4-1BB-agonistic Trimerbody Does Not Induce Hepatotoxicity in Transgenic Mice With Liver Expression of Human EGFR. Front Immunol 2021; 11:614363. [PMID: 33488625 PMCID: PMC7817978 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.614363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB are among the most effective immunotherapeutic agents across pre-clinical cancer models. However, clinical development of full-length 4-1BB agonistic mAbs, has been hampered by dose-limiting liver toxicity. We have previously developed an EGFR-targeted 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody (1D8N/CEGa1) that induces potent anti-tumor immunity without systemic toxicity, in immunocompetent mice bearing murine colorectal carcinoma cells expressing human EGFR. Here, we study the impact of human EGFR expression on mouse liver in the toxicity profile of 1D8N/CEGa1. Systemic administration of IgG-based anti-4-1BB agonist resulted in nonspecific immune stimulation and hepatotoxicity in a liver-specific human EGFR-transgenic immunocompetent mouse, whereas in 1D8N/CEGa1-treated mice no such immune-related adverse effects were observed. Collectively, these data support the role of FcγR interactions in the major off-tumor toxicities associated with IgG-based 4-1BB agonists and further validate the safety profile of EGFR-targeted Fc-less 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbodies in systemic cancer immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Gema Perez-Chacon
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (IIBm), CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Tapia-Galisteo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), CIBEREHD and University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M Zapata
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (IIBm), CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Hospital 12 de Octubre Biomedical Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
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28
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You G, Lee Y, Kang YW, Park HW, Park K, Kim H, Kim YM, Kim S, Kim JH, Moon D, Chung H, Son W, Jung UJ, Park E, Lee S, Son YG, Eom J, Won J, Park Y, Jung J, Lee SW. B7-H3×4-1BB bispecific antibody augments antitumor immunity by enhancing terminally differentiated CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/3/eaax3160. [PMID: 33523913 PMCID: PMC7810375 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax3160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy with 4-1BB agonists has limited further clinical development because of dose-limiting toxicity. Here, we developed a bispecific antibody (bsAb; B7-H3×4-1BB), targeting human B7-H3 (hB7-H3) and mouse or human 4-1BB, to restrict the 4-1BB stimulation in tumors. B7-H3×m4-1BB elicited a 4-1BB-dependent antitumor response in hB7-H3-overexpressing tumor models without systemic toxicity. BsAb primarily targets CD8 T cells in the tumor and increases their proliferation and cytokine production. Among the CD8 T cell population in the tumor, 4-1BB is solely expressed on PD-1+Tim-3+ "terminally differentiated" subset, and bsAb potentiates these cells for eliminating the tumor. Furthermore, the combination of bsAb and PD-1 blockade synergistically inhibits tumor growth accompanied by further increasing terminally differentiated CD8 T cells. B7-H3×h4-1BB also shows antitumor activity in h4-1BB-expressing mice. Our data suggest that B7-H3×4-1BB is an effective and safe therapeutic agent against B7-H3-positive cancers as monotherapy and combination therapy with PD-1 blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gihoon You
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Yeon-Woo Kang
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Wook Park
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Hyekang Kim
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Min Kim
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sora Kim
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hae Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Dain Moon
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Wonjun Son
- ABL Bio Inc., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Shinai Lee
- ABL Bio Inc., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Yunji Park
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeho Jung
- ABL Bio Inc., Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seung-Woo Lee
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH, Pohang, Republic of Korea
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29
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Reithofer M, Rosskopf S, Leitner J, Battin C, Bohle B, Steinberger P, Jahn-Schmid B. 4-1BB costimulation promotes bystander activation of human CD8 T cells. Eur J Immunol 2020; 51:721-733. [PMID: 33180337 PMCID: PMC7986150 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Costimulatory signals potently promote T‐cell proliferation and effector function. Agonistic antibodies targeting costimulatory receptors of the TNFR family, such as 4‐1BB and CD27, have entered clinical trials in cancer patients. Currently there is limited information how costimulatory signals regulate antigen‐specific but also bystander activation of human CD8 T cells. Engineered antigen presenting cells (eAPC) efficiently presenting several common viral epitopes on HLA‐A2 in combination with MHC class I tetramer staining were used to investigate the impact of costimulatory signals on human CD8 T‐cell responses. CD28 costimulation potently augmented the percentage and number of antigen‐reactive CD8 T cells, whereas eAPC expressing 4‐1BB‐ligand induced bystander proliferation of CD8 T cells and massive expansion of NK cells. Moreover, the 4‐1BB agonist urelumab similarly induced bystander proliferation of CD8 T cells and NK cells in a dose‐dependent manner. However, the promotion of bystander CD8 T‐cell responses is not a general attribute of costimulatory TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) members, since CD27 signals enhanced antigen‐specific CD8 T cells responses without promoting significant bystander activation. Thus, the differential effects of costimulatory signals on the activation of human bystander CD8 T cells should be taken into account when costimulatory pathways are harnessed for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Reithofer
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Rosskopf
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Bohle
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beatrice Jahn-Schmid
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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30
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Mock J, Stringhini M, Villa A, Weller M, Weiss T, Neri D. An engineered 4-1BBL fusion protein with "activity on demand". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31780-31788. [PMID: 33239441 PMCID: PMC7749310 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2013615117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered cytokines are gaining importance in cancer therapy, but these products are often limited by toxicity, especially at early time points after intravenous administration. 4-1BB is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, which has been considered as a target for therapeutic strategies with agonistic antibodies or using its cognate cytokine ligand, 4-1BBL. Here we describe the engineering of an antibody fusion protein, termed F8-4-1BBL, that does not exhibit cytokine activity in solution but regains biological activity on antigen binding. F8-4-1BBL bound specifically to its cognate antigen, the alternatively spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, and selectively localized to tumors in vivo, as evidenced by quantitative biodistribution experiments. The product promoted a potent antitumor activity in various mouse models of cancer without apparent toxicity at the doses used. F8-4-1BBL represents a prototype for antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, which conditionally display "activity on demand" properties at the site of disease on antigen binding and reduce toxicity to normal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Mock
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Stringhini
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Villa
- Antibody Research, Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland;
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31
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Gu Z, Da Silva CG, Van der Maaden K, Ossendorp F, Cruz LJ. Liposome-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12111054. [PMID: 33158166 PMCID: PMC7694212 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12111054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has shown remarkable progress in recent years. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, have favorable advantages with the potential to further improve cancer immunotherapy and even stronger immune responses by improving cell type-specific delivery and enhancing drug efficacy. Liposomes can offer solutions to common problems faced by several cancer immunotherapies, including the following: (1) Vaccination: Liposomes can improve the delivery of antigens and other stimulatory molecules to antigen-presenting cells or T cells; (2) Tumor normalization: Liposomes can deliver drugs selectively to the tumor microenvironment to overcome the immune-suppressive state; (3) Rewiring of tumor signaling: Liposomes can be used for the delivery of specific drugs to specific cell types to correct or modulate pathways to facilitate better anti-tumor immune responses; (4) Combinational therapy: Liposomes are ideal vehicles for the simultaneous delivery of drugs to be combined with other therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and phototherapy. In this review, different liposomal systems specifically developed for immunomodulation in cancer are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Gu
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.G.); (C.G.D.S.)
| | - Candido G. Da Silva
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.G.); (C.G.D.S.)
| | - Koen Van der Maaden
- Tumor Immunology Group, Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (K.v.d.M.); (F.O.)
- TECOdevelopment GmbH, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Tumor Immunology Group, Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (K.v.d.M.); (F.O.)
| | - Luis J. Cruz
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.G.); (C.G.D.S.)
- Correspondence:
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32
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He S, Xu J, Wu J. The emerging role of co-stimulatory molecules and their agonistic mAb-based combination therapies in melanoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 89:107097. [PMID: 33091814 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Although anti-PD-1/L1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, the validated immune checkpoint blockades, can elicit durable long-lasting antitumor immunity and improve the clinical outcomes of melanoma treatment, there are still a fraction of patients who did not receive therapeutic benefits as expected. In addition to findings of blocking the co-inhibitory pathways, the preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that triggering the co-stimulatory pathways through agonists such as CD137, OX40, CD40, GITR and CD27 may be a rational next step for melanoma therapy. In this review, we discuss the progress of studies on these co-stimulatory molecules in terms of their promising therapeutic effects and underlying antitumor mechanisms, and provide a review of the possible combinations that orchestrate the interplay of co-stimulatory agonistic mAbs and other therapies for treating melanoma, including inhibitory immune checkpoint mAbs, adoptive T cell therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We also briefly present the limitations and challenges involved in these co-stimulatory agonistic mAb-based combination strategies for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan He
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Jinhua Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, PR China.
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33
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Kamata-Sakurai M, Narita Y, Hori Y, Nemoto T, Uchikawa R, Honda M, Hironiwa N, Taniguchi K, Shida-Kawazoe M, Metsugi S, Miyazaki T, Wada NA, Ohte Y, Shimizu S, Mikami H, Tachibana T, Ono N, Adachi K, Sakiyama T, Matsushita T, Kadono S, Komatsu SI, Sakamoto A, Horikawa S, Hirako A, Hamada K, Naoi S, Savory N, Satoh Y, Sato M, Noguchi Y, Shinozuka J, Kuroi H, Ito A, Wakabayashi T, Kamimura M, Isomura F, Tomii Y, Sawada N, Kato A, Ueda O, Nakanishi Y, Endo M, Jishage KI, Kawabe Y, Kitazawa T, Igawa T. Antibody to CD137 Activated by Extracellular Adenosine Triphosphate Is Tumor Selective and Broadly Effective In Vivo without Systemic Immune Activation. Cancer Discov 2020; 11:158-175. [PMID: 32847940 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Agonistic antibodies targeting CD137 have been clinically unsuccessful due to systemic toxicity. Because conferring tumor selectivity through tumor-associated antigen limits its clinical use to cancers that highly express such antigens, we exploited extracellular adenosine triphosphate (exATP), which is a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment and highly elevated in solid tumors, as a broadly tumor-selective switch. We generated a novel anti-CD137 switch antibody, STA551, which exerts agonistic activity only in the presence of exATP. STA551 demonstrated potent and broad antitumor efficacy against all mouse and human tumors tested and a wide therapeutic window without systemic immune activation in mice. STA551 was well tolerated even at 150 mg/kg/week in cynomolgus monkeys. These results provide a strong rationale for the clinical testing of STA551 against a broad variety of cancers regardless of antigen expression, and for the further application of this novel platform to other targets in cancer therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Reported CD137 agonists suffer from either systemic toxicity or limited efficacy against antigen-specific cancers. STA551, an antibody designed to agonize CD137 only in the presence of extracellular ATP, inhibited tumor growth in a broad variety of cancer models without any systemic toxicity or dependence on antigen expression.See related commentary by Keenan and Fong, p. 20.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Kamata-Sakurai
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshinori Narita
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuji Hori
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nemoto
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryo Uchikawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masaki Honda
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Naoka Hironiwa
- Chugai Pharmabody Research Pte. Ltd., Synapse, Singapore
| | - Kenji Taniguchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Meiri Shida-Kawazoe
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shoichi Metsugi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Taro Miyazaki
- Clinical Development Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoko A Wada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Ohte
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shun Shimizu
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Mikami
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Tachibana
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Natsuki Ono
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenji Adachi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Sakiyama
- Pharmaceutical Technology Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kita-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomochika Matsushita
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shojiro Kadono
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichiro Komatsu
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Akihisa Sakamoto
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Sayuri Horikawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ayano Hirako
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Koki Hamada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sotaro Naoi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Nasa Savory
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yasuko Satoh
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Motohiko Sato
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Noguchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Junko Shinozuka
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Haruka Kuroi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ami Ito
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Wakabayashi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masaki Kamimura
- Chugai Research Institute for Medical Science, Inc., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Fumihisa Isomura
- Chugai Research Institute for Medical Science, Inc., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Tomii
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sawada
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Kato
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Otoya Ueda
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshito Nakanishi
- Project & Lifecycle Management Unit, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mika Endo
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kou-Ichi Jishage
- Chugai Research Institute for Medical Science, Inc., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.,Chugai Research Institute for Medical Science, Inc., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Kawabe
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takehisa Kitazawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Igawa
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.,Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan.,Chugai Pharmabody Research Pte. Ltd., Synapse, Singapore
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34
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Claus C, Ferrara C, Xu W, Sam J, Lang S, Uhlenbrock F, Albrecht R, Herter S, Schlenker R, Hüsser T, Diggelmann S, Challier J, Mössner E, Hosse RJ, Hofer T, Brünker P, Joseph C, Benz J, Ringler P, Stahlberg H, Lauer M, Perro M, Chen S, Küttel C, Bhavani Mohan PL, Nicolini V, Birk MC, Ongaro A, Prince C, Gianotti R, Dugan G, Whitlow CT, Solingapuram Sai KK, Caudell DL, Burgos-Rodriguez AG, Cline JM, Hettich M, Ceppi M, Giusti AM, Crameri F, Driessen W, Morcos PN, Freimoser-Grundschober A, Levitsky V, Amann M, Grau-Richards S, von Hirschheydt T, Tournaviti S, Mølhøj M, Fauti T, Heinzelmann-Schwarz V, Teichgräber V, Colombetti S, Bacac M, Zippelius A, Klein C, Umaña P. Tumor-targeted 4-1BB agonists for combination with T cell bispecific antibodies as off-the-shelf therapy. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/496/eaav5989. [PMID: 31189721 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aav5989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous costimulatory molecules on T cells such as 4-1BB (CD137) can be leveraged for cancer immunotherapy. Systemic administration of agonistic anti-4-1BB antibodies, although effective preclinically, has not advanced to phase 3 trials because they have been hampered by both dependency on Fcγ receptor-mediated hyperclustering and hepatotoxicity. To overcome these issues, we engineered proteins simultaneously targeting 4-1BB and a tumor stroma or tumor antigen: FAP-4-1BBL (RG7826) and CD19-4-1BBL. In the presence of a T cell receptor signal, they provide potent T cell costimulation strictly dependent on tumor antigen-mediated hyperclustering without systemic activation by FcγR binding. We could show targeting of FAP-4-1BBL to FAP-expressing tumor stroma and lymph nodes in a colorectal cancer-bearing rhesus monkey. Combination of FAP-4-1BBL with tumor antigen-targeted T cell bispecific (TCB) molecules in human tumor samples led to increased IFN-γ and granzyme B secretion. Further, combination of FAP- or CD19-4-1BBL with CEA-TCB (RG7802) or CD20-TCB (RG6026), respectively, resulted in tumor remission in mouse models, accompanied by intratumoral accumulation of activated effector CD8+ T cells. FAP- and CD19-4-1BBL thus represent an off-the-shelf combination immunotherapy without requiring genetic modification of effector cells for the treatment of solid and hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Claus
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Ferrara
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Wei Xu
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Sam
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Lang
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Uhlenbrock
- University of Basel, Department of Biomedicine, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rosmarie Albrecht
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Herter
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ramona Schlenker
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Hüsser
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Diggelmann
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - John Challier
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ekkehard Mössner
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ralf J Hosse
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Hofer
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Peter Brünker
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Joseph
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Benz
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Ringler
- University of Basel, Center for Cellular Imaging and NanoAnalytics (C-CINA), Biozentrum, Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henning Stahlberg
- University of Basel, Center for Cellular Imaging and NanoAnalytics (C-CINA), Biozentrum, Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Lauer
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mario Perro
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Stanford Chen
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christine Küttel
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Preethi L Bhavani Mohan
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Nicolini
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Martina Carola Birk
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Ongaro
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Prince
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Reto Gianotti
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Gregory Dugan
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Christopher T Whitlow
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | | | - David L Caudell
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | | | - J Mark Cline
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Michael Hettich
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Ceppi
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Maria Giusti
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Flavio Crameri
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wouter Driessen
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, pRED, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter N Morcos
- Roche Innovation Center New York, pRED, 430 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anne Freimoser-Grundschober
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Victor Levitsky
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Maria Amann
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Grau-Richards
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Stella Tournaviti
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, pRED, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Michael Mølhøj
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, pRED, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Fauti
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Volker Teichgräber
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sara Colombetti
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Marina Bacac
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Alfred Zippelius
- University of Basel, Department of Biomedicine, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Umaña
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Wagistrasse 10, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland.
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Intranasal Therapeutic Peptide Vaccine Promotes Efficient Induction and Trafficking of Cytotoxic T Cell Response for the Clearance of HPV Vaginal Tumors. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020259. [PMID: 32485935 PMCID: PMC7349944 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cancers continue to affect millions of women around the world, and the five year survival rate under the current standard of care for these cancers is less than 60% in some demographics. Therefore there is still an unmet need to develop an effective therapy that can be easily administered to treat established HPV cervical cancer lesions. We sought to investigate the potential of an intranasal HPV peptide therapeutic vaccine incorporating the combination of α-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) and CpG-ODN adjuvants (TVAC) against established HPV genital tumors in a syngeneic C57BL/6J mouse model. We obtained evidence to show that TVAC, delivered by the mucosal intranasal route, induced high frequencies of antigen-specific CD8 T cells concurrent with significant reduction in the immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), correlating with sustained elimination of established HPV genital tumors in over 85% of mice. Inclusion of both the adjuvants in the vaccine was necessary for significant increase of antigen-specific CD8 T cells to the tumor and antitumor efficacy because vaccination incorporating either adjuvant alone was inefficient. These results strongly support the utility of the TVAC administered by needle-free intranasal route as a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of established genital HPV tumors.
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Lakins MA, Koers A, Giambalvo R, Munoz-Olaya J, Hughes R, Goodman E, Marshall S, Wollerton F, Batey S, Gliddon D, Tuna M, Brewis N. FS222, a CD137/PD-L1 Tetravalent Bispecific Antibody, Exhibits Low Toxicity and Antitumor Activity in Colorectal Cancer Models. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:4154-4167. [PMID: 32345647 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-2958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE With the increased prevalence in checkpoint therapy resistance, there remains a significant unmet need for additional therapies for patients with relapsing or refractory cancer. We have developed FS222, a bispecific tetravalent antibody targeting CD137 and PD-L1, to induce T-cell activation to eradicate tumors without the current toxicity and efficacy limitations seen in the clinic. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A bispecific antibody (FS222) was developed by engineering CD137 antigen-binding sites into the Fc region of a PD-L1 IgG1 mAb. T-cell activation by FS222 was investigated using multiple in vitro assays. The antitumor efficacy, survival benefit, pharmacodynamics, and liver pharmacology of a murine surrogate molecule were assessed in syngeneic mouse tumor models. Toxicology and the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of FS222 were investigated in a non-human primate dose-range finding study. RESULTS We demonstrated simultaneous binding of CD137 and PD-L1 and showed potent T-cell activation across CD8+ T-cell activation assays in a PD-L1-dependent manner with a CD137/PD-L1 bispecific antibody, FS222. FS222 also activated T cells in a human primary mixed lymphocyte reaction assay, with greater potency than the monospecific mAb combination. FS222 showed no signs of liver toxicity up to 30 mg/kg in a non-human primate dose-range finding study. A surrogate molecule caused significant tumor growth inhibition and survival benefit, concomitant with CD8+ T-cell activation, in CT26 and MC38 syngeneic mouse tumor models. CONCLUSIONS By targeting CD137 agonism to areas of PD-L1 expression, predominantly found in the tumor microenvironment, FS222 has the potential to leverage a focused, potent, and safe immune response augmenting the PD-(L)1 axis blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Emma Goodman
- F-star Therapeutics Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Sarah Batey
- F-star Therapeutics Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Neil Brewis
- F-star Therapeutics Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom
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37
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Chiu D, Tavaré R, Haber L, Aina OH, Vazzana K, Ram P, Danton M, Finney J, Jalal S, Krueger P, Giurleo JT, Ma D, Smith E, Thurston G, Kirshner JR, Crawford A. A PSMA-Targeting CD3 Bispecific Antibody Induces Antitumor Responses that Are Enhanced by 4-1BB Costimulation. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:596-608. [PMID: 32184296 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients with hematologic cancers have improved outcomes after treatment with bispecific antibodies that bind to CD3 on T cells and that redirect T cells toward cancer cells. However, clinical benefit against solid tumors remains to be shown. We made a bispecific antibody that targets both the common prostate tumor-specific antigen PSMA and CD3 (PMSAxCD3) and provide evidence for tumor inhibition in several preclinical solid tumor models. Mice expressing the human extracellular regions of CD3 and PSMA were generated to examine antitumor efficacy in the presence of an intact immune system and PSMA expression in normal tissues. PSMAxCD3 accumulated in PSMA-expressing tissues and tumors as detected by immuno-PET imaging. Although PSMAxCD3 induced T-cell activation and showed antitumor efficacy in mice with low tumor burden, PSMAxCD3 lost efficacy against larger solid tumors, mirroring the difficulty of treating solid tumors in the clinic. Costimulatory receptors can enhance T-cell responses. We show here that costimulation can enhance the antitumor efficacy of PSMAxCD3. In particular, 4-1BB stimulation in combination with PSMAxCD3 enhanced T-cell activation and proliferation, boosted efficacy against larger tumors, and induced T-cell memory, leading to durable antitumor responses. The combination of CD3 bispecific antibodies and anti-4-1BB costimulation represents a therapeutic approach for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica Chiu
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | | | - Lauric Haber
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | | | | | - Priyanka Ram
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | | | | | - Sumreen Jalal
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | | | | | - Dangshe Ma
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | - Eric Smith
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
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38
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Eskiocak U, Guzman W, Wolf B, Cummings C, Milling L, Wu HJ, Ophir M, Lambden C, Bakhru P, Gilmore DC, Ottinger S, Liu L, McConaughy WK, He SQ, Wang C, Leung CL, Lajoie J, Carson WF, Zizlsperger N, Schmidt MM, Anderson AC, Bobrowicz P, Schuetz TJ, Tighe R. Differentiated agonistic antibody targeting CD137 eradicates large tumors without hepatotoxicity. JCI Insight 2020; 5:133647. [PMID: 32161196 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.133647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137 (4-1BB) is a member of the TNFR superfamily that represents a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Recent insights into the function of TNFR agonist antibodies implicate epitope, affinity, and IgG subclass as critical features, and these observations help explain the limited activity and toxicity seen with clinically tested CD137 agonists. Here, we describe the preclinical characterization of CTX-471, a fully human IgG4 agonist of CD137 that engages a unique epitope that is shared by human, cynomolgus monkey, and mouse and is associated with a differentiated pharmacology and toxicology profile. In vitro, CTX-471 increased IFN-γ production by human T cells in an Fcγ receptor-dependent (FcγR-dependent) manner, displaying an intermediate level of activity between 2 clinical-stage anti-CD137 antibodies. In mice, CTX-471 exhibited curative monotherapy activity in various syngeneic tumor models and showed a unique ability to cure mice of very large (~500 mm3) tumors compared with validated antibodies against checkpoints and TNFR superfamily members. Extremely high doses of CTX-471 were well tolerated, with no signs of hepatic toxicity. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CTX-471 is a unique CD137 agonist that displays an excellent safety profile and an unprecedented level of monotherapy efficacy against very large tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lauren Milling
- Compass Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hsin-Jung Wu
- Compass Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Conner Lambden
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pearl Bakhru
- Compass Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Lucy Liu
- Compass Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sunny Q He
- Compass Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chao Wang
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jason Lajoie
- Compass Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ana C Anderson
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Robert Tighe
- Compass Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Ho SK, Xu Z, Thakur A, Fox M, Tan SS, DiGiammarino E, Zhou L, Sho M, Cairns B, Zhao V, Xiong M, Samayoa J, Forsyth CM, Powers DB, Chao DT, Hollenbaugh D, Alvarez HM, Akamatsu Y. Epitope and Fc-Mediated Cross-linking, but Not High Affinity, Are Critical for Antitumor Activity of CD137 Agonist Antibody with Reduced Liver Toxicity. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1040-1051. [PMID: 31974274 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CD137 (TNFRSF9, 4-1BB) agonist antibodies (mAb) have demonstrated potent antitumor activity with memory response while causing hepatotoxicity in mouse models. In clinical trials, the degrees of liver toxicity of anti-CD137 vary from grade 4 transaminitis (urelumab) to nonexistent (utomilumab). To exploit the antitumor potential of CD137 signaling, we identified a new class of CD137 agonist mAbs with strong antitumor potency without significant transaminitis in vivo compared with CD137 agonists previously reported. These mAbs are cross-reactive to mouse and cynomolgus monkey and showed cross-linking-dependent T-cell costimulation activity in vitro Antitumor efficacy was maintained in Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) III-deficient mice but diminished in FcγRIIB-deficient mice, suggesting the critical role for FcγRIIB to provide cross-linking in vivo Interestingly, a single dose of an affinity-reduced variant was sufficient to control tumor growth, but a higher affinity variant did not improve efficacy. These observations suggest that binding epitope and FcγR interaction, but not necessarily high affinity, are important for antitumor efficacy and reduced liver toxicity of CD137 mAb. Our study suggests the possibility of CD137 agonist therapy with improved safety profile in humans.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Apoptosis
- Cell Proliferation
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control
- Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Colonic Neoplasms/immunology
- Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Colonic Neoplasms/pathology
- Cross-Linking Reagents/chemistry
- Cross-Linking Reagents/metabolism
- Epitopes/immunology
- Female
- Humans
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/metabolism
- Melanoma, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptors, IgG/physiology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun K Ho
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | - Zhenghai Xu
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | | | - Melvin Fox
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | - Siu Sze Tan
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | | | - Li Zhou
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Mien Sho
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | | | - Vivian Zhao
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | - Mengli Xiong
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | - Josue Samayoa
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
| | | | | | - Debra T Chao
- AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc., Redwood City, California
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40
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Wang H, Yan Z, Hao J, Yang B, Wang J, Yi L, Wang X, Li S, Zhang H, Zhang S. CD137 ligand feedback upregulates PD-L1 expression on lung cancer via T cell production of IFN-γ. Thorac Cancer 2019; 10:2225-2235. [PMID: 31625289 PMCID: PMC6885434 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of PD-L1 and its regulation in tumors remains unclear. The importance of IFN-γ in upregulating the PD-L1 expression in various tumors, and the effects of other essential cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME), need to be further elucidated. METHODS Constitutive expression of PD-L1 and CD137L in all 13 lung cancer cell lines were tested by flow cytometry. CD137L mRNA of lung cancer cell lines was detected by RT-PCR. PD-L1 expression rates following stimulation with these cytokines (IFN-γ, TNFα and IL2) were measured. After coculture of cells expressing CD137L (lung cancer cells or 293FT cells transfected with CD137L plasmid) with T cells, the PDL1 expression of lung cancer cells and IFN-γ in supernatant was detected. RESULTS Our data revealed that adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cells had the highest positive expression rate. IFN-γ was the core-inducing factor for enhancing the PD-L1 expression. CD137L was also widely expressed in the lung cancer cell lines at the mRNA level, whereas its expression was generally low at the protein level. However, the low expression of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN-γ, which subsequently increased the PD-L1 expression by lung cancer cells. The CD137 signal induces IFN-γ secretion by T cells, which stimulates high-level of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells; this negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape regulation. CONCLUSIONS CD137L mRNA was widely expressed in lung cancer cell lines whereas levels of protein expression were generally low. The low level of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN-γ that subsequently increased PD-L1 expression. The CD137L-induced negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuohong Yan
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jianqing Hao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghui Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Yi
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojue Wang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shuping Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shucai Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
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41
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Strategies for Targeting Cancer Immunotherapy Through Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment. REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40883-019-00113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have had limited efficacy, especially with late stage cancers. Cancer immunotherapy and targeted therapy have revolutionized how cancer is treated, especially in patients with late stage disease. In 2013 cancer immunotherapy was named the breakthrough of the year, partially due to the established efficacy of blockade of CTLA-4 and PD-1, both T cell co-inhibitory molecules involved in tumor-induced immunosuppression. Though early trials promised success, toxicity and tolerance to immunotherapy have hindered long-term successes. Optimizing the use of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways has the potential to increase the effectiveness of T cell-mediated antitumor immune response, leading to increased efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. This review will address major T cell co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways and the role they play in regulating immune responses during cancer development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E O'Neill
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Lucas AT, Robinson R, Schorzman AN, Piscitelli JA, Razo JF, Zamboni WC. Pharmacologic Considerations in the Disposition of Antibodies and Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Preclinical Models and in Patients. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:E3. [PMID: 31544809 PMCID: PMC6640706 DOI: 10.3390/antib8010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid advancement in the development of therapeutic proteins, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), has created a novel mechanism to selectively deliver highly potent cytotoxic agents in the treatment of cancer. These agents provide numerous benefits compared to traditional small molecule drugs, though their clinical use still requires optimization. The pharmacology of mAbs/ADCs is complex and because ADCs are comprised of multiple components, individual agent characteristics and patient variables can affect their disposition. To further improve the clinical use and rational development of these agents, it is imperative to comprehend the complex mechanisms employed by antibody-based agents in traversing numerous biological barriers and how agent/patient factors affect tumor delivery, toxicities, efficacy, and ultimately, biodistribution. This review provides an updated summary of factors known to affect the disposition of mAbs/ADCs in development and in clinical use, as well as how these factors should be considered in the selection and design of preclinical studies of ADC agents in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Lucas
- University of North Carolina (UNC), Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Ryan Robinson
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Allison N Schorzman
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Joseph A Piscitelli
- University of North Carolina (UNC), Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Juan F Razo
- University of North Carolina (UNC), Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - William C Zamboni
- University of North Carolina (UNC), Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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A tumor-targeted trimeric 4-1BB-agonistic antibody induces potent anti-tumor immunity without systemic toxicity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4809. [PMID: 30442944 PMCID: PMC6237851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07195-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The costimulation of immune cells using first-generation anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in human trials. Further clinical development, however, is restricted by significant off-tumor toxicities associated with FcγR interactions. Here, we have designed an Fc-free tumor-targeted 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody, 1D8N/CEGa1, consisting of three anti-4-1BB single-chain variable fragments and three anti-EGFR single-domain antibodies positioned in an extended hexagonal conformation around the collagen XVIII homotrimerization domain. The1D8N/CEGa1 trimerbody demonstrated high-avidity binding to 4-1BB and EGFR and a potent in vitro costimulatory capacity in the presence of EGFR. The trimerbody rapidly accumulates in EGFR-positive tumors and exhibits anti-tumor activity similar to IgG-based 4-1BB-agonistic mAbs. Importantly, treatment with 1D8N/CEGa1 does not induce systemic inflammatory cytokine production or hepatotoxicity associated with IgG-based 4-1BB agonists. These results implicate FcγR interactions in the 4-1BB-agonist-associated immune abnormalities, and promote the use of the non-canonical antibody presented in this work for safe and effective costimulatory strategies in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer therapy using systemically administrated 4-1BB-targeting antibodies is often associated with severe toxicity due to the nonspecific activation of autoreactive T cells. Here, the authors have developed a trimeric antibody targeting both 4-1BB and EGFR, which activates T cells effectively and shows negligible cytotoxicity.
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45
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The promise and challenges of immune agonist antibody development in cancer. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:509-527. [PMID: 29904196 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune cell functions are regulated by co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory receptors. The first two generations of cancer immunotherapy agents consist primarily of antagonist antibodies that block negative immune checkpoints, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA4). Looking ahead, there is substantial promise in targeting co-stimulatory receptors with agonist antibodies, and a growing number of these agents are making their way through various stages of development. This Review discusses the key considerations and potential pitfalls of immune agonist antibody design and development, their differentiating features from antagonist antibodies and the landscape of agonist antibodies in clinical development for cancer treatment.
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46
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Zhang J, Song K, Wang J, Li Y, Liu S, Dai C, Chen L, Wang S, Qin Z. S100A4 blockage alleviates agonistic anti-CD137 antibody-induced liver pathology without disruption of antitumor immunity. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1296996. [PMID: 29632708 PMCID: PMC5889198 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1296996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver-related autoimmune toxicities triggered by agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies have greatly limited their use in clinical applications. Here, we found that anti-CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in mice induced the infiltration of a large number of S100A4+ macrophages into the liver. Depletion of these cells or deficiency of S100A4 decreased inflammatory cytokine profiles and drastically reduced the number of liver pathogenic CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, soluble S100A4 directly activated the Akt pathway and specifically prolonged CD8+ T cell survival. Interestingly, one S100A4 neutralizing mAb selectively alleviated liver abnormalities but did not affect the antitumor immunity induced by anti-CD137 mAb therapy. Thus, our study presents a novel molecular link to the liver pathology induced by an immune stimulatory antibody and proposes that combinational immunotherapies targeting those pathways could potentially elicit optimal antitumor immunity with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Song
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Immunobiology and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yanan Li
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangqing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengliang Dai
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shengdian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihai Qin
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Medical Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
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47
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Xie YQ, Wei L, Tang L. Immunoengineering with biomaterials for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 10:e1506. [PMID: 29333729 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has recently shown dramatic clinical success inducing durable response in patients of a wide variety of malignancies. Further improvement of the clinical outcome with immune related cancer treatment requests more exquisite manipulation of a patient's immune system with increased immunity against diseases while mitigating the toxicities. To meet this challenge, biomaterials applied to immunoengineering are being developed to achieve tissue- and/or cell-specific immunomodulation and thus could potentially enhance both the efficacy and safety of current cancer immunotherapies. Here, we review the recent advancement in the field of immunoengineering using biomaterials and their applications in promoting different modalities of cancer immunotherapies, with focus on cell-, antibody-, immunomodulator-, and gene-based immune related treatments and their combinations with conventional therapies. Challenges and opportunities are discussed in applying biomaterials engineering strategies in the development of future cancer immunotherapies. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qing Xie
- Institute of Bioengineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lixia Wei
- Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Bioengineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Bartkowiak T, Jaiswal AR, Ager CR, Chin R, Chen CH, Budhani P, Ai M, Reilley MJ, Sebastian MM, Hong DS, Curran MA. Activation of 4-1BB on Liver Myeloid Cells Triggers Hepatitis via an Interleukin-27-Dependent Pathway. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:1138-1151. [PMID: 29301830 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Agonist antibodies targeting the T-cell costimulatory receptor 4-1BB (CD137) are among the most effective immunotherapeutic agents across preclinical cancer models. In the clinic, however, development of these agents has been hampered by dose-limiting liver toxicity. Lack of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying this toxicity has limited the potential to separate 4-1BB agonist-driven tumor immunity from hepatotoxicity.Experimental Design: The capacity of 4-1BB agonist antibodies to induce liver toxicity was investigated in immunocompetent mice, with or without coadministration of checkpoint blockade, via (i) measurement of serum transaminase levels, (ii) imaging of liver immune infiltrates, and (iii) qualitative and quantitative assessment of liver myeloid and T cells via flow cytometry. Knockout mice were used to clarify the contribution of specific cell subsets, cytokines, and chemokines.Results: We find that activation of 4-1BB on liver myeloid cells is essential to initiate hepatitis. Once activated, these cells produce interleukin-27 that is required for liver toxicity. CD8 T cells infiltrate the liver in response to this myeloid activation and mediate tissue damage, triggering transaminase elevation. FoxP3+ regulatory T cells limit liver damage, and their removal dramatically exacerbates 4-1BB agonist-induced hepatitis. Coadministration of CTLA-4 blockade ameliorates transaminase elevation, whereas PD-1 blockade exacerbates it. Loss of the chemokine receptor CCR2 blocks 4-1BB agonist hepatitis without diminishing tumor-specific immunity against B16 melanoma.Conclusions: 4-1BB agonist antibodies trigger hepatitis via activation and expansion of interleukin-27-producing liver Kupffer cells and monocytes. Coadministration of CTLA-4 and/or CCR2 blockade may minimize hepatitis, but yield equal or greater antitumor immunity. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1138-51. ©2018 AACR.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
- CTLA-4 Antigen/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor/transplantation
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/immunology
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Humans
- Interleukins/immunology
- Interleukins/metabolism
- Liver/cytology
- Liver/drug effects
- Liver/immunology
- Liver/pathology
- Male
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Myeloid Cells/drug effects
- Myeloid Cells/immunology
- Myeloid Cells/metabolism
- Receptors, CCR2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, CCR2/immunology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Skin Neoplasms/immunology
- Skin Neoplasms/pathology
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/agonists
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Bartkowiak
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Ashvin R Jaiswal
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Casey R Ager
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Renee Chin
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Chao-Hsien Chen
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Pratha Budhani
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Midan Ai
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Matthew J Reilley
- Department of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Manu M Sebastian
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
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Co-stimulation Agonists via CD137, OX40, GITR, and CD27 for Immunotherapy of Cancer. Oncoimmunology 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-62431-0_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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50
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Immunotherapy targeting 4-1BB: mechanistic rationale, clinical results, and future strategies. Blood 2017; 131:49-57. [PMID: 29118009 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-06-741041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 9) is an inducible costimulatory receptor expressed on activated T and natural killer (NK) cells. 4-1BB ligation on T cells triggers a signaling cascade that results in upregulation of antiapoptotic molecules, cytokine secretion, and enhanced effector function. In dysfunctional T cells that have a decreased cytotoxic capacity, 4-1BB ligation demonstrates a potent ability to restore effector functions. On NK cells, 4-1BB signaling can increase antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Agonistic monoclonal antibodies targeting 4-1BB have been developed to harness 4-1BB signaling for cancer immunotherapy. Preclinical results in a variety of induced and spontaneous tumor models suggest that targeting 4-1BB with agonist antibodies can lead to tumor clearance and durable antitumor immunity. Clinical trials of 2 agonist antibodies, urelumab and utomilumab, are ongoing. Despite initial signs of efficacy, clinical development of urelumab has been hampered by inflammatory liver toxicity at doses >1 mg/kg. Utomilumab has a superior safety profile, but is a less potent 4-1BB agonist relative to urelumab. Both antibodies have demonstrated promising results in patients with lymphoma and are being tested in combination therapy trials with other immunomodulatory agents. In an effort to optimally leverage 4-1BB-mediated immune activation, the next generation of 4-1BB targeting strategies attempts to decouple the observed antitumor efficacy from the on-target liver toxicity. Multiple therapeutics that attempt to restrict 4-1BB agonism to the tumor microenvironment and minimize systemic exposure have emerged. 4-1BB is a compelling target for cancer immunotherapy and future agents show great promise for achieving potent immune activation while avoiding limiting immune-related adverse events.
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