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Xi M, Zhu J, Zhang F, Shen H, Chen J, Xiao Z, Huangfu Y, Wu C, Sun H, Xia G. Antibody-drug conjugates for targeted cancer therapy: Recent advances in potential payloads. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116709. [PMID: 39068862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116709] [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: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a promising cancer therapy modality which specifically delivers highly toxic payloads to cancer cells through antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). To date, 15 ADCs have been approved and more than 100 ADC candidates have advanced to clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers. Among these ADCs, microtubule-targeting and DNA-damaging agents are at the forefront of payload development. However, several challenges including toxicity and drug resistance limit the potential of this modality. To tackle these issues, multiple innovative payloads such as immunomodulators and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are incorporated into ADCs to enable multimodal cancer therapy. In this review, we describe the mechanism of ADCs, highlight the importance of ADC payloads and summarize recent progresses of conventional and unconventional ADC payloads, trying to provide an insight into payload diversification as a key step in future ADC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyang Xi
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Jingjing Zhu
- NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312090, China
| | - Fengxia Zhang
- NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312090, China
| | - Hualiang Shen
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Ziyan Xiao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Yanping Huangfu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Chunlei Wu
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Gang Xia
- NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312090, China
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2
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Gray ME, Zielinski KM, Xu F, Elder KK, McKay SJ, Ojo VT, Benjamin SR, Yaseen AA, Brooks TA, Tumey LN. A comparison of the activity, lysosomal stability, and efficacy of legumain-cleavable and cathepsin cleavable ADC linkers. Xenobiotica 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38738708 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2024.2352051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
1. Over the past two decades antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a highly effective drug delivery technology. ADCs utilize a monoclonal antibody, a chemical linker, and a therapeutic payload to selectively deliver highly potent pharmaceutical agents to specific cell types.2. Challenges such as premature linker cleavage and clearance due to linker hydrophobicity have adversely impacted the stability and safety of ADCs. While there are various solutions to these challenges, our team has focused on replacement of hydrophobic ValCit linkers (cleaved by CatB) with Asn-containing linkers that are cleaved by lysosomal legumain.3. Legumain is abundantly present in lysosomes and is known to play a role in tumor microenvironment dynamics. Herein, we directly compare the lysosomal cleavage, cytotoxicity, plasma stability, and efficacy of a traditional cathepsin cleavable ADC to a matched Asn-containing legumain-cleavable ADC.4. We demonstrate that Asn-containing linker sequences are specifically cleaved by lysosomal legumain and that Asn-linked MMAE ADCs are broadly active against a variety of tumors, even those with low legumain expression. Finally, we show that AsnAsn-linked ADCs exhibit comparable or improved efficacy to traditional ValCit-linked ADCs. Our study paves the way for replacement of the traditional ValCit linker technology with more hydrophilic Asn-containing peptide linker sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Gray
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Karina M Zielinski
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Fanny Xu
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Kayla K Elder
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Steven J McKay
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Victor T Ojo
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Samantha R Benjamin
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Aiman A Yaseen
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - Tracy A Brooks
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
| | - L Nathan Tumey
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, PO Box 6000, Binghamton NY 13902-6000, USA
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3
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Tsuchikama K, Anami Y, Ha SYY, Yamazaki CM. Exploring the next generation of antibody-drug conjugates. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:203-223. [PMID: 38191923 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00850-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a promising cancer treatment modality that enables the selective delivery of highly cytotoxic payloads to tumours. However, realizing the full potential of this platform necessitates innovative molecular designs to tackle several clinical challenges such as drug resistance, tumour heterogeneity and treatment-related adverse effects. Several emerging ADC formats exist, including bispecific ADCs, conditionally active ADCs (also known as probody-drug conjugates), immune-stimulating ADCs, protein-degrader ADCs and dual-drug ADCs, and each offers unique capabilities for tackling these various challenges. For example, probody-drug conjugates can enhance tumour specificity, whereas bispecific ADCs and dual-drug ADCs can address resistance and heterogeneity with enhanced activity. The incorporation of immune-stimulating and protein-degrader ADCs, which have distinct mechanisms of action, into existing treatment strategies could enable multimodal cancer treatment. Despite the promising outlook, the importance of patient stratification and biomarker identification cannot be overstated for these emerging ADCs, as these factors are crucial to identify patients who are most likely to derive benefit. As we continue to deepen our understanding of tumour biology and refine ADC design, we will edge closer to developing truly effective and safe ADCs for patients with treatment-refractory cancers. In this Review, we highlight advances in each ADC component (the monoclonal antibody, payload, linker and conjugation chemistry) and provide more-detailed discussions on selected examples of emerging novel ADCs of each format, enabled by engineering of one or more of these components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoji Tsuchikama
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Yasuaki Anami
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Summer Y Y Ha
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chisato M Yamazaki
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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4
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Jäger S, Könning D, Rasche N, Hart F, Sensbach J, Krug C, Raab-Westphal S, Richter K, Unverzagt C, Hecht S, Anderl J, Schröter C. Generation and Characterization of Iduronidase-Cleavable ADCs. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:2221-2233. [PMID: 38054705 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
A crucial design feature for the therapeutic success of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is the linker that connects the antibody with the drug. Linkers must be stable in circulation and efficiently release the drug inside the target cell, thereby having a fundamental impact on ADC pharmacokinetics and efficacy. The variety of enzymatically cleavable linkers applied in ADCs is limited, and some are believed to be associated with unwanted side effects due to the expression of cleavage-mediating enzymes in nonmalignant cells. Based on a bioinformatic screen of lysosomal enzymes, we identified α-l-iduronidase (IduA) as an interesting candidate for ADC linker cleavage because of its low expression in normal tissues and its overexpression in several tumor types. In the present study, we report a novel IduA-cleavable ADC linker using exatecan and duocarmycin as payloads. We showed the functionality of our linker system in cleavage assays using recombinant IduA or cell lysates and compared it to established ADC linkers. Subsequently, we coupled iduronide-exatecan via interchain cysteines or iduronide-duocarmycin via microbial transglutaminase (mTG) to an anti-CEACAM5 (aCEA5) antibody. The generated iduronide-exatecan ADC showed high serum stability and similar target-dependent tumor cell killing in the subnanomolar range but reduced toxicity on nonmalignant cells compared to an analogous cathepsin B-activatable valine-citrulline-exatecan ADC. Finally, in vivo antitumor activity could be demonstrated for an IduA-cleavable duocarmycin ADC. The presented results emphasize the potential of iduronide linkers for ADC development and represent a tool for further balancing out tumor selectivity and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Doreen Könning
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nicolas Rasche
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Felix Hart
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Carina Krug
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Konstantin Richter
- Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Carlo Unverzagt
- Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Stefan Hecht
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jan Anderl
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
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5
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Balamkundu S, Liu CF. Lysosomal-Cleavable Peptide Linkers in Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3080. [PMID: 38002080 PMCID: PMC10669454 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-drug Conjugates (ADCs) are a powerful therapeutic modality for cancer treatment. ADCs are multi-functional biologics in which a disease-targeting antibody is conjugated to an effector payload molecule via a linker. The success of currently used ADCs has been largely attributed to the development of linker systems, which allow for the targeted release of cytocidal payload drugs inside cancer cells. Many lysosomal proteases are over expressed in human cancers. They can effectively cleave a variety of peptide sequences, which can be exploited for the design of ADC linker systems. As a well-established linker, valine-citrulline-p-aminobenzyl carbamate (ValCitPABC) is used in many ADCs that are already approved or under preclinical and clinical development. Although ValCitPABC and related linkers are readily cleaved by cathepsins in the lysosome while remaining reasonably stable in human plasma, many studies have shown that they are susceptible to carboxylesterase 1C (Ces1C) in mouse and rat plasma, which hinders the preclinical evaluation of ADCs. Furthermore, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, two of the most commonly observed dose-limiting adverse effects of ADCs, are believed to result from the premature hydrolysis of ValCitPABC by human neutrophil elastase. In addition to ValCitPABC, the GGFG tetrapeptidyl-aminomethoxy linker is also cathepsin-cleavable and is used in the highly successful ADC drug, DS8201a. In addition to cathepsin-cleavable linkers, there is also growing interest in legumain-sensitive linkers for ADC development. Increasing plasma stability while maintaining lysosomal cleavability of ADC linkers is an objective of intensive current research. This review reports recent advances in the design and structure-activity relationship studies of various peptide/peptidomimetic linkers in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chuan-Fa Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore;
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6
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Hobson AD. Antibody drug conjugates beyond cytotoxic payloads. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2023; 62:1-59. [PMID: 37981349 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
For many years, antibody drug conjugates (ADC) have teased with the promise of targeted payload delivery to diseased cells, embracing the targeting of the antibody to which a cytotoxic payload is conjugated. During the past decade this promise has started to be realised with the approval of more than a dozen ADCs for the treatment of various cancers. Of these ADCs, brentuximab vedotin really laid the foundations of a template for a successful ADC with lysosomal payload release from a cleavable dipeptide linker, measured DAR by conjugation to the Cys-Cys interchain bonds of the antibody and a cytotoxic payload. Using this ADC design model oncology has now expanded their repertoire of payloads to include non-cytotoxic compounds. These new payload classes have their origins in prior medicinal chemistry programmes aiming to design selective oral small molecule drugs. While this may not have been achieved, the resulting compounds provide excellent starting points for ADC programmes with some compounds amenable to immediate linker attachment while for others extensive SAR and structural information offer invaluable design insights. Many of these new oncology payload classes are of interest to other therapeutic areas facilitating rapid access to drug-linkers for exploration as non-oncology ADCs. Other therapeutic areas have also pursued unique payload classes with glucocorticoid receptor modulators (GRM) being the most clinically advanced in immunology. Here, ADC payloads come full circle, as oncology is now investigating GRM payloads for the treatment of cancer. This chapter aims to cover all these new ADC approaches while describing the medicinal chemistry origins of the new non-cytotoxic payloads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian D Hobson
- Small Molecule Therapeutics & Platform Technologies, AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States.
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7
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Payload diversification: a key step in the development of antibody-drug conjugates. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:3. [PMID: 36650546 PMCID: PMC9847035 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01397-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is a fast moving class of targeted biotherapeutics that currently combines the selectivity of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of a payload consisting of cytotoxic agents. For many years microtubule targeting and DNA-intercalating agents were at the forefront of ADC development. The recent approval and clinical success of trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu®) and sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy®), two topoisomerase 1 inhibitor-based ADCs, has shown the potential of conjugating unconventional payloads with differentiated mechanisms of action. Among future developments in the ADC field, payload diversification is expected to play a key role as illustrated by a growing number of preclinical and clinical stage unconventional payload-conjugated ADCs. This review presents a comprehensive overview of validated, forgotten and newly developed payloads with different mechanisms of action.
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8
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Jackson CP, Fang S, Benjamin SR, Alayi T, Hathout Y, Gillen SM, Handel JP, Brems BM, Howe JM, Tumey LN. Evaluation of an ester-linked immunosuppressive payload: A case study in understanding the stability and cleavability of ester-containing ADC linkers. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 75:128953. [PMID: 36058468 PMCID: PMC10166636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128953] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In spite of their value in prodrug applications, the use of esters in antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) payloads and linkers has generally been avoided due to the ubiquitous and promiscuous nature of human esterases. ADCs generally have a long circulating half life (3-7 days) that makes them susceptible to esterase-mediated metabolism. Moreover, it is largely unclear whether lysosomal and cytosolic esterases cleave ester-containing linkers upon ADC internalization. Due to our interest in the targeted delivery of immune-modulators, our team has recently prepared a series of ester-linked dexamethasone ADCs. Herein, we report our studies of the functional activity of these ADCs, with a particular focus on their catabolism in various biological milieu. We found that esters are selectively but inefficiently cleaved upon cellular uptake, likely by cytosolic esterases. Lysosomal catabolism studies indicate that, in spite of the strong proteolytic activity, very little cleavage of ester-containing linkers occurs in the lysosome. However, ADCs bearing the ester-linked payloads are active in various immune-suppressive assays, suggesting that cytosolic cleavage is taking place. This was confirmed through LCMS quantitation of the payload following cell lysis. Finally, the stability of the ester linkage was evaluated in mouse and human plasma. We found, similar to other reports, there is a significant site-dependence on the cleavage. Esters attached at highly exposed sites, such as 443C, were rapidly cleaved in plasma while esters at more hindered sites, such at 334C, were not. Together, these results help to unravel the complexities of ester-incorporation into ADC linkers and pave a path forward for their utility in ADC applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney P Jackson
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Siteng Fang
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Samantha R Benjamin
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Tchilabalo Alayi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Yetrib Hathout
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Sarah M Gillen
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Jillian P Handel
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Brittany M Brems
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - Justin M Howe
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States
| | - L Nathan Tumey
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States.
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Sommer A, Berndt S, Lerchen HG, Forveille S, Sauvat A, Mumberg D, Kroemer G, Kepp O. Antibody–drug conjugates harboring a kinesin spindle protein inhibitor with immunostimulatory properties. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2037216. [PMID: 35154909 PMCID: PMC8837233 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2037216] [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: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are used to target cancer cells by means of antibodies directed to tumor-associated antigens, causing the incorporation of a cytotoxic payload into target cells. Here, we characterized the mode of action of ADC costing of a TWEAKR-specific monoclonal antibody conjugated to a small molecule kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor (KSPi). These TWEAKR-KSPi-ADCs showed strong efficacy in a TWEAKR expressing CT26 colon cancer model in mice. TWEAKR-KSPi-ADCs controlled the growth of CT26 colon cancers in immunodeficient as well as in immunocompetent mice. However, when treated with suboptimal doses, TWEAKR-KSPi-ADCs were still active in immunocompetent but not in immunodeficient mice, indicating that TWEAKR-KSPi-ADCs act – in addition to the cytotoxic mode of action – through an immunological mechanism. Indeed, in vitro experiments performed with a cell-permeable small molecule KSPi closely related to the active payload released from the TWEAKR-KSPi-ADCs revealed that KSPi was capable of stimulating several hallmarks of immunogenic cell death (ICD) on three different human cancer cell lines: cellular release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and high mobility group B1 protein (HMGB1), exposure of calreticulin on the cell surface as well as a transcriptional type-I interferon response. Further, in vivo experiments confirmed that treatment with TWEAKR-KSPi-ADCs activated immune responses via enhancing the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in tumors and the local production of interferon-γ, interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In conclusion, the antineoplastic effects of TWEAKR-KSPi-ADCs can partly be attributed to its ICD-stimulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sabrina Forveille
- Equipe Labellisée Par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR1138, Centre de Recherche Des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Allan Sauvat
- Equipe Labellisée Par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR1138, Centre de Recherche Des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe Labellisée Par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR1138, Centre de Recherche Des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China
- Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oliver Kepp
- Equipe Labellisée Par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR1138, Centre de Recherche Des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
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10
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Miller JT, Vitro CN, Fang S, Benjamin SR, Tumey LN. Enzyme-Agnostic Lysosomal Screen Identifies New Legumain-Cleavable ADC Linkers. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:842-858. [PMID: 33788548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and small molecule drug conjugates (SMDCs) have widely employed valine-citruline and related cathepsin-cleavable linkers due to their stability in plasma and their rapid cleavage by lysosomal cathepsins. However, a number of recent studies have illustrated that these linkers are subject to cleavage by exogenous enzymes such as Ces1C and neutrophil elastase, thus resulting in off-target release of drug. As such, there is a need to diversify the portfolio of ADC linkers in order to overcome nonspecific drug release. Rather than targeting cathepsins, we began with an "enzyme agnostic" screen in which a panel of 75 peptide FRET pairs were screened for cleavage in lysosomal extracts and in plasma. Unexpectedly, a series of Asn-containing peptides emerged from this screen as being cleaved far more quickly than traditional ValCit-type linkers while retaining excellent stability in plasma. Catabolism studies demonstrated that these linkers were cleaved by legumain, an asparaginyl endopeptidase that is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and is known to be present in the lysosome. MMAE-containing ADCs that incorporated these new linkers were shown to exhibit highly potent and selective cytotoxicity, comparable to analogous ValCit ADCs. Importantly, the Asn-containing linkers were shown to be completely stable to human neutrophil elastase, an enzyme thought to be responsible for the neutropenia and thrombocytopenia associated with ValCitPABC-MMAE ADCs. The legumain-cleavable ADCs were shown to have excellent stability in both mouse and human serum, retaining >85% of the drug after 1 week of incubation. Moreover, the corresponding small molecule FRET pairs exhibited <10% cleavage after 18 h in mouse and human serum. On the basis of these results, we believe that these new linkers (AsnAsn in particular) have significant potential in both ADC and SMDC drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared T Miller
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Caitlin N Vitro
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Siteng Fang
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Samantha R Benjamin
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - L Nathan Tumey
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
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11
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Chuprakov S, Ogunkoya AO, Barfield RM, Bauzon M, Hickle C, Kim YC, Yeo D, Zhang F, Rabuka D, Drake PM. Tandem-Cleavage Linkers Improve the In Vivo Stability and Tolerability of Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:746-754. [PMID: 33689309 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although peptide motifs represent the majority of cleavable linkers used in clinical-stage antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), the sequences are often sensitive to cleavage by extracellular enzymes, such as elastase, which leads to systemic release of the cytotoxic payload. This action reduces the therapeutic index by causing off-target toxicities that can be dose-limiting. For example, a common side-effect of ADCs made using peptide-cleavable linkers is myelosuppression, including neutropenia. Only a few reports describe methods for optimizing peptide linkers to maintain efficient and potent tumor payload delivery while enhancing circulating stability. Herein, we address these critical limitations through the development of a tandem-cleavage linker strategy, where two sequential enzymatic cleavage events mediate payload release. We prepared dipeptides that are protected from degradation in the circulation by a sterically encumbering glucuronide moiety. Upon ADC internalization and lysosomal degradation, the monosaccharide is removed and the exposed dipeptide is degraded, which liberates the attached payload inside the target cell. We used CD79b-targeted monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) conjugates as our model system and compared the stability, efficacy, and tolerability of ADCs made with tandem-cleavage linkers to ADCs made using standard technology with the vedotin linker. The results, where rat studies showed dramatically improved tolerability in the hematopoietic compartment, highlight the role that linker stability plays in efficacy and tolerability and also offer a means of improving an ADC's therapeutic index for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepan Chuprakov
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Ayodele O Ogunkoya
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Robyn M Barfield
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Maxine Bauzon
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Colin Hickle
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Yun Cheol Kim
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Dominick Yeo
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Fangjiu Zhang
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - David Rabuka
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Penelope M Drake
- Catalent Pharma Solutions, 5959 Horton Street, Suite 400, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
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12
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IL3RA-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate BAY-943 with a Kinesin Spindle Protein Inhibitor Payload Shows Efficacy in Preclinical Models of Hematologic Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113464. [PMID: 33233768 PMCID: PMC7709048 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IL3RA (CD123) is the alpha subunit of the interleukin 3 (IL-3) receptor, which regulates the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. IL3RA is frequently expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), presenting an opportunity to treat AML and HL with an IL3RA-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Here, we describe BAY-943 (IL3RA-ADC), a novel IL3RA-targeting ADC consisting of a humanized anti-IL3RA antibody conjugated to a potent proprietary kinesin spindle protein inhibitor (KSPi). In vitro, IL3RA-ADC showed potent and selective antiproliferative efficacy in a panel of IL3RA-expressing AML and HL cell lines. In vivo, IL3RA-ADC improved survival and reduced tumor burden in IL3RA-positive human AML cell line-derived (MOLM-13 and MV-4-11) as well as in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models (AM7577 and AML11655) in mice. Furthermore, IL3RA-ADC induced complete tumor remission in 12 out of 13 mice in an IL3RA-positive HL cell line-derived xenograft model (HDLM-2). IL3RA-ADC was well-tolerated and showed no signs of thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, or liver toxicity in rats, or in cynomolgus monkeys when dosed up to 20 mg/kg. Overall, the preclinical results support the further development of BAY-943 as an innovative approach for the treatment of IL3RA-positive hematologic malignancies.
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