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Lyu X, Zhao L, Chen S, Li Y, Yang Y, Liu H, Yang F, Li W, Sui J. Targeting TNFRSF25 by agonistic antibodies and multimeric TL1A proteins co-stimulated CD8 + T cells and inhibited tumor growth. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008810. [PMID: 39142717 PMCID: PMC11331879 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-008810] [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: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 25 (TNFRSF25) is a T-cell co-stimulatory receptor. Expression of its ligand, TNF-like cytokine 1A (TL1A), on mouse tumor cells has been shown to promote tumor regression. This study aimed to develop TNFRSF25 agonists (both antibodies (Abs) and TL1A proteins) and to investigate their potential antitumor effects. METHODS Anti-mouse TNFRSF25 (mTNFRSF25) Abs and multimeric TL1A proteins were generated as TNFRSF25 agonists. Their agonism was assessed in luciferase reporter and T-cell co-stimulation assays, and their antitumor effects were evaluated in syngeneic mouse tumor models. TNFRSF25 expression within the tumor microenvironment and the effects of an anti-mTNFRSF25 agonistic Ab on tumor-infiltrating T cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell depletion assays were used to identify the immune cell types that contribute to the antitumor effect of the anti-mTNFRSF25 Ab. The Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) dependence of TNFRSF25 agonists was assessed in an in vivo T-cell expansion model and a mouse tumor model using Fc variants and FcγR-deficient mice. RESULTS TNFRSF25 agonists exhibited antitumor effects in syngeneic mouse tumor models without causing observed side effects. We identified an anti-mTNFRSF25 agonistic Ab, 1A6-m1, which exhibited greater antitumor activity than a higher affinity anti-TNFRSF25 Ab which engages an overlapping epitope with 1A6-m1. 1A6-m1 activated CD8+ T cells and antigen-specific T cells, leading to tumor regression; it also induced long-term antitumor immune memory. Although activating TNFRSF25 by 1A6-m1 expanded splenic regulatory T (Treg) cells, it did not influence intratumoral Treg cells. Moreover, 1A6-m1's antitumor effects required the engagement of both inhibitory FcγRIIB and activating FcγRIII. Replacing 1A6-m1's CH1-hinge region with that of human IgG2 (h2) conferred enhanced antitumor effects. Finally, we also generated multimeric human and mouse TL1A fusion proteins as TNFRSF25 agonists, and they co-stimulated CD8+ T cells and reduced tumor growth, even in the absence of Fc-FcγR interactions. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrates the potential of activating TNFRSF25 by Abs and multimeric TL1A proteins for cancer immunotherapy and provides insights into their development astherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyuan Lyu
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Zhao
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yulu Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yajing Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huisi Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Sui
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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2
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Ye QN, Zhu L, Liang J, Zhao DK, Tian TY, Fan YN, Ye SY, Liu H, Huang XY, Cao ZT, Shen S, Wang J. Orchestrating NK and T cells via tri-specific nano-antibodies for synergistic antitumor immunity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6211. [PMID: 39043643 PMCID: PMC11266419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50474-y] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The functions of natural killer (NK) and T cells in innate and adaptive immunity, as well as their functions in tumor eradication, are complementary and intertwined. Here we show that utilization of multi-specific antibodies or nano-antibodies capable of simultaneously targeting both NK and T cells could be a valuable approach in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we introduce a tri-specific Nano-Antibody (Tri-NAb), generated by immobilizing three types of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), using an optimized albumin/polyester composite nanoparticle conjugated with anti-Fc antibody. This Tri-NAb, targeting PDL1, 4-1BB, and NKG2A (or TIGIT) simultaneously, effectively binds to NK and CD8+ T cells, triggering their activation and proliferation, while facilitating their interaction with tumor cells, thereby inducing efficient tumor killing. Importantly, the antitumor efficacy of Tri-NAb is validated in multiple models, including patient-derived tumor organoids and humanized mice, highlighting the translational potential of NK and T cell co-targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Ni Ye
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Long Zhu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jie Liang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Kun Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Tai-Yu Tian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Nan Fan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Si-Yi Ye
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hua Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Yi Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Ting Cao
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Song Shen
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
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3
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Navarro R, Frago S, Hangiu O, Erce-Llamazares A, Lázaro-Gorines R, Morcillo MA, Rodriguez-Peralto JL, Sanz L, Compte M, Alvarez-Vallina L. Pharmacokinetics and safety of LEAD-452, an EGFR-specific 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody in non-human primates. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 487:116961. [PMID: 38740095 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116961] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
LEAD-452 is a humanized bispecific EGFR-targeted 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody with a unique trimeric configuration compared to other 4-1BB-specific antibodies that are currently in development. Indeed, enhanced tumor-specific costimulation and very remarkable safety and efficacy profiles have been observed in mouse models. Here, we conducted for the first time a preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicity study in non-human primates (NHP) (Macaca fascicularis). LEAD-452 exhibits comparable binding affinity for human and macaque targets, indicating its pharmacological significance for safety testing across species. The NHP were administered LEAD-452 in a series of ascending doses, ranging from 0.1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg, and repeated doses up to 20 mg/kg. The administration of LEAD-452 was found to be clinically well tolerated, with no major related adverse effects observed. Furthermore, there have been no reported cases of liver toxicity, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia, which are commonly associated with treatments using conventional anti-4-1BB IgG-based antibodies. In addition, neither IgM nor IgG-based anti-drug antibodies were detected in serum samples from NHP during the study, regardless of the dose of LEAD-452 administered. These results support the clinical development of LEAD-452 for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Navarro
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Frago
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oana Hangiu
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain; Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Erce-Llamazares
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain; Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Lázaro-Gorines
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Morcillo
- Medical Applications of Ionizing Radiations Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Rodriguez-Peralto
- 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; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
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Nitz K, Herrmann J, Lerman A, Lutgens E. Costimulatory and Coinhibitory Immune Checkpoints in Atherosclerosis: Therapeutic Targets in Atherosclerosis? JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:827-843. [PMID: 39070270 PMCID: PMC11282889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The benefits of current state-of-the-art treatments to combat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) have stagnated. Treatments are mostly based on controlling cardiovascular risk factors, especially hyperlipidemia. Although the most recent advances with PCSK-9 inhibitors support the hyperlipidemia aspect of ASCVD, several lines of experimental evidence have outlined that atherosclerosis is also driven by inflammation. In the past years, phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials targeting inflammation to combat ASCVD have revealed that patients do tolerate such immune therapies, show decreases in inflammatory markers, and/or have reductions in cardiovascular endpoints. However, the search for the optimal anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating strategy and the stratification of patients who would benefit from such treatments and appropriate treatment regimens to combat ASCVD is only just beginning. In this review, we focus on immune checkpoint-based therapeutics (costimulation and coinhibition), many of which are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancer or autoimmune diseases, and discuss their use as a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to treat ASCVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Nitz
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joerg Herrmann
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Amir Lerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Yin N, Li X, Zhang X, Xue S, Cao Y, Niedermann G, Lu Y, Xue J. Development of pharmacological immunoregulatory anti-cancer therapeutics: current mechanistic studies and clinical opportunities. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:126. [PMID: 38773064 PMCID: PMC11109181 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01826-z] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy represented by anti-PD-(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment, but challenges related to resistance and toxicity still remain. Due to the advancement of immuno-oncology, an increasing number of novel immunoregulatory targets and mechanisms are being revealed, with relevant therapies promising to improve clinical immunotherapy in the foreseeable future. Therefore, comprehending the larger picture is important. In this review, we analyze and summarize the current landscape of preclinical and translational mechanistic research, drug development, and clinical trials that brought about next-generation pharmacological immunoregulatory anti-cancer agents and drug candidates beyond classical immune checkpoint inhibitors. Along with further clarification of cancer immunobiology and advances in antibody engineering, agents targeting additional inhibitory immune checkpoints, including LAG-3, TIM-3, TIGIT, CD47, and B7 family members are becoming an important part of cancer immunotherapy research and discovery, as are structurally and functionally optimized novel anti-PD-(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 agents and agonists of co-stimulatory molecules of T cells. Exemplified by bispecific T cell engagers, newly emerging bi-specific and multi-specific antibodies targeting immunoregulatory molecules can provide considerable clinical benefits. Next-generation agents also include immune epigenetic drugs and cytokine-based therapeutics. Cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic viruses are not covered in this review. This comprehensive review might aid in further development and the fastest possible clinical adoption of effective immuno-oncology modalities for the benefit of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanhao Yin
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xintong Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xuanwei Zhang
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shaolong Xue
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 20, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
- Institute of Disaster Medicine & Institute of Emergency Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Gaopeng Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Gabriele Niedermann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site DKTK-Freiburg, Robert-Koch-Strasse 3, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - You Lu
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 2222, Xinchuan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Jianxin Xue
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 2222, Xinchuan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
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Ha J, Grippin AJ, Kim BYS, Jiang W. Striking the Balance with a PD-L1×4-1BB Bispecific Antibody. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1546-1547. [PMID: 38745496 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-24-0566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-based immune checkpoint blockade therapy has revolutionized the field of cancer immunotherapy, yet its efficacy remains limited in immunologically cold tumors. Combining checkpoint inhibitors with costimulatory agonists improves tumoricidal activity of T cells but also can lead to off-target hepatotoxicity. Although bispecific antibodies confer tumor selectivity to alleviate undesirable adverse effects, toxicity concerns persist with increased dosing. In this issue of Cancer Research, Yuwen and colleagues introduce ATG-101, a tetravalent PD-L1×4-1BB bispecific antibody with high programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) affinity and low 4-1BB affinity, aiming to mitigate hepatotoxicity. ATG-101 demonstrates PD-L1-dependent 4-1BB activation, leading to selective T-cell activation within the tumor microenvironment. ATG-101 exhibits potent antitumor activity, even in large, immunologically cold, and monotherapy-resistant tumor models. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals significant shifts of immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment from protumor to antitumor phenotypes following ATG-101 treatment. In cynomolgus monkeys, no serious cytokine storm and hepatotoxicity are observed after ATG-101 treatment, indicating a broad therapeutic window for ATG-101 in cancer treatment. This study highlights the potential of tetravalent bispecific antibodies in cancer immunotherapy, with implications for various antibody-based treatment modalities across different fields. See related article by Yuwen et al., p. 1680.
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Affiliation(s)
- JongHoon Ha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Adam J Grippin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Betty Y S Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Zhang B, Shi J, Shi X, Xu X, Gao L, Li S, Liu M, Gao M, Jin S, Zhou J, Fan D, Wang F, Ji Z, Bian Z, Song Y, Tian W, Zheng Y, Xu L, Li W. Development and evaluation of a human CD47/HER2 bispecific antibody for Trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer immunotherapy. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 74:101068. [PMID: 38402670 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2024.101068] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The treatment for trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer (BC) remains a challenge in clinical settings. It was known that CD47 is preferentially upregulated in HER2+ BC cells, which is correlated with drug resistance to trastuzumab. Here, we developed a novel anti-CD47/HER2 bispecific antibody (BsAb) against trastuzumab-resistant BC, named IMM2902. IMM2902 demonstrated high binding affinity, blocking activity, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and internalization degradation effects against both trastuzumab-sensitive and trastuzumab-resistant BC cells in vitro. The in vivo experimental data indicated that IMM2902 was more effective than their respective controls in inhibiting tumor growth in a trastuzumab-sensitive BT474 mouse model, a trastuzumab-resistant HCC1954 mouse model, two trastuzumab-resistant patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models and a cord blood (CB)-humanized HCC1954 mouse model. Through spatial transcriptome assays, multiplex immunofluorescence (mIFC) and in vitro assays, our findings provided evidence that IMM2902 effectively stimulates macrophages to generate C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 9 and CXCL10, thereby facilitating the recruitment of T cells and NK cells to the tumor site. Moreover, IMM2902 demonstrated a high safety profile regarding anemia and non-specific cytokines release. Collectively, our results highlighted a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of HER2+ BCs and this approach exhibits significant anti-tumor efficacy without causing off-target toxicity in trastuzumab-resistant BC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binglei Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Jianxiang Shi
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xiaojing Shi
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xiaolu Xu
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Le Gao
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Song Li
- ImmuneOnco Biopharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Inc, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Mengya Gao
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Shuiling Jin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
| | - Dandan Fan
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Zhenyu Ji
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Zhilei Bian
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yongping Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Wenzhi Tian
- ImmuneOnco Biopharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Inc, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yichao Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China.
| | - Linping Xu
- Department of Research and Foreign Affairs, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.
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Lim SH, Beers SA, Al-Shamkhani A, Cragg MS. Agonist Antibodies for Cancer Immunotherapy: History, Hopes, and Challenges. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1712-1723. [PMID: 38153346 PMCID: PMC7615925 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is among the most promising new treatment modalities to arise over the last two decades; antibody drugs are delivering immunotherapy to millions of patients with many different types of cancer. Initial success with antibody therapeutics came in the form of direct targeting or cytotoxic antibodies, such as rituximab and trastuzumab, which bind directly to tumor cells to elicit their destruction. These were followed by immunomodulatory antibodies that elicit antitumor responses by either stimulating immune cells or relieving tumor-mediated suppression. By far the most successful approach in the clinic to date has been relieving immune suppression, with immune checkpoint blockade now a standard approach in the treatment of many cancer types. Despite equivalent and sometimes even more impressive effects in preclinical models, agonist antibodies designed to stimulate the immune system have lagged behind in their clinical translation. In this review, we document the main receptors that have been targeted by agonist antibodies, consider the various approaches that have been evaluated to date, detail what we have learned, and consider how their anticancer potential can be unlocked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean H. Lim
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Stephen A. Beers
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Aymen Al-Shamkhani
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Mark S. Cragg
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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9
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Li T, Niu M, Zhou J, Wu K, Yi M. The enhanced antitumor activity of bispecific antibody targeting PD-1/PD-L1 signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:179. [PMID: 38475778 PMCID: PMC10935874 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01562-5] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) signaling pathway, a key player in immune checkpoint regulation, has become a focal point in cancer immunotherapy. In the context of cancer, upregulated PD-L1 on tumor cells can result in T cell exhaustion and immune evasion, fostering tumor progression. The advent of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor has demonstrated clinical success by unleashing T cells from exhaustion. Nevertheless, challenges such as resistance and adverse effects have spurred the exploration of innovative strategies, with bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) emerging as a promising frontier. BsAbs offer a multifaceted approach to cancer immunotherapy by simultaneously targeting PD-L1 and other immune regulatory molecules. We focus on recent advancements in PD-1/PD-L1 therapy with a particular emphasis on the development and potential of BsAbs, especially in the context of solid tumors. Various BsAb products targeting PD-1 signaling are discussed, highlighting their unique mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. Noteworthy examples include anti-TGFβ × PD-L1, anti-CD47 × PD-L1, anti-VEGF × PD-L1, anti-4-1BB × PD-L1, anti-LAG-3 × PD-L1, and anti-PD-1 × CTLA-4 BsAbs. Besides, we summarize ongoing clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of these innovative BsAb agents. By unraveling the intricacies of the tumor microenvironment and harnessing the synergistic effects of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 BsAbs, there exists the potential to elevate the precision and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, ultimately enabling the development of personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual patient profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, People's Republic of China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, People's Republic of China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Palmeri JR, Lax BM, Peters JM, Duhamel L, Stinson JA, Santollani L, Lutz EA, Pinney W, Bryson BD, Dane Wittrup K. CD8 + T cell priming that is required for curative intratumorally anchored anti-4-1BB immunotherapy is constrained by Tregs. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1900. [PMID: 38429261 PMCID: PMC10907589 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45625-0] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Although co-stimulation of T cells with agonist antibodies targeting 4-1BB (CD137) improves antitumor immune responses in preclinical studies, clinical success has been limited by on-target, off-tumor activity. Here, we report the development of a tumor-anchored ɑ4-1BB agonist (ɑ4-1BB-LAIR), which consists of a ɑ4-1BB antibody fused to the collagen-binding protein LAIR. While combination treatment with an antitumor antibody (TA99) shows only modest efficacy, simultaneous depletion of CD4+ T cells boosts cure rates to over 90% of mice. Mechanistically, this synergy depends on ɑCD4 eliminating tumor draining lymph node regulatory T cells, resulting in priming and activation of CD8+ T cells which then infiltrate the tumor microenvironment. The cytotoxic program of these newly primed CD8+ T cells is then supported by the combined effect of TA99 and ɑ4-1BB-LAIR. The combination of TA99 and ɑ4-1BB-LAIR with a clinically approved ɑCTLA-4 antibody known for enhancing T cell priming results in equivalent cure rates, which validates the mechanistic principle, while the addition of ɑCTLA-4 also generates robust immunological memory against secondary tumor rechallenge. Thus, our study establishes the proof of principle for a clinically translatable cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Palmeri
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brianna M Lax
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joshua M Peters
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Duhamel
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jordan A Stinson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luciano Santollani
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emi A Lutz
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - William Pinney
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bryan D Bryson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - K Dane Wittrup
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA.
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11
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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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12
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Rakké YS, Buschow SI, IJzermans JNM, Sprengers D. Engaging stimulatory immune checkpoint interactions in the tumour immune microenvironment of primary liver cancers - how to push the gas after having released the brake. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1357333. [PMID: 38440738 PMCID: PMC10910082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1357333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are the first and second most common primary liver cancer (PLC). For decades, systemic therapies consisting of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or chemotherapy have formed the cornerstone of treating advanced-stage HCC and CCA, respectively. More recently, immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has shown anti-tumour reactivity in some patients. The combination regimen of anti-PD-L1 and anti-VEGF antibodies has been approved as new first-line treatment of advanced-stage HCC. Furthermore, gemcibatine plus cisplatin (GEMCIS) with an anti-PD-L1 antibody is awaiting global approval for the treatment of advanced-stage CCA. As effective anti-tumour reactivity using ICI is achieved in a minor subset of both HCC and CCA patients only, alternative immune strategies to sensitise the tumour microenvironment of PLC are waited for. Here we discuss immune checkpoint stimulation (ICS) as additional tool to enhance anti-tumour reactivity. Up-to-date information on the clinical application of ICS in onco-immunology is provided. This review provides a rationale of the application of next-generation ICS either alone or in combination regimen to potentially enhance anti-tumour reactivity in PLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick S. Rakké
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC-Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sonja I. Buschow
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-Cancer Institute-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan N. M. IJzermans
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC-Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dave Sprengers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-Cancer Institute-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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13
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Xu C, Zhou X, Webb L, Yalavarthi S, Zheng W, Saha S, Schweickhardt R, Soloviev M, Jenkins MH, Brandstetter S, Belousova N, Alimzhanov M, Rabinovich B, Deshpande AM, Brewis N, Helming L. M9657 Is a Bispecific Tumor-Targeted Anti-CD137 Agonist That Induces MSLN-Dependent Antitumor Immunity without Liver Inflammation. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:195-213. [PMID: 38091375 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The costimulatory receptor CD137 (also known as TNFRSF9 or 4-1BB) sustains effective cytotoxic T-cell responses. Agonistic anti-CD137 cancer immunotherapies are being investigated in clinical trials. Development of the first-generation CD137-agonist monotherapies utomilumab and urelumab was unsuccessful due to low antitumor efficacy mediated by the epitope recognized on CD137 or hepatotoxicity mediated by Fcγ receptors (FcγR) ligand-dependent CD137 activation, respectively. M9657 was engineered as a tetravalent bispecific antibody (mAb2) in a human IgG1 backbone with LALA mutations to reduce binding to FCγRs. Here, we report that M9657 selectively binds to mesothelin (MSLN) and CD137 with similar affinity in humans and cynomolgus monkeys. In a cellular functional assay, M9657 enhanced CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine release in the presence of tumor cells, which was dependent on both MSLN expression and T-cell receptor/CD3 activation. Both FS122m, a murine surrogate with the same protein structure as M9657, and chimeric M9657, a modified M9657 antibody with the Fab portion replaced with an anti-murine MSLN motif, demonstrated in vivo antitumor efficacy against various tumors in wild-type and human CD137 knock-in mice, and this was accompanied by activated CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. The antitumor immunity of M9657 and FS122m depended on MSLN expression density and the mAb2 structure. Compared with 3H3, a murine surrogate of urelumab, FS122m and chimeric M9657 displayed significantly lower on-target/off-tumor toxicity. Taken together, M9657 exhibits a promising profile for development as a tumor-targeting immune agonist with potent anticancer activity without systemic immune activation and associated hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Xu
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Xueyuan Zhou
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Lindsay Webb
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | - Wenxin Zheng
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Somdutta Saha
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Rene Schweickhardt
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Soloviev
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Molly H Jenkins
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Neil Brewis
- F-star Therapeutics, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Helming
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
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14
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Singh R, Kim YH, Lee SJ, Eom HS, Choi BK. 4-1BB immunotherapy: advances and hurdles. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:32-39. [PMID: 38172595 PMCID: PMC10834507 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its initial description 35 years ago as an inducible molecule expressed in cytotoxic and helper T cells, 4-1BB has emerged as a crucial receptor in T-cell-mediated immune functions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of 4-1BB in infection and tumor immunity. However, the clinical development of 4-1BB agonist antibodies has been impeded by the occurrence of strong adverse events, notably hepatotoxicity, even though these antibodies have exhibited tremendous promise in in vivo tumor models. Efforts are currently underway to develop a new generation of agonist antibodies and recombinant proteins with modified effector functions that can harness the potent T-cell modulation properties of 4-1BB while mitigating adverse effects. In this review, we briefly examine the role of 4-1BB in T-cell biology, explore its clinical applications, and discuss future prospects in the field of 4-1BB agonist immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Singh
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ho Kim
- Diagnostics and Therapeutics Technology Branch, Division of Technology Convergence, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Jin Lee
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Seok Eom
- Hematological Malignancy Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom K Choi
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Innobationbio, Co., Ltd., Mapo-gu, Seoul, 03929, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Galvez-Cancino F, Simpson AP, Costoya C, Matos I, Qian D, Peggs KS, Litchfield K, Quezada SA. Fcγ receptors and immunomodulatory antibodies in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:51-71. [PMID: 38062252 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00637-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of both cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) as negative regulators of antitumour immunity led to the development of numerous immunomodulatory antibodies as cancer treatments. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-based therapies depends not only on their ability to block or engage their targets but also on the antibody's constant region (Fc) and its interactions with Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). Fc-FcγR interactions are essential for the activity of tumour-targeting antibodies, such as rituximab, trastuzumab and cetuximab, where the killing of tumour cells occurs at least in part due to these mechanisms. However, our understanding of these interactions in the context of immunomodulatory antibodies designed to boost antitumour immunity remains less explored. In this Review, we discuss our current understanding of the contribution of FcγRs to the in vivo activity of immunomodulatory antibodies and the challenges of translating results from preclinical models into the clinic. In addition, we review the impact of genetic variability of human FcγRs on the activity of therapeutic antibodies and how antibody engineering is being utilized to develop the next generation of cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Galvez-Cancino
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Alexander P Simpson
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Cristobal Costoya
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Ignacio Matos
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Danwen Qian
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Karl S Peggs
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Kevin Litchfield
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
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16
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Ritu, Chandra P, Das A. Immune checkpoint targeting antibodies hold promise for combinatorial cancer therapeutics. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:4297-4322. [PMID: 37804358 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01201-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Through improving the immune system's ability to recognize and combat tumor cells as well as its receptivity to changes in the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy has emerged as a highly successful addition to the treatment of cancer. However, tumor heterogeneity poses a significant challenge in cancer therapy as it can undermine the anti-tumor immune response through the manipulation of the extracellular matrix. To address these challenges and improve targeted therapies and combination treatments, the food and drug administration has approved several immunomodulatory antibodies to suppress immunological checkpoints. Combinatorial therapies necessitate the identification of multiple targets that regulate the intricate communication between immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and cellular responses within the tumor microenvironment. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the ongoing clinical trials involving immunomodulatory antibodies in various cancer types. It explores the potential of these antibodies to modulate the immune system and enhance anti-tumor responses. Additionally, it discusses the perspectives and prospects of immunomodulatory therapeutics in cancer treatment. Although immunotherapy shows great promise in cancer treatment, it is not exempt from side effects that can arise due to hyperactivity of the immune system. Therefore, understanding the intricate balance between immune activation and regulation is crucial for minimizing these adverse effects and optimizing treatment outcomes. This study aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge surrounding immunomodulatory antibodies and their potential as effective therapeutic options in cancer treatment, ultimately paving the way for improved patient outcomes and deepening our perception of the intricate interactivity between the immune system and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, New Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Prakash Chandra
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, New Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Asmita Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, New Delhi, 110042, India.
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17
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Wu Q, Pan C, Zhou Y, Wang S, Xie L, Zhou W, Ding L, Chen T, Qian J, Su R, Gao X, Mei Z, Qiao Y, Yin S, Wu Y, Wang J, Zhou L, Zheng S. Targeting neuropilin-1 abolishes anti-PD-1-upregulated regulatory T cells and synergizes with 4-1BB agonist for liver cancer treatment. Hepatology 2023; 78:1402-1417. [PMID: 36811396 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an obstacle to PD-1 blockade-mediated antitumor efficacy. However, the behaviors of Tregs response to anti-PD-1 in HCC and the characteristics of Tregs tissue adaptation from peripheral lymphoid tissues to the tumor are still unclear. APPROACH RESULTS Here, we determine that PD-1 monotherapy potentially augments the accumulation of tumor CD4 + Tregs. Mechanistically, anti-PD-1 mediates Tregs proliferation in lymphoid tissues rather than in the tumor. Increased peripheral Tregs burden replenishes intratumoral Tregs, raising the ratio of intratumoral CD4 + Tregs to CD8 + T cells. Subsequently, single-cell transcriptomics revealed that neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) supports Tregs migration behavior, and the genes of Crem and Tnfrsf9 regulate the behaviors of the terminal suppressive Tregs. Nrp-1 + 4-1BB - Tregs stepwise develop to the Nrp-1 - 4-1BB + Tregs from lymphoid tissues into the tumor. Moreover, Treg-restricted Nrp1 depletion abolishes anti-PD-1-upregulated intratumoral Tregs burden and synergizes with the 4-1BB agonist to enhance the antitumor response. Finally, a combination of the Nrp-1 inhibitor and the 4-1BB agonist in humanized HCC models showed a favorable and safe outcome and evoked the antitumor effect of the PD-1 blockade. CONCLUSION Our findings elucidate the potential mechanism of anti-PD-1-mediated intratumoral Tregs accumulation in HCC and uncover the tissue adaptation characteristics of Tregs and identify the therapeutic potential of targeting Nrp-1 and 4-1BB for reprogramming the HCC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinchuan Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Caixu Pan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liting Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wuhua Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Limin Ding
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianchi Chen
- Department of vascular surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Qian
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Rong Su
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Xingxing Gao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhibin Mei
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiting Qiao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengyong Yin
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Lyvgen Biopharma, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Lin Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- NHFPC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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18
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Dunn ZS, Qu Y, MacMullan M, Chen X, Cinay G, Wang P. Secretion of 4-1BB Ligand Crosslinked to PD-1 Checkpoint Inhibitor Potentiates Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Solid Tumor Efficacy. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:1145-1161. [PMID: 36851890 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.068] [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] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of hematological malignancies but has yet to achieve similar success in solid tumors due to a lack of persistence and function in the tumor microenvironment. We previously reported the augmentation of CAR T cell therapy in an engineered solid tumor model through the secretion of anti-PD-1 single-chain fragment variable region (scFv), as shown by enhanced CAR T cell antitumor efficacy, expansion, and vitality. We have since improved the platform to create a superior cellular product-CAR T cells secreting single-chain trimeric 4-1BB ligand fused to anti-PD-1 scFv (αPD1-41BBL). 4-1BB signaling promotes cytotoxic T lymphocyte proliferation and survival but targeting 4-1BB with agonist antibodies in the clinic has been hindered by low antitumor activity and high toxicity. CAR T cells using 4-1BB endodomain for costimulatory signals have demonstrated milder antitumor response and longer persistence compared to CAR T cells costimulated by CD28 endodomain. We have, for the first time, engineered CD28-costimulated CAR T cells to secrete a fusion protein containing the soluble trimeric 4-1BB ligand. In vitro and in vivo, CAR19.αPD1-41BBL T cells exhibited reduced inhibitory receptor upregulation, enhanced persistence and proliferation, and a less differentiated memory status compared to CAR T cells without additional 4-1BB:4-1BBL costimulation. Accordingly, CAR19.αPD1-41BBL T cell-treated mice displayed significantly improved tumor growth control and overall survival. Spurred on by our preclinical success targeting CD19 as a model antigen, we produced mesothelin-targeting CAR T cells and confirmed the enhanced solid tumor efficacy of αPD1-41BBL-secreting CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary S Dunn
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yun Qu
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Melanie MacMullan
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xianhui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gunce Cinay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pin Wang
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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19
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Malyshkina A, Bayer W, Podschwadt P, Otto L, Karakoese Z, Sutter K, Bruderek K, Wang B, Lavender KJ, Santiago ML, Leipe PM, Elsner C, Esser S, Brandau S, Gunzer M, Dittmer U. Immunotherapy-induced cytotoxic T follicular helper cells reduce numbers of retrovirus-infected reservoir cells in B cell follicles. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011725. [PMID: 37883584 PMCID: PMC10602292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) transformed HIV from a life-threatening disease to a chronic condition. However, eliminating the virus remains an elusive therapy goal. For several decades, Friend virus (FV) infection serves as a murine model to study retrovirus immunity. Similar to HIV, FV persists at low levels in lymph nodes B cell follicles avoiding elimination by immune cells. Such immune-privileged reservoirs exclude cytotoxic T cells from entry. However, CXCR5+ T cells are permitted to traffic through germinal centers. This marker is predominantly expressed by CD4+ follicular helper T cells (Tfh). Therefore, we explored immunotherapy to induce cytotoxic Tfh, which are rarely found under physiological conditions. The TNF receptor family member CD137 was first identified as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. We demonstrated that FV-infected mice treatment with αCD137 antibody resulted in an induction of the cytotoxic program in Tfh. The therapy significantly increased numbers of cytotoxic Tfh within B cell follicles and contributed to viral load reduction. Moreover, αCD137 antibody combined with ART delayed virus rebound upon treatment termination without disturbing the lymph node architecture or antibody responses. Thus, αCD137 antibody therapy might be a novel strategy to target the retroviral reservoir and an interesting approach for HIV cure research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Malyshkina
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Wibke Bayer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Philip Podschwadt
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lucas Otto
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Zehra Karakoese
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Bruderek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Baoxiao Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kerry J. Lavender
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Mario L. Santiago
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Pia Madeleine Leipe
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Carina Elsner
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefan Esser
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sven Brandau
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gunzer
- Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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20
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Abdeldaim DT, Schindowski K. Fc-Engineered Therapeutic Antibodies: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2402. [PMID: 37896162 PMCID: PMC10610324 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal therapeutic antibodies have revolutionized the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Fc engineering aims to enhance the effector functions or half-life of therapeutic antibodies by modifying their Fc regions. Recent advances in the Fc engineering of modern therapeutic antibodies can be considered the next generation of antibody therapy. Various strategies are employed, including altering glycosylation patterns via glycoengineering and introducing mutations to the Fc region, thereby enhancing Fc receptor or complement interactions. Further, Fc engineering strategies enable the generation of bispecific IgG-based heterodimeric antibodies. As Fc engineering techniques continue to evolve, an expanding portfolio of Fc-engineered antibodies is advancing through clinical development, with several already approved for medical use. Despite the plethora of Fc-based mutations that have been analyzed in in vitro and in vivo models, we focus here in this review on the relevant Fc engineering strategies of approved therapeutic antibodies to finetune effector functions, to modify half-life and to stabilize asymmetric bispecific IgGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia T. Abdeldaim
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, 88400 Biberach, Germany;
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Schindowski
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Science Biberach, 88400 Biberach, Germany;
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21
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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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22
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Shen X, Zhang R, Nie X, Yang Y, Hua Y, Lü P. 4-1BB Targeting Immunotherapy: Mechanism, Antibodies, and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2023; 38:431-444. [PMID: 37433196 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2023.0022] [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] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137, TNFRSF9) is a type I transmembrane protein which binds its natural ligand, 4-1BBL. This interaction has been exploited to improve cancer immunotherapy. With ligand binding by 4-1BB, the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway is activated, which results in transcription of corresponding genes such as interleukin-2 and interferon-γ, as well as the induction of T cell proliferation and antiapoptotic signals. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies that target-4-1BB, for example, Urelumab and Utomilumab, are widely used in the treatments of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and other solid tumors. Furthermore, 4-1BB as a costimulatory domain, for chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, improves T cell proliferation and survival as well as reduces T cell exhaustion. As such, a deeper understanding of 4-1BB will contribute to improvements in cancer immunotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current 4-1BB studies, with a focus on the use of targeting-4-1BB antibodies and 4-1BB activation domains in CAR-T cells for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Rusong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiaojuan Nie
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yanhua Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ye Hua
- Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Peng Lü
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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23
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Vanamee ÉS, Faustman DL. The benefits of clustering in TNF receptor superfamily signaling. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1225704. [PMID: 37662920 PMCID: PMC10469783 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1225704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily is a structurally and functionally related group of cell surface receptors that play crucial roles in various cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell survival, and immune regulation. This review paper synthesizes key findings from recent studies, highlighting the importance of clustering in TNF receptor superfamily signaling. We discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms of signaling, the functional consequences of receptor clustering, and potential therapeutic implications of targeting surface structures of receptor complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva S. Vanamee
- Immunobiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Denise L. Faustman
- Immunobiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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24
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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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25
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Leitner J, Egerer R, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Steinberger P. FcγR requirements and costimulatory capacity of Urelumab, Utomilumab, and Varlilumab. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208631. [PMID: 37575254 PMCID: PMC10413977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Targeting costimulatory receptors of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily with agonistic antibodies is a promising approach in cancer immuno therapy. It is known that their efficacy strongly depends on FcγR cross-linking. Methods In this study, we made use of a Jurkat-based reporter platform to analyze the influence of individual FcγRs on the costimulatory activity of the 41BB agonists, Urelumab and Utomilumab, and the CD27 agonist, Varlilumab. Results We found that Urelumab (IgG4) can activate 41BB-NFκB signaling without FcγR cross-linking, but the presence of the FcγRs (CD32A, CD32B, CD64) augments the agonistic activity of Urelumab. The human IgG2 antibody Utomilumab exerts agonistic function only when crosslinked via CD32A and CD32B. The human IgG1 antibody Varlilumab showed strong agonistic activity with all FcγRs tested. In addition, we analyzed the costimulatory effects of Urelumab, Utomilumab, and Varlilumab in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Interestingly, we observed a very weak capacity of Varlilumab to enhance cytokine production and proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T cells. In the presence of Varlilumab the percentage of annexin V positive T cells was increased, indicating that this antibody mediated FcγR-dependent cytotoxic effects. Conclusion Collectively, our data underscore the importance to perform studies in reductionist systems as well as in primary PBMC samples to get a comprehensive understanding of the activity of costimulation agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricarda Egerer
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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26
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Pichler AC, Carrié N, Cuisinier M, Ghazali S, Voisin A, Axisa PP, Tosolini M, Mazzotti C, Golec DP, Maheo S, do Souto L, Ekren R, Blanquart E, Lemaitre L, Feliu V, Joubert MV, Cannons JL, Guillerey C, Avet-Loiseau H, Watts TH, Salomon BL, Joffre O, Grinberg-Bleyer Y, Schwartzberg PL, Lucca LE, Martinet L. TCR-independent CD137 (4-1BB) signaling promotes CD8 +-exhausted T cell proliferation and terminal differentiation. Immunity 2023; 56:1631-1648.e10. [PMID: 37392737 PMCID: PMC10649891 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
CD137 (4-1BB)-activating receptor represents a promising cancer immunotherapeutic target. Yet, the cellular program driven by CD137 and its role in cancer immune surveillance remain unresolved. Using T cell-specific deletion and agonist antibodies, we found that CD137 modulates tumor infiltration of CD8+-exhausted T (Tex) cells expressing PD1, Lag-3, and Tim-3 inhibitory receptors. T cell-intrinsic, TCR-independent CD137 signaling stimulated the proliferation and the terminal differentiation of Tex precursor cells through a mechanism involving the RelA and cRel canonical NF-κB subunits and Tox-dependent chromatin remodeling. While Tex cell accumulation induced by prophylactic CD137 agonists favored tumor growth, anti-PD1 efficacy was improved with subsequent CD137 stimulation in pre-clinical mouse models. Better understanding of T cell exhaustion has crucial implications for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Our results identify CD137 as a critical regulator of Tex cell expansion and differentiation that holds potential for broad therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Pichler
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Cell Signaling and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nadège Carrié
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Marine Cuisinier
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Institut Universitaire du Cancer, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Samira Ghazali
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), UPS, INSERM, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Allison Voisin
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Labex DEVweCAN, INSERM, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Pierre-Paul Axisa
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Marie Tosolini
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Céline Mazzotti
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Institut Universitaire du Cancer, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Dominic P Golec
- Cell Signaling and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sabrina Maheo
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Institut Universitaire du Cancer, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Laura do Souto
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Institut Universitaire du Cancer, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Rüçhan Ekren
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Eve Blanquart
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Lea Lemaitre
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Virginie Feliu
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Marie-Véronique Joubert
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Institut Universitaire du Cancer, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jennifer L Cannons
- Cell Signaling and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Camille Guillerey
- Cancer Immunotherapies Group, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hervé Avet-Loiseau
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Institut Universitaire du Cancer, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Tania H Watts
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Benoit L Salomon
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), UPS, INSERM, CNRS, Toulouse, France; Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Olivier Joffre
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), UPS, INSERM, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Yenkel Grinberg-Bleyer
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Labex DEVweCAN, INSERM, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Pamela L Schwartzberg
- Cell Signaling and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Liliana E Lucca
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France.
| | - Ludovic Martinet
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France; Institut Universitaire du Cancer, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
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27
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Liu G, Luo P. Targeting CD137 (4-1BB) towards improved safety and efficacy for cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208788. [PMID: 37334375 PMCID: PMC10272836 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells play a critical role in antitumor immunity, where T cell activation is regulated by both inhibitory and costimulatory receptor signaling that fine-tune T cell activity during different stages of T cell immune responses. Currently, cancer immunotherapy by targeting inhibitory receptors such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/L1, and their combination by antagonist antibodies, has been well established. However, developing agonist antibodies that target costimulatory receptors such as CD28 and CD137/4-1BB has faced considerable challenges, including highly publicized adverse events. Intracellular costimulatory domains of CD28 and/or CD137/4-1BB are essential for the clinical benefits of FDA-approved chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies. The major challenge is how to decouple efficacy from toxicity by systemic immune activation. This review focuses on anti-CD137 agonist monoclonal antibodies with different IgG isotypes in clinical development. It discusses CD137 biology in the context of anti-CD137 agonist drug discovery, including the binding epitope selected for anti-CD137 agonist antibody in competition or not with CD137 ligand (CD137L), the IgG isotype of antibodies selected with an impact on crosslinking by Fc gamma receptors, and the conditional activation of anti-CD137 antibodies for safe and potent engagement with CD137 in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We discuss and compare the potential mechanisms/effects of different CD137 targeting strategies and agents under development and how rational combinations could enhance antitumor activities without amplifying the toxicity of these agonist antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guizhong Liu
- Adagene Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
- Adagene (Suzhou) Limited., Suzhou, China
| | - Peter Luo
- Adagene Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
- Adagene (Suzhou) Limited., Suzhou, China
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28
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Yao CY, Hu ZS, Yuan RL, Jin J, Chen ZX. CD32 Expression by CD4 + T and CD8 + T Lymphocytes Is Increased in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Viral Immunol 2023; 36:351-359. [PMID: 37289774 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2022.0183] [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] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
FcγR is expressed by many immune cells and plays an important role in the immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. CD32 belongs to the FcγR family. This study aimed to observe changes in CD32 expression by CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes in chronic HBV infection patients and evaluate the clinical utility of CD4+ T and CD8+ T CD32 expression to assess the severity of liver injury in chronic HBV-infected patients. A total of 68 chronic HBV patients and 40 healthy individuals were recruited, and the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD32 expression on CD4+ T, CD8+ T lymphocytes was measured using flow cytometry and the CD4+ T, CD8+ T CD32 index was calculated. The reactivity of the healthy individual lymphocytes to mixed patients' plasma containing HBV was observed. Finally, the correlation between CD4+ T, CD8+ T lymphocytes CD32 MFI and liver function indicator levels was analyzed. The CD4+ T, CD8+ T CD32 MFI and index were significantly elevated in HBV patient groups than in normal control group (p < 0.001, for all). Furthermore, the CD32 MFI of healthy persons' CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes were remarkably increased when stimulated with mixed patients' plasma containing high HBV copies (p < 0.001; P < 0.001). More importantly, in HBV patients, there was a significant positive correlation between CD4+ T, CD8+ T CD32 MFI and the level of serum aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the increased expression of CD32 on CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes might be potential promising biomarkers for the severity of liver function impairment in chronic HBV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yan Yao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhao-Suo Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Run-Lin Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juan Jin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zheng-Xu Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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29
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Martin AL, Powell C, Nagy MZ, Innamarato P, Powers J, Nichols D, Anadon CM, Chaurio RA, Kim S, Wang MH, Gong B, Wang X, Scheutz TJ, Antonia SJ, Conejo-Garcia JR, Perez BA. Anti-4-1BB immunotherapy enhances systemic immune effects of radiotherapy to induce B and T cell-dependent anti-tumor immune activation and improve tumor control at unirradiated sites. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1445-1460. [PMID: 36469096 PMCID: PMC10992043 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03325-y] [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: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) can prime and boost systemic anti-tumor effects via STING activation, resulting in enhanced tumor antigen presentation and antigen recognition by T cells. It is increasingly recognized that optimal anti-tumor immune responses benefit from coordinated cellular (T cell) and humoral (B cell) responses. However, the nature and functional relevance of the RT-induced immune response are controversial, beyond STING signaling, and agonistic interventions are lacking. Here, we show that B and CD4+ T cell accumulation at tumor beds in response to RT precedes the arrival of CD8+ T cells, and both cell types are absolutely required for abrogated tumor growth in non-irradiated tumors. Further, RT induces increased expression of 4-1BB (CD137) in both T and B cells; both in preclinical models and in a cohort of patients with small cell lung cancer treated with thoracic RT. Accordingly, the combination of RT and anti-41BB therapy leads to increased immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment and significant abscopal effects. Thus, 4-1BB therapy enhances radiation-induced tumor-specific immune responses via coordinated B and T cell responses, thereby preventing malignant progression at unirradiated tumor sites. These findings provide a rationale for combining RT and 4-1bb therapy in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Martin
- Departments of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Chase Powell
- Departments of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Mate Z Nagy
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Patrick Innamarato
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - John Powers
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Derek Nichols
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Carmen M Anadon
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Ricardo A Chaurio
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Sungjune Kim
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Min-Hsuan Wang
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Bing Gong
- Compass Therapeutics, Boston, MA, 02135, USA
| | | | | | - Scott J Antonia
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, 27712, USA
| | - Jose R Conejo-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Bradford A Perez
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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30
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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: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [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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31
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Palmeri JR, Lax BM, Peters JM, Duhamel L, Stinson JA, Santollani L, Lutz EA, Pinney W, Bryson BD, Wittrup KD. Tregs constrain CD8 + T cell priming required for curative intratumorally anchored anti-4-1BB immunotherapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.30.526116. [PMID: 36778460 PMCID: PMC9915483 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Although co-stimulation of T cells with agonist antibodies targeting 4-1BB (CD137) improves antitumor immune responses in preclinical studies, clinical development has been hampered by on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Here, we report the development of a tumor-anchored ɑ4-1BB agonist (ɑ4-1BB-LAIR), which consists of an ɑ4-1BB antibody fused to the collagen binding protein LAIR. While combination treatment with an antitumor antibody (TA99) displayed only modest efficacy, simultaneous depletion of CD4+ T cells boosted cure rates to over 90% of mice. We elucidated two mechanisms of action for this synergy: ɑCD4 eliminated tumor draining lymph node Tregs, enhancing priming and activation of CD8+ T cells, and TA99 + ɑ4-1BB-LAIR supported the cytotoxic program of these newly primed CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment. Replacement of ɑCD4 with ɑCTLA-4, a clinically approved antibody that enhances T cell priming, produced equivalent cure rates while additionally generating robust immunological memory against secondary tumor rechallenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Palmeri
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Chemical Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
| | - Brianna M Lax
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Chemical Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
| | - Joshua M Peters
- Department of Biological Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
- Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard; Cambridge, MA
| | - Lauren Duhamel
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Biological Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
| | - Jordan A Stinson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Biological Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
| | - Luciano Santollani
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Chemical Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
| | - Emi A Lutz
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Biological Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
| | - William Pinney
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Biological Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
| | - Bryan D Bryson
- Department of Biological Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
- Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard; Cambridge, MA
| | - K Dane Wittrup
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Cambridge, MA
- Department of Chemical Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
- Department of Biological Engineering of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Cambridge, MA
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32
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Advances in antibody-based therapy in oncology. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:165-180. [PMID: 36806801 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00516-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are a growing class of targeted cancer therapeutics, characterized by exquisite specificity, long serum half-life, high affinity and immune effector functions. In this review, we outline key advances in the field with a particular focus on recent and emerging classes of engineered antibody therapeutic candidates, discuss molecular structure and mechanisms of action and provide updates on clinical development and practice.
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33
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Claus C, Ferrara-Koller C, Klein C. The emerging landscape of novel 4-1BB (CD137) agonistic drugs for cancer immunotherapy. MAbs 2023; 15:2167189. [PMID: 36727218 PMCID: PMC9897756 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2167189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical development of 4-1BB agonists for cancer immunotherapy has raised substantial interest during the past decade. The first generation of 4-1BB agonistic antibodies entering the clinic, urelumab (BMS-663513) and utomilumab (PF-05082566), failed due to (liver) toxicity or lack of efficacy, respectively. The two antibodies display differences in the affinity and the 4-1BB receptor epitope recognition, as well as the isotype, which determines the Fc-gamma-receptor (FcγR) crosslinking activity. Based on this experience a very diverse landscape of second-generation 4-1BB agonists addressing the liabilities of first-generation agonists has recently been developed, with many entering clinical Phase 1 and 2 studies. This review provides an overview focusing on differences and their scientific rationale, as well as challenges foreseen during the clinical development of these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Claus
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Ferrara-Koller
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Schlieren, Switzerland
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34
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Jhajj HS, Lwo TS, Yao EL, Tessier PM. Unlocking the potential of agonist antibodies for treating cancer using antibody engineering. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:48-60. [PMID: 36344331 PMCID: PMC9742327 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Agonist antibodies that target immune checkpoints, such as those in the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, are an important class of emerging therapeutics due to their ability to regulate immune cell activity, especially for treating cancer. Despite their potential, to date, they have shown limited clinical utility and further antibody optimization is urgently needed to improve their therapeutic potential. Here, we discuss key antibody engineering approaches for improving the activity of antibody agonists by optimizing their valency, specificity for different receptors (e.g., bispecific antibodies) and epitopes (e.g., biepitopic or biparatopic antibodies), and Fc affinity for Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). These powerful approaches are being used to develop the next generation of cancer immunotherapeutics with improved efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harkamal S Jhajj
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Timon S Lwo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emily L Yao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Peter M Tessier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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35
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Müller D. Targeting Co-Stimulatory Receptors of the TNF Superfamily for Cancer Immunotherapy. BioDrugs 2023; 37:21-33. [PMID: 36571696 PMCID: PMC9836981 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-022-00573-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The clinical approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors is an important advancement in the field of cancer immunotherapy. However, the percentage of beneficiaries is still limited and it is becoming clear that combination therapies are required to further enhance the treatment efficacy. The potential of strategies targeting the immunoregulatory network by "hitting the gas pedal" as opposed to "blocking the brakes" is being recognized and intensively investigated. Hence, next to immune checkpoint inhibitors, agonists of co-stimulatory receptors of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNF-SF) are emerging as promising options to expand the immunomodulatory toolbox. In this review the development of different categories of recombinant antibody and ligand-based agonists of 4-1BB, OX40, and GITR is summarized and discussed in the context of the challenges presented by the structural and mechanistical features of the TNFR-SF. An overview of current formats, trends, and clinical studies is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Müller
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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36
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Liu X, Lu Y, Huang J, Xing Y, Dai H, Zhu L, Li S, Feng J, Zhou B, Li J, Xia Q, Li J, Huang M, Gu Y, Su S. CD16 + fibroblasts foster a trastuzumab-refractory microenvironment that is reversed by VAV2 inhibition. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:1341-1357.e13. [PMID: 36379207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The leukocyte Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated response is important for the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies; however, little is known about the role of FcγRs in other cell types. Here we identify a subset of fibroblasts in human breast cancer that express CD16 (FcγRIII). An abundance of these cells in HER2+ breast cancer patients is associated with poor prognosis and response to trastuzumab. Functionally, upon trastuzumab stimulation, CD16+ fibroblasts reduce drug delivery by enhancing extracellular matrix stiffness. Interaction between trastuzumab and CD16 activates the intracellular SYK-VAV2-RhoA-ROCK-MLC2-MRTF-A pathway, leading to elevated contractile force and matrix production. Targeting of a Rho family guanine nucleotide exchange factor, VAV2, which is indispensable for the function of CD16 in fibroblasts rather than leukocytes, reverses desmoplasia provoked by CD16+ fibroblasts. Collectively, our study reveals a role for the fibroblast FcγR in drug resistance, and suggests that VAV2 is an attractive target to augment the effects of antibody treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yiwen Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jingying Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yue Xing
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Huiqi Dai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Liling Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shunrong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jingwei Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Boxuan Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jiaqian Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Qidong Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Min Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yuanting Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Shicheng Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Biotherapy Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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Reitinger C, Ipsen-Escobedo A, Hornung C, Heger L, Dudziak D, Lux A, Nimmerjahn F. Modulation of urelumab glycosylation separates immune stimulatory activity from organ toxicity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:970290. [PMID: 36248847 PMCID: PMC9558126 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.970290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint control and immunomodulatory antibodies have become important tools for modulating tumor or self-reactive immune responses. A major issue preventing to make full use of the potential of these immunomodulatory antibodies are the severe side-effects, ranging from systemic cytokine release syndrome to organ-specific toxicities. The IgG Fc-portion has been demonstrated to contribute to both, the desired as well as the undesired antibody activities of checkpoint control and immunomodulatory antibodies via binding to cellular Fcγ-receptors (FcγR). Thus, choosing IgG subclasses, such as human IgG4, with a low ability to interact with FcγRs has been identified as a potential strategy to limit FcγR or complement pathway dependent side-effects. However, even immunomodulatory antibodies on the human IgG4 background may interact with cellular FcγRs and show dose limiting toxicities. By using a humanized mouse model allowing to study the immunomodulatory activity of human checkpoint control antibodies in vivo, we demonstrate that deglycosylation of the CD137-specific IgG4 antibody urelumab results in an amelioration of liver toxicity, while maintaining T cell stimulatory activity. In addition, our results emphasize that antibody dosing impacts the separation of side-effects of urelumab from its therapeutic activity via IgG deglycosylation. Thus, glycoengineering of human IgG4 antibodies may be a possible approach to limit collateral damage by immunomodulatory antibodies and allow for a greater therapeutic window of opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Reitinger
- Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea Ipsen-Escobedo
- Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Chiara Hornung
- Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Heger
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Diana Dudziak
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Lux
- Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Falk Nimmerjahn
- Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Falk Nimmerjahn,
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38
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Cheng LS, Cheng YF, Liu WT, Shen A, Zhang D, Xu T, Yin W, Cheng M, Ma X, Wang F, Zhao Q, Zeng X, Zhang Y, Shen G. A humanized 4-1BB-targeting agonistic antibody exerts potent antitumor activity in colorectal cancer without systemic toxicity. Lab Invest 2022; 20:415. [PMID: 36076251 PMCID: PMC9461191 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03619-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and the patient survival rate remains unacceptably low. The anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors have been added to CRC treatment regimens, however, only a fraction of patients benefits. As an important co-stimulatory molecule, 4-1BB/CD137 is mainly expressed on the surface of immune cells including T and natural killer (NK) cells. Several agonistic molecules targeting 4-1BB have been clinically unsuccessful due to systemic toxicity or weak antitumor effects. We generated a humanized anti-4-1BB IgG4 antibody, HuB6, directed against a unique epitope and hypothesized that it would promote antitumor immunity with high safety. Methods The antigen binding specificity, affinity and activity of HuB6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), biolayer interferometry (BLI) and flow cytometry. The antitumor effects were evaluated in humanized mice bearing syngeneic tumors, and possible toxicity was evaluated in humanized mice and cynomolgus monkeys. Results HuB6 showed high specificity and affinity for a binding epitope distinct from those of other known 4-1BB agonists, including utomilumab and urelumab, and induced CD8 + T, CD4 + T and NK cell stimulation dependent on Fcγ receptor (FcγR) crosslinking. HuB6 inhibited CRC tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner, and the antitumor effect was similar with urelumab and utomilumab in humanized mouse models of syngeneic CRC. Furthermore, HuB6 combined with an anti-PD-L1 antibody significantly inhibited CRC growth in vivo. Additionally, HuB6 induced antitumor immune memory in tumor model mice rechallenged with 4 × 106 tumor cells. Toxicology data for humanized 4-1BB mice and cynomolgus monkeys showed that HuB6 could be tolerated up to a 180 mg/kg dose without systemic toxicity. Conclusions This study demonstrated that HuB6 should be a suitable candidate for further clinical development and a potential agent for CRC immunotherapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03619-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Sheng Cheng
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.,Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Yong-Feng Cheng
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Wen-Ting Liu
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Aolin Shen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Dayan Zhang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Tingjuan Xu
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Wu Yin
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Min Cheng
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaopeng Ma
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Fengrong Wang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoli Zeng
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Guodong Shen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China. .,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
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39
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Boulard P, Gouilleux-Gruart V, Watier H. Finding the Right Heavy Chains for Immunostimulatory Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810367. [PMID: 36142278 PMCID: PMC9499592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
For twelve years, the oncology field has been revolutionized by antibodies targeting immune checkpoints. They must be considered as a heterogenous family of immunostimulatory antibodies displaying very different mechanisms of action, not only depending on the target or on the cells expressing it, but also on the IgG subclass or IgG variant that has been chosen. To dissect this complex landscape, the clinical experience has been confronted with a precise analysis of the heavy chain isotypes, referred as new Ge nomenclature. For antibodies targeting inhibitory receptors, anti-CTLA-4 antibodies (whose main effect is to kill regulatory T cells) will be distinguished from anti-PD-1 antibodies and other true antagonistic antibodies. Antibodies targeting ligands of inhibitory receptors (PD-L1, CD47) represent another different category, due to the antigen expression on tumors and a possible beneficial killing effect. The case of agonistic antibodies targeting lymphocyte activatory receptors, such as CD40 or 4-1BB, is still another “under construction” category because these products are less advanced in their clinical development. Altogether, it appears that choosing the right heavy chain is crucial to obtain the desired pharmacological effect in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Boulard
- EA7501, GICC, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
- Laboratoire d’Immunologie, CHU de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
| | - Valérie Gouilleux-Gruart
- EA7501, GICC, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
- Laboratoire d’Immunologie, CHU de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
| | - Hervé Watier
- EA7501, GICC, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
- Laboratoire d’Immunologie, CHU de Tours, F-37032 Tours, France
- Correspondence:
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40
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Peper-Gabriel JK, Pavlidou M, Pattarini L, Morales-Kastresana A, Jaquin TJ, Gallou C, Hansbauer EM, Richter M, Lelievre H, Scholer-Dahirel A, Bossenmaier B, Sancerne C, Riviere M, Grandclaudon M, Zettl M, Bel Aiba RS, Rothe C, Blanc V, Olwill SA. The PD-L1/4-1BB Bispecific Antibody-Anticalin Fusion Protein PRS-344/S095012 Elicits Strong T-Cell Stimulation in a Tumor-Localized Manner. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3387-3399. [PMID: 35121624 PMCID: PMC9662934 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-2762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE While patients responding to checkpoint blockade often achieve remarkable clinical responses, there is still significant unmet need due to resistant or refractory tumors. A combination of checkpoint blockade with further T-cell stimulation mediated by 4-1BB agonism may increase response rates and durability of response. A bispecific molecule that blocks the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis and localizes 4-1BB costimulation to a PD-L1-positive (PD-L1+) tumor microenvironment (TME) or tumor draining lymph nodes could maximize antitumor immunity and increase the therapeutic window beyond what has been reported for anti-4-1BB mAbs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We generated and characterized the PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific molecule PRS-344/S095012 for target binding and functional activity in multiple relevant in vitro assays. Transgenic mice expressing human 4-1BB were transplanted with human PD-L1-expressing murine MC38 cells to assess in vivo antitumoral activity. RESULTS PRS-344/S095012 bound to its targets with high affinity and efficiently blocked the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, and PRS-344/S095012-mediated 4-1BB costimulation was strictly PD-L1 dependent. We demonstrated a synergistic effect of both pathways on T-cell stimulation with the bispecific PRS-344/S095012 being more potent than the combination of mAbs. PRS-344/S095012 augmented CD4-positive (CD4+) and CD8-positive (CD8+) T-cell effector functions and enhanced antigen-specific T-cell stimulation. Finally, PRS-344/S095012 demonstrated strong antitumoral efficacy in an anti-PD-L1-resistant mouse model in which soluble 4-1BB was detected as an early marker for 4-1BB agonist activity. CONCLUSIONS The PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific PRS-344/S095012 efficiently combines checkpoint blockade with a tumor-localized 4-1BB-mediated stimulation burst to antigen-specific T cells, more potent than the combination of mAbs, supporting the advancement of PRS-344/S095012 toward clinical development. See related commentary by Shu et al., p. 3182.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lucia Pattarini
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | | | | | - Catherine Gallou
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | | | | | - Helene Lelievre
- Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier Oncology R&D Unit, Suresnes, France
| | - Alix Scholer-Dahirel
- Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier Oncology R&D Unit, Suresnes, France
| | | | - Celine Sancerne
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Matthieu Riviere
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Maximilien Grandclaudon
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Markus Zettl
- Pieris Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Hallbergmoos, Germany
| | | | | | - Veronique Blanc
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
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Sun R, Lim SO. FBXL20-mediated ubiquitination triggers the proteasomal degradation of 4-1BB. FEBS J 2022; 289:4549-4563. [PMID: 35112462 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
4-1BB [tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF9), CD137) is a critical immune stimulator that sustains T cell activity and antitumor immune response. The strategy to eliminate cancers by agonistically targeting 4-1BB is under clinical investigation. As a protein expressed in an inducible manner, 4-1BB is under tight control on both transcription and translation levels to maintain its homeostasis. So far, the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional activation of 4-1BB have been well-interpreted; however, it remains inexplicit how 4-1BB is regulated on the protein level. In this study, we presented experimental evidence supporting that 4-1BB, especially the heavily N-glycosylated (mature) form, is polyubiquitinated and subjected to the ubiquitin-proteasomal system for degradation. By performing proximity-dependent biotin identification screening coupled with biochemical assays, we identified that F-box/LRR-repeat protein 20 acts as the E3 ligase that promotes the polyubiquitination of 4-1BB at the intracellular domain. Our data provided mechanistic insight into 4-1BB regulation on the protein level by unmasking, for the first time, a posttranslational mechanism governing 4-1BB abundance in cells. The findings of this study could potentially guide the development of 4-1BB-targeted therapy for cancers as well as other immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxuan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Seung-Oe Lim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue Institute of Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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42
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Warmuth S, Gunde T, Snell D, Brock M, Weinert C, Simonin A, Hess C, Tietz J, Johansson M, Spiga FM, Heiz R, Flückiger N, Wagen S, Zeberer J, Diem D, Mahler D, Wickihalder B, Muntwiler S, Chatterjee B, Küttner B, Bommer B, Yaman Y, Lichtlen P, Urech D. Engineering of a trispecific tumor-targeted immunotherapy incorporating 4-1BB co-stimulation and PD-L1 blockade. Oncoimmunology 2022; 10:2004661. [PMID: 35844969 PMCID: PMC9278964 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2004661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-stimulatory 4-1BB receptors on tumor-infiltrating T cells are a compelling target for overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors, but initial clinical studies of 4-1BB agonist mAbs were accompanied by liver toxicity. We sought to engineer a tri-specific antibody-based molecule that stimulates intratumoral 4-1BB and blocks PD-L1/PD-1 signaling without systemic toxicity and with clinically favorable pharmacokinetics. Recombinant fusion proteins were constructed using scMATCH3 technology and humanized antibody single-chain variable fragments against PD-L1, 4-1BB, and human serum albumin. Paratope affinities were optimized using single amino acid substitutions, leading to design of the drug candidate NM21-1480. Multiple in vitro experiments evaluated pharmacodynamic properties of NM21-1480, and syngeneic mouse tumor models assessed antitumor efficacy and safety of murine analogues. A GLP multiple-dose toxicology study evaluated its safety in non-human primates. NM21-1480 inhibited PD-L1/PD-1 signaling with a potency similar to avelumab, and it potently stimulated 4-1BB signaling only in the presence of PD-L1, while exhibiting an EC50 that was largely independent of PD-L1 density. NM21-1480 exhibited high efficacy for co-activation of pre-stimulated T cells and dendritic cells. In xenograft models in syngeneic mice, NM21-1480 induced tumor regression and tumor infiltration of T cells without causing systemic T-cell activation. A GLP toxicology study revealed no evidence of liver toxicity at doses up to 140 mg/kg, and pharmacokinetic studies in non-human primates suggested a plasma half-life in humans of up to 2 weeks. NM21-1480 has the potential to overcome checkpoint resistance by co-activating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes without liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tea Gunde
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Julia Tietz
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Robin Heiz
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Dania Diem
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | - Dana Mahler
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David Urech
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
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Liu L, Wu Y, Ye K, Cai M, Zhuang G, Wang J. Antibody-Targeted TNFRSF Activation for Cancer Immunotherapy: The Role of FcγRIIB Cross-Linking. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:924197. [PMID: 35865955 PMCID: PMC9295861 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.924197] [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] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-stimulation signaling in various types of immune cells modulates immune responses in physiology and disease. Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) members such as CD40, OX40 and CD137/4-1BB are expressed on myeloid cells and/or lymphocytes, and they regulate antigen presentation and adaptive immune activities. TNFRSF agonistic antibodies have been evaluated extensively in preclinical models, and the robust antitumor immune responses and efficacy have encouraged continued clinical investigations for the last two decades. However, balancing the toxicities and efficacy of TNFRSF agonistic antibodies remains a major challenge in the clinical development. Insights into the co-stimulation signaling biology, antibody structural roles and their functionality in immuno-oncology are guiding new advancement of this field. Leveraging the interactions between antibodies and the inhibitory Fc receptor FcγRIIB to optimize co-stimulation agonistic activities dependent on FcγRIIB cross-linking selectively in tumor microenvironment represents the current frontier, which also includes cross-linking through tumor antigen binding with bispecific antibodies. In this review, we will summarize the immunological roles of TNFRSF members and current clinical studies of TNFRSF agonistic antibodies. We will also cover the contribution of different IgG structure domains to these agonistic activities, with a focus on the role of FcγRIIB in TNFRSF cross-linking and clustering bridged by agonistic antibodies. We will review and discuss several Fc-engineering approaches to optimize Fc binding ability to FcγRIIB in the context of proper Fab and the epitope, including a cross-linking antibody (xLinkAb) model and its application in developing TNFRSF agonistic antibodies with improved efficacy and safety for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yi Wu
- Lyvgen Biopharma, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaiyan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meichun Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanglei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Nielsen MA, Juul-Madsen K, Stegmayr J, Gao C, Mehta AY, Greisen SR, Kragstrup TW, Hvid M, Vorup-Jensen T, Cummings RD, Leffler H, Deleuran BW. Galectin-3 Decreases 4-1BBL Bioactivity by Crosslinking Soluble and Membrane Expressed 4-1BB. Front Immunol 2022; 13:915890. [PMID: 35812455 PMCID: PMC9263355 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.915890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
4-1BB is a T cell costimulatory receptor and a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Here, we show that Galectin-3 (Gal-3) decreases the cellular response to its ligand (4-1BBL). Gal-3 binds to both soluble 4-1BB (s4-1BB) and membrane-bound 4-1BB (mem4-1BB), without blocking co-binding of 4-1BBL. In plasma, we detected complexes composed of 4-1BB and Gal-3 larger than 100 nm in size; these complexes were reduced in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis. Both activated 4-1BB+ T cells and 4-1BB-transfected HEK293 cells depleted these complexes from plasma, followed by increased expression of 4-1BB and Gal-3 on the cell surface. The increase was accompanied by a 4-fold decrease in TNFα production by the 4-1BBhighGal-3+ T cells, after exposure to 4-1BB/Gal-3 complexes. In RA patients, complexes containing 4-1BB/Gal-3 were dramatically reduced in both plasma and SF compared with healthy plasma. These results support that Gal-3 binds to 4-1BB without blocking the co-binding of 4-1BBL. Instead, Gal-3 leads to formation of large soluble 4-1BB/Gal-3 complexes that attach to mem4-1BB on the cell surfaces, resulting in suppression of 4-1BBL’s bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Aagaard Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - John Stegmayr
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Division for Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, National Center for Functional Glycomics, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Akul Y. Mehta
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, National Center for Functional Glycomics, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Stinne Ravn Greisen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tue Wenzel Kragstrup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Malene Hvid
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Richard D. Cummings
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, National Center for Functional Glycomics, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Division for Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bent Winding Deleuran
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Bent Winding Deleuran,
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45
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Serum proteomics links suppression of tumor immunity to ancestry and lethal prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1759. [PMID: 35365620 PMCID: PMC8975871 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29235-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that tumor immunobiology and immunotherapy response may differ between African American and European American prostate cancer patients. Here, we determine if men of African descent harbor a unique systemic immune-oncological signature and measure 82 circulating proteins in almost 3000 Ghanaian, African American, and European American men. Protein signatures for suppression of tumor immunity and chemotaxis are elevated in men of West African ancestry. Importantly, the suppression of tumor immunity protein signature associates with metastatic and lethal prostate cancer, pointing to clinical importance. Moreover, two markers, pleiotrophin and TNFRSF9, predict poor disease survival specifically among African American men. These findings indicate that immune-oncology marker profiles differ between men of African and European descent. These differences may contribute to the disproportionate burden of lethal prostate cancer in men of African ancestry. The elevated peripheral suppression of tumor immunity may have important implication for guidance of cancer therapy which could particularly benefit African American patients. Ancestry-related differences in immunobiology may explain the health disparities observed in prostate cancer patients, with men of African origin bearing the highest prostate cancer burden. By measuring immune-related proteins in serum samples, here the authors report that systemic cytokines linked to suppression of tumor immunity are upregulated in men of African ancestry and associated with reduced survival.
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46
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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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Balakrishnan PB, Ledezma DK, Cano-Mejia J, Andricovich J, Palmer E, Patel VA, Latham PS, Yvon ES, Villagra A, Fernandes R, Sweeney EE. CD137 agonist potentiates the abscopal efficacy of nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy for melanoma. NANO RESEARCH 2022; 15:2300-2314. [PMID: 36089987 PMCID: PMC9455608 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-021-3813-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of immunotherapy such as the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 for advanced melanoma, only 26%-52% of patients respond, and many experience grade III/IV immune-related adverse events. Motivated by the need for an effective therapy for patients non-responsive to clinically approved ICIs, we have developed a novel nanoimmunotherapy that combines locally administered Prussian blue nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy (PBNP-PTT) with systemically administered agonistic anti-CD137 monoclonal antibody therapy (aCD137). PBNP-PTT was administered at various thermal doses to melanoma cells in vitro, and was combined with aCD137 in vivo to test treatment effects on melanoma tumor progression, animal survival, immunological protection against tumor rechallenge, and hepatotoxicity. When administered at a melanoma-specific thermal dose, PBNP-PTT elicits immunogenic cell death (ICD) in melanoma cells and upregulates markers associated with antigen presentation and immune cell co-stimulation in vitro. Consequently, PBNP-PTT eliminates primary melanoma tumors in vivo, yielding long-term tumor-free survival. However, the antitumor immune effects generated by PBNP-PTT cannot eliminate secondary tumors, despite significantly slowing their growth. The addition of aCD137 enables significant abscopal efficacy and improvement of survival, functioning through activated dendritic cells and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell memory that manifests in the rejection of tumor rechallenge, with no long-term hepatotoxicity. This study describes for the first time a novel and effective nanoimmunotherapy combination of PBNP-PTT with aCD137 mAb therapy for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preethi Bala Balakrishnan
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Debbie K. Ledezma
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Juliana Cano-Mejia
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Jaclyn Andricovich
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Erica Palmer
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Vishal A. Patel
- Department of Dermatology & Oncology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Patricia S. Latham
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Eric S. Yvon
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Alejandro Villagra
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Rohan Fernandes
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- ImmunoBlue, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Elizabeth E. Sweeney
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- ImmunoBlue, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
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48
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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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49
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James BH, Papakyriacou P, Gardener MJ, Gliddon L, Weston CJ, Lalor PF. The Contribution of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells to Clearance of Therapeutic Antibody. Front Physiol 2022; 12:753833. [PMID: 35095549 PMCID: PMC8795706 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.753833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many chronic inflammatory diseases are treated by administration of “biological” therapies in terms of fully human and humanized monoclonal antibodies or Fc fusion proteins. These tools have widespread efficacy and are favored because they generally exhibit high specificity for target with a low toxicity. However, the design of clinically applicable humanized antibodies is complicated by the need to circumvent normal antibody clearance mechanisms to maintain therapeutic dosing, whilst avoiding development of off target antibody dependent cellular toxicity. Classically, professional phagocytic immune cells are responsible for scavenging and clearance of antibody via interactions with the Fc portion. Immune cells such as macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils express Fc receptor subsets, such as the FcγR that can then clear immune complexes. Another, the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is key to clearance of IgG in vivo and serum half-life of antibody is explicitly linked to function of this receptor. The liver is a site of significant expression of FcRn and indeed several hepatic cell populations including Kupffer cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), play key roles in antibody clearance. This combined with the fact that the liver is a highly perfused organ with a relatively permissive microcirculation means that hepatic binding of antibody has a significant effect on pharmacokinetics of clearance. Liver disease can alter systemic distribution or pharmacokinetics of antibody-based therapies and impact on clinical effectiveness, however, few studies document the changes in key membrane receptors involved in antibody clearance across the spectrum of liver disease. Similarly, the individual contribution of LSEC scavenger receptors to antibody clearance in a healthy or chronically diseased organ is not well characterized. This is an important omission since pharmacokinetic studies of antibody distribution are often based on studies in healthy individuals and thus may not reflect the picture in an aging or chronically diseased population. Therefore, in this review we consider the expression and function of key antibody-binding receptors on LSEC, and the features of therapeutic antibodies which may accentuate clearance by the liver. We then discuss the implications of this for the design and utility of monoclonal antibody-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany H. James
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Pantelitsa Papakyriacou
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Gardener
- Antibody Pharmacology, Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research and Development, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Gliddon
- Antibody Pharmacology, Biopharm Discovery, Glaxo Smith Kline Research and Development, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Weston
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia F. Lalor
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Patricia F. Lalor,
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50
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Enhancing immunotherapy in cancer by targeting emerging immunomodulatory pathways. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:37-50. [PMID: 34580473 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00552-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 356] [Impact Index Per Article: 178.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The discovery and clinical implementation of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting CTLA4, PD-1 and PD-L1 has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, as recognized by the 2018 Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology. This groundbreaking new approach has improved the outcomes of patients with various forms of advanced-stage cancer; however, the majority of patients receiving these therapies, even in combination, do not derive clinical benefit. Further development of agents targeting additional immune checkpoints, co-stimulatory receptors and/or co-inhibitory receptors that control T cell function is therefore critical. In this Review, we discuss the translational potential and clinical development of agents targeting both co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory T cell receptors. Specifically, we describe their mechanisms of action, and provide an overview of ongoing clinical trials involving novel ICIs including those targeting LAG3, TIM3, TIGIT and BTLA as well as agonists of the co-stimulatory receptors GITR, OX40, 41BB and ICOS. We also discuss several additional approaches, such as harnessing T cell metabolism, in particular via adenosine signalling, inhibition of IDO1, and targeting changes in glucose and fatty acid metabolism. We conclude that further efforts are needed to optimize the timing of combination ICI approaches and, most importantly, to individualize immunotherapy based on both patient-specific and tumour-specific characteristics.
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