1
|
Zhang Y, Cao M, Wu Y, Malih S, Xu D, Yang E, Younis MH, Lin W, Zhao H, Wang C, Liu Q, Engle JW, Rasaee MJ, Guan Y, Huang G, Liu J, Cai W, Xie F, Wei W. Preclinical development of novel PD-L1 tracers and first-in-human study of [ 68Ga]Ga-NOTA-RW102 in patients with lung cancers. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008794. [PMID: 38580333 PMCID: PMC11002357 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-008794] [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: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)/programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis critically facilitates cancer cells' immune evasion. Antibody therapeutics targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have shown remarkable efficacy in various tumors. Immuno-positron emission tomography (ImmunoPET) imaging of PD-L1 expression may help reshape solid tumors' immunotherapy landscape. METHODS By immunizing an alpaca with recombinant human PD-L1, three clones of the variable domain of the heavy chain of heavy-chain only antibody (VHH) were screened, and RW102 with high binding affinity was selected for further studies. ABDRW102, a VHH derivative, was further engineered by fusing RW102 with the albumin binder ABD035. Based on the two targeting vectors, four PD-L1-specific tracers ([68Ga]Ga-NOTA-RW102, [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-ABDRW102, [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-ABDRW102, and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-ABDRW102) with different circulation times were developed. The diagnostic efficacies were thoroughly evaluated in preclinical solid tumor models, followed by a first-in-human translational investigation of [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-RW102 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RESULTS While RW102 has a high binding affinity to PD-L1 with an excellent KD value of 15.29 pM, ABDRW102 simultaneously binds to human PD-L1 and human serum albumin with an excellent KD value of 3.71 pM and 3.38 pM, respectively. Radiotracers derived from RW102 and ABDRW102 have different in vivo circulation times. In preclinical studies, [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-RW102 immunoPET imaging allowed same-day annotation of differential PD-L1 expression with specificity, while [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-ABDRW102 and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-ABDRW102 enabled longitudinal visualization of PD-L1. More importantly, a pilot clinical trial shows the safety and diagnostic value of [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-RW102 immunoPET imaging in patients with NSCLCs and its potential to predict immune-related adverse effects following PD-L1-targeted immunotherapies. CONCLUSIONS We developed and validated a series of PD-L1-targeted tracers. Initial preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that immunoPET imaging with [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-RW102 holds promise in visualizing differential PD-L1 expression, selecting patients for PD-L1-targeted immunotherapies, and monitoring immune-related adverse effects in patients receiving PD-L1-targeted treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT06165874.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Cao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery,Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanfei Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sara Malih
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dong Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Erpeng Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Muhsin H Younis
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Wilson Lin
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiufang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jonathan W Engle
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mohammad J Rasaee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yihui Guan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weibo Cai
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Fang Xie
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijun Wei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng L, Wang Y, Guo Y, Zhang SS, Xiao H. Advancing protein therapeutics through proximity-induced chemistry. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:428-445. [PMID: 37802076 PMCID: PMC10960704 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen a remarkable growth in the field of protein-based medical treatments. Nevertheless, concerns have arisen regarding the cytotoxicity limitations, low affinity, potential immunogenicity, low stability, and challenges to modify these proteins. To overcome these obstacles, proximity-induced chemistry has emerged as a next-generation strategy for advancing protein therapeutics. This method allows site-specific modification of proteins with therapeutic agents, improving their effectiveness without extensive engineering. In addition, this innovative approach enables spatial control of the reaction based on proximity, facilitating the formation of irreversible covalent bonds between therapeutic proteins and their targets. This capability becomes particularly valuable in addressing challenges such as the low affinity frequently encountered between therapeutic proteins and their targets, as well as the limited availability of small molecules for specific protein targets. As a result, proximity-induced chemistry is reshaping the field of protein drug preparation and propelling the revolution in novel protein therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linqi Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Yixian Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Yiming Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Sophie S Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Han Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Momin N. Balancing safety and efficacy: tuning the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of cytokine immunotherapies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 84:102994. [PMID: 37806081 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102994] [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: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Modulating the immune system shows promise in treating various conditions such as autoimmune, malignant, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. While immunotherapies can provide significant clinical benefits, they can also trigger debilitating immune-related toxicities. Achieving a balance between safety and efficacy of immunotherapy remains a significant engineering challenge. A complex immune response can be simplified into a sequence of coordinated signals with precise spatial and temporal arrangements. Mimicking or inhibiting these signals with protein immunotherapies relies on engineering them with specific biodistribution and pharmacokinetic properties. This review summarizes principles governing the movement of therapeutic proteins (i.e. biologics), focusing on cytokine immunotherapies injected intravenously or locally, and highlights approaches and considerations to balance their efficacy and safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noor Momin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Precision Engineering for Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Santollani L, Wittrup KD. Spatiotemporally programming cytokine immunotherapies through protein engineering. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:10-28. [PMID: 37409481 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13234] [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] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines have long been considered promising cancer immunotherapy agents due to their endogenous role in activating and proliferating lymphocytes. However, since the initial FDA approvals of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interferon-ɑ (IFNɑ) for oncology over 30 years ago, cytokines have achieved little success in the clinic due to narrow therapeutic windows and dose-limiting toxicities. This is attributable to the discrepancy between the localized, regulated manner in which cytokines are deployed endogenously versus the systemic, untargeted administration used to date in most exogenous cytokine therapies. Furthermore, cytokines' ability to stimulate multiple cell types, often with paradoxical effects, may present significant challenges for their translation into effective therapies. Recently, protein engineering has emerged as a tool to address the shortcomings of first-generation cytokine therapies. In this perspective, we contextualize cytokine engineering strategies such as partial agonism, conditional activation and intratumoral retention through the lens of spatiotemporal regulation. By controlling the time, place, specificity, and duration of cytokine signaling, protein engineering can allow exogenous cytokine therapies to more closely approach their endogenous exposure profile, ultimately moving us closer to unlocking their full therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Santollani
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - K Dane Wittrup
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhuang C, Gould JE, Enninful A, Shao S, Mak M. Biophysical and mechanobiological considerations for T-cell-based immunotherapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:366-378. [PMID: 37172572 PMCID: PMC10188210 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies modulate the body's defense system to treat cancer. While these therapies have shown efficacy against multiple types of cancer, patient response rates are limited, and the off-target effects can be severe. Typical approaches in developing immunotherapies tend to focus on antigen targeting and molecular signaling, while overlooking biophysical and mechanobiological effects. Immune cells and tumor cells are both responsive to biophysical cues, which are prominent in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have shown that mechanosensing - including through Piezo1, adhesions, and Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) - influences tumor-immune interactions and immunotherapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, biophysical methods such as fluidic systems and mechanoactivation schemes can improve the controllability and manufacturing of engineered T cells, with potential for increasing therapeutic efficacy and specificity. This review focuses on leveraging advances in immune biophysics and mechanobiology toward improving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuzhi Zhuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jared E Gould
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Archibald Enninful
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Stephanie Shao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Michael Mak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fellermeyer M, Anzilotti C, Paluch C, Cornall RJ, Davis SJ, Gileadi U. Combination CD200R/PD-1 blockade in a humanised mouse model. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2023; 3:ltad006. [PMID: 37082107 PMCID: PMC10112683 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing number of immune-checkpoint inhibitors being developed and approved for cancer immunotherapy. Most of the new therapies aim to reactivate tumour-infiltrating T cells, which are responsible for tumour killing. However, in many tumours, the most abundant infiltrating immune cells are macrophages and myeloid cells, which can be tumour-promoting as well as tumouricidal. CD200R was initially identified as a myeloid-restricted, inhibitory immune receptor, but was subsequently also found to be expressed within the lymphoid lineage. Using a mouse model humanised for CD200R and PD-1, we investigated the potential of a combination therapy comprising nivolumab, a clinically approved PD-1 blocking antibody, and OX108, a CD200R antagonist. We produced nivolumab as a murine IgG1 antibody and validated its binding activity in vitro as well as ex vivo. We then tested the combination therapy in the immunogenic colorectal cancer model MC38 as well as the PD-1 blockade-resistant lung cancer model LLC1, which is characterised by a large number of infiltrating myeloid cells, making it an attractive target for CD200R blockade. No significant improvement of overall survival was found in either model, compared to nivolumab mIgG1 monotherapy. There was a trend for more complete responses in the MC38 model, but investigation of the infiltrating immune cells failed to account for this. Importantly, MC38 cells expressed low levels of CD200, whereas LLC1 cells were CD200-negative. Further investigation of CD200R-blocking antibodies in tumours expressing high levels of CD200 could be warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Fellermeyer
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Consuelo Anzilotti
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christopher Paluch
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard J Cornall
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- CAMS Oxford Institute, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon J Davis
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Uzi Gileadi
- Correspondence: MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alum-anchored intratumoral retention improves the tolerability and antitumor efficacy of type I interferon therapies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2205983119. [PMID: 36037341 PMCID: PMC9457244 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2205983119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective antitumor immunity in mice requires activation of the type I interferon (IFN) response pathway. IFNα and IFNβ therapies have proven promising in humans, but suffer from limited efficacy and high toxicity. Intratumoral IFN retention ameliorates systemic toxicity, but given the complexity of IFN signaling, it was unclear whether long-term intratumoral retention of type I IFNs would promote or inhibit antitumor responses. To this end, we compared the efficacy of IFNα and IFNβ that exhibit either brief or sustained retention after intratumoral injection in syngeneic mouse tumor models. Significant enhancement in tumor retention, mediated by anchoring these IFNs to coinjected aluminum-hydroxide (alum) particles, greatly improved both their tolerability and efficacy. The improved efficacy of alum-anchored IFNs could be attributed to sustained pleiotropic effects on tumor cells, immune cells, and nonhematopoietic cells. Alum-anchored IFNs achieved high cure rates of B16F10 tumors upon combination with either anti-PD-1 antibody or interleukin-2. Interestingly however, these alternative combination immunotherapies yielded disparate T cell phenotypes and differential resistance to tumor rechallenge, highlighting important distinctions in adaptive memory formation for combinations of type I IFNs with other immunotherapies.
Collapse
|