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Cruciani C, Gatto M, Iaccarino L, Doria A, Zen M. Monoclonal antibodies targeting interleukins for systemic lupus erythematosus: updates in early clinical drug development. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38958085 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2376566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The advent of biological therapies has already revolutionized treatment strategies and disease course of several rheumatologic conditions, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting cytokines and interleukins represent a considerable portion of this family of drugs. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) dysregulation of different cytokine and interleukin-related pathways have been linked to disease development and perpetration, offering palatable therapeutic targets addressable via such mAbs. AREAS COVERED In this review, we provide an overview of the different biological therapies under development targeting cytokines and interleukins, with a focus on mAbs, while providing the rationale behind their choice as therapeutic targets and analyzing the scientific evidence linking them to SLE pathogenesis. EXPERT OPINION An unprecedented number of clinical trials on biological drugs targeting different immunological pathways are ongoing in SLE. Their success might allow us to tackle present challenges of SLE management, including the overuse of glucocorticoids in daily clinical practice, as well as SLE heterogenicity in treatment response among different individuals, hopefully paving the way toward precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cruciani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Mariele Gatto
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin and Turin Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Iaccarino
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Doria
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Margherita Zen
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
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Kroenke MA, Starcevic Manning M, Zuch de Zafra CL, Zhang X, Cook KD, Archer M, Lolkema MP, Wang J, Hoofring S, Saini G, Aeffner F, Ahern E, Cabanas EG, Govindan R, Hui M, Gupta S, Mytych DT. Translatability of findings from cynomolgus monkey to human suggests a mechanistic role for IL-21 in promoting immunogenicity to an anti-PD-1/IL-21 mutein fusion protein. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345473. [PMID: 38343535 PMCID: PMC10858450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345473] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
AMG 256 is a bi-specific, heteroimmunoglobulin molecule with an anti-PD-1 antibody domain and a single IL-21 mutein domain on the C-terminus. Nonclinical studies in cynomolgus monkeys revealed that AMG 256 administration led to the development of immunogenicity-mediated responses and indicated that the IL-21 mutein domain of AMG 256 could enhance the anti-drug antibody response directed toward the monoclonal antibody domain. Anti-AMG 256 IgE were also observed in cynomolgus monkeys. A first-in-human (FIH) study in patients with advanced solid tumors was designed with these risks in mind. AMG 256 elicited ADA in 28 of 33 subjects (84.8%). However, ADA responses were only robust and exposure-impacting at the 2 lowest doses. At mid to high doses, ADA responses remained low magnitude and all subjects maintained exposure, despite most subjects developing ADA. Limited drug-specific IgE were also observed during the FIH study. ADA responses were not associated with any type of adverse event. The AMG 256 program represents a unique case where nonclinical studies informed on the risk of immunogenicity in humans, due to the IL-21-driven nature of the response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Kroenke
- Clinical Immunology, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Xinwen Zhang
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling, and Simulation, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kevin D. Cook
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Jin Wang
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Sarah Hoofring
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Gurleen Saini
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Famke Aeffner
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Mun Hui
- Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Shalini Gupta
- Translational Safety & Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
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Shbeer AM, Ahmed Robadi I. The role of Interleukin-21 in autoimmune Diseases: Mechanisms, therapeutic Implications, and future directions. Cytokine 2024; 173:156437. [PMID: 37972478 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156437] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
IL-21 is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates the functional activity of various immune cells. Initial studies have shown that IL-21 can influence the differentiation, proliferation and function of T and B cells, as well as promote the maturation and increase the cytotoxicity of CD8 + T cells and NK cells. During humoral immune responses, IL-21 has significant effects on B cell activation, differentiation and apoptosis. In addition, IL-21 promotes the differentiation of both naive and memory B cells, ultimately leading to the activation of plasma cells. The function of IL-21 in the immune system is complex, as it has the ability to either stimulate or inhibit immune responses. in addition, IL-21 facilitates the differentiation of naive and memory B cells into plasma cells. The functionality of IL-21 in the immune system is diverse, as it has the ability to stimulate or inhibit immune responses. This cytokine has been implicated in several diseases including cancer, allergies and autoimmune diseases. Research has suggested that this cytokine is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have suggested that inhibition of IL-21 has a therapeutic effect on autoimmune diseases. Therefore, targeting both the cytokine's receptor and IL-21 in autoimmune diseases may be an effective approach to reduce the severity of the disease or to treat it. This review will examine the biological effects of IL-21 on various immune cells and the role of the cytokine in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M Shbeer
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed Robadi
- Department of pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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Cheon IS, Son YM, Sun J. Tissue-resident memory T cells and lung immunopathology. Immunol Rev 2023; 316:63-83. [PMID: 37014096 PMCID: PMC10524334 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Rapid reaction to microbes invading mucosal tissues is key to protect the host against disease. Respiratory tissue-resident memory T (TRM ) cells provide superior immunity against pathogen infection and/or re-infection, due to their presence at the site of pathogen entry. However, there has been emerging evidence that exuberant TRM -cell responses contribute to the development of various chronic respiratory conditions including pulmonary sequelae post-acute viral infections. In this review, we have described the characteristics of respiratory TRM cells and processes underlying their development and maintenance. We have reviewed TRM -cell protective functions against various respiratory pathogens as well as their pathological activities in chronic lung conditions including post-viral pulmonary sequelae. Furthermore, we have discussed potential mechanisms regulating the pathological activity of TRM cells and proposed therapeutic strategies to alleviate TRM -cell-mediated lung immunopathology. We hope that this review provides insights toward the development of future vaccines or interventions that can harness the superior protective abilities of TRM cells, while minimizing the potential for immunopathology, a particularly important topic in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Su Cheon
- Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Young Min Son
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea 17546
| | - Jie Sun
- Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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Haraya K, Tachibana T. Translational Approach for Predicting Human Pharmacokinetics of Engineered Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies with Increased FcRn-Binding Mutations. BioDrugs 2023; 37:99-108. [PMID: 36449140 PMCID: PMC9709760 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-022-00566-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recently, increasing FcRn binding by Fc engineering has become a promising approach for prolonging the half-life of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). This study is the first to investigate the optimization of an allometric scaling approach for engineered mAbs based on cynomolgus monkey data to predict human pharmacokinetics. METHODS Linear two-compartmental model parameters (clearance [CL]; volume of distribution in the central compartment [Vc]; inter-compartmental clearance [Q]; volume of distribution in the peripheral compartment [Vp]) after the intravenous (IV) injection of engineered mAbs (M252Y/S254T/T256E or M428L/N434S mutations) in cynomolgus monkeys and humans were collected from published data. We explored the optimal exponent for allometric scaling to predict parameters in humans based on cynomolgus monkey data. Moreover, the plasma concentration-time profile of engineered mAbs after IV injection in humans was predicted using parameters estimated based on an optimized exponent. RESULTS For engineered mAbs, a significant positive correlation between cynomolgus monkeys and humans was observed for CL, but not for other parameters. Whereas conventional exponents (CL: 0.8, Q: 0.75, Vc: 1.0, Vp: 0.95) previously established for normal mAbs showed poor prediction accuracy for CL and Q of engineered mAbs, the newly optimized exponents (CL: 0.55, Q: 0.6, Vc: 0.95, Vp: 0.95) achieved superior predictability for engineered mAbs. Moreover, the optimized exponents accurately predicted plasma mAb concentration-time profiles after IV injection of engineered mAbs in humans. CONCLUSIONS We found that engineered mAbs require specially optimized exponents to accurately predict pharmacokinetic parameters and plasma concentration-time profiles after IV injections in humans based on cynomolgus monkey data. This optimized approach can contribute to a more accurate prediction of human pharmacokinetics in the development of engineered mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Haraya
- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135 Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan.
| | - Tatsuhiko Tachibana
- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135 Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, 412-8513, Japan
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Ren HM, Lukacher AE, Rahman ZSM, Olsen NJ. New developments implicating IL-21 in autoimmune disease. J Autoimmun 2021; 122:102689. [PMID: 34224936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Elevated interleukin (IL)-21 is a common finding in the tissues and/or sera of patients with autoimmune disease. CD4 T cells are the primary producers of IL-21; often the IL-21 producing CD4 T cells will express molecules associated with follicular helper cells (TFH). Recent work has shown that the CD4 T cell-derived IL-21 is able to promote effector functions and memory differentiation of CD8 T cells in chronic infections and cancer. Autoimmunity has similarities to chronic infections and cancer. However, CD4 T cell-derived IL-21:IL21R signaling in CD8 T cells has not been fully appreciated in the context of autoimmunity. In this review, we assess the current knowledge regarding CD4 T cell-derived IL-21 and IL21R signaling within CD8 T cells and evaluate what implications it has within several autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, Sjögren's syndrome, vitiligo, antiphospholipid syndrome, pemphigus, and giant cell arteritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Ren
- MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program at Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Aron E Lukacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Ziaur S M Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Nancy J Olsen
- Devision of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Penn State MS Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
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Atisha-Fregoso Y, Toz B, Diamond B. Meant to B: B cells as a therapeutic target in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:149095. [PMID: 34128474 PMCID: PMC8203443 DOI: 10.1172/jci149095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells have a prominent role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They are mediators of inflammation through the production of pathogenic antibodies that augment inflammation and cause direct tissue and cell damage. Multiple therapeutic agents targeting B cells have been successfully used in mouse models of SLE; however, these preclinical studies have led to approval of only one new agent to treat patients with SLE: belimumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting B cell-activating factor (BAFF). Integrating the experience acquired from previous clinical trials with the knowledge generated by new studies about mechanisms of B cell contributions to SLE in specific groups of patients is critical to the development of new treatment strategies that will help to improve outcomes in patients with SLE. In particular, a sharper focus on B cell differentiation to plasma cells is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemil Atisha-Fregoso
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
- Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Bahtiyar Toz
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Betty Diamond
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
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Negron A, Stüve O, Forsthuber TG. Ectopic Lymphoid Follicles in Multiple Sclerosis: Centers for Disease Control? Front Neurol 2020; 11:607766. [PMID: 33363512 PMCID: PMC7753025 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.607766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While the contribution of autoreactive CD4+ T cells to the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is widely accepted, the advent of B cell-depleting monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies has shed new light on the complex cellular mechanisms underlying MS pathogenesis. Evidence supports the involvement of B cells in both antibody-dependent and -independent capacities. T cell-dependent B cell responses originate and take shape in germinal centers (GCs), specialized microenvironments that regulate B cell activation and subsequent differentiation into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) or memory B cells, a process for which CD4+ T cells, namely follicular T helper (TFH) cells, are indispensable. ASCs carry out their effector function primarily via secreted Ig but also through the secretion of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Memory B cells, in addition to being capable of rapidly differentiating into ASCs, can function as potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to cognate memory CD4+ T cells. Aberrant B cell responses are prevented, at least in part, by follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells, which are key suppressors of GC-derived autoreactive B cell responses through the expression of inhibitory receptors and cytokines, such as CTLA4 and IL-10, respectively. Therefore, GCs represent a critical site of peripheral B cell tolerance, and their dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. In MS patients, the presence of GC-like leptomeningeal ectopic lymphoid follicles (eLFs) has prompted their investigation as potential sources of pathogenic B and T cell responses. This hypothesis is supported by elevated levels of CXCL13 and circulating TFH cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients, both of which are required to initiate and maintain GC reactions. Additionally, eLFs in post-mortem MS patient samples are notably devoid of TFR cells. The ability of GCs to generate and perpetuate, but also regulate autoreactive B and T cell responses driving MS pathology makes them an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we will summarize the evidence from both humans and animal models supporting B cells as drivers of MS, the role of GC-like eLFs in the pathogenesis of MS, and mechanisms controlling GC-derived autoreactive B cell responses in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Negron
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Olaf Stüve
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Neurology Section, Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System, Medical Service, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Thomas G Forsthuber
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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