A multispecific anti-CD40 DARPin® construct induces tumor-selective CD40 activation and tumor regression

Bifunctional Phage Particles Augment CD40 Activation and Enhance Lymph Node-Targeted Delivery of Personalized Neoantigen Vaccines

Although personalized neoantigen cancer vaccines have emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment, challenges remain to develop immune-stimulatory carriers which allow simultaneous transport of adjuvants and vaccines to lymph nodes (LNs). With inherent immunogenicity, genetic plasticity, and efficiency for large-scale production, M13 phages represent an attractive platform for vaccine delivery as natural bionanomaterials. Here, we report the discovery of an anti-CD40 designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) and propose a bifunctional M13 ph age for neoantigen delivery based on this anti-CD40 DARPin protein (M13CD40). M13CD40-based neoantigen vaccines show improved accumulation and prolonged antigen retention in LNs compared with nontargeting phage vaccines due to the abundance of CD40-positive cells in LNs. Besides the intrinsic immunogenicity of phages, M13CD40-based neoantigen vaccines also benefit from additional CD40 stimulation due to multiple copies of anti-CD40 DARPins displayed on M13CD40 phages. Subcutaneous immunization with M13CD40-based neoantigen vaccines results in more robust antigen-specific immune responses and superior antitumor efficacy in poorly immunogenic tumor models compared with nontargeting phage vaccines. Combination therapy with PD-1 blockade further enhances T cell cytotoxicity and improves tumor control. To summarize, our findings highlight M13CD40 as a CD40 nanoagonist as well as an efficient vehicle for LN-targeted delivery of personalized neoantigen vaccines.

HLA-DR-Expressing Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes Are Inducible Antigen Presenting Cells That Present Autoantigens in Lyme Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

HLA-DR-expressing fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are a prominent cell type in synovial tissue in chronic inflammatory forms of arthritis. FLS-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including fibronectin-1 (FN1), contain immunogenic CD4+ T cell epitopes in patients with postinfectious Lyme arthritis (LA). However, the role of FLS in presentation of these T cell epitopes remains uncertain.

METHODS

Primary LA FLS and primary murine FLS stimulated with interferon gamma (IFNγ), Borrelia burgdorferi, and/or B burgdorferi peptidoglycan (PG) were assessed for properties associated with antigen presentation. HLA-DR-presented peptides from stimulated LA FLS were identified by immunopeptidomics analysis. OT-II T cells were co-cultured with stimulated murine FLS in the presence of cognate ovalbumin antigen to determine the potential of FLS to act as inducible antigen presenting cells (APCs).

RESULTS

FLS expressed HLA-DR molecules within inflamed synovial tissue and tendons from patients with postinfectious LA in situ. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and co-stimulatory molecules were expressed by FLS following in vitro stimulation with IFNγ and B burgdorferi and presented both foreign and self-MHC-II peptides, including an immunogenic T cell epitope derived from Lyme autoantigen FN1. Stimulated FLS induced proliferation of naive OT-II CD4+ T cells that were dependent on OT-II antigen and CD40. Stimulation with B burgdorferi PG enhanced FLS-mediated T cell activation.

CONCLUSION

MHC-II+ FLS are inducible APCs that can induce CD4+ T cell activation in an antigen- and CD40-dependent manner. Activated FLS can also present ECM-derived Lyme autoantigens, implicating FLS in amplifying tissue-localized autoimmunity in LA.

Improvement of daratumumab- or elotuzumab-mediated NK cell activity by the bi-specific 4-1BB agonist, DARPin α-FAPx4-1BB: A preclinical study in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) progression is closely dependent on cells in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, including fibroblasts (FBs) and immune cells. In their BM niche, MM cells adhere to FBs sustaining immune evasion, drug resistance and the undetectable endurance of tumor cells known as minimal residual disease (MRD). Here, we describe the novel bi-specific designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) α-FAPx4-1BB (MP0310) with FAP-dependent 4-1BB agonistic activity. The α-FAPx4-1BB DARPin simultaneously binds to FAP and 4-1BB overexpressed by activated FBs and immune cells, respectively. Although flow cytometry analysis showed that T and NK cells from MM patients were not activated and did not express 4-1BB, stimulation with daratumumab or elotuzumab, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) currently used for the treatment of MM, significantly upregulated 4-1BB both in vitro and in MM patients following mAb-based therapy. The mAb-induced 4-1BB overexpression allowed the engagement of α-FAPx4-1BB that acted as a bridge between FAP+FBs and 4-1BB+NK cells. Therefore, α-FAPx4-1BB enhanced both the adhesion of daratumumab-treated NK cells on FBs as well as their activation by improving release of CD107a and perforin, hence MM cell killing via antibody-mediated cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). Interestingly, α-FAPx4-1BB significantly potentiated daratumumab-mediated ADCC in the presence of FBs, suggesting that it may overcome the BM FBs' immunosuppressive effect. Overall, we speculate that treatment with α-FAPx4-1BB may represent a valuable strategy to improve mAb-induced NK cell activity fostering MRD negativity in MM patients through the eradication of latent MRD cells.

Bridging the gap with multispecific immune cell engagers in cancer and infectious diseases

By binding to multiple antigens simultaneously, multispecific antibodies are expected to substantially improve both the activity and long-term efficacy of antibody-based immunotherapy. Immune cell engagers, a subclass of antibody-based constructs, consist of engineered structures designed to bridge immune effector cells to their target, thereby redirecting the immune response toward the tumor cells or infected cells. The increasing number of recent clinical trials evaluating immune cell engagers reflects the important role of these molecules in new therapeutic approaches for cancer and infections. In this review, we discuss how different immune cell types (T and natural killer lymphocytes, as well as myeloid cells) can be bound by immune cell engagers in immunotherapy for cancer and infectious diseases. Furthermore, we explore the preclinical and clinical advancements of these constructs, and we discuss the challenges in translating the current knowledge from cancer to the virology field. Finally, we speculate on the promising future directions that immune cell engagers may take in cancer treatment and antiviral therapy.

New immune cell engagers for cancer immunotherapy

There have been major advances in the immunotherapy of cancer in recent years, including the development of T cell engagers - antibodies engineered to redirect T cells to recognize and kill cancer cells - for the treatment of haematological malignancies. However, the field still faces several challenges to develop agents that are consistently effective in a majority of patients and cancer types, such as optimizing drug dose, overcoming treatment resistance and improving efficacy in solid tumours. A new generation of T cell-targeted molecules was developed to tackle these issues that are potentially more effective and safer. In addition, agents designed to engage the antitumour activities of other immune cells, including natural killer cells and myeloid cells, are showing promise and have the potential to treat a broader range of cancers.

Crystal structures of human CD40 in complex with monoclonal antibodies dacetuzumab and bleselumab

CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, and it is widely expressed on immune and non-immune cell types. The interaction between CD40 and the CD40 ligand (CD40L) plays an essential function in signaling, and the CD40/CD40L complex works as an immune checkpoint molecule. CD40 has become a therapeutic target, and a variety of agonistic/antagonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed. To better understand the mode of action of anti-CD40 mAbs, we determined the X-ray crystal structures of dacetuzumab (agonist) and bleselumab (antagonist) in complex with the extracellular domain of human CD40, respectively. The structure reveals that dacetuzumab binds to CD40 on the top of cysteine-rich domain 1 (CRD1), which is the domain most distant from the cell surface, and it does not compete with CD40L binding. The binding interface of bleselumab spread between CRD2 and CRD1, overlapping with the binding surface of the ligand. Our results offer important insights for future structural and functional studies of CD40 and provide clues to understanding the mechanism of biological response. These data can be applied to developing new strategies for designing antibodies with more therapeutic efficacy.

Next-generation CD40 agonists for cancer immunotherapy

INTRODUCTION

There is a need for new therapies that can enhance response rates and broaden the number of cancer indications where immunotherapies provide clinical benefit. CD40 targeting therapies provide an opportunity to meet this need by promoting priming of tumor-specific T cells and reverting the suppressive tumor microenvironment. This is supported by emerging clinical evidence demonstrating the benefits of immunotherapy with CD40 antibodies in combination with standard of care chemotherapy.

AREAS COVERED

This review is focused on the coming wave of next-generation CD40 agonists aiming to improve efficacy and safety, using new approaches and formats beyond monospecific antibodies. Further, the current understanding of the role of different CD40 expressing immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment is reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

There are multiple promising next-generation approaches beyond monospecific antibodies targeting CD40 in immuno-oncology. Enhancing efficacy is the most important driver for this development, and approaches that maximize the ability of CD40 to both remodel the tumor microenvironment and boost the anti-tumor T cell response provide great opportunities to benefit cancer patients. Enhanced understanding of the role of different CD40 expressing immune cells in the tumor microenvironment may facilitate more efficient clinical development of these compounds.

From basic research to clinical application: targeting fibroblast activation protein for cancer diagnosis and treatment

PURPOSE

This study aims to review the multifaceted roles of a membrane protein named Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) expressed in tumor tissue, including its molecular functionalities, regulatory mechanisms governing its expression, prognostic significance, and its crucial role in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

Articles that have uncovered the regulatory role of FAP in tumor, as well as its potential utility within clinical realms, spanning diagnosis to therapeutic intervention has been screened for a comprehensive review.

RESULTS

Our review reveals that FAP plays a pivotal role in solid tumor progression by undertaking a multitude of enzymatic and nonenzymatic roles within the tumor stroma. The exclusive presence of FAP within tumor tissues highlights its potential as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. The review also emphasizes the prognostic significance of FAP in predicting tumor progression and patient outcomes. Furthermore, the emerging strategies involving FAPI inhibitor (FAPI) in cancer research and clinical trials for PET/CT diagnosis are discussed. And targeted therapy utilizing FAP including FAPI, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, tumor vaccine, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, FAP cleavable prodrugs, and drug delivery system are also introduced.

CONCLUSION

FAP's intricate interactions with tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment make it a promising target for diagnosis and treatment. Promising strategies such as FAPI offer potential avenues for accurate tumor diagnosis, while multiple therapeutic strategies highlight the prospects of FAP targeting treatments which needs further clinical evaluation.

The present and future of bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy

Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) enable novel mechanisms of action and/or therapeutic applications that cannot be achieved using conventional IgG-based antibodies. Consequently, development of these molecules has garnered substantial interest in the past decade and, as of the end of 2023, 14 bsAbs have been approved: 11 for the treatment of cancer and 3 for non-oncology indications. bsAbs are available in different formats, address different targets and mediate anticancer function via different molecular mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of bsAbs for cancer therapy. We focus on bsAbs that are approved or in clinical development, including bsAb-mediated dual modulators of signalling pathways, tumour-targeted receptor agonists, bsAb-drug conjugates, bispecific T cell, natural killer cell and innate immune cell engagers, and bispecific checkpoint inhibitors and co-stimulators. Finally, we provide an outlook into next-generation bsAbs in earlier stages of development, including trispecifics, bsAb prodrugs, bsAbs that induce degradation of tumour targets and bsAbs acting as cytokine mimetics.

Developability considerations for bispecific and multispecific antibodies

Bispecific antibodies (bsAb) and multispecific antibodies (msAb) encompass a diverse variety of formats that can concurrently bind multiple epitopes, unlocking mechanisms to address previously difficult-to-treat or incurable diseases. Early assessment of candidate developability enables demotion of antibodies with low potential and promotion of the most promising candidates for further development. Protein-based therapies have a stringent set of developability requirements in order to be competitive (e.g. high-concentration formulation, and long half-life) and their assessment requires a robust toolkit of methods, few of which are validated for interrogating bsAbs/msAbs. Important considerations when assessing the developability of bsAbs/msAbs include their molecular format, likelihood for immunogenicity, specificity, stability, and potential for high-volume production. Here, we summarize the critical aspects of developability assessment, and provide guidance on how to develop a comprehensive plan tailored to a given bsAb/msAb.

Nanobody-based trispecific T cell engager (Nb-TriTE) enhances therapeutic efficacy by overcoming tumor-mediated immunosuppression

BACKGROUND

T cell engagers (TCEs) have been established as an emerging modality for hematologic malignancies, but solid tumors remain refractory. However, the upregulation of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is correlated with T cell dysfunction that confer tumor-mediated immunosuppression. Developing a novel nanobody-based trispecific T cell engager (Nb-TriTE) would be a potential strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy.

METHODS

Given the therapeutic potential of nanobodies (Nbs), we first screened Nb targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and successfully generated a Nb-based bispecific T cell engager (Nb-BiTE) targeting FAP. Then, we developed a Nb-TriTE by fusing an anti-PD-1 Nb to the Nb-BiTE. The biological activity and antitumor efficacy of the Nb-TriTE were evaluated in vitro and in both cell line-derived and patient-derived xenograft mouse models.

RESULTS

We had for the first time successfully selected a FAP Nb for the generation of novel Nb-BiTE and Nb-TriTE, which showed good binding ability to their targets. Nb-TriTE not only induced robust tumor antigen-specific killing, potent T cell activation and enhanced T cell function in vitro, but also suppressed tumor growth, improved survival and mediated more T cell infiltration than Nb-BiTE in mouse models of different solid tumors without toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel Nb-TriTE provides a promising and universal platform to overcome tumor-mediated immunosuppression and improve patient outcomes in the future.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Landscape of an Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mouse Model for Immunotherapy

The immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1), has shown moderate efficacy in some patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Because of this, it is imperative to establish a mouse tumor model to explore mechanisms of antitumor immunity and to develop novel therapeutic options. Here, we examined the 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-induced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) model for genetic aberrations, transcriptomic profiles, and immune cell composition at different pathologic stages. Genomic exome analysis in OSCC-bearing mice showed conservation of critical mutations found in human HNSCC. Transcriptomic data revealed that a key signature comprised of immune-related genes was increased beginning at the moderate dysplasia stages. We first identified that macrophage composition in primary tumors differed across pathologic stages, leading to an oncogenic evolution through a change in the M1/M2 macrophage ratio during tumorigenesis. We treated the 4NQO-induced OSCC-bearing mice with anti-PD-1 and agonistic anti-CD40, which modulated multiple immune responses. The growth of tumor cells was significantly decreased by agonistic anti-CD40 by promoting an increase in the M1/M2 ratio. By examining cross-species genomic conservation in human and mouse tumors, our study demonstrates the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of OSCC and the regulation of contributing immune-related factors, and aims to facilitate the development of suitable ICI-based treatments for patients with HNSCC.

Serum immune checkpoint profiling identifies soluble CD40 as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) responds poorly to systemic treatment, including new immunotherapeutic approaches. Biomarkers are urgently needed for early disease detection, patient stratification for treatment, and response prediction. The role of soluble CD40 (sCD40) is unknown in PDAC. In this study, we performed a quantitative multiplex analysis of 17 immune checkpoint proteins in serum samples from patients with various stages of PDAC in a discovery study (n = 107) and analyzed sCD40 by ELISA in a validation study (n = 317). Youden's J statistic was used for diagnostic cut-off optimization. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied in an empiric approach for prognostic threshold optimization. Kaplan-Meier estimator and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used for survival analysis. sCD40 was significantly increased in the serum of patients with PDAC compared to healthy cohorts and patients with IPMN. In the validation cohort, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) c-statistic was 0.8, and combining sCD40 with CA19-9 yielded a c-statistic of 0.95. sCD40 levels were independent of the tumor stage. However, patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy had significantly lower sCD40 levels than those who underwent upfront surgery. Patients with a sCD40 level above the empirical threshold of 0.83 ng/ml had a significantly reduced overall survival with a hazard ratio of 1.4. This observation was pronounced in patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Collectively, soluble CD40 may be considered as both a diagnostic and prognostic non-invasive biomarker in PDAC.

Proteins and their functionalization for finding therapeutic avenues in cancer: Current status and future prospective

Despite the remarkable advancement in the health care sector, cancer remains the second most fatal disease globally. The existing conventional cancer treatments primarily include chemotherapy, which has been associated with little to severe side effects, and radiotherapy, which is usually expensive. To overcome these problems, target-specific nanocarriers have been explored for delivering chemo drugs. However, recent reports on using a few proteins having anticancer activity and further use of them as drug carriers have generated tremendous attention for furthering the research towards cancer therapy. Biomolecules, especially proteins, have emerged as suitable alternatives in cancer treatment due to multiple favourable properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural flexibility for easy surface functionalization. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have reported that various proteins derived from animal, plant, and bacterial species, demonstrated strong cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties against malignant cells in native and their different structural conformations. Moreover, surface tunable properties of these proteins help to bind a range of anticancer drugs and target ligands, thus making them efficient delivery agents in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss various proteins obtained from common exogenous sources and how they transform into effective anticancer agents. We also comprehensively discuss the tumor-killing mechanisms of different dietary proteins such as bovine α-lactalbumin, hen egg-white lysozyme, and their conjugates. We also articulate how protein nanostructures can be used as carriers for delivering cancer drugs and theranostics, and strategies to be adopted for improving their in vivo delivery and targeting. We further discuss the FDA-approved protein-based anticancer formulations along with those in different phases of clinical trials.

Bispecific antibodies targeting CD40 and tumor-associated antigens promote cross-priming of T cells resulting in an antitumor response superior to monospecific antibodies

BACKGROUND

Indications with poor T-cell infiltration or deficiencies in T-cell priming and associated unresponsiveness to established immunotherapies represent an unmet medical need in oncology. CD40-targeting therapies designed to enhance antigen presentation, generate new tumor-specific T cells, and activate tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells to remodel the tumor microenvironment, represent a promising opportunity to meet this need. In this study, we present the first in vivo data supporting a role for tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-mediated uptake and cross-presentation of tumor antigens to enhance tumor-specific T-cell priming using CD40×TAA bispecific antibodies, a concept we named Neo-X-Prime.

METHODS

Bispecific antibodies targeting CD40 and either of two cell-surface expressed TAA, carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 (CEA) or epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), were developed in a tetravalent format. TAA-conditional CD40 agonism, activation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, antitumor efficacy and the role of delivery of tumor-derived material such as extracellular vesicles, tumor debris and exosomes by the CD40×TAA bispecific antibodies were demonstrated in vitro using primary human and murine cells and in vivo using human CD40 transgenic mice with different tumor models.

RESULTS

The results showed that the CD40×TAA bispecific antibodies induced TAA-conditional CD40 activation both in vitro and in vivo. Further, it was demonstrated in vitro that they induced clustering of tumor debris and CD40-expressing cells in a dose-dependent manner and superior T-cell priming when added to dendritic cells (DC), ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cells and OVA-containing tumor debris or exosomes. The antitumor activity of the Neo-X-Prime bispecific antibodies was demonstrated to be significantly superior to the monospecific CD40 antibody, and the resulting T-cell dependent antitumor immunity was directed to tumor antigens other than the TAA used for targeting (EpCAM).

CONCLUSIONS

The data presented herein support the hypothesis that CD40×TAA bispecific antibodies can engage tumor-derived vesicles containing tumor neoantigens to myeloid cells such as DCs resulting in an improved DC-mediated cross-priming of tumor-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Thus, this principle may offer therapeutics strategies to enhance tumor-specific T-cell immunity and associated clinical benefit in indications characterized by poor T-cell infiltration or deficiencies in T-cell priming.