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Ullah A, Shin G, Lim SI. Human serum albumin binders: A piggyback ride for long-acting therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103738. [PMID: 37591409 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103738] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in the blood and has desirable properties as a drug carrier. One of the most promising ways to exploit HSA as a carrier is to append an albumin-binding moiety (ABM) to a drug for in situ HSA binding upon administration. Nature- and library-derived ABMs vary in size, affinity, and epitope, differentially improving the pharmacokinetics of an appended drug. In this review, we evaluate the current state of knowledge regarding various aspects of ABMs and the unique advantages of ABM-mediated drug delivery. Furthermore, we discuss how ABMs can be specifically modulated to maximize potential benefits in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Ullah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Gomal Centre of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Goeun Shin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Nbios Inc, 7, Jukheon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Marine BioResource Co., Ltd., 365, Sinseon-ro, Nam-gu, Busan 48548, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Barzaman K, Vafaei R, Samadi M, Kazemi MH, Hosseinzadeh A, Merikhian P, Moradi-Kalbolandi S, Eisavand MR, Dinvari H, Farahmand L. Anti-cancer therapeutic strategies based on HGF/MET, EpCAM, and tumor-stromal cross talk. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:259. [PMID: 35986321 PMCID: PMC9389806 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02658-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
As an intelligent disease, tumors apply several pathways to evade the immune system. It can use alternative routes to bypass intracellular signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Wnt, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Therefore, these mechanisms lead to therapeutic resistance in cancer. Also, these pathways play important roles in the proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion of cells. In most cancers, these signaling pathways are overactivated, caused by mutation, overexpression, etc. Since numerous molecules share these signaling pathways, the identification of key molecules is crucial to achieve favorable consequences in cancer therapy. One of the key molecules is the mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET; c-Met) and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Another molecule is the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), which its binding is hemophilic. Although both of them are involved in many physiologic processes (especially in embryonic stages), in some cancers, they are overexpressed on epithelial cells. Since they share intracellular pathways, targeting them simultaneously may inhibit substitute pathways that tumor uses to evade the immune system and resistant to therapeutic agents.
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3
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Luo R, Liu H, Cheng Z. Protein scaffolds: Antibody alternative for cancer diagnosis and therapy. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:830-847. [PMID: 35866165 PMCID: PMC9257619 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00094f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost. These issues have led scientists to explore and develop novel antibody alternatives. Protein scaffolds are small monomeric proteins with stable tertiary structures and mutable residues, which emerged in the 1990s. By combining robust gene engineering and phage display techniques, libraries with sufficient diversity could be established for target binding scaffold selection. Given the properties of small size, high affinity, and excellent specificity and stability, protein scaffolds have been applied in basic research, and preclinical and clinical fields over the past two decades. To date, more than 20 types of protein scaffolds have been developed, with the most frequently used being affibody, adnectin, ANTICALIN®, DARPins, and knottin. In this review, we focus on the protein scaffold applications in cancer therapy and diagnosis in the last 5 years, and discuss the pros and cons, and strategies of optimization and design. Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Renli Luo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Hongguang Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Zhen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Molecular Imaging Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery Yantai Shandong 264117 China
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4
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The trispecific DARPin ensovibep inhibits diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1845-1854. [PMID: 35864170 PMCID: PMC9750863 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01382-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with potential resistance to existing drugs emphasizes the need for new therapeutic modalities with broad variant activity. Here we show that ensovibep, a trispecific DARPin (designed ankyrin repeat protein) clinical candidate, can engage the three units of the spike protein trimer of SARS-CoV-2 and inhibit ACE2 binding with high potency, as revealed by cryo-electron microscopy analysis. The cooperative binding together with the complementarity of the three DARPin modules enable ensovibep to inhibit frequent SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron sublineages BA.1 and BA.2. In Roborovski dwarf hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2, ensovibep reduced fatality similarly to a standard-of-care monoclonal antibody (mAb) cocktail. When used as a single agent in viral passaging experiments in vitro, ensovibep reduced the emergence of escape mutations in a similar fashion to the same mAb cocktail. These results support further clinical evaluation of ensovibep as a broad variant alternative to existing targeted therapies for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
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5
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Abstract
The DARPin® drug platform was established with a vision to expand the medical use of biologics beyond what was possible with monoclonal antibodies. It is based on naturally occurring ankyrin repeat domains that are typically building blocks of multifunctional human proteins. The platform allows for the generation of diverse, well-behaved, multifunctional drug candidates. Recent clinical data illustrate the favorable safety profile of the first DARPin® molecules tested in patients. With the positive phase III results of the most advanced DARPin® drug candidate, abicipar, the DARPin® drug platform is potentially about to achieve its first marketing approval. This review highlights some of the key milestones and decisions encountered when transforming the DARPin® platform from an academic concept to a biotech drug pipeline engine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Stumpp
- Molecular Partners AG, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Keith M Dawson
- Molecular Partners AG, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - H Kaspar Binz
- Molecular Partners AG, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland. .,Binz Biotech Consulting GmbH, Lüssirainstrasse 52, 6300, Zug, Switzerland.
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6
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Baird RD, Linossi C, Middleton M, Lord S, Harris A, Rodón J, Zitt C, Fiedler U, Dawson KM, Leupin N, Stumpp MT, Harstrick A, Azaro A, Fischer S, Omlin A. First-in-Human Phase I Study of MP0250, a First-in-Class DARPin Drug Candidate Targeting VEGF and HGF, in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:145-154. [PMID: 33301375 PMCID: PMC8196087 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.00596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A first-in-human study was performed with MP0250, a DARPin drug candidate. MP0250 specifically inhibits both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with the aim of disrupting the tumor microenvironment. PATIENTS AND METHODS A multicenter, open-label, repeated-dose, phase I study was conducted to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of MP0250 in 45 patients with advanced solid tumors. In the dose-escalation part, 24 patients received MP0250 as a 3-hour infusion once every 2 weeks at five different dose levels (0.5-12 mg/kg). Once the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was established, 21 patients were treated with a 1-hour infusion (n = 13, 8 mg/kg, once every 2 weeks and n = 8, 12 mg/kg, once every 3 weeks) of MP0250 in the dose confirmation cohorts. RESULTS In the dose-escalation cohort, patients treated with 12 mg/kg MP0250 once every 2 weeks experienced dose-limiting toxicities. Therefore, MTD was 8 mg/kg once every 2 weeks or 12 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. The most common adverse events (AEs) were hypertension (69%), proteinuria (51%), and diarrhea and nausea (both 36%); hypoalbuminemia was reported in 24% of patients. Most AEs were consistent with inhibition of the VEGF and HGF pathways. Exposure was dose-proportional and sustained throughout the dosing period for all patients (up to 15 months). The half-life was about 2 weeks. Signs of single-agent antitumor activity were observed: 1 unconfirmed partial response with a time to progression of 23 weeks and 24 patients with stable disease, with the longest duration of 72 weeks and a median duration of 18 weeks. CONCLUSION MP0250 is a first-in-class DARPin drug candidate with suitable tolerability and appropriate pharmacokinetic properties for further development in combination with other anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simon Lord
- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jordi Rodón
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Vall d’Hebron, Spain
| | - Christof Zitt
- Molecular Partners AG, Schlieren-Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Analía Azaro
- Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Vall d’Hebron, Spain
| | - Stefanie Fischer
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
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7
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Abstract
The concept of engineering robust protein scaffolds for novel binding functions emerged 20 years ago, one decade after the advent of recombinant antibody technology. Early examples were the Affibody, Monobody (Adnectin), and Anticalin proteins, which were derived from fragments of streptococcal protein A, from the tenth type III domain of human fibronectin, and from natural lipocalin proteins, respectively. Since then, this concept has expanded considerably, including many other protein templates. In fact, engineered protein scaffolds with useful binding specificities, mostly directed against targets of biomedical relevance, constitute an area of active research today, which has yielded versatile reagents as laboratory tools. However, despite strong interest from basic science, only a handful of those protein scaffolds have undergone biopharmaceutical development up to the clinical stage. This includes the abovementioned pioneering examples as well as designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins). Here we review the current state and clinical validation of these next-generation therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arne Skerra
- Lehrstuhl für Biologische Chemie, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany;
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8
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Caputi AP, Navarra P. Beyond antibodies: ankyrins and DARPins. From basic research to drug approval. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 51:93-101. [PMID: 32674998 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This Pharmacological Perspective describes the pathway that, starting from the deep understanding of ankyrins - a family of proteins with high variability-binding and high specificity-binding characteristics - led to the development of a new class of recombinant-binding proteins, the DARPins (designed ankyrin repeat proteins). These are envisaged as alternatives to mAbs and related biologics, with the potential to overcome certain shortcomings of mAbs. DARPins have relatively low molecular weights (14-21kDas) and more favorable PK profiles than mAbs, are stable proteins that can be easily produced in Escherichia coli and can be used in their monovalent form or conjugated to other moieties, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enhance their half-life. DARPins can also be engineered to produce bi-specific or tri-specific compounds that bind different epitopes of the same target or two different targets. Abicipar, a first-in-class anti-VEGF-A DARPin had similar efficacy compared to anti-VEGF biologics (bevacizumab, ranibizumab) in preclinical studies and was not inferior to ranibizumab in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with a reduced number of intravitreal injections. Abicipar has recently been submitted for regulatory approval for use in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierluigi Navarra
- Dept. of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli IRCCS, Roma -Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
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9
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McCord JP, Grove TZ. Engineering repeat proteins of the immune system. Biopolymers 2020; 111:e23348. [PMID: 32031681 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Limitations associated with immunoglobulins have motivated the search for novel binding scaffolds. Repeat proteins have emerged as one promising class of scaffolds, but often are limited to binding protein and peptide targets. An exception is the repeat proteins of the immune system, which have in recent years served as an inspiration for binding scaffolds which can bind glycans and other classes of biomolecule. Like other repeat proteins, these proteins can be very stable and have a monomeric mode of binding, with elongated and highly variable binding surfaces. The ability to target glycans and glycoproteins fill an important gap in current tools for research and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer P McCord
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, U.S.A
| | - Tijana Z Grove
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, U.S.A.,Zarkovic Grove Consulting, LLC, Blacksburg, VA, U.S.A
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10
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Brossa A, Buono L, Fallo S, Fiorio Pla A, Munaron L, Bussolati B. Alternative Strategies to Inhibit Tumor Vascularization. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E6180. [PMID: 31817884 PMCID: PMC6940973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20246180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells present in tumors show different origin, phenotype, and genotype with respect to the normal counterpart. Various mechanisms of intra-tumor vasculogenesis sustain the complexity of tumor vasculature, which can be further modified by signals deriving from the tumor microenvironment. As a result, resistance to anti-VEGF therapy and activation of compensatory pathways remain a challenge in the treatment of cancer patients, revealing the need to explore alternative strategies to the classical anti-angiogenic drugs. In this review, we will describe some alternative strategies to inhibit tumor vascularization, including targeting of antigens and signaling pathways overexpressed by tumor endothelial cells, the development of endothelial vaccinations, and the use of extracellular vesicles. In addition, anti-angiogenic drugs with normalizing effects on tumor vessels will be discussed. Finally, we will present the concept of endothelial demesenchymalization as an alternative approach to restore normal endothelial cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Brossa
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Universitty of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (A.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Lola Buono
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Universitty of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (A.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Sofia Fallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Universitty of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (A.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.)
| | - Alessandra Fiorio Pla
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (A.F.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Luca Munaron
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (A.F.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Benedetta Bussolati
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Universitty of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (A.B.); (L.B.); (S.F.)
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11
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Gebauer M, Skerra A. Engineering of binding functions into proteins. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 60:230-241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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12
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Hober S, Lindbo S, Nilvebrant J. Bispecific applications of non-immunoglobulin scaffold binders. Methods 2019; 154:143-152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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13
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Miranda O, Farooqui M, Siegfried JM. Status of Agents Targeting the HGF/c-Met Axis in Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10090280. [PMID: 30134579 PMCID: PMC6162713 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10090280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is the ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met (Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition Factor also known as Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor, HGFR), a receptor with expression throughout epithelial and endothelial cell types. Activation of c-Met enhances cell proliferation, invasion, survival, angiogenesis, and motility. The c-Met pathway also stimulates tissue repair in normal cells. A body of past research shows that increased levels of HGF and/or overexpression of c-Met are associated with poor prognosis in several solid tumors, including lung cancer, as well as cancers of the head and neck, gastro-intestinal tract, breast, ovary and cervix. The HGF/c-Met signaling network is complex; both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent signaling occur. This article will provide an update on signaling through the HGF/c-Met axis, the mechanism of action of HGF/c-Met inhibitors, the lung cancer patient populations most likely to benefit, and possible mechanisms of resistance to these inhibitors. Although c-Met as a target in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed promise based on preclinical data, clinical responses in NSCLC patients have been disappointing in the absence of MET mutation or MET gene amplification. New therapeutics that selectively target c-Met or HGF, or that target c-Met and a wider spectrum of interacting tyrosine kinases, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oshin Miranda
- Department of Pharmacology and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Mariya Farooqui
- Department of Pharmacology and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Jill M Siegfried
- Department of Pharmacology and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 321 Church Street SE, 6-120 Jackson Hall, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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14
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Binz HK, Bakker TR, Phillips DJ, Cornelius A, Zitt C, Göttler T, Sigrist G, Fiedler U, Ekawardhani S, Dolado I, Saliba JA, Tresch G, Proba K, Stumpp MT. Design and characterization of MP0250, a tri-specific anti-HGF/anti-VEGF DARPin® drug candidate. MAbs 2018; 9:1262-1269. [PMID: 29035637 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2017.1305529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
MP0250 is a multi-domain drug candidate currently being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. It comprises one anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), one anti-hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and two anti-human serum albumin (HSA) DARPin® domains within a single polypeptide chain. While there is first clinical validation of a single-domain DARPin® drug candidate, little is known about DARPin® drug candidates comprising multiple domains. Here, we show that MP0250 can be expressed at 15 g/L in soluble form in E. coli high cell-density fermentation, it is stable in soluble/frozen formulation for 2 years as assessed by reverse phase HPLC, it has picomolar potency in inhibiting VEGF-A and HGF in ELISA and cellular assays, and its domains are simultaneously active as shown by surface plasmon resonance. The inclusion of HSA-binding DARPin® domains leads to a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in mouse and cynomolgus monkey, with terminal half-lives of ∼ 30 hours in mouse and ∼ 5 days in cynomolgus monkey. MP0250 is thus a highly potent drug candidate that could be particularly useful in oncology. Beyond MP0250, the properties of MP0250 indicate that multi-domain DARPin® proteins can be valuable next-generation drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kaspar Binz
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | - Talitha R Bakker
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | | | | | - Christof Zitt
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | - Thomas Göttler
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Sigrist
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Fiedler
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | | | - Ignacio Dolado
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | | | - Gaby Tresch
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | - Karl Proba
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
| | - Michael T Stumpp
- a Molecular Partners AG , Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren , Switzerland
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15
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Rao L, De Veirman K, Giannico D, Saltarella I, Desantis V, Frassanito MA, Solimando AG, Ribatti D, Prete M, Harstrick A, Fiedler U, De Raeve H, Racanelli V, Vanderkerken K, Vacca A. Targeting angiogenesis in multiple myeloma by the VEGF and HGF blocking DARPin ® protein MP0250: a preclinical study. Oncotarget 2018; 9:13366-13381. [PMID: 29568363 PMCID: PMC5862584 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The investigational drug MP0250 is a multi-specific DARPin® molecule that simultaneously binds and neutralizes VEGF and HGF with high specificity and affinity. Here we studied the antiangiogenic effects of the MP0250 in multiple myeloma (MM). In endothelial cells (EC) isolated from bone marrow (BM) of MM patients (MMEC) MP0250 reduces VEGFR2 and cMet phosphorylation and affects their downstream signaling cascades. MP0250 influences the secretory profile of MMEC and inhibits their in vitro angiogenic activities (spontaneous and chemotactic migration, adhesion, spreading and capillarogenesis). Compared to anti-VEGF or anti-HGF neutralizing mAbs, MP0250 strongly reduces capillary network formation and vessel-sprouting in a Matrigel angiogenesis assay. MP0250 potentiates the effect of bortezomib in the same in vitro setting. It significantly reduces the number of newly formed vessels in the choriollantoic membrane assay (CAM) and the Matrigel plug assay. In the syngeneic 5T33MM tumor model, MP0250 decreases the microvessel density (MVD) and the combination MP0250/bortezomib lowers the percentage of idiotype positive cells and the serum levels of M-protein. Overall results define MP0250 as a strong antiangiogenic agent with potential as a novel combination drug for treatment of MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigia Rao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Donato Giannico
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Saltarella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Vanessa Desantis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonia Frassanito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Hendrik De Raeve
- Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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