1
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Lan Y, Yeung TL, Huang H, Wegener AA, Saha S, Toister-Achituv M, Jenkins MH, Chiu LY, Lazorchak A, Tarcic O, Wang H, Qi J, Locke G, Kalimi D, Qin G, Marelli B, Yu H, Gross AW, Derner MG, Soloviev M, Botte M, Sircar A, Ma H, Sood VD, Zhang D, Jiang F, Lo KM. Colocalized targeting of TGF-β and PD-L1 by bintrafusp alfa elicits distinct antitumor responses. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004122. [PMID: 35858707 PMCID: PMC9305820 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bintrafusp alfa (BA) is a bifunctional fusion protein designed for colocalized, simultaneous inhibition of two immunosuppressive pathways, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), within the tumor microenvironment (TME). We hypothesized that targeting PD-L1 to the tumor by BA colocalizes the TGF-β trap (TGF-βRII) to the TME, enabling it to sequester TGF-β in the tumor more effectively than systemic TGF-β blockade, thereby enhancing antitumor activity. Methods Multiple technologies were used to characterize the TGF-β trap binding avidity. BA versus combinations of anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β trap or the pan-TGF-β antibody fresolimumab were compared in proliferation and two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction assays. Immunophenotyping of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis assessing stromal and immune landscape following BA or the combination therapy were performed in MC38 tumors. TGF-β and PD-L1 co-expression and their associated gene signatures in MC38 tumors and human lung carcinoma tissue were studied with single-cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) and immunostaining. BA-induced internalization, degradation, and depletion of TGF-β were investigated in vitro. Results BA and fresolimumab had comparable intrinsic binding to TGF-β1, but there was an ~80× avidity-based increase in binding affinity with BA. BA inhibited cell proliferation in TGF-β-dependent and PD-L1-expressing cells more potently than TGF-β trap or fresolimumab. Compared with the combination of anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β trap or fresolimumab, BA enhanced T cell activation in vitro and increased TILs in MC38 tumors, which correlated with efficacy. BA induced distinct gene expression in the TME compared with the combination therapy, including upregulation of immune-related gene signatures and reduced activities in TGF-β-regulated pathways, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix deposition, and fibrosis. Regulatory T cells, macrophages, immune cells of myeloid lineage, and fibroblasts were key PD-L1/TGF-β1 co-expressing cells in the TME. scRNAseq analysis suggested BA modulation of the macrophage phenotype, which was confirmed by histological assessment. PD-L1/TGF-β1 co-expression was also seen in human tumors. Finally, BA induced TGF-β1 internalization and degradation in the lysosomes. Conclusion BA more effectively blocks TGF-β by targeting TGF-β trap to the tumor via PD-L1 binding. Such colocalized targeting elicits distinct and superior antitumor responses relative to single agent combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lan
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tsz-Lun Yeung
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ansgar A Wegener
- Department of Discovery and Development Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Somdutta Saha
- Department of Translational Medicine, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mira Toister-Achituv
- Department of Discovery and Development Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Yavne, Israel
| | - Molly H Jenkins
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Li-Ya Chiu
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam Lazorchak
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA.,Be Biopharma, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ohad Tarcic
- Department of Discovery and Development Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Yavne, Israel.,CAVOS Biotech, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jin Qi
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - George Locke
- Department of Translational Medicine, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Doron Kalimi
- Department of Discovery and Development Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Yavne, Israel
| | - Guozhong Qin
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bo Marelli
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Huakui Yu
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alec W Gross
- Department of Discovery Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa G Derner
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria Soloviev
- Department of Discovery Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Aroop Sircar
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hong Ma
- Department of Integrated Supply Chain Operations, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vanita D Sood
- Department of Discovery Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA.,D2M Biotherapeutics, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kin-Ming Lo
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Lan Y, Moustafa M, Knoll M, Xu C, Furkel J, Lazorchak A, Yeung TL, Hasheminasab SM, Jenkins MH, Meister S, Yu H, Schlegel J, Marelli B, Tang Z, Qin G, Klein C, Qi J, Zhou C, Locke G, Krunic D, Derner MG, Schwager C, Fontana RE, Kriegsmann K, Jiang F, Rein K, Kriegsmann M, Debus J, Lo KM, Abdollahi A. Simultaneous targeting of TGF-β/PD-L1 synergizes with radiotherapy by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment to overcome immune evasion. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:1388-1403.e10. [PMID: 34506739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Localized radiotherapy (RT) induces an immunogenic antitumor response that is in part counterbalanced by activation of immune evasive and tissue remodeling processes, e.g., via upregulation of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). We report that a bifunctional fusion protein that simultaneously inhibits TGF-β and PD-L1, bintrafusp alfa (BA), effectively synergizes with radiotherapy, leading to superior survival in multiple therapy-resistant murine tumor models with poor immune infiltration. The BA + RT (BART) combination increases tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, reprograms the tumor microenvironment, and attenuates RT-induced fibrosis, leading to reconstitution of tumor immunity and regression of spontaneous lung metastases. Consistently, the beneficial effects of BART are in part reversed by depletion of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Intriguingly, targeting of the TGF-β trap to PD-L1+ endothelium and the M2/lipofibroblast-like cell compartment by BA attenuated late-stage RT-induced lung fibrosis. Together, the results suggest that the BART combination has the potential to eradicate therapy-resistant tumors while sparing normal tissue, further supporting its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lan
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Mahmoud Moustafa
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Clinical Pathology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Maximilian Knoll
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chunxiao Xu
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jennifer Furkel
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adam Lazorchak
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Tsz-Lun Yeung
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sayed-Mohammad Hasheminasab
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Molly H Jenkins
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sarah Meister
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Huakui Yu
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julian Schlegel
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bo Marelli
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Zili Tang
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guozhong Qin
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Carmen Klein
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jin Qi
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Cheng Zhou
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - George Locke
- Department of Translational Medicine, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Damir Krunic
- Light Microscopy Facility, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melissa G Derner
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christian Schwager
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rachel E Fontana
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Katharina Kriegsmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Rheumatology, Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Katrin Rein
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Kriegsmann
- Department of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juergen Debus
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kin-Ming Lo
- Department of TIP OIO, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA 01821, USA; an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Amir Abdollahi
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Divisions of Molecular & Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology (NCRO), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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3
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Zhang D, Jiang F, Zaynagetdinov R, Huang H, Sood VD, Wang H, Zhao X, Jenkins MH, Ji Q, Wang Y, Nannemann DP, Musil D, Wesolowski J, Paoletti A, Bartholomew T, Derner MG, An Q, Iffland C, Halle JP. Identification and characterization of M6903, an antagonistic anti-TIM-3 monoclonal antibody. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1744921. [PMID: 32313722 PMCID: PMC7153820 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1744921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (TIM-3) is an immune checkpoint that regulates normal immune responses but can be exploited by tumor cells to evade immune surveillance. TIM-3 is primarily expressed on immune cells, particularly on dysfunctional and exhausted T cells, and engagement of TIM-3 with its ligands promotes TIM-3-mediated T cell inhibition. Antagonistic ligand-blocking anti-TIM-3 antibodies have the potential to abrogate T cell inhibition, activate antigen-specific T cells, and enhance anti-tumor immunity. Here we describe M6903, a fully human anti-TIM-3 antibody without effector function and with high affinity and selectivity to TIM-3. We demonstrate that M6903 blocks the binding of TIM-3 to three of its ligands, phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion-related molecule 1 (CEACAM1), and galectin 9 (Gal-9). These results are supported by an atomic resolution crystal structure and functional assays, which demonstrate that M6903 monotherapy enhanced T cell activation. This activation was further enhanced by the combination of M6903 with bintrafusp alfa, a bifunctional fusion protein that simultaneously blocks the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathways. M6903 and bintrafusp alfa combination therapy also enhanced anti-tumor efficacy in huTIM-3 knock-in mice, relative to either monotherapy. These in vitro and in vivo data, along with favorable pharmacokinetics in marmoset monkeys, suggest that M6903 as a monotherapy warrants further pre-clinical assessment and that M6903 and bintrafusp alfa may be a promising combination therapy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Rinat Zaynagetdinov
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Vanita D Sood
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Molly H Jenkins
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Qingyong Ji
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Youbin Wang
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - David P Nannemann
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Djordje Musil
- Discovery and Development Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - John Wesolowski
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Andrea Paoletti
- Discovery and Development Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Colleretto Giacosa, Italy
| | - Tin Bartholomew
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Melissa G Derner
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Qi An
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Christel Iffland
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Joern-Peter Halle
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, MA, USA.,Department of Immuno-Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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