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Williams L, Li L, Yazaki PJ, Wong P, Hong T, Poku EK, Hui S, Ghimire H, Shively JE, Kujawski M. Comparison of IL-2-antibody to IL-2-Fc with or without stereotactic radiation therapy in CEA immunocompetent mice with CEA positive tumors. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6909. [PMID: 38317590 PMCID: PMC10905250 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potent immune effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) for cancer therapy can be increased by genetic fusion of IL-2 to the Fc domain of an antibody (IL-2-Fc) or tumor targeted by genetic fusion to a whole antibody known as an immunocytokine (ICK). METHODS An anti-CEA ICK (M5A-IL-2) was compared to an IL-2-Fc fusion protein using tumor therapy and PET imaging in CEA transgenic immunocompetent mice bearing CEA positive colon or breast tumors. Combination with stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) was performed with either ICK or IL-2-Fc. RESULTS ICK and IL-2-Fc had comparable antitumor effects in both tumor models, although ICK had higher tumor uptake and slower blood clearance than an IL-2-Fc. Analysis of IFNγ+ /CD8+ and FoxP3+ /CD4+ T cells revealed higher levels of IFNγ-producing CD8+ T cells in ICK treated mice versus more efficient Treg elimination in IL-2-Fc treated mice. No significant or lasting toxicity was detected for either agent. Combination therapies with SRT revealed comparable efficacy and induction of immune memory for both ICK and IL-2-Fc when mice were rechallenged post-therapy. CONCLUSIONS IL-2-Fc had comparable antitumor efficacy to CEA-targeted M5A-IL-2 ICK, while both fusion proteins induced immune memory when combined with SRT. Differences in the therapeutic mechanisms of both agents were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Williams
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Riggs Diabetes, Metabolism, and Research InstituteBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Riggs Diabetes, Metabolism, and Research InstituteBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Paul J. Yazaki
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Riggs Diabetes, Metabolism, and Research InstituteBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Patty Wong
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Riggs Diabetes, Metabolism, and Research InstituteBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Teresa Hong
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Riggs Diabetes, Metabolism, and Research InstituteBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Erasmus K. Poku
- RadiopharmacyCity of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
- Beckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Susanta Hui
- Department of Radiation OncologyCity of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
- City of Hope Medical CenterDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Hemendra Ghimire
- Department of Radiation OncologyCity of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
- City of Hope Medical CenterDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - John E. Shively
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Riggs Diabetes, Metabolism, and Research InstituteBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Maciej Kujawski
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Riggs Diabetes, Metabolism, and Research InstituteBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
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Galbiati A, Dorten P, Gilardoni E, Gierse F, Bocci M, Zana A, Mock J, Claesener M, Cufe J, Büther F, Schäfers K, Hermann S, Schäfers M, Neri D, Cazzamalli S, Backhaus P. Tumor-Targeted Interleukin 2 Boosts the Anticancer Activity of FAP-Directed Radioligand Therapeutics. J Nucl Med 2023; 64:1934-1940. [PMID: 37734838 PMCID: PMC10690118 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.266007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We studied the antitumor efficacy of a combination of 177Lu-labeled radioligand therapeutics targeting the fibroblast activation protein (FAP) (OncoFAP and BiOncoFAP) with the antibody-cytokine fusion protein L19-interleukin 2 (L19-IL2) providing targeted delivery of interleukin 2 to tumors. Methods: The biodistribution of 177Lu-OncoFAP and 177Lu-BiOncoFAP at different molar amounts (3 vs. 250 nmol/kg) of injected ligand was studied via SPECT/CT in mice bearing subcutaneous HT-1080.hFAP tumors, and self-absorbed tumor and organ doses were calculated. The in vivo anticancer effect of 5 MBq of the radiolabeled preparations was evaluated as monotherapy or in combination with L19-IL2 in subcutaneously implanted HT-1080.hFAP and SK-RC-52.hFAP tumors. Tumor samples from animals treated with 177Lu-BiOncoFAP, L19-IL2, or both were analyzed by mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify therapeutic signatures on cellular and stromal markers of cancer and on immunomodulatory targets. Results: 177Lu-BiOncoFAP led to a significantly higher self-absorbed dose in FAP-positive tumors (0.293 ± 0.123 Gy/MBq) than did 177Lu-OncoFAP (0.157 ± 0.047 Gy/MBq, P = 0.01) and demonstrated favorable tumor-to-organ ratios at high molar amounts of injected ligand. Administration of L19-IL2 or 177Lu-BiOncoFAP as single agents led to cancer cures in only a limited number of treated animals. In 177Lu-BiOncoFAP-plus-L19-IL2 combination therapy, complete remissions were observed in all injected mice (7/7 complete remissions for the HT-1080.hFAP model, and 4/4 complete remissions for the SK-RC-52.hFAP model), suggesting therapeutic synergy. Proteomic studies revealed a mechanism of action based on the activation of natural killer cells, with a significant enhancement of the expression of granzymes and perforin 1 in the tumor microenvironment after combination treatment. Conclusion: The combination of OncoFAP-based radioligand therapeutics with concurrent targeting of interleukin 2 shows synergistic anticancer effects in the treatment of FAP-positive tumors. This experimental finding should be corroborated by future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Galbiati
- Research and Development Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Paulina Dorten
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ettore Gilardoni
- Research and Development Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Florian Gierse
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Matilde Bocci
- Research and Development Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Aureliano Zana
- Research and Development Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Mock
- Research and Development Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Michael Claesener
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Juela Cufe
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Florian Büther
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Klaus Schäfers
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sven Hermann
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Schäfers
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
- West German Cancer Centre, Münster, Germany
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland; and
- Philogen S.p.A., Siena, Italy
| | - Samuele Cazzamalli
- Research and Development Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Switzerland;
| | - Philipp Backhaus
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany;
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
- West German Cancer Centre, Münster, Germany
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3
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Di Trani CA, Cirella A, Arrizabalaga L, Alvarez M, Bella Á, Fernandez-Sendin M, Russo-Cabrera JS, Gomar C, Ardaiz N, Teijeira A, Bolaños E, González-Gomariz J, Otano I, Aranda F, Palencia B, Segués A, Huang S, van Duijnhoven SM, van Elsas A, Melero I, Berraondo P. Intratumoral injection of IL-12-encoding mRNA targeted to CSFR1 and PD-L1 exerts potent anti-tumor effects without substantial systemic exposure. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 33:599-616. [PMID: 37637207 PMCID: PMC10450355 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
IL-12 is a potent cytokine for cancer immunotherapy. However, its systemic delivery as a recombinant protein has shown unacceptable toxicity in the clinic. Currently, the intratumoral injection of IL-12-encoding mRNA or DNA to avoid such side effects is being evaluated in clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to improve this strategy by further favoring IL-12 tethering to the tumor. We generated in vitro transcribed mRNAs encoding murine single-chain IL-12 fused to diabodies binding to CSF1R and/or PD-L1. These targeted molecules are expressed in the tumor microenvironment, especially on myeloid cells. The binding capacity of chimeric constructs and the bioactivity of IL-12 were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Doses as low as 0.5 μg IL-12-encoding mRNA achieved potent antitumor effects in subcutaneously injected B16-OVA and MC38 tumors. Treatment delivery was associated with increases in IL-12p70 and IFN-γ levels in circulation. Fusion of IL-12 to the diabodies exerted comparable efficacy against bilateral tumor models. However, it achieved tethering to myeloid cells infiltrating the tumor, resulting in nearly undetectable systemic levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ. Overall, tethering IL-12 to intratumoral myeloid cells in the mRNA-transferred tumors achieves similar efficacy while reducing the dangerous systemic bioavailability of IL-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Augusta Di Trani
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Assunta Cirella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Leire Arrizabalaga
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángela Bella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Myriam Fernandez-Sendin
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Joan Salvador Russo-Cabrera
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Celia Gomar
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nuria Ardaiz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elixabet Bolaños
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - José González-Gomariz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Itziar Otano
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Belén Palencia
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aina Segués
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL Edinburgh, UK
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shuyu Huang
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL Edinburgh, UK
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
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4
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Tsioumpekou M, Krijgsman D, Leusen JHW, Olofsen PA. The Role of Cytokines in Neutrophil Development, Tissue Homing, Function and Plasticity in Health and Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1981. [PMID: 37566060 PMCID: PMC10417597 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are crucial innate immune cells and comprise 50-70% of the white blood cell population under homeostatic conditions. Upon infection and in cancer, blood neutrophil numbers significantly increase because of the secretion of various chemo- and cytokines by, e.g., leukocytes, pericytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells present in the inflamed tissue or in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The function of neutrophils in cancer has recently gained considerable attention, as they can exert both pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions, dependent on the cytokine milieu present in the TME. Here, we review the effect of cytokines on neutrophil development, tissue homing, function and plasticity in cancer and autoimmune diseases as well as under physiological conditions in the bone marrow, bloodstream and various organs like the spleen, kidney, liver, lung and lymph nodes. In addition, we address several promising therapeutic options, such as cytokine therapy, immunocytokines and immunotherapy, which aim to exploit the anti-tumorigenic potential of neutrophils in cancer treatment or block excessive neutrophil-mediated inflammation in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsioumpekou
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (D.K.); (J.H.W.L.)
| | - Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (D.K.); (J.H.W.L.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanette H. W. Leusen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (D.K.); (J.H.W.L.)
| | - Patricia A. Olofsen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.T.); (D.K.); (J.H.W.L.)
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5
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Rybchenko VS, Aliev TK, Panina AA, Kirpichnikov MP, Dolgikh DA. Targeted Cytokine Delivery for Cancer Treatment: Engineering and Biological Effects. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020336. [PMID: 36839658 PMCID: PMC9960319 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-tumor properties of several cytokines have already been investigated in multiple experiments and clinical trials. However, those studies evidenced substantial toxicities, even at low cytokine doses, and the lack of tumor specificity. These factors significantly limit clinical applications. Due to their high specificity and affinity, tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies or their antigen-binding fragments are capable of delivering fused cytokines to tumors and, therefore, of decreasing the number and severity of side effects, as well as of enhancing the therapeutic index. The present review surveys the actual antibody-cytokine fusion protein (immunocytokine) formats, their targets, mechanisms of action, and anti-tumor and other biological effects. Special attention is paid to the formats designed to prevent the off-target cytokine-receptor interactions, potentially inducing side effects. Here, we describe preclinical and clinical data and the efficacy of the antibody-mediated cytokine delivery approach, either as a single therapy or in combination with other agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav S Rybchenko
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Teimur K Aliev
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Panina
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail P Kirpichnikov
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Dolgikh
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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6
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Zheng X, Wu Y, Bi J, Huang Y, Cheng Y, Li Y, Wu Y, Cao G, Tian Z. The use of supercytokines, immunocytokines, engager cytokines, and other synthetic cytokines in immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:192-209. [PMID: 35043005 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00786-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines exert powerful immunomodulatory effects that are critical to physiology and pathology in humans. The application of natural cytokines in clinical studies has not been clearly established, and there are often problems associated with toxicity or lack of efficacy. The key reasons can be attributed to the pleiotropy of cytokine receptors and undesired activation of off-target cells. With a deeper understanding of the structural principles and functional signals of cytokine-receptor interactions, artificial modification of cytokine signaling through protein engineering and synthetic immunology has become an increasingly feasible and powerful approach. Engineered cytokines are designed to selectively target cells. Herein, the theoretical and experimental evidence of cytokine engineering is reviewed, and the "supercytokines" resulting from structural enhancement and the "immunocytokines" generated by antibody fusion are described. Finally, the "engager cytokines" formed by the crosslinking of cytokines and bispecific immune engagers and other synthetic cytokines formed by nonnatural analogs are also discussed.
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7
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Dakhel S, Lizak C, Matasci M, Mock J, Villa A, Neri D, Cazzamalli S. An Attenuated Targeted-TNF Localizes to Tumors In Vivo and Regains Activity at the Site of Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10020. [PMID: 34576184 PMCID: PMC8469155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (immunocytokines) are gaining importance for cancer therapy, but those products are often limited by systemic toxicity related to the activity of the cytokine payload in circulation and in secondary lymphoid organs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is used as a pro-inflammatory payload to trigger haemorrhagic necrosis and boost anti-cancer immunity at the tumor site. Here we describe a depotentiated version of TNF (carrying the single point mutation I97A), which displayed reduced binding affinity to its cognate receptor tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR-1) and lower biocidal activity. The fusion of the TNF(I97A) mutant to the L19 antibody promoted restoration of anti-tumor activity upon accumulation on the cognate antigen, the alternatively spliced EDB domain of fibronectin. In vivo administration of high doses (375 μg/Kg) of the fusion protein showed a potent anti-tumor effect without apparent toxicity compared with the wild type protein. L19-TNFI97A holds promise for the targeted delivery of TNF activity to neoplastic lesions, helping spare normal tissues.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/metabolism
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/metabolism
- Cricetulus
- Cytokines/genetics
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Female
- Fibronectins/genetics
- Fibronectins/metabolism
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Immunotherapy
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mutation
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/genetics
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Dakhel
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.L.); (M.M.); (J.M.); (A.V.); (D.N.)
| | - Christian Lizak
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.L.); (M.M.); (J.M.); (A.V.); (D.N.)
| | - Mattia Matasci
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.L.); (M.M.); (J.M.); (A.V.); (D.N.)
| | - Jacqueline Mock
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.L.); (M.M.); (J.M.); (A.V.); (D.N.)
| | - Alessandra Villa
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.L.); (M.M.); (J.M.); (A.V.); (D.N.)
| | - Dario Neri
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.L.); (M.M.); (J.M.); (A.V.); (D.N.)
- Philogen S.p.A., Piazza La Lizza, 7, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Samuele Cazzamalli
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (S.D.); (C.L.); (M.M.); (J.M.); (A.V.); (D.N.)
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8
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Gouyou B, Grün K, Kerschenmeyer A, Villa A, Matasci M, Schrepper A, Pfeil A, Bäz L, Jung C, Schulze PC, Neri D, Franz M. Therapeutic Evaluation of Antibody-Based Targeted Delivery of Interleukin 9 in Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073460. [PMID: 33801620 PMCID: PMC8037792 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a heterogeneous disorder associated with poor prognosis. For the majority of patients, only limited therapeutic options are available. Thus, there is great interest to develop novel treatment strategies focusing on pulmonary vascular and right ventricular remodeling. Interleukin 9 (IL9) is a pleiotropic cytokine with pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic activity of F8IL9F8 consisting of IL9 fused to the F8 antibody, specific to the alternatively-spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, which is abundantly expressed in pulmonary vasculature and right ventricular myocardium in PH. Methods: The efficacy of F8IL9F8 in attenuating PH progression in the monocrotaline mouse model was evaluated in comparison to an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) or an IL9 based immunocytokine with irrelevant antibody specificity (KSFIL9KSF). Treatment effects were assessed by right heart catheterization, echocardiography as well as histological and immunohistochemical tissue analyses. Results: Compared to controls, systolic right ventricular pressure (RVPsys) was significantly elevated and a variety of right ventricular echocardiographic parameters were significantly impaired in all MCT-induced PH groups except for the F8IL9F8 group. Both, F8IL9F8 and ERA treatments lead to a significant reduction in RVPsys and an improvement of echocardiographic parameters when compared to the MCT group not observable for the KSFIL9KSF group. Only F8IL9F8 significantly reduced lung tissue damage and displayed a significant decrease of leukocyte and macrophage accumulation in the lungs and right ventricles. Conclusions: Our study provides first pre-clinical evidence for the use of F8IL9F8 as a new therapeutic agent for PH in terms of a disease-modifying concept addressing cardiovascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Gouyou
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (B.G.); (A.K.); (A.V.); (M.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Katja Grün
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Univerisity Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany; (K.G.); (L.B.); (P.C.S.)
| | - Anne Kerschenmeyer
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (B.G.); (A.K.); (A.V.); (M.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Alessandra Villa
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (B.G.); (A.K.); (A.V.); (M.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Mattia Matasci
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (B.G.); (A.K.); (A.V.); (M.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Andrea Schrepper
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Univerisity Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Alexander Pfeil
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Univerisity Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Laura Bäz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Univerisity Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany; (K.G.); (L.B.); (P.C.S.)
| | - Christian Jung
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - P. Christian Schulze
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Univerisity Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany; (K.G.); (L.B.); (P.C.S.)
| | - Dario Neri
- Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland; (B.G.); (A.K.); (A.V.); (M.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Marcus Franz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Univerisity Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany; (K.G.); (L.B.); (P.C.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-3641-9324127
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9
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Gouyou B, Ongaro T, Cazzamalli S, De Luca R, Kerschenmeyer A, Valet P, Villa A, Neri D, Matasci M. Antibody-based delivery of interleukin-9 to neovascular structures: Therapeutic evaluation in cancer and arthritis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:940-951. [PMID: 33475433 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220981578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-9 is a cytokine with multiple functions, including the ability to activate group 2 innate lymphoid cells, which has been postulated to be therapeutically active in mouse models of arthritis. Similarly, interleukin-9 has been suggested to play an important role in tumor immunity. Here, we describe the cloning, expression, and characterization of three fusion proteins based on murine interleukin-9 and the F8 antibody, specific to the alternatively spliced EDA domain of fibronectin. EDA is strongly expressed in cancer and in various arthritic conditions, while being undetectable in the majority of healthy organs. Interleukin-9-based fusion proteins with an irrelevant antibody specific to hen egg lysozyme served as negative control in our study. The fusion proteins were characterized by quantitative biodistribution analysis in tumor-bearing mice using radioiodinated protein preparations. The highest tumor uptake and best tumor:organ ratios were observed for a format, in which the interleukin-9 moiety was flanked by two units of the F8 antibody in single-chain Fv format. Biological activity of interleukin-9 was retained when the payload was fused to antibodies. However, the targeted delivery of interleukin-9 to the disease site resulted in a modest anti-tumor activity in three different murine models of cancer (K1735M2, CT26, and F9), while no therapeutic benefit was observed in a collagen induced model of arthritis. Collectively, these results confirm the possibility to deliver interleukin-9 to the site of disease but cast doubts about the alleged therapeutic activity of this cytokine in cancer and arthritis, which has been postulated in previous publications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tiziano Ongaro
- Philochem AG, Libernstrasse 3, Otelfingen 8112, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Philippe Valet
- Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, INSERM U1048, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Cedex 4, Toulouse 31432, France
| | | | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Matasci
- Philochem AG, Libernstrasse 3, Otelfingen 8112, Switzerland
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10
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Mortensen MR, Mock J, Bertolini M, Stringhini M, Catalano M, Neri D. Targeting an engineered cytokine with interleukin-2 and interleukin-15 activity to the neovasculature of solid tumors. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3972-3983. [PMID: 33216834 PMCID: PMC7646832 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the antibody-based delivery of cytokines to the tumor environment as a means to boost the anti-cancer activity of tumor-resident T cells and NK cells. Here, we describe the expression and characterization of fusion proteins, featuring the L19 antibody (specific to the alternatively-spliced EDB domain of fibronectin) and an engineered cytokine with interleukin-2 and interleukin-15 properties. The cytokine moiety was fused either at the N-terminal or at the C-terminal extremity and both fusion proteins showed a selective tumor accumulation in a quantitative biodistribution experiment. The N-terminal fusion inhibited tumor growth in immunocompetent mice bearing F9 carcinomas or WEHI-164 sarcomas when used as single agent. The anticancer activity was compared to the one of the same cytokine payload used as recombinant protein or fused to an anti-hen egg lysozyme antibody, serving as negative control of irrelevant specificity in the mouse. These results indicate that the antibody-based delivery of engineered cytokines to the tumor neovasculature may mediate a potent anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Mortensen
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPW), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Mock
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPW), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Bertolini
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPW), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Stringhini
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPW), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Catalano
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPW), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPW), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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11
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Ongaro T, Gouyou B, Stringhini M, Corbellari R, Neri D, Villa A. A novel format for recombinant antibody-interleukin-2 fusion proteins exhibits superior tumor-targeting properties in vivo. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3698-711. [PMID: 33110477 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The targeted delivery of interleukin-2 to the tumor is gaining attention as an avenue to potentiate the action of T and NK cells at the site of disease. We have previously described the fusion of the L19 antibody, specific to the EDB domain of fibronectin, with human interleukin-2, using a non-covalent homodimeric diabody format. Here, we describe four novel formats for the L19-IL2 fusion, featuring different arrangements of antibody and IL2. A comparative quantitative biodistribution analysis in tumor-bearing mice using radioiodinated proteins revealed that the novel format (L19L19-IL2, with the antibody in single-chain diabody format) exhibited the best biodistribution results. In vitro assays on peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a decrease activation of regulatory T cells when single IL2 domain was used. In vivo, both L19-IL2 and L19L19-IL2 inhibited tumor growth in immunocompetent mouse models of cancer. T-cell analysis revealed similar levels of CD4+ and FoxP3+ cells, with an expansion of the CD8+ T cell in mice treated with L19-IL2 and L19L19-IL2. The percentage of CD4+ regulatory T cells was markedly decreased with L19L19-IL2 combined with a mouse-specific PD-1 blocker. Collectively, these data indicate that the new L19L19-IL2 format exhibits favorable tumor-homing properties and mediates a potent anti-cancer activity in vivo.
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12
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Bruins WSC, Zweegman S, Mutis T, van de Donk NWCJ. Targeted Therapy With Immunoconjugates for Multiple Myeloma. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1155. [PMID: 32636838 PMCID: PMC7316960 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of proteasome inhibitors (PI) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiD) has markedly increased the survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Also, the unconjugated monoclonal antibodies (mAb) daratumumab (anti-CD38) and elotuzumab (anti-SLAMF7) have revolutionized MM treatment given their clinical efficacy and safety, illustrating the potential of targeted immunotherapy as a powerful treatment strategy for MM. Nonetheless, most patients eventually develop PI-, IMiD-, and mAb-refractory disease because of the selection of resistant MM clones, which associates with a poor prognosis. Accordingly, these patients remain in urgent need of new therapies with novel mechanisms of action. In this respect, mAbs or mAb fragments can also be utilized as carriers of potent effector moieties to specifically target surface antigens on cells of interest. Such immunoconjugates have the potential to exert anti-MM activity in heavily pretreated patients due to their distinct and pleiotropic mechanisms of action. In addition, the fusion of highly cytotoxic compounds to mAbs decreases the off-target toxicity, thereby improving the therapeutic window. According to the effector moiety, immunoconjugates are classified into antibody-drug conjugates, immunotoxins, immunocytokines, or radioimmunoconjugates. This review will focus on the mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy of several promising immunoconjugates that are under investigation in preclinical and/or clinical MM studies. We will also include a discussion on combination therapy with immunoconjugates, resistance mechanisms, and future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wassilis S C Bruins
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sonja Zweegman
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tuna Mutis
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Niels W C J van de Donk
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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13
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Ziffels B, Pretto F, Neri D. Intratumoral administration of IL2- and TNF-based fusion proteins cures cancer without establishing protective immunity. Immunotherapy 2019; 10:177-188. [PMID: 29370721 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The combination of tumor-targeting IL2- and TNF-based antibody-cytokine fusions has exhibited encouraging results in mouse and men. Here, we studied their combination to assess efficacy and mechanism of action in four different immunocompetent mouse models of cancer. METHODS Mice receiving a single intratumoral injection of F8-IL2, F8-TNF or the combination were investigated for tumor-infiltrating leukocytes and rechallenged when cured. RESULTS In three models, a proportion of treated animals could be cured, most probably by infiltrating NK and CD8+ T cells. Most of the cured mice did not acquire protective immunity when rechallenged with the same tumor cell line. CONCLUSION Immunocompetent mouse tumor models may not be adequate enough to predict the search for more efficacious therapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ziffels
- Department of Chemistry & Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry & Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, (ETH Zürich), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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14
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Perez Horta Z, Saseedhar S, Rakhmilevich AL, Carmichael L, Hank JA, Boyden M, Gillies SD, Sondel PM. Human and murine IL2 receptors differentially respond to the human-IL2 component of immunocytokines. Oncoimmunology 2018; 8:e1238538. [PMID: 31069147 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1238538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The humanized immunocytokine, hu14.18-IL2 (ICp), leads to the immune cell-mediated destruction of GD2-expressing tumors in mouse models, resulting in potent antitumor effects with negligible IL2-related toxicity. In contrast, when ICp is used clinically, antitumor activity is accompanied by dose-limiting IL2-related toxicities. These species-specific differences in ICp toxicity may be linked to differential binding to mouse vs. human IL2 receptors (IL2Rs). We evaluated immunocytokines genetically engineered to preferentially bind either high-affinity αβγ-IL2Rs or intermediate-affinity βγ-IL2Rs. These ICs have the IL2 fused to the C-terminus of the IgG light chains rather than the heavy chains. We found that IC35, containing intact huIL2, maintained activation of human and mouse αβγ-IL2Rs but exhibited a 20-fold reduction in the ability to stimulate human βγ-IL2Rs, with no activation of mouse βγ-IL2Rs at the concentrations tested. The reduced ability of IC35 to stimulate human βγ-IL2Rs (associated with IL2-toxicities) makes it a potential candidate for clinical trials where higher clinical IC doses might enable better tumor targeting and increased antitumor effects with less toxicity. Contrastingly, ICSK (IC with an IL2 mutein that has enhanced binding to the IL2R β-chain) showed increased activation over ICp on mouse βγ-IL2Rs, with a dose-response curve similar to that seen with IC35 on human βγ-IL2Rs. Our data suggest that ICSK might be used in mouse models to simulate the anticipated effects of IC35 in clinical testing. Understanding the differences in species-dependent IL2R activation should facilitate the design of reagents and mouse models that better simulate the potential activity of IL2-based immunotherapy in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Swetha Saseedhar
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Lakeesha Carmichael
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jacquelyn A Hank
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Margaret Boyden
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Paul M Sondel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
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15
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Ha JH, Kim JE, Kim YS. Corrigendum: Immunoglobulin Fc Heterodimer Platform Technology: From Design to Applications in Therapeutic Antibodies and Proteins. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1582. [PMID: 29151837 PMCID: PMC5694218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article on p. 394 in vol. 7, PMID: 27766096.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hee Ha
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Yong-Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea.,Department of Applied Chemistry and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
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16
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De Luca R, Soltermann A, Pretto F, Pemberton-Ross C, Pellegrini G, Wulhfard S, Neri D. Potency-matched Dual Cytokine-Antibody Fusion Proteins for Cancer Therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:2442-2451. [PMID: 28716814 PMCID: PMC5844457 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A novel biopharmaceutical, consisting of the F8 mAb (specific to a splice isoform of fibronectin) simultaneously fused to both TNF and IL2, was found to react with the majority of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies in mouse and man, but not with healthy adult tissues. The product selectively localized to neoplastic lesions in vivo, as evidenced by quantitative biodistribution studies using radioiodinated protein preparations. When the potency of the cytokine payloads was matched by a single-point mutation, the resulting fusion protein (IL2-F8-TNFmut) eradicated soft-tissue sarcomas in immunocompetent mice, which did not respond to individual antibody-cytokine fusion proteins or by standard doxorubicin treatment. Durable complete responses were also observed in mice bearing CT26, C1498, and F9 tumors. The simultaneous delivery of multiple proinflammatory payloads to the cancer site conferred protective immunity against subsequent tumor challenges. A fully human homolog of IL2-F8-TNFmut, which retained selectivity similar to its murine counterpart when tested on human material, may open new clinical applications for the immunotherapy of cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(11); 2442-51. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto De Luca
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alex Soltermann
- Institut für Klinische Pathologie, Universitätspital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Giovanni Pellegrini
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland.
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17
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Grinberg Y, Benhar I. Addressing the Immunogenicity of the Cargo and of the Targeting Antibodies with a Focus on Demmunized Bacterial Toxins and on Antibody-Targeted Human Effector Proteins. Biomedicines 2017; 5:E28. [PMID: 28574434 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5020028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Third-generation immunotoxins are composed of a human, or humanized, targeting moiety, usually a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment, and a non-human effector molecule. Due to the non-human origin of the cytotoxic domain, these molecules stimulate potent anti-drug immune responses, which limit treatment options. Efforts are made to deimmunize such immunotoxins or to combine treatment with immunosuppression. An alternative approach is using the so-called “human cytotoxic fusion proteins”, in which antibodies are used to target human effector proteins. Here, we present three relevant approaches for reducing the immunogenicity of antibody-targeted protein therapeutics: (1) reducing the immunogenicity of the bacterial toxin, (2) fusing human cytokines to antibodies to generate immunocytokines and (3) addressing the immunogenicity of the targeting antibodies.
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18
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Ha JH, Kim JE, Kim YS. Immunoglobulin Fc Heterodimer Platform Technology: From Design to Applications in Therapeutic Antibodies and Proteins. Front Immunol 2016; 7:394. [PMID: 27766096 PMCID: PMC5052280 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [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: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The monospecific and bivalent characteristics of naturally occurring immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies depend on homodimerization of the fragment crystallizable (Fc) regions of two identical heavy chains (HCs) and the subsequent assembly of two identical light chains (LCs) via disulfide linkages between each HC and LC. Immunoglobulin Fc heterodimers have been engineered through modifications to the CH3 domain interface, with different mutations on each domain such that the engineered Fc fragments, carrying the CH3 variant pair, preferentially form heterodimers rather than homodimers. Many research groups have adopted different strategies to generate Fc heterodimers, with the goal of high heterodimerization yield, while retaining biophysical and biological properties of the wild-type Fc. Based on their ability to enforce heterodimerization between the two different HCs, the established Fc heterodimers have been extensively exploited as a scaffold to generate bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) in full-length IgG and IgG-like formats. These have many of the favorable properties of natural IgG antibodies, such as high stability, long serum half-life, low immunogenicity, and immune effector functions. As of July 2016, more than seven heterodimeric Fc-based IgG-format bsAbs are being evaluated in clinical trials. In addition to bsAbs, heterodimeric Fc technology is very promising for the generation of Fc-fused proteins and peptides, as well as cytokines (immunocytokines), which can present the fusion partners in the natural monomeric or heterodimeric form rather than the artificial homodimeric form with wild-type Fc. Here, we present relevant concepts and strategies for the generation of heterodimeric Fc proteins, and their application in the development of bsAbs in diverse formats for optimal biological activity. In addition, we describe wild-type Fc-fused monomeric and heterodimeric proteins, along with the difficulties associated with their preparations, and discuss the use of heterodimeric Fc as an alternative scaffold of wild-type Fc for naturally monomeric or heterodimeric proteins, to create Fc-fusion proteins with novel therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hee Ha
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Yong-Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea; Department of Applied Chemistry and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
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19
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Bootz F, Venetz D, Ziffels B, Neri D. Different tissue distribution properties for glycosylation variants of fusion proteins containing the p40 subunit of murine interleukin-12. Protein Eng Des Sel 2016; 29:445-455. [PMID: 27515704 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-based fusion proteins are gaining increasing importance for therapeutic applications, but the impact of glycosylation on in vivo biopharmaceutical performance is not always completely understood. In this article, we have analyzed biochemical and pharmaceutical properties of fusion proteins, consisting of the F8 antibody (specific to the EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of tissue remodeling and of angiogenesis) and of the p40 subunit of interleukin-12, an inhibitor of inflammation. The corresponding fusion protein (F8-IL12p40), which inhibits colitis development in mice, is a glycosylated protein with suboptimal disease targeting properties in vivo Since the protein was extensively glycosylated, as evidenced by PNGase F treatment and mass spectrometric analysis, we mutated four asparagine residues in various combinations. The corresponding proteins exhibited similar biochemical and antigen-binding properties, but differences in thermal stability and bioactivity. Asparagine mutations did not lead to recovery of disease targeting performance in vivo, as evidenced by quantitative biodistribution studies with radioiodinated protein preparations in tumor-bearing mice. By contrast, an almost complete recovery of targeting was achieved with an enzymatically deglycosylated protein preparation. These findings reinforce the concept that different glycostructures can have an impact on tissue distribution properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bootz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
| | - D Venetz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
| | - B Ziffels
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
| | - D Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Vladimir Prelog Weg 1-5/10, CH-8093 Zürich (Switzerland)
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20
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Kiefer JD, Neri D. Immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies: two complementary strategies for the selective activation of immune cells at the tumor site. Immunol Rev 2016; 270:178-92. [PMID: 26864112 PMCID: PMC5154379 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The activation of the immune system for a selective removal of tumor cells represents an attractive strategy for the treatment of metastatic malignancies, which cannot be cured by existing methodologies. In this review, we examine the design and therapeutic potential of immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies, two classes of bifunctional products which can selectively activate the immune system at the tumor site. Certain protein engineering aspects, such as the choice of the antibody format, are common to both classes of therapeutic agents and can have a profound impact on tumor homing performance in vivo of individual products. However, immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies display different mechanisms of action. Future research activities will reveal whether an additive of even synergistic benefit can be obtained from the judicious combination of these two types of biopharmaceutical agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Kiefer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
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21
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Catania C, Maur M, Berardi R, Rocca A, Giacomo AMD, Spitaleri G, Masini C, Pierantoni C, González-Iglesias R, Zigon G, Tasciotti A, Giovannoni L, Lovato V, Elia G, Menssen HD, Neri D, Cascinu S, Conte PF, Braud FD. The tumor-targeting immunocytokine F16-IL2 in combination with doxorubicin: dose escalation in patients with advanced solid tumors and expansion into patients with metastatic breast cancer. Cell Adh Migr 2015; 9:14-21. [PMID: 25562532 DOI: 10.4161/19336918.2014.983785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A phase Ib/II trial was performed to evaluate safety, tolerability, recommended dose (RD) and efficacy of F16-IL2, a recombinant antibody-cytokine fusion protein, in combination with doxorubicin in patients with solid tumors (phase Ib) and metastatic breast cancer (phase II). Six patient cohorts with progressive solid tumors (n = 19) received escalating doses of F16-IL2 [5-25 Million International Units (MIU) of IL2 equivalent dose] in combination with escalating doses of doxorubicin (0-25 mg/m(2)) on day 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks. Subsequently, patients with metastatic breast cancer (n = 10) received the drug combination at the RD. Clinical data and laboratory findings were analyzed for safety, tolerability, and activity. F16-IL2 could be administered up to 25 MIU, in combination with the RD of doxorubicin (25 mg/m(2)). No human anti-fusion protein antibodies (HAFA) response was detected. Pharmacokinetics of F16-IL2 was dose-dependent over the tested range, with half-lives of ca. 13 and ca. 8 hours for cohorts dosed at lower and higher levels, respectively. Toxicities were controllable and reversible, with no combination treatment-related death. After 8 weeks, 57% and 67% disease control rates were observed for Phase I and II, respectively (decreasing to 43% and 33% after 12 weeks), considering 14 and 9 patients evaluable for efficacy. One patient experienced a long lasting partial response (45 weeks), still on-going at exit of study. F16-IL2 can be safely and repeatedly administered at the RD of 25 MIU in combination with 25 mg/m(2) doxorubicin; its safety and activity are currently being investigated in combination with other chemotherapeutics, in order to establish optimal therapy settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Catania
- a Clinical Pharmacology and New Drugs Development Unit; European Institute of Oncology; Milan , Italy
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Danielli R, Patuzzo R, Di Giacomo AM, Gallino G, Maurichi A, Di Florio A, Cutaia O, Lazzeri A, Fazio C, Miracco C, Giovannoni L, Elia G, Neri D, Maio M, Santinami M. Intralesional administration of L19-IL2/L19-TNF in stage III or stage IVM1a melanoma patients: results of a phase II study. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:999-1009. [PMID: 25971540 PMCID: PMC11028725 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1704-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The intratumoral injection of cytokines, in particular IL2, has shown promise for cutaneous melanoma patients with unresectable disease or continuous recurrence despite surgery. We recently reported that the intralesional injection of L19-IL2, an immunocytokine combining IL2 and the human monoclonal antibody fragment L19, resulted in efficient regional control of disease progression, increased time to distant metastasis and evidence of effect on circulating immune cell populations. We have also shown in preclinical models of cancer a remarkable synergistic effect of the combination of L19-IL2 with L19-TNF, a second clinical-stage immunocytokine, based on the same L19 antibody fused to TNF. Here, we describe the results of a phase II clinical trial based on the intralesional administration of L19-IL2 and L19-TNF in patients with stage IIIC and IVM1a metastatic melanoma, who were not candidate to surgery. In 20 efficacy-evaluable patients, 32 melanoma lesions exhibited complete responses upon intralesional administration of the two products, with mild side effects mainly limited to injection site reactions. Importantly, we observed complete responses in 7/13 (53.8 %) non-injected lesions (4 cutaneous, 3 lymph nodes), indicating a systemic activity of the intralesional immunostimulatory treatment. The intralesional administration of L19-IL2 and L19-TNF represents a simple and effective method for the local control of inoperable melanoma lesions, with a potential to eradicate them or make them suitable for a facile surgical removal of the residual mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Danielli
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Roberto Patuzzo
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Department of Surgery, National Tumor Institute, Via G. Venezian, 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gallino
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Department of Surgery, National Tumor Institute, Via G. Venezian, 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Maurichi
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Department of Surgery, National Tumor Institute, Via G. Venezian, 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Annabella Di Florio
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Department of Surgery, National Tumor Institute, Via G. Venezian, 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ornella Cutaia
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Lazzeri
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Carolina Fazio
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Clelia Miracco
- Section of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Dario Neri
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michele Maio
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Mario Santinami
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Unit, Department of Surgery, National Tumor Institute, Via G. Venezian, 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Danielli R, Patuzzo R, Ruffini PA, Maurichi A, Giovannoni L, Elia G, Neri D, Santinami M. Armed antibodies for cancer treatment: a promising tool in a changing era. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:113-21. [PMID: 25314912 PMCID: PMC11028442 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1621-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the understanding of tumor immunology and molecular biology of melanoma cells have favored a larger application of immunotherapy and targeted therapies in the clinic. Several selective mutant gene inhibitors and immunomodulating antibodies have been reported to improve overall survival or progression-free survival in metastatic melanoma patients. However, despite impressive initial responses, patients treated with selective inhibitors relapse quickly, and toxicities associated to the use of immunomodulating antibodies are not easily manageable. In this sense, the concept of using antibodies as delivery vehicles for the preferential in vivo localization of the drug at the site of disease with reduction of side effects has raised particular interest. Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (termed immunocytokines) represent a new simple and effective way to deliver the immunomodulatory payload at the tumor site, with the aim of inducing both local and systemic antitumoral immune responses and limiting systemic toxicities. Several clinical trials have been conducted and are actually ongoing with different immunocytokines, in several tumor histotypes. In metastatic melanoma patients, different drug delivery modalities such as systemic, loco-regional and intratumoral are under investigation. In this review, the rationale for the use of L19-IL2 and L19-TNF, two clinical stage immunocytokines produced by the Philogen group, as well as opportunities for their future development will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Danielli
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Istituto Toscano Tumori, University Hospital of Siena, Strada delle Scotte, 53100, Siena, Italy,
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24
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Pretto F, Elia G, Castioni N, Neri D. Preclinical evaluation of IL2-based immunocytokines supports their use in combination with dacarbazine, paclitaxel and TNF-based immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:901-10. [PMID: 24893857 PMCID: PMC11029048 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1562-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins ("immunocytokines") represent a promising class of armed antibody products, which allow the selective delivery of potent pro-inflammatory payloads at the tumor site. The antibody-based selective delivery of interleukin-2 (IL2) is particularly attractive for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, an indication for which this cytokine received marketing approval from the US Food and drug administration. We used the K1735M2 immunocompetent syngeneic model of murine melanoma to study the therapeutic activity of F8-IL2, an immunocytokine based on the F8 antibody in diabody format, fused to human IL2. F8-IL2 was shown to selectively localize at the tumor site in vivo, following intravenous administration, and to mediate tumor growth retardation, which was potentiated by the combination with paclitaxel or dacarbazine. Combination treatment led to a substantially more effective tumor growth inhibition, compared to the cytotoxic drugs used as single agents, without additional toxicity. Analysis of the immune infiltrate revealed a significant accumulation of CD4(+) T cells 24 h after the administration of the combination. The fusion proteins F8-IL2 and L19-IL2, specific to the alternatively spliced extra domain A and extra domain B of fibronectin respectively, were also studied in combination with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-based immunocytokines. The combination treatment was superior to the action of the individual immunocytokines and was able to eradicate neoplastic lesions after a single intratumoral injection, a procedure that is being clinically used for the treatment of Stage IIIC melanoma. Collectively, these data reinforce the rationale for the use of IL2-based immunocytokines in combination with cytotoxic agents or TNF-based immunotherapy for the treatment of melanoma patients.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacokinetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Dacarbazine/administration & dosage
- Drug Synergism
- Female
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Interleukin-2/administration & dosage
- Interleukin-2/immunology
- Interleukin-2/pharmacokinetics
- Interleukin-2/pharmacology
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/metabolism
- Melanoma, Experimental/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Paclitaxel/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology
- Tissue Distribution
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuliano Elia
- Philochem AG, Libernstrasse 3, 8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Castioni
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, ETH Hoenggerberg, HCI G392.4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, ETH Hoenggerberg, HCI G392.4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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25
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Hemmerle T, Neri D. The antibody-based targeted delivery of interleukin-4 and 12 to the tumor neovasculature eradicates tumors in three mouse models of cancer. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:467-77. [PMID: 23818211 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical studies with recombinant murine interleukin 4 (IL4) in models of cancer have shown potent tumor growth inhibition. However, systemic administration of human IL4 to cancer patients exhibited modest antitumor activity and considerable toxicities. To improve the therapeutic index and reduce side effects of this cytokine, we developed of a novel "immunocytokine" based on sequential fusion of murine IL4 with the antibody fragment F8 (specific to the alternatively spliced extra-domain A of fibronectin, a marker for tumor-angiogenesis) in diabody format. The resulting fusion protein, termed F8-IL4, retained full antigen-binding activity and cytokine bioactivity and was able to selectively localize on solid tumors in vivo. When used as single agent, F8-IL4 inhibited tumor growth in three different immunocompetent murine cancer models (F9 teratocarcinoma, CT26 colon carcinoma and A20 lymphoma). Furthermore, F8-IL4 showed synergistic effects when coadministered with immunocytokines based on IL2 and IL12. Indeed, combination therapy with an IL12-based immunocytokine yielded complete tumor eradication, in spite of the fact that IL4 and IL12 display opposite immunological mechanisms of action in terms of their polarization of T-cell based responses. No weight loss or any signs of toxicity were observed in treated mice, both in monotherapy and in combination, indicating a good tolerability of the immunocytokine treatment. Interestingly, mice cured from CT26 tumors acquired a durable protective antitumor immunity. Depletion experiments indicated that the antitumor activity was mediated by CD8+ T cells and by NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Hemmerle
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Advanced renal cancer is an incurable malignancy in need of novel therapeutic avenues. We have generated interferon γ (IFNγ)-based fusion antibodies (immunocytokines) that target CD70, a putative biomarker of renal cancer. These immunocytokines efficiently labeled renal cancer cells, and, when combined with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, killed them by activating a RIP1-dependent necrotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peirong Chen
- Immune Cell Development and Host Defense Program; Fox Chase Cancer Center; Philadelphia, PA USA
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Abstract
The clinical efficacy of monoclonal antibodies as cancer therapeutics is largely dependent upon their ability to target the tumor and induce a functional antitumor immune response. This two-step process of ADCC utilizes the response of innate immune cells to provide antitumor cytotoxicity triggered by the interaction of the Fc portion of the antibody with the Fc receptor on the immune cell. Immunotherapeutics that target NK cells, γδ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells can, by augmenting the function of the immune response, enhance the antitumor activity of the antibodies. Advantages of such combination strategies include: the application to multiple existing antibodies (even across multiple diseases), the feasibility (from a regulatory perspective) of combining with previously approved agents and the assurance (to physicians and trial participants) that one of the ingredients - the antitumor antibody - has proven efficacy on its own. Here we discuss current strategies, including biologic rationale and clinical results, which enhance ADCC in the following ways: strategies that increase total target-monoclonal antibody-effector binding, strategies that trigger effector cell 'activating' signals and strategies that block effector cell 'inhibitory' signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holbrook E Kohrt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Roch Houot
- CHU Rennes, Service Hématologie Clinique, F-35033 Rennes, France
- INSERM, U917, F-35043 Rennes, France
| | - Aurélien Marabelle
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hearn Jay Cho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Keren Osman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Goldstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ronald Levy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Brody
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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28
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Gubbels JAA, Gadbaw B, Buhtoiarov IN, Horibata S, Kapur AK, Patel D, Hank JA, Gillies SD, Sondel PM, Patankar MS, Connor J. Ab-IL2 fusion proteins mediate NK cell immune synapse formation by polarizing CD25 to the target cell-effector cell interface. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:1789-800. [PMID: 21792658 PMCID: PMC4153733 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-011-1072-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The huKS-IL2 immunocytokine (IC) consists of IL2 fused to a mAb against EpCAM, while the hu14.18-IL2 IC recognizes the GD2 disialoganglioside. They are under evaluation for treatment of EpCAM(+) (ovarian) and GD2(+) (neuroblastoma and melanoma) malignancies because of their proven ability to enhance tumor cell killing by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and by antitumor cytotoxic T cells. Here, we demonstrate that huKS-IL2 and hu14.18-IL2 bind to tumor cells via their antibody components and increase adhesion and activating immune synapse (AIS) formation with NK cells by engaging the immune cells' IL-2 receptors (IL2R). The NK leukemia cell line, NKL (which expresses high affinity IL2Rs), shows fivefold increase in binding to tumor targets when treated with IC compared to matching controls. This increase in binding is effectively inhibited by blocking antibodies against CD25, the α-chain of the IL2R. NK cells isolated from the peritoneal environment of ovarian cancer patients, known to be impaired in mediating ADCC, bind to huKS-IL2 via CD25. The increased binding between tumor and effector cells via ICs is due to the formation of AIS that are characterized by the simultaneous polarization of LFA-1, CD2 and F-actin at the cellular interface. AIS formation of peritoneal NK and NKL cells is inhibited by anti-CD25 blocking antibody and is 50-200% higher with IC versus the parent antibody. These findings demonstrate that the IL-2 component of the IC allows IL2Rs to function not only as receptors for this cytokine but also as facilitators of peritoneal NK cell binding to IC-coated tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. A. Gubbels
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
- Present Address: Department of Biology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD 57197 USA
| | - Brian Gadbaw
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
| | - Ilia N. Buhtoiarov
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
| | - Sachi Horibata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
| | - Arvinder K. Kapur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
| | - Dhara Patel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
| | - Jacquelyn A. Hank
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
| | | | - Paul M. Sondel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
- 4159 Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705 USA
| | - Manish S. Patankar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
- H4/657 CSC, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-6188 USA
| | - Joseph Connor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711 USA
- Clinical Science Center-H4/650, 600 Highland Ave, Box 6188, Madison, WI 53792 USA
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29
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Fuenmayor J, Montaño RF. Novel antibody-based proteins for cancer immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:3370-93. [PMID: 24212958 PMCID: PMC3759200 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3033370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative success of monoclonal antibodies in cancer immunotherapy and the vast manipulation potential of recombinant antibody technology have encouraged the development of novel antibody-based antitumor proteins. Many insightful reagents have been produced, mainly guided by studies on the mechanisms of action associated with complete and durable remissions, results from experimental animal models, and our current knowledge of the human immune system. Strikingly, only a small percent of these new reagents has demonstrated clinical value. Tumor burden, immune evasion, physiological resemblance, and cell plasticity are among the challenges that cancer therapy faces, and a number of antibody-based proteins are already available to deal with many of them. Some of these novel reagents have been shown to specifically increase apoptosis/cell death of tumor cells, recruit and activate immune effectors, and reveal synergistic effects not previously envisioned. In this review, we look into different approaches that have been followed during the past few years to produce these biologics and analyze their relative success, mainly in terms of their clinical performance. The use of antibody-based antitumor proteins, in combination with standard or novel therapies, is showing significant improvements in objective responses, suggesting that these reagents will become important components of the antineoplastic protocols of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaheli Fuenmayor
- Laboratorio de Patología Celular y Molecular, Centro de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas. Caracas, 1020-A, Venezuela.
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