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Bauss F, Lechmann M, Krippendorff BF, Staack R, Herting F, Festag M, Imhof-Jung S, Hesse F, Pompiati M, Kollmorgen G, da Silva Mateus Seidl R, Bossenmaier B, Lau W, Schantz C, Stracke JO, Brinkmann U, Onda M, Pastan I, Bosslet K, Niederfellner G. Characterization of a re-engineered, mesothelin-targeted Pseudomonas exotoxin fusion protein for lung cancer therapy. Mol Oncol 2016; 10:1317-29. [PMID: 27507537 PMCID: PMC5423209 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesothelin overexpression in lung adenocarcinomas correlates with the presence of activating KRAS mutations and poor prognosis. Hence SS1P, a mesothelin-targeted immunotoxin, could offer valuable treatment options for these patients, but its use in solid tumor therapy is hampered by high immunogenicity and non-specific toxicity. To overcome both obstacles we developed RG7787, a de-immunized cytotoxic fusion protein comprising a humanized SS1 Fab fragment and a truncated, B-cell epitope silenced, 24 kD fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE24). Reactivity of RG7787 with sera from immunotoxin-treated patients was >1000 fold reduced. In vitro RG7787 inhibited cell viability of lung cancer cell lines with picomolar potency. The pharmacokinetic properties of RG7787 in rodents were comparable to SS1P, yet it was tolerated up to 10 fold better without causing severe vascular leak syndrome or hepatotoxicity. A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model developed based on NCI-H596 xenograft studies showed that for RG7787 and SS1P, their in vitro and in vivo potencies closely correlate. At optimal doses of 2-3 mg/kg RG7787 is more efficacious than SS1P. Even large, well established tumors (600 mm(3)) underwent remission during three treatment cycles with RG7787. Also in two patient-derived lung cancer xenograft models, Lu7336 and Lu7187, RG7787 showed anti-tumor efficacy. In monotherapy two treatment cycles were moderately efficacious in the Lu7336 model but showed good anti-tumor activity in the KRAS mutant Lu7187 model (26% and 80% tumor growth inhibition, respectively). Combination of RG7787 with standard chemotherapies further enhanced efficacy in both models achieving near complete eradication of Lu7187 tumors.
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Brünker P, Wartha K, Friess T, Grau-Richards S, Waldhauer I, Koller CF, Weiser B, Majety M, Runza V, Niu H, Packman K, Feng N, Daouti S, Hosse RJ, Mössner E, Weber TG, Herting F, Scheuer W, Sade H, Shao C, Liu B, Wang P, Xu G, Vega-Harring S, Klein C, Bosslet K, Umaña P. RG7386, a Novel Tetravalent FAP-DR5 Antibody, Effectively Triggers FAP-Dependent, Avidity-Driven DR5 Hyperclustering and Tumor Cell Apoptosis. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:946-57. [PMID: 27037412 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated cellular apoptosis and resistance to cell death are hallmarks of neoplastic initiation and disease progression. Therefore, the development of agents that overcome apoptosis dysregulation in tumor cells is an attractive therapeutic approach. Activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway is strongly dependent on death receptor (DR) hyperclustering on the cell surface. However, strategies to activate DR5 or DR4 through agonistic antibodies have had only limited clinical success. To pursue an alternative approach for tumor-targeted induction of apoptosis, we engineered a bispecific antibody (BsAb), which simultaneously targets fibroblast-activation protein (FAP) on cancer-associated fibroblasts in tumor stroma and DR5 on tumor cells. We hypothesized that bivalent binding to both FAP and DR5 leads to avidity-driven hyperclustering of DR5 and subsequently strong induction of apoptosis in tumor cells but not in normal cells. Here, we show that RG7386, an optimized FAP-DR5 BsAb, triggers potent tumor cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in preclinical tumor models with FAP-positive stroma. RG7386 antitumor efficacy was strictly FAP dependent, was independent of FcR cross-linking, and was superior to conventional DR5 antibodies. In combination with irinotecan or doxorubicin, FAP-DR5 treatment resulted in substantial tumor regression in patient-derived xenograft models. FAP-DR5 also demonstrated single-agent activity against FAP-expressing malignant cells, due to cross-binding of FAP and DR5 across tumor cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that RG7386, a novel and potent antitumor agent in both mono- and combination therapies, overcomes limitations of previous DR5 antibodies and represents a promising approach to conquer tumor-associated resistance to apoptosis. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(5); 946-57. ©2016 AACR.
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Niederfellner G, Bauss F, Imhof-Jung S, Hesse F, Kronenberg S, Staak R, Lechmann M, Krippendorff B, Richter W, Mateus R, Kollmorgen G, Brinkmann U, Onda M, Pastan I, Bosslet K. Abstract 4510: RG7787 - a novel de-immunized PE based fusion protein for therapy of mesothelin-positive solid tumors. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-4510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Attaching toxic payloads to antibodies has recently been established as a breakthrough in cancer therapy. Most of the currently developed antibody drug conjugate programs represent targeted chemotherapy with microtubule polymerization inhibiting drugs and hence share resistance mechanisms and side effects with classical chemotherapeutics like Taxol. Inhibition of protein synthesis by Pseudomonas Exotoxin (PE) is a more powerful mode of action that interferes with all hallmarks of cancer cells, not just with proliferation. However, its clinical use has been limited by immunogenicity as shown for SS1P, a mesothelin targeted immunotoxin. We have developed a novel de-immunized PE fusion protein (RG7787) for treatment of mesothelin-positive tumors.
In order to de-immunize PE, point mutations have been introduced into domain III and the entire domain II has been deleted reducing the size of the effector moiety to approximately 24 kD. PE24 fusions with a disulfide-stabilized Fv fragment have previously been shown to be much better tolerated in rodents, but this could, at least in part, also be attributed to a much reduced serum half-life and exposure. In order to also de-immunize the targeting moiety of RG7787 and restore PK parameters similar to those of SS1P, we substituted the mouse dsFv moiety by a humanized Fab fragment. We show that RG7787 has indeed similar PK properties to SS1P in mouse and cyno.
Cell viability assays show that RG7787 has similar cytotoxic potency as SS1P on different cell lines. In-vivo equipotency to SS1P in different xenograft models has been achieved at ∼3 fold higher doses indicating that tumor penetration of SS1P might be slightly better. However, RG7787 is up to tenfold better tolerated in rodents and cynomolgus monkeys, indicating that the therapeutic window is improved. RG7787 achieves potent tumor growth inhibition and even tumor regressions in several xenograft models. We also observed clearly synergistic efficacy with Taxol treatment in different tumor models making this a promising combination for clinical trials.
Citation Format: Gerhard Niederfellner, Frieder Bauss, Sabine Imhof-Jung, Friederike Hesse, Sven Kronenberg, Roland Staak, Martin Lechmann, Ben Krippendorff, Wolfgang Richter, Rita Mateus, Gwendlyn Kollmorgen, Ulli Brinkmann, Masanori Onda, Ira Pastan, Klaus Bosslet. RG7787 - a novel de-immunized PE based fusion protein for therapy of mesothelin-positive solid tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4510. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4510
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Alewine C, Xiang L, Yamori T, Niederfellner G, Bosslet K, Pastan I. Efficacy of RG7787, a next-generation mesothelin-targeted immunotoxin, against triple-negative breast and gastric cancers. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:2653-61. [PMID: 25239937 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The RG7787 mesothelin-targeted recombinant immunotoxin (RIT) consists of an antibody fragment targeting mesothelin (MSLN) fused to a 24-kD fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A for cell killing. Compared with prior RITs, RG7787 has improved properties for clinical development including decreased nonspecific toxicity and immunogenicity and resistance to degradation by lysosomal proteases. MSLN is a cell surface glycoprotein highly expressed by many solid tumor malignancies. New reports have demonstrated that MSLN is expressed by a significant percentage of triple-negative breast and gastric cancer clinical specimens. Here, panels of triple-negative breast and gastric cancer cell lines were tested for surface MSLN expression, and for sensitivity to RG7787 in vitro and in animal models. RG7787 produced >95% cell killing of the HCC70 and SUM149 breast cancer cell lines in vitro with IC50 < 100 pmol/L. RG7787 was also effective against gastric cancer cell lines MKN28, MKN45, and MKN74 in vitro, with subnanomolar IC50s. In a nude mouse model, RG7787 treatment (2.5 mg/kg i.v. qod ×3-4) resulted in a statistically significant 41% decrease in volumes of HCC70 xenograft tumors (P < 0.0001) and an 18% decrease in MKN28 tumors (P < 0.0001). Pretreatment with paclitaxel (50 mg/kg i.p.) enhanced efficacy, producing 88% and 70% reduction in tumor volumes for HCC70 and MKN28, respectively, a statistically significant improvement over paclitaxel alone (P < 0.0001 for both). RG7787 merits clinical testing for triple-negative breast and gastric cancers.
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Schmittnaegel M, Hoffmann E, Mundigl O, Niederfellner G, Bosslet K, Umana P, Levitsky V, Klein C, Knoetgen H. Abstract B69: Novel MHC class I antibody fusions for cancer treatment. Cancer Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.tumimm2012-b69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I-restricted CD8 cytotoxic T cells recognize tumor cells or virus infected cells as foreign and consequently initiate a cascade of events resulting in their destruction. An immunotherapeutic strategy based on antibody-mediated targeting of virus-derived peptide-MHC class I complexes to tumor cells aiming at the subsequent elimination of these tumor cells by peptide-specific cytotoxic T cells has been proposed a few years ago. A crucial limitation hampering advances of this therapeutic concept was the recombinant expression of MHC class I fused full IgG immunoglobulins.
We have identified novel recombinant fusion formats that allow the expression of full-length peptide-MHC class I IgG fusion molecules. These formats contain a single recombinant human pMHC class I complex consisting of a viral peptide (CMV or EBV derived), beta-2-microglobulin and HLA heavy chain (A*0201, lacking the transmembrane domain) fused to one of the two immunoglobulin heavy chains of a complete antibody molecule. These fusions can be expressed at high levels in standard mammalian expression systems overcoming several former technical hurdles (e.g. prokaryotic expression, low refolding yield, chemical coupling of components). By flow cytometry we show that the new fusion proteins successfully deliver virus-peptide complexed MHC class I molecules to tumor cells. The fusion proteins are potent CD8 T cell recruiters for human donor derived specific T cells or human PBMCs from chronically infected donors. A low frequency of virus peptide specific CD8 T cells in PBMCs (0.25 to 3.8 % of all CD8 positive T cells) effectively triggers in a peptide specific manner the killing of tumor cells at sub-nanomolar concentrations (cytotoxic T cell assay using real time analysis with xCelligence confirmed by classical LDH release). No unspecific activation of T cells was observed even at high concentrations, indicating a favorable safety profile. Confocal time-lapse microscopy showed T cell synapse formation on the tumor cells and serial killing by the T cells. We experimentally compare the killing of tumor cells of the MHC class I fused antibodies with bispecific anti-CD3 mediated T cell recruiters and characterized the virus specific T cells from human donors in detail.
Our results show for the first time that recombinant pMHC class I antibody fusions in our novel full human IgG format can be expressed with a significant yield in common mammalian production cell lines. The redirection of MHC class I mediated recruitment of pre-existing virus specific CD8 T cells from human PBMCs is potent mechanism to attack tumor cells with a low risk of unspecific T cell activation making the concept now suitable as a therapeutic option.
Citation Format: Martina Schmittnaegel, Eike Hoffmann, Olaf Mundigl, Gerhard Niederfellner, Klaus Bosslet, Pablo Umana, Victor Levitsky, Christian Klein, Hendrik Knoetgen. Novel MHC class I antibody fusions for cancer treatment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B69.
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Guinn BA, Bosslet K, Lee C, Richardson D, Orchard K. Expression of CD66 in non-Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple myeloma. Eur J Haematol 2011; 87:554-5. [PMID: 21883478 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2011.01698.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gao J, Chesebrough JW, Incognito L, Coats S, Bosslet K, Jallal B, Chang YS. Abstract 1757: MEDI-573, an IGF-I/II neutralizing human antibody inhibits both IGF-1R and IR-A signaling pathways. Cancer Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2011-1757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGF), IGF-I and IGF-II, are small polypeptides involved in regulating cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and transformation. IGF activities are mediated through binding and activation of IGF-1R or insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A). Overexpression of IGF-II and IR-A has been reported in multiple types of cancer, and has also been proposed as a potential mechanism for cancer cells to develop resistance to IGF-1R targeting therapy. MEDI-573 is a dual targeting human antibody that neutralizes both IGF-I and IGF-II. We have shown previously that this antibody inhibits IGF-1R activation by IGF and demonstrated potent in vivo tumor growth inhibition activity in IGF driven xenograft models. Here we show that MEDI-573 inhibits IGF-II activated IR-A signal pathways without cross reactivity to insulin, and therefore has minimum impact on glucose metabolism, which is mediated mainly by insulin/IR interaction. MEDI-573 blocks the binding of IGF-II to, and inhibits the subsequent phosphorylation of IR-A and IRS-1. MEDI-573 inhibited IGF-II-induced in vitro growth of IR-A overexpressing cells with or without the presence of up to 10uIU of insulin in the medium. In addition, MEDI-573 inhibited IGF-II-induced proliferation of IR-A-overexpressing cells as effectively as it inhibited the IGF-1R-overexpressing cells. The anti-proliferative activity of MEDI-573 is not changed across heterogeneous mixed cell populations with various ratios of IR-A- versus IGF-1R-expressing cells. In contrast, an IGF-1R specific antibody was most active at inhibiting the proliferation of a pure IGF-1R expressing homogenous population, but lost activity when the heterogeneous cell population contained increasing percentages (25-50%) of IR-A-expressing cells. We also examined the relative abundance of IR-A versus IR-B (insulin receptor isoform B) mRNA in multiple cancer cell lines using a previously published quantitative RT-PCR method. The results show that IR-A is frequently the dominant isoform overexpressed in these cancer cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that by neutralizing IGF-I and IGF-II ligands, MEDI-573 is a dual targeting antibody that offers an effective approach to selectively target both the IGF-1R and IR-A signaling pathways and potentially overcome IGF-1R targeting resistance.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1757. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1757
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Gao J, Chesebrough JW, Cartlidge SA, Ricketts SA, Incognito L, Veldman-Jones M, Blakey DC, Tabrizi M, Jallal B, Trail PA, Coats S, Bosslet K, Chang YS. Dual IGF-I/II-neutralizing antibody MEDI-573 potently inhibits IGF signaling and tumor growth. Cancer Res 2011; 71:1029-40. [PMID: 21245093 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-2274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGF), IGF-I and IGF-II, are small polypeptides involved in regulating cell proliferation, survival, differentiation, and transformation. IGF activities are mediated through binding and activation of IGF-1R or insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A). The role of the IGF-1R pathway in promoting tumor growth and survival is well documented. Overexpression of IGF-II and IR-A is reported in multiple types of cancer and is proposed as a potential mechanism for cancer cells to develop resistance to IGF-1R-targeting therapy. MEDI-573 is a fully human antibody that neutralizes both IGF-I and IGF-II and inhibits IGF signaling through both the IGF-1R and IR-A pathways. Here, we show that MEDI-573 blocks the binding of IGF-I and IGF-II to IGF-1R or IR-A, leading to the inhibition of IGF-induced signaling pathways and cell proliferation. MEDI-573 significantly inhibited the in vivo growth of IGF-I- or IGF-II-driven tumors. Pharmacodynamic analysis demonstrated inhibition of IGF-1R phosphorylation in tumors in mice dosed with MEDI-573, indicating that the antitumor activity is mediated via inhibition of IGF-1R signaling pathways. Finally, MEDI-573 significantly decreased (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake in IGF-driven tumor models, highlighting the potential utility of (18)F-FDG-PET as a noninvasive pharmacodynamic readout for evaluating the use of MEDI-573 in the clinic. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the inhibition of IGF-I and IGF-II ligands by MEDI-573 results in potent antitumor activity and offers an effective approach to selectively target both the IGF-1R and IR-A signaling pathways.
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Siemeister G, Luecking U, Wagner C, Detjen K, Mc Coy C, Bosslet K. Molecular and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the novel multi-target tumor growth inhibitor ZK 304709. Biomed Pharmacother 2006; 60:269-72. [PMID: 16887322 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2006.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of cell cycle control and tumor-induced neovascularization are major drivers of human tumor growth. The multi-target tumor growth inhibitor ZK 304709 is a nanomolar inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase 1-3 and of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta tyrosine kinase. The multi-targeted mode of action of ZK 304709 acting on cell cycle and angiogenesis resulted in superior efficacy compared to standard chemotherapeutic compounds both in s.c. human tumor xenografts as well as orthotopic human pancreatic carcinoma models.
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Siemeister G, Briem H, Brumby T, Haberey M, Jautelat R, Krüger M, Lücking U, Reichel A, Schäfer M, Bosslet K. 416 Simultaneous targeting of tumor cell proliferation and tumor-induced neoangiogenesis by the novel CDK2/VEGF-RTK dual pathway inhibitor ZK-CDK. EJC Suppl 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(04)80424-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Schirrmacher V, Bosslet K. Tumor metastases and cell-mediated immunity in a model system in DBA/2 mice. X. Immunoselection of tumor variants differing in tumor antigen expression and metastatic capacity. Int J Cancer 2004; 25:781-8. [PMID: 14768708 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.2910250614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We previously described morphological, functional and antigenic differences between a chemically-induced DBA/2 lymphoma, Eb, and a spontaneous variant, ESb, which arose in 1968 and had highly increased metastatic capacity. Now we present evidence that the two cell lines, in spite of the differences observed, are still related. (1) Shifts from Eb to ESb can be reproduced after 11 years. They occur during routine i.p. transplantation, especially when high cell numbers are passaged. (2) ESb variant cells can be recovered from Eb tumor populations after immunoselection in vivo with specific anti-Eb cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). (3) Parental-type Eb cells can be isolated from ESb tumor populations after immunoselection in vitro with specific anti-ESb CTL Ten ESb cells mixed with 10(6) Eb cells and inoculated s.c. caused a shift in the mortality curve suggesting that a possible contamination of the Eb population with pre-existing ESb variant cells was less than 1 in 100,000.
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Hoffmann J, Lichtner R, Fuhrmann U, Hess-Stumpp H, Siemeister G, Cleve A, Neef G, Parczyk K, Schneider M, Bosslet K. P48 Progesterone receptor antagonists an alternative for breast cancer prevention. EJC Suppl 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(04)90163-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Seiler FR, Gronski P, Kurrle R, Lüben G, Harthus HP, Ax W, Bosslet K, Schwick HG. Monoclonal Antibodies: Their Chemistry, Functions, and Possible Uses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.198501393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Mürdter TE, Friedel G, Backman JT, McClellan M, Schick M, Gerken M, Bosslet K, Fritz P, Toomes H, Kroemer HK, Sperker B. Dose optimization of a doxorubicin prodrug (HMR 1826) in isolated perfused human lungs: low tumor pH promotes prodrug activation by beta-glucuronidase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2002; 301:223-8. [PMID: 11907177 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.301.1.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
HMR 1826 (N-[4-beta-Glucuronyl-3-nitrobenzyl-oxycarbonyl]doxorubicin) is a nontoxic glucuronide prodrug from which active doxorubicin is released by beta-glucuronidase. Preclinical studies aimed at dose optimization of HMR 1826, based on intratumoral pharmacokinetics, are important to design clinical studies. Using an isolated perfused human lung model, the uptake of doxorubicin into normal tissue and tumors after perfusion with 133 microg/ml (n = 6), 400 microg/ml (n = 10), and 1200 microg/ml (n = 6) HMR 1826 was compared. Extracellular tissue pH was measured, and enzyme kinetic studies were performed in vitro to investigate the effect of pH on the formation of doxorubicin. Extracellular pH was lower in tumors than in healthy tissue (6.46 +/- 0.35, n = 8 versus 7.30 +/- 0.33, n = 10; p < 0.001). In vitro, beta-glucuronidase activity was 10 times higher at pH 6.0 than at neutral pH. After perfusion with HMR 1826, there was a linear relationship between HMR 1826 concentrations in perfusate and normal lung tissue. After perfusion with 133, 400, and 1200 microg/ml HMR 1826, the final doxorubicin concentrations in normal and tumor tissue were 2.7 +/- 0.9, 11.1 +/- 5.4, and 21.8 +/- 8.4 microg/g (p < 0.05 for all comparisons), and 0.7 +/- 0.3, 8.6 +/- 2.0 microg/g (p < 0.01 versus 133 microg/g), and 8.7 +/- 4.9 microg/g, respectively. This agrees with the enzyme kinetic observations of saturation of beta-glucuronidase at 400 microg/ml HMR 1826 in the acidic environment of the tumor. Therefore, the escalation of the HMR 1826 dose most likely results in higher circulating concentrations than 400 microg/ml but does not increase the uptake of doxorubicin into tumors and, subsequently, antitumor efficacy. The isolated perfused human lung is an excellent model for preclinical investigations aimed at optimization of tissue pharmacokinetics of tumor-selective prodrugs.
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Papot S, Combaud D, Bosslet K, Gerken M, Czech J, Gesson JP. Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of a glucuronylated prodrug of nornitrogen mustard. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000; 10:1835-7. [PMID: 10969980 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(00)00353-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A new glucuronylated prodrug of nornitrogen mustard, incorporating the same spacer group as the doxorubicin prodrug HMR 1826, has been prepared. Upon exposure to E. coli beta-glucuronidase, fast hydrolysis occurs but a lower cytotoxicity against LoVo cancer cells is observed compared to the nornitrogen mustard alone. This is explained by cyclization of the intermediate carbamic acid to the inactive chloroethyl oxazolidinone.
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Mennel HD, Bosslet K, Geissel H, Bauer BL. Immunohistochemically visualized localisation of gangliosides Glac2 (GD3) and Gtri2 (GD2) in cells of human intracranial tumors. EXPERIMENTAL AND TOXICOLOGIC PATHOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE GESELLSCHAFT FUR TOXIKOLOGISCHE PATHOLOGIE 2000; 52:277-85. [PMID: 10987178 DOI: 10.1016/s0940-2993(00)80046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies against two major gangliosides detected in human brain and brain tumors--Glac2 (GD3) and Gtri2 (GD2)--were tested by immunohistochemistry in an unselected sample of intracranial tumors during the years 1986 through 1991. Two groups emerged as evaluable samples, namely gliomas of different grades and meningiomas. In a pilot series, it was shown that these gangliosides could be visualized in frozen sections of cells of gliomas and meningiomas (as well as neurinomas) and in some structures of the normal brain. It was however not possible in frozen sections to further analyze the cellular or subcellular expression pattern of the mentioned components and paraffin sections with conventional processing were only weakly and diffusely stained. A modified protocol therefore was created that replaced alcohol processing by acetone. With this protocol, interpretable results in paraffin sections were obtained. With this method, 133 single intracranial tumors were investigated as to their immunohistologically detectable ganglioside expression. The most consistent result was that the whole cytoplasm of highly fibrillary (gemistocytic) astrocytes in all grades of gliomas was stained by Gtri2 (GD2) and Glac2 (GD3) with high preponderance of Gtri2 (GD2) expression. In all meningiomas, Glac2 (GD3) had a higher expression than Gtri2. No constant pattern in the other entities emerged. By comparison with GFAP expression in gliomas and vimentin in meningiomas, the colocalisation of gangliosides and intermediary filament proteins is supposed.
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Desbene S, Van HD, Michel S, Tillequin F, Koch M, Schmidt F, Florent JC, Monneret C, Straub R, Czech J, Gerken M, Bosslet K. Application of the ADEPT strategy to the MDR resistance in cancer chemotherapy. ANTI-CANCER DRUG DESIGN 1999; 14:93-106. [PMID: 10405636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
New prodrugs consisting of a beta-D-glucuronic acid linked to a MDR reversal agent (verapamil, quinine or dipyridamole) through a self-immolative spacer were synthesized. Four of them were selected for their reduced cytoxicity and beta-glucuronidase enzymatic efficient hydrolysis. Combined use of these prodrugs with a beta-D-glucuronyl-spacer-doxorubicin (HMR1826) according to an ADEPT strategy restored in vitro the sensibility of a MDR resistant strain.
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Florent JC, Dong X, Gaudel G, Mitaku S, Monneret C, Gesson JP, Jacquesy JC, Mondon M, Renoux B, Andrianomenjanahary S, Michel S, Koch M, Tillequin F, Gerken M, Czech J, Straub R, Bosslet K. Prodrugs of anthracyclines for use in antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. J Med Chem 1998; 41:3572-81. [PMID: 9733483 DOI: 10.1021/jm970589l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A series of new prodrugs of daunorubicin and doxorubicin which are candidates for antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) is reported. These compounds (25a,b,c and 32a,b,c) have been designed to generate cytotoxic drugs after activation with beta-glucuronidase. As expected, recovery of the active drug was observed after enzymatic cleavage by Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase as well as by a fusion protein which has been obtained from human beta-glucuronidase and humanized CEA-specific binding region. The six prodrugs are highly stable and are more than 100-fold less cytotoxic than doxorubicin against murine L1210 cell lines. The ortho-substituted phenyl carbamates 25a,b,c are better substrates for beta-glucuronidase than the corresponding para-substituted analogues. After taking into account additional factors such as stability in plasma and kinetics of enzymatic cleavage, we selected the o-nitro prodrug 25c for clinical trials.
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Mürdter TE, Sperker B, Bosslet K, Fritz P, Kroemer HK. Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of a glucuronyl prodrug of doxorubicin, doxorubicin and its metabolites in human lung tissue. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 1998; 709:289-95. [PMID: 9657226 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(98)00079-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A rapid and sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the new doxorubicin glucuronide prodrug HMR 1826, the parent drug doxorubicin and its metabolites in human lung tissue samples. Homogenization of frozen tissue samples with the micro-dismembrator was followed by a silver nitrate precipitation step. By removing the exceeding silver ions with sodium chloride further purification steps could be omitted. Compounds were separated by isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography on a LiChrospher 100 RP18 column and a mobile phase consisting of citric acid buffer-acetonitrile-methanol-tetrahydrofuran within 30 min and quantified with fluorescence detection. The method showed good recoveries for all compounds (86-99%) and a linear calibration range of 20 ng/g-80 microg/g for doxorubicin and 1-600 microg/g for HMR 1826.
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Bosslet K, Straub R, Blumrich M, Czech J, Gerken M, Sperker B, Kroemer HK, Gesson JP, Koch M, Monneret C. Elucidation of the mechanism enabling tumor selective prodrug monotherapy. Cancer Res 1998; 58:1195-201. [PMID: 9515805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Elucidation of the mechanism enabling tumor selective PMT in vivo with appropriate glucuronyl-spacer-doxorubicin prodrugs, such as HMR 1826, is important for the design of clinical studies, as well as for the development of more selective drugs. Enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and the terminal deoxytransferase technique were applied using human cryopreserved cancer tissues, normal human, monkey, and mouse tissues, and human tumor xenografts to examine mechanisms underlying the selectivity of successful PMT with HMR 1826. It could unambiguously be shown by enzyme histochemistry that necrotic areas in human cancers are the sites in which lysosomal beta-glucuronidase is liberated extracellularly in high local concentrations. The cells responsible for the liberation of the enzyme are mainly acute and chronic inflammatory cells, as shown by IHC. Furthermore, it could be demonstrated that beta-glucuronidase liberated in necrotic areas of tumors can activate HMR 1826, resulting in increased doxorubicin deposition in human tumor xenografts or in human lung cancers subjected to extracorporal perfusion, compared to chemotherapy with doxorubicin. Additionally, the doxorubicin load to normal tissues was significantly reduced compared to chemotherapy with doxorubicin. Surprisingly, the increased doxorubicin deposition in tumors also resulted in strong antitumor effects also in cancers resistant to maximum tolerated doses of systemic doxorubicin. Finally, toxicity studies in mice and monkeys revealed an excellent tolerability of HMR 1826, up to a dose of 3 g/m2 (monkeys). These data suggest that HMR 1826 is a promising candidate for clinical development.
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Mürdter TE, Sperker B, Kivistö KT, McClellan M, Fritz P, Friedel G, Linder A, Bosslet K, Toomes H, Dierkesmann R, Kroemer HK. Enhanced uptake of doxorubicin into bronchial carcinoma: beta-glucuronidase mediates release of doxorubicin from a glucuronide prodrug (HMR 1826) at the tumor site. Cancer Res 1997; 57:2440-5. [PMID: 9192823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Lack of tumor selectivity is a severe limitation of cancer chemotherapy. Consequently, reducing dose-limiting organ toxicities such as the cardiac toxicity of doxorubicin (Dox) is of major clinical relevance. Approaches that would facilitate a more tumor-selective anticancer therapy by using nontoxic prodrugs that are converted to active anticancer agents at the tumor site have been the subject of intensive research. One potential method to overcome the cardiac toxicity of Dox is to apply a nontoxic, glucuronide prodrug (HMR 1826) from which Dox is released by the action of beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme present at high levels in many tumors. Using a recently developed, isolated, perfused human lung model, we compared the uptake of Dox into normal lung and lung tumors after a 2.5-h lung perfusion with doxorubicin (n = 8) and with the novel doxorubicin glucuronide prodrug (n = 8). Dox showed a poor uptake into lung tumors as compared with normal lung [mean Dox concentration at the end of perfusion, 1.78 +/- 3.11 (median, 0.66) microg/g versus 22.03 +/- 10.4 (median, 18.5) microg/g; P < 0.001]. However, after perfusion with HMR 1826, the level of Dox in tumor tissue was about 7-fold higher than after perfusion with Dox itself [14.04 +/- 12.9 (median, 12.9) microg/g versus 1.78 +/- 3.11 (median, 0.66) microg/g, P < 0.05, n = 8]. In vitro experiments showed a significantly higher beta-glucuronidase expression and activity in the tumors. The extent of in vitro cleavage of HMR 1826 by homogenized lung tissue was closely related to the content of beta-glucuronidase (r = 0.9834, P < 0.0001). When D-saccharolactone, a specific inhibitor of beta-glucuronidase, was added to the perfusate containing HMR 1826, no accumulation of Dox in lung tissue was seen. These data indicate that the high Dox levels achieved in the tumors with HMR 1826 resulted from cleavage of the prodrug by beta-glucuronidase at the tumor site. Thus, the problem of poor Dox uptake into lung tumors could be circumvented by applying the doxorubicin glucuronide prodrug. Several lines of evidence based on both ex vivo and in vitro results indicate that the approach described using a glucuronide prodrug may be useful in facilitating more selective delivery of chemotherapy to tumors in humans.
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Sperker B, Mürdter TE, Schick M, Eckhardt K, Bosslet K, Kroemer HK. Interindividual variability in expression and activity of human beta-glucuronidase in liver and kidney: consequences for drug metabolism. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1997; 281:914-20. [PMID: 9152401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucuronidation of drugs represents a major pathway of human drug metabolism. Numerous studies show that the glucuronides formed can accumulate during chronic therapy and/or have direct pharmacological activity. In both cases, cleavage of the glucuronide by human beta-glucuronidase (beta-Gluc) would release the parent compound, thereby modifying drug disposition. Variability in expression of beta-Gluc could therefore be a confounding factor for interindividual variability in drug disposition both in the setting of accumulating glucuronides or for the use of glucuronides as prodrugs, such as the nontoxic glucuronide-spacer derivative of doxorubicin (Dox-S-G). We therefore investigated expression and function of beta-Gluc in human liver (n = 30) and human kidney (n = 18). Cleavage of the model compound 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG) revealed a wide range of activities in liver (0.32-1.85 mumol/mg/h, mean value 0.87 +/- 0.34 mumol/mg/h) and kidney (0.07-1.00 mumol/mg/h, mean 0.39 +/- 0.21 mumol/mg/h), which followed a log normal distribution. Variable enzyme activity was closely correlated to enzyme expression as assessed by Western blotting (r = 0.80, P < .001 and r = 0.71, P < .05 for liver and kidney, respectively). Glycyrrhizin (Ki = 470 and 570 microM), estradiol 3-glucuronide (Ki = 0.9 and 1.2 mM) and paracetamol glucuronide (Ki = 1.6 and 2 mM) were found to inhibit beta-Gluc activity competitively in liver and kidney, respectively. Enzyme kinetics were investigated in detail for MUG and Dox-S-G. Whereas MUG followed monophasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics in liver (K(m) = 1.32 +/- 0.25 mM, Vmax = 1201 +/- 462 nmol/mg/h, n = 3) and kidney (K(m) = 1.04 +/- 0.05 mM, Vmax = 521 +/- 267 nmol/mg/h, n = 3), cleavage of Dox-S-G was best described by the Hill equation, which indicated a cooperative substrate binding pattern of Dox-S-G. In summary, beta-Gluc function shows wide interindividual variability in human liver and kidney that is due to different steady-state levels of the enzyme. Moreover, enzyme kinetics are substrate-dependent, with Dox-S-G showing a cooperative binding. These data indicate the possibility of wide interindividual variability in beta-Gluc-mediated cleavage of drug glucuronides in the human.
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Schmidt F, Florent J, Monneret C, Straub R, Czech J, Gerken M, Bosslet K. Glucuronide prodrugs of hydroxy compounds for antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) : A phenol nitrogen mustard carbamate. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(97)00157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Rabes HM, Gabbert HE, Grunicke H, Lutz WK, Bornkamm G, Brandner G, Bosslet K, Rajewsky MF, Eisenbrand G, Schneider MR. 8th International AEK symposium of the Division of Experimental Cancer Research of the German Cancer Society. 29-31 March 1995, Heidelberg, Germany. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1995; 121:683-90. [PMID: 7593133 DOI: 10.1007/bf01218527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Hanisch FG, Stadie T, Bosslet K. Monoclonal antibody BW835 defines a site-specific Thomsen-Friedenreich disaccharide linked to threonine within the VTSA motif of MUC1 tandem repeats. Cancer Res 1995; 55:4036-40. [PMID: 7545084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
mAb BW835 (IgG1) has been generated to breast cancer cell lines by alternating injections of MCF-7 or SW-613 cells and has been demonstrated to be of value in the serodiagnosis of mammary carcinoma. BW835 defines a carbohydrate epitope on integrated or secreted MUC1 glycoforms from carcinoma cells and human milk. To identify BW835-reactive glycopeptides on MUC1, proteolytic fragments of the mucin obtained by digestion with the Gly-C-specific endopeptidase IV from papaya corresponding to low molecular mass fragments (< 10 kilodaltons) of the tandem repeat domain were screened. A glycosylated fragment (glycopeptide 17) containing the mAb HMFG-2-defined epitope was highly reactive to BW835 antibody, while nonglycosylated tandem repeat peptide TAP25 or its in vitro-glycosylated N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) derivatives were unreactive. Glycopeptide 17 bound to peanut agglutinin and to a Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF alpha)-specific mAb (A78-G/A7). Binding of BW835 to glycopeptide 17 or to MUC1 was competitively inhibited by peanut agglutinin and by the synthetic glycopeptides TF alpha Ser or TF alpha Thr but not by their beta-anomers. Evidence for site specificity of binding by BW835 to glycopeptide 17 was revealed by demonstrating nonreactivity of the antibody to other TF alpha-expressing glycoproteins with peptide moieties lacking MUC1-specific motifs at putative glycosylation sites. The epitope of BW835 was localized to threonine within the VTSA-peptide motif by site-specific enzymatic beta-galactosylation of the synthetic tandem repeat peptide TAP25-GalNAc1 TAPPAHGVT(-O-alpha GalNAc)SAPDTRPAPGSTAPPA. This is the first report on a TF alpha-specific mAb that shows a strict peptide sequence dependency of binding.
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