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Navarro R, Frago S, Hangiu O, Erce-Llamazares A, Lázaro-Gorines R, Morcillo MA, Rodriguez-Peralto JL, Sanz L, Compte M, Alvarez-Vallina L. Pharmacokinetics and safety of LEAD-452, an EGFR-specific 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody in non-human primates. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 487:116961. [PMID: 38740095 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
LEAD-452 is a humanized bispecific EGFR-targeted 4-1BB-agonistic trimerbody with a unique trimeric configuration compared to other 4-1BB-specific antibodies that are currently in development. Indeed, enhanced tumor-specific costimulation and very remarkable safety and efficacy profiles have been observed in mouse models. Here, we conducted for the first time a preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicity study in non-human primates (NHP) (Macaca fascicularis). LEAD-452 exhibits comparable binding affinity for human and macaque targets, indicating its pharmacological significance for safety testing across species. The NHP were administered LEAD-452 in a series of ascending doses, ranging from 0.1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg, and repeated doses up to 20 mg/kg. The administration of LEAD-452 was found to be clinically well tolerated, with no major related adverse effects observed. Furthermore, there have been no reported cases of liver toxicity, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia, which are commonly associated with treatments using conventional anti-4-1BB IgG-based antibodies. In addition, neither IgM nor IgG-based anti-drug antibodies were detected in serum samples from NHP during the study, regardless of the dose of LEAD-452 administered. These results support the clinical development of LEAD-452 for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Navarro
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Frago
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oana Hangiu
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain; Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Erce-Llamazares
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain; Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Lázaro-Gorines
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Morcillo
- Medical Applications of Ionizing Radiations Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Rodriguez-Peralto
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Department of Pathology, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Cutaneous Oncology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Compte
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Leadartis SL, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Alvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain; H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
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Lim SH, Beers SA, Al-Shamkhani A, Cragg MS. Agonist Antibodies for Cancer Immunotherapy: History, Hopes, and Challenges. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1712-1723. [PMID: 38153346 PMCID: PMC7615925 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is among the most promising new treatment modalities to arise over the last two decades; antibody drugs are delivering immunotherapy to millions of patients with many different types of cancer. Initial success with antibody therapeutics came in the form of direct targeting or cytotoxic antibodies, such as rituximab and trastuzumab, which bind directly to tumor cells to elicit their destruction. These were followed by immunomodulatory antibodies that elicit antitumor responses by either stimulating immune cells or relieving tumor-mediated suppression. By far the most successful approach in the clinic to date has been relieving immune suppression, with immune checkpoint blockade now a standard approach in the treatment of many cancer types. Despite equivalent and sometimes even more impressive effects in preclinical models, agonist antibodies designed to stimulate the immune system have lagged behind in their clinical translation. In this review, we document the main receptors that have been targeted by agonist antibodies, consider the various approaches that have been evaluated to date, detail what we have learned, and consider how their anticancer potential can be unlocked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean H. Lim
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Stephen A. Beers
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Aymen Al-Shamkhani
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Mark S. Cragg
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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3
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Archer S, Brailey PM, Song M, Bartlett PD, Figueiredo I, Gurel B, Guo C, Brucklacher-Waldert V, Thompson HL, Akinwale J, Boyle SE, Rossant C, Birkett NR, Pizzey J, Maginn M, Legg J, Williams R, Johnston CM, Bland-Ward P, de Bono JS, Pierce AJ. CB307: A Dual Targeting Costimulatory Humabody VH Therapeutic for Treating PSMA-Positive Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1595-1606. [PMID: 38593226 PMCID: PMC11016891 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE CD137 is a T- and NK-cell costimulatory receptor involved in consolidating immunologic responses. The potent CD137 agonist urelumab has shown clinical promise as a cancer immunotherapeutic but development has been hampered by on-target off-tumor toxicities. A CD137 agonist targeted to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), frequently and highly expressed on castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer (mCRPC) tumor cells, could bring effective immunotherapy to this immunologically challenging to address disease. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We designed and manufactured CB307, a novel half-life extended bispecific costimulatory Humabody VH therapeutic to elicit CD137 agonism exclusively in a PSMA-high tumor microenvironment (TME). The functional activity of CB307 was assessed in cell-based assays and in syngeneic mouse antitumor pharmacology studies. Nonclinical toxicology and toxicokinetic properties of CB307 were assessed in a good laboratory practice (GLP) compliant study in cynomolgus macaques. RESULTS CB307 provides effective CD137 agonism in a PSMA-dependent manner, with antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, and additional activity when combined with checkpoint inhibitors. A validated novel PSMA/CD137 IHC assay demonstrated a higher prevalence of CD137-positive cells in the PSMA-expressing human mCRPC TME with respect to primary lesions. CB307 did not show substantial toxicity in nonhuman primates and exhibited a plasma half-life supporting weekly clinical administration. CONCLUSIONS CB307 is a first-in-class immunotherapeutic that triggers potent PSMA-dependent T-cell activation, thereby alleviating toxicologic concerns against unrestricted CD137 agonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Archer
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip M. Brailey
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Minjung Song
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip D. Bartlett
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ines Figueiredo
- Cancer Biomarkers Group, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bora Gurel
- Cancer Biomarkers Group, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Guo
- Cancer Biomarkers Group, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Prostate Cancer Targeted Therapies Group, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jude Akinwale
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha E. Boyle
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Rossant
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Neil R. Birkett
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Pizzey
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Maginn
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Legg
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Williams
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Colette M. Johnston
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Bland-Ward
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Johann S. de Bono
- Cancer Biomarkers Group, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Prostate Cancer Targeted Therapies Group, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Pierce
- Crescendo Biologics Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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4
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Gudd CLC, Mitchell E, Atkinson SR, Mawhin MA, Turajlic S, Larkin J, Thursz MR, Goldin RD, Powell N, Antoniades CG, Woollard KJ, Possamai LA, Triantafyllou E. Therapeutic inhibition of monocyte recruitment prevents checkpoint inhibitor-induced hepatitis. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008078. [PMID: 38580334 PMCID: PMC11002390 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Checkpoint inhibitor-induced hepatitis (CPI-hepatitis) is an emerging problem with the widening use of CPIs in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we developed a mouse model to characterize the mechanism of CPI-hepatitis and to therapeutically target key pathways driving this pathology. METHODS C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice were dosed with toll-like receptor (TLR)9 agonist (TLR9-L) for hepatic priming combined with anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) plus anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) ("CPI") or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) control for up to 7 days. Flow cytometry, histology/immunofluorescence and messenger RNA sequencing were used to characterize liver myeloid/lymphoid subsets and inflammation. Hepatocyte damage was assessed by plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) measurements. In vivo investigations of CPI-hepatitis were carried out in Rag2-/- and Ccr2rfp/rfp transgenic mice, as well as following anti-CD4, anti-CD8 or cenicriviroc (CVC; CCR2/CCR5 antagonist) treatment. RESULTS Co-administration of combination CPIs with TLR9-L induced liver pathology closely resembling human disease, with increased infiltration and clustering of granzyme B+perforin+CD8+ T cells and CCR2+ monocytes, 7 days post treatment. This was accompanied by apoptotic hepatocytes surrounding these clusters and elevated ALT and CK-18 plasma levels. Liver RNA sequencing identified key signaling pathways (JAK-STAT, NF-ΚB) and cytokine/chemokine networks (Ifnγ, Cxcl9, Ccl2/Ccr2) as drivers of CPI-hepatitis. Using this model, we show that CD8+ T cells mediate hepatocyte damage in experimental CPI-hepatitis. However, their liver recruitment, clustering, and cytotoxic activity is dependent on the presence of CCR2+ monocytes. The absence of hepatic monocyte recruitment in Ccr2rfp/rfp mice and CCR2 inhibition by CVC treatment in WT mice was able to prevent the development and reverse established experimental CPI-hepatitis. CONCLUSION This newly established mouse model provides a platform for in vivo mechanistic studies of CPI-hepatitis. Using this model, we demonstrate the central role of liver infiltrating CCR2+ monocyte interaction with tissue-destructive CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of CPI-hepatitis and highlight CCR2 inhibition as a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrin L C Gudd
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Eoin Mitchell
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen R Atkinson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Marie-Anne Mawhin
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Samra Turajlic
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Melanoma and Kidney Cancer Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - James Larkin
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Melanoma and Kidney Cancer Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Mark R Thursz
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Robert D Goldin
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nick Powell
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Kevin J Woollard
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lucia A Possamai
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
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5
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Wang M, Chen S, He X, Yuan Y, Wei X. Targeting inflammation as cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:13. [PMID: 38520006 PMCID: PMC10960486 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01528-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has accompanied human beings since the emergence of wounds and infections. In the past decades, numerous efforts have been undertaken to explore the potential role of inflammation in cancer, from tumor development, invasion, and metastasis to the resistance of tumors to treatment. Inflammation-targeted agents not only demonstrate the potential to suppress cancer development, but also to improve the efficacy of other therapeutic modalities. In this review, we describe the highly dynamic and complex inflammatory tumor microenvironment, with discussion on key inflammation mediators in cancer including inflammatory cells, inflammatory cytokines, and their downstream intracellular pathways. In addition, we especially address the role of inflammation in cancer development and highlight the action mechanisms of inflammation-targeted therapies in antitumor response. Finally, we summarize the results from both preclinical and clinical studies up to date to illustrate the translation potential of inflammation-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manni Wang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyuan Chen
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei He
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Yuan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, Block3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Ma Y, Luo F, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Xue J, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Yang Y, Fang W, Zhou T, Chen G, Cao J, Chen Q, She X, Luo P, Liu G, Zhang L, Zhao H. Preclinical characterization and phase 1 results of ADG106 in patients with advanced solid tumors and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101414. [PMID: 38330942 PMCID: PMC10897605 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
ADG106, a ligand-blocking agonistic antibody targeting CD137 (4-1BB), exhibits promising results in preclinical studies, demonstrating tumor suppression in various animal models and showing a balanced profile between safety and efficacy. This phase 1 study enrolls 62 patients with advanced malignancies, revealing favorable tolerability up to the 5.0 mg/kg dose level. Dose-limiting toxicity occurs in only one patient (6.3%) at 10.0 mg/kg, resulting in grade 4 neutropenia. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events include leukopenia (22.6%), neutropenia (22.6%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (22.6%), rash (21.0%), itching (17.7%), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (17.7%). The overall disease control rates are 47.1% for advanced solid tumors and 54.5% for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Circulating biomarkers suggest target engagement by ADG106 and immune modulation of circulating T, B, and natural killer cells and cytokines interferon γ and interleukin-6, which may affect the probability of clinical efficacy. ADG106 has a manageable safety profile and preliminary anti-tumor efficacy in patients with advanced cancers (this study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03802955).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Ma
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Fan Luo
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Qianwen Liu
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jinhui Xue
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yunpeng Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxin Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Qun Chen
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | | | | | | | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China.
| | - Hongyun Zhao
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China.
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Xu C, Zhou X, Webb L, Yalavarthi S, Zheng W, Saha S, Schweickhardt R, Soloviev M, Jenkins MH, Brandstetter S, Belousova N, Alimzhanov M, Rabinovich B, Deshpande AM, Brewis N, Helming L. M9657 Is a Bispecific Tumor-Targeted Anti-CD137 Agonist That Induces MSLN-Dependent Antitumor Immunity without Liver Inflammation. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:195-213. [PMID: 38091375 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The costimulatory receptor CD137 (also known as TNFRSF9 or 4-1BB) sustains effective cytotoxic T-cell responses. Agonistic anti-CD137 cancer immunotherapies are being investigated in clinical trials. Development of the first-generation CD137-agonist monotherapies utomilumab and urelumab was unsuccessful due to low antitumor efficacy mediated by the epitope recognized on CD137 or hepatotoxicity mediated by Fcγ receptors (FcγR) ligand-dependent CD137 activation, respectively. M9657 was engineered as a tetravalent bispecific antibody (mAb2) in a human IgG1 backbone with LALA mutations to reduce binding to FCγRs. Here, we report that M9657 selectively binds to mesothelin (MSLN) and CD137 with similar affinity in humans and cynomolgus monkeys. In a cellular functional assay, M9657 enhanced CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine release in the presence of tumor cells, which was dependent on both MSLN expression and T-cell receptor/CD3 activation. Both FS122m, a murine surrogate with the same protein structure as M9657, and chimeric M9657, a modified M9657 antibody with the Fab portion replaced with an anti-murine MSLN motif, demonstrated in vivo antitumor efficacy against various tumors in wild-type and human CD137 knock-in mice, and this was accompanied by activated CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. The antitumor immunity of M9657 and FS122m depended on MSLN expression density and the mAb2 structure. Compared with 3H3, a murine surrogate of urelumab, FS122m and chimeric M9657 displayed significantly lower on-target/off-tumor toxicity. Taken together, M9657 exhibits a promising profile for development as a tumor-targeting immune agonist with potent anticancer activity without systemic immune activation and associated hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Xu
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Xueyuan Zhou
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Lindsay Webb
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | - Wenxin Zheng
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Somdutta Saha
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Rene Schweickhardt
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Soloviev
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Molly H Jenkins
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Neil Brewis
- F-star Therapeutics, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Helming
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
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8
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Wright QG, Sinha D, Wells JW, Frazer IH, Gonzalez Cruz JL, Leggatt GR. Peritumoral administration of immunomodulatory antibodies as a triple combination suppresses skin tumor growth without systemic toxicity. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e007960. [PMID: 38296598 PMCID: PMC10831460 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin cancers, particularly keratinocyte cancers, are the most commonly diagnosed tumors. Although surgery is often effective in early-stage disease, skin tumors are not always easily accessible, can reoccur and have the ability to metastasize. More recently, immunotherapies, including intravenously administered checkpoint inhibitors, have been shown to control some skin cancers, but with off-target toxicities when used in combination. Our study investigated whether peritumoral administration of an antibody combination targeting PD-1, 4-1BB (CD137) and VISTA might control skin tumors and lead to circulating antitumor immunity without off-target toxicity. METHODS The efficacy of combination immunotherapy administered peritumorally or intravenously was tested using transplantable tumor models injected into mouse ears (primary tumors) or subcutaneously in flank skin (secondary tumors). Changes to the tumor microenvironment were tracked using flow cytometry while tumor-specific, CD8 T cells were identified through enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays. Off-target toxicity of the combination immunotherapy was assessed via serum alanine aminotransferase ELISA and histological analysis of liver sections. RESULTS The data showed that local administration of antibody therapy eliminated syngeneic murine tumors transplanted in the ear skin at a lower dose than required intravenously, and without measured hepatic toxicity. Tumor elimination was dependent on CD8 T cells and was associated with an increased percentage of CD8 T cells expressing granzyme B, KLRG1 and Eomes, and a decreased population of CD4 T cells including CD4+FoxP3+ cells in the treated tumor microenvironment. Importantly, untreated, distal tumors regressed following antibody treatment of a primary tumor, and immune memory prevented growth of subcutaneous flank tumors administered 50 days after regression of a primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data suggest that peritumoral immunotherapy for skin tumors offers advantages over conventional intravenous delivery, allowing antibody dose sparing, improved safety and inducing long-term systemic memory. Future clinical trials of immunotherapy for primary skin cancer should focus on peritumoral delivery of combinations of immune checkpoint antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin G Wright
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Debottam Sinha
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - James W Wells
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian H Frazer
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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9
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Galvez-Cancino F, Simpson AP, Costoya C, Matos I, Qian D, Peggs KS, Litchfield K, Quezada SA. Fcγ receptors and immunomodulatory antibodies in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:51-71. [PMID: 38062252 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00637-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of both cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) as negative regulators of antitumour immunity led to the development of numerous immunomodulatory antibodies as cancer treatments. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-based therapies depends not only on their ability to block or engage their targets but also on the antibody's constant region (Fc) and its interactions with Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). Fc-FcγR interactions are essential for the activity of tumour-targeting antibodies, such as rituximab, trastuzumab and cetuximab, where the killing of tumour cells occurs at least in part due to these mechanisms. However, our understanding of these interactions in the context of immunomodulatory antibodies designed to boost antitumour immunity remains less explored. In this Review, we discuss our current understanding of the contribution of FcγRs to the in vivo activity of immunomodulatory antibodies and the challenges of translating results from preclinical models into the clinic. In addition, we review the impact of genetic variability of human FcγRs on the activity of therapeutic antibodies and how antibody engineering is being utilized to develop the next generation of cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Galvez-Cancino
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Alexander P Simpson
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Cristobal Costoya
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Ignacio Matos
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Danwen Qian
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Karl S Peggs
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Kevin Litchfield
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
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10
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Enell Smith K, Fritzell S, Nilsson A, Barchan K, Rosén A, Schultz L, Varas L, Säll A, Rose N, Håkansson M, von Schantz L, Ellmark P. ATOR-1017 (evunzekibart), an Fc-gamma receptor conditional 4-1BB agonist designed for optimal safety and efficacy, activates exhausted T cells in combination with anti-PD-1. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:4145-4159. [PMID: 37796298 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 4-1BB (CD137) is a co-stimulatory receptor highly expressed on tumor reactive effector T cells and NK cells, which upon stimulation prolongs persistence of tumor reactive effector T and NK cells within the tumor and induces long-lived memory T cells. 4-1BB agonistic antibodies have been shown to induce strong anti-tumor effects that synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The first generation of 4-1BB agonists was, however, hampered by dose-limiting toxicities resulting in suboptimal dose levels or poor agonistic activity. METHODS ATOR-1017 (evunzekibart), a second-generation Fc-gamma receptor conditional 4-1BB agonist in IgG4 format, was designed to overcome the limitations of the first generation of 4-1BB agonists, providing strong agonistic effect while minimizing systemic immune activation and risk of hepatoxicity. The epitope of ATOR-1017 was determined by X-ray crystallography, and the functional activity was assessed in vitro and in vivo as monotherapy or in combination with anti-PD1. RESULTS ATOR-1017 binds to a unique epitope on 4-1BB enabling ATOR-1017 to activate T cells, including cells with an exhausted phenotype, and NK cells, in a cross-linking dependent, FcγR-conditional, manner. This translated into a tumor-directed and potent anti-tumor therapeutic effect in vivo, which was further enhanced with anti-PD-1 treatment. CONCLUSIONS These preclinical data demonstrate a strong safety profile of ATOR-1017, together with its potent therapeutic effect as monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD1, supporting further clinical development of ATOR-1017.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Säll
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Peter Ellmark
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Lund, Sweden.
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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11
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Zhou C, Sun BY, Zhou PY, Yang ZF, Wang ZT, Liu G, Gan W, Wang Z, Zhou J, Fan J, Yi Y, Ren N, Qiu SJ. MAIT cells confer resistance to Lenvatinib plus anti-PD1 antibodies in hepatocellular carcinoma through TNF-TNFRSF1B pathway. Clin Immunol 2023; 256:109770. [PMID: 37717672 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The combination of antiangiogenic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors is more efficient than monotherapy in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lenvatinib plus anti-PD1 antibodies have become the mainstay in HCC treatment. However, more than half the patients with HCC are non-responsive, and the mechanisms underlying drug resistance are unknown. To address this issue, we performed single-cell sequencing on samples from six HCC patients, aiming to explore cellular signals and molecular pathways related to the effect of lenvatinib plus anti-PD1 antibody treatment. GSVA analysis revealed that treatment with lenvatinib plus anti-PD1 antibody led to an increase in the TNF-NFKB pathway across all immune cell types, as compared to the non-treatment group. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells were found to secrete TNF, which activates TNFRSF1B on regulatory T cells, thereby promoting immunosuppression. Additionally, TNFSF9 was highly expressed in anticancer immune cells, including CD8+ effector T cells, MAIT, and γδ T cells in the treatment group. We also detected CD3+ macrophages in both HCC and pan-cancer tissues. Overall, our findings shed light on the potential mechanisms behind the effectiveness of lenvatinib plus anti-PD1 antibody treatment in HCC patients. By understanding these mechanisms better, we may be able to develop more effective treatment strategies for patients who do not respond to current therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Ye Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Yun Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhang-Fu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhu-Tao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gao Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Gan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Yi
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China..
| | - Ning Ren
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.; Institute of Fudan Minhang Academic Health System, and Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer, Minhang Hospital & AHS, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shuang-Jian Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China..
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12
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Salek-Ardakani S, Zajonc DM, Croft M. Agonism of 4-1BB for immune therapy: a perspective on possibilities and complications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228486. [PMID: 37662949 PMCID: PMC10469789 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Costimulatory receptors on immune cells represent attractive targets for immunotherapy given that these molecules can increase the frequency of individual protective immune cell populations and their longevity, as well as enhance various effector functions. 4-1BB, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, also known as CD137 and TNFRSF9, is one such molecule that is inducible on several cell types, including T cells and NK cells. Preclinical studies in animal models have validated the notion that stimulating 4-1BB with agonist reagents or its natural ligand could be useful to augment conventional T cell and NK cell immunity to protect against tumor growth and against viral infection. Additionally, stimulating 4-1BB can enhance regulatory T cell function and might be useful in the right context for suppressing autoimmunity. Two human agonist antibodies to 4-1BB have been produced and tested in clinical trials for cancer, with variable results, leading to the production of a wealth of second-generation antibody constructs, including bi- and multi-specifics, with the hope of optimizing activity and selectivity. Here, we review the progress to date in agonism of 4-1BB, discuss the complications in targeting the immune system appropriately to elicit the desired activity, together with challenges in engineering agonists, and highlight the untapped potential of manipulating this molecule in infectious disease and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dirk M. Zajonc
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Michael Croft
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of California (UC) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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13
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Shen A, Liu W, Wang H, Zeng X, Wang M, Zhang D, Zhao Q, Fang Q, Wang F, Cheng L, Shen G, Li Y. A novel 4-1BB/HER2 bispecific antibody shows potent antitumor activities by increasing and activating tumor-infiltrating T cells. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:3246-3256. [PMID: 37559991 PMCID: PMC10408481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to HER2-targeted therapy narrows the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Although 4-1BB/CD137 is a promising drug target as a costimulatory molecule of immune cells, no therapeutic drug has been approved in the clinic because of systemic toxicity or limited efficacy. Previously, we developed a humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) HuA21 and anti-4-1BB mAb HuB6 with distinct antigen epitopes for cancer therapy. Here, we generated an Fc-muted IgG4 HER2/4-1BB bispecific antibody (BsAb) HK006 by the fusion of HuB6 scFv and HuA21 Fab. HK006 exhibited synergistic antitumor activity by blocking HER2 signal transduction and stimulating the 4-1BB signaling pathway simultaneously and strictly dependent on HER2 expression in vitro and in vivo. Strikingly, HK006 treatment enhanced antitumor immunity by increasing and activating tumor-infiltrating T cells. Moreover, HK006 did not induce nonspecific production of proinflammatory cytokines and had no obvious toxicity in mice. Overall, these data demonstrated that HK006 should be a promising candidate for HER2-positive cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aolin Shen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition TherapyHefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Wenting Liu
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Huizhen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoli Zeng
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Mengli Wang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Dayan Zhang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Qing Fang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Fengrong Wang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Liansheng Cheng
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition TherapyHefei 230001, Anhui, China
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering Pharmaceutical, Biomedicine Technology Innovation Center of Hefei, Anhui Anke Biotechnology (Group) Co., Ltd.Hefei 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Guodong Shen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition TherapyHefei 230001, Anhui, China
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Yongxiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230032, Anhui, China
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14
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Cheng LS, Zhu M, Gao Y, Liu WT, Yin W, Zhou P, Zhu Z, Niu L, Zeng X, Zhang D, Fang Q, Wang F, Zhao Q, Zhang Y, Shen G. An Fc-muted bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and 4-1BB induces antitumor immune activity in colorectal cancer without systemic toxicity. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:47. [PMID: 37259060 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00461-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy narrows the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Although 4-1BB is a promising drug target as a costimulatory molecule of immune cells, no 4-1BB agonist has been given clinical approval because of severe liver toxicity or limited efficacy. Therefore, a safe and efficient immunostimulatory molecule is urgently needed for cancer immunotherapy. METHODS HK010 was generated by antibody engineering, and the Fab/antigen complex structure was analyzed using crystallography. The affinity and activity of HK010 were detected by multiple in vitro bioassays, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), flow cytometry, and luciferase-reporter assays. Humanized mice bearing human PD-L1-expressing MC38 (MC38/hPDL1) or CT26 (CT26/hPDL1) tumor transplants were established to assess the in vivo antitumor activity of HK010. The pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicity of HK010 were evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys. RESULTS HK010 was generated as an Fc-muted immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 PD-L1x4-1BB bispecific antibody (BsAb) with a distinguished Fab/antigen complex structure, and maintained a high affinity for human PD-L1 (KD: 2.27 nM) and low affinity for human 4-1BB (KD: 493 nM) to achieve potent PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and appropriate 4-1BB agonism. HK010 exhibited synergistic antitumor activity by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway and stimulating the 4-1BB signaling pathway simultaneously, and being strictly dependent on the PD-L1 receptor in vitro and in vivo. In particular, when the dose was decreased to 0.3 mg/kg, HK010 still showed a strong antitumor effect in a humanized mouse model bearing MC38/hPDL1 tumors. Strikingly, HK010 treatment enhanced antitumor immunity and induced durable antigen-specific immune memory to prevent rechallenged tumor growth by recruiting CD8+ T cells and other lymphocytes into tumor tissue and activating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Moreover, HK010 not only did not induce nonspecific production of proinflammatory cytokines but was also observed to be well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys in 5 week repeated-dose (5, 15, or 50 mg/kg) and single-dose (75 or 150 mg/kg) toxicity studies. CONCLUSION We generated an Fc-muted anti-PD-L1x4-1BB BsAb, HK010, with a distinguished structural interaction with PD-L1 and 4-1BB that exhibits a synergistic antitumor effect by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway and stimulating the 4-1BB signaling pathway simultaneously. It is strictly dependent on the PD-L1 receptor with no systemic toxicity, which may offer a new option for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Sheng Cheng
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering Pharmaceutical, Biomedicine Technology Innovation Center of Hefei, Anhui Anke Biotechnology (Group) Co., Ltd., Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Min Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Wen-Ting Liu
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Wu Yin
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Pengfei Zhou
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Liwen Niu
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoli Zeng
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Dayan Zhang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Qing Fang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Fengrong Wang
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- Hefei HankeMab Biotechnology Limited, Hefei, 230088, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Guodong Shen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
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15
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Do XH, Le MT, Nguyen TH, Le TT, Nguyen XH, Mai TB, Hoang TMN, Than UTT. Detection of sFas, sCD137, and IL-27 Cytokines as Potential Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:783-793. [PMID: 37260529 PMCID: PMC10228584 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s409649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent type of liver cancer, is mainly diagnosed in the advanced stage, leading to a high mortality rate. Recent advances have identified peripheral cytokines as a potential tool to predict disease outcomes and inform therapeutic decisions. Hence, in this study, we aim to build a predictive model for HCC based on serum levels of different cytokines. Patients and Methods We used immunoassay to quantify the concentrations of IL-27, MIP-1β, Perforin, sCD137, sFas, and TNF-α in the serum of 38 HCC patients and 15 healthy controls. Logistic regression was then used to construct classification models detecting HCC based on these cytokines. A nomogram of the best-performing model was generated to visualize HCC prediction. Results sFas and MIP-1β were found to be significantly higher in HCC patients compared to controls. Predictive models based on cytokine levels combining sFas, sCD137, and IL-27 performed the best in distinguishing HCC patients from healthy controls. This model has a bias-corrected area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.948, a sensitivity of 92.11%, a specificity of 93.33%, and an accuracy of 0.925. Conclusion Our findings suggest that serum cytokines have the potential to be utilized in HCC screening to improve detection rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan-Hai Do
- Department of Practical and Experimental Surgery, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mai Thi Le
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thu Huyen Nguyen
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Thien Le
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Xuan-Hung Nguyen
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
- College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Binh Mai
- Department of Gastroenterology, 108 Military Central Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi My Nhung Hoang
- Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Uyen Thi Trang Than
- Center of Applied Sciences, Regenerative Medicine and Advance Technologies, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Dadas O, Ertay A, Cragg MS. Delivering co-stimulatory tumor necrosis factor receptor agonism for cancer immunotherapy: past, current and future perspectives. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147467. [PMID: 37180119 PMCID: PMC10167284 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) and their receptors (TNFRSF) are important regulators of the immune system, mediating proliferation, survival, differentiation, and function of immune cells. As a result, their targeting for immunotherapy is attractive, although to date, under-exploited. In this review we discuss the importance of co-stimulatory members of the TNFRSF in optimal immune response generation, the rationale behind targeting these receptors for immunotherapy, the success of targeting them in pre-clinical studies and the challenges in translating this success into the clinic. The efficacy and limitations of the currently available agents are discussed alongside the development of next generation immunostimulatory agents designed to overcome current issues, and capitalize on this receptor class to deliver potent, durable and safe drugs for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Dadas
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ayse Ertay
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Mark S. Cragg
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Melero I, Sanmamed MF, Glez-Vaz J, Luri-Rey C, Wang J, Chen L. CD137 (4-1BB)-Based Cancer Immunotherapy on Its 25th Anniversary. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:552-569. [PMID: 36576322 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, we reported that agonist anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies eradicated transplanted mouse tumors because of enhanced CD8+ T-cell antitumor immunity. Mouse models indicated that anti-CD137 agonist antibodies synergized with various other therapies. In the clinic, the agonist antibody urelumab showed evidence for single-agent activity against melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma but caused severe liver inflammation in a fraction of the patients. CD137's signaling domain is included in approved chimeric antigen receptors conferring persistence and efficacy. A new wave of CD137 agonists targeting tumors, mainly based on bispecific constructs, are in early-phase trials and are showing promising safety and clinical activity. SIGNIFICANCE CD137 (4-1BB) is a costimulatory receptor of T and natural killer lymphocytes whose activity can be exploited in cancer immunotherapy strategies as discovered 25 years ago. Following initial attempts that met unacceptable toxicity, new waves of constructs acting agonistically on CD137 are being developed in patients, offering signs of clinical and pharmacodynamic activity with tolerable safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel F Sanmamed
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Luri-Rey
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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18
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Nelson MH, Fritzell S, Miller R, Werchau D, Van Citters D, Nilsson A, Misher L, Ljung L, Bader R, Deronic A, Chunyk AG, Schultz L, Varas LA, Rose N, Håkansson M, Gross J, Furebring C, Pavlik P, Sundstedt A, Veitonmäki N, Ramos HJ, Säll A, Dahlman A, Bienvenue D, von Schantz L, McMahan CJ, Askmyr M, Hernandez-Hoyos G, Ellmark P. The Bispecific Tumor Antigen-Conditional 4-1BB x 5T4 Agonist, ALG.APV-527, Mediates Strong T-Cell Activation and Potent Antitumor Activity in Preclinical Studies. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:89-101. [PMID: 36343381 PMCID: PMC9808321 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137) is an activation-induced costimulatory receptor that regulates immune responses of activated CD8 T and natural killer cells, by enhancing proliferation, survival, cytolytic activity, and IFNγ production. The ability to induce potent antitumor activity by stimulating 4-1BB on tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells makes 4-1BB an attractive target for designing novel immuno-oncology therapeutics. To minimize systemic immune toxicities and enhance activity at the tumor site, we have developed a novel bispecific antibody that stimulates 4-1BB function when co-engaged with the tumor-associated antigen 5T4. ALG.APV-527 was built on the basis of the ADAPTIR bispecific platform with optimized binding domains to 4-1BB and 5T4 originating from the ALLIGATOR-GOLD human single-chain variable fragment library. The epitope of ALG.APV-527 was determined to be located at domain 1 and 2 on 4-1BB using X-ray crystallography. As shown in reporter and primary cell assays in vitro, ALG.APV-527 triggers dose-dependent 4-1BB activity mediated only by 5T4 crosslinking. In vivo, ALG.APV-527 demonstrates robust antitumor responses, by inhibiting growth of established tumors expressing human 5T4 followed by a long-lasting memory immune response. ALG.APV-527 has an antibody-like half-life in cynomolgus macaques and was well tolerated at 50.5 mg/kg. ALG.APV-527 is uniquely designed for 5T4-conditional 4-1BB-mediated antitumor activity with potential to minimize systemic immune activation and hepatotoxicity while providing efficacious tumor-specific responses in a range of 5T4-expressing tumor indications as shown by robust activity in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models. On the basis of the combined preclinical dataset, ALG.APV-527 has potential as a promising anticancer therapeutic for the treatment of 5T4-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jane Gross
- Aptevo Therapeutics Inc., Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Säll
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peter Ellmark
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Corresponding Author: Peter Ellmark, Alligator Bioscience, Medicon Village, 223 81 Lund, Sweden. Phone: 467-9721-2739; E-mail:
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19
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Claus C, Ferrara-Koller C, Klein C. The emerging landscape of novel 4-1BB (CD137) agonistic drugs for cancer immunotherapy. MAbs 2023; 15:2167189. [PMID: 36727218 PMCID: PMC9897756 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2167189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical development of 4-1BB agonists for cancer immunotherapy has raised substantial interest during the past decade. The first generation of 4-1BB agonistic antibodies entering the clinic, urelumab (BMS-663513) and utomilumab (PF-05082566), failed due to (liver) toxicity or lack of efficacy, respectively. The two antibodies display differences in the affinity and the 4-1BB receptor epitope recognition, as well as the isotype, which determines the Fc-gamma-receptor (FcγR) crosslinking activity. Based on this experience a very diverse landscape of second-generation 4-1BB agonists addressing the liabilities of first-generation agonists has recently been developed, with many entering clinical Phase 1 and 2 studies. This review provides an overview focusing on differences and their scientific rationale, as well as challenges foreseen during the clinical development of these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Claus
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Ferrara-Koller
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Schlieren, Switzerland
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20
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Gulhati P, Schalck A, Jiang S, Shang X, Wu CJ, Hou P, Ruiz SH, Soto LS, Parra E, Ying H, Han J, Dey P, Li J, Deng P, Sei E, Maeda DY, Zebala JA, Spring DJ, Kim M, Wang H, Maitra A, Moore D, Clise-Dwyer K, Wang YA, Navin NE, DePinho RA. Targeting T cell checkpoints 41BB and LAG3 and myeloid cell CXCR1/CXCR2 results in antitumor immunity and durable response in pancreatic cancer. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:62-80. [PMID: 36585453 PMCID: PMC9925045 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00500-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered non-immunogenic, with trials showing its recalcitrance to PD1 and CTLA4 immune checkpoint therapies (ICTs). Here, we sought to systematically characterize the mechanisms underlying de novo ICT resistance and to identify effective therapeutic options for PDAC. We report that agonist 41BB and antagonist LAG3 ICT alone and in combination, increased survival and antitumor immunity, characterized by modulating T cell subsets with antitumor activity, increased T cell clonality and diversification, decreased immunosuppressive myeloid cells and increased antigen presentation/decreased immunosuppressive capability of myeloid cells. Translational analyses confirmed the expression of 41BB and LAG3 in human PDAC. Since single and dual ICTs were not curative, T cell-activating ICTs were combined with a CXCR1/2 inhibitor targeting immunosuppressive myeloid cells. Triple therapy resulted in durable complete responses. Given similar profiles in human PDAC and the availability of these agents for clinical testing, our findings provide a testable hypothesis for this lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pat Gulhati
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aislyn Schalck
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoying Shang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chang-Jiun Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pingping Hou
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sharia Hernandez Ruiz
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luisa Solis Soto
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Edwin Parra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Haoqiang Ying
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jincheng Han
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prasenjit Dey
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pingna Deng
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emi Sei
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Denise J Spring
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Kim
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dirk Moore
- Department of Biostatistics, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Karen Clise-Dwyer
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology and Malignancy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Brown Center for Immunotherapy, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Nicholas E Navin
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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21
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Long M, Mims AS, Li Z. Factors Affecting the Cancer Immunotherapeutic Efficacy of T Cell Bispecific Antibodies and Strategies for Improvement. Immunol Invest 2022; 51:2176-2214. [PMID: 36259611 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2022.2131569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
T-cell bispecific antibodies (T-BsAbs) are a new class of cancer immunotherapy drugs that can simultaneously bind to tumor-associated antigens on target cells and to the CD3 subunit of the T-cell receptor (TCR) on T cells. In the last decade, numerous T-BsAbs have been developed for the treatment of both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Among them, blinatumomab has been successfully used to treat CD19 positive malignancies and has been approved by the FDA as standard care for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, in many clinical scenarios, the efficacy of T-BsAbs remains unsatisfactory. To further improve T-BsAb therapy, it will be crucial to better understand the factors affecting treatment efficacy and the nature of the T-BsAb-induced immune response. Herein, we first review the studies on the potential mechanisms by which T-BsAbs activate T-cells and how they elicit efficient target killing despite suboptimal costimulatory support. We focus on analyzing reports from clinical trials and preclinical studies, and summarize the factors that have been identified to impact the efficacy of T-BsAbs. Lastly, we review current and propose new approaches to improve the clinical efficacy of T-BsAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixiao Long
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alice S Mims
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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22
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Kim AMJ, Nemeth MR, Lim SO. 4-1BB: A promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968360. [PMID: 36185242 PMCID: PMC9515902 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, powered by its relative efficacy and safety, has become a prominent therapeutic strategy utilized in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including cancer. Within this class of therapeutics, there is a variety of drug types such as immune checkpoint blockade therapies, vaccines, and T cell transfer therapies that serve the purpose of harnessing the body’s immune system to combat disease. Of these different types, immune checkpoint blockades that target coinhibitory receptors, which dampen the body’s immune response, have been widely studied and established in clinic. In contrast, however, there remains room for the development and improvement of therapeutics that target costimulatory receptors and enhance the immune response against tumors, one of which being the 4-1BB (CD137/ILA/TNFRSF9) receptor. 4-1BB has been garnering attention as a promising therapeutic target in the setting of cancer, amongst other diseases, due to its broad expression profile and ability to stimulate various signaling pathways involved in the generation of a potent immune response. Since its discovery and demonstration of potential as a clinical target, major progress has been made in the knowledge of 4-1BB and the development of clinical therapeutics that target it. Thus, we seek to summarize and provide a comprehensive update and outlook on those advancements in the context of cancer and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Min Jung Kim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Macy Rose Nemeth
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Seung-Oe Lim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Institute of Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Seung-Oe Lim,
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23
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Sun R, Lim SO. FBXL20-mediated ubiquitination triggers the proteasomal degradation of 4-1BB. FEBS J 2022; 289:4549-4563. [PMID: 35112462 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
4-1BB [tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF9), CD137) is a critical immune stimulator that sustains T cell activity and antitumor immune response. The strategy to eliminate cancers by agonistically targeting 4-1BB is under clinical investigation. As a protein expressed in an inducible manner, 4-1BB is under tight control on both transcription and translation levels to maintain its homeostasis. So far, the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional activation of 4-1BB have been well-interpreted; however, it remains inexplicit how 4-1BB is regulated on the protein level. In this study, we presented experimental evidence supporting that 4-1BB, especially the heavily N-glycosylated (mature) form, is polyubiquitinated and subjected to the ubiquitin-proteasomal system for degradation. By performing proximity-dependent biotin identification screening coupled with biochemical assays, we identified that F-box/LRR-repeat protein 20 acts as the E3 ligase that promotes the polyubiquitination of 4-1BB at the intracellular domain. Our data provided mechanistic insight into 4-1BB regulation on the protein level by unmasking, for the first time, a posttranslational mechanism governing 4-1BB abundance in cells. The findings of this study could potentially guide the development of 4-1BB-targeted therapy for cancers as well as other immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxuan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Seung-Oe Lim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue Institute of Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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24
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Warmuth S, Gunde T, Snell D, Brock M, Weinert C, Simonin A, Hess C, Tietz J, Johansson M, Spiga FM, Heiz R, Flückiger N, Wagen S, Zeberer J, Diem D, Mahler D, Wickihalder B, Muntwiler S, Chatterjee B, Küttner B, Bommer B, Yaman Y, Lichtlen P, Urech D. Engineering of a trispecific tumor-targeted immunotherapy incorporating 4-1BB co-stimulation and PD-L1 blockade. Oncoimmunology 2022; 10:2004661. [PMID: 35844969 PMCID: PMC9278964 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2004661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-stimulatory 4-1BB receptors on tumor-infiltrating T cells are a compelling target for overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors, but initial clinical studies of 4-1BB agonist mAbs were accompanied by liver toxicity. We sought to engineer a tri-specific antibody-based molecule that stimulates intratumoral 4-1BB and blocks PD-L1/PD-1 signaling without systemic toxicity and with clinically favorable pharmacokinetics. Recombinant fusion proteins were constructed using scMATCH3 technology and humanized antibody single-chain variable fragments against PD-L1, 4-1BB, and human serum albumin. Paratope affinities were optimized using single amino acid substitutions, leading to design of the drug candidate NM21-1480. Multiple in vitro experiments evaluated pharmacodynamic properties of NM21-1480, and syngeneic mouse tumor models assessed antitumor efficacy and safety of murine analogues. A GLP multiple-dose toxicology study evaluated its safety in non-human primates. NM21-1480 inhibited PD-L1/PD-1 signaling with a potency similar to avelumab, and it potently stimulated 4-1BB signaling only in the presence of PD-L1, while exhibiting an EC50 that was largely independent of PD-L1 density. NM21-1480 exhibited high efficacy for co-activation of pre-stimulated T cells and dendritic cells. In xenograft models in syngeneic mice, NM21-1480 induced tumor regression and tumor infiltration of T cells without causing systemic T-cell activation. A GLP toxicology study revealed no evidence of liver toxicity at doses up to 140 mg/kg, and pharmacokinetic studies in non-human primates suggested a plasma half-life in humans of up to 2 weeks. NM21-1480 has the potential to overcome checkpoint resistance by co-activating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes without liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tea Gunde
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Julia Tietz
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Robin Heiz
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Dania Diem
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | - Dana Mahler
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David Urech
- Numab Therapeutics AG, Waedenswil, Switzerland
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25
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Orr CM, Fisher H, Yu X, Chan CHT, Gao Y, Duriez PJ, Booth SG, Elliott I, Inzhelevskaya T, Mockridge I, Penfold CA, Wagner A, Glennie MJ, White AL, Essex JW, Pearson AR, Cragg MS, Tews I. Hinge disulfides in human IgG2 CD40 antibodies modulate receptor signaling by regulation of conformation and flexibility. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eabm3723. [PMID: 35857577 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abm3723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2024]
Abstract
Antibodies protect from infection, underpin successful vaccines and elicit therapeutic responses in otherwise untreatable cancers and autoimmune conditions. The human IgG2 isotype displays a unique capacity to undergo disulfide shuffling in the hinge region, leading to modulation of its ability to drive target receptor signaling (agonism) in a variety of important immune receptors, through hitherto unexplained molecular mechanisms. To address the underlying process and reveal how hinge disulfide orientation affects agonistic activity, we generated a series of cysteine to serine exchange variants in the hinge region of the clinically relevant monoclonal antibody ChiLob7/4, directed against the key immune receptor CD40. We report how agonistic activity varies with disulfide pattern and is afforded by the presence of a disulfide crossover between F(ab) arms in the agonistic forms, independently of epitope, as observed in the determined crystallographic structures. This structural "switch" affects directly on antibody conformation and flexibility. Small-angle x-ray scattering and ensemble modeling demonstrated that the least flexible variants adopt the fewest conformations and evoke the highest levels of receptor agonism. This covalent change may be amenable for broad implementation to modulate receptor signaling in an epitope-independent manner in future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Orr
- University of Southampton, Biological Sciences, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging CFEL, Hamburg 22761, Germany
- Diamond Light Source, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Hayden Fisher
- University of Southampton, Biological Sciences, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Xiaojie Yu
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Claude H-T Chan
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Yunyun Gao
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging CFEL, Hamburg 22761, Germany
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Hamburg 22761, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Patrick J Duriez
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- University of Southampton, CRUK Protein Core Facility, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Steven G Booth
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Isabel Elliott
- University of Southampton, Biological Sciences, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- University of Southampton, School of Chemistry, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | | | - Ian Mockridge
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Christine A Penfold
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | | | - Martin J Glennie
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Ann L White
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- UCB Pharma, Slough SL1 3WE, UK
| | - Jonathan W Essex
- University of Southampton, School of Chemistry, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- University of Southampton, Institute for Life Sciences, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Arwen R Pearson
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging CFEL, Hamburg 22761, Germany
- Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Mark S Cragg
- University of Southampton, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- University of Southampton, Institute for Life Sciences, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Ivo Tews
- University of Southampton, Biological Sciences, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- University of Southampton, Institute for Life Sciences, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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26
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Upadhyaya P, Kristensson J, Lahdenranta J, Repash E, Ma J, Kublin J, Mudd GE, Luus L, Jeffrey P, Hurov K, McDonnell K, Keen N. Discovery and Optimization of a Synthetic Class of Nectin-4-Targeted CD137 Agonists for Immuno-oncology. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9858-9872. [PMID: 35819182 PMCID: PMC9340768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
![]()
CD137 (4-1BB) is a co-stimulatory receptor on immune
cells and
Nectin-4 is a cell adhesion molecule that is overexpressed in multiple
tumor types. Using a series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based linkers,
synthetic bicyclic peptides targeting CD137 were conjugated to Bicycles targeting Nectin-4. The resulting bispecific molecules
were potent CD137 agonists that require the presence of both Nectin-4-expressing
tumor cells and CD137-expressing immune cells for activity. A multipronged
approach was taken to optimize these Bicycle tumor-targeted
immune cell agonists by exploring the impact of chemical configuration,
binding affinity, and pharmacokinetics on CD137 agonism and antitumor
activity. This effort resulted in the discovery of BT7480, which elicited
robust CD137 agonism and maximum antitumor activity in syngeneic mouse
models. A tumor-targeted approach to CD137 agonism using low-molecular-weight,
short-acting molecules with high tumor penetration is a yet unexplored
path in the clinic, where emerging data suggest that persistent target
engagement, characteristic of biologics, may lead to suboptimal immune
response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punit Upadhyaya
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Julia Kristensson
- Bicycle Therapeutics, B900 Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Johanna Lahdenranta
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Elizabeth Repash
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Jun Ma
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Jessica Kublin
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Gemma E Mudd
- Bicycle Therapeutics, B900 Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Lia Luus
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Phil Jeffrey
- Bicycle Therapeutics, B900 Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Kristen Hurov
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Kevin McDonnell
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
| | - Nicholas Keen
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, United States
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The Role of Myeloid Cells in Hepatotoxicity Related to Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081913. [PMID: 35454819 PMCID: PMC9027811 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immune-modulating cancer treatments have proved to be highly effective in a wide range of tumour types. They interrupt the usual communication between cells in the immune system, encouraging them to become more active in identifying and destroying cancer cells. Although these therapies are very successful in treating cancer, patients frequently experience liver injury as a side effect related to over activation of the immune system. If cancer patients develop this side effect, they need to stop their cancer therapy and be given strong immunosuppressants. Researchers are now working on understanding the mechanisms involved in the development of liver inflammation. In this review we will summarise findings identifying classes of immune cells that are of particular importance in this context and highlight ways in which we can use this knowledge to improve the safety of these new cancer drugs. Abstract Drug-related hepatotoxicity is an emerging clinical challenge with the widening use of immunotherapeutic agents in the field of oncology. This is an important complication to consider as more immune oncological targets are being identified to show promising results in clinical trials. The application of these therapeutics may be complicated by the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), a serious limitation often requiring high-dose immunosuppression and discontinuation of cancer therapy. Hepatoxicity presents one of the most frequently encountered irAEs and a better understanding of the underlying mechanism is crucial for the development of alternative therapeutic interventions. As a novel drug side effect, the immunopathogenesis of the condition is not completely understood. In the liver, myeloid cells play a central role in the maintenance of homeostasis and promotion of inflammation. Recent research has identified myeloid cells to be associated with hepatic adverse events of various immune modulatory monoclonal antibodies. In this review article, we provide an overview of the role of myeloid cells in the immune pathogenesis during hepatoxicity related to cancer immunotherapies and highlight potential treatment options.
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Ronen D, Bsoul A, Lotem M, Abedat S, Yarkoni M, Amir O, Asleh R. Exploring the Mechanisms Underlying the Cardiotoxic Effects of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapies. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10040540. [PMID: 35455289 PMCID: PMC9031363 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immune response modulation has taken a central position in cancer therapy in recent decades. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is now indicated in many cancer types with exceptional results. The two major inhibitory pathways involved are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Unfortunately, immune activation is not tumor-specific, and as a result, most patients will experience some form of adverse reaction. Most immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) involve the skin and gastrointestinal (GI) tract; however, any organ can be involved. Cardiotoxicity ranges from arrhythmias to life-threatening myocarditis with very high mortality rates. To date, most treatments of ICI cardiotoxicity include immune suppression, which is also not cardiac-specific and may result in hampering of tumor clearance. Understanding the mechanisms behind immune activation in the heart is crucial for the development of specific treatments. Histological data and other models have shown mainly CD4 and CD8 infiltration during ICI-induced cardiotoxicity. Inhibition of CTLA4 seems to result in the proliferation of more diverse T0cell populations, some of which with autoantigen recognition. Inhibition of PD-1 interaction with PD ligand 1/2 (PD-L1/PD-L2) results in release from inhibition of exhausted self-recognizing T cells. However, CTLA4, PD-1, and their ligands are expressed on a wide range of cells, indicating a much more intricate mechanism. This is further complicated by the identification of multiple co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory signals, as well as the association of myocarditis with antibody-driven myasthenia gravis and myositis IRAEs. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in unraveling the complexity of the mechanisms driving ICI cardiotoxicity and discuss novel therapeutic strategies for directly targeting specific underlying mechanisms to reduce IRAEs and improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ronen
- Department of Internal Medicine D, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel;
| | - Aseel Bsoul
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; (A.B.); (S.A.); (O.A.)
| | - Michal Lotem
- Department of Oncology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel;
| | - Suzan Abedat
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; (A.B.); (S.A.); (O.A.)
| | - Merav Yarkoni
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel;
| | - Offer Amir
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; (A.B.); (S.A.); (O.A.)
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel;
| | - Rabea Asleh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; (A.B.); (S.A.); (O.A.)
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-2-6776564; Fax: +972-2-6411028
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29
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Balakrishnan PB, Ledezma DK, Cano-Mejia J, Andricovich J, Palmer E, Patel VA, Latham PS, Yvon ES, Villagra A, Fernandes R, Sweeney EE. CD137 agonist potentiates the abscopal efficacy of nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy for melanoma. NANO RESEARCH 2022; 15:2300-2314. [PMID: 36089987 PMCID: PMC9455608 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-021-3813-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of immunotherapy such as the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 for advanced melanoma, only 26%-52% of patients respond, and many experience grade III/IV immune-related adverse events. Motivated by the need for an effective therapy for patients non-responsive to clinically approved ICIs, we have developed a novel nanoimmunotherapy that combines locally administered Prussian blue nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy (PBNP-PTT) with systemically administered agonistic anti-CD137 monoclonal antibody therapy (aCD137). PBNP-PTT was administered at various thermal doses to melanoma cells in vitro, and was combined with aCD137 in vivo to test treatment effects on melanoma tumor progression, animal survival, immunological protection against tumor rechallenge, and hepatotoxicity. When administered at a melanoma-specific thermal dose, PBNP-PTT elicits immunogenic cell death (ICD) in melanoma cells and upregulates markers associated with antigen presentation and immune cell co-stimulation in vitro. Consequently, PBNP-PTT eliminates primary melanoma tumors in vivo, yielding long-term tumor-free survival. However, the antitumor immune effects generated by PBNP-PTT cannot eliminate secondary tumors, despite significantly slowing their growth. The addition of aCD137 enables significant abscopal efficacy and improvement of survival, functioning through activated dendritic cells and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell memory that manifests in the rejection of tumor rechallenge, with no long-term hepatotoxicity. This study describes for the first time a novel and effective nanoimmunotherapy combination of PBNP-PTT with aCD137 mAb therapy for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preethi Bala Balakrishnan
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Debbie K. Ledezma
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Juliana Cano-Mejia
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Jaclyn Andricovich
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Erica Palmer
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Vishal A. Patel
- Department of Dermatology & Oncology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Patricia S. Latham
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Eric S. Yvon
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Alejandro Villagra
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Rohan Fernandes
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- ImmunoBlue, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Elizabeth E. Sweeney
- GW Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- ImmunoBlue, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
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30
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Muik A, Altintas I, Gieseke F, Schoedel KB, Burm SM, Toker A, Salcedo TW, Verzijl D, Eisel D, Grunwitz C, Kranz LM, Vormehr M, Satijn DP, Diken M, Kreiter S, Sasser K, Ahmadi T, Türeci Ö, Breij EC, Jure-Kunkel M, Sahin U. An Fc-inert PD-L1×4-1BB bispecific antibody mediates potent anti-tumor immunity in mice by combining checkpoint inhibition and conditional 4-1BB co-stimulation. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2030135. [PMID: 35186440 PMCID: PMC8855865 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2030135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have changed the treatment paradigm for advanced solid tumors; however, many patients experience treatment resistance. In preclinical models 4-1BB co-stimulation synergizes with ICI by activating cytotoxic T- and NK-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Here we characterize the mechanism of action of a mouse-reactive Fc-inert PD-L1×4-1BB bispecific antibody (mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB) and provide proof-of-concept for enhanced anti-tumor activity. In reporter assays mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB exhibited conditional 4-1BB agonist activity that was dependent on simultaneous binding to PD-L1. mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB further blocked the PD-L1/PD-1 interaction independently of 4-1BB binding. By combining both mechanisms, mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB strongly enhanced T-cell proliferation, cytokine production and antigen-specific cytotoxicity using primary mouse cells in vitro. Furthermore, mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB exhibited potent anti-tumor activity in the CT26 and MC38 models in vivo, leading to the rejection of CT26 tumors that were unresponsive to PD-L1 blockade alone. Anti-tumor activity was associated with increased tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and reduced regulatory T cells within the tumor microenvironment and tumor-draining lymph nodes. In immunocompetent tumor-free mice, mbsAb-PD-L1×4-1BB treatment neither induced T-cell infiltration into the liver nor elevated liver enzymes in the blood. Dual targeting of PD-L1 and 4-1BB with a bispecific antibody may therefore address key limitations of first generation 4-1BB-agonistic antibodies, and may provide a novel approach to improve PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
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31
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Blake SJ, James J, Ryan FJ, Caparros-Martin J, Eden GL, Tee YC, Salamon JR, Benson SC, Tumes DJ, Sribnaia A, Stevens NE, Finnie JW, Kobayashi H, White DL, Wesselingh SL, O’Gara F, Lynn MA, Lynn DJ. The immunotoxicity, but not anti-tumor efficacy, of anti-CD40 and anti-CD137 immunotherapies is dependent on the gut microbiota. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100464. [PMID: 35028606 PMCID: PMC8714857 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immune agonist antibodies (IAAs) are promising immunotherapies that target co-stimulatory receptors to induce potent anti-tumor immune responses, particularly when combined with checkpoint inhibitors. Unfortunately, their clinical translation is hampered by serious dose-limiting, immune-mediated toxicities, including high-grade and sometimes fatal liver damage, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and colitis. We show that the immunotoxicity, induced by the IAAs anti-CD40 and anti-CD137, is dependent on the gut microbiota. Germ-free or antibiotic-treated mice have significantly reduced colitis, CRS, and liver damage following IAA treatment compared with conventional mice or germ-free mice recolonized via fecal microbiota transplant. MyD88 signaling is required for IAA-induced CRS and for anti-CD137-induced, but not anti-CD40-induced, liver damage. Importantly, antibiotic treatment does not impair IAA anti-tumor efficacy, alone or in combination with anti-PD1. Our results suggest that microbiota-targeted therapies could overcome the toxicity induced by IAAs without impairing their anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Blake
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jane James
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Feargal J. Ryan
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jose Caparros-Martin
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Georgina L. Eden
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Yee C. Tee
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5000, Australia
| | - John R. Salamon
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Saoirse C. Benson
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Damon J. Tumes
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Anastasia Sribnaia
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Natalie E. Stevens
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - John W. Finnie
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Hiroki Kobayashi
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Deborah L. White
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Steve L. Wesselingh
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Fergal O’Gara
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- BIOMERIT Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Miriam A. Lynn
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - David J. Lynn
- Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5000, Australia
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32
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Weigand K, Peschel G, Grimm J, Luu K, Schacherer D, Wiest R, Müller M, Schwarz H, Buechler C. Soluble CD137 is a novel serum marker of liver cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C and alcohol-associated disease etiology. Eur J Immunol 2021; 52:633-645. [PMID: 34914098 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Defective T-cell functions play a role in the persistence of HCV infection. Activated T cells express CD137, which costimulates antivirus T-cell responses, and this activity is antagonized by soluble CD137 (sCD137). Here, we show that in sera of 81 patients with chronic HCV, sCD137 levels did not correlate with measures of viral infection, and did not decline after virus eradication using direct-acting antivirals. Thus, serum sCD137 was similar in patients infected with HCV and in uninfected controls. Of note, in HCV patients with liver cirrhosis and patients with mostly alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis, sCD137 was increased. A negative association of sCD137 and albumin existed in both cohorts. sCD137 concentrations were similar in hepatic and portal vein blood excluding the liver as the origin of higher levels. Recombinant sCD137 reduced Th1 and Th2 but not Th17 cell polarization in vitro, and accordingly lowered IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-13 in cell media. Serum sCD137 is associated with inflammatory states, and positively correlated with serum TNF in cirrhotic HCV patients following virus eradication. Our study argues against a role of sCD137 in HCV infection and suggests a function of sCD137 in liver cirrhosis, which yet has to be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Weigand
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Georg Peschel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jonathan Grimm
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Khang Luu
- Department of Physiology and Immunology Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Doris Schacherer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Reiner Wiest
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martina Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Herbert Schwarz
- Department of Physiology and Immunology Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Bardoscia L, Pasinetti N, Triggiani L, Cozzi S, Sardaro A. Biological Bases of Immune-Related Adverse Events and Potential Crosslinks With Immunogenic Effects of Radiation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:746853. [PMID: 34790123 PMCID: PMC8591245 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.746853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have gained an established role in the treatment of different tumors. Indeed, their use has dramatically changed the landscape of cancer care, especially for tumor types traditionally known to have poor outcomes. However, stimulating anticancer immune responses may also elicit an unusual pattern of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), different from those of conventional chemotherapy, likely due to a self-tolerance impairment featuring the production of autoreactive lymphocytes and autoantibodies, or a non-specific autoinflammatory reaction. Ionizing radiation has proven to promote both positive pro-inflammatory and immunostimolatory activities, and negative anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive mechanisms, as a result of cross-linked interactions among radiation dose, the tumor microenvironment and the host genetic predisposition. Several publications argue in favor of combining immunotherapy and a broad range of radiation schedules, based on the recent evidence of superior treatment responses and patient survival. The synergistic modulation of the immune response by radiation therapy and immunotherapeutics, particularly those manipulating T-cell activation, may also affect the type and severity of irAEs, suggesting a relationship between the positive antitumor and adverse autoimmune effects of these agents. As yet, information on factors that may help to predict immune toxicity is still lacking. The aim of our work is to provide an overview of the biological mechanisms underlying irAEs and possible crosslinks with radiation-induced anticancer immune responses. We believe such an overview may support the optimization of immunotherapy and radiotherapy as essential components of multimodal anticancer therapeutic approaches. Challenges in translating these to clinical practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Bardoscia
- Radiation Oncology Unit, S. Luca Hospital, Healthcare Company Tuscany Nord Ovest, Lucca, Italy
| | - Nadia Pasinetti
- Radiation Oncology Department, ASST Valcamonica Esine and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Triggiani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cozzi
- Radiotherapy Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Angela Sardaro
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Hurov K, Lahdenranta J, Upadhyaya P, Haines E, Cohen H, Repash E, Kanakia D, Ma J, Kristensson J, You F, Campbell C, Witty D, Kelly M, Blakemore S, Jeffrey P, McDonnell K, Brandish P, Keen N. BT7480, a novel fully synthetic Bicycle tumor-targeted immune cell agonist™ ( Bicycle TICA™) induces tumor localized CD137 agonism. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002883. [PMID: 34725211 PMCID: PMC8562524 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CD137 (4-1BB) is an immune costimulatory receptor with high therapeutic potential in cancer. We are creating tumor target-dependent CD137 agonists using a novel chemical approach based on fully synthetic constrained bicyclic peptide (Bicycle®) technology. Nectin-4 is overexpressed in multiple human cancers that may benefit from CD137 agonism. To this end, we have developed BT7480, a novel, first-in-class, Nectin-4/CD137 Bicycle tumor-targeted immune cell agonist™ (Bicycle TICA™). Methods Nectin-4 and CD137 co-expression analyses in primary human cancer samples was performed. Chemical conjugation of two CD137 Bicycles to a Nectin-4 Bicycle led to BT7480, which was then evaluated using a suite of in vitro and in vivo assays to characterize its pharmacology and mechanism of action. Results Transcriptional profiling revealed that Nectin-4 and CD137 were co-expressed in a variety of human cancers with high unmet need and spatial proteomic imaging found CD137-expressing immune cells were deeply penetrant within the tumor near Nectin-4-expressing cancer cells. BT7480 binds potently, specifically, and simultaneously to Nectin-4 and CD137. In co-cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor cells, this co-ligation causes robust Nectin-4-dependent CD137 agonism that is more potent than an anti-CD137 antibody agonist. Treatment of immunocompetent mice bearing Nectin-4-expressing tumors with BT7480 elicited a profound reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment including an early and rapid myeloid cell activation that precedes T cell infiltration and upregulation of cytotoxicity-related genes. BT7480 induces complete tumor regressions and resistance to tumor re-challenge. Importantly, antitumor activity is not dependent on continuous high drug levels in the plasma since a once weekly dosing cycle provides maximum antitumor activity despite minimal drug remaining in the plasma after day 2. BT7480 appears well tolerated in both rats and non-human primates at doses far greater than those expected to be clinically relevant, including absence of the hepatic toxicity observed with non-targeted CD137 agonists. Conclusion BT7480 is a highly potent Nectin-4-dependent CD137 agonist that produces complete regressions and antitumor immunity with only intermittent drug exposure in syngeneic mouse tumor models and is well tolerated in preclinical safety species. This work supports the clinical investigation of BT7480 for the treatment of cancer in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Hurov
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Punit Upadhyaya
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric Haines
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heather Cohen
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth Repash
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Drasti Kanakia
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jun Ma
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julia Kristensson
- Bicycle Therapeutics, B900 Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fanglei You
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carly Campbell
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Witty
- Bicycle Therapeutics, B900 Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mike Kelly
- Bicycle Therapeutics, B900 Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen Blakemore
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Phil Jeffrey
- Bicycle Therapeutics, B900 Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kevin McDonnell
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philip Brandish
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicholas Keen
- Bicycle Therapeutics, 4 Hartwell Place, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
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Llewellyn HP, Arat S, Gao J, Wen J, Xia S, Kalabat D, Oziolor E, Virgen-Slane R, Affolter T, Ji C. T cells and monocyte-derived myeloid cells mediate immunotherapy-related hepatitis in a mouse model. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1083-1095. [PMID: 34242700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) which are more severe when ICIs are used in combination. We aimed to use a mouse model to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of immune-related hepatitis, one of the common irAEs associated with ICIs. METHODS Immune phenotyping and molecular profiling were performed on Pdcd1-/- mice treated with anti-CTLA4 and/or the IDO1 inhibitor epacadostat or a 4-1BB agonistic antibody. RESULTS ICI combination-induced hepatitis and 4-1BB agonist-mediated hepatitis share similar features yet maintain distinct immune signatures. Both were characterized by an expansion of periportal infiltrates and pan-zonal inflammation albeit with different morphologic characteristics. In both cases, infiltrates were predominantly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with upregulated T-cell activation markers, ICOS and CD44. Depletion of CD8+ T cells abolished ICI-mediated hepatitis. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed that the hepatitis induced by combination ICIs is associated with a robust immune activation signature in all subtypes of T cells and T helper 1 skewing. Expression profiling revealed a central role for IFNγ and liver monocyte-derived macrophages in promoting a pro-inflammatory T-cell response to ICI combination and 4-1BB agonism. CONCLUSION We developed a novel mouse model which offers significant value in yielding deeper mechanistic insight into immune-mediated liver toxicity associated with various immunotherapies. LAY SUMMARY Hepatitis is one of the common immune-related adverse events in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The mechanisms of ICI-induced hepatitis are not well understood. In this paper, we identify key molecular mechanisms mediating immune intracellular crosstalk between liver T cells and macrophages in response to ICI in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather P Llewellyn
- Global Biomarkers, Drug Safety Research and Development (DSRD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Seda Arat
- Global Pathology and Investigative Toxicology, DSRD, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Jingjin Gao
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ji Wen
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shuhua Xia
- Global Pathology and Investigative Toxicology, DSRD, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Dalia Kalabat
- Global Pathology and Investigative Toxicology, DSRD, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Elias Oziolor
- Global Pathology and Investigative Toxicology, DSRD, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Richard Virgen-Slane
- Global Biomarkers, Drug Safety Research and Development (DSRD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Changhua Ji
- Regulatory and Immunosafety Strategy, DSRD, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Increased Intrahepatic Expression of Immune Checkpoint Molecules in Autoimmune Liver Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102671. [PMID: 34685651 PMCID: PMC8534248 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules (ICM) are critical in maintaining immunologic homeostasis and participate in preventing or promoting autoimmune disease development. Exploring a large panel of intrahepatic inhibitory and stimulatory ICM is necessary for drawing a general picture of the immune alterations in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Here, we performed a multiparametric analysis of ICM, including PD-1, TIM3, LAG3, CTLA-4, OX40 and 4-1BB, and we determined their expression on intrahepatic lymphocyte subsets in untreated and in treated patients with AIH in comparison to normal liver tissue. AIH patient-derived liver tissue revealed the overexpression of ICM, mainly PD-1 and 4-1BB, as well as the strong correlation between PD-1+ CD8+ T-cell abundance and severity of AIH (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels). Our results show that the ICM play an important role in the loss of immune homeostasis in the liver, providing an attractive approach to investigate their role as targets for effective therapeutic interventions.
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Tee YC, Blake SJ, Lynn DJ. OX40-targeted immune agonist antibodies induce potent antitumor immune responses without inducing liver damage in mice. FASEB Bioadv 2021; 3:829-840. [PMID: 34632317 PMCID: PMC8493970 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2021-00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite promising preclinical and clinical data demonstrating that immune agonist antibody immunotherapies (IAAs) such as αOX40 induce strong antitumor immune responses, clinical translation has been significantly hampered by the propensity of some IAAs to induce dose-limiting and sometimes life-threatening immunotoxicities such as cytokine release syndrome and hepatotoxicity. For example, in a recent study αOX40 was shown to induce significant liver damage in mice by inducing the pyroptosis of liver natural killer T cells (NKT) cells. Surprisingly; however, given these previous reports, αOX40 treatment in our hands did not induce NKT cell pyroptosis or liver damage. We investigated numerous potential confounding factors including age, sex, tumor burden, dosing strategy, and the gut microbiota, which could have explained this discrepancy with the previous study. In none of these experiments did we find that αOX40 induced any more than very mild inflammation in the liver. Our study therefore suggests that, preclinically, αOX40 is a safe and effective immunotherapy and further studies into the clinical benefit of αOX40 are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee C. Tee
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSAAustralia
| | - Stephen J. Blake
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - David J. Lynn
- Precision Medicine ThemeSouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSAAustralia
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Etxeberria I, Glez-Vaz J, Teijeira Á, Melero I. New emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy: CD137/4-1BB costimulatory axis. ESMO Open 2021; 4:e000733. [PMID: 32611557 PMCID: PMC7333812 DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137 (4-1BB) is a surface glycoprotein that belongs to the tumour necrosis factor receptor family (TNFRSF9). Its expression is induced on activation on a number of leucocyte types. Interestingly, for cancer immunotherapy, CD137 becomes expressed on primed T and natural killer (NK) cells, which on ligation provides powerful costimulatory signals. Perturbation of CD137 by CD137L or agonist monoclonal antibodies on activated CD8 T cells protects such antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes from apoptosis, enhances effector functionalities and favours persistence and memory differentiation. As a consequence, agonist antibodies exert potent antitumour effects in mouse models and the CD137 signalling domain is critical in chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) of CAR T cells approved to be used in the clinic. New formats of CD137 agonist moieties are being clinically developed, seeking potent costimulation targeted to the tumour microenvironment to avoid liver inflammation side effects, that have thus far limited and delayed clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñaki Etxeberria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Álvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; Department of Immunology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
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McArdel SL, Dugast AS, Hoover ME, Bollampalli A, Hong E, Castano Z, Leonard SC, Pawar S, Mellen J, Muriuki K, McLaughlin DC, Bayhi N, Carpenter CL, Turka LA, Wickham TJ, Elloul S. Anti-tumor effects of RTX-240: an engineered red blood cell expressing 4-1BB ligand and interleukin-15. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2701-2719. [PMID: 34244816 PMCID: PMC8360899 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03001-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant agonists that activate co-stimulatory and cytokine receptors have shown limited clinical anticancer utility, potentially due to narrow therapeutic windows, the need for coordinated activation of co-stimulatory and cytokine pathways and the failure of agonistic antibodies to recapitulate signaling by endogenous ligands. RTX-240 is a genetically engineered red blood cell expressing 4-1BBL and IL-15/IL-15Rα fusion (IL-15TP). RTX-240 is designed to potently and simultaneously stimulate the 4-1BB and IL-15 pathways, thereby activating and expanding T cells and NK cells, while potentially offering an improved safety profile through restricted biodistribution. We assessed the ability of RTX-240 to expand and activate T cells and NK cells and evaluated the in vivo efficacy, pharmacodynamics and tolerability using murine models. Treatment of PBMCs with RTX-240 induced T cell and NK cell activation and proliferation. In vivo studies using mRBC-240, a mouse surrogate for RTX-240, revealed biodistribution predominantly to the red pulp of the spleen, leading to CD8 + T cell and NK cell expansion. mRBC-240 was efficacious in a B16-F10 melanoma model and led to increased NK cell infiltration into the lungs. mRBC-240 significantly inhibited CT26 tumor growth, in association with an increase in tumor-infiltrating proliferating and cytotoxic CD8 + T cells. mRBC-240 was tolerated and showed no evidence of hepatic injury at the highest feasible dose, compared with a 4-1BB agonistic antibody. RTX-240 promotes T cell and NK cell activity in preclinical models and shows efficacy and an improved safety profile. Based on these data, RTX-240 is now being evaluated in a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Enping Hong
- Rubius Therapeutics® Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Sneha Pawar
- Rubius Therapeutics® Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
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Jeong S, Park E, Kim HD, Sung E, Kim H, Jeon J, Kim Y, Jung UJ, Son YG, Hong Y, Lee H, Lee S, Lim Y, Won J, Jeon M, Hwang S, Fang L, Jiang W, Wang Z, Shin EC, Park SH, Jung J. Novel anti-4-1BB×PD-L1 bispecific antibody augments anti-tumor immunity through tumor-directed T-cell activation and checkpoint blockade. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002428. [PMID: 34230109 PMCID: PMC8261887 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stimulation of 4-1BB with agonistic antibodies is a promising strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or for overcoming resistance to ICIs. However, dose-dependent hepatotoxicity was observed in clinical trials with monoclonal anti-4-1BB agonistic antibodies due to the activation of 4-1BB signaling in liver resident Kupffer cells. Methods To avoid this on-target liver toxicity, we developed a novel bispecific antibody (4-1BB×PD-L1 bispecific antibody, termed “ABL503”) uniquely designed to activate 4-1BB signaling only in the context of PD-L1, while also blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling. Results Functional evaluation using effector cells expressing both 4-1BB and PD-1 revealed superior biological activity of ABL503 compared with the combination of each monoclonal antibody. ABL503 also augmented T-cell activation in in vitro assays and further enhanced the anti-PD-L1-mediated reinvigoration of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells from patients with cancer. Furthermore, in humanized PD-L1/4-1BB transgenic mice challenged with huPD-L1-expressing tumor cells, ABL503 induced superior anti-tumor activity and maintained an anti-tumor response against tumor rechallenge. ABL503 was well tolerated, with normal liver function in monkeys. Conclusion The novel anti-4-1BB×PD-L1 bispecific antibody may exert a strong anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy with a low risk of liver toxicity through the restriction of 4-1BB stimulation in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongju Jeong
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | | | - Hyung-Don Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea.,Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Minwoo Jeon
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Shin Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Seoul, Korea
| | - Lei Fang
- I-Mab Biopharma, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Su-Hyung Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
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Antitumor efficacy and reduced toxicity using an anti-CD137 Probody therapeutic. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2025930118. [PMID: 34172583 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025930118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Costimulation via CD137 (4-1BB) enhances antitumor immunity mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Anti-CD137 agonist antibodies elicit mild liver inflammation in mice, and the maximum tolerated dose of Urelumab, an anti-human CD137 agonist monoclonal antibody, in the clinic was defined by liver inflammation-related side effects. A protease-activated prodrug form of the anti-mouse CD137 agonist antibody 1D8 (1D8 Probody therapeutic, Pb-Tx) was constructed and found to be selectively activated in the tumor microenvironment. This construct, which encompasses a protease-cleavable linker holding in place a peptide that masks the antigen binding site, exerted antitumor effects comparable to the unmodified antibody but did not result in liver inflammation. Moreover, it efficaciously synergized with both PD-1 blockade and adoptive T-cell therapy. Surprisingly, minimal active Pb-Tx reached tumor-draining lymph nodes, and regional lymphadenectomy did not abrogate antitumor efficacy. By contrast, S1P receptor-dependent recirculation of T cells was absolutely required for efficacy. The preferential cleavage of the anti-CD137 Pb-Tx by tumor proteases offers multiple therapeutic opportunities, including neoadjuvant therapy, as shown by experiments in which the Pb-Tx is given prior to surgery to avoid spontaneous metastases.
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42
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Zhai T, Wang C, Xu Y, Huang W, Yuan Z, Wang T, Dai S, Peng S, Pang T, Jiang W, Huang Y, Zou Y, Xu Y, Sun J, Gong X, Zhang J, Tsun A, Li B, Miao X. Generation of a safe and efficacious llama single-domain antibody fragment (vHH) targeting the membrane-proximal region of 4-1BB for engineering therapeutic bispecific antibodies for cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-002131. [PMID: 34172514 PMCID: PMC8237747 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-002131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The discovery of checkpoint inhibitors towards cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) has been revolutionary for the treatment of cancers. These therapies have only offered an average of 20%–30% response rates across the tumor spectrum and the combination of agonists towards the tumor-necrosis superfamily members, such as 4-1BB and CD40, has shown potent efficacy in preclinical studies; however, these agonists have exhibited high degrees of toxicity with limited efficacy in human trials. In this study, we have generated a single-domain antibody towards a unique epitope of 4-1BB that limits its potential on-target toxicity while maintaining sufficient potency. This 4-1BB binder is ideal for use in the engineering of multispecific antibodies to localize 4-1BB activation within the tumor microenvironment, as shown here by a anti-PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific candidate (PM1003). Methods To determine the functional activity of the 4-1BB- and PD-L1-binding elements of PM1003, in vitro luciferase reporter and primary cell assays were used to test the potency of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade and PD-L1-mediated 4-1BB activation via cross-bridging. X-ray crystallography was conducted to resolve the binding epitopes of the respective binding arms, and accurate binding kinetics were determined using standard affinity measurement techniques. Human 4-1BB and/or PD-L1 knock-in mice were used in cancer models for testing the in vivo antitumor efficacy of PM1003, and safety was evaluated further. Results PM1003 shows potent activation of 4-1BB and blockade of PD-L1 in cell-based assays. 4-1BB activation was exerted through the bridging of PD-L1 on target cells and 4-1BB on effector cells. No PD-L1-independent activation of 4-1BB was observed. Through X-ray crystallography, a unique binding epitope in the cysteine-rich domain 4 (CRD4) region was resolved that provides high potency and potentially low on-target toxicity as determined by primary immune cell assays and toxicity evaluation in vivo. Conclusions A unique single-domain antibody was discovered that binds to the CRD4 domain of 4-1BB. When incorporated into a 4-1BB/PD-L1 bispecific (PM1003), we have shown the potent inhibition of PD-L1 activity with 4-1BB agonism upon cross-bridging with PD-L1 in vitro. Antitumor activity with minimal toxicity was found in vivo. Thus, PM1003 is a uniquely differentiating and next generation therapeutic agent for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhang Zhai
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Weifeng Huang
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhijun Yuan
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shuang Dai
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Shaogang Peng
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Tuling Pang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenchao Jiang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yuefeng Zou
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingda Xu
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Joanne Sun
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xinjiang Gong
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jinping Zhang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Andy Tsun
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoniu Miao
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China .,Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Min B, Kim D, Feige MJ. IL-30 † (IL-27A): a familiar stranger in immunity, inflammation, and cancer. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:823-834. [PMID: 34045653 PMCID: PMC8178335 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00630-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, interleukin (IL)-27 has received much attention because of its highly divergent, sometimes even opposing, functions in immunity. IL-30, the p28 subunit that forms IL-27 together with Ebi3 and is also known as IL-27p28 or IL-27A, has been considered a surrogate to represent IL-27. However, it was later discovered that IL-30 can form complexes with other protein subunits, potentially leading to overlapping or discrete functions. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that IL-30 itself may perform immunomodulatory functions independent of Ebi3 or other binding partners and that IL-30 production is strongly associated with certain cancers in humans. In this review, we will discuss the biology of IL-30 and other IL-30-associated cytokines and their functions in inflammation and cancer. Studying the ways that interleukin IL-30 regulates immune responses may provide novel insights into tumor development and inflammatory conditions. Interleukins are a diverse family of proteins involved in intercellular communications and immunity, where they can exert divergent and even opposing functions. Booki Min at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, and co-workers reviewed the current understanding of IL-30 and its links to inflammation and cancer. IL-30 forms the IL-27 complex with the Ebi3 protein and was thought to be a surrogate for IL-27 in terms of activity. However, recent insights suggest that IL-30 may perform discrete immune modulation functions. Elevated IL-30 secretion is linked to prostate and breast cancer development. Extensive research is needed into the formation of IL-30, its associated protein interactions, and the development of a suitable animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Booki Min
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Dongkyun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Matthias J Feige
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
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Hashimoto K. CD137 as an Attractive T Cell Co-Stimulatory Target in the TNFRSF for Immuno-Oncology Drug Development. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2288. [PMID: 34064598 PMCID: PMC8150789 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have altered the treatment landscape significantly in several cancers, yet not enough for many cancer patients. T cell costimulatory receptors have been pursued as targets for the next generation of cancer immunotherapies, however, sufficient clinical efficacy has not yet been achieved. CD137 (TNFRSF9, 4-1BB) provides co-stimulatory signals and activates cytotoxic effects of CD8+ T cells and helps to form memory T cells. In addition, CD137 signalling can activate NK cells and dendritic cells which further supports cytotoxic T cell activation. An agonistic monoclonal antibody to CD137, urelumab, provided promising clinical efficacy signals but the responses were achieved above the maximum tolerated dose. Utomilumab is another CD137 monoclonal antibody to CD137 but is not as potent as urelumab. Recent advances in antibody engineering technologies have enabled mitigation of the hepato-toxicity that hampered clinical application of urelumab and have enabled to maintain similar potency to urelumab. Next generation CD137 targeting molecules currently in clinical trials support T cell and NK cell expansion in patient samples. CD137 targeting molecules in combination with checkpoint inhibitors or ADCC-enhancing monoclonal antibodies have been sought to improve both clinical safety and efficacy. Further investigation on patient samples will be required to provide insights to understand compensating pathways for future combination strategies involving CD137 targeting agents to optimize and maintain the T cell activation status in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hashimoto
- Crescendo Biologics, Ltd., Meditrina Building 260, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
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Hinterberger M, Giessel R, Fiore G, Graebnitz F, Bathke B, Wennier S, Chaplin P, Melero I, Suter M, Lauterbach H, Berraondo P, Hochrein H, Medina-Echeverz J. Intratumoral virotherapy with 4-1BBL armed modified vaccinia Ankara eradicates solid tumors and promotes protective immune memory. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-001586. [PMID: 33579736 PMCID: PMC7883866 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human cancers are extraordinarily heterogeneous in terms of tumor antigen expression, immune infiltration and composition. A common feature, however, is the host′s inability to mount potent immune responses that prevent tumor growth effectively. Often, naturally primed CD8+ T cells against solid tumors lack adequate stimulation and efficient tumor tissue penetration due to an immune hostile tumor microenvironment. Methods To address these shortcomings, we cloned tumor-associated antigens (TAA) and the immune-stimulatory ligand 4-1BBL into the genome of modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) for intratumoral virotherapy. Results Local treatment with MVA-TAA-4-1BBL resulted in control of established tumors. Intratumoral injection of MVA localized mainly to the tumor with minimal leakage to the tumor-draining lymph node. In situ infection by MVA-TAA-4-1BBL triggered profound changes in the tumor microenvironment, including the induction of multiple proinflammatory molecules and immunogenic cell death. These changes led to the reactivation and expansion of antigen-experienced, tumor-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells that were essential for the therapeutic antitumor effect. Strikingly, we report the induction of a systemic antitumor immune response including tumor antigen spread by local MVA-TAA-4-1BBL treatment which controlled tumor growth at distant, untreated lesions and protected against local and systemic tumor rechallenge. In all cases, 4-1BBL adjuvanted MVA was superior to MVA. Conclusion Intratumoral 4-1BBL-armed MVA immunotherapy induced a profound reactivation and expansion of potent tumor-specific CD8+ T cells as well as favorable proinflammatory changes in the tumor microenvironment, leading to elimination of tumors and protective immunological memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mark Suter
- Bavarian Nordic GmbH, Planegg, Germany.,Vetsuisse Fakultät, Dekanat, Bereich Immunologie, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Henning Lauterbach
- Bavarian Nordic GmbH, Planegg, Germany.,Present address: Hookipa Pharma Inc, 350 Fifth Avenue, Room/Suite 7240, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
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Upadhyaya P, Lahdenranta J, Hurov K, Battula S, Dods R, Haines E, Kleyman M, Kristensson J, Kublin J, Lani R, Ma J, Mudd G, Repash E, Van Rietschoten K, Stephen T, You F, Harrison H, Chen L, McDonnell K, Brandish P, Keen N. Anticancer immunity induced by a synthetic tumor-targeted CD137 agonist. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-001762. [PMID: 33500260 PMCID: PMC7839861 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In contrast to immune checkpoint inhibitors, the use of antibodies as agonists of immune costimulatory receptors as cancer therapeutics has largely failed. We sought to address this problem using a new class of modular synthetic drugs, termed tumor-targeted immune cell agonists (TICAs), based on constrained bicyclic peptides (Bicycles). Methods Phage libraries displaying Bicycles were panned for binders against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily receptors CD137 and OX40, and tumor antigens EphA2, Nectin-4 and programmed death ligand 1. The CD137 and OX40 Bicycles were chemically conjugated to tumor antigen Bicycles with different linkers and stoichiometric ratios of binders to obtain a library of low molecular weight TICAs (MW <8 kDa). The TICAs were evaluated in a suite of in vitro and in vivo assays to characterize their pharmacology and mechanism of action. Results Linking Bicycles against costimulatory receptors (e.g., CD137) to Bicycles against tumor antigens (e.g., EphA2) created potent agonists that activated the receptors selectively in the presence of tumor cells expressing these antigens. An EphA2/CD137 TICA (BCY12491) efficiently costimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro in the presence of EphA2 expressing tumor cell lines as measured by the increased secretion of interferon γ and interleukin-2. Treatment of C57/Bl6 mice transgenic for the human CD137 extracellular domain (huCD137) bearing EphA2-expressing MC38 tumors with BCY12491 resulted in the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, elimination of tumors and generation of immunological memory. BCY12491 was cleared quickly from the circulation (plasma t1/2 in mice of 1–2 hr), yet intermittent dosing proved effective. Conclusion Tumor target-dependent CD137 agonism using a novel chemical approach (TICAs) afforded elimination of tumors with only intermittent dosing suggesting potential for a wide therapeutic index in humans. This work unlocks a new path to effective cancer immunotherapy via agonism of TNF superfamily receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rachel Dods
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eric Haines
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rachid Lani
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jun Ma
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gemma Mudd
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Tom Stephen
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fanglei You
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Helen Harrison
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Liuhong Chen
- Bicycle Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
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47
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Brewis N. Improvement of Key Characteristics of Antibodies. LEARNING MATERIALS IN BIOSCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-54630-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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48
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Mock J, Stringhini M, Villa A, Weller M, Weiss T, Neri D. An engineered 4-1BBL fusion protein with "activity on demand". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31780-31788. [PMID: 33239441 PMCID: PMC7749310 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2013615117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered cytokines are gaining importance in cancer therapy, but these products are often limited by toxicity, especially at early time points after intravenous administration. 4-1BB is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, which has been considered as a target for therapeutic strategies with agonistic antibodies or using its cognate cytokine ligand, 4-1BBL. Here we describe the engineering of an antibody fusion protein, termed F8-4-1BBL, that does not exhibit cytokine activity in solution but regains biological activity on antigen binding. F8-4-1BBL bound specifically to its cognate antigen, the alternatively spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, and selectively localized to tumors in vivo, as evidenced by quantitative biodistribution experiments. The product promoted a potent antitumor activity in various mouse models of cancer without apparent toxicity at the doses used. F8-4-1BBL represents a prototype for antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, which conditionally display "activity on demand" properties at the site of disease on antigen binding and reduce toxicity to normal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Mock
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Stringhini
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Villa
- Antibody Research, Philochem AG, CH-8112 Otelfingen, Switzerland
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Neri
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland;
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49
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Jaiswal AR, Liu AJ, Pudakalakatti S, Dutta P, Jayaprakash P, Bartkowiak T, Ager CR, Wang ZQ, Reuben A, Cooper ZA, Ivan C, Ju Z, Nwajei F, Wang J, Davies MA, Davis RE, Wargo JA, Bhattacharya PK, Hong DS, Curran MA. Melanoma Evolves Complete Immunotherapy Resistance through the Acquisition of a Hypermetabolic Phenotype. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:1365-1380. [PMID: 32917656 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite the clinical success of T-cell checkpoint blockade, most patients with cancer still fail to have durable responses to immunotherapy. The molecular mechanisms driving checkpoint blockade resistance, whether preexisting or evolved, remain unclear. To address this critical knowledge gap, we treated B16 melanoma with the combination of CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 blockade and a Flt3 ligand vaccine (≥75% curative), isolated tumors resistant to therapy, and serially passaged them in vivo with the same treatment regimen until they developed complete resistance. Using gene expression analysis and immunogenomics, we determined the adaptations associated with this resistance phenotype. Checkpoint resistance coincided with acquisition of a "hypermetabolic" phenotype characterized by coordinated upregulation of the glycolytic, oxidoreductase, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathways. These resistant tumors flourished under hypoxic conditions, whereas metabolically starved T cells lost glycolytic potential, effector function, and the ability to expand in response to immunotherapy. Furthermore, we found that checkpoint-resistant versus -sensitive tumors could be separated by noninvasive MRI imaging based solely on their metabolic state. In a cohort of patients with melanoma resistant to both CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockade, we observed upregulation of pathways indicative of a similar hypermetabolic state. Together, these data indicated that melanoma can evade T-cell checkpoint blockade immunotherapy by adapting a hypermetabolic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashvin R Jaiswal
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Arthur J Liu
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Shivanand Pudakalakatti
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Prasanta Dutta
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Priyamvada Jayaprakash
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Todd Bartkowiak
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Casey R Ager
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Alexandre Reuben
- Departments of Genomic Medicine and Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zachary A Cooper
- Departments of Genomic Medicine and Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cristina Ivan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhenlin Ju
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Felix Nwajei
- Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael A Davies
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas.,Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - R Eric Davis
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas.,Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas.,Departments of Genomic Medicine and Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Pratip K Bhattacharya
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas.,Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David S Hong
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas.,Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. .,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
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50
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Woroniecka K, Fecci PE. 4-1BB Agonism as a strategy to license immune checkpoint blockade in glioblastoma. Oncoscience 2020; 7:34-35. [PMID: 32676514 PMCID: PMC7343573 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Woroniecka
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter E Fecci
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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