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Albu DI, Wolf BJ, Qin Y, Wang X, Daniel Ulumben A, Su M, Li V, Ding E, Angel Gonzalo J, Kong J, Jadhav R, Kuklin N, Visintin A, Gong B, Schuetz TJ. A bispecific anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 antibody induces PD-1 cleavage and provides enhanced anti-tumor activity. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2316945. [PMID: 38379869 PMCID: PMC10877993 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2316945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Combinatorial strategies, such as targeting different immune checkpoint receptors, hold promise to increase the breadth and duration of the response to cancer therapy. Here we describe the preclinical evaluation of CTX-8371, a protein construct which combines PD-1 and PD-L1 targeting in one bispecific, tetravalent antibody. CTX-8371 matched or surpassed the activity of anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 benchmark antibodies in several in vitro T cell activation assays and outperformed clinically approved benchmarks in the subcutaneous MC38 colon and the B16F10 lung metastasis mouse tumor models. Investigation into the mechanism of action revealed that CTX-8371 co-engagement of PD-1 and PD-L1 induced the proteolytic cleavage and loss of cell surface PD-1, which is a novel and non-redundant mechanism that adds to the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axis blockade. The combination of CTX-8371 and an agonistic anti-CD137 antibody further increased the anti-tumor efficacy with long-lasting curative therapeutic effect. In summary, CTX-8371 is a novel checkpoint inhibitor that might provide greater clinical benefit compared to current anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies, especially when combined with agents with orthogonal mechanisms of action, such as agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yan Qin
- Compass Therapeutics Inc, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Mei Su
- Compass Therapeutics Inc, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vivian Li
- Compass Therapeutics Inc, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Jason Kong
- Compass Therapeutics Inc, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bing Gong
- Compass Therapeutics Inc, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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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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3
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Singh R, Kim YH, Lee SJ, Eom HS, Choi BK. 4-1BB immunotherapy: advances and hurdles. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:32-39. [PMID: 38172595 PMCID: PMC10834507 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01136-4] [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: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its initial description 35 years ago as an inducible molecule expressed in cytotoxic and helper T cells, 4-1BB has emerged as a crucial receptor in T-cell-mediated immune functions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of 4-1BB in infection and tumor immunity. However, the clinical development of 4-1BB agonist antibodies has been impeded by the occurrence of strong adverse events, notably hepatotoxicity, even though these antibodies have exhibited tremendous promise in in vivo tumor models. Efforts are currently underway to develop a new generation of agonist antibodies and recombinant proteins with modified effector functions that can harness the potent T-cell modulation properties of 4-1BB while mitigating adverse effects. In this review, we briefly examine the role of 4-1BB in T-cell biology, explore its clinical applications, and discuss future prospects in the field of 4-1BB agonist immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Singh
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ho Kim
- Diagnostics and Therapeutics Technology Branch, Division of Technology Convergence, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Jin Lee
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Seok Eom
- Hematological Malignancy Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom K Choi
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Innobationbio, Co., Ltd., Mapo-gu, Seoul, 03929, Republic of Korea.
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4
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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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5
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Sun Y, Yu X, Wang X, Yuan K, Wang G, Hu L, Zhang G, Pei W, Wang L, Sun C, Yang P. Bispecific antibodies in cancer therapy: Target selection and regulatory requirements. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:3583-3597. [PMID: 37719370 PMCID: PMC10501874 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the development of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) has been rapid, with many new structures and target combinations being created. The boom in bsAbs has led to the successive issuance of industry guidance for their development in the US and China. However, there is a high degree of similarity in target selection, which could affect the development of diversity in bsAbs. This review presents a classification of various bsAbs for cancer therapy based on structure and target selection and examines the advantages of bsAbs over monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Through database research, we have identified the preferences of available bsAbs combinations, suggesting rational target selection options and warning of potential wastage of medical resources. We have also compared the US and Chinese guidelines for bsAbs in order to provide a reference for their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanze Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xinmiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Gefei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Lingrong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Guoyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Wenli Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Liping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Chengliang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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6
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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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7
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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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8
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Martin AL, Powell C, Nagy MZ, Innamarato P, Powers J, Nichols D, Anadon CM, Chaurio RA, Kim S, Wang MH, Gong B, Wang X, Scheutz TJ, Antonia SJ, Conejo-Garcia JR, Perez BA. Anti-4-1BB immunotherapy enhances systemic immune effects of radiotherapy to induce B and T cell-dependent anti-tumor immune activation and improve tumor control at unirradiated sites. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1445-1460. [PMID: 36469096 PMCID: PMC10992043 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03325-y] [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: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) can prime and boost systemic anti-tumor effects via STING activation, resulting in enhanced tumor antigen presentation and antigen recognition by T cells. It is increasingly recognized that optimal anti-tumor immune responses benefit from coordinated cellular (T cell) and humoral (B cell) responses. However, the nature and functional relevance of the RT-induced immune response are controversial, beyond STING signaling, and agonistic interventions are lacking. Here, we show that B and CD4+ T cell accumulation at tumor beds in response to RT precedes the arrival of CD8+ T cells, and both cell types are absolutely required for abrogated tumor growth in non-irradiated tumors. Further, RT induces increased expression of 4-1BB (CD137) in both T and B cells; both in preclinical models and in a cohort of patients with small cell lung cancer treated with thoracic RT. Accordingly, the combination of RT and anti-41BB therapy leads to increased immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment and significant abscopal effects. Thus, 4-1BB therapy enhances radiation-induced tumor-specific immune responses via coordinated B and T cell responses, thereby preventing malignant progression at unirradiated tumor sites. These findings provide a rationale for combining RT and 4-1bb therapy in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Martin
- Departments of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Chase Powell
- Departments of Clinical Science, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Mate Z Nagy
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Patrick Innamarato
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - John Powers
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Derek Nichols
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Carmen M Anadon
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Ricardo A Chaurio
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Sungjune Kim
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Min-Hsuan Wang
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Bing Gong
- Compass Therapeutics, Boston, MA, 02135, USA
| | | | | | - Scott J Antonia
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, 27712, USA
| | - Jose R Conejo-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Bradford A Perez
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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9
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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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10
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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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11
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Xu C, Nan Y, Fan J, Zeng X, Kwon BS, Ju D. Targeting 4-1BB and PD-L1 induces potent and durable antitumor immunity in B-cell lymphoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1004475. [PMID: 36544785 PMCID: PMC9762552 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1004475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although PD-1/L1 mAb has demonstrated clinical benefits in certain cancer types, low response rate and resistance remain the main challenges for the application of these immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). 4-1BB is a co-stimulator molecule expressed in T cells, which could enhance T cell proliferation and activation. Herein, the synergetic antitumor effect and underlying mechanism of 4-1BB agonist combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade were determined in B-cell lymphoma (BCL). Methods Subcutaneous transplantation BCL tumor models and metastasis models were established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of PD-L1 antibody and/or 4-1BB agonist in vivo. For the mechanistic study, RNA-seq was applied to analyze the tumor microenvironment and immune-related signal pathway after combination treatment. The level of IFN-γ, perforin, and granzyme B were determined by ELISA and Real-time PCR assays, while tumor-infiltrating T cells were measured by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical analysis. CD4/CD8 specific antibodies were employed to deplete the related T cells to investigate the role CD4+ and CD8+ T cells played in combination treatment. Results Our results showed that combining anti-PD-L1 ICI and 4-1BB agonists elicited regression of BCL and significantly extended the survival of mice compared to either monotherapy. Co-targeting PD-L1 and 4-1BB preferentially promoted intratumoral cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration and remodeled their function. RNA-sequence analysis uncovered a series of up-regulated genes related to the activation and proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, further characterized by increased cytokines including IFN-γ, granzyme B, and perforin. Furthermore, depleting CD8+ T cells not CD4+ T cells totally abrogated the antitumor efficacy, indicating the crucial function of the CD8+ T cell subset in the combination therapy. Discussion In summary, our findings demonstrated that 4-1BB agonistic antibody intensified the antitumor immunity of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 ICI via promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation, providing a novel therapeutic strategy to BCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuyao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Caili Xu
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyang Nan
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Fan
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Zeng
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Byoung S. Kwon
- Eutilex Institute for Biomedical Research, Eutilex Co., Ltd, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dianwen Ju
- School of Pharmacy and Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Department of Biologics, Fudan Zhangjiang Institute, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Dianwen Ju,
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12
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Sugyo A, Tsuji AB, Sudo H, Narita Y, Taniguchi K, Nemoto T, Isomura F, Awaya N, Kamata-Sakurai M, Higashi T. In vivo validation of the switch antibody concept: SPECT/CT imaging of the anti-CD137 switch antibody Sta-MB shows high uptake in tumors but low uptake in normal organs in human CD137 knock-in mice. Transl Oncol 2022; 23:101481. [PMID: 35820360 PMCID: PMC9284450 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101481] [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: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137 is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy, but its expression in normal tissues induces some adverse effects in patients receiving CD137-targeted therapy. To overcome this issue, we developed a switch antibody, STA551, that binds to CD137 only under high ATP concentrations around cells. This study quantified biodistribution of murine switch antibodies in human CD137 knock-in mice to show the viability of the switch antibody concept in vivo. We utilized four antibodies: Sta-MB, Ure-MB, Sta-mIgG1, and KLH-MB. Sta-MB is a switch antibody having the variable region of STA551. The MB is a murine Fc highly binding to murine Fcγ receptor II. Ure-MB has a variable region mimicking the clinically available anti-CD137 agonist antibody urelumab, binding to CD137 regardless of ATP concentration. Sta-mIgG1 has the same variable region as Sta-MB but has the standard murine constant region. KLH-MB binds to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The four antibodies were radiolabeled with In-111, SPECT/CT imaging was conducted in human CD137 knock-in mice, and the uptake in regions of interest was quantified. 111In-labeled Sta-MB and Sta-mIgG1 showed high uptake in tumors but low uptake in the lymph nodes and spleen in human CD137 knock-in mice. On the other hand, Ure-MB highly accumulated not only in tumors but also in the lymph nodes and spleen. KLH-MB showed low uptake in the tumors, lymph nodes, and spleen. The present study provides evidence that the switch antibody concept works in vivo. Our findings encourage further clinical imaging studies to evaluate the biodistribution of STA551 in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Sugyo
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsushi B Tsuji
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Hitomi Sudo
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Narita
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kenji Taniguchi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nemoto
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Fumihisa Isomura
- Chugai Research Institute for Medical Science, Inc., 1-135 Komakado, Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Norihiro Awaya
- Translational Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2-1-1 Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mika Kamata-Sakurai
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 200 Kajiwara, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Higashi
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, iQMS, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, Japan.
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13
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Peper-Gabriel JK, Pavlidou M, Pattarini L, Morales-Kastresana A, Jaquin TJ, Gallou C, Hansbauer EM, Richter M, Lelievre H, Scholer-Dahirel A, Bossenmaier B, Sancerne C, Riviere M, Grandclaudon M, Zettl M, Bel Aiba RS, Rothe C, Blanc V, Olwill SA. The PD-L1/4-1BB Bispecific Antibody-Anticalin Fusion Protein PRS-344/S095012 Elicits Strong T-Cell Stimulation in a Tumor-Localized Manner. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3387-3399. [PMID: 35121624 PMCID: PMC9662934 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-2762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE While patients responding to checkpoint blockade often achieve remarkable clinical responses, there is still significant unmet need due to resistant or refractory tumors. A combination of checkpoint blockade with further T-cell stimulation mediated by 4-1BB agonism may increase response rates and durability of response. A bispecific molecule that blocks the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis and localizes 4-1BB costimulation to a PD-L1-positive (PD-L1+) tumor microenvironment (TME) or tumor draining lymph nodes could maximize antitumor immunity and increase the therapeutic window beyond what has been reported for anti-4-1BB mAbs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We generated and characterized the PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific molecule PRS-344/S095012 for target binding and functional activity in multiple relevant in vitro assays. Transgenic mice expressing human 4-1BB were transplanted with human PD-L1-expressing murine MC38 cells to assess in vivo antitumoral activity. RESULTS PRS-344/S095012 bound to its targets with high affinity and efficiently blocked the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, and PRS-344/S095012-mediated 4-1BB costimulation was strictly PD-L1 dependent. We demonstrated a synergistic effect of both pathways on T-cell stimulation with the bispecific PRS-344/S095012 being more potent than the combination of mAbs. PRS-344/S095012 augmented CD4-positive (CD4+) and CD8-positive (CD8+) T-cell effector functions and enhanced antigen-specific T-cell stimulation. Finally, PRS-344/S095012 demonstrated strong antitumoral efficacy in an anti-PD-L1-resistant mouse model in which soluble 4-1BB was detected as an early marker for 4-1BB agonist activity. CONCLUSIONS The PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific PRS-344/S095012 efficiently combines checkpoint blockade with a tumor-localized 4-1BB-mediated stimulation burst to antigen-specific T cells, more potent than the combination of mAbs, supporting the advancement of PRS-344/S095012 toward clinical development. See related commentary by Shu et al., p. 3182.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lucia Pattarini
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | | | | | - Catherine Gallou
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | | | | | - Helene Lelievre
- Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier Oncology R&D Unit, Suresnes, France
| | - Alix Scholer-Dahirel
- Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier Oncology R&D Unit, Suresnes, France
| | | | - Celine Sancerne
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Matthieu Riviere
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Maximilien Grandclaudon
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Markus Zettl
- Pieris Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Hallbergmoos, Germany
| | | | | | - Veronique Blanc
- Institut de Recherches Servier, Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
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14
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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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15
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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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16
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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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17
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Yi L, Jin X, Wang J, Yan Z, Cheng X, Wen T, Yang B, Wang X, Che N, Liu Z, Zhang H. CD137 Agonists Targeting CD137-Mediated Negative Regulation Show Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy in Lung Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:771809. [PMID: 35197968 PMCID: PMC8859117 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.771809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Negative immune regulation plays a notable role in tumor immunity. This study aimed to confirm that CD137 mediates negative immunoregulation as well as agonist activity in tumor immunity. Soluble CD137 (sCD137), a prominent splice variant of membrane-bound CD137 (mCD137), was identified, and its concentration in the blood of lung cancer patients was increased. The baseline concentration of sCD137 in the blood was negatively correlated with the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in a pilot study. The percentage of CD137+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the blood of lung cancer patients was also increased, and further enriched at the tumor site; Foxp3, CTLA-4, IL-10, IL-35-Ebi3, sCD137 and costimulatory molecules expression were also higher, indicating increased immunosuppressive activity. A high percentage of CD137+ Tregs in the tumor was associated with worse OS outcomes among patients with high CD137+CD8+ T cell infiltration levels. Notably, targeting CD137+ Tregs using an engineered CD137 agonist with wild-type mouse IgG2a Fc clearly decreased the total Treg numbers and eliminated the tumor in the CT26 model and prolonged the survival rate of a Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) model. These results indicated it may be possible to empower CD137 agonist with ability to abolish CD137-mediated negative regulation to enhance its antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghui Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuohong Yan
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Cheng
- No. 2 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wen
- No. 2 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojue Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nanying Che
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhidong Liu
- No. 2 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hongtao Zhang, ; Zhidong Liu,
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hongtao Zhang, ; Zhidong Liu,
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18
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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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19
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Segués A, van Duijnhoven SMJ, Parade M, Driessen L, Vukovic N, Zaiss D, Sijts AJAM, Berraondo P, van Elsas A. Generation and characterization of novel co-stimulatory anti-mouse TNFR2 antibodies. J Immunol Methods 2021; 499:113173. [PMID: 34699840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2021.113173] [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: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) has gained much research interest in recent years because of its potential pivotal role in autoimmune disease and cancer. However, its function in regulating different immune cells is not well understood. There is a need for well-characterized reagents to selectively modulate TNFR2 function, thereby enabling definition of TNFR2-dependent biology in human and mouse surrogate models. Here, we describe the generation, production, purification, and characterization of a panel of novel antibodies targeting mouse TNFR2. The antibodies display functional differences in binding affinity and potency to block TNFα. Furthermore, epitope binding showed that the anti-mTNFR2 antibodies target different domains on the TNFR2 protein, associated with varying capacity to enhance CD8+ T-cell activation and costimulation. Moreover, the anti-TNFR2 antibodies demonstrate binding to isolated splenic mouse Tregs ex vivo and activated CD8+ cells, reinforcing their potential use to establish TNFR2-dependent immune modulation in translational models of autoimmunity and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Segués
- Aduro Biotech Europe, Oss, the Netherlands; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Nataša Vukovic
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dietmar Zaiss
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Immune Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alice J A M Sijts
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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20
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Zeng J, Zhang Y, Shang Y, Mai J, Shi S, Lu M, Bu C, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, Li Y, Du Z, Xiao J. CancerSCEM: a database of single-cell expression map across various human cancers. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:D1147-D1155. [PMID: 34643725 PMCID: PMC8728207 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With the proliferating studies of human cancers by single-cell RNA sequencing technique (scRNA-seq), cellular heterogeneity, immune landscape and pathogenesis within diverse cancers have been uncovered successively. The exponential explosion of massive cancer scRNA-seq datasets in the past decade are calling for a burning demand to be integrated and processed for essential investigations in tumor microenvironment of various cancer types. To fill this gap, we developed a database of Cancer Single-cell Expression Map (CancerSCEM, https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/cancerscem), particularly focusing on a variety of human cancers. To date, CancerSCE version 1.0 consists of 208 cancer samples across 28 studies and 20 human cancer types. A series of uniformly and multiscale analyses for each sample were performed, including accurate cell type annotation, functional gene expressions, cell interaction network, survival analysis and etc. Plus, we visualized CancerSCEM as a user-friendly web interface for users to browse, search, online analyze and download all the metadata as well as analytical results. More importantly and unprecedentedly, the newly-constructed comprehensive online analyzing platform in CancerSCEM integrates seven analyze functions, where investigators can interactively perform cancer scRNA-seq analyses. In all, CancerSCEM paves an informative and practical way to facilitate human cancer studies, and also provides insights into clinical therapy assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Zeng
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yadong Zhang
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yunfei Shang
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jialin Mai
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuo Shi
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingming Lu
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Congfan Bu
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhewen Zhang
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zaichao Zhang
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Yang Li
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Zhenglin Du
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jingfa Xiao
- National Genomics Data Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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21
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Cabo M, Santana-Hernández S, Costa-Garcia M, Rea A, Lozano-Rodríguez R, Ataya M, Balaguer F, Juan M, Ochoa MC, Menéndez S, Comerma L, Rovira A, Berraondo P, Albanell J, Melero I, López-Botet M, Muntasell A. CD137 Costimulation Counteracts TGFβ Inhibition of NK-cell Antitumor Function. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:1476-1490. [PMID: 34580116 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing natural killer (NK) cell-based cancer immunotherapy by overcoming immunosuppression is an area of intensive research. Here, we have demonstrated that the anti-CD137 agonist urelumab can overcome TGFβ-mediated inhibition of human NK-cell proliferation and antitumor function. Transcriptomic, immunophenotypic, and functional analyses showed that CD137 costimulation modified the transcriptional program induced by TGFβ on human NK cells by rescuing their proliferation in response to IL2, preserving their expression of activating receptors (NKG2D) and effector molecules (granzyme B, IFNγ) while allowing the acquisition of tumor-homing/retention features (CXCR3, CD103). Activated NK cells cultured in the presence of TGFβ1 and CD137 agonist recovered CCL5 and IFNγ secretion and showed enhanced direct and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity upon restimulation with cancer cells. Trastuzumab treatment of fresh breast carcinoma-derived multicellular cultures induced CD137 expression on tumor-infiltrating CD16+ NK cells, enabling the action of urelumab, which fostered tumor-infiltrating NK cells and recapitulated the enhancement of CCL5 and IFNγ production. Bioinformatic analysis pointed to IFNG as the driver of the association between NK cells and clinical response to trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive primary breast cancer, highlighting the translational relevance of the CD137 costimulatory axis for enhancing IFNγ production. Our data reveals CD137 as a targetable checkpoint for overturning TGFβ constraints on NK-cell antitumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariona Cabo
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Santana-Hernández
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anna Rea
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Lozano-Rodríguez
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Francesc Balaguer
- Gastroenterology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Juan
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria C Ochoa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA)-Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Navarra Institute of Health Research (IDISNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silvia Menéndez
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Comerma
- Pathology Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Rovira
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Oncology Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA)-Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Navarra Institute of Health Research (IDISNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Joan Albanell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Oncology Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA)-Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Navarra Institute of Health Research (IDISNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miguel López-Botet
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aura Muntasell
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Jacoberger-Foissac C, Blake SJ, Liu J, McDonald E, Triscott H, Nakamura K, Smyth MJ, Teng MW. Concomitant or delayed anti-TNF differentially impact on immune-related adverse events and antitumor efficacy after anti-CD40 therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-001687. [PMID: 33199513 PMCID: PMC7670957 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Concomitant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) neutralization in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) reduces clinical immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and appears to improve antitumor efficacy in preclinical tumor models. Agonistic antibodies targeting costimulatory receptors such as CD40 represent an additional strategy to boost antitumor immune response and potentiate the activity of ICIs. However, the dose-limiting toxicities observed in anti-CD40-treated cancer patients have hindered its clinical development. Methods We previously described a mouse model to assess both antitumor activity and irAEs induced by various effective combination immunotherapies. Using the BALB/c and C57BL/6 strains of FoxP3-GFP-DTR (FoxP3DTR) mice, transient depletion of T regulatory cells (Tregs) prior to immunotherapy with additional immunomodulatory antibodies, lowered immune self-tolerance, resulting in the development of a spectrum of physical and biochemical irAEs similar to that reported clinically. In MC38 and 4T1.2 tumor models, following transient Treg depletion, we evaluated the impact of anti-CD40 on antitumor efficacy and the development of irAEs and the impact of concomitant or delayed TNF blockade on both these parameters. Physical irAEs were scored and biochemical irAEs were measured in the serum (ALT and cytokine levels). Histopathological liver and colon tissue analysis were performed to assess immune cell infiltration and tissue damage. Results Similar to early clinical trials of CD40 agonists, in our tumor models we observed liver toxicities and rapid release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, interleukin 6, interferon-γ). In the BALB/c strain, anti-CD40 induced severe physical and biochemical irAEs. Concomitant anti-TNF treatment abrogated weight loss, liver damage and colitis, which consequently resulted in an improved clinical score. However, concomitant anti-TNF impaired antitumor response in a proportion of anti-CD40-treated C57BL/6 FoxP3DTR mice. Delaying TNF blockade in these mice reduced biochemical but not physical irAEs while preserving antitumor efficacy. Conclusions Our results suggest concomitant rather than delayed anti-TNF is most effective in reducing biochemical and physical irAEs induced by anti-CD40, although it had the potential to negatively impact antitumor efficacy. Furthermore, our findings highlight the utility of our mouse model to assess the severity of irAEs induced by novel immunotherapeutic agents and evaluate whether their toxicity and antitumor efficacy can be uncoupled.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen J Blake
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jing Liu
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Elizabeth McDonald
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hannah Triscott
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kyohei Nakamura
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michele Wl Teng
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia .,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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23
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Puigdelloses M, Garcia-Moure M, Labiano S, Laspidea V, Gonzalez-Huarriz M, Zalacain M, Marrodan L, Martinez-Velez N, De la Nava D, Ausejo I, Hervás-Stubbs S, Herrador G, Chen Z, Hambardzumyan D, Patino Garcia A, Jiang H, Gomez-Manzano C, Fueyo J, Gállego Pérez-Larraya J, Alonso M. CD137 and PD-L1 targeting with immunovirotherapy induces a potent and durable antitumor immune response in glioblastoma models. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002644. [PMID: 34281988 PMCID: PMC8291319 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating primary brain tumor with a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and treatment with oncolytic viruses (OVs) has emerged as a promising strategy for these tumors. Our group constructed a new OV named Delta-24-ACT, which was based on the Delta-24-RGD platform armed with 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL). In this study, we evaluated the antitumor effect of Delta-24-ACT alone or in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in preclinical models of glioma. Methods The in vitro effect of Delta-24-ACT was characterized through analyses of its infectivity, replication and cytotoxicity by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence (IF) and MTS assays, respectively. The antitumor effect and therapeutic mechanism were evaluated in vivo using several immunocompetent murine glioma models. The tumor microenvironment was studied by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and IF. Results Delta-24-ACT was able to infect and exert a cytotoxic effect on murine and human glioma cell lines. Moreover, Delta-24-ACT expressed functional 4-1BBL that was able to costimulate T lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. Delta-24-ACT elicited a more potent antitumor effect in GBM murine models than Delta-24-RGD, as demonstrated by significant increases in median survival and the percentage of long-term survivors. Furthermore, Delta-24-ACT modulated the tumor microenvironment, which led to lymphocyte infiltration and alteration of their immune phenotype, as characterized by increases in the expression of Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) on T cells and Programmed Death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on different myeloid cell populations. Because Delta-24-ACT did not induce an immune memory response in long-term survivors, as indicated by rechallenge experiments, we combined Delta-24-ACT with an anti-PD-L1 antibody. In GL261 tumor-bearing mice, this combination showed superior efficacy compared with either monotherapy. Specifically, this combination not only increased the median survival but also generated immune memory, which allowed long-term survival and thus tumor rejection on rechallenge. Conclusions In summary, our data demonstrated the efficacy of Delta-24-ACT combined with a PD-L1 inhibitor in murine glioma models. Moreover, the data underscore the potential to combine local immunovirotherapy with ICIs as an effective therapy for poorly infiltrated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Puigdelloses
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marc Garcia-Moure
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sara Labiano
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Virginia Laspidea
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marisol Gonzalez-Huarriz
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Zalacain
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lucia Marrodan
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Naiara Martinez-Velez
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Daniel De la Nava
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iker Ausejo
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervás-Stubbs
- Program in Immunology and Immunotherapy, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Guillermo Herrador
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - ZhiHong Chen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institut and Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dolores Hambardzumyan
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Tisch Cancer Institut and Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ana Patino Garcia
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of NeuroOncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Candelaria Gomez-Manzano
- Department of NeuroOncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Juan Fueyo
- Department of NeuroOncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jaime Gállego Pérez-Larraya
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain .,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Alonso
- Health Research Institute of Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain .,Programs in Solid Tumors and Neuroscience, Foundation for the Applied Medical Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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24
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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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25
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van den Bijgaart RJE, Schuurmans F, Fütterer JJ, Verheij M, Cornelissen LAM, Adema GJ. Immune Modulation Plus Tumor Ablation: Adjuvants and Antibodies to Prime and Boost Anti-Tumor Immunity In Situ. Front Immunol 2021; 12:617365. [PMID: 33936033 PMCID: PMC8079760 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.617365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In situ tumor ablation techniques, like radiotherapy, cryo- and heat-based thermal ablation are successfully applied in oncology for local destruction of tumor masses. Although diverse in technology and mechanism of inducing cell death, ablative techniques share one key feature: they generate tumor debris which remains in situ. This tumor debris functions as an unbiased source of tumor antigens available to the immune system and has led to the concept of in situ cancer vaccination. Most studies, however, report generally modest tumor-directed immune responses following local tumor ablation as stand-alone treatment. Tumors have evolved mechanisms to create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), parts of which may admix with the antigen depot. Provision of immune stimuli, as well as approaches that counteract the immunosuppressive TME, have shown to be key to boost ablation-induced anti-tumor immunity. Recent advances in protein engineering have yielded novel multifunctional antibody formats. These multifunctional antibodies can provide a combination of distinct effector functions or allow for delivery of immunomodulators specifically to the relevant locations, thereby mitigating potential toxic side effects. This review provides an update on immune activation strategies that have been tested to act in concert with tumor debris to achieve in situ cancer vaccination. We further provide a rationale for multifunctional antibody formats to be applied together with in situ ablation to boost anti-tumor immunity for local and systemic tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske J E van den Bijgaart
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Fabian Schuurmans
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jurgen J Fütterer
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Marcel Verheij
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lenneke A M Cornelissen
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Gosse J Adema
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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26
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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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27
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CD137 (4-1BB) stimulation leads to metabolic and functional reprogramming of human monocytes/macrophages enhancing their tumoricidal activity. Leukemia 2021; 35:3482-3496. [PMID: 34021248 PMCID: PMC8632678 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01287-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies have heralded a new era in the cancer treatment. In addition to checkpoint inhibitors, agonistic antibodies against co-stimulatory immune receptors hold the potential to invoke efficient antitumor immunity. Targeting CD137 has gained momentum based on its ability to drive NK- and T-cell-based responses. CD137-engaging mAbs have already entered clinical trials for different types of tumors showing promising results. Despite the efforts to translate CD137-mediated immunotherapy into clinical practice, little remains known regarding the role of CD137 in human monocytes/macrophages.We found CD137 being expressed on monocytes of healthy controls and at even higher levels in patients with multiple myeloma or CLL. CD137HI(GH) monocytes displayed a distinct phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolic profile. They possessed an increased phagocytic capacity enabling superior antibody-dependent phagocytosis (ADPC) of multiple myeloma and lymphoma cells that were treated with anti-CD38 or anti-CD20 mAbs. Triggering CD137 promoted both metabolic and tumoricidal activity in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent fashion. In addition, we observed a phenotypic, transcriptomic, and functional skewing towards a M1-like phenotype.Overall, we introduce CD137 as a positive immune checkpoint on human monocytes/macrophages, which can have therapeutic implications especially in view of synergistic effects when combining CD137 agonists with tumor-targeting antibodies.
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28
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Lejeune M, Köse MC, Duray E, Einsele H, Beguin Y, Caers J. Bispecific, T-Cell-Recruiting Antibodies in B-Cell Malignancies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:762. [PMID: 32457743 PMCID: PMC7221185 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are designed to recognize and bind to two different antigens or epitopes. In the last few decades, BsAbs have been developed within the context of cancer therapies and in particular for the treatment of hematologic B-cell malignancies. To date, more than one hundred different BsAb formats exist, including bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), and new constructs are constantly emerging. Advances in protein engineering have enabled the creation of BsAbs with specific mechanisms of action and clinical applications. Moreover, a better understanding of resistance and evasion mechanisms, as well as advances in the protein engineering and in immunology, will help generating a greater variety of BsAbs to treat various cancer types. This review focuses on T-cell-engaging BsAbs and more precisely on the various BsAb formats currently being studied in the context of B-cell malignancies, on ongoing clinical trials and on the clinical concerns to be taken into account in the development of new BsAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Lejeune
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA I3, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Murat Cem Köse
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA I3, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Elodie Duray
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA I3, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yves Beguin
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA I3, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Department of Hematology, CHU de Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jo Caers
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA I3, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Department of Hematology, CHU de Liège, Liège, Belgium
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