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Bähr-Mahmud H, Ellinghaus U, Stadler CR, Fischer L, Lindemann C, Chaturvedi A, Diekmann J, Wöll S, Biermann I, Hebich B, Scharf C, Siefke M, Roth AS, Rao M, Brettschneider K, Ewen EM, Şahin U, Türeci Ö. Preclinical characterization of an mRNA-encoded anti-Claudin 18.2 antibody. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2255041. [PMID: 37860278 PMCID: PMC10583639 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2255041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMAB362/Zolbetuximab, a first-in-class IgG1 antibody directed against the cancer-associated gastric-lineage marker CLDN18.2, has recently been reported to have met its primary endpoint in two phase 3 trials as a first-line treatment in combination with standard of care chemotherapy in CLDN18.2-positive Her2 negative advanced gastric cancer. Here we characterize the preclinical pharmacology of BNT141, a nucleoside-modified RNA therapeutic encoding the sequence of IMAB362/Zolbetuximab, formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP) for liver uptake. We show that the mRNA-encoded antibody displays a stable pharmacokinetic profile in preclinical animal models, mediates CLDN18.2-restricted cytotoxicity comparable to IMAB362 recombinant protein and inhibits human tumor xenograft growth in immunocompromised mice. BNT141 administration did not perpetrate mortality, clinical signs of toxicity, or gastric pathology in animal studies. A phase 1/2 clinical trial with BNT141 mRNA-LNP has been initiated in advanced CLDN18.2-expressing solid cancers (NCT04683939).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Uğur Şahin
- BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany
- TRON gGmbH–Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Özlem Türeci
- BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany
- HI-TRON (Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology) Mainz by DKFZ, Mainz, Germany
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Stadler CR, Bähr-Mahmud H, Plum LM, Schmoldt K, Kölsch AC, Türeci Ö, Sahin U. Characterization of the first-in-class T-cell-engaging bispecific single-chain antibody for targeted immunotherapy of solid tumors expressing the oncofetal protein claudin 6. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1091555. [PMID: 27141353 PMCID: PMC4839326 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1091555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The fetal tight junction molecule claudin 6 (CLDN6) is virtually absent from any normal tissue, whereas it is aberrantly and frequently expressed in various cancers of high medical need. We engineered 6PHU3, a T-cell-engaging bispecific single chain molecule (bi-(scFv)2) with anti-CD3/anti-CLDN6 specificities, and characterized its pharmacodynamic properties. Our data show that upon engagement by 6PHU3, T cells strongly upregulate cytotoxicity and activation markers, proliferate and acquire an effector phenotype. 6PHU3 exerts potent killing of cancer cells in vitro with EC50 values in the pg/mL range. Subcutaneous xenograft tumors in NSG mice engrafted with human PBMCs are eradicated by 6PHU3 treatment and survival of mice is significantly prolonged. Tumors of 6PHU3-treated mice are strongly infiltrated with activated CD4+, CD8+ T cells and TEM type cells but not Tregs and display a general activation of a mostly inflammatory phenotype. These effects are only observed upon bispecific but not monospecific engagement of 6PHU3. Together with the exceptionally cancer cell selective expression of the oncofetal tumor marker CLDN6, this provides a safeguard with regard to toxicity. In summary, our data shows that the concept of T-cell redirection combined with that of highly selective targeting of CLDN6-positive solid tumors is effective. Thus, exploring 6PHU3 for clinical therapy is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane R Stadler
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) AG, Mainz, Germany; TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hayat Bähr-Mahmud
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) AG, Mainz, Germany; TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Laura M Plum
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) AG, Mainz, Germany; TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schmoldt
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) AG, Mainz, Germany; TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anne C Kölsch
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH , Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Ugur Sahin
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) AG, Mainz, Germany; TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany; Department for Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, III; Mainz, Germany
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Oberoi P, Jabulowsky RA, Bähr-Mahmud H, Wels WS. EGFR-targeted granzyme B expressed in NK cells enhances natural cytotoxicity and mediates specific killing of tumor cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61267. [PMID: 23573299 PMCID: PMC3616035 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are highly specialized effectors of the innate immune system that hold promise for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. Their cell killing activity is primarily mediated by the pro-apoptotic serine protease granzyme B (GrB), which enters targets cells with the help of the pore-forming protein perforin. We investigated expression of a chimeric GrB fusion protein in NK cells as a means to augment their antitumoral activity. For selective targeting to tumor cells, we fused the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) peptide ligand transforming growth factor α (TGFα) to human pre-pro-GrB. Established human NKL natural killer cells transduced with a lentiviral vector expressed this GrB-TGFα (GrB-T) molecule in amounts comparable to endogenous wildtype GrB. Activation of the genetically modified NK cells by cognate target cells resulted in the release of GrB-T together with endogenous granzymes and perforin, which augmented the effector cells' natural cytotoxicity against NK-sensitive tumor cells. Likewise, GrB-T was released into the extracellular space upon induction of degranulation with PMA and ionomycin. Secreted GrB-T fusion protein displayed specific binding to EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells, enzymatic activity, and selective target cell killing in the presence of an endosomolytic activity. Our data demonstrate that ectopic expression of a targeted GrB fusion protein in NK cells is feasible and can enhance antitumoral activity of the effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Oberoi
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Robert A. Jabulowsky
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hayat Bähr-Mahmud
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Jabulowsky RA, Oberoi P, Bähr-Mahmud H, Dälken B, Wels WS. Surface charge-modification prevents sequestration and enhances tumor-cell specificity of a recombinant granzyme B-TGFα fusion protein. Bioconjug Chem 2012; 23:1567-76. [PMID: 22759275 DOI: 10.1021/bc3000657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The serine protease granzyme B (GrB) plays an important role in the immune defense mediated by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Recombinant derivatives of this pro-apoptotic protein fused to tumor-targeting ligands hold promise for cancer therapy, but their applicability may be limited by promiscuous binding to nontarget tissues via electrostatic interactions. Here, we investigated cell binding and specific cytotoxicity of chimeric molecules consisting of wild-type or surface-charge-modified human GrB and the natural EGFR ligand TGFα for tumor targeting. We mutated two cationic heparin-binding motifs responsible for electrostatic interactions of GrB with cell surface structures, and genetically fused the resulting GrBcs derivative to TGFα for expression in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Purified GrBcs-TGFα (GrBcs-T) and a corresponding fusion protein employing wild-type GrB (GrB-T) displayed similar enzymatic activity and targeted cytotoxicity against EGFR-overexpressing breast carcinoma cells in the presence of an endosomolytic reagent. However, unspecific binding of the modified GrBcs-T variant to EGFR-negative cells was dramatically reduced, preventing the sequestration by nontarget cells in mixed cell cultures and increasing tumor-cell specificity. Likewise, modification of the GrB domain alleviated unspecific extracellular effects such as cell detachment indicative of extracellular matrix degradation. Our data demonstrate improved selectivity and functionality of surface-charge-modified GrBcs, suggesting this strategy as a general approach for the development of optimized GrB fusion proteins for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Jabulowsky
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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