Vaikari VP, Park M, Keossayan L, MacKay JA, Alachkar H. Anti-CD99 scFv-ELP nanoworms for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.
Nanomedicine 2020;
29:102236. [PMID:
32535112 DOI:
10.1016/j.nano.2020.102236]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
CD99 is a transmembrane glycoprotein shown to be upregulated in various malignancies. We have previously reported CD99 to be highly upregulated and present a viable therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Currently, no therapy against CD99 is under clinical investigation. As a surface molecule, CD99 can be targeted with an antibody-based approach. Here, we have developed a new modality to target CD99 by engineering a fusion protein composed of a single-chain variable fragment antibody (anti-CD99 scFv) conjugated with a high molecular weight elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), A192: α-CD99-A192. This fusion protein assembles into multi-valent nanoworm with optimal physicochemical properties and favorable pharmacokinetic parameters (half-life: 16 h). α-CD99-A192 nanoworms demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo anti-leukemic effects. α-CD99-A192 induced apoptotic cell death in AML cell lines and primary blasts and prolonged overall survival of AML xenograft mouse model.
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