Patent Application
20230192899
The contents of the text file submitted electronically herewith are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: A computer readable format copy of the Sequence Listing (filename: ULSL_002_04US_SubSeqList_ST25.txt, date created: May 3, 2022, file size ~400,272 bytes).
The invention relates to protein molecules that exhibit activatable target binding in diseased tissues and medical uses therefor.
In the use of antibodies and other binding proteins to treat disease, many potential drug targets have been described, but few are exclusively expressed in diseased tissue. The majority of potential targets in this space are, in fact, also expressed in non-diseased tissue.
In addition, the majority of drug mechanisms of action employed in challenging areas of therapy such as cancer employ highly potent cell-killing mechanisms of action. As a result, engagement of the target by the drug in non-diseased tissue often causes unwanted side effects. There is a need for engineered forms of binding proteins that are partially, or even fully, inactive in healthy tissue but become highly activated in diseased tissue.
Provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the peptide linker comprises an amino acid sequence from a human immunoglobulin hinge region or an amino acid sequence or an amino acid sequence having from 1 to about 7 amino acid substitutions compared to a human immunoglobulin hinge region; wherein the peptide linker is cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue; wherein the second moiety is capable of specifically binding to a molecule expressed in the diseased tissue; and wherein the binding of the second moiety to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue is reduced or inhibited when the peptide linker is uncleaved. In some embodiments, the peptide linker is between about 5 and about 15 amino acids in length. In some embodiments, the peptide linker comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:81, SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:84, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQ ID NO:86, or SEQ ID NO:87.
In some embodiments, the protease is a human matrix metalloprotease (MMP), a human cathepsin, human enterokinase, human thrombin, human tPA, human Granzyme B, human uPA, or human ADAMTs-5. In some embodiments, the peptide linker comprises a human MMP cleavage site, a human cathepsin, human enterokinase, human thrombin, human tPA, human Granzyme B, human uPA, or human ADAMTs-5 cleavage site. In some embodiments, the human MMP is MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-12, MMP-13 or MMP14. In some embodiments, the level or the activity of the human MMP is elevated in the diseased tissue compared to the level or the activity of the human MMP in a non-diseased tissue. In some embodiments, the human cathepsin is Cathepsin A, Cathepsin C, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, Cathepsin L or Cathepsin K. In some embodiments, the level or the activity of the human cathepsin is elevated in the diseased tissue compared to the level or the activity of the human cathepsin in a non-diseased tissue.
In some embodiments, the first moiety comprises an antibody, an antigen-binding portion of an antibody or a receptor ectodomain. In some embodiments, the first moiety is a Fab, a single-chain Fab, a VH domain, a VL domain, an immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR), a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), a diabody, or a T cell receptor domain. In some embodiments, the first moiety specifically binds to a molecule expressed in a diseased tissue.
In some embodiments, the first moiety specifically binds to a first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second moiety is capable of specifically binding to a second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue, wherein the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are different molecules. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are expressed by the same cell. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are expressed by different cells. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and/or the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue is expressed on the surface of a cell. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and/or the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue is a soluble molecule.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human EGFR, human HER2, human HER3, human CD105, human C-KIT, human PD1, human PD-L1, human PSMA, human EpCAM, human Trop2, human EphA2, human CD20, human BCMA, human GITR, human OX40, human CSF1R, human Lag3 or human cMET.
In some embodiments, the second moiety specifically binds to a molecule expressed by a human immune cell. In some embodiments, the molecule expressed by a human immune cell is human CD3, human CD16A, human CD16B, human CD28, human CD89, human CTLA4, human NKG2D, human SIRPα, human SIRPγ, human PD1, human Lag3, human 4-1BB, human OX40, or human GITR.
In some embodiments, the first moiety comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region. In some embodiments, the first moiety comprises an immunoglobulin constant region or a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA, or IgY. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, or IgA2. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is immunologically inert. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is a wild-type human IgG4 constant region, a human IgG4 constant region comprising the amino acid substitution S228P, a wild-type human IgG1 constant region, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A and L235A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A and G237A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A, G237A and P331S, or a wild-type human IgG2 constant region.
In some embodiments, the second moiety comprises an antibody, an antigen-binding portion of an antibody or a receptor ectodomain. In some embodiments, the second moiety is a Fab, a single-chain Fab, a VH domain, a VL domain, an immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR), a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), or a T cell receptor domain. In some embodiments, the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47. In some embodiments, the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3 or human PD-L1.
In some embodiments, the second moiety comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region. In some embodiments, the second moiety comprises an immunoglobulin constant region or a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA or IgY. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 or IgA2. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is immunologically inert. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is a wild-type human IgG4 constant region, a human IgG4 constant region comprising the amino acid substitution S228P, a wild-type human IgG1 constant region, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A and L235A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A and G237A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A, G237A and P331S, or a wild-type human IgG2 constant region.
In some embodiments, the protein has an immune effector function or two, three or more immune effector functions. In some embodiments, the immune effector function is ADCC, CDC orADCP.
In some embodiments, the first moiety prevents or reduces specific binding of the second moiety to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue. In some embodiments, the peptide linker is cleaved in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue. In some embodiments, the peptide linker is cleaved in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue, wherein the first moiety dissociates from the second moiety in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue and wherein the second moiety specifically binds to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue. In some embodiments, the diseased tissue is a tumour or an inflamed tissue.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain and a second polypeptide chain, wherein:
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:73 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human cMET, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:76.
In some embodiments, the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain and a second polypeptide chain, wherein:
Further provided herein is an immunoconjugate comprising a protein of the invention linked to a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is a cytotoxin, a radioisotope, a chemotherapeutic agent, an immunomodulatory agent, an anti-angiogenic agent, an antiproliferative agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, a cytostatic enzyme, a cytolytic enzymes, a therapeutic nucleic acid, an anti-angiogenic agent, an anti-proliferative agent, or a pro-apoptotic agent.
Further provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein of the invention or an immunoconjugate of the invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
Further provided herein is a nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein or a portion of a protein of the invention. Further provided herein is a nucleic acid molecule encoding the first polypeptide chain, the second polypeptide chain, or both the first polypeptide chain and the second polypeptide chain of a protein of the invention.
Further provided herein is an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the invention.
Further provided herein is a recombinant host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the invention or an expression vector of the invention.
Further provided herein is a method of producing a protein, the method comprising culturing a recombinant host cell comprising an expression vector of the invention under conditions whereby the nucleic acid molecule is expressed, thereby producing the protein; and isolating the protein from the host cell or culture.
Further provided herein is a method for enhancing an anti-cancer immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a protein of the invention, an immunoconjugate of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention.
Further provided herein is a method of treating cancer, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a protein of the invention, an immunoconjugate of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. In some embodiments, the cancer is Gastrointestinal Stromal cancer (GIST), pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, bronchial cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, urinary bladder cancer, brain or central nervous system cancer, peripheral nervous system cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, uterine or endometrial cancer, cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, liver cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, biliary tract cancer, small bowel or appendix cancer, salivary gland cancer, thyroid gland cancer, adrenal gland cancer, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma or cancer of hematological tissues. In some embodiments, the autoimmune disease or the inflammatory disease is arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or ankylosing spondylitis. In some embodiments, the cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease, or atherosclerosis or stroke. In some embodiments, the fibrotic disease is myocardial infarction, angina, osteoarthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis or asthma.
Further provided herein is a protein of the invention, an immunoconjugate of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention for use in the treatment of cancer, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease. In some embodiments, the cancer is Gastrointestinal Stromal cancer (GIST), pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, bronchial cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, urinary bladder cancer, brain or central nervous system cancer, peripheral nervous system cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, uterine or endometrial cancer, cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, liver cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, biliary tract cancer, small bowel or appendix cancer, salivary gland cancer, thyroid gland cancer, adrenal gland cancer, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma or cancer of hematological tissues. In some embodiments, the autoimmune disease or the inflammatory disease is arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or ankylosing spondylitis. In some embodiments, the cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, or stroke. In some embodiments, the fibrotic disease is myocardial infarction, angina, osteoarthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis or asthma.
Further provided herein is a protein of the invention, an immunoconjugate of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention, for use as a medicament.
Disclosed herein are recombinant proteins that are conditionally active in diseased human tissues. In some cases, the protein comprises a binding domain that is masked by another portion of the protein in non-diseased tissues. The protein also comprises a peptide linker that is cleaved by one or more proteases expressed in a diseased tissue. The linker cleavage unmasks the binding domain in the diseased tissue, thus allowing binding and/or function of the protein selectively in the diseased tissue. The proteins of the invention are particularly useful for binding to drug targets that are expressed in both diseased tissue and non-diseased tissue.
Provided herein are a number of activatable protein molecules and medical uses thereof. In some aspects, multiple functional properties of the molecules are considered, including target binding specificity, effective limitation of undesired activity in the native protein but full activity in the activated form, maintained conditional affinity to one or more targets from both human and animal test species (e.g., cynomolgus monkey, also known as the crab-eating macaque, i.e. Macaca fascicularis), biophysical stability and/or yield from protein expression platforms used in research, clinical and commercial supply.
In some aspects, there is provided a protein molecule that specifically binds to one or more human drug targets, and optionally also to cynomolgus monkey orthologs of those targets, wherein the protein molecule comprises heavy and light chain regions assembled from one or multiple polypeptides with the following format:
In some aspects, the protein molecule comprises two polypeptide chains and has the following format:
In some aspects, the protein molecule comprises two polypeptide chains and has the following format:
“V” refers to an immunoglobulin or T cell receptor variable region or the ectodomain of a receptor. “VH1” and “VL1” refer to a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region that pair with each other to bind an antigen. “VH2” and “VL2” refer to a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region that pair with each other to bind an antigen. “C” refers to an immunoglobulin or T cell receptor constant region. In aspects of the invention, the V-C and V-C units on either side of the linker domain form upper and lower immunoglobulin Fab domains with the lower Fab domain exhibiting binding to its cognate target that is reduced or ablated by the presence of the linker domain which is fused to the N-termini of each V domain in the lower Fab. In another aspect the upper or lower Fab domain may be replaced by an Fc fragment, one or two receptor ectodomains, or any domains having or lacking any specific binding function.
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety,
The linker portion may further comprise a peptide linker derived from an immunoglobulin hinge region, with zero, one, or more mutations away from the germline.
In some aspects, the peptide linker comprises or consists of the sequence set forth in GPAPELL (SEQ ID NO:1), GPAPELLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:2), GPAPLGLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:3), PPCPAPELLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:4), PPCPAPLGLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:5) GPAPELLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:69), GPAPLGLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:70), PPCPAPELLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:71), PPCPAPLGLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:72), GPAPEAAGAGS (SEQ ID NO:81), GPADDDDKSGS (SEQ ID NO:82) (cleavable by Enterokinase), GPALVPRGSGS (SEQ ID NO:83) (cleavable by Thrombin), GPGPFGRSAGGP (SEQ ID NO:84) (cleavable by tPA), GPAPLEADAGS (SEQ ID NO:85) (cleavable by Granzyme B), GPAPEARRGGS (SEQ ID NO:86) (cleavable by uPA), or GPAPEGEARGS (SEQ ID NO:87) (cleavable by ADAMTs-5). In some aspects, the peptide linker comprises or consists of two, three or four of the aforementioned sequences.
Also provided is an immunoconjugate comprising the protein of the invention linked to a therapeutic agent.
In another aspect the invention provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein or a portion thereof as defined herein. Further provided is a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention. Also provided is a host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule or the vector of the invention.
In a further aspect there is provided a method of producing an conditionally active protein of the invention, comprising culturing the host cell of the invention under conditions that result in expression and/or production of the protein, and isolating the protein from the host cell or culture.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein of the invention as defined herein, or a nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or a vector of the invention as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein.
Further provided is a method for enhancing an immune response in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a protein of the invention as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein.
In a further aspect there is provided a method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a protein of the invention as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein.
Further provided is a protein of the invention as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein, for use as a medicament.
Further provided is a protein of the invention as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein, for use in the treatment of cancer.
Further provided is a protein, or an immunoconjugate, or a nucleic acid molecule, or a vector, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein, for separate, sequential or simultaneous use in a combination with a second therapeutic agent, for example an anti-cancer agent.
In a further aspect there is provided the use of a protein of the invention as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or a nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or a vector of the invention as defined herein, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer.
Further provided is a method for treating or preventing an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disease in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a protein as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate as defined here, or a nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or a vector as defined herein, or a pharmaceutical composition as defined herein.
Also provided is a protein as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, for use in the treatment of an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disease.
Further provided is the use of a protein as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate as defined herein, or a nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or a vector as defined herein, or a pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disease.
Further provided is a method for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a protein as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined here, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein.
Further provided is a protein as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, for use as a medicament. Also provided is an antibody molecule or antigen-binding portion thereof as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, for use in the treatment of a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease.
Further provided is the use of a protein as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate as defined herein, or a nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or a vector as defined herein, or a pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease or a fibrotic disease.
In some aspects, the invention provides a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the peptide linker comprises an amino acid sequence from a human immunoglobulin hinge region or an amino acid sequence or an amino acid sequence having amino acid substitutions (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 amino acid substitutions) compared to a human immunoglobulin hinge region; wherein the peptide linker is cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue; wherein the second moiety is capable of specifically binding to a molecule expressed in the diseased tissue; and wherein the binding of the second moiety to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue is reduced or inhibited when the peptide linker is uncleaved. In some aspects, the amino acid substitution is a conservative amino acid substitution. In some aspects, the peptide linker comprises an amino acid sequence from a human immunoglobulin hinge region or an amino acid sequence or an amino acid sequence having from 1 to about 7 amino acid substitutions compared to a human immunoglobulin hinge region. In some aspects, the peptide linker comprises an amino acid sequence from a human immunoglobulin hinge region or an amino acid sequence or an amino acid sequence having 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, 3-7, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 5-6, 5-7, or 6-7 amino acid substitutions compared to a human immunoglobulin hinge region.
In some aspects, the peptide linker cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue is cleavable by a human matrix metalloprotease (MMP) or a human cathepsin. In some cases, the peptide linker cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue is cleavable by human enterokinase (EK), human thrombin (Thr), human tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), human Granzyme B (GrB), human uPA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator), or human ADAMTs-5 (A Disintegrin-like And Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif 5; A5). In some cases, the peptide linker comprises a human MMP cleavage site or a human cathepsin cleavage site. In some cases, the peptide linker comprises a human enterokinase, human thrombin, human tPA, human Granzyme B, human uPA, or human ADAMTs-5 cleavage site. In some cases, the peptide linker comprises the MMP substrate sequence PLGL (SEQ ID NO:12). In some cases, the peptide linker comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of GPAPELL (SEQ ID NO:1), GPAPELLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:2), GPAPLGLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:3), PPCPAPELLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:4), or PPCPAPLGLGGGS (SEQ ID NO:5), GPAPELLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:69), GPAPLGLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:70), PPCPAPELLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:71), PPCPAPLGLGGPS (SEQ ID NO:72), GPAPEAAGAGS (SEQ ID NO:81), GPADDDDKSGS (SEQ ID NO:82), GPALVPRGSGS (SEQ ID NO:83), GPGPFGRSAGGP (SEQ ID NO:84), GPAPLEADAGS (SEQ ID NO:85), GPAPEARRGGS (SEQ ID NO:86), or GPAPEGEARGS (SEQ ID NO:87).
In some cases, the peptide linker comprises or consists of two, three, or four of the amino acid sequences in Table 1 fused in a single amino acid chain via peptide bonds. In some cases, the peptide linker is between about 5 amino acids and about 15 amino acids, between about 5 amino acids and about 20 amino acids, or between about 5 amino acids and about 25 amino acids in length.
In some cases, the peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety comprises the following amino acid sequence at the N-terminus of the peptide linker sequence: X1-proline-X2. In some aspects, X1 is alanine, glycine, serine, proline or threonine. In some aspects, X1 is alanine, glycine, serine, proline or threonine, aspartic acid, asparagine or valine. In some aspects, X2 is alanine, glycine, serine, proline or threonine. In some aspects, X2 is alanine, glycine, serine, proline or threonine, aspartic acid, asparagine or valine. In some aspects, X1 and X2 are the same amino acid. In some aspects, X1 and X2 are different amino acids.
In some cases, the peptide linker cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue is cleavable by any one of human MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP4, MMP5, MMP6, MMP7, MMP8, MMP9, MMP10, MMP11, MMP12, MMP13, MMP14, MMP15, MMP16, MMP17, MMP18, MMP19, MMP20, MMP21, MMP22, MMP23, MMP24, MMP25, MMP26, MMP27, or MMP28. In some cases, the peptide linker cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue is cleavable by any one of human MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-12 orMMP-13. In some cases, the level or the activity of the human MMP is elevated in the diseased tissue compared to the level or the activity of the human MMP in a non-diseased tissue.
In some cases, the peptide linker cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue is cleavable by any one of human Cathepsin A, Cathepsin B, Cathepsin C, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin E, Cathepsin F, Cathepsin G, Cathepsin H, Cathepsin K, Cathepsin L1, Cathepsin V, Cathepsin O, Cathepsin S, Cathepsin W, or Cathepsin Z. In some cases, the peptide linker cleavable by a protease expressed in a diseased tissue is cleavable by any one of human Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, or Cathepsin K. In some cases, the level or the activity of the human cathepsin is elevated in the diseased tissue compared to the level orthe activity of the human cathepsin in a non-diseased tissue. In some cases, the level or the activity of the human cathepsin is elevated in tissues with pH < 7.0 compared to the level or the activity of the human cathepsin in a tissue with pH ≧ 7.4.
In some aspects, the first moiety of any of the proteins of the invention comprises an antibody, an antigen-binding portion of an antibody or a receptor ectodomain. In some cases, the first moiety is a Fab, a single-chain Fab, a VH domain, a VL domain, an immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR), a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), a diabody, or a T cell receptor domain. An IgNAR is a homodimeric heavy chain-only antibody produced by sharks and other cartilaginous fishes (Feige et al., PNAS, 2014, 111(22):8155-8160).
In some cases, the first moiety specifically binds to a molecule expressed in a diseased tissue. In some embodiments, the first moiety specifically binds to a tumour-associated antigen (TAA). In some cases, the first moiety binds specifically to human EGFR, human HER2, human HER3, human CD105, human C-KIT, human PD1, human PD-L1, human PSMA, human EpCAM, human Trop2, human EphA2, human CD20, human BCMA, human GITR, human OX40, human CSF1R, human Lag3 or human cMET. In some embodiments, the first moiety also binds the cynomolgus ortholog of any of these molecules.
In some aspects, the first moiety comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region. In some cases, the first moiety further comprises an immunoglobulin constant region or a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region. In some cases, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA or IgY.
In some aspects, the anti-HER2 variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are the variable region sequences of trastuzumab. In some aspects, the anti-CD3 variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are the variable region sequences of OKT3 or SP34. In some aspects, the anti-cMET variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are provided in WO 2019/175186. In some aspects, the anti-CD47 variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are provided in WO 2019/034895.
In some aspects, the second moiety of any of the proteins of the invention comprises an antibody, an antigen-binding portion of an antibody or a receptor ectodomain. In some cases, the second moiety is a Fab, a single-chain Fab, a VH domain, a VL domain, an immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR), a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), a diabody, or a T cell receptor domain.
In some cases, the second moiety specifically binds to a molecule expressed in a diseased tissue. In some embodiments, the second moiety specifically binds to a tumour-associated antigen (TAA). In some cases, the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47. In some cases, the second moiety binds specifically to human PD-L1. In some cases, the second moiety specifically binds to a molecule expressed by a human immune cell. In some cases, the molecule expressed by a human immune cell is human CD3, human CD16A, human CD16B, human CD28, human CD89, human CTLA4, human NKG2D, human SIRPα, human SIRPγ, human PD1, human Lag3, human 4-1BB, human OX40, or human GITR. In some embodiments, the second moiety also binds the cynomolgus ortholog of any of these molecules.
In some aspects, the second moiety comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region. In some cases, the second moiety further comprises an immunoglobulin constant region or a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region. In some cases, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA or IgY.
In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise an immunoglobulin constant region. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4,IgA1, IgA2, IgE, or IgM. In additional embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, lgG1null, IgG4(S228P), IgA1, IgA2, IgE, or IgM. In some embodiments, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise an immunologically inert constant region. In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise an immunoglobulin constant region comprising a wild-type human IgG1 constant region, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A and L235A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A and G237A or a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A, G237A and P331S. In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise an immunoglobulin constant region comprising a wild-type human IgG2 constant region or a wild-type human IgG4 constant region. In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise an immunoglobulin constant region comprising any one of the amino acid sequences in Table 10. The Fc region sequences in Table 10 begin at the CH1 domain. In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise an immunoglobulin constant region comprising an amino acid sequence of an Fc region of human IgG4,human IgG4(S228P), human IgG2, human IgG1, human IgG1-3M or human IgG1-4M. For example, the human IgG4(S228P) Fc region comprises the following substitution compared to the wild-type human IgG4 Fc region: S228P. For example, the human IgG1-3M Fc region comprises the following substitutions compared to the wild-type human IgG1 Fc region: L234A, L235A and G237A, while the human IgG1-4M Fc region comprises the following substitutions compared to the wild-type human IgG1 Fc region: L234A, L235A, G237A and P331S. In some aspects, a position of an amino acid residue in a constant region of an immunoglobulin molecule is numbered according to EU nomenclature (Ward et al., 1995 Therap. Immunol. 2:77-94). In some aspects, an immunoglobulin constant region may comprise an RDELT (SEQ ID NO:65) motif or an REEM (SEQ ID NO:66) motif (underlined in Table 10). The REEM (SEQ ID NO:66) allotype is found in a smaller human population than the RDELT (SEQ ID NO:65) allotype. In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention antibody may comprise an immunoglobulin constant region comprising any one of SEQ ID NOS:56-62. In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise the heavy chain amino acid sequence and the light chain amino acid sequence of any one of the clones in Tables 3-9 and any one of the Fc region amino acid sequences in Table 10. In some aspects, the first moiety and/or the second moiety of a protein of the invention may comprise an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region comprising any one of the Fc region amino acid sequences in Table 10 and an immunoglobulin light chain constant region that is a kappa light chain constant region or a lambda light chain constant region.
In some aspects, a protein of the invention comprises an IgG1 isotype constant region. The IgG1 isotype constant region potently activates all FcyR signalling types, thus driving maximal opsonizing effector function.
In some aspects, the immunoglobulin constant region comprises a hinge region or a truncated hinge region. In some embodiments, a hinge region may comprise one, two, three, four or more amino acid substitutions compared to a wild-type human hinge region amino acid sequence. In some embodiments, the immunoglobulin constant region does not comprise a hinge region.
In some aspects, the first moiety specifically binds to a first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second moiety is capable of specifically binding to a second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue, wherein the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are different molecules. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are expressed by the same cell. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are expressed by different cells. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue, the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue, or both the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue is expressed on the surface of a cell. In some embodiments, the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and/or the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue is a soluble molecule.
In some aspects, the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET and the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47. In some aspects, the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2 and the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47. In some aspects, the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET and the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47. In some aspects, the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2 and the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3. In some aspects, the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET and the second moiety binds specifically to human cMET.
In some aspects, a protein of the invention has an immune effector function or two, three or more immune effector functions. For example, an immune effector function may be antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), or antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).
In some aspects, the first moiety of a protein of the invention prevents or reduces specific binding of the second moiety to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue. In some embodiments, the peptide linker of a protein of the invention is cleaved in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue. In some cases, the peptide linker is cleaved in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue, wherein the first moiety dissociates from the second moiety in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue and wherein the second moiety specifically binds to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue. In some cases, the cleaved peptide linker comprises a binding site or a target site for anti-hinge antibodies (e.g., a subject’s endogenous anti-hinge antibodies), whereas the uncleaved (e.g., intact) peptide linker does not comprise a binding site or a target site for anti-hinge antibodies. Binding of the anti-hinge antibodies to the cleaved peptide linker may increase ADCC, CDC, and/or ADCP in the presence of an activated protein of the invention (see, e.g.,
In some aspects, a protein of the invention stimulates inflammatory signalling in a diseased tissue. Increased inflammatory signalling may increase immune recruitment to the diseased tissue. In some cases, a protein of the invention increases antigen presentation in a diseased tissue. In some cases, a protein of the invention increases tumour-associated-antigen-specific T cell proliferation.
In some aspects, the diseased tissue may be a tumour, a necrotic tissue, a fibrotic tissue, a tissue undergoing the clotting cascade or an inflamed tissue.
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17. The protein comprises only one copy of the first polypeptide chain and only one copy of the second polypeptide chain. The peptide linker of this protein comprises two copies of the LHL sequence (see Table 1), each fused at the n-terminus to the first moiety and at the c-terminus to the second moiety, via a peptide bond. This protein is referred to as “Fab2 cMetCD47-LHL-LHL” or “Met47-LHL-LHL″. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 3. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27. The protein comprises only one copy of the first polypeptide chain and only one copy of the second polypeptide chain. The peptide linker of this protein comprises two copies of the LHL sequence (see Table 1) fused via a peptide bond. This protein is referred to as “Fab2 Her2CD3-LHL-LHL” or “Her23-LHL-LHL”. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 4. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35. The protein comprises two identical copies of the first polypeptide chain and two identical copies of the second polypeptide chain. The peptide linker of this protein comprises two copies of the LHL sequence (see Table 1) fused via a peptide bond. This protein is referred to as “IgG2 Her2CD47-LHL-LHL” or “Her47-LHL-LHL”. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 5. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37. The first polypeptide chain further comprises a human IgG1 amino acid sequence (see Table 10). The second polypeptide chain further comprises a human kappa light chain amino acid sequence. The peptide linker of this protein comprises two copies of the LHL sequence (see Table 1) fused via a peptide bond. This protein is referred to as “Fab2 CMET/CD47 ‘One Arm’ style” or “Met47-LHL-LHL”. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 6. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39. The first polypeptide chain further comprises a human IgG1-3M amino acid sequence (see Table 10). The second polypeptide chain further comprises a human kappa light chain amino acid sequence. The peptide linker of this protein comprises two copies of the LHL sequence (see Table 1) fused via a peptide bond. This protein is referred to as “Fab2 Her2/CD3 ‘One Arm’ style” or “Her23-LHL-LHL”. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 7. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41. The first polypeptide chain further comprises a human IgG1-3M amino acid sequence (see Table 10). The second polypeptide chain further comprises a human lambda light chain amino acid sequence. The peptide linker of this protein comprises two copies of the LHL sequence (see Table 1) fused via a peptide bond. This protein is referred to as “Fab2 Her2/CD3(34) “One Arm” style” or “Her23(34)-LHL-LHL”. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 8. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain and a second polypeptide chain, wherein:
Table 20. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain and a second polypeptide chain, wherein:
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:73 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74. The first polypeptide chain further comprises a human IgG1-3M Fc amino acid sequence (e.g. containing ‘hole’ mutations’ to enable heterodimerization with the second polypeptide chain), followed by a linker sequence, the VH and CH1 domains of the first binding moiety, another linker sequence, then the VH and CH1 domains of the second binding moiety (see Table 13). The second polypeptide chain further comprises a human IgG1-3M Fc amino acid sequence (e.g. containing ‘knob’ mutations’ to enable heterodimerization with the second polypeptide chain), followed by a linker sequence, the VL and CL domains of the first binding moiety, another linker sequence, then the VL and CL domains of the second binding moiety (see Table 13). The peptide linkers of this protein comprise four sequences (see Table 1) fused via a peptide bond, which reside between the Fc and first moiety and between the first and second binding moieties. This protein is referred to as “Fc-Her2/CD3(34)” or “Fc-Her23(34)”. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 13. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human cMET, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:76. The first polypeptide chain further comprises a human IgG1 or human IgG1-3M amino acid sequence (see Table 10). The second polypeptide chain further comprises a human kappa light chain amino acid sequence. The peptide linker of this protein comprises two copies of the LHL sequence (see Table 1) fused via a peptide bond. This protein is referred to as “Fab2 CMET/CMET ‘One Arm’ style” or “MetMet-LHL-LHL”. The amino acid sequences are provided in Table 14. The structure of this protein is depicted in
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety, and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain and a second polypeptide chain, wherein:
In some aspects, provided herein is an immunoconjugate comprising the protein of the invention as defined herein linked to an additional therapeutic agent.
Examples of suitable therapeutic agents include cytotoxins, radioisotopes, chemotherapeutic agents, immunomodulatory agents, anti-angiogenic agents, antiproliferative agents, pro-apoptotic agents, and cytostatic and cytolytic enzymes (for example RNAses). Further therapeutic agents include a therapeutic nucleic acid, such as a gene encoding an immunomodulatory agent, an anti-angiogenic agent, an anti-proliferative agent, or a pro-apoptotic agent. These drug descriptors are not mutually exclusive, and thus a therapeutic agent may be described using one or more of the above terms.
Examples of suitable therapeutic agents for use in immunoconjugates include the taxanes, maytansines, CC-1065 and the duocarmycins, the calicheamicins and other enediynes, and the auristatins. Other examples include the anti-folates, vinca alkaloids, and the anthracyclines. Plant toxins, other bioactive proteins, enzymes (i.e., ADEPT), radioisotopes, photosensitizers may also be used in immunoconjugates. In addition, conjugates can be made using secondary carriers as the cytotoxic agent, such as liposomes or polymers, Suitable cytotoxins include an agent that inhibits or prevents the function of cells and/or results in destruction of cells. Representative cytotoxins include antibiotics, inhibitors of tubulin polymerization, alkylating agents that bind to and disrupt DNA, and agents that disrupt protein synthesis or the function of essential cellular proteins such as protein kinases, phosphatases, topoisomerases, enzymes, and cyclins.
Representative cytotoxins include, but are not limited to, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, idarubicin, aclarubicin, zorubicin, mitoxantrone, epirubicin, carubicin, nogalamycin, menogaril, pitarubicin, valrubicin, cytarabine, gemcitabine, trifluridine, ancitabine, enocitabine, azacitidine, doxifluhdine, pentostatin, broxuhdine, capecitabine, cladhbine, decitabine, floxuhdine, fludarabine, gougerotin, puromycin, tegafur, tiazofuhn, adhamycin, cisplatin, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, vinblastine, vincristine, mitoxantrone, bleomycin, mechlorethamine, prednisone, procarbazine, methotrexate, flurouracils, etoposide, taxol, taxol analogs, platins such as cis-platin and carbo-platin, mitomycin, thiotepa, taxanes, vincristine, daunorubicin, epirubicin, actinomycin, authramycin, azaserines, bleomycins, tamoxifen, idarubicin, dolastatins/auristatins, hemiasterlins, esperamicins and maytansinoids.
Suitable immunomodulatory agents include anti-hormones that block hormone action on tumours and immunosuppressive agents that suppress cytokine production, down-regulate self-antigen expression, or mask MHC antigens.
Also provided is a nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein or a portion of the protein of the invention as defined herein. Further provided herein is a nucleic acid molecule encoding the first polypeptide chain, the second polypeptide chain, or both the first polypeptide chain and the second polypeptide chain of a protein of the invention that comprises multiple non-identical polypeptide chains. In some aspects, the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein may be isolated.
Further provided is a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein. The vector may be an expression vector.
Also provided is a host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule or the vector of the invention as defined herein. The host cell may be a recombinant host cell.
In a further aspect there is provided a method of producing a protein of the invention, comprising culturing the host cell of the invention under conditions that result in expression and/or production of the protein, and isolating the protein from the host cell or culture.
In some aspects, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein.
Further provided is a method for enhancing an immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the protein the invention as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein.
In a further aspect there is provided a method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject, or ameliorating a symptom of cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the protein of the invention as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein.
In some aspects, the cancer is a solid tumour. In some cases, the cancer is a hematologic malignancy. For example, the cancer may be Gastrointestinal Stromal cancer (GIST), pancreatic cancer, skin cancer (e.g., melanoma), breast cancer, lung cancer, bronchial cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, urinary bladder cancer, brain or central nervous system cancer, peripheral nervous system cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, uterine or endometrial cancer, cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, liver cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, biliary tract cancer, small bowel or appendix cancer, salivary gland cancer, thyroid gland cancer, adrenal gland cancer, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, or cancer of hematological tissues. In some cases, a cancer of haematological tissues is a lymphoma.
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein of the invention as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or the vector of the invention as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein, for use in the treatment of cancer, or for use in or ameliorating a symptom of cancer.
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein, or an immunoconjugate, or a nucleic acid molecule, or a vector for use, or the method of treatment of the invention as defined herein, for separate, sequential or simultaneous use in a combination combined with a second therapeutic agent, for example an anti-cancer agent.
In a further aspect there is provided the use of a protein of the invention as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate of the invention as defined herein, or a nucleic acid molecule of the invention as defined herein, or a vector of the invention as defined herein, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer or for ameliorating a symptom of cancer.
The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the protein as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined here, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein.
For example, the autoimmune disease or inflammatory disease may be arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, Grave’s disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or ankylosing spondylitis.
Also provided is a protein as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, for use in the treatment of an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disease.
Further provided is the use of a protein as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate as defined herein, or a nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or a vector as defined herein, or a pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disease.
The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the protein as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined here, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein.
Also provided is a protein as defined herein, or the immunoconjugate as defined herein, or the nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or the vector as defined herein, or the pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, for use in the treatment of a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease.
Further provided is the use of a protein as defined herein, or an immunoconjugate as defined herein, or a nucleic acid molecule as defined herein, or a vector as defined herein, or a pharmaceutical composition as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease.
The cardiovascular disease in any aspect of the invention may for example be coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, or stroke.
For example, the fibrotic disease in any aspect of the invention may be myocardial infarction, angina, osteoarthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, cystic fibrosis or bronchitis.
In some aspects, provided herein is a protein comprising the amino acid sequences disclosed herein and in the format disclosed herein for use in therapy.
In some aspects, the pharmaceutical composition may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier or diluent. A pharmaceutically acceptable excipient may be a compound or a combination of compounds entering into a pharmaceutical composition which does not provoke secondary reactions and which allows, for example, facilitation of the administration of the protein as defined herein, an increase in its lifespan and/or in its efficacy in the body or an increase in its solubility in solution. These pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles are well known and will be adapted by the person skilled in the art as a function of the mode of administration of the protein as defined herein.
In some aspects, the protein as defined herein may be provided in a lyophilised form for reconstitution prior to administration. For example, lyophilised protein molecules may be reconstituted in sterile water and mixed with saline prior to administration to an individual.
The protein as defined herein will usually be administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition, which may comprise at least one component in addition to the protein molecule. Thus pharmaceutical compositions may comprise, in addition to the protein as defined herein, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier, buffer, stabilizer or other materials well known to those skilled in the art. Such materials should be non-toxic and should not interfere with the efficacy of the protein. The precise nature of the carrier or other material will depend on the route of administration, which may be by bolus, infusion, injection or any other suitable route, as discussed below.
For parenteral, for example sub-cutaneous or intra-venous administration, e.g. by injection, the pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein as defined herein may be in the form of a parenterally acceptable aqueous solution which is pyrogen-free and has suitable pH, isotonicity and stability. Those of relevant skill in the art are well able to prepare suitable solutions using, for example, isotonic vehicles, such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringe’s Injection, Lactated Ringer’s Injection. Preservatives, stabilizers, buffers, antioxidants and/or other additives may be employed as required including buffers such as phosphate, citrate and other organic acids; antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens, such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3′-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids, such as glycine, glutamine, asparagines, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose or dextrins; chelating agents, such as EDTA; sugars, such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions, such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or nonionic surfactants, such as TWEEN™, PLURONICS™ or polyethylene glycol (PEG).
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein as defined herein may be administered alone or in combination with other treatments, either simultaneously or sequentially dependent upon the condition to be treated.
A protein as defined herein may be used in a method of treatment of the human or animal body, including prophylactic or preventative treatment (e.g. treatment before the onset of a condition in an individual to reduce the risk of the condition occurring in the individual; delay its onset; or reduce its severity after onset). The method of treatment may comprise administering the protein as defined herein to an individual in need thereof.
Administration is normally in a “therapeutically effective amount”, this being sufficient to show benefit to a patient. Such benefit may be at least amelioration of at least one symptom. The actual amount administered, and rate and time-course of administration, will depend on the nature and severity of what is being treated, the particular mammal being treated, the clinical condition of the individual patient, the cause of the disorder, the site of delivery of the composition, the method of administration, the scheduling of administration and other factors known to medical practitioners. Prescription of treatment, e.g. decisions on dosage etc., is within the responsibility of general practitioners and other medical doctors and may depend on the severity of the symptoms and/or progression of a disease being treated. Appropriate doses of antibody molecules are well known in the art (Ledermann J.A. et al., 1991, Int. J. Cancer 47: 659-664; Bagshawe K.D. et al., 1991, Antibody, Immunoconjugates and Radiopharmaceuticals 4: 915-922). Specific dosages may be indicated herein or in the Physician’s Desk Reference (2003) as appropriate for the type of medicament being administered may be used. A therapeutically effective amount or suitable dose of the protein as defined herein may be determined by comparing its in vitro activity and in vivo activity in an animal model. Methods for extrapolation of effective dosages in mice and other test animals to humans are known. The precise dose will depend upon a number of factors, including whether the protein is for prevention or for treatment, the size and location of the area to be treated, the precise nature of the protein (e.g. Fab2, IgG) and the nature of any detectable label or other molecule attached to the protein.
A typical protein dose will be in the range 100 µg to 1 g for systemic applications, and 1 µg to 1 mg for topical applications. An initial higher loading dose, followed by one or more lower doses, may be administered. In some aspects, the protein will comprise a whole antibody, e.g., the IgG1 or IgG4 isotype. This is a dose for a single treatment of an adult patient, which may be proportionally adjusted for children and infants, and also adjusted for other protein construct formats in proportion to molecular weight. Treatments may be repeated at daily, twice-weekly, weekly or monthly intervals, at the discretion of the physician. The treatment schedule for an individual may be dependent on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the protein composition, the route of administration and the nature of the condition being treated.
Treatment may be periodic, and the period between administrations may be about two weeks or more, e.g. about three weeks or more, about four weeks or more, about once a month or more, about five weeks or more, or about six weeks or more. For example, treatment may be every two to four weeks or every four to eight weeks. Treatment may be given before, and/or after surgery, and/or may be administered or applied directly at the anatomical site of surgical treatment or invasive procedure. Suitable formulations and routes of administration are described above.
In some aspects, proteins as defined herein may be administered as sub-cutaneous injections. Sub-cutaneous injections may be administered using an auto-injector, for example for long or short-term prophylaxis/treatment.
In some aspects, the therapeutic effect of the protein as defined herein may persist for several multiples of the protein half-life in serum, depending on the dose. For example, the therapeutic effect of a single dose of the protein as defined herein may persist in an individual for 1 month or more, 2 months or more, 3 months or more, 4 months or more, 5 months or more, or 6 months or more.
As used herein, the term “CD47” refers to IAP (Integrin Associated Protein) and variants thereof that retain at least part of the biological activity of CD47. As used herein, CD47 includes all mammalian species of native sequence CD47, including human, rat, mouse and chicken. In some embodiments, the term “CD47” is used to include variants, isoforms and species homologs of human CD47. In some cases, as used herein, CD47 includes all mammalian and non-mammalian species of native sequence CD47, including human, monkey, rat, mouse and chicken. In some embodiments, the term “CD47” refers only to wild-type CD47. Proteins of the invention may cross-react with CD47 from species other than human, in particular CD47 from cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Examples of human and cynomolgus CD47 amino acid sequences are provided in Table 11. In certain embodiments, the proteins of the invention may be completely specific for human CD47 and may exhibit no non-human cross-reactivity.
As used herein, the term “cMET” refers to the MET protein and variants thereof that retain at least part of the biological activity of cMET. In some cases, as used herein, cMET includes all mammalian species of native sequence cMET, including human, rat, mouse and chicken. In some embodiments, the term “cMET” may be used to include variants, isoforms and species homologs of human cMET. In some cases, as used herein, cMET includes all mammalian and non-mammalian species of native sequence cMET, including human, monkey, rat, mouse and chicken. In some embodiments, the term “cMET” refers only to wild-type cMET. Antibodies of the invention may cross-react with cMET from species other than human, in particular cMET from cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Examples of human and cynomolgus cMET amino acid sequences are provided in Table 12. In certain embodiments, the antibodies may be completely specific for human cMET and may exhibit no non-human cross-reactivity.
As used herein, the term “Her2” refers to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein and variants thereof that retain at least part of the biological activity of Her2. Her2 is also known as HER2/neu, ErbB2, c-erbB-2 and human EGF receptor 2. In some embodiments, the term “Her2” may be used to include variants, isoforms and species homologs of human Her2. In some cases, as used herein, Her2 includes all mammalian and non-mammalian species of native sequence Her2 (also known as ErbB2), including human, monkey, rat, mouse and chicken. In some embodiments, the term “Her2” refers only to wild-type Her2. Antibodies of the invention may cross-react with Her2 from species other than human, in particular Her2 from cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Examples of human and cynomolgus Her2/ErbB2 amino acid sequences are provided in Table 15. In certain embodiments, the antibodies may be completely specific for human Her2 and may exhibit no non-human cross-reactivity.
As used herein, the term “CD3” refers to the “cluster of differentiation 3” multimeric protein complex and variants thereof that retain at least part of the biological activity of CD3. The CD3 complex comprises four distinct polypeptide chains; epsilon (ε), gamma (y), delta (δ) and zeta (ζ). These polypeptide chains assemble and function as three pairs of dimers (εʏ, εδ, ζζ). In some embodiments, the term “CD3” may be used to include variants, isoforms and species homologs of human CD3. In some cases, as used herein, CD3 includes all mammalian and non-mammalian species of native sequence CD3, including human, monkey, rat, mouse and chicken. In some embodiments, the term “CD3” refers only to wild-type CD3. Antibodies of the invention may cross-react with CD3 from species other than human, in particular CD3 from cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Examples of human and cynomolgus CD3 epsilon amino acid sequences are provided in Table 16. In certain embodiments, the antibodies may be completely specific for human CD3 and may exhibit no non-human cross-reactivity.
As used herein, an “antagonist” as used in the context of the protein of the invention refers to a protein which is able to bind to a molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and inhibit the molecule’s biological activity and/or downstream pathway(s) mediated by the molecule. For example, an “anti-CD47 antagonist protein” (interchangeably termed “anti-CD47 protein”) refers to a protein which is able to bind to CD47 and inhibit CD47 biological activity and/or downstream pathway(s) mediated by CD47 signalling. An anti-CD47 antagonist protein encompasses proteins that can block, antagonize, suppress or reduce (including significantly) CD47 biological activity, including downstream pathways mediated by CD47 signalling, such as receptor binding and/or elicitation of a cellular response to CD47. For the purposes of the present invention, it will be explicitly understood that the term “anti-CD47 antagonist protein” encompass all the terms, titles, and functional states and characteristics whereby CD47 itself, and CD47 biological activity (including but not limited to its ability to enhance the activation of phagocytosis by cells of the myeloid lineage), or the consequences of the activity or biological activity, are substantially nullified, decreased, or neutralized in any meaningful degree.
A protein of the invention “specifically binds” “specifically interacts”, “preferentially binds”, “binds” or “interacts” with an a molecule (e.g., human CD47, human Her2, human CD3, human cMET, or human PD-L1) if it binds with greater affinity, avidity, more readily and/or with greater duration than the protein binds to other molecules.
An “antibody molecule” is an immunoglobulin molecule capable of specific binding to a target, such as a carbohydrate, polynucleotide, lipid, polypeptide, etc., through at least one antigen recognition site, located in the variable region of the immunoglobulin molecule. As used herein, the term “antibody molecule” encompasses not only intact polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, but also any antigen binding fragment (for example, an “antigen-binding portion”) or single chain thereof, fusion proteins comprising an antibody, and any other modified configuration of the immunoglobulin molecule that comprises an antigen recognition site including, for example without limitation, scFv, single domain antibodies (for example, shark and camelid antibodies), maxibodies, minibodies, intrabodies, diabodies, triabodies, tetrabodies, v-NAR and bis-scFv.
An “antibody molecule” encompasses an antibody of any class, such as IgG, IgA, or IgM (or sub-class thereof), and the antibody need not be of any particular class. Depending on the antibody amino acid sequence of the constant region of its heavy chains, immunoglobulins can be assigned to different classes. There are five major classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, and several of these may be further divided into subclasses (isotypes), for example IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4,IgA1 and IgA2. The heavy-chain constant regions that correspond to the different classes of immunoglobulins are called alpha, delta, epsilon, gamma, and mu, respectively. The subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of different classes of immunoglobulins are well known.
The term “antigen binding portion” of an antibody molecule, as used herein, refers to one or more fragments of an intact antibody that retain the ability to specifically bind to an antigen. Antigen binding functions of an antibody molecule can be performed by fragments of an intact antibody. Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term “antigen binding portion” of an antibody molecule include Fab; Fab′; F(ab′)2; an Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CH1 domains; an Fvfragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of an antibody; a single domain antibody (dAb) fragment, and an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR).
The term “Fc region” is used to define a C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. The “Fc region” may be a native sequence Fc region or a variant Fc region. Although the boundaries of the Fc region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain might vary, the human IgG heavy chain Fc region is usually defined to stretch from an amino acid residue at position Cys226, or from Pro230, to the carboxyl-terminus thereof. The numbering of the residues in the Fc region is that of the EU index as in Kabat. The Fc region of an immunoglobulin generally comprises two constant domains, CH2 and CH3. As is known in the art, an Fc region can be present in dimer or monomeric form.
A “variable region” of an antibody refers to the variable region of the antibody light chain or the variable region of the antibody heavy chain, either alone or in combination. As known in the art, the variable regions of the heavy and light chain each consist of four framework regions (FRs) connected by three complementarity determining regions (CDRs) also known as hypervariable regions, and contribute to the formation of the antigen binding site of antibodies. When choosing FR to flank CDRs, for example when humanizing or optimizing an antibody, FRs from antibodies which contain CDR sequences in the same canonical class are preferred.
As used herein the term “conservative substitution” refers to replacement of an amino acid with another amino acid which does not significantly deleteriously change the functional activity. A preferred example of a “conservative substitution” is the replacement of one amino acid with another amino acid which has a value ≥ 0 in the following BLOSUM 62 substitution matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff, 1992, PNAS 89: 10915-10919):
The term “monoclonal antibody” (Mab) refers to an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, that is derived from a single copy or clone, including for example any eukaryotic, prokaryotic, or phage clone, and not the method by which it is produced. Preferably, a monoclonal antibody of the invention exists in a homogeneous or substantially homogeneous population.
A “humanized” antibody molecule refers to a form of non-human (for example, murine) antibody molecules, or antigen-binding portion thereof, that are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains, or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2 or other antigen-binding sub-sequences of antibodies) that contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized antibodies may be human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a CDR of the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat, or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity, and capacity.
“Human antibody” or “fully human antibody” refers to an antibody molecule, or antigen-binding portion thereof, derived from transgenic mice carrying human antibody genes or from human cells.
The term “chimeric antibody” is intended to refer to an antibody molecule, or antigen-binding portion thereof, in which the variable region sequences are derived from one species and the constant region sequences are derived from another species, such as an antibody molecule in which the variable region sequences are derived from a mouse antibody and the constant region sequences are derived from a human antibody.
The term “immunoconjugate” refers to a protein of the invention that is conjugated, fused or linked to at least one cytotoxic, cytostatic, or therapeutic agent.
Proteins of the invention can be produced using techniques well known in the art, for example recombinant technologies, phage display technologies, synthetic technologies or combinations of such technologies or other technologies readily known in the art.
The term “isolated molecule” (where the molecule is, for example, a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, or an antibody) is a molecule that by virtue of its origin or source of derivation (1) is not associated with naturally associated components that accompany it in its native state, (2) is substantially free of other molecules from the same species (3) is expressed by a cell from a different species, or (4) does not occur in nature. Thus, a molecule that is chemically synthesized, or expressed in a cellular system different from the cell from which it naturally originates, will be “isolated” from its naturally associated components. A molecule also may be rendered substantially free of naturally associated components by isolation, using purification techniques well known in the art. Molecule purity or homogeneity may be assayed by a number of means well known in the art. For example, the purity of a polypeptide sample may be assayed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining of the gel to visualize the polypeptide using techniques well known in the art. For certain purposes, higher resolution may be provided by using HPLC or other means well known in the art for purification.
The term “epitope” refers to that portion of a molecule capable of being recognized by and bound by a protein of the invention, an antibody molecule, or antigen-binding portion thereof, at one or more of the protein’s or antibody molecule’s antigen-binding regions. Epitopes can consist of defined regions of primary secondary or tertiary protein structure and includes combinations of secondary structural units or structural domains of the target recognised by the antigen binding regions of the protein, the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof. Epitopes can likewise consist of a defined chemically active surface grouping of molecules such as amino acids or sugar side chains and have specific three-dimensional structural characteristics as well as specific charge characteristics. The term “antigenic epitope” as used herein, is defined as a portion of a polypeptide to which a protein of the invention or an antibody molecule can specifically bind as determined by any method well known in the art, for example, by conventional immunoassays, antibody competitive binding assays or by x-ray crystallography or related structural determination methods (for example NMR).
The term “binding affinity” or “KD” refers to the dissociation rate of a particular antigen-binding protein interaction or antigen-antibody interaction. The KD is the ratio of the rate of dissociation, also called the “off-rate (koff)”, to the association rate, or “on-rate (kon)”. Thus, KD equals korr/ kon and is expressed as a molar concentration (M). It follows that the smaller the KD, the stronger the affinity of binding. Therefore, a KD of 1 µM indicates weak binding affinity compared to a KD of 1 nM. KD values for binding proteins or antibodies can be determined using methods well established in the art. One method for determining the KD of a binding protein or an antibody is by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), typically using a biosensor system such as a Biacore® system.
The term “potency” is a measurement of biological activity and may be designated as IC50, or effective concentration of a protein of an immunoconjugate of the invention to its binding partner (e.g., a molecule expressed in a diseased tissue) or antigen to inhibit 50% of activity of the binding partner or the antigen measured in an activity assay as described herein.
The phrase “effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein refers to an amount necessary (at dosages and for periods of time and for the means of administration) to achieve the desired therapeutic result. An effective amount is at least the minimal amount, but less than a toxic amount, of an active agent which is necessary to impart therapeutic benefit to a subject.
The term “inhibit” or “neutralize” as used herein with respect to bioactivity of a protein of the invention means the ability of the protein to substantially antagonize, prohibit, prevent, restrain, slow, disrupt, eliminate, stop, reduce or reverse for example progression or severity of that which is being inhibited including, but not limited to, a biological activity or binding interaction of a molecule expressed in a diseased tissue.
A “host cell” includes an individual cell or cell culture that can be or has been a recipient for vector(s) for incorporation of polynucleotide inserts. Host cells include progeny of a single host cell, and the progeny may not necessarily be completely identical (in morphology or in genomic DNA complement) to the original parent cell due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation. A host cell includes cells transfected in vivo with a polynucleotide(s) of the invention.
As used herein, “vector” means a construct, which is capable of delivering, and, preferably, expressing, one or more gene(s) or sequence(s) of interest in a host cell. Examples of vectors include, but are not limited to, viral vectors, naked DNA or RNA expression vectors, plasmid, cosmid or phage vectors, DNA or RNA expression vectors associated with cationic condensing agents, DNA or RNA expression vectors encapsulated in liposomes, and certain eukaryotic cells, such as producer cells.
The term “treating”, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, means reversing, alleviating, inhibiting the progress of, delaying the progression of, delaying the onset of, or preventing the disorder or condition to which such term applies, or one or more symptoms of such disorder or condition. The term “treatment”, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, refers to the act of treating as defined above. The term “treating” also includes adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of a subject. For the avoidance of doubt, reference herein to “treatment” includes reference to curative, palliative and prophylactic treatment. For the avoidance of doubt, references herein to “treatment” also include references to curative, palliative and prophylactic treatment.
It is understood that wherever embodiments are described herein with the language “comprising,” otherwise analogous embodiments described in terms of “consisting of” and/or “consisting essentially of” are also provided.
Where aspects or embodiments of the invention are described in terms of a Markush group or other grouping of alternatives, the present invention encompasses not only the entire group listed as a whole, but each member of the group individually and all possible subgroups of the main group, but also the main group absent one or more of the group members. The present invention also envisages the explicit exclusion of one or more of any of the group members in the claimed invention.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. Throughout this specification and claims, the word “comprise,” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Any example(s) following the term “e.g.” or “for example” is not meant to be exhaustive or limiting.
The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology (including recombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry and immunology, which are within the skill of the art.
Particular non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings.
In this example, we successfully generated a panel of optimized conditionally active antibodies. These conditionally active antibodies were well expressed, biophysically stable, highly soluble and of maximized amino acid sequence identity to preferred human germlines.
Antibody-encoding DNA sequences were cloned via restriction-ligation cloning into separate human IgG1 heavy and light-chain encoding expression cassettes in separate plasmid vectors, to create IgG or IgG2 format constructs for expression. Similar cassettes were also cloned into ‘knob into hole’ human IgG1 heterodimerising Fc vectors to create Fab and Fab2 constructs. Fab2 cMETCD47 and Her2CD3 protein constructs were constructed using knob-into-hole (KIH) heavy chain expression vectors (CH3 domain T366W and T366S/L368A/Y407V mutations). Fab2 Her2-CD3 constructs also included effector function-ablating mutations L234A/L235A/G237A. IgG2 Her2CD47 protein constructs were constructed using “wildtype” IgG1 heavy & kappa light chain expression vectors. IgGs were expressed in CHO cells after transient transfection with endotoxin-free IgG expression plasmid preparations, per manufacturer’s protocols.
Produced antibodies were captured from clarified supernatants using a HiTrap MabSelect Sure Protein A 5 mL column on an ÄKTA Pure 150 L FPLC system. Eluted protein peaks were immediately buffer exchanged into 1x PBS pH 7.4 by directly loading the eluted protein A peak fractions onto a HiPrep 26/10 Desalting column. Protein concentration was determined by measuring the absorbance at 280 nm and 1 µg of each purified protein was analysed by SDS-PAGE under reducing and/or non-reducing conditions using 4-20% TGX polyacrylamide gradient gels (BioRad, Cat. nr. 456-1093) with 1x Tris/glycine/SDS buffer, separated by 120V field for 1 hour. In order to test for the presence of non-covalently bound aggregates and to complement the SDS PAGE analysis, analytical size-exclusion chromatography was performed. Aliquots of selected clones were analyzed by analytical Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) using a Superdex 200 Increase 10/300 SEC column and 1x PBS pH 7.4 as running buffer, in isocratic mode.
Selected proteins were further purified using preparative SEC. Antibody samples up to 1 ml were loaded onto a Superdex 200 Increase 10/300 SEC column or a HiLoad 26/600 Superdex 200 pg column equilibrated in 1x PBS pH 7.4. 1 ml fractions of peak of interest were collected, and main peak fractions were pooled. After size exclusion chromatography, the samples were again analyzed by SDS-PAGE, as above.
Red blood cells (RBC) were isolated from fresh uncoagulated human blood (minimum of 3 different donors), diluted to 2% in PBS and incubated for 60-90 minutes in a U bottomed 96 well plate with a titration of IgG or protein construct. In the absence of haemagglutination, cells sedimented to the bottom of the well forming a red pellet. Haemagglutination was observed as non-settled RBC solution. Images of each plate were recorded and the data expressed for each sample as titre for the last well in which haemagglutination was observed.
Protein constructs were incubated for 16 hour at 37° C. with either individual human Matrix Metalloprotease (MMP) enzymes or a mix of active MMP3, MMP7 and MMP12 (equal parts of each) at a ratio of 1% total MMP to protein construct (wt/wt) in Tris buffered saline (pH7.4) containing 5 mM CaCl2. The reactions were stopped by the addition of 20 mM EDTA and then samples tested for binding or functional activity as described.
To coat ELISA plates, target proteins were diluted to 1 µg/ml in PBS pH7.4 and added at 100 µl per well, at 4° C., o/n. Coated plates were washed 3x with PBS pH7.4, blocked with 4% Skim Milk Protein in PBS (380 µl/ well) for 1 hr at RT, then washed 5x with PBS-Tween 20 (PBST). Antibodies (100 µl/well; diluted in PBST) were then added and then incubated 1 hr at RT. Plates were then washed 3x with PBS and goat anti-human IgG-HRP added (100 µl/well) at RT, for 1 hr. Plates were then washed 3x with PBST and twice with PBS before the addition of 100 µl TMB per well. Reactions were stopped by adding 100 µl 2 M H2SO4/well and OD was read on a plate reader at 450 nm.
Binding of protein constructs (+/- pre-digestion with MMP3/7/12) and control lgG to Jurkat cells and BT-474 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Viable cells were identified using Zombie UV™ Fixable Viability Dye (Biolegend). Binding of human IgG and protein constructs was detected with a FITC conjugated goat anti human (H+L) secondary antibody. The mouse monoclonal anti-CD3 control antibody binding was detected using Alexa-Fluor-488 goat anti mouse IgG. Results were analysed by measurement of the Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) of viable cells in the FITC channel detector of a BD Fortessa flow cytometer.
Functional activity of Her2CD3 protein constructs was assessed in a co-culture assay using BT474 cells and an NFAT-RE- luciferase Jurkat reporter cell line (Promega - TCR/CD3 Effector cells NFAT). BT-474 cells (40000 cell/well) were seeded into 96-well white clear bottomed tissue culture treated plates in Hybri-Care medium (ATCC) supplemented with 10% FBS and incubated at 37° C. overnight in a CO2 incubator. Medium was removed and control antibodies or protein constructs (+/- pre-digestion with MMP3/7/12) prepared in assay medium (RPMI supplemented with 10% FBS) were added to the cells. TCR/CD3 Effector cells (NFAT) were thawed and diluted according to the manufacturer’s protocol, then added to the assay wells. Following a 6 hour incubation at 37° C. in a CO2 incubator the plates were re-equilibrated to room temperature and luciferase activity determined by addition of Bio-Glo reagent for 5-10 minutes and measurement of luminescent signal (RLU). Fold induction was determined by calculating the ratio of the sample RLU/RLU in the absence of antibody following subtraction of background luminescence signal.
Eight systems (linker sequences X1, X2, X3 and X4 and the equivalent sequences with a covalent bond broken in one of the linkers at the GS sequence position XC1, XC2, XC3 and XC4) were modelled and optimised using the AMBER10:EHT forcefield in MOE (Chemical Computing Group Inc). Histidine charges were assigned using protonate3D tool in MOE. Three successive rounds of minimisation were undertaken with a final gradient of 0.001 allowing 10,000 steps without constraints. The individual systems were constrained once again and gradually minimized using NAMD 2.13 with the CHARMM27 forcefield to reduce the total potential energy in a series of three steps of energy minimization. The first step kept all heavy atoms constrained, and only hydrogen atoms were allowed mobility. The second step removed the constraints on the sidechains whilst the third steps freed all atoms, allowing them to move without restriction. Minimisation within CHARMM27 was facilitated since this is the forcefield at work within NAMD molecular dynamics simulations.
For dynamics runs, Generalised Born (GB) solvation was used to describe solvent effects. MD simulations were set up and performed afterwards using NAMD 2.13. Four steps of equilibration were performed, gradually loosening harmonic constraints in 125 ps increments, for a total equilibration time of 500 ps. The first step heated the system to 310 K while applying a force of 4 kcal/mol to hold the backbone in place. The remaining three steps gradually lifted the backbone constraint force from 4 kcal/mol to 1 kcal/mol with an NVT ensemble (constant number (N), volume (V), and temperature (T)). A switching function was applied at 10 Å to abridge the van der Waals potential function. Electrostatic and vdW cutoff was set at 14 Å as recommended in NAMD. Periodic boundary conditions were not used as they were not compatible with the implicit solvent approach. The constraints applied during equilibration were removed for the free simulation of the antibody complexes. Production runs were conducted for either 6, 15, 20 or 100 ns at 310 K. 100 ns runs were applied to cleaved linker proteins XC1-4 in order to fully explore range of movement whilst the shorter runs (up to 20 ns) were found to be sufficient to map the range of movement for non-cleaved antibody constructs X1-4.
TOLERABILITY STUDY - Twenty eight (28) 6 - 8 week old male B6.Cg-Fcgrttm1Dor Tg(FCGRT)32DcrJ (‘Tg32’ homozygous human FcRn transgenic, JAX stock# 014565) mice were assigned into 7 groups with 4 mice per group. Body weights were measured the day of antibody administration. At 0 hours, test articles were administrated as IV injections at 2 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, and at a dose volume of 10 ml/kg. 200 µL whole blood samples were collected into EDTA, on days 5, 29, and 60 (terminal bleed). Blood was used for CBC/Dif/Retic analysis, including Leucocytes, Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Hemoglobin, Erythrocytes, Reticulocytes, MCHC and MCV. Body weight were then monitored weekly for the first month and then monthly until the end of the experiment.
PHARMACOKINETICS STUDY - Thirty two 6 - 8 week old male B6.Cg-Fcgrttm1Dor Tg(FCGRT)32DcrJ (‘Tg32’ homozygous human FcRn transgenic, JAX stock #014565) mice were assigned into 8 groups with 4 mice per group. The day before test article administration, 35 µL blood samples from three (3) Tg32 mice were collected into EDTA to test the binding of the test articles to the mouse erythrocytes using flow cytometry. Body weights were measured the day of antibody administration and weekly until the end of the experiment. At 0 hours, the test articles were administrated as IV injections at 2 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, at a dose volume of 10 ml/kg. Blood samples were collected from each mouse according to the bleeding schedule: 30 min, 4 h, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 42 days. 25 µL blood samples were collected from each mouse according to the bleeding schedule. The blood samples were collected into K3EDTA, processed to plasma, and stored at -20° C. Plasma samples were then assessed in triplicate by and ELISA for estimation of human IgG concentration.
TOLERABILITY STUDY IN NOD-SCID MICE - NOD-SCID mice were assigned into 4 groups with 3 mice per group. Body weights were measured daily. At Day 0, test articles were administrated as IV injections at 8 mg/kg or 14 mg/kg, with 3 subsequent doses at 4 or 7 mg/kg at 5 day intervals.
Erythrocytes were isolated from 3 Cyno (Cynomolgus) monkeys and 3 human donors. Per sample, 5×105 cells (diluted in DMEM + 5% FBS) were stained for one hour with A-D5 IgG1: 0.0032; 0.016; 0.03; 50 µg/mL. Trastuzumab: 0.0032; 0.016; 0.03; 50 µg/mL. IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF 0 h: 0.016; 0.08; 0.4; 2; 10; 50 µg/mL. IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL 0 h: 0.016; 0.08; 0.4; 2; 10; 50 µg/mL. Binding of test samples to erythrocytes was measured using FITC AffiniPure Goat Anti-Human IgG (1:200 dilution; 1-hour incubation time), followed by Flow cytometry measurement of FITC fluorescence intensity (BD LSR FortessaX-20 cell analyser).
Protein constructs were placed in TBS (containing 5 mM CaCl2, pH6.0 or 7.4) then incubated at 37° C. with individual human Matrix Metalloprotease (MMP) or Cathepsin enzymes, at a ratio of 1% total enzyme to protein construct (wt/wt), for 0, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h. The reactions were stopped by the addition of 20 mM EDTA and then samples frozen before testing for binding or functional activity as described.
Forced Oxidation - For forced oxidation analysis, test articles in PBS were treated with 0.5 % H2O2 at room temperature for 2 hours and then stored at -80° C. prior to SEC and RP analysis (intact antibodies and subunits, tryptic peptides) on a Dionex Ultimate 3000RS HPLC system (ThermoFisher Scientific, Hemel Hempstead, UK). For intact antibody reduction, DTT was added to a final concentration of 0.33 M and samples were incubated for 1 hour at 22° C. and immediately analysed by RP.
SEC Analysis - Chromatographic separation was performed using an Acquity UPLC Protein BEH SEC Column, 200 Å, 1.7 µm, 4.6 mm × 150 mm (Waters, Elstree, UK) and an Acquity UPLC Protein BEH SEC guard column 30 × 4.6 mm, 1.7 µm, 200 Å (Waters, Elstree, UK) connected to a Dionex Ultimate 3000RS HPLC system (ThermoFisher Scientific, Hemel Hempstead, UK). The method consisted of an isocratic elution over 10 minutes and the mobile phase was 0.2 M potassium phosphate pH 6.8, 0.2 M potassium chloride. The flow rate was 0.35 mL/minute. Detection was carried out by UV absorption at 280 nm.
Reverse Phase analysis of intact antibodies and subunits - Chromatographic separation was performed using a PLRP-S 1000, 5 µm, 2.1 mm × 50 mm column (Agilent Technologies, Stockport, UK) connected to a Dionex Ultimate 3000RS HPLC system (ThermoFisher Scientific, Hemel Hempstead, UK). The method consisted of a linear gradient from 75 % buffer A (0.02 % TFA, 7.5 % acetonitrile in H2O) to 45 % buffer B (0.02 % TFA, 7.5 % H2O in acetonitrile) over 14 minutes. The flow rate was 0.5 mL/minute and the temperature was maintained at 70° C. throughout the analysis. Detection was carried out by UV absorption at 280 nm.
HIC Analysis - Chromatographic separation was performed using a TSKgel Butyl-NPR 4.6 mm × 35 mm HIC column (TOSOH Bioscience Ltd., Reading, UK) connected to a Dionex Ultimate 3000RS HPLC system (ThermoFisher Scientific, Hemel Hempstead, UK). The method consisted of a linear gradient from 60 % Buffer A (100 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0, 2 M ammonium sulphate) to 90 % Buffer B (100 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0) over 9 minutes. The flow rate was 1.2 mL/minute. Detection was carried out by UV absorption at 280 nm.
Charge Variant Assay - Charge variant profiling of test articles was determined by Protein Charge Variant Assay on a LabChip GXII Touch HT (PerkinElmer), according to the manufacturer’s protocol.
Interaction affinities for antibody proteins were determined by surface plasmon resonance using a BIACORE® T200 instrument. For most analyses, His6-tagged FcγRl, FcyRlla (167R and 167H variants), FcyRllb, FcyRllla (176F and 176V variants), and FcyRlllb receptors (all Sino Biological) were captured on a CM5 sensor chip coated with an anti-HIS antibody by standard amine coupling. Receptor-specific formats of analyses were then applied, as below.
FcγRl is a high-affinity receptor for IgG1 monomers, so 1:1 kinetic analysis was performed under the following conditions: ‘single cycle’ analysis using flow rate 30 µl/min, receptor protein loaded to ~30 RU at 10 µl/min (diluted 0.25 µg/ml in HBS-P+), 5 point three-fold dilution of purified antibodies titrated 0.411 nM to 33.33 nM applied with an association time of 200 s, dissociation time of 300 s. Regeneration with 2x injections glycine pH 1.5 and analysis using 1:1 fit.
The interactions between monomeric IgG and FcγRII and FcγRIII receptors are relatively low affinity interactions, so ‘steady state’ affinity analyses were performed under the following conditions: flow rate 30 µl/min, receptor protein loaded to ~60 RU at 10 µl/min (diluted 0.25 µg/ml in HBS-P+), 5 point three-fold dilution series of purified antibodies titrated between 33 nM and 24000 nM applied with an association time of 30 s, dissociation time of 25 s. Regeneration with 2x injections glycine pH 1.5 and analysis using steady state affinity calculation.
Standard anti-cancer antigen antibodies suffer from significant pharmacological challenges in the treatment of solid tumours. A key issue that restricts efficacy in this class of potential drugs is that the antigens targeted by the antibodies are not found exclusively in the tumour and are merely highly overexpressed in the tumour. This off-tumour target expression often leads to dose-limiting side effect risks and antigen ‘sink’ effects where large doses of the antibody must be given to ensure sufficient antibody penetrates the tumour to have a therapeutic effect. One such example is the class of antibodies that target the antigen CD47 (
Anti-CD47 protein constructs (
The protein construct IgG2 design (
The protein construct Fab2 design may be based on sequences derived from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgE, IgM, or IgA and may or may not have effector function capacity. In this construct, two (
To produce and purify 15 bispecific, conditionally-active protein constructs formatted as Fab2 or IgG2 molecules with different Linker domains (Table 1), DNA cassettes for each construct type (Table 2) were synthesised and cloned into expression vectors encoding human IgG1 heavy and light chain or ‘Knob into hole’ heterodimeric Fc. Proteins were named using the nomenclature (format)-(target names [upper domain/lower domain)-(heavy chain linker type)-(light chain linker type). All proteins were produced by transient transfection of CHO cells, then purified by protein A affinity chromatography.
The anti-HER2 variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are the variable region sequences of trastuzumab. The anti-CD3 variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are the variable region sequences of OKT3 or SP34. The anti-cMET variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are provided in WO 2019/175186. The anti-CD47 variable region sequences used in the protein constructs disclosed herein are provided in WO 2019/034895.
The protein A purified proteins were quantified, showing that using different linker types affected expression yield (Table 2). Protein preparations in 1x PBS pH 7.4 were also examined in analytical size exclusion chromatography for quantification of the percentage desired product. Across all 3 classes of bispecific proteins generated (cMETCD47, Her2CD47 and Her2CD3), constructs containing the LHL linker generated the most optimal combination of the highest yield and production of % main peak of desired product by analytical SEC (Table 2). SDS-PAGE analysis of the protein A-purified proteins (
SEC chromatography was then performed on the remaining protein samples from a subset of clones in an attempt to produce fully purified monomeric protein. Chromatography traces for clones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12 and 14 in preparative SEC are shown in
Control IgG antibodies A-D5 anti-CD47, MH7.1 anti-C-MET, anti-Her2 Trastuzumab, and A-D5 Fab-Fc (a monovalent version of the A-D5 antibody containing a single Fab domain), were titrated (in µg/ml) in a direct binding ELISA against human CD47, C-MET and Her2 proteins (
Importantly, the very strong monovalent binding of A-D5 Fab-Fc (
As hemagglutination is a primary toxicity risk of anti-CD47 antibodies, the prioritized protein constructs were then examined in a human erythrocyte-based hemagglutination assay. Control antibodies anti-CD235a (murine) and A-D5 anti-CD47, A-D5 Fab-Fc, MH7.1 anti-C-MET, anti-Her2 Trastuzumab, Her2CD47-LH-LH and Her2CD47-LHL-LHL IgG2, and cMETCD47-L2-L2 and cMETCD47-LHL-LHL in Fab2 format, were titrated (in nM) in a human erythrocyte hemagglutination assay using fresh erythrocytes from healthy donor 1 (
Prioritized protein constructs were submitted to enzymatic digestion using human MMPs 3, 7 and 12 over a time course of 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours incubation, plus a 24 h incubation in buffer without enzyme as a negative control. Samples from these digest time courses were then applied in direct binding ELISA against human Her2 and CD47 (
Antibodies Fab2 Her2CD3-L1-LH, Fab2 Her2CD3-L2-L2 and Fab2 Her2CD3-LHL-LHL were analyzed by ELISA (
The performance of the above multispecific Fab2 and IgG2 clones containing the LHL linkers encouraged a second series of constructs to experimentally explore the potential functional sequence space in both tertiary structure and linker sequence content. The following clones were synthesized and assembled to sample these parameters:
1. Clone ‘Met47-LHL-LHL’, which was a Fab2 protein in the ‘One Arm’ style (Table 6,
2. Clone ‘Her23-LHL-LHL’, which was a remodeled ‘Clone 10’ Fab2 protein in the ‘One Arm’ style (Table 7,
3. Clone ‘Her23(34)-LHL-LHL’, which was a Fab2 protein in the ‘One Arm’ style (Table 8,
4. A series of clones of the IgG2 type incorporating the Her2 binding domains of Trastuzumab in the upper fab and the CD47 binding domains of clone A-D5 in the lower Fab (Table 9). These clones contained mutated LHL-based linker sequences that might be more sensitive to enzymatic cleavage by a broad family of MMPs (LHLF linkers), linkers of moderately increased length that added a portion of the human IgG1 middle hinge sequence (LHLM linkers), or both (LHLMF linkers).
5. Clone ‘Fc-Her23(34)’, which was a Fab2 protein (Table 13,
6. Clone ‘MetMet-LHL-LHL, which was a Fab2 protein in the ‘One Arm’ style (Table 14,
These constructs were successfully expressed and purified by protein A and size exclusion chromatography, as described above.
The performance of the above purified IgG2 clones was examined in a series of further analyses. Example clones A-D5 IgG1, IgG2 Her2CD47-LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47-LHLF-LHL, IgG2 Her47-LHL-LHLF and IgG2 Her47-LHLF-LHLF (Table 9) were firstly examined for binding to human Her2, and human and mouse CD47 (
Clones IgG2 Her2CD47-LHL-LHL and IgG2 Her47-LHL-LHLF were examined for sensitivity to enzymatic activation (at pH7.4) by multiple proteases that are known to be over-expressed in human tumours (
To examine the effect of activation on IgG2 binding affinity, a Biacore assay was established which could sample both Her2 and CD47 binding. In this assay, control antibodies and IgG2 Her47-LHL-LHLF protein (undigested or activated for 2, 4, 8 or 24 hours with MMP12) were captured on a chip surface via anti-Fc antibody and then binding affinity was measured for soluble Her2 and CD47 ectodomain proteins. Binding analyses were repeated for Trastuzumab IgG1 and A-D5 IgG1 (no enzyme digest) at the beginning and end of experimental runs, with the data being shown in Table 17. These analyses showed that the calculated KD values for each antibody were highly similar in each run. Importantly however, the Rmax values (maximum binding signal at maximal analyte concentration) dropped significantly between runs at the beginning and end of the experiments (e.g. Trastuzumab Rmax 265.80 RU at beginning, 144.13 RU at the end), suggesting that the activity of the anti-Fc antibody capture surface is reduced after the many rounds of regeneration that are inherent to the Biacore method. To examine the effects of MMP12 activation on target reactivity, Rmax and KD values for both Her2 (
The above findings also demonstrated that the cleavage of the linker peptides in the Fab2 module (and therefore the activation of the lower Fab), is temporal. This may be a pharmacological benefit to molecules containing the Fab2 module, as the activation is likely to be strongly biased towards diseased tissues in which both the target antigen of the upper Fab and enzymes capable of activating the lower fab are highly over-expressed.
This would lead to rapid drug accumulation, long residence time and high levels of activation in such diseased tissues.
To understand the mechanisms by which the Fab2 module might function, we performed structural modelling and molecular dynamics analyses. The crystal structures of human CD47 ECD bound to Fab domains of IgG1 C47B161 (Protein Data Bank identifier 5TZT), IgG1 C47B222 (Protein Data Bank identifier 5TZ2) and IgG1 B6H12.2 (Protein Data Bank identifier 5TZU) were used as templates to generate a model of the anti-CD47 A-D5 Fab bound to CD47 ECD using the protein modelling suite of MOE software. The structure of trastuzumab Fab in complex with the Her2 extracellular domain was taken from the PDB structure 1N8Z.
The LHL and LHLF linkers between the upper trastuzumab Fab and the lower anti-CD47 Fab were then modelled using the protein modelling suite of MOE software. To assist modelling of the linkers, the C-termini of Fab structures available in Protein Data Bank were examined to help define the conformations with which the LB linkers could exit from each of the heavy and light chain domains of the Trastuzumab Fab. The modelling predicted that the trastuzumab Fab heavy and light chain C-termini can optionally possess the native inter-chain disulphide bond normally present in an IgG1 Fab domain.
A full-length IgG1-based model incorporating the aforementioned, modelled anti-CD47 Fab was constructed using the structure of IgG1 b12 (Protein Data Bank identifier 1HZH) as a template. Structural errors in 1HZH such as missing structural regions were remodelled and corrected. The IgG1 b12 Fab were replaced by the anti-CD47 Fab and the Fc-hinge were attached using the protein modelling suite of MOE software. This model illustrated the likely tertiary structure of an IgG2 molecule based on Her2 and CD47 with IgG1 (
To gain further insights into how the Fab2 module moves in solution, we performed molecular dynamics simulations using multiple linker compositions, including LHL-LHL, LHL-LHLF and L2L2 (G4SG4S (SEQ ID NO:32) amino acid sequence, Table 1). An RMSD for each residue was calculated for each run. In addition a custom descriptor dSASA was written in the SVL language (MOE) which calculated the change in solvent accessible surface area (SASA) of each residue, and also an aggregate of only the linker sequence in each case. As such it provided the basis to compare how different uncleaved linkers perform in terms of conformational changes and associated effects on solvent accessibility of the linkers which is expected to impact sequence-specific cleavage potential (
Comparisons between cleaved and uncleaved linkers show dramatic increases in flexibility for the cleaved linkers compared to uncleaved linkers, consistent with biological observations in
To examine the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IgG2 and Fab2 in the context of CD47 as the lower Fab domain, multiple example molecules (A-D5 IgG1, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL) were studied in 6 - 8 week old male B6.Cg-Fogrttm1Dor Tg(FCGRT)32DcrJ mice. These ‘Tg32’ mice are human FcRn homozygous transgenic animals, with pharmacokinetics characteristics for human IgGs that mimic those of humans and primates. As the CD47 binding domains contained in A-D5 IgG1 and in the lower Fab domain of IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL are all known to be capable of binding to recombinant mouse CD47 protein, they were first tested for reactivity to mouse membrane-presented CD47 on erythrocytes, by flow cytometry (
Using isolated erythrocytes from the Tg32 mice, hemagglutination assays were also performed. This analysis demonstrated that only A-D5 IgG1 was capable of driving concentration-dependent agglutination of the mouse erythrocytes (at > 3.12 µg/ml), while none of the proteins IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF nor Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL exhibited agglutination at any concentration up to 200 µg/ml (
In an in vivo tolerability study, A-D5 IgG1, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL were each dosed once (intravenously) at concentrations of 2 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg in Tg32 mice. The 2 mg/kg dose of A-D5 IgG was tolerated, while the 10 mg/kg dose was poorly tolerated, causing overt toxicity on day 0 that caused the study in this dosing cohort to be terminated. In contrast, the 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg doses of IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL were all well tolerated across 60 days of body weight observation (
To sample the effects of the dosed proteins more broadly, full haematological panels were examined at days 5, 29 and 60 after dosing (
In an in vivo pharmacokinetics study, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL were each dosed once (intravenously) at concentrations of 2 or 10 mg/kg and A-D5 IgG1 was dosed at the previously-tolerated concentration of 2 mg/kg, in Tg32 mice. Blood samples were collected from each mouse according to the bleeding schedule: 30 min, 4h, 1 day, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 42 days. Analyses of serum antibody concentration demonstrated that A-D5 IgG1 at 2 mg/kg was very rapidly removed from circulation, reaching mean concentrations < 0.5 µg/ml within 5 days (
In contrast, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL all exhibited slow clearance at both 2 and 10 mg/kg doses (
IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL at 2 mg/kg all showed normal ‘Alpha’ phase (when IV doses of immunoglobulins quickly distribute from the bloodstream into tissue), followed by a long ‘Beta’ phase of antibody circulating in the serum (
The pharmacokinetic and tolerability findings outlined above for IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and Fab2 Met47 LHL-LHL are indicative of normal, FcRn-mediated, antibody-like, half-life extension via the human IgG1 Fc domain. This effect resulted in significant increases in Area Under the Curve (AUC) values for these 3 proteins in comparison to A-D5 IgG1 (
Erythrocytes were isolated from 3 cyno NHP (monkeys) and 3 human donors and stained with A-D5 IgG1, Trastuzumab, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF or IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL. Both sets of analyses showed that only A-D5 IgG1 exhibited concentration-dependent binding to either cyno (
MMPs and Cathepsins have been shown to have the potential to enzymatically cleave the peptide sequences found in either the LHL or LHLF linkers outlined above. Importantly, however, both of these classes of enzyme can exhibit sensitivity to changes in pH conditions that raise or lowering their enzymatic activity. This can be of critical importance as the pH of solid tumours is frequently observed to deviate away from the normal physiological pH in man, pH7.4. In particular, solid tumours (and highly inflamed tissues) may develop acidic pH conditions as low as pH6.0.
Having proven above that multiple MMP enzymes have the ability to activate lower fab binding at pH7.4, we examined the activity of multiple MMP and Cathepsin enzymes (that are all associated with elevated activity in solid tumours) at both pH 6.0 and 7.4. Activation of IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL or IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF were examined for MMP3 (
Cathepsins were also examined as potential activation enzymes. For these enzymes, a clear relationship between pH and activity was observed. Activation of IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL (
Flow cytometry was performed to examine the binding characteristics of IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF to cells expressing different levels of CD47 and Her2 on their cell surface. Staining with Trastuzumab, anti-CD47 and Isotype control IgGs demonstrated that BT474 cells expressed high levels of Her2 and lower levels of CD47 (
IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF and IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL proteins were treated with MMP12 as above, over 0, 2, 8 and 24 h. These protein samples were then analysed by SDS-PAGE (
To examine precisely where in the Fab2 structure the MMP12 enzyme was activating the IgG2 molecules, mass spectrometry was carried out using 0, 2, 8 and 24 h samples from IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL. Peptide samples were prepared by reduction, alkylation and proteolytic digestion using a combination of trypsin and Glu-C. These samples were analysed by LC-MS/MS. Efficiency of cleavage by MMP was determined by comparing the MS responses of peptide derived from the intact MMP-cleavage site (SCGPAPE (SEQ ID NO: 110)) to those from cleaved protein (SCGPAP (SEQ ID NO: 111)). This analysis successfully identified peptides that mapped to both the uncleaved (SCGPAPE (SEQ ID NO: 110)) and cleaved (SCGPAP (SEQ ID NO: 111)) linkers, proving that in the LHL linker, MMP12 cleaves between the second proline (P) and the glutamic acid (E). Relative signal for the uncleaved (SCGPAPE (SEQ ID NO: 110)) peptide progressively reduced from 0 to 8 to 24 h (
US Patent No. 8871204B2 teaches protease-resistant IgG1 antibody variants which maintained lower hinge and Fc stability in the presence of MMP enzymes. In these mutated IgG1 antibodies, the sequence of E233-L234-L235-G236 (SEQ ID NO: 112) in the hinge is replaced with P233-V234-A235 (with G236 deleted); and the CH2 domain comprises at least one substitution selected from S239D/1332E, K326A/E333A, H268F/S324T/1332E, F243L/R292P/Y300L, S239D/H268F/S324T/1332E, S267E/H268F/S324T/1332E, K326A/1332E/E333A, S239D/K326A/E333A, S267E/I332E and G237X/S239D/1332E where X is A, D, P, Q or S; wherein amino acid residues are numbered according to EU numbering.
To examine the use of the Fab2 structure in the context of such a protease-stabilised IgG1 Fc, two example constructs were generated (Table 19). These two constructs (Her47 LHLF-LHL IgG1-2hDAA and Her47 LHL-LHLF IgG1-2hDAA) placed the Her47 Fab2 structure in an IgG2 built on the ‘2hDAA’ structure (IgG1 containing P233-V234-A235-ΔG236 and S239D/K326A/E333A mutations). Both constructs were readily expressed in transient CHO cell transfections, with Protein A purified protein exhibiting > 80% product of expected molecular weight. Example analytical SEC data for Her47 LHLF-LHL IgG1-2hDAA shows 80% product at 10.30 ml (
Analysis of 0 hr (undigested), and 2, 8 and 24 h MMP12-digested samples By SDS-PAGE confirmed that the purified protein contained the expected-size heavy and light chains. Over 2, 8 and 24 hr MMP12 digest, a 25 kDa band was generated (
As the LHL and LHLF linkers were shown above to be susceptible to cleavage by multiple MMP and Cathepsin enzymes, six Fab2 construct types were examined in IgG2 format (Table 20). These constructs used a series of linker designs (Table 21) that were designed to be susceptible to cleavage by enzymes of several classes that are associated with upregulated activity in solid tumours and highly inflamed tissues, such as: enterokinase (EK), thrombin (Thr), tPA, Granzyme B (GrB), uPA and ADAMTs-5 (A5). All 6 constructs were readily expressed by CHO cells and purified by ProA chromatography.
Purified protein from clones Her47 LHL-LHL-EK, Her47-LHL-LHL-Thr, Her47-LHL-LHL-tPA, Her47-LHL-LHL-uPA, Her47-LHL-LHL-GrB and Her47-LHL-LHL-A5 were all tested in titration ELISA against human Her2 and CD47 targets (
In an in vivo multi-dose tolerability study, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF, Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHLF were each dosed four times (intravenously) in NOD-SCID mice. IgG2 proteins were dosed at 14 mg/kg on day 0 and 7 mg/kg on days 5, 10 and 15. Fab2 proteins were dosed at 8 mg/kg on day 0 and 4 mg/kg on days 5, 10 and 15. All proteins were fully tolerated, with no clinical signs of toxicity for any individual animals and no loss of bodyweight (
Further Her2CD3 constructs were generated to examine novel sequences for their ability to improve product uniformity and activity (Table 22). All Her2CD3 constructs were expressed by CHO cells, purified from supernatant by ProA and then analysed by SEC. These analyses showed that Fab2 Her23 LHL-LHL-S and Fab2 Her23 LHLF-LHL-S both exhibited greater uniformity of the main product (
Control proteins Fab2 mEpCam3 LHLF-LHL-S and Fab2 mEpCam3 LHL-LHL-S (upper Fab contains the v domains of the anti-murine EpCAM antibody G8.8) were then also designed and expressed (Table 22). The correct MW products for clones Fab2 Her23 LHL-LHL-S, Fab2 Her23 LHLF-LHL-S, Fab2 mEpCam3 LHLF-LHL-S and Fab2 mEpCam3 LHL-LHL-S were isolated by preparative SEC and analysed in a Promega Jurkat cell-based CD3 ligation reporter cell bioassay, using either MCF-7 or BT-474 as human Her2+ target cells (according to manufacturer’s instructions). Primary analyses using MCF-7 as (very low Her2-expressing) target cells demonstrated that positive control Her2-CD3 BITE protein and OKT3 IgG1 both generated strong positive, concentration-dependent, CD3 activation signal. Clones Fab2 mEpCam3 LHLF-LHL-S and Fab2 mEpCam3 LHL-LHL-S, treated with MMP12 for 2h, generated no signal at any concentration (
In a secondary assay using Her2 high-expressing BT-474 cells as target cells, all of the above test samples and controls were assayed at 0.1 µg/ml (
Historically, engineered antibody formats have often suffered from structural heterogeneity, leading to manufacturing issues. To examine the stability of the IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL proteins, a series of in vitro measurements were made:
Forced Oxidation - Oxidation of exposed amino acid residues, such as tryptophan and methionine, is a common degradation pathway for mAbs, with impact on their biological activity. In this study, forced oxidation with 0.5 % H2O2 in PBS for 2 hours at room temperature was applied to the IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL proteins. As oxidation can alter overall hydrophobicity of an antibody, either by increasing the polarity of the oxidised form or through conformational changes, potential changes induced by forced oxidation were analysed by Reverse Phase (RP) and Size Exclusion (SEC) chromatographies. SEC analysis revealed no changes in the proportion of monomeric species, in either test sample (IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL both exhibited 99.5 and 97.4 % monomeric species, respectively, before and after oxidation). In RP analysis of intact antibodies, a decrease of 0.5 min in the retention time of IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and 0.4 min in the retention time of Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL was observed for the intact (non-reduced) antibodies after forced oxidation with 0.5 % H2O2. In RP analysis of subunits, a decrease of 0.5 min in the retention time of the heavy chain and no shift in the retention time of the light chain was observed for IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL after forced oxidation. The reduced Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL showed a different profile on RP analysis, with 3 peaks observed, representing light chain, heavy chain and truncated hinge-Fc stump. Upon oxidation 0.4-0.5 min shifts were observed for the heavy chain and truncated hinge-Fc stump, but not the light chain. The shifts in the retention time, after H2O2 treatment, observed for both reduced IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL samples, suggest minor oxidation of the exposed amino acids (limited to the Fc regions of the proteins).
Charge variant analysis - Charge heterogeneity analysis is important in the characterisation of monoclonal antibodies because it provides important information about product quality and stability. Heterogeneity can be caused by enzymatic post-translational modifications (glycosylation, lysine truncation) or chemical modifications during purification and storage (oxidation or deamidation). Charge variant profiling for the provided test articles was performed by a commercial Charge Variant Assay. The charge variant profiles of the IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL (
Retention on HIC - Overall hydrophobicity is an indicator of a protein’s tendency to self-associate, which can be a significant risk factor for aggregation and viscosity during bioprocessing. Proteins have hydrophobic ‘patches’ on their surface, generated by the presence of the side chains of hydrophobic or non-polar amino-acids. Depending on their number, size and distribution, the resulting surface hydrophobicity will be a specific characteristic for each protein. HIC separates proteins based on differences in their surface hydrophobicity, utilising reversible binding between the protein and the hydrophobic surface of the HIC resin. IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL exhibited HIC column retention times of 5.4 and 5.0 mins, respectively. These values are towards the lower range of hydrophobicity in comparison to those obtained for clinical monoclonal antibodies, such as Adalimumab (4.5 mins), Cetuximab (5.9 minutes), Brentuximab (6.3 mins) and Golimumab (8.1 mins). Indeed, these values suggest an aggregation propensity and stability similar to that of anti-Her2 Trastuzumab (5.4 mins retention), from which the Her2 binding domains in both IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL are derived.
Freeze-thaw stability analyses - Instability of proteins during freeze-thaw steps is an indicator of difficulty in manufacturing and bioprocessing, as increased aggregation or fragmentation of the protein is a risk for reduction in product quality. To assess this risk for proteins containing Fab2 structures, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL proteins were subjected to 5 rounds of Freeze-thaw , followed by SEC analyses after each round. These analyses showed that neither IgG2 Her47 LHL-LH L (
Collectively, these findings suggested that both IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL proteins had low aggregation risk, low hydrophobicity, low charge heterogeneity and low propensity towards oxidation.
Antibodies targeting receptors on diseased cells must bind to Fcy receptors if they are to mediate ADCC and ADCP activities. To examine whether these binding functions were retained in Fab2-based constructs, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL proteins were examined for binding affinity to all human and mouse Fc receptors via surface plasmon resonance analyses. These analyses demonstrated that both the isotype control human IgG1 and IgG4 exhibited the expected strong and weak binding affinities (respectively) for all human Fcγ receptors, including both the high and low affinity variants of FcyRIIA and FcyRIIIA (Table 23). Similarly, isotype control mouse IgG2a and IgG1 exhibited the expected strong and weak binding affinities (respectively) for mouse FcγRI, FcγRIII and FcyRIV receptors. For IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL, the binding to each of the human and mouse Fc receptors tested is highly similar to that observed for the isotype control human IgG1. These data suggest that both IgG2 and Fab2 proteins that are built on an IgG1 Fc should be capable of binding to Fc receptors, when bound at the surface of diseased cells, in both humans and mice.
Further protein constructs are envisioned (
As the Her2 binding domains of the upper Fab of IgG2 Her47 and Fab2 Her47 proteins are capable of mediating inhibition of the kinase activity of this receptor, a cell proliferation analysis was performed. This assay used BT-474 cells as they are a cell line with a known sensitive response to Her2 inhibition. Trastuzumab, Isotype control IgG1, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL (
In in vivo multi-dose efficacy studies, Trastuzumab, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF, Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHLF (Fab2 structures containing a human IgG1 Fc, as in
After 3 doses, on day 11, Trastuzumab (
In aggregate, the findings outlined above therefore demonstrate that the Fab2 structure allows efficient ablation of ‘lower Fab’ activities, with both CD47 and CD3 binding domains acting as examples. Binding capacity of the ‘upper fab’ domains is fully maintained, but significant activity in the lower fab domains is only observed after activation by proteases such as MMPs and Cathepsins, that are associated with high activity in diseased tissues such as tumours and fibrotic tissues. The modulation of linker sequences in the Fab2 structure allows the tuning of lower fab activation to be maximised in the disease microenvironment and to avoid both peripheral sink problems and toxicities, as exemplified by the performance of the Her47 molecules, in vitro and in vivo.
In an in vivo multi-dose PK study, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF, Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHLF would each be dosed once (intravenously) in NOD-SCID mice. IgG2 proteins would be dosed at 14 mg/kg and Fab2 proteins would be dosed at 8 mg/kg. Blood samples would be taken at 15 mins, 30 mins, 1h, 3h, 6h and 24 h and serum antibody levels measured using an anti-human IgG1 ELISA.
In in vivo multi-dose efficacy studies, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHL, IgG2 Her47 LHL-LHLF, Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHL and Fab2 Her47 LHL-LHLF would be each dosed four times (intravenously) in NOD-SCID mice bearing tumours generated by sub-cutaneous inoculation with the cell lines SKOV-3, JIMT-1 and NUGC-4. IgG2 proteins would be dosed at 14 mg/kg on day 0 and 7 mg/kg on days 5, 10 and 15. Fab2 proteins would be dosed at 8 mg/kg on day 0 and 4 mg/kg on days 5, 10 and 15. Trastuzumab would be dosed at 8 mg/kg on day 0 and 4 mg/kg on days 5, 10 and 15. Tumour volumes would be measured by caliper measurements.
To examine the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IgG2 and/or Fab2 in the context of CD47 or CD3 as the lower Fab domain, multiple example molecules would be studied in cynomolgus monkeys. For example, IgG2 and/or Fab2 might each be dosed once, twice or three times (intravenously) at concentrations of 2 mg/kg or above. Blood samples would be collected from each animal according to a bleeding schedule. Analyses of serum antibody concentration would be measured to calculate PK and to assess the risk of TMDD). To sample the effects of the dosed proteins more broadly, full haematological panels would also be examined at a series of days after dosing. These analyses would measure reticulocyte, erythrocyte (RBC), haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), leukocyte, monocyte, lymphocyte, basophil, eosinophil and/or neutrophil levels.
To examine the effect of activation on Fab2 binding affinity to both Her2 and CD47 (or CD3), a biosensor assay would be established which could sample both Her2 and CD47 (or CD3) binding on the same chip surface, such as a Dynamic Biosensors instrument. In this assay, control antibodies and IgG2 or Fab2 proteins (undigested or activated for e.g. 2, 4, 8 or 24 hours with an MMP or Cathepsin enzyme) would be applied to a sensor chip surface that had been differentially labelled with purified Her2 and CD47 (or CD3) ectodomain proteins separately, or together at different densities. Affinity for Her2 and CD47 (or CD3) would be measured to ascertain the influence of multivalent interaction on functional affinity for both targets separately, and on the same surface.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred or exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and variations to the same can be accomplished without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and that such modifications are clearly contemplated herein. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and set forth in the appended claims is intended nor should any be inferred.
No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and set forth in the appended claims is intended nor should any be inferred. All documents, or portions of documents, cited herein, including but not limited to patents, patent applications, articles, books, and treatises, are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety for any purpose. In the event that one or more of the incorporated documents or portions of documents define a term that contradicts that term’s definition in the application, the definition that appears in this application controls. However, mention of any reference, article, publication, patent, patent publication, and patent application cited herein is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment, or any form of suggestion, that they constitute valid prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in any country in the world.
Notwithstanding the appended claims, the disclosure sets forth the following numbered embodiments:
1. A protein comprising a first moiety and a second moiety and a peptide linker between the first moiety and the second moiety,
2. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the peptide linker is between about 5 and about 15 amino acids in length.
3. The protein of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the peptide linker comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:81, SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:84, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQ ID NO:86, or SEQ ID NO:87.
4. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the protease is a human matrix metalloprotease (MMP), a human cathepsin, human enterokinase, human thrombin, human tPA, human Granzyme B, human uPA, or human ADAMTs-5.
5. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the peptide linker comprises a human MMP cleavage site, a human cathepsin, human enterokinase, human thrombin, human tPA, human Granzyme B, human uPA, or human ADAMTs-5 cleavage site.
6. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the human MMP is MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-12, MMP-13 or MMP14.
7. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the level or the activity of the human MMP is elevated in the diseased tissue compared to the level or the activity of the human MMP in a non-diseased tissue.
8. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the human cathepsin is Cathepsin A, Cathepsin C, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, Cathepsin L or Cathepsin K.
9. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-5 and 8, wherein the level or the activity of the human cathepsin is elevated in the diseased tissue compared to the level or the activity of the human cathepsin in a non-diseased tissue.
10. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the first moiety comprises an antibody, an antigen-binding portion of an antibody or a receptor ectodomain.
11. The protein of embodiment 10, wherein the first moiety is a Fab, a single-chain Fab, a VH domain, a VL domain, an immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR), a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), a diabody, or a T cell receptor domain.
12. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the first moiety specifically binds to a molecule expressed in a diseased tissue.
13. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the first moiety specifically binds to a first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second moiety is capable of specifically binding to a second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue, wherein the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are different molecules.
14. The protein of embodiment 13, wherein the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are expressed by the same cell.
15. The protein of embodiment 13, wherein the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue are expressed by different cells.
16. The protein of embodiment 13, wherein the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and/or the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue is expressed on the surface of a cell.
17. The protein of embodiment 13, wherein the first molecule expressed in a diseased tissue and/or the second molecule expressed in a diseased tissue is a soluble molecule.
18. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-17, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human EGFR, human HER2, human HER3, human CD105, human C-KIT, human PD1, human PD-L1, human PSMA, human EpCAM, human Trop2, human EphA2, human CD20, human BCMA, human GITR, human OX40, human CSF1R, human Lag3 or human cMET.
19. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-17, wherein the second moiety specifically binds to a molecule expressed by a human immune cell.
20. The protein of embodiment 19, wherein the molecule expressed by a human immune cell is human CD3, human CD16A, human CD16B, human CD28, human CD89, human CTLA4, human NKG2D, human SIRPα, human SIRPγ, human PD1, human Lag3, human 4-1BB, human OX40, or human GITR.
21. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-20, wherein the first moiety comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region.
22. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein the first moiety comprises an immunoglobulin constant region or a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region.
23. The protein of embodiment 22, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA, or IgY.
24. The protein of embodiment 22, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, or IgA2.
25. The protein of embodiment 22, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is immunologically inert.
26. The protein of embodiment 22, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is a wild-type human IgG4 constant region, a human IgG4 constant region comprising the amino acid substitution S228P, a wild-type human IgG1 constant region, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A and L235A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A and G237A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A, G237A and P331 S, or a wild-type human IgG2 constant region.
27. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein the second moiety comprises an antibody, an antigen-binding portion of an antibody or a receptor ectodomain.
28. The protein of embodiment 27, wherein the second moiety is a Fab, a single-chain Fab, a VH domain, a VL domain, an immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR), a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), or a T cell receptor domain.
29. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-28, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47.
30. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-28, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3 or human PD-L1.
31. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-30, wherein the second moiety comprises a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region.
32. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-31, wherein the second moiety comprises an immunoglobulin constant region or a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region.
33. The protein of embodiment 32, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA or IgY.
34. The protein of embodiment 32, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 or IgA2.
35. The protein of embodiment 32, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is immunologically inert.
36. The protein of embodiment 32, wherein the immunoglobulin constant region is a wild-type human IgG4 constant region, a human IgG4 constant region comprising the amino acid substitution S228P, a wild-type human IgG1 constant region, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A and L235A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A and G237A, a human IgG1 constant region comprising the amino acid substitutions L234A, L235A, G237A and P331 S, or a wild-type human IgG2 constant region.
37. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the protein has an immune effector function or two, three or more immune effector functions.
38. The protein of embodiment 37, wherein the immune effector function is ADCC, CDC or ADCP.
39. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-38, wherein the first moiety prevents or reduces specific binding of the second moiety to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue.
40. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the peptide linker is cleaved in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue.
41. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-40, wherein the peptide linker is cleaved in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue, wherein the first moiety dissociates from the second moiety in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue and wherein the second moiety specifically binds to the molecule expressed in the diseased tissue in the vicinity of the diseased tissue or inside the diseased tissue.
42. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-41, wherein the diseased tissue is a tumour or an inflamed tissue.
43. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17.
44. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27.
45. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human HER2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35.
46. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37.
47. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39.
48. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41.
49. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD47, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain and a second polypeptide chain, wherein:
50. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:73 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74.
51. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human cMET, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human cMET, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75 and a second polypeptide chain comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:76.
52. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the first moiety binds specifically to human Her2, wherein the second moiety binds specifically to human CD3, and wherein the protein comprises a first polypeptide chain and a second polypeptide chain, wherein:
53. An immunoconjugate comprising the protein of any one of embodiments 1-52 linked to a therapeutic agent.
54. The immunoconjugate of embodiment 53, wherein the therapeutic agent is a cytotoxin, a radioisotope, a chemotherapeutic agent, an immunomodulatory agent, an anti-angiogenic agent, an antiproliferative agent, a pro-apoptotic agent, a cytostatic enzyme, a cytolytic enzymes, a therapeutic nucleic acid, an anti-angiogenic agent, an anti-proliferative agent, or a pro-apoptotic agent.
55. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein of any one of embodiments 1-52 or the immunoconjugate of embodiment 53 or 54, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
56. A nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein or a portion of the protein of any one of embodiments 1-52.
57. A nucleic acid molecule encoding the first polypeptide chain, the second polypeptide chain, or both the first polypeptide chain and the second polypeptide chain of the protein of any one of embodiments 43-52.
58. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 56 or 57.
59. A recombinant host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 56 or 57 or the expression vector of embodiment 58.
60. A method of producing a protein, the method comprising:
61. A method for enhancing an anti-cancer immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the protein of any one of embodiments 1-52, the immunoconjugate of embodiment 53 or 54, or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 55.
62. A method of treating cancer, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the protein of any one of embodiments 1-52, the immunoconjugate of embodiment 53 or 54, or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 55.
63. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the cancer is Gastrointestinal Stromal cancer (GIST), pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, bronchial cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, urinary bladder cancer, brain or central nervous system cancer, peripheral nervous system cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, uterine or endometrial cancer, cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, liver cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, biliary tract cancer, small bowel or appendix cancer, salivary gland cancer, thyroid gland cancer, adrenal gland cancer, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma or cancer of hematological tissues.
64. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the autoimmune disease or the inflammatory disease is arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or ankylosing spondylitis.
65. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease, or atherosclerosis or stroke.
66. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the fibrotic disease is myocardial infarction, angina, osteoarthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis or asthma.
67. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-52, the immunoconjugate of embodiment 53 or 54, or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 55 for use in the treatment of cancer, an autoimmune disease, an inflammatory disease, a cardiovascular disease or a fibrotic disease.
68. The protein or the pharmaceutical composition for use according to embodiment 67, wherein the cancer is Gastrointestinal Stromal cancer (GIST), pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, bronchial cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, urinary bladder cancer, brain or central nervous system cancer, peripheral nervous system cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, uterine or endometrial cancer, cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, liver cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, biliary tract cancer, small bowel or appendix cancer, salivary gland cancer, thyroid gland cancer, adrenal gland cancer, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma or cancer of hematological tissues.
69. The protein or the pharmaceutical composition for use according to embodiment 67, wherein the autoimmune disease or the inflammatory disease is arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or ankylosing spondylitis.
70. The protein or the pharmaceutical composition for use according to embodiment 67, wherein the cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, or stroke.
71. The protein or the pharmaceutical composition for use according to embodiment 67, wherein the fibrotic disease is myocardial infarction, angina, osteoarthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis or asthma.
72. The protein of any one of embodiments 1-52, the immunoconjugate of embodiment 53 or 54, or the pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 55, for use as a medicament.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1906685.1 | May 2019 | GB | national |
| 1910254.0 | Jul 2019 | GB | national |
| 1917678.3 | Dec 2019 | GB | national |
| 2001196.1 | Jan 2020 | GB | national |
This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national phase application of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2020/063362, filed on May 13, 2020, which claims the benefit of GB Patent Application No. 2001196.1, filed on Jan. 28, 2020, GB Patent Application No. 1917678.3, filed on Dec. 4, 2019, GB Patent Application No. 1910254.0, filed on Jul. 17, 2019, and GB Patent Application No. 1906685.1, filed on May 13, 2019, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/063362 | 5/13/2020 | WO |
