Patent Application
20210024638
Provided are an anti-4-1BB/anti-EGFR bispecific antibody, and a pharmaceutical composition and a method for treating and/or preventing a cancer using the same.
4-1BB protein is a member of TNF-receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) and is a co-stimulatory molecule which is expressed following the activation of immune cells, both innate and adaptive immune cells. 4-1BB plays important role in modulate the activity of various immune cells. 4-1BB agonists enhance proliferation and survival of immune cells, secretion of cytokines, and cytolytic activity CD8 T cells. Many other studies showed that activation of 4-1BB enhances immune response to eliminate tumors in mice. Therefore, it suggests that 4-1BB is a promising target molecule in cancer immunology. Despite of their anti-tumor efficacy, anti-4-1BB antibody induced severe liver toxicity in clinical application.
EGFR protein is a transmembrane protein that is a receptor for members of the epidermal growth factor family (EGF family) of extracellular protein ligands and involved in various mechanisms related to tumors. EGFR is a typical receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) present on the surface of cells, and thereby inducing proliferation and penetration of cancer cells, angiogenesis, etc.
Meanwhile, multispecific antibodies targeting two or more antigens have been developed in various kinds and forms and are expected as a new drug antibody having excellent therapeutic effects compared to a monoclonal antibody.
Therefore, there is a need to develop a multispecific antibody capable of recognizing two different antigens wherein one is present on a cancer cell and the other is present on other cell such as an immune cell, for more efficient cancer therapy.
One embodiment provides an anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody, comprising:
(1) an anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, as an EGFR targeting moiety, which is capable of specifically recognizing and/or binding to EGFR protein; and
(2) an anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, as a 4-1BB targeting moiety, which is capable of specifically recognizing and/or binding to 4-1BB protein.
Another embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the bispecific antibody. The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition may be used for treating and/or preventing a cancer and/or for enhancing immune response.
Another embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing a cancer and/or for enhancing immune response, the composition comprising the bispecific antibody.
Another embodiment provides a method of treating and/or preventing a cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition to the subject. The method may further comprise a step of identifying the subject in need of treating and/or preventing a cancer, prior to the administering step.
Another embodiment provides a method of enhancing immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition to the subject. The method may further comprise a step of identifying the subject in need of enhancing immune response, prior to the administering step.
Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition in treating and/or preventing a cancer. Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody in preparing a medicament for treating and/or preventing a cancer.
Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition in enhancing immune response. Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody in preparing a medicament for enhancing immune response.
An embodiment provides a polynucleotide encoding the bispecific antibody.
An embodiment provides a recombinant vector comprising the polynucleotide. The recombinant vector may be used as an expression vector of a polynucleotide encoding the bispecific antibody.
Another embodiment provides a cell comprising a polynucleotide encoding the bispecific antibody. The cell may be a recombinant cell transfected with a recombinant vector comprising the polynucleotide.
Another embodiment provides a method of preparing the bispecific antibody, comprising expressing the polynucleotide in a cell. The step of expressing the polynucleotide may be conducted by culturing the cell comprising the polynucleotide (for example, in a recombinant vector) under a condition allowing the expression of the polynucleotide.
The present disclosure relates to bispecific antibodies, each of which comprises an antibody specific to a tumor associated antigen (TAA; EGFR) and an antibody specific to 4-1BB, and uses thereof. These bispecific antibodies activate 4-1BB signaling and boost strong immune cell only in presence of EGFR expressing cells. Due to specific EGFR-mediated immune response, it is expected to have much less liver toxicity by using bispecific antibodies compared to 4-1BB monoclonal antibody.
In the present disclosure, provided is an anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody, and uses thereof, wherein the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody may comprise:
(1) an anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, as an EGFR targeting moiety, which is capable of specifically recognizing and/or binding to EGFR protein, and
(2) an anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, as a 4-1BB targeting moiety, which is capable of specifically recognizing and/or binding to 4-1BB protein.
Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail.
As used herein, ‘consisting of a sequence,’ ‘consisting essentially of a sequence,’ or ‘comprising a sequence’ may refer to any case comprising the sequence, but it may not be intended to exclude a case comprising further sequence other than the sequence.
As used herein, the term ‘a protein or polypeptide comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence identified by SEQ ID NO’ and ‘a gene or polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a nucleic acid sequence identified by SEQ ID NO’ may refer to a protein (or polypeptide) or gene (or polynucleotide), which consists essentially of the amino acid sequence or nucleic acid sequence, or which has at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence or nucleic acid sequence with maintaining its inherent activity and/or function.
As used herein, the term “antibody” may encompass various broad classes of polypeptides that can be distinguished biochemically. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that heavy chains are classified as gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon (γ, μ, α, δ, ε) with some subclasses among them (e.g., γ1-γ4), and light chains are classified as either kappa or lambda (K, λ). It is the nature of this chain that determines the “class” of the antibody as IgG, IgM, IgA IgG, or IgE, respectively. The immunoglobulin subclasses (isotypes), e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgG5, etc., are well characterized and are known to confer functional specialization.
An intact antibody includes two full-length light chains and two full-length heavy chains, in which each light chain is linked to a heavy chain by disulfide bonds. The antibody has a heavy chain constant region and a light chain constant region. The heavy chain constant region is of a gamma (γ), mu (μ), alpha (α), delta (δ), or epsilon (ε) type, which may be further categorized as gamma 1 (γ1), gamma 2 (γ2), gamma 3 (γ3), gamma 4 (γ4), alpha 1 (α1), or alpha 2 (α2). The light chain constant region is of either a kappa (κ) or lambda (λ) type.
The term “heavy chain” refers to a full-length heavy chain or a fragment thereof, including a variable region VH that includes amino acid sequences sufficient to provide specificity to antigens, and three constant regions, CH1, CH2, and CH3, and a hinge. The term “light chain” refers to a full-length light chain or a fragment thereof, including a variable region VL that includes amino acid sequences sufficient to provide specificity to antigens, and a constant region CL.
The term “complementarity determining region (CDR)” refers to an amino acid sequence found in a hyper variable region of a heavy chain or a light chain of immunoglobulin. The heavy and light chains may respectively include three CDRs (CDRH1, CDRH2, and CDRH3; and CDRL1, CDRL2, and CDRL3). The CDR may provide residues that play an important role in the binding of antibodies to an antigens or epitope. The terms “specifically binding” or “specifically recognized” is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and indicates that an antibody and an antigen specifically interact with each other to lead to an immunological activity.
In this disclosure, the antibody may include, but not be limited to, polyclonal or monoclonal; and/or human, humanized, animal (e.g., mouse, rabbit, etc.) derived antibody, or chimeric antibodies (e.g., mouse-human chimeric antibody).
An animal-derived antibody which is produced by immunizing an animal with a desired antigen may generally trigger an immune rejection response when administered to humans for treatment purpose, and a chimeric antibody has been developed to suppress such immune rejection response. A chimeric antibody is formed by replacing the constant region of an animal-derived antibody, which is a cause of anti-isotype response, with the constant region of a human antibody using genetic engineering methods. The chimeric antibody has considerably improved anti-isotype response in comparison with animal-derived antibodies, but animal-derived amino acids are still present in its variable regions and thus it still contains potential side effects resulting from an anti-idiotypic response. It is a humanized antibody that has been thus developed to improve such side effects. This is manufactured by grafting CDR (complementarity determining regions) which, of the variable regions of a chimeric antibody, has an important role in antigen binding into a human antibody framework.
As used herein, the term “antigen binding fragment” refers to a fragment derived from a full immunoglobulin structure including a portion capable of binding to an antigen such as CDRs. For example, the antigen binding fragment may be scFv, (scFv)2, Fab, Fab′, or F(ab′)2, but not be limited thereto. In the present disclosure, the antigen binding fragment may be a fragment derived from an antibody, including at least one complementarity determining region, for example, selected from the group consisting of scFv, (scFv)2, scFv-Fc, Fab, Fab′ and F(ab′)2.
Of the antigen binding fragments, Fab is a structure having variable regions of a light chain and a heavy chain, a constant region of the light chain, and the first constant region (CH1) of the heavy chain, and it has one antigen binding site.
Fab′ is different from Fab in that it has a hinge region including one or more cysteine residues at the C-terminal of heavy chain CH1 domain. An F(ab′)2 antibody is formed through disulfide bond of the cysteine residues at the hinge region of Fab′.
Fv is a minimal antibody piece having only a heavy chain variable region and light chain variable region, and a recombinant technique for producing the Fv fragment is well known in the pertinent art. Two-chain Fv may have a structure in which the heavy chain variable region is linked to the light chain variable region by a non-covalent bond, and single-chain Fv (scFv) may generally have a dimer structure as in the two-chain Fv in which the variable region of a heavy chain and the variable region of a light chain are covalently linked via a peptide linker or they are directly linked to each other at the C-terminal thereof.
The antigen binding fragments may be obtained using proteases (for example, a whole antibody is digested with papain to obtain Fab fragments, and is digested with pepsin to obtain F(ab′)2 fragments), and may be prepared by a genetic recombinant technique.
Immunoglobulin (e.g., a human immunoglobulin) or antibody molecules of the disclosure can be of any type (e.g., IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA, IgY, etc.), class (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgG5, IgA1, IgA2, etc.), or subclass of immunoglobulin molecule.
In the antibody or antibody fragment, portions (e.g., constant regions) except the CDRs or variable regions may be derived from a human antibody and particularly, they may be derived from IgG, IgA, IgD, IgE, IgM, or IgY, for example, IgG1, IgG2, IgG 3, or IgG4.
The antibody or antigen binding fragment may be chemically or recombinantly synthesized (not naturally occurring).
4-1BB Targeting Moiety
The anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody may comprise an anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, as a 4-1BB targeting moiety.
The term “4-1BB”, which is also called as CD137 or TNFRSF9 (TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 9), is a member of TNF-receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) and is a co-stimulatory molecule which is expressed following the activation of immune cells, both innate and adaptive immune cells. 4-1BB plays important role in modulate the activity of various immune cells. As used herein, 4-1BB may be originated from a mammal, for example, Homo sapiens (human) (NCBI Accession No. NP_001552.2). For example, the human 4-1BB protein (NP_001552.2) may be represented by the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 89), as follows:
In an embodiment, the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise:
a CDR (complementarity determining region)-H1 (H-CDR1) comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3;
an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, 5, or 6;
an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11;
an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 or 13;
an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 or 15; and
an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 or 17.
The amino acid sequences of the CDRs of the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment are illustrated in Table 1:
For example, the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise:
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; or
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17.
In another embodiment, the anti-4-1BB antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, 5, or 6, and an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11; and a light chain variable region comprising an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, or 13, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, or 15, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, or 17.
In another embodiment, the anti-4-1BB antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29; and a light chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 88.
The amino acid sequences of the variable regions of the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment are illustrated in Table 2:
For example, the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise:
a heavy chain variable region comprising an comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, and a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30;
a heavy chain variable region comprising an comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, and a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;
a heavy chain variable region comprising an comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, and a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32;
a heavy chain variable region comprising an comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, and a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33;
a heavy chain variable region comprising an comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, and a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or
a heavy chain variable region comprising an comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, and a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 88.
The amino acid sequences of frameworks of the variable regions of the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment are illustrated in Table 3:
In another embodiment, the anti-4-1BB antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise a heavy chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, or 61; and a light chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62, 63, or 64.
For example, the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise:
a heavy chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, or 61; and a light chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62;
a heavy chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, or 61; and a light chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; or
a heavy chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, or 61; and a light chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64.
In another embodiment, the anti-4-1BB antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may be a scFv (single chain variable fragment), comprising:
a heavy chain variable region comprising an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, or 3, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, 5, or 6, and an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11; and
a light chain variable region comprising an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, or 13, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, or 15, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, or 17,
wherein the heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region may be linked to each other in any order directly (i.e., without a linker) or via a peptide linker.
For example, the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise:
a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29; and
a light chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 or 88,
wherein the heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region may be linked to each other in any order directly or via a peptide linker.
For example, the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise:
a heavy chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29; and a light chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33;
a heavy chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29; and a light chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or
a heavy chain variable region comprising an comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, and a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 88,
wherein the heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region may be linked to each other in any order directly or via a peptide linker.
In the present disclosure, the anti-4-1BB scFv comprise a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, in any order. For example, the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise a light chain variable region and a heavy chain variable region, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus. Alternatively, the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus.
EGFR Targeting Moiety
The anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody may comprise an anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof as an EGFR targeting moiety.
The “EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor; also called as ErbB-1, or HER1 in humans)” is a transmembrane protein that is a receptor for members of the epidermal growth factor family (EGF family) of extracellular protein ligands. The epidermal growth factor receptor is a member of the ErbB family of receptors, a subfamily of four closely related receptor tyrosine kinases: EGFR (ErbB-1), HER2/neu (ErbB-2), Her 3 (ErbB-3) and Her 4 (ErbB-4). In many cancer types, mutations affecting EGFR expression or activity could result in cancer. For instance, the EGFR proteins may be polypeptides deposited under GenBank Accession Number NP_001333826.1, NP_001333827.1, etc., which are encoded by the nucleotide sequences (mRNA) deposited under GenBank Accession Number NM_001346897.2, NM_001346898.2, etc., respectively.
In one embodiment, the anti-EGFR antibody may be cetuximab. The antigen binding region of the anti-EGFR antibody recognizing EGFR as an antigen may be scFv, (scFv)2, Fab, Fab′ or F(ab′)2 of an anti-EGFR antibody, cetuximab.
The anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof may be an anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising 6 CDRs of Cetuximab.
In an embodiment, the anti-EGFR antibody or antigen-binding fragment (e.g., scFv, (scFv)2, Fab, Fab′ or F(ab′)2) of the anti-EGFR antibody may be cetuximab or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, or a variant thereof.
For example, the anti-EGFR antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise:
an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65;
an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66;
an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67;
an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68;
an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69; and
an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70.
The amino acid sequences of the CDRs of the anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment are illustrated in Table 4:
In another embodiment, the anti-EGFR antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; and a light chain variable region comprising an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70.
In another embodiment, the anti-EGFR antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71, and a light chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72.
The amino acid sequences of the variable regions of the anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment are illustrated in Table 5:
In another embodiment, the anti-EGFR antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may comprise a heavy chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73, or 74; and a light chain comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75.
In another embodiment, the anti-EGFR antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may be a scFv (single chain variable fragment), comprising:
a heavy chain variable region comprising an H-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65, an H-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and an H-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; and
a light chain variable region comprising an L-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, an L-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, and an L-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70,
wherein the heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region may be linked to each other in any order directly (i.e., without a linker) or via a peptide linker.
In another embodiment, the anti-EGFR antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may be a scFv (single chain variable fragment), comprising:
a heavy chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and
a light chain variable region comprising or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72, wherein the heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region may be linked to each other in any order directly or via a peptide linker.
In the present disclosure, the anti-EGFR scFv comprise a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, in any order. For example, the anti-EGFR scFv may comprise a light chain variable region and a heavy chain variable region, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus. Alternatively, the anti-EGFR scFv may comprise a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus.
Bispecific Antibody
The present disclosure provides an anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody comprising:
(1) an anti-EGFR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, as an EGFR targeting moiety, which is capable of specifically recognizing and/or binding to EGFR protein, and
(2) an anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, as a 4-1BB targeting moiety, which is capable of specifically recognizing and/or binding to 4-1BB protein.
The anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody may activate 4-1BB signaling only when crosslinked by EGFR-expressing tumor cells. In addition, the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof contained in the bispecific antibody may be characterized by localizing and/or activating only in tumor microenvironment (TME), and/or considerably reducing liver toxicities compared to pre-existing anti-4-1BB antibodies, with maintaining the efficacies of immune response enhancement and/or tumor treatment.
In an embodiment, the bispecific antibody may comprise a full-length anti-EGFR antibody and an antigen-binding fragment (e.g., scFv) of an anti-4-1BB antibody, wherein the antigen-binding fragment of an anti-4-1BB antibody may be linked to N-terminus, C-terminus, or both thereof of a full-length anti-EGFR antibody, directly or via a peptide linker. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibody may comprise a full-length anti-4-1BB antibody and an antigen-binding fragment (e.g., scFv) of an anti-EGFR antibody, wherein the antigen-binding fragment of an anti-EGFR antibody may be linked to N-terminus, C-terminus, or both thereof of a full-length anti-4-1BB antibody, directly or via a peptide linker.
In an embodiment, the scFv contained in the bispecific antibody may comprise a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region in any order. For example, the scFv contained in the bispecific antibody may comprise a light chain variable region and a heavy chain variable region, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus, and optionally a peptide linker therebetween, or alternatively, the scFv contained in the bispecific antibody may comprise a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus, and optionally a peptide linker therebetween.
When the bispecific antibody comprises a full-length anti-EGFR antibody and an anti-4-1BB scFv, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain of an anti-EGFR antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
an anti-4-1BB scFv; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-EGFR antibody,
wherein the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a light chain variable region of an anti-4-1BB antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-4-1BB antibody.
Alternatively, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
an anti-4-1BB scFv,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
a heavy chain of an anti-EGFR antibody; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-EGFR antibody,
wherein the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a light chain variable region of an anti-4-1BB antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-4-1BB antibody.
Alternatively, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain of an anti-EGFR antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
an anti-4-1BB scFv; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-EGFR antibody,
wherein the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-4-1BB antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a light chain variable region of an anti-4-1BB antibody.
Alternatively, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
an anti-4-1BB scFv,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
a heavy chain of an anti-EGFR antibody; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-EGFR antibody,
wherein the anti-4-1BB scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-4-1BB antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a light chain variable region of an anti-4-1BB antibody.
When the bispecific antibody comprises a full-length anti-4-1BB antibody and an anti-EGFR scFv, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain of an anti-4-1BB antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
an anti-EGFR scFv; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-4-1BB antibody,
wherein the anti-EGFR scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a light chain variable region of an anti-EGFR antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-EGFR antibody.
Alternatively, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
an anti-EGFR scFv,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
a heavy chain of an anti-4-1BB antibody; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-4-1BB antibody,
wherein the anti-EGFR scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a light chain variable region of an anti-EGFR antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-EGFR antibody.
Alternatively, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain of an a anti-4-1BB antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
an anti-EGFR scFv; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-4-1BB antibody,
wherein the anti-EGFR scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-EGFR antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a light chain variable region of an anti-EGFR antibody.
Alternatively, the bispecific antibody may comprise:
(i) a first polypeptide comprising, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
an anti-EGFR scFv,
optionally, a peptide linker (a first peptide linker), and
a heavy chain of an anti-4-1BB antibody; and
(ii) a second polypeptide comprising a light chain of the anti-4-1BB antibody,
wherein the anti-EGFR scFv may comprise, in a direction from N-terminus to C-terminus:
a heavy chain variable region of the anti-EGFR antibody,
optionally, a peptide linker (a second peptide linker), and
a light chain variable region of an anti-EGFR antibody.
The first peptide linker and the second peptide linker may be, independently, present or absent in the bispecific antibody, and the same with or different from each other.
In another embodiment, both of the EGFR targeting moiety and the 4-1BB targeting moiety contained in the bispecific antibody may be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding fragment comprising heavy chain CDRs, light chain CDRs, or a combination thereof, which are linked to each other directly or via a peptide linker.
Given that each of antibodies can bind to both of 4-1BB (such as, human 4-1BB) and EGFR (such as, human EGFR), the CDR sequences, or VH (heavy chain variable region) and VL (light chain variable region) sequences as disclosed herein can be “mixed and matched” to create other anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB binding bispecific molecules.
Peptide Linker
For high purity of the antibody, the bispecific antibody may comprise a peptide linker between a heavy chain and scFv in a first polypeptide (a first peptide linker), and/or between heavy and light variable regions in scFv (a second peptide linker).
As used herein, the term “peptide linker” may refer to an oligopeptide including 1 to 100 amino acids, particularly 2 to 50 amino acids, each of which may be any kind of amino acids without any restrictions. Any conventional peptide linker may be used with or without an appropriate modification to comply with specific purposes. In a specific embodiment, the peptide linker may comprise, for example, Gly, Asn and/or Ser residues, and/or comprise neutral amino acids such as Thr and/or Ala. The amino acid sequences suitable for the peptide linker may be known in the relevant art. The length of the peptide linker can be properly determined within such a limit that the functions of the polypeptide and/or scFv will not be affected. For instance, the peptide linker may be formed by including a total of about 1 to about 100 amino acids, about 2 to about 50 amino acids, or about 5 to about 25 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25) amino acids, each of which is independently selected from the group consisting of Gly, Asn, Ser, Thr, and Ala. In one embodiment, the peptide linker may be represented as (GmSl)n (m, l, and n are the number of “G”, “S”, and “(GmSl)”, respectively, and independently selected from integers of about 1 to about 10, particularly, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10). In one embodiment, the peptide linker can be amino acids of (GGGGS)2, (GGGGS)3, (GGGGS)4, or (GS)9, but not be limited thereto.
Medical Use
Provided is a medical use of the bispecific antibody for enhancing immune response, and/or treating and/or preventing a cancer.
More specifically, an embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the bispecific antibody as an active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition may be used for enhancing immune response, and/or for treating and/or preventing a cancer.
Another embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing a cancer, the composition comprising the bispecific antibody as an active ingredient.
Another embodiment provides a method of treating and/or preventing a cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition. The method may further step of identifying the subject in need of treating and/or preventing a cancer, prior to the administering step.
Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition in treating and/or preventing a cancer. Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody in preparing a medicament for treating and/or preventing a cancer.
In some embodiment, the cancer may be characterized by EGFR expression or EGFR overexpression (compared to normal).
Another embodiment provides a pharmaceutical composition for enhancing immune response, the composition comprising the bispecific antibody as an active ingredient.
Another embodiment provides a method of enhancing immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition to the subject. The method may further comprise a step of identifying the subject in need of enhancing immune response, prior to the administering step.
Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition in enhancing immune response. Another embodiment provides a use of the bispecific antibody in preparing a medicament for enhancing immune response.
In some embodiment, the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition may enhance immune response with the proviso of the presence of EGFR. For example, in the method of enhancing immune response, the subject may have an EGFR-expressing or EGFR-overexpressing cell (e.g., an EGFR-expressing or EGFR-overexpressing cancer cell).
The cancer to be prevented and/or treated by the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition may be associated with 4-1BB and/or EGFR, especially, EGFR-expressed or EGFR-overexpressed cancer. The cancer may be selected from solid cancers and blood cancers. The cancer may be, but not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, small-cell lung cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the lung), peritoneal carcinoma, skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma in the skin or eyeball, rectal cancer, cancer near the anus, esophagus cancer, small intestinal tumor, endocrine gland cancer, parathyroid cancer, adrenal cancer, soft-tissue sarcoma, urethral cancer, chronic or acute leukemia, lymphocytic lymphoma, hepatoma, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatocellular adenoma, large intestine cancer, endometrial carcinoma or uterine carcinoma, salivary gland tumor, kidney cancer, cervix cancer, prostate cancer, vulvar cancer, thyroid cancer, head and neck cancer, brain cancer, biliary tract cancer, gallbladder cancer, and the like. The cancer may be a primary cancer or a metastatic cancer.
As used herein, the term “prevention and/or treatment of cancer” may refer to cancer cell death, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, alleviation of symptoms associated with cancer, inhibition of metastasis of cancer, etc.
As used herein, the term “enhancement of immune response” may refer to 4-1BB signal activation, enhancement in any immune response associated with 4-1BB, such as 4-1BB-induced signal activation (e.g., 4-1BB-induced NF-kB signal activation, increase in release of cytokine, target cell killing by immune cell, such as T cell, and the like, but not be limited thereto. In some embodiment, the enhancement of immune response by the bispecific antibody provided by this disclosure may occur be in the presence of EGFR.
The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, and/or excipient, in addition to the bispecific antibody as an active ingredient. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, and/or excipient may be anyone selected from those commonly used for the formulation of antibodies. For example, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be one or more selected from the group consisting of lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starch, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, gelatin, calcium silicate, micro-crystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, methyl cellulose, methylhydroxy benzoate, propylhydroxy benzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil, but are not limited thereto.
The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of a lubricant, a wetting agent, a sweetener, a flavor enhancer, an emulsifying agent, a suspension agent, preservative, and the like.
The bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition may be administered to the subject orally or parenterally. The parenteral administration may be intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection, muscular injection, intraperitoneal injection, endothelial administration, local administration, intranasal administration, intrapulmonary administration, or rectal administration. Since oral administration leads to digestion of proteins or peptides, an active ingredient in the compositions for oral administration must be coated or formulated to prevent digestion in stomach. In addition, the compositions may be administered using an optional device that enables the active ingredient to be delivered to target cells (e.g., cancer cells).
As used herein, the term “the pharmaceutically effective amount” may refer to an amount at which the active ingredient, bispecific antibody, can exert pharmaceutically meaningful effects in preventing or treating cancer. The pharmaceutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody, or a suitable dosage of the pharmaceutical composition indicated by an amount of the bispecific antibody, may be prescribed in a variety of ways, depending on various factors, such as age, body weight, gender, pathologic conditions, diets, excretion speed, and/or reaction sensitivity of a patient, formulation types, administration time, administration route, administration manner, and the like. For example, the pharmaceutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody, or a suitable dosage of the pharmaceutical composition, may be in the range from about 0.001 to about 1000 mg (amount of the bispecific antibody)/kg (body weight), about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg, or 0.1 to 50 mg/kg per day for an adult.
The subject to which the bispecific antibody or the pharmaceutical composition is administered may be one selected from mammals, for example, humans, monkeys, rats, mice, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, horses, cattle, cows, and so on, or a cell or tissue obtained therefrom, but are not limited thereto, and it may be one suffering from cancer.
The pharmaceutical composition may be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient into a unit or a multiple dosage form by a method easily carried out by a skilled person in the pertinent art. The dosage form may be a solution in oil or an aqueous medium, a suspension, syrup, an emulsifying solution, an extract, powder, granules, a tablet, or a capsule, and may further include a dispersing or a stabilizing agent.
Polynucleotide, Recombinant Vector, and Preparation of Antibody
An embodiment provides a polynucleotide encoding the bispecific antibody. For example, the polypeptide may comprise a first polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain of an anti-EGFR antibody as described herein and a scFv of an anti-4-1BB antibody as described herein, which are linked directly or via a peptide linker; and a second polynucleotide encoding a light chain of the anti-EGFR antibody. Alternatively, the polypeptide may comprise a first polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain of an anti-4-1BB antibody as described herein and a scFv of an anti-EGFR antibody as described herein, which are linked directly or via a peptide linker; and a second polynucleotide encoding a light chain of the anti-4-1BB antibody.
Another embodiment provides a recombinant vector comprising the polynucleotide. For example, the recombinant vector may comprise the first polynucleotide and the second polynucleotide together in one vector or separately in two vectors. Another embodiment provides a recombinant cell comprising the first polynucleotide and the second polynucleotide. For example, the recombinant cell may be a cell transfected with the recombinant vector.
Another embodiment provides a method of preparing the bispecific antibody, comprising expressing the polynucleotide, for example the first polynucleotide and the second polynucleotide, in a cell. The step of expressing the polynucleotide may be conducted by culturing the cell comprising the polynucleotide (for example, in a recombinant vector) under a condition allowing the expression of the polynucleotide. The method may further comprise isolating and/or purifying the anti-4-1BB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof from the cell culture, after the step of expressing or culturing.
The term “vector” refers to a means for expressing a target gene in a host cell, as exemplified by a plasmid vector, a cosmid vector, and a viral vector such as a bacteriophage vector, an adenovirus vector, a retrovirus vector, and an adeno-associated virus vector. The recombinant vector may be constructed from plasmids frequently used in the art (for example, pSC101, pGV1106, pACYC177, ColE1, pKT230, pME290, pBR322, pUC8/9, pUC6, pBD9, pHC79, pIJ61, pLAFR1, pHV14, pGEX series, pET series, and pUC19), phages (for example, λgt4λB, λ-Charon, λΔz1, and M13) or by manipulating viruses (for example, SV40, etc.).
In the recombinant vector, the polynucleotide may be operatively linked to a promoter. The term “operatively linked” is intended to pertain to a functional linkage between a nucleotide sequence of interest and an expression regulatory sequence (for example, a promoter sequence). When being “operatively linked”, the regulatory element can control the transcription and/or translation of the nucleotide of interest.
The recombinant vector may be constructed typically as a cloning vector or an expression vector. For recombinant expression vectors, a vector generally available in the relevant art for expressing a foreign protein in plant, animal, or microbial cells may be employed. Various methods well known in the art may be used for the construction of recombinant vectors.
For use in hosts, such as prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, the recombinant vector may be constructed accordingly. For example, when a vector is constructed as an expression vector for use in a prokaryotic host, the vector typically includes a strong promoter for transcription (e.g., a pLκλ promoter, a CMV promoter, a trp promoter, a lac promoter, a tac promoter, a T7 promoter, etc.), a ribosomal binding site for initiating translation, and transcriptional/translational termination sequences. On the other hand, an expression vector for use in a eukaryotic host includes an origin of replication operable in a eukaryotic cell, such as an f1 origin of replication, an SV40 origin of replication, a pMB1 origin of replication, an adeno origin of replication, an AAV origin of replication, and a BBV origin of replication, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the expression vector typically includes a promoter derived from genomes of mammalian cells (for example, metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (for example, adenovirus late promoter, vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter, SV40 promoter, cytomegalovirus promoter, and tk promoter of HSV), and a polyadenylation sequence as a transcription termination sequence.
The recombinant cell may be prepared by introducing the recombinant vector into a suitable host cell. As long as it allows the sequential cloning and expression of the recombinant vector in a stable manner, any host cell known in the art may be employed in the present disclosure. Examples of the prokaryotic host cell available for the present disclosure may be selected from E. coli, Bacillus spp. such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thuringiensis, and enterobacteriaceae strains such as Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens and various Pseudomonas species. Eukaryotic host cells that may be used for transformation may selected from, but are not limited to, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, insect cells, and animal cells, such as Sp2/0, CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) K1, CHO DG44, PER.C6, W138, BHK, COS-7, 293, HepG2, Huh7, 3T3, RIN, and MDCK.
The polynucleotide or a recombinant vector carrying the same may be introduced (transfected) into a host cell using a method well known in the relevant art. For example, this transfection may be carried out using a CaCl2) or electroporation method when the host cell is prokaryotic. For eukaryotic host cells, the genetic introduction may be achieved using, but not limited to, microinjection, calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, liposome-mediated transfection, or particle bombardment.
To select a transformed host cell, advantage may be taken of a phenotype associated with a selection marker according to methods well known in the art. For example, when the selection marker is a gene conferring resistance to a certain antibiotic, the host cells may be grown in the presence of the antibiotic in a medium to select a transformant of interest.
Another embodiment provides a method for production of the bispecific antibody, the method comprising a step of expressing the polynucleotide or the recombinant vector in a host cell. In one embodiment, the production method may comprise culturing a recombinant cell harboring the polynucleotide or the recombinant vector thereat, and optionally isolating and/or purifying the antibody from the culture medium.
Hereafter, the present invention will be described in detail by examples.
The following examples are intended merely to illustrate the invention and are not construed to restrict the invention.
1.1 Preparation of Full Human Monoclonal Antibodies Against 4-1BB
Full human monoclonal anti-4-1BB antibodies in a full-length IgG form were screened by phage library (obtained from KBio Health) immunotube panning against 4-1BB. For panning of the phage library against target molecules, four rounds of panning were carried out in total using 4-1BB (NCBI Accession No. NP_001552.2) coated immunotubes.
Bacterial colonies from the 3 rounds of panning output were grown in SB-Carbenicillin (Biomatik cat #A2311-5g) in 96 deepwell plate until turbid, at which point 1011 pfu of VCSM13 helper phage (K-Bio Health) was added to each well. After 1 h infection at 37° C. with gentle shaking (80 rpm), 70 μg/mL of kanamycin was added and the cells were cultured overnight at 30° C. with shaking at 200 rpm.
Next day, the plates were centrifuged and the supernatants containing the phages were added to 4-1BB antigen-coated ELISA plates blocked with 3% (v/v) BSA (bovine serum albumin) in PBST (Phosphate Buffered Saline with Tween 20). After 1 h incubation at room temperature, the plates were washed three times with PBST and anti M13 antibody (Sino Biological cat #11973-MM05) was added. The plates were incubated for 1 h, washed three times with PBST, and the binding activity was measured using tetramethylbenzidine (TMB).
The 4-1BB specific binders were amplified for plasmid DNA sequencing. The light chain- and heavy chain-variable region (VL and VH) sequences were analyzed to identify unique sequences and determine sequence diversity, as shown in Tables 6 to 13 (Underline: CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3, in order). The anti-4-1BB antibody indicated as BMUR (BMS's Urelumab, U.S. Pat. No. 7,288,638) is used for comparing agonistic activity in following examples.
1.2. Preparation of scFv Antibodies Against 4-1BB
Anti-4-1BB scFv antibodies with a structure of (N′)-VL-linker-VH-(C′) were prepared using the variable regions of the full human monoclonal antibodies against 4-1BB shown in Tables 6 to 13 of Example 1.1, wherein the amino acid residue “G” at the position 44 of a heavy chain variable region was substituted with “C”, and the amino acid residue “G” at the position 103 of a light chain variable region was substituted with “C”. Such amino acid substitution from “G” to “C” in scFv can contribute to increase in stabilities of bispecific antibodies comprising the scFv as one target-specific moiety. The amino acid sequences of the prepared anti-4-1BB scFvs were illustrated in following Tables 14 to 19, while skilled persons in the art may apply changes or modifications of amino acid sequences in the following embodiments to meet specific purposes, including applying various types of peptide linkers such as (GGGGS)2, (GGGGS)3, (GGGGS)4, or (GS)9.
REFDYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 24)
DYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 25)
REFDYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 25)
TKSSSAYGMDGWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 27)
SSAYGMDGWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 28)
1.3. Antigen Binding Abilities of Anti-4-1BB Antibodies (Full-Length IgG Form) to Human 4-1BB
(1) Antigen Binding Activity Measured by ELISA
To evaluate the antigen binding activity, the antibody candidates prepared in Example 1.1 were subjected to ELISA test. Briefly, microtiter plates were coated with human 4-1BB-Fc protein (Sino Biological) at 0.1 μg/ml in PBS, 100 μl/well at 4° C. overnight, and then blocked with 100 μl/well of 5% (v/v) BSA. Five-fold dilutions of humanized antibodies (1A10, 1A12, and AB41) starting from 10 μg/ml were added to each well and incubated for 1-2 hours at room temperature (RT). The plates were washed with PBS/Tween and then incubated with goat-anti-human IgG antibody conjugated with Horse Radish Peroxidase (HRP) (Thermo) for 1 hour at RT. After washing, the plates were developed with TMB substrate and analyzed by spectrophotometer at OD 450-630 nm.
The obtained results are shown in
(2) Cell Binding Activity Measured by FACS
To evaluate the cell binding activity, the antibody candidates were analyzed for its binding to mammalian expressed 4-1BB by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Briefly, GloResponse™ NFκB-luc2/4-1BB Jurkat cell line (Promega; 3×105 of cells), which are Jurkat cells expressing 4-1BB on their surface, were incubated with antibodies (1A10 and 1A12; each 10 ug/mL). After wash by FACS buffer (1% (v/v) BSA in PBS), the FITC-anti-human IgG antibody (Sigma, F9512, concentration: 2.0 mg/ml) was added to each well and incubated at 4° C. for 1 hour. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of FITC was evaluated by FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences).
The obtained results are shown in
As an EGFR targeting moiety for anti-EGFR/Anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies, Cetuximab (ERBITUX®: BMS″, DrugBank Accession No. DB00002; human IgG1 Kappa monoclonal antibody), or its antigen-binding fragment, such as scFv, was employed.
The sequences of Cetuximab are summarized as follows:
The constant region of the anti-EGFR antibody contained in the bispecific antibody can be modified by introducing more than one mutation or change into human IgG1, one exemplary embodiment (hereinafter, indicated as “ET(WT)”) being illustrated in Table 20:
The constant region of the anti-EGFR antibody contained in the bispecific antibody can be modified by introducing more than one mutation or change into human IgG1, one exemplary embodiment, EGFR(NA or N297A) being presented in Table 21 below:
Various anti-EGFR/Anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody candidates were prepared in full-length IgG (anti-EGFR antibody)-scFv (anti-4-1BB antibody) format or in full-length IgG (anti-4-1BB antibody)-scFv (anti-EGFR antibody) format: In this example, the anti-EGFR IgG and 4-1BB scFv clones prepared in Example 2 and Example 1.2, respectively, were exemplarily selected, to prepare anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies in a IgG-scFv fusion form (an scFv antibody fragment of one antigen is fused to c-terminal of IgG of another antigen). When EGFR is placed in full IgG part, IgG1 with ADCC reduced mutant backbone (N297A mutation; Cancer Cell, vol. 19, issue 1, pp. 101-113, etc.) was used, and when 4-1BB is placed in full IgG part, IgG4 was used.
A DNA segment 1 having a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain of an IgG antibody of the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody was inserted into pcDNA 3.4 (Invitrogen, A14697; plasmid 1), and a DNA segment 2 having a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain of an IgG antibody of the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody was inserted into pcDNA 3.4 (Invitrogen, A14697; plasmid 2). Thereafter, a DNA segment 3 encoding a scFv was fused at a part of the DNA segment 1 corresponding to the c-terminus of the Fc region of the IgG antibody inserted into the plasmid 1, using a DNA segment 4 encoding a linker peptide having 15 amino acid lengths consisting of (GGGGS)3 or using a DNA segment 5 encoding a linker peptide having 18 amino acid lengths consisting of (GS)9, to construct vectors for the expression of bispecific antibodies. Furthermore, in order to stabilize scFv, as described in Example 1.2, additional modification was applied to generate disulfide bridge fusing VL103-VH44 (VL103: VL having G→C mutation at the position 103; VH 44: VH having G→C mutation at the position 44) to C-terminus of light chain and C-terminus of heavy chain, respectively.
Among the prepared bispecific antibodies, sequences of the heavy chains, light chains, scFvs and DNA segments used in preparing some several exemplary bispecific antibodies are illustrated in Tables 22 to 30. One or more than one point mutations in amino acid sequences can be applied in the antibodies presented below, for the purpose of improved stability and potency, decreased immunogenicity, and etc.
SWVRQAPGKCLEWVSWISYSGGSIYYADSVKGR
RNSMREFDYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 24)
TWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRFSGSK
MSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSWISYSGGSIYYADSVK
GRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAR
DGQRNSMREFDYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID
GNNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDR
SGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGG
SYDMSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSWISYSGGSIYYAD
SVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYY
TWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRFSGSK
MSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSWISYSGGSIYYADSVK
GRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAR
DAQRNSMREFDYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID
GNNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDR
SGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGG
SYDMSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSWISYSGGSIYYAD
SVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYY
VTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRFSGS
VFGCGTKLTVL (SEQ ID NO: 34)
MSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSWISYSGGSIYYADSVK
GRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAR
DAQRNSMREFDYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID
IGNNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPD
SLSGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS
YADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTA
TWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRFSGSK
MSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSVIYPDDGNTYYADSVK
GRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDAAVYYCAK
HGGQKPTTKSSSAYGMDGWGQGTLVTVSS
NNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRF
SGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGG
GYDMSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSVIYPDDGNTYYAD
SVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDAAVYY
TWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRFSGSK
MSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSVIYPDDGNTYYADSVK
GRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDAAVYYCAK
HGGQKPTTKSSSAYGMDGWGQGTLVTVSS
GNNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDR
SGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGG
GYDMSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSVIYPDDGNTYYAD
SVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDAAVYY
VTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRFSGS
VFGCGTKLTVL (SEQ ID NO: 34)
MSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSVIYPDDGNTYYADSVK
GRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAK
HGGQKPTTKSSSAYGMDGWGQGTLVTVSS
IGNNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPD
SLSGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS
YADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTA
VTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPDRFSGS
VFGCGTKLTVL (SEQ ID NO: 34)
IGNNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPD
SLSGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS
YADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTA
MSWVRQAPGKCLEWVSVIYPDDGNTYYADSVK
GRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAK
HGGQKPTTKSSSAYGMDGWGQGTLVTVSS
IGNNYVTWYQQLPGTAPKLLIYADSHRPSGVPD
SLSGYVFGCGTKLTVLGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS
YADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTA
4.1. Binding to Human EGFR
The EGFR binding affinity of the bispecific antibodies were conducted by ELISA referring to Example 1.3(1).
In brief, 96-well microtiter plates (Nunc-Immuno Plates, NUNC) were coated with human EGFR-His protein (Sino Biological, 10001-H08B) at 1 μg/ml in PBS, 100 μl/well at 4° C. overnight, and then blocked with blocking buffer (200 μl/well of 1% BSA (bovine serum albumin (Gibco, 30063572)) in PBS) for 2 hours at 37° C. Six-fold dilutions of anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies prepared in Example 3 starting from 0.1 μM were added to each well and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. The plates were washed with PBS/0.05% Tween20 and then incubate with HRP-conjugated Fab multiclonal antibody reagent (Pierce, 31414) for 1 hour at 37° C. After washing, the plates were developed with TMB (Tetramethylbenzidine, Sigma, T0440) substrate and analyzed by spectrophotometer at OD 450-650 nm.
The obtained results are shown in
4.2. Binding to Human 4-1BB
The 4-1BB binding affinity of the bispecific antibodies were conducted by ELISA referring to Example 1.3(1).
Briefly, 96-well microtiter plates (Nunc-Immuno Plates, NUNC) were coated with human 4-1BB-His protein (Sino Biological, 10041-H08H) at 1 μg/ml in PBS, 100 μl/well at 4° C. overnight, then blocked with 100 μl/well of 1% BSA (bovine serum albumin (Gibco, 30063572)) in PBS for 2 hours at 37° C. Six-fold dilutions of anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies prepared in Example 3 starting from 0.1 μM were added to each well and incubated for 1 hours at 37° C. The plates were washed with PBS/0.05% Tween20 and then incubate with HRP-conjugated Fab multiclonal antibody reagent (Pierce, 31414) for 1 hour at 37° C. After washing, the plates were developed with TMB (Tetramethylbenzidine, Sigma, T0440) substrate and analyzed by spectrophotometer at OD 450-650 nm.
The obtained results are shown in
The results of
As shown in Table 31, all the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies tested can bind to both human EGFR and human 4-1BB proteins with high affinities.
4.3. Binding to Various Cell Surface Expressed Human EGFR
The binding affinities of the bispecific antibodies to various cells expressing EGFR on their surface were conducted by FACS analysis referring to Example 1.3(2).
EGFR is expressed in various cancer cells, and it has been reported that it is overexpressed in various solid cancers such as skin cancer, breast cancer, cervix cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, Head & neck cancer, etc.
For this experiment, various kinds of cancer cell lines were used as follows: A431 (ATCC® CRL-1555™, epidermoid carcinoma), BT474 (ATCC® HTB-20™, ductal carcinoma), HCC1954 (ATCC® CRL-2338™, TNM stage IIA, grade 3, ductal carcinoma), Jimt-1 (DSMZ ACC 589, Breast carcinoma), Hela (ATCC® CCL-2™, cervix adenocarcinoma), DLD-1 (ATCC® CCL-221™, Dukes' type C, colorectal adenocarcinoma), Kato III (ATCC® HTB-103™, Gastric carcinoma), NCI-N87 (ATCC® CRL-5822™, human gastric carcinoma), MDA-MB-231 (ATCC® HTB-26™, human breast cancer), CFPAC-1 (ATCC® CRL-1918™, Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma), Panc-1 (ATCC® CRL-1469™, Pancreas epithelioid carcinoma), A253 (ATCC® HTB-41™, submaxillary salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma), Detroit562 (ATCC® CCL-138™, Pharyngeal carcinoma, FaDu (ATCC® HTB-43™, Pharynx squamous cell carcinoma), SCC9 (ATCC® CRL-1629™, Tongue squamous cell carcinoma), SCC15 (ATCC® CRL-1623™, Tongue squamous cell carcinoma), SCC25 (ATCC® CRL-1628™, Tongue squamous cell carcinoma). For the cell lines, the binding to EGFR was analyzed with FACS (FACSCalibur, BD Biosciences) by using the antibodies of the present invention.
Specifically, after disassociating each cell line and washing in PBS, the number of cells was counted and set as 2×105 cells/200 μl FACS buffer, and then anti-EGFRx4-1BB antibodies were treated in 10 μg/mL, and it were reacted at 4° C. for 1 hour. After reaction, cells were washed in FACS buffer, and then the FITC labeled constant region (Fc)-specific antibody (Goat anti-human IgG FITC conjugate, Fc specific, Sigma, F9512, concentration: 2.0 mg/ml) was suspended in 2 μl/1×105 cells/200 μl FACS buffer, and it was reacted at 4° C. for 1 hour. After reaction, cells were washed in FACS buffer, it was analyzed using a FACSCalibur device. The negative control group was treated only with the FITC-labeled constant region (Fc)-specific antibody. To compare the expression degrees of EGFR among the cancer cell lines, the value of the result for the peak shift in the experimental group was divided by the result for the peak shift in the negative control group (Mean Fluorescence intensity Ratio MFI Ratio: MFI of test antibody/MFI of 2nd Ab).
The obtained results are shown in following Table 32:
As shown in Table 32, all the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies tested can bind to cell surface expressed human EGFR proteins.
In the SPR experiment, the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies were individually captured on flow-cells 2, 3 and 4, keeping the flow-cell 1 as reference, on a Biocore® Series S Sensor Chip CM5 (GE Healthcare, BR100530) on which an anti-human Fab antibody (GE Healthcare, 28958325) had been immobilized by amine coupling. Recombinant Human 4-1BB protein (ACROBiosystems, 41B-H5227) was flowed across the chip at concentration of 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.13, 1.56 and 0.78 nM at 30 μl/min for 300 seconds, followed by a dissociation phase of 400 seconds. Regeneration was performed with 10 mM Glycine-HCl (pH 2.0) (GE Healthcare, BR100355).
The obtained results are shown in following Table 33:
As shown in Table 33, the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies tested show high 4-1BB binding affinities.
6.1. BsAbs Vs. Monospecific Antibodies
In this example, for measuring 4-1BB signal activation, GloResponse™ NFκB-luc2/4-1BB Jurkat cell line (Promega), genetically modified to stably express human 4-1BB and luciferase downstream of a response element, was used as effector cell and cancer cells expressing or not expressing EGFR were used as target cells. In brief, as target cells, MDA-MB-231 (expressing EGFR; 2.5×104 cells) or BT-474 (not expressing EGFR; 2.5×104 cells) were plated in a 96-well assay plate and cultured overnight. On the day of assay, the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies (Example 3; 100 nM or 4 nM, 5-fold-dilution) to be tested and effector Jurkat cells (2.5×104 cells) were added to the plate. After 6 hrs incubation, Bio-Glo™ Reagent (Promega) was added and luminescence was measured using a microplate reader.
The obtained results are shown in following
6.2. 4-1BB Activation in Various EGFR-Expressing Cells
In this example, for measuring 4-1BB signal activation, GloResponse™ NFκB-luc2/4-1BB Jurkat cell line (Promega), genetically modified to stably express human 4-1BB and luciferase downstream of a response element, was used as effector cell, and cancer cells expressing or not expressing EGFR were used as target cells. In brief, EGFR-expressing (A-431, HCC1954, Calu-3, DLD-1, SK-BR-3, NCI-N87, MDA-MB-231, Panc-1) or EGFR-non-expressing (CHO-k1, SW620, MC38, Jurkat)) cancer cells (each 2.5×104 cells/well) were plated in a 96-well assay plate and cultured overnight. On the day of assay, the anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies (Example 3; 100 nM or 2 nM, 5-fold-dilution) to be tested and effector Jurkat cells were added to the plate. After 6 hours of incubation, Bio-Glo™ Reagent was added and luminescence was measured using a microplate reader.
The obtained results are shown in
6.3. EGFR Quantitation
EGFR cell surface expression level was quantified on various cancer cell lines using QIFIKIT quantification kit (Dako) according to manufacturer's recommendation. Briefly, cells were stained with unlabeled anti-EGFR mouse monoclonal antibody (Abcam) or purified mouse IgG2b isotype control (Abcam) at saturating concentration. After washing, the stained cells and calibration beads from the kit were simultaneously labeled with the same FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG secondary antibody from the kit. Labeled cells and calibration beads were analyzed on a flow cytometer. A linear regression was performed using MFI values from the calibration beads. ABC (Antibody-Binding Capacity) was extrapolated from this regression line and sABC (specific ABC) was determined by subtracting ABC of the isotype control antibody from ABC of anti-EGFR antibody.
The obtained results are shown in Table 34.
As shown in Table 34, the sABC of 9 cancer cell lines was determined.
6.4. Correlation Between the EGFR sABC and 4-1BB-Induced NF-kB Signaling
The EGFR levels measured in Example 6.3 were standardized to EGFR levels expressed by MDA-MB231. The levels of 4-1BB activation by the bispecific antibody were determined as maximum level of fold change compared with control in 4-1BB NF-kB luciferase reporter assay of Example 6.2. Shared area indicates confidence interval for a linear fit.
The obtained results are shown in
7.1. Effect on Release of Cytokine
To test the ability of bispecific antibodies to stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) response, the concentration of IFN-gamma in supernatant was measured. Human PBMCs stimulated with anti-human CD3 antibody (BioLegend, 5 ug/mL) were used as the effector cells. DLD-1 cells which expressed EGFR was used as the target cells. In this system, PBMCs were co-cultured with DLD-1 in the presence of human anti-CD3 antibody. Bispecific antibodies (Example 3) (starting from 20 nM (=4 ug/mL) diluted for 10 dose) and their counterpart monospecific antibodies (starting from 26.67 nM (=4 ug/mL) diluted for 10 dose) were added to the mixed culture. After culture in a humidified chamber with 5% CO2 at 37° C. for 72 hours, the concentration of IFN-gamma in supernatant was measured by Human IFN-gamma Quantikine Kit (R&D system, SIF50).
The obtained results are shown in
7.2. Effect on Target Cell Growth
To test the ability of bispecific antibodies to stimulated human PBMCs response, target cell lysis assay was used. Human PBMCs stimulated with human anti-CD3 antibody were used as the effector cells. DLD-1 cells which expressed EGFR was used as the target cells. In this system, PBMCs were co-cultured with DLD-1 in the presence of human anti-CD3 antibody (BioLegend, 5 ug/mL). Bispecific antibodies (starting from 20 nM (=4 ug/mL) diluted for 10 dose) and their counterpart monospecific antibodies (starting from 26.67 nM (=4 ug/mL) diluted for 10 dose) were added to the mixed culture. After culture, the survival of DLD-1 was measured by cell counting kit-8 (Dojindo, CK04-20).
The obtained results are shown in
To test in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies, PBMC-humanized NPG mice were used. 6-8 weeks NPG mice were intravenously injected with 1×107 human PBMC and 5×106 DLD-1 cancer cells were inoculated into right flank of the mice at 5 day after PBMC injection. DLD-1 bearing humanized mice were randomized to each test group (n=8/group) at day 6 post tumor implantation based on tumor volume and average tumor volume of each group was about 85 mm3. Human IgG1 control antibody, Cetuximab, urelumab and anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody ET(NA)x1A10 were intraperitoneally administrated twice a week at doses of 10 or 60 mg/kg. During the experiment, the tumor size was measured with a digital caliper and the animals had been euthanized when tumor volume reached 3000 mm3 or body weight loss exceeded 20% from the initial treatment occurs.
The survival results are shown in
9.1. The Anti-Tumor Activity
In vivo anti-tumor efficacy of anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies have been evaluated in human EGFR/MC38 tumor bearing 4-1BB knock-in mice (Biocytogen). Human EGFR/MC38 cell line was generated by SIRION BIOTECH based on MC38-WT, and EGFR expression was confirmed by. 5×105 EGFR/MC38 cells were inoculated into right flank of mice. The mice were randomized to each test group (n=5/group) at day 8 post tumor inoculation based on tumor volume (approximately 80 mm3). Human IgG1 antibody, Cetuximab and anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies (ET(WT)x1A10 M12, ET(NA)x1A10 M12) were intraperitoneally administrated twice a week at dose of 10 mg/kg into the mice for 4 weeks. Tumor size was measured with a digital caliper.
The obtained results are shown in
9.2. Evaluation on the Effect of Tumor Specific Memory T Cell
The mice cured by ET(WT)x1A10 M12 and ET(NA)x1A10 M12 were re-challenged with human EGFR/MC38 tumor cells (Biocytogen) and B16F10 tumor cells (ATCC) in both flanks at 100 days post tumor injection. Mice were not administered with any drug during re-challenge study period. Tumor size was measured with a digital caliper.
The obtained results are shown in
10.1. NK Cell-Mediated ADCC
In this example, human peripheral blood-derived CD56+ NK cells were used as effector cells and CellTrace Violet (Thermo Fisher Scientific)-labeled DLD-1 cells (ATCC) expressing EGFR were used as target cells. Cells were co-cultured at an effector:target ratio of 5:1 with 50 nM of anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies (Example 3) at 37° C. After 4 hours, cells were stained with Fixable Viability Dye (eBioscience™) and then the ratio of dead target cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.
The obtained results are shown in following
10.2. 4-1BB Signal Activation Dependent on FcγRIIb Engagement
In this example, CHO-K1 cells expressing FcγRIIb (Promega) were plated in a 96-well assay plate and cultured overnight. On the day of assay, Jurkat/4-1BB cells (Promega) were plated in 96 well plate. Cells were incubated with a titration of anti-EGFR/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibodies in the presence (FcγRIIb dependent) or absence (FcγRIIb independent) of CHO-K1 cells expressing FcγRIIb (Promega). After 6 hours of induction, Bio-Glo™ Luciferase Assay reagent was added and luminescence was determined using a SpectraMax L luminometer (Molecular Devices). Four-parameter logistic curve analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism® software.
The obtained results are shown in following Tables 35 (FcγRIIb-dependent 4-1BB bioassay) and 36 (FcγRIIb-independent 4-1BB bioassay), and
As shown in Tables 35 and 36, and
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and “one or more” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” (or “one or more”) followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “comprising, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law.
Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. 62/878,977 filed on Jul. 26, 2019 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62878977 | Jul 2019 | US |
