Patent Application
20200385469
A primary goal of cancer therapy is to specifically destroy tumor cells, while leaving healthy cells and tissues as undamaged as possible. An approach that has recently generated interest is to induce an immune response against the tumor in which immune effector cells such as natural killer (NK) cells or cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are induced to attack and destroy tumor cells.
While the use of intact monoclonal antibodies (MAb) with affinity for a tumor-associated antigen have been successfully applied in the area of cancer therapy, the large size of intact MAbs, which results in poor bio-distribution, together with their long persistence in the blood pool, limit their utility. In addition, due to tumor necrosis and inhomogeneous antigen distribution, it is often not possible to reach the central portions of a tumor with intact MAbs. To overcome this, the use of smaller antibody fragments can result in rapid tumor localization and deeper penetration into the tumor, as well as rapid removal from the bloodstream. To this end, single chain fragments (scFv) derived from MAb offer better biodistribution than intact MAbs and can target tumor cells more efficiently. Despite the advantages of scFv, use of monospecific scFv hampers their full clinical deployment in cancer chemotherapy for targets commonly expressed by both diseased and healthy tissue. To overcome this and other disadvantages, the use of specifically-designed bispecific antibodies offers a different approach in that they can be designed to direct immune effector cells to kill cancer cells. Bispecific antibodies combine the benefits of different binding specificities derived from two monoclonal antibodies into a single composition, enabling approaches or combinations of coverages that are not possible with monospecific antibodies. This approach relies on binding of one arm of the bispecific antibody to a tumor-associated antigen or marker, while the other arm, upon binding the marker of an effector cell (e.g., a CD3 molecule on T cells), triggers their cytotoxic activity by the release of effector molecules such as such as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, interleukins 2, 4 and 10, perforin, and granzymes. Advances in antibody engineering have led to the development of a number of bispecific antibody formats and compositions for redirecting effector cells to tumor targets, including Bi-specific T-cell Engagers (BiTEs®) such as blinatumomab. BiTEs function by recruiting and activating polyclonal populations of T-cells at tumor sites, and do so without the need for co-stimulation or conventional MHC recognition. There remains, however, the dual problems of certain patients experiencing serious side effects referred to as “cytokine storm” or “cytokine release syndrome” (Lee D W et al. Current concepts in the diagnosis and management of cytokine release syndrome. Blood. 2014 124(2):188-195) mediated by the release of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, amongst other cytokines, in addition to the fact that BiTE compositions have a very short half-life, necessitating continuous infusions of four to eight weeks in order to maintain BiTE within the therapeutic window for sufficient time to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Proteases are enzymes that are capable of cleaving proteins and peptides by hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Proteases are involved in a diversity of functions, regulate the fate and activity of many proteins, create or inactivate bioactive molecules, affect cell proliferation and differentiation, tissue morphogenesis and remodeling, contribute to the processing of protein, and even are involved in molecular signaling. As a result of the action of proteases and protein responses, they play a role in angiogenesis, wound repair, hemostasis, blood coagulation, inflammation, immunity, necrosis, apoptosis, and the progression or amelioration of diseases, including cancers. As an example, studies have shown the value of matriptase as a prognostic marker in various human cancers. In prostate and cervical cancer, matriptase mRNA and protein are up-regulated in cancerous lesions compared with normal tissue, and there is a positive correlation between matriptase expression and histopathological grade of the tumor (Lee J W, et al. Increased expression of matriptase is associated with histopathologic grades of cervical neoplasia. Hum Pathol. (2005) 36(6):626-33). While matriptase is expressed at low levels in the normal ovary, it becomes highly expressed in early-stage ovarian carcinoma (Tanimoto H., et al., Transmembrane serine protease TADG-15 (ST14/Matriptase/MT-SP1): expression and prognostic value in ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer. (2005) 92(2):278-83). Similarly, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important cancer markers in that they are present in nearly all human cancers. MMPs can be expressed by healthy fibroblasts in the stroma adjacent to tumors, cancer-associated fibroblasts, or by non-fibroblastic cancer cells where they can influence the tumor environment by promoting angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis (Bhowmick, N. A., Stromal fibroblasts in cancer initiation and progression. Nature, 432 (2004), pp. 332-337). Similarly, legumain is overexpressed in the majority of human solid tumors (Liu, C., et al. Overexpression of Legumain in Tumors Is Significant for Invasion/Metastasis and a Candidate Enzymatic Target for Prodrug Therapy. Cancer Res. (2003) 63(11):2957-2964). An essential function of tumor proteases is to dissolve the extracellular matrix to allow the tumor cells to invade, and grow in an infiltrative manner in, normal tissue. These proteases also protect the tumor from the defense mechanisms of the body by cleaving and inactivating, for example, antibodies, cytokines, growth factors, complement factors, coagulation factors and mediators that would limit otherwise inhibit the tumor. Because of the presence of these cancer-associated proteases, it is now recognized that there is a need to design activatable bispecific antibody fragment compositions that are selectively activated in the vicinity of the cancer or tumor cell proteases, resulting in the ability to direct effector cells to cancer cell targets and effect the killing of the cells.
Because protease-sensitive peptides can be incorporated into therapeutic biologics to confer certain properties on the intact and/or the product of a protease-treated drug or biologic, there exists a need to identify new peptide substrates for proteases associated with diseased tissues and to incorporate these peptide substrates in a variety of prodrug therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic compositions as a key mechanism to activate such compositions, improving the therapeutic index and outcome.
There remains a considerable need for alternative therapeutics that offer the pharmacologic advantages of bispecific antibody formats but with increased safety, reduced side effects, increased selectivity, and/or enhanced pharmaceutical or pharmacokinetic properties, such as route of administration, requiring less frequent dosing or merely dosing by a single injection.
The present disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising cleavable release segments (RS) that are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases, including but not limited to cancers, autoimmune, and inflammatory disorders. The recombinant polypeptides comprising release segments described herein may address an unmet need and are superior in one or more aspects, including tailored designs that result in beneficial properties described herein.
In a first aspect, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising a first release segment (RS1), wherein the RS1 is a substrate for cleavage by a mammalian protease. In one embodiment, the RS1 comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 88%, or at least 89%, or at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 1, wherein the RS1 is a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases. In another embodiment, the RS1 comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 88%, or at least 89%, or at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 2, wherein the RS1 is a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases. In another embodiment, the RS1 comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the sequences of Table 1, wherein the RS1 is a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases. In another embodiment, the RS1 comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the sequences of Table 2, wherein the RS1 is a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1 and further comprising a first binding moiety (FBM) having binding affinity for a target cell marker on a target tissue or cell. In one embodiment, the FBM is an antibody, a cytokine, a cell receptor, or a fragment thereof. In one embodiment in which the recombinant polypeptide comprises an RS1 and a FBM, the RS1 is a substrate for cleavage by a mammalian protease wherein the mammalian protease is produced by or is co-localized with the target tissue or cell. In another embodiment in which the recombinant polypeptide comprises an RS1 and a FBM, the RS1 is a substrate for cleavage by multiple mammalian proteases wherein the mammalian proteases are produced by or are co-localized with the target tissue or cell. The RS1 of the subject compositions can be a substrate for a serine protease and/or a cysteine protease and/or a metalloproteinase. In one embodiment, the RS1 is a substrate for a protease selected from legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, and matriptase. In another embodiment, the RS1 is a substrate for a protease set forth in Table 3. In some embodiments, the RS1 of the embodiments is designed for cleavage by multiple proteases at one, two, or three cleavage sites in the RS1 sequence. In one embodiment of the foregoing, the RS1 is a substrate for cleavage at two or more cleavage sites by two or more proteases selected from legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, and matriptase. In another embodiment of the foregoing, the RS1 is a substrate for cleavage at three or more cleavage sites by three or more proteases selected from legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, and matriptase.
In a particular feature, the release segments of the subject compositions can be designed to have different rates of cleavage by the mammalian proteases at each of the cleavage sites. In the design of the release segments, the rates of cleavage were determined relative to a control release segment having the amino acid sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT, which can be cleaved by serine, cysteine and metalloproteinases, as described in Example 43. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1 and a FBM, wherein the rate of cleavage of the RS1 by legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase is at least two-fold faster compared to the rate of cleavage of the control sequence having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT by the same protease when assayed in vitro under equivalent molar concentrations. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1 and a FBM, wherein the rate of cleavage of the RS1 by legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase is at least two-fold slower compared to the rate of cleavage of the control sequence having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT by the same protease when assayed in vitro under equivalent molar concentrations. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1 and a FBM, wherein the RS1 is a substrate for cleavage by a protease selected from legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase and wherein the RS1 has at least a 0.2 log2, or 0.4 log2, or 0.8 log2, or 1.0 log2 higher cleavage efficiency in an in vitro biochemical competitive assay compared to the cleavage by the same protease of a control sequence having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1 and a FBM, wherein the RS1 is a substrate for cleavage by a protease selected from legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase and wherein the RS1 has at least a 0.2 loge, or 0.4 log2, or 0.8 log2, or 1.0 log2 lower cleavage efficiency in an in vitro biochemical competitive assay compared to the cleavage by the same protease of a control sequence having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1, a FBM, and at least a first bulking moiety. One advantage of various recombinant polypeptide compositions is that they can be assembled in the form of a prodrug, wherein the intact composition can be activated when in proximity to a target tissue or a certain cellular environment in which mammalian proteases are present that are capable of cleaving the release segment and releasing the FBM at the site where its activity is most desirable. For example, the FBM, when the recombinant polypeptide is in an intact, uncleaved state, has lower binding affinity for its ligand due to the shielding effect of the bulking moiety. Upon its release via cleavage of the release segment by a mammalian protease co-localized in a target tissue, for example, a tumor tissue, the FBM regains its full potential to bind the target cell marker as it is no longer being shielded by the bulking moiety. In some embodiments, the bulking moiety is a first extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN1). In one embodiment, the XTEN1 comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 8 or Table 10. In another embodiment, the XTEN1 comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from AE 144_1A, AE 144_2A, AEE144_2B, AE 144_3A, AE144_3B, AE 144_4A, AE 144_4B, AE 144_5A, AE 144_6B, AE284, AE288_1, AE288_2, AE288_3, AE576, AE864, AE864_2, AE865, AE866, AE867, AE867_2, and AE868. In one embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide comprising an RS1, a FBM, and an XTEN1 has, in an uncleaved state, a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus of FBM-RS1-XTEN1. In another embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide comprising an RS1, a FBM, and an XTEN1 has, in an uncleaved state, a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus of XTEN1-RS1-FBM. Thus, in the embodiments of recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1, a FBM, and an XTEN1, upon cleavage of the RS1 by the mammalian protease, the XTEN1 and the FBM are released from the recombinant polypeptide.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1, a FBM, and an XTEN1 wherein the FBM is an antibody fragment. In one embodiment, the FBM is an antibody fragment selected from the group consisting of Fv, Fab, Fab′, Fab′-SH, linear antibody, and single-chain variable fragment (scFv). In some embodiments, the FBM antibody fragment has binding affinity for an effector cell antigen expressed on the surface of an effector cell selected from a plasma cell, a T cell, a B cell, a cytokine induced killer cell (CIK cell), a mast cell, a dendritic cell, a regulatory T cell (RegT cell), a helper T cell, a myeloid cell, and a NK cell. In one embodiment, the FBM antibody fragment has binding affinity for an effector cell antigen expressed on the surface of a T cell. In another embodiment, FBM antibody fragment has binding affinity for CD3. In one embodiment of the FBM antibody fragment with binding affinity for CD3, the antibody fragment comprises a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding specificity to CD3. In another embodiment of the FBM antibody fragment with binding affinity for CD3, the antibody fragment comprises a VL and VH selected from the sequences set forth in Table 4. In another embodiment of the FBM antibody fragment with binding affinity for CD3, the antibody fragment comprises complementarity-determining regions (CDR) derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding specificity to CD3. In another embodiment of the FBM antibody fragment with binding affinity for CD3, the antibody fragment comprises a CDR-H1 region, a CDR-H2 region, a CDR-H3 region, a CDR-L1 region, a CDR-L2 region, and a CDR-H3 region, wherein each is derived from a monoclonal antibody of Table 4.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1, an XTEN1, a FBM and a second binding moiety (SBM) wherein the SBM is an antibody fragment having binding affinity for a target cell marker. In one embodiment, the FBM and the SBM are each an antibody fragment selected from the group consisting of Fv, Fab, Fab′, Fab′-SH, linear antibody, and single-chain variable fragment (scFv) or the VL and VH of the FBM and SBM are configured as a single chain diabody. In some embodiments, the SBM antibody fragment has binding affinity for a target cell marker on a tumor cell or a cancer cell. In one embodiment, the SBM antibody fragment has binding affinity for a target cell marker selected from the target cell markers set forth in Table 5. In another embodiment, the SBM antibody fragment has binding affinity for a target cell marker selected from A33 antigen, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 4 integrin, Ang2, B7-H3, B7-H6, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbonic Anhydrase 6 (CA6), carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), CEACAM5, cMET, CTLA4, C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CCR3), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6 (CCR6), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 8 (CCR8), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 9 (CCR9), Cluster of Differentiation 7 (CD7), CD22, CD70, CD79a, CD79b, CD19, CCR8, CEA, βhCG, Lewis-Y, CA19-9, CA-125, CD20, CD22, CD25, CD33, CD38, CD30, CD44v6, CD47, CD56 (NCAM), CD63, CD79b, CD123, CD133, CD138, CD166, claudin-1, claudin 18.2, C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), C-type lectin domain family 12 (CLEC12), Cora antigen, delta like canonical notch ligand 3 (DDL3), desmoglein 4, delta like non-xanonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1), Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3), EGFR, EGFRvIII, EpCAM, endosialin (CD248), epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), EphA2, F19 antigen, fetal acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), fibroblast activation antigen (FAP), Fos-related antigen 1 (FRA1), Folate Receptor 1 (FOLR1), fucosyl GM1, G250, ganglioside GD3, glypican-3 (GPC3), 9-O-Acetyl-GD3, GM2, Glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor (GITR), globohexaosylceramide (globo-H), GD2, Glypican 3 (GPC3), guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), HER2, HER2 neu, HER3, HER4, HER1, IL13Rα2, insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM), lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly-6), melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), Membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT-MMP), mesothelin, mucin 1 (MUC1), MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUCSAC, MUCSB, MUC7, MUC16, Muellerian inhibitory substance receptor type II (MISIIR), nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (Nectin-4), 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP), plasma cell antigen 1, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PSMA, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), sialylated Tn antigen (s TN), sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2b (NaPi2b), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), SAS, SLAM Family Member 7 (SLAM7), Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2), Sperm Autoantigenic Protein 17 (SP17), TAG72, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-antigen), tumor-associated antigen L6 (TAL6), trophoblast glycoprotein (5T4), Trop-2, Wue-1, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and Wilms tumor protein (WT1). In another embodiment, the SBM antibody fragment comprises a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding affinity to the target cell marker. In another embodiment, the SBM antibody fragment comprises a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody, wherein the VL and VH are selected from the sequences set forth in Table 5. In another embodiment, the SBM antibody fragment comprises a CDR-H1 region, a CDR-H2 region, a CDR-H3 region, a CDR-L1 region, a CDR-L2 region, and a CDR-H3 region, wherein each is derived from a monoclonal antibody set forth in Table 5. In the foregoing embodiments, wherein the recombinant polypeptide comprises the FBM, the SBM, the RS1 and the XTEN1, in an uncleaved state, the recombinant polypeptide has a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus of SBM-FBM-RS1-XTEN1, FBM-SBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN1-RS1-SBM-FBM, XTEN1-RS1-FBM-SBM, or diabody-RS1-XTEN1, or XTEN1-RS1-diabody, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising a FBM, SBM, RS1, and an XTEN1, wherein the recombinant polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 14. In a particular designed feature of the foregoing embodiments, upon cleavage of the RS1 by the mammalian protease and release of the FBM and SBM from the recombinant polypeptide, the FBM and SBM remain fused and are capable of binding to and linking together a T cell bearing the CD3 antigen and a tumor cell bearing the target cell marker in an in vitro assay comprising both the T cells and the tumor cells. Upon the binding and linking of the T cell bearing the CD3 antigen and the tumor cell bearing the target cell marker by the fused FBM and SBM, the binding together of the T cell and the tumor cell results in cytotoxic activity against the tumor cell in the in vitro assay, as determined by quantitation of cell lysis or release of intracellular components. In one embodiment of the recombinant polypeptide, wherein the RS1 is cleaved and the FBM and SBM are released, the released, fused FBM and SBM are capable of effecting a greater amount of cell lysis of the tumor cell compared to the cell lysis effected by the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide in in vitro assays performed under equivalent molar concentrations, as determined by quantitation of cell lysis or release of intracellular components. In one embodiment, the amount of cell lysis effected by the released FBM and SBM of the recombinant polypeptide is at least 10-fold greater, or at least 30-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 300-fold, or at least 1000-fold, or at least 10,000-fold greater compared to the cell lysis effected by the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide in the in vitro assays performed under equivalent molar concentrations, as determined by quantitation of cell lysis or release of intracellular components. In the foregoing embodiments, the cytotoxic activity and/or cell lysis of the tumor cell may be mediated by target specific activation of the T cell. In one embodiment, the amount of activation of the T cell effected by the released FBM and SBM is at least 10-fold greater, or at least 30-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 300-fold, or at least 1000-fold greater, or at least 10,000-fold greater compared to the activation effected by the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide, as determined by quantitation of T cell-derived effector molecules in in vitro assays performed under equivalent molar concentrations. In a particular feature imparted by the design of the subject recombinant polypeptides, upon cleavage of the RS1 by the mammalian protease and release of the FBM and SBM from the recombinant polypeptide, the FBM and SBM remain fused and exhibit increased binding affinity to the CD3 antigen and/or the target cell marker in an in vitro assay comprising CD3 antigen or target cell marker compared the binding affinity of the intact, uncleaved recombinant polypeptide to the CD3 antigen or to the target cell marker, when assayed under equivalent molar concentrations. In one embodiment, the binding affinity of the released FBM to the CD3 antigen or the released SBM to the target cell marker is at least 10-fold greater, or at least 30-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 300-fold, or at least 1000-fold greater, as determined as a Kd constant in the in vitro assay, compared to the binding affinity of the intact, uncleaved recombinant polypeptide to the CD3 antigen or to the target cell marker, when assayed under equivalent molar concentrations. In the foregoing embodiment, the Kd constant of the binding of the released FBM of the recombinant polypeptide to the CD3 antigen is between 10−5 to 10−9 M and the Kd of the binding of the released SBM to the target specific marker is between 10−5 to 10−9 M. In another embodiment, the binding affinity of the released SBM to the target cell marker is at least one order of magnitude greater compared to the lower binding affinity of the released FBM to the CD3 antigen, as determined as Kd constants in the in vitro assay, when assayed under equivalent molar concentrations. The in vitro assay utilized can be selected from cell membrane integrity assay, mixed cell culture assay, FACS based propidium Iodide assay, trypan Blue influx assay, photometric enzyme release assay, radiometric 51Cr release assay, fluorometric Europium release assay, CalceinAM release assay, photometric MTT assay, XTT assay, WST-1 assay, alamar blue assay, radiometric 3H-Thd incorporation assay, clonogenic assay measuring cell division activity, fluorometric rhodamine123 assay measuring mitochondrial transmembrane gradient, apoptosis assay monitored by FACS-based phosphatidylserine exposure, ELISA-based TUNEL test assay, sandwich ELISA, caspase activity assay, cell-based LDH release assay, and cell morphology assay, or any combination thereof.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to recombinant polypeptides comprising an RS1, FBM, SBM, XTEN1 having the elements described in the embodiments, above, and further comprising a second release segment (RS2) that is a substrate for cleavage by a mammalian protease, and a second XTEN (XTEN2). The disclosure contemplates different configurations of the recombinant polypeptides, wherein in an uncleaved state, the recombinant polypeptide has a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus as follows: XTEN1-RS1-SBM-FBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN1-RS1-FBM-SBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN2-RS2-SBM-FBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-FBM-SBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-diabody-RS1-XTEN1, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM, or XTEN1-RS1-diabody-RS2-XTEN2, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM. In one embodiment, the XTEN2 of the recombinant polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 8 or Table 10. In another embodiment, the XTEN2 of the recombinant polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from AE 144_1A, AE 144_2A, AEE144_2B, AE 144_3A, AE144_3B, AE 144_4A, AE 144_4B, AE 144_5A, AE 144_6B, AE284, AE288_1, AE288_2, AE288_3, AE576, AE864, AE864_2, AE865, AE866, AE867, AE867_2, and AE868. In some embodiments of the subject recombinant polypeptides, the RS2 sequence is identical compared to the RS1 sequence. In other embodiments, the RS2 sequence is different compared to the RS1 sequence and each comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 88%, or at least 89%, or at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95% sequence identity to sequences selected from the sequences of Table 1 or Table 2. In another embodiment, the RS2 sequence is different compared to the RS1 sequence and each comprises a sequence selected from the sequences of Table 1 or Table 2. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising an XTEN1, RS1, SBM, FBM, RS2, and XTEN2, wherein the recombinant polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 15 or Table 18.
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising an RS1, RS2, FBM, SBM, XTEN1, and XTEN2, wherein i) the RS1 and RS2, wherein the RS1 and RS2 are each a substrate for cleavage by a mammalian protease and each comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, at least 93%, at least 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the sequences of Table 2; ii) the FBM is an antibody fragment comprising a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding specificity to an effector cell; iii) the SBM is an antibody fragment comprising a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding affinity to a target cell marker; iv) the XTEN1 and XTEN2 each comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 10; and v) the recombinant polypeptide has a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus as follows: XTEN1-RS1-SBM-FBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN1-RS1-FBM-SBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN2-RS2-SBM-FBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-FBM-SBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-diabody-RS1-XTEN1, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM. In the foregoing embodiment, the effector cell is a T cell and the target cell marker is selected from A33 antigen, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 4 integrin, Ang2, B7-H3, B7-H6, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbonic Anhydrase 6 (CA6), carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), CEACAM5, cMET, CTLA4, C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CCR3), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6 (CCR6), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 8 (CCR8), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 9 (CCR9), Cluster of Differentiation 7 (CD7), CD22, CD70, CD79a, CD79b, CD19, CCR8, CEA, βhCG, Lewis-Y, CA19-9, CA-125, CD20, CD22, CD25, CD33, CD38, CD30, CD44v6, CD47, CD56 (NCAM), CD63, CD79b, CD123, CD133, CD138, CD166, claudin-1, claudin 18.2, C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), C-type lectin domain family 12 (CLEC12), Cora antigen, delta like canonical notch ligand 3 (DDL3), desmoglein 4, delta like non-xanonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1), Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3), EGFR, EGFRvIII, EpCAM, endosialin (CD248), epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), EphA2, F19 antigen, fetal acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), fibroblast activation antigen (FAP), Fos-related antigen 1 (FRA1), Folate Receptor 1 (FOLR1), fucosyl GM1, G250, ganglioside GD3, glypican-3 (GPC3), 9-O-Acetyl-GD3, GM2, Glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor (GITR), globohexaosylceramide (globo-H), GD2, Glypican 3 (GPC3), guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), HER2, HER2 neu, HER3, HER4, HER1, IL13Rα2, insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM), lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly-6), melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), Membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT-MMP), mesothelin, mucin 1 (MUC1), MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC7, MUC16, Muellerian inhibitory substance receptor type II (MISIIR), nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (Nectin-4), 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP), plasma cell antigen 1, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PSMA, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), sialylated Tn antigen (s TN), sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2b (NaPi2b), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), SAS, SLAM Family Member 7 (SLAM7), Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2), Sperm Autoantigenic Protein 17 (SP17), TAG72, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-antigen), tumor-associated antigen L6 (TAL6), trophoblast glycoprotein (5T4), Trop-2, Wue-1, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and Wilms tumor protein (WT1). The RS1 and the RS2 sequences can be identical or they can be different sequences selected from Table 2. In one embodiment, the RS2 sequence is different compared to the RS1 sequence and each is a substrate for a different protease set forth in Table 3. In another embodiment, the RS1 and the RS2 sequences are identical each is a substrate for two or more proteases selected from legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, and matriptase. In a particular designed feature of the foregoing embodiments, upon cleavage of the RS1 and the RS2 by the mammalian protease(s) and release of the FBM and SBM from the recombinant polypeptide, the FBM and SBM remain fused and are capable of binding to and linking together a T cell bearing the CD3 antigen and a tumor cell bearing the target cell marker in an in vitro assay comprising both the T cells and the tumor cells. In another designed feature of the foregoing embodiments, the lower ability of the recombinant polypeptide in an uncleaved state to induce lysis of the tumor cell bearing the target cell marker antigen in an in vitro assay comprising both T cells and tumor cells is at least two orders of magnitude less, or at least three orders of magnitude less, or at least four orders of magnitude less compared to the greater amount of lysis induced by the FBM or the SBM that have been released from the recombinant polypeptide by cleavage of the RS1 and RS2, as determined by quantitation of cell lysis or release of intracellular components when assayed under equivalent molar concentrations. In another particular designed feature of the foregoing embodiments of the recombinant polypeptide comprising an RS1, RS2, FBM, SBM, XTEN1, and XTEN2, the binding affinity of the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide to the CD3 antigen or to the target cell marker in an in vitro assay comprising CD3 antigen or target cell marker is at least one order of magnitude less, as determined as a Kd constant, compared to binding affinity to the CD3 antigen or to the target cell marker of an uncleaved recombinant polypeptide comprising an RS1, RS2, FBM, SBM, XTEN1 but not comprising a second release segment and a second XTEN, when assayed under equivalent molar concentrations. In one embodiment, the binding affinity of the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide comprising an RS1, RS2, FBM, SBM, XTEN1, and XTEN2 to the CD3 antigen or to the target cell marker in an in vitro assay comprising CD3 antigen or target cell marker is at least two orders of magnitude less, or at least three orders of magnitude less, or at least four orders of magnitude less, as determined as a Kd constant in the in vitro assay, compared to the binding affinity to CD3 antigen or target cell marker of the FBM or the SBM that have been released from the recombinant polypeptide by cleavage of the RS1 and the RS2, when assayed under equivalent molar concentrations. The in vitro assay utilized can be selected from cell membrane integrity assay, mixed cell culture assay, FACS based propidium Iodide assay, trypan Blue influx assay, photometric enzyme release assay, radiometric 51Cr release assay, fluorometric Europium release assay, CalceinAM release assay, photometric MTT assay, XTT assay, WST-1 assay, alamar blue assay, radiometric 3H-Thd incorporation assay, clonogenic assay measuring cell division activity, fluorometric rhodamine123 assay measuring mitochondrial transmembrane gradient, apoptosis assay monitored by FACS-based phosphatidylserine exposure, ELISA-based TUNEL test assay, sandwich ELISA, caspase activity assay, cell-based LDH release assay, and cell morphology assay, or any combination thereof.
The recombinant polypeptide compositions provided herein can be useful for a variety of purposes including therapeutics and diagnostics. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to recombinant polypeptide compositions administered to a subject. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, administration of a recombinant polypeptide having the elements described in the embodiments, above, to a subject having a target cell, such as a tumor, the release segment(s) of the recombinant polypeptide are capable of being cleaved when in proximity to the tumor, wherein the tumor or surrounding tissue is expressing one or more proteases for which the release segment(s) are a substrate. In one embodiment, upon cleavage of the release segment(s) by the protease and release of the FBM and SBM from the administered recombinant polypeptide in the subject, the fused FBM and SBM are capable of binding to and linking together a T cell bearing the CD3 antigen and a tumor cell bearing a tumor specific marker that is a ligand for the SBM in the subject. Upon the binding together of the T cell bearing the CD3 antigen and the tumor cell bearing the tumor cell marker by the released FBM and SBM, forming an immunological synapse, the binding results in the release of one or more T cell-derived effector molecules by the T cell. In one embodiment, the one or more effector molecules are selected from TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, interleukin 2, perforin, and granzymes. Upon the binding together of the T cell bearing the CD3 antigen and the tumor cell bearing the tumor specific marker, lysis of the tumor cell in the subject is effected by the T cell-derived effector molecules. In the foregoing embodiments, the subject is selected from the group consisting of mouse, rat, monkey, dog, and human.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to the pharmacokinetic properties of the subject recombinant polypeptides and the released components after administrations to a subject. In one embodiment, the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide exhibits a terminal half-life following administration of a single dose to a subject that is at least five-fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 30-fold, 40-fold, 50-fold, or 100-fold greater compared to the terminal half-life of the fused FBM and SBM not linked to the recombinant polypeptide when the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide and the fused FBM and SBM are each administered to a subject at a equivalent molar dose. In another embodiment, following the administration of a therapeutically effective single dose of the recombinant polypeptide to a subject having one or more tumor-associated proteases capable of cleaving the release segment(s) of the recombinant polypeptide, the fused FBM and SBM cleaved and released from the recombinant polypeptide exhibit a terminal half-life that is at least five-fold, 10-fold, or 20-fold, or 30-fold, or 50-fold, or 100-fold less compared to the terminal half-life of the corresponding recombinant polypeptide that is not cleaved in the subject. In another embodiment, following the administration of a therapeutically effective single dose of the recombinant polypeptide to a subject having a tumor-associated protease capable of cleaving the release segment(s) of the recombinant polypeptide, the plasma Cmax concentration of the released fused FBM and SBM does not exceed about 0.01 ng/ml, or about 0.1 ng/ml, or about 1 ng/ml, or about 10 ng/ml, or about 100 ng/ml. In another embodiment, following the administration of a therapeutically effective single dose of the recombinant polypeptide to a subject having a tumor-associated protease capable of cleaving the release segment(s) of the recombinant polypeptide, the plasma area under the curve of the released FBM and SBM is at least 10-fold lower, or at least 30-fold lower, or at least 100-fold lower compared to the plasma area under the curve of the uncleaved recombinant polypeptide in the subject. In the foregoing embodiments, the subject is selected from the group consisting of mouse, rat, monkey, dog, and human.
The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of the recombinant polypeptides described herein, together with one or more pharmaceutically suitable excipients. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intradermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intra-arterial, intraabdominal, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, or intramuscular administration. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is in a liquid form. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is in a pre-filled syringe for a single injection. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a lyophilized powder to be reconstituted prior to administration.
The present disclosure contemplates use of the recombinant polypeptide of any one of embodiments described herein in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease in a subject. In one embodiment, the disease to be treated by the medicament is selected from the group consisting of carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, breast cancer, ER/PR+ breast cancer, Her2+ breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, colon cancer, colon cancer with malignant ascites, mucinous tumors, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervix cancer, colorectal, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum, kidney cancer, Wilm's tumor, lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, stomach cancer, small intestine cancer, liver cancer, hepatocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, liposarcoma, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, cancers of the bile duct, esophageal cancer, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid cancer, epithelial cancer, arrhenoblastoma, adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, and B-cell derived chronic lymphatic leukemia.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to methods of treating a disease in a subject. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treating a disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject in need thereof one or more therapeutically effective doses of the recombinant polypeptide or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant polypeptide any one of the embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, the disease to be treated by the method is selected from the group consisting of carcinomas, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, any form of skin cancer, melanoma, genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, an epithelia intraperitoneal malignancy with malignant ascites, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum kidney cancers, lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, small intestine cancer, liver cancer, hepatocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, liposarcoma, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, cancers of the bile duct, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid cancer, epithelial cancer, adenocarcinoma, sarcomas of any origin, primary hematologic malignancies including acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemias, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemias, myeloproliferative neoplastic disorders, or myelodysplastic disorders, myasthenia gravis, Morbus Basedow, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or Goodpasture syndrome. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treatment wherein the pharmaceutical composition or recombinant polypeptide is administered to the subject as one or more therapeutically effective doses administered twice weekly, once a week, every two weeks, every three weeks, or monthly. In another embodiment of the method of treatment, the pharmaceutical composition or recombinant polypeptide is administered to the subject as one or more therapeutically effective doses over a period of at least two weeks, or at least one month, or at least two months, or at least three months, or at least four months, or at least five months, or at least six months. In the method of treatment, the dose can be administered intradermally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intra-arterially, intra-abdominally, intraperitoneally, intrathecally, or intramuscularly. In another embodiment of the method of treatment, the pharmaceutical composition or recombinant polypeptide dose is administered as a bolus dose or by infusion of 5 minutes to 96 hours as tolerated for maximal safety and efficacy. In the foregoing embodiments of the method of treatment, the dose to be administered is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.005 mg/kg, at least about 0.01 mg/kg, at least about 0.02 mg/kg, at least about 0.04 mg/kg, at least about 0.08 mg/kg, at least about 0.1 mg/kg, at least about 0.12 mg/kg, at least about 0.14 mg/kg, at least about 0.16 mg/kg, at least about 0.18 mg/kg, at least about 0.20 mg/kg, at least about 0.22 mg/kg, at least about 0.24 mg/kg, at least about 0.26 mg/kg, at least about 0.27 mg/kg, at least about 0.28 mg/kg, at least 0.3 mg/kg, at least 0.4 mg/kg, at least about 0.5 mg/kg, at least about 0.6 mg/kg, at least about 0.7 mg/kg, at least about 0.8 mg/kg, at least about 0.9 mg/kg, at least about 1.0 mg/kg, at least about 1.5 mg/kg, or at least about 2.0 mg/kg. In another embodiment of the method of treatment, an initial dose is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.005 mg/kg, at least about 0.01 mg/kg, at least about 0.02 mg/kg, at least about 0.04 mg/kg, at least about 0.08 mg/kg, at least about 0.1 mg/kg, and a subsequent dose is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.1 mg/kg, at least about 0.12 mg/kg, at least about 0.14 mg/kg, at least about 0.16 mg/kg, at least about 0.18 mg/kg, at least about 0.20 mg/kg, at least about 0.22 mg/kg, at least about 0.24 mg/kg, at least about 0.26 mg/kg, at least about 0.27 mg/kg, at least about 0.28 mg/kg, at least 0.3 mg/kg, at least 0.4. mg/kg, at least about 0.5 mg/kg, at least about 0.6 mg/kg, at least about 0.7 mg/kg, at least about 0.8 mg/kg, at least about 0.9 mg/kg, at least about 1.0 mg/kg, at least about 1.5 mg/kg, or at least about 2.0 mg/kg. In another embodiment of the method of treatment, the administration to the subject results in a plasma concentration of the recombinant polypeptide of at least about 0.1 ng/mL to at least about 2 ng/mL or more in the subject for at least about 3 days, at least about 7 days, at least about 10 days, at least about 14 days, or at least about 21 days. In the foregoing embodiments of the method of treatment, the subject is selected from the group consisting of mouse, rat, monkey, and human.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to treatment regimens. In one embodiment, the treatment regimen uses a recombinant polypeptide or pharmaceutical composition described herein for use in a method for the treatment of a disease, the method comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition or the recombinant polypeptide to a subject with the disease, optionally according to a treatment regimen comprising two or more consecutive doses using a therapeutically effective dose. The disease to be treated by the regimen is selected from the group consisting of carcinomas, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, any form of skin cancer, melanoma, genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, an epithelia intraperitoneal malignancy with malignant ascites, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum kidney cancers, lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, small intestine cancer, liver cancer, hepatocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, liposarcoma, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, cancers of the bile duct, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid cancer, epithelial cancer, adenocarcinoma, sarcomas of any origin, primary hematologic malignancies including acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemias, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemias, myeloproliferative neoplastic disorders, or myelodysplastic disorders, myasthenia gravis, Morbus Basedow, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and Goodpasture syndrome. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition or the recombinant polypeptide for the use in the treatment regimen is part of a specified treatment cycle. The treatment cycle can comprise administration of the pharmaceutical composition or the recombinant polypeptide twice a week, every week, every 10 days, every two weeks, every three weeks, or every month per each treatment cycle. In the foregoing regimen embodiments, the treatment regimen results in the improvement of a clinical parameter or endpoint associated with the disease in the subject. The clinical parameter or endpoint associated with the disease in the subject can be one or any combination of the group consisting of tumor shrinkage as a complete, partial or incomplete response; time-to-progression, time to treatment failure, biomarker response; progression-free survival; disease free-survival; time to recurrence; time to metastasis; time of overall survival; improvement of quality of life; and improvement of symptoms.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides kits. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition of any one of the embodiments described herein, together with a container and a label or package insert on or associated with the container.
In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides one or more isolated nucleic acids, the nucleic acid comprising (a) a polynucleotide encoding a recombinant polypeptide of any one of the embodiments described herein; or (b) the complement of the polynucleotide of (a). The disclosure also provides an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide sequences encoding the recombinant polypeptide of any one of the embodiments described herein and a recombinant regulatory sequence operably linked to the polynucleotide sequence. The disclosure also provides an isolated host cell, comprising the foregoing expression vector. In one embodiment the host cell is a prokaryote. In another embodiment, the host cell is E. coli.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to methods of manufacturing an activatable recombinant polypeptide. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an activatable recombinant polypeptide composition, the method comprising: a) culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid construct that encodes the activatable recombinant polypeptide under conditions that lead to expression of the activatable recombinant polypeptide, wherein the activatable recombinant polypeptide comprises an RS1, RS2, FBM, SBM, XTEN1, and XTEN2, wherein: i) the RS1 and RS2, wherein the RS1 and RS2 are each substrates for cleavage by a mammalian protease and each comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 88%, or at least 89%, or at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the sequences of Table 1 or Table 2; ii) the FBM is an antibody fragment comprising a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding specificity to CD3; iii) the SBM is an antibody fragment comprising a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding affinity to the target cell marker selected from A33 antigen, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 4 integrin, Ang2, B7-H3, B7-H6, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbonic Anhydrase 6 (CA6), carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), CEACAM5, cMET, CTLA4, C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CCR3), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6 (CCR6), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 8 (CCR8), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 9 (CCR9), Cluster of Differentiation 7 (CD7), CD22, CD70, CD79a, CD79b, CD19, CCR8, CEA, βhCG, Lewis-Y, CA19-9, CA-125, CD20, CD22, CD25, CD33, CD38, CD30, CD44v6, CD47, CD56 (NCAM), CD63, CD79b, CD123, CD133, CD138, CD166, claudin-1, claudin 18.2, C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), C-type lectin domain family 12 (CLEC12), Cora antigen, delta like canonical notch ligand 3 (DDL3), desmoglein 4, delta like non-xanonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1), Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3), EGFR, EGFRvIII, EpCAM, endosialin (CD248), epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), EphA2, F19 antigen, fetal acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), fibroblast activation antigen (FAP), Fos-related antigen 1 (FRA1), Folate Receptor 1 (FOLR1), fucosyl GM1, G250, ganglioside GD3, glypican-3 (GPC3), 9-O-Acetyl-GD3, GM2, Glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor (GITR), globohexaosylceramide (globo-H), GD2, Glypican 3 (GPC3), guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), HER2, HER2 neu, HER3, HER4, HER1, IL13Rα2, insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM), lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly-6), melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), Membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT-MMP), mesothelin, mucin 1 (MUC1), MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUCSAC, MUCSB, MUC7, MUC16, Muellerian inhibitory substance receptor type II (MISIIR), nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (Nectin-4), 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP), plasma cell antigen 1, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PSMA, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), sialylated Tn antigen (s TN), sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2b (NaPi2b), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), SAS, SLAM Family Member 7 (SLAM7), Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2), Sperm Autoantigenic Protein 17 (SP17), TAG72, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-antigen), tumor-associated antigen L6 (TAL6), trophoblast glycoprotein (5T4), Trop-2, Wue-1, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and Wilms tumor protein (WT1); iv) the XTEN1 and XTEN2 each comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 8 or Table 10; iv) the recombinant polypeptide has a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus as follows: XTEN1-RS1-SBM-FBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN1-RS1-FBM-SBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN2-RS2-SBM-FBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-FBM-SBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-diabody-RS1-XTEN1, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM; and b) recovering the activatable polypeptide composition. In the foregoing method, the activatable recombinant polypeptide is activated by cleavage of the RS1 and RS2 by one or more proteases capable of cleaving the RS1 and RS2, resulting in the release of the FBM and SBM from the composition, wherein the FBM and SBM remain fused. In one embodiment of the method, the XTEN1 and XTEN2 of the activatable recombinant polypeptide in an uncleaved state interfere with specific binding of the FBM to the CD3 and the SBM to the target cell marker such that the dissociation constant (Kd) of the FBM of the activatable recombinant polypeptide in an uncleaved state towards CD3 or the SBM to the target cell marker is at least 100 times greater compared to the FBM or the SBM released from the activatable recombinant polypeptide by cleavage of the RS1 and RS2, when measured in in vitro assays comprising the target cell marker under equivalent molar concentrations.
The features and advantages of the invention may be further explained by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings that sets forth illustrative embodiments
Before the embodiments of the disclosure are described, it is to be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only, and that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the 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. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.
In the context of the present application, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them unless specified otherwise:
As used throughout the specification and claims, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are used in the sense that they mean “at least one”, “at least a first”, “one or more” or “a plurality” of the referenced components or steps, except in instances wherein an upper limit is thereafter specifically stated. Therefore, a “cleavage sequence”, as used herein, means “at least a first cleavage sequence” but includes a plurality of cleavage sequences. The operable limits and parameters of combinations, as with the amounts of any single agent, will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.
The terms “polypeptide”, “peptide”, and “protein” are used interchangeably herein to refer to polymers of amino acids of any length. The polymer may be linear or branched, it may comprise modified amino acids, and it may be interrupted by non-amino acids. The terms also encompass an amino acid polymer that has been modified, for example, by disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation, such as conjugation with a labeling component.
As used herein in the context of the structure of a polypeptide, “N-terminus” (or “amino terminus”) and “C-terminus” (or “carboxyl terminus”) refer to the extreme amino and carboxyl ends of the polypeptide, respectively.
The term “monomeric” as applied to a polypeptide refers to the state of the polypeptide as being a single continuous amino acid sequence substantially unassociated with one or more additional polypeptide of the same or different sequence. The monomeric state of the polypeptide can be ascertained as a single proteinaceous entity of the same molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography.
As used herein, the term “amino acid” refers to either natural and/or unnatural or synthetic amino acids, including but not limited to both the D or L optical isomers, and amino acid analogs and peptidomimetics. Standard single or three letter codes may be used to designate amino acids.
The term “natural L-amino acid” or “L-amino acid” means the L optical isomer forms of glycine (G), proline (P), alanine (A), valine (V), leucine (L), isoleucine (I), methionine (M), cysteine (C), phenylalanine (F), tyrosine (Y), tryptophan (W), histidine (H), lysine (K), arginine (R), glutamine (Q), asparagine (N), glutamic acid (E), aspartic acid (D), serine (S), and threonine (T).
The term “non-naturally occurring,” as applied to sequences and as used herein, means polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences that do not have a counterpart to, are not complementary to, or do not have a high degree of homology with a wild-type or naturally-occurring sequence found in a mammal. For example, a non-naturally occurring polypeptide or fragment may share no more than 99%, 98%, 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50% or even less amino acid sequence identity as compared to a natural sequence when suitably aligned.
The terms “hydrophilic” and “hydrophobic” refer to the degree of affinity that a substance has with water. A hydrophilic substance has a strong affinity for water, tending to dissolve in, mix with, or be wetted by water, while a hydrophobic substance substantially lacks affinity for water, tending to repel and not absorb water and tending not to dissolve in or mix with or be wetted by water. Amino acids can be characterized based on their hydrophobicity. A number of scales have been developed. An example is a scale developed by Levitt, M, et al., J Mol Biol (1976) 104:59, which is listed in Hopp, T P, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1981) 78:3824. Examples of “hydrophilic amino acids” are arginine, lysine, threonine, alanine, asparagine, and glutamine. Of particular interest are the hydrophilic amino acids aspartate, glutamate, and serine, and glycine. Examples of “hydrophobic amino acids” are tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
A “fragment” when applied to a biologically active protein (and not an antibody), is a truncated form of a the biologically active protein that retains at least a portion of the therapeutic and/or biological activity. A “variant,” when applied to a biologically active protein is a protein with sequence homology to the native biologically active protein that retains at least a portion of the therapeutic and/or biological activity of the biologically active protein. For example, a variant protein may share at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% amino acid sequence identity compared with the reference biologically active protein. As used herein, the term “biologically active protein variant” includes proteins modified deliberately, as for example, by site directed mutagenesis, synthesis of the encoding gene, insertions, or accidentally through mutations and that retain activity.
The term “sequence variant” means polypeptides that have been modified compared to their native or original sequence by one or more amino acid insertions, deletions, or substitutions. Insertions may be located at either or both termini of the protein, and/or may be positioned within internal regions of the amino acid sequence. A non-limiting example is substitution of an amino acid in an XTEN with a different amino acid. In deletion variants, one or more amino acid residues in a polypeptide as described herein are removed. Deletion variants, therefore, include all fragments of a described polypeptide sequence. In substitution variants, one or more amino acid residues of a polypeptide are removed and replaced with alternative residues. In one aspect, the substitutions are conservative in nature and conservative substitutions of this type are well known in the art. In the context of an antibody or a biologically active polypeptide, a sequence variant would retain at least a portion of the binding affinity or biological activity, respectively, of the unmodified polypeptide.
The term “moiety” means a component of a larger composition or that is intended to be incorporated into a larger composition, such as a proteinaceous portion joined to a larger polypeptide as a contiguous or non-contiguous sequence. A moiety of a larger composition can confer a desired functionality. For example, an antibody fragment may retain the ability to bind its ligand yet have a smaller molecular size and be in a single-chain format. XTEN may confer the functionality of increasing molecular weight and/or half-life of a resulting larger composition with which the XTEN is associated.
The term “release segment” or “RS” refers to a peptide with one or more cleavage sites in the sequence that can be recognized and cleaved by one or more proteases. As used herein, “mammalian protease” means a protease that normally exists in the body fluids, cells, tissues, and may be found in higher levels in certain target tissues or cells, e.g., in diseased tissues (e.g., tumor) of a mammal. RS sequences can be engineered to be cleaved by various mammalian proteases or multiple mammalian proteases that are present in or proximal to target tissues in a subject or are introduced in an in vitro assay. Other equivalent proteases (endogenous or exogenous) that are capable of recognizing a defined cleavage site can be utilized. It is specifically contemplated that the RS sequence can be adjusted and tailored to the protease utilized and can incorporate linker amino acids to join to adjacent polypeptides of the composition; e.g., the binding moieties and the XTEN.
The term “within”, when referring to a first polypeptide being linked to a second polypeptide, encompasses linking or fusion of an additional component that connects the N-terminus of the first or second polypeptide to the C-terminus of the second or first polypeptide, respectively, as well as insertion of the first polypeptide into the sequence of the second polypeptide. For example, when an RS component is linked “within” an recombinant polypeptide, the RS may be linked to the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or may be inserted between any two amino acids of an XTEN polypeptide.
“Activity” as applied to form(s) of a composition provided herein, refers to an action or effect, including but not limited to receptor binding, antagonist activity, agonist activity, a cellular or physiologic response, cell lysis, cell death, or an effect generally known in the art for the effector component of the composition, whether measured by an in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo assay or a clinical effect.
“Effector cell”, as used herein, includes any eukaryotic cells capable of conferring an effect on a target cell. For example, an effect cell can induce loss of membrane integrity, pyknosis, karyorrhexis, apoptosis, lysis, and/or death of a target cell. In another example, an effector cell can induce division, growth, differentiation of a target cell or otherwise altering signal transduction of a target cell. Non-limiting examples of effector cell include plasma cell, T cell, CD4 cell, CD8 cell, B cell, cytokine induced killer cell (CIK cell), master cell, dendritic cell, regulatory T cell (RegT cell), helper T cell, myeloid cell, macrophage, and NK cell.
An “effector cell antigen” refers to molecules expressed by an effector cell, including without limitation cell surface molecules such as proteins, glycoproteins or lipoproteins. Exemplary effector cell antigens include proteins of the CD3 complex or the T cell receptor (TCR), CD4, CD8, CD25, CD38, CD69, CD45RO, CD57, CD95, CD107, and CD154, as well as effector molecules such as cytokines in association with, bound to, expressed within, or expressed and released by, an effector cell. An effector cell antigen can serve as the binding counterpart of a binding moiety of the subject recombinant polypeptide. Non-limiting examples of effector cell antigens to which the subject composition may bind include antigens on the cell surface such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD38, CD69, CD45RO, CD57, CD95, CD107, and CD154 as well as Th1 cytokines selected from IL2, IL10, IL12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha.
As used herein, the term “ELISA” refers to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as described herein or as otherwise known in the art.
A “host cell” includes an individual cell or cell culture which can be or has been a recipient for the subject vectors into which exogenous nucleic acid has been introduced, such as those described herein. Host cells include progeny of a single host cell. The progeny may not necessarily be completely identical (in morphology or in genomic of total DNA complement) to the original parent cell due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation. A host cell includes cells transfected in vivo with a vector of this disclosure.
“Isolated”, when used to describe the various polypeptides disclosed herein, means polypeptide that has been identified and separated and/or recovered from a component of its natural environment or from a more complex mixture (such as during protein purification). Contaminant components of its natural environment are materials that would typically interfere with diagnostic or therapeutic uses for the polypeptide, and may include enzymes, hormones, and other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous solutes. As is apparent to those of skill in the art, a non-naturally occurring polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody, or fragments thereof, does not require “isolation” to distinguish it from its naturally occurring counterpart. In addition, a “concentrated”, “separated” or “diluted” polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody, or fragments thereof, is distinguishable from its naturally occurring counterpart in that the concentration or number of molecules per volume is generally greater than that of its naturally occurring counterpart. In general, a polypeptide made by recombinant means and expressed in a host cell is considered to be “isolated.”
An “isolated nucleic acid” is a nucleic acid molecule that is identified and separated from at least one contaminant nucleic acid molecule with which it is ordinarily associated in the natural source of the polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid. For example, an isolated polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule is other than in the form or setting in which it is found in nature. Isolated polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecules therefore are distinguished from the specific polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule as it exists in natural cells. However, an isolated polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule includes polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecules contained in cells that ordinarily express the polypeptide where, for example, the nucleic acid molecule is in a chromosomal or extra-chromosomal location different from that of natural cells.
A “chimeric” protein or polypeptide contains at least one fusion polypeptide comprising at least one region in a different position in the sequence than that which occurs in nature. The regions may normally exist in separate proteins and are brought together in the fusion polypeptide; or they may normally exist in the same protein but are placed in a new arrangement in the fusion polypeptide. A chimeric protein may be created, for example, by chemical synthesis, or by recombinantly creating and translating a polynucleotide in which the peptide regions are encoded in the desired relationship.
“Fused,” and “fusion” are used interchangeably herein, and refers to the joining together of two or more peptide or polypeptide sequences by recombinant means. A “fusion protein” or “chimeric protein” comprises a first amino acid sequence linked to a second amino acid sequence with which it is not naturally linked in nature.
“Uncleaved” and “uncleaved state” are used interchangeably herein, and refers to a polypeptide that has not been cleaved or digested by a protease such that the polypeptide remains intact.
“XTENylated” is used to denote a peptide or polypeptide that has been modified by the linking or fusion of one or more XTEN polypeptides (described, below) to the peptide or polypeptide, whether by recombinant or chemical cross-linking means.
“Operably linked” means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and in reading phase or in-frame. An “in-frame fusion” refers to the joining of two or more open reading frames (ORFs) to form a continuous longer ORF, in a manner that maintains the correct reading frame of the original ORFs. For example, a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence for a polypeptide if it affects the transcription of the polypeptide sequence. Thus, the resulting recombinant fusion protein is a single protein containing two or more segments that correspond to polypeptides encoded by the original ORFs (which segments are not normally so joined in nature).
“Crosslinking,” and “conjugating,” are used interchangeably herein, and refer to the covalent joining of two different molecules by a chemical reaction. The crosslinking can occur in one or more chemical reactions, as known in the art.
In the context of polypeptides, a “linear sequence” or a “sequence” is an order of amino acids in a polypeptide in an amino to carboxyl terminus (N- to C-terminus) direction in which residues that neighbor each other in the sequence are contiguous in the primary structure of the polypeptide. A “partial sequence” is a linear sequence of part of a polypeptide that is known to comprise additional residues in one or both directions.
“Heterologous” means derived from a genotypically distinct entity from the rest of the entity to which it is being compared. For example, a glycine rich sequence removed from its native coding sequence and operatively linked to a coding sequence other than the native sequence is a heterologous glycine rich sequence. The term “heterologous” as applied to a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, means that the polynucleotide or polypeptide is derived from a genotypically distinct entity from that of the rest of the entity to which it is being compared.
The terms “polynucleotides”, “nucleic acids”, “nucleotides” and “oligonucleotides” are used interchangeably. They refer to nucleotides of any length, encompassing a singular nucleic acid as well as plural nucleic acids, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides may have any three-dimensional structure, and may perform any function, known or unknown. The following are non-limiting examples of polynucleotides: coding or non-coding regions of a gene or gene fragment, loci (locus) defined from linkage analysis, exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes, and primers. A polynucleotide may comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. If present, modifications to the nucleotide structure may be imparted before or after assembly of the polymer. The sequence of nucleotides may be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide may be further modified after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component.
The term “complement of a polynucleotide” denotes a polynucleotide molecule having a complementary base sequence and reverse orientation as compared to a reference sequence, such that it could hybridize with a reference sequence with complete fidelity.
“Recombinant” as applied to a polynucleotide means that the polynucleotide is the product of various combinations of recombination steps which may include cloning, restriction and/or ligation steps, and other procedures that result in expression of a recombinant protein in a host cell.
The terms “gene” and “gene fragment” are used interchangeably herein. They refer to a polynucleotide containing at least one open reading frame that is capable of encoding a particular protein after being transcribed and translated. A gene or gene fragment may be genomic or cDNA, as long as the polynucleotide contains at least one open reading frame, which may cover the entire coding region or a segment thereof. A “fusion gene” is a gene composed of at least two heterologous polynucleotides that are linked together.
As used herein, a “coding region” or “coding sequence” is a portion of polynucleotide which consists of codons translatable into amino acids. Although a “stop codon” (TAG, TGA, or TAA) is typically not translated into an amino acid, it may be considered to be part of a coding region, but any flanking sequences, for example promoters, ribosome binding sites, transcriptional terminators, introns, and the like, are not part of a coding region. The boundaries of a coding region are typically determined by a start codon at the 5′ terminus, encoding the amino terminus of the resultant polypeptide, and a translation stop codon at the 3′ terminus, encoding the carboxyl terminus of the resulting polypeptide. Two or more coding regions of the present disclosure can be present in a single polynucleotide construct, e.g., on a single vector, or in separate polynucleotide constructs, e.g., on separate (different) vectors. It follows, then, that a single vector can contain just a single coding region, or comprise two or more coding regions, e.g., a single vector can separately encode a binding moiety-A and a binding moiety-B as described below. In addition, a vector, polynucleotide, or nucleic acid of the disclosure can encode heterologous coding regions, either fused or unfused to a nucleic acid encoding a binding moiety of the disclosure. Heterologous coding regions include without limitation specialized elements or motifs, such as a secretory signal peptide or a heterologous functional domain.
The term “downstream” refers to a nucleotide sequence that is located 3′ to a reference nucleotide sequence. In certain embodiments, downstream nucleotide sequences relate to sequences that follow the starting point of transcription. For example, the translation initiation codon of a gene is located downstream of the start site of transcription.
The term “upstream” refers to a nucleotide sequence that is located 5′ to a reference nucleotide sequence. In certain embodiments, upstream nucleotide sequences relate to sequences that are located on the 5′ side of a coding region or starting point of transcription. For example, most promoters are located upstream of the start site of transcription.
“Homology” or “homologous” or “Identity” interchangably refers to sequence similarity between two or more polynucleotide sequences or between two or more polypeptide sequences. When using a program such as BestFit to determine sequence identity, similarity or homology between two different amino acid sequences, the default settings may be used, or an appropriate scoring matrix, such as blosum45 or blosum80, may be selected to optimize identity, similarity or homology scores. Preferably, polynucleotides that are homologous are those which hybridize under stringent conditions as defined herein and have at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably 95%, more preferably 97%, more preferably 98%, and even more preferably 99% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, compared to those sequences. Polypeptides that are homologous preferably have sequence identities that are at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, even more preferably at least 95-99% identical when optimally aligned over sequences of comparable length.
“Ligation” as applied to polynucleic acids refers to the process of forming phosphodiester bonds between two nucleic acid fragments or genes, linking them together. To ligate the DNA fragments or genes together, the ends of the DNA must be compatible with each other. In some cases, the ends will be directly compatible after endonuclease digestion. However, it may be necessary to first convert the staggered ends commonly produced after endonuclease digestion to blunt ends to make them compatible for ligation.
The terms “stringent conditions” or “stringent hybridization conditions” includes reference to conditions under which a polynucleotide will hybridize to its target sequence, to a detectably greater degree than other sequences (e.g., at least 2-fold over background). Generally, stringency of hybridization is expressed, in part, with reference to the temperature and salt concentration under which the wash step is carried out. Typically, stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.5 M Na ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M Na ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30° C. for short polynucleotides (e.g., 10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60° C. for long polynucleotides (e.g., greater than 50 nucleotides)—for example, “stringent conditions” can include hybridization in 50% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and three washes for 15 min each in 0.1×SSC/1% SDS at 60° C. to 65° C. Alternatively, temperatures of about 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., or 42° C. may be used. SSC concentration may be varied from about 0.1 to 2×SSC, with SDS being present at about 0.1%. Such wash temperatures are typically selected to be about 5° C. to 20° C. lower than the thermal melting point for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. An equation for calculating Tm and conditions for nucleic acid hybridization are well known and can be found in Sambrook, J. et al., “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual,” 3rd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2001. Typically, blocking reagents are used to block non-specific hybridization. Such blocking reagents include, for instance, sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA at about 100-200 μg/ml. Organic solvent, such as formamide at a concentration of about 35-50% v/v, may also be used under particular circumstances, such as for RNA:DNA hybridizations. Useful variations on these wash conditions will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The terms “percent identity,” percentage of sequence identity,” and “% identity,” as applied to polynucleotide sequences, refer to the percentage of residue matches between at least two polynucleotide sequences aligned using a standardized algorithm. Such an algorithm may insert, in a standardized and reproducible way, gaps in the sequences being compared in order to optimize alignment between two sequences, and therefore achieve a more meaningful comparison of the two sequences. Percent identity may be measured over the length of an entire defined polynucleotide sequence, or may be measured over a shorter length, for example, over the length of a fragment taken from a larger, defined polynucleotide sequence, for instance, a fragment of at least 45, at least 60, at least 90, at least 120, at least 150, at least 210 or at least 450 contiguous residues. Such lengths are exemplary only, and it is understood that any fragment length supported by the sequences shown herein, in the tables, figures or Sequence Listing, may be used to describe a length over which percentage identity may be measured. The percentage of sequence identity is calculated by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over the window of comparison, determining the number of matched positions (at which identical residues occur in both polypeptide sequences), dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison (i.e., the window size), and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. When sequences of different length are to be compared, the shortest sequence defines the length of the window of comparison. Conservative substitutions are not considered when calculating sequence identity.
“Percent (%) sequence identity” and “percent (%) identity” with respect to the polypeptide sequences identified herein, is defined as the percentage of amino acid residues in a query sequence that are identical with the amino acid residues of a second, reference polypeptide sequence of comparable length or a portion thereof, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity, thereby resulting in optimal alignment. Alignment for purposes of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms needed to achieve optimal alignment over the full length of the sequences being compared. Percent identity may be measured over the length of an entire defined polypeptide sequence, or may be measured over a shorter length, for example, over the length of a fragment taken from a larger, defined polypeptide sequence, for instance, a fragment of at least 15, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 70 or at least 150 contiguous residues. Such lengths are exemplary only, and it is understood that any fragment length supported by the sequences shown herein, in the tables, figures or Sequence Listing, may be used to describe a length over which percentage identity may be measured.
“Repetitiveness” used in the context of polynucleotide sequences refers to the degree of internal homology in the sequence such as, for example, the frequency of identical nucleotide sequences of a given length. Repetitiveness can, for example, be measured by analyzing the frequency of identical sequences.
The term “expression” as used herein refers to a process by which a polynucleotide produces a gene product, for example, an RNA or a polypeptide. It includes without limitation transcription of the polynucleotide into messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), small hairpin RNA (shRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA) or any other RNA product, and the translation of an mRNA into a polypeptide. Expression produces a “gene product.” As used herein, a gene product can be either a nucleic acid, e.g., a messenger RNA produced by transcription of a gene, or a polypeptide which is translated from a transcript. Gene products described herein further include nucleic acids with post transcriptional modifications, e.g., polyadenylation or splicing, or polypeptides with post translational modifications, e.g., methylation, glycosylation, the addition of lipids, association with other protein subunits, or proteolytic cleavage.
A “vector” or “expression vector” are used interchangeably and refers to a nucleic acid molecule, preferably self-replicating in an appropriate host, which transfers an inserted nucleic acid molecule into and/or between host cells. The term includes vectors that function primarily for insertion of DNA or RNA into a cell, replication of vectors that function primarily for the replication of DNA or RNA, and expression vectors that function for transcription and/or translation of the DNA or RNA. Also included are vectors that provide more than one of the above functions. An “expression vector” is a polynucleotide which, when introduced into an appropriate host cell, can be transcribed and translated into a polypeptide(s). An “expression system” usually connotes a suitable host cell comprised of an expression vector that can function to yield a desired expression product.
“Serum degradation resistance,” as applied to a polypeptide, refers to the ability of the polypeptides to withstand degradation in blood or components thereof, which typically involves proteases in the serum or plasma. The serum degradation resistance can be measured by combining the protein with human (or mouse, rat, dog, monkey, as appropriate) serum or plasma, typically for a range of days (e.g. 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 days), typically at about 37° C. The samples for these time points can be run on a Western blot assay and the protein is detected with an antibody. The antibody can be to a tag in the protein. If the protein shows a single band on the western, where the protein's size is identical to that of the injected protein, then no degradation has occurred. In this exemplary method, the time point where 50% of the protein is degraded, as judged by Western blots or equivalent techniques, is the serum degradation half-life or “serum half-life” of the protein.
The terms “t1/2”, “half-life”, “terminal half-life”, “elimination half-life” and “circulating half-life” are used interchangeably herein and, as used herein means the terminal half-life calculated as ln(2)/Kel. Kel is the terminal elimination rate constant calculated by linear regression of the terminal linear portion of the log concentration vs. time curve. Half-life typically refers to the time required for half the quantity of an administered substance deposited in a living organism to be metabolized or eliminated by normal biological processes. When a clearance curve of a given polypeptide is constructed as a function of time, the curve is usually biphasic with a rapid α-phase and longer beta-phase. The typical beta-phase half-life of a human antibody in humans is 21 days. Half-life can be measured using timed samples from any body fluid, but is most typically measured in plasma samples.
The term “molecular weight” generally refers to the sum of atomic weights of the constituent atoms in a molecule. Molecular weight can be determined theoretically by summing the atomic masses of the constituent atoms in a molecule. When applied in the context of a polypeptide, the molecular weight is calculated by adding, based on amino acid composition, the molecular weight of each type of amino acid in the composition or by estimation from comparison to molecular weight standards in an SDS electrophoresis gel. The calculated molecular weight of a molecule can differ from the apparent molecular weight of a molecule, which generally refers to the molecular weight of a molecule as determined by one or more analytical techniques. “Apparent molecular weight factor” and “apparent molecular weight” are related terms and when used in the context of a polypeptide, the terms refer to a measure of the relative increase or decrease in apparent molecular weight exhibited by a particular amino acid or polypeptide sequence. The apparent molecular weight can be determined, for example, using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) or similar methods by comparing to globular protein standards, as measured in “apparent kD” units. The apparent molecular weight factor is the ratio between the apparent molecular weight and the “molecular weight”; the latter is calculated by adding, based on amino acid composition as described above, or by estimation from comparison to molecular weight standards in an SDS electrophoresis gel. The determination of apparent molecular weight and apparent molecular weight factor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,673,860.
The terms “hydrodynamic radius” or “Stokes radius” is the effective radius (Rh in nm) of a molecule in a solution measured by assuming that it is a body moving through the solution and resisted by the solution's viscosity. In the embodiments of the disclosure, the hydrodynamic radius measurements of the XTEN polypeptides correlate with the “apparent molecular weight factor” which is a more intuitive measure. The “hydrodynamic radius” of a protein affects its rate of diffusion in aqueous solution as well as its ability to migrate in gels of macromolecules. The hydrodynamic radius of a protein is determined by its molecular weight as well as by its structure, including shape and compactness. Methods for determining the hydrodynamic radius are well known in the art, such as by the use of size exclusion chromatography (SEC), as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,406,632 and 7,294,513. Most proteins have globular structure, which is the most compact three-dimensional structure a protein can have with the smallest hydrodynamic radius. Some proteins adopt a random and open, unstructured, or ‘linear’ conformation and as a result have a much larger hydrodynamic radius compared to typical globular proteins of similar molecular weight.
“Diffusion coefficient” means the magnitude of the molar flux through a surface per unit concentration gradient out-of-plane. In dilute species transport, the flux due to diffusion is given by Fick's first law, which only depends on a single property of the solute's interaction with the solvent: the diffusion coefficient.
“Physiological conditions” refers to a set of conditions in a living host as well as in vitro conditions, including temperature, salt concentration, pH, that mimic those conditions of a living subject. A host of physiologically relevant conditions for use in in vitro assays have been established. Generally, a physiological buffer contains a physiological concentration of salt and is adjusted to a neutral pH ranging from about 6.5 to about 7.8, and preferably from about 7.0 to about 7.5. A variety of physiological buffers are listed in Sambrook et al. (2001). Physiologically relevant temperature ranges from about 25° C. to about 38° C., and preferably from about 35° C. to about 37° C.
The term “binding moiety” is used herein in the broadest sense, and is specifically intended to include the categories of cytokines, cell receptors, antibodies or antibody fragments that have specific affinity for an antigen or ligand such as cell-surface receptors, target cell markers, or antigens or glycoproteins, oligonucleotides, enzymatic substrates, antigenic determinants, or binding sites that may be present in or on the surface of a tissue or cell.
The term “antibody” is used herein in the broadest sense and encompasses various antibody structures, including but not limited to monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired antigen-binding activity. The full-length antibodies may be for example monoclonal, recombinant, chimeric, deimmunized, humanized and human antibodies.
The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical and/or bind the same epitope, except for possible variant antibodies, e.g., containing naturally occurring mutations or arising during production of a monoclonal antibody preparation, such variants generally being present in minor amounts. In contrast to polyclonal antibody preparations, which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody of a monoclonal antibody preparation is directed against a single determinant on an antigen. Thus, the modifier “monoclonal” indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to the hybridoma method, recombinant DNA methods, phage-display methods, and methods utilizing transgenic animals containing all or part of the human immunoglobulin loci, such methods and other exemplary methods for making monoclonal antibodies being known in the art or described herein.
An “antibody fragment” refers to a molecule other than an intact antibody that comprises a portion of an intact antibody and that binds the antigen to which the intact antibody binds. Examples of antibody fragments include but are not limited to Fv, Fab, Fab′, Fab′-SH, F(ab′)2, diabodies, single chain diabodies, linear antibodies, a single domain antibody, a single domain camelid antibody, single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody molecules, and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.
“scFv” or “single chain fragment variable” are used interchangeably herein to refer to an antibody fragment format comprising regions of variable heavy (“VH”) and variable light (“VL”) chains or two copies of a VH or VL chain, which are joined together by a short flexible peptide linker. The scFv is not actually a fragment of an antibody, but is a fusion protein of the variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light chains (VL) of immunoglobulins, and can be easily expressed in functional form in E. coli in either N- to C-termnus orientation; VL-VH or VH-VL.
The terms “antigen”, “target cell marker” and “ligand” are used interchangeably herein to refer to the structure or binding determinant that a binding moiety, an antibody, antibody fragment or an antibody fragment-based molecule binds to or has binding specificity against.
The term “epitope” refers to the particular site on an antigen molecule to which an antibody, antibody fragment, or binding moiety binds. An epitope is a ligand of an antibody, antibody fragment, or a binding moiety.
As used herein, “CD3” or “cluster of differentiation 3” means the T cell surface antigen CD3 complex, which includes in individual form or independently combined form all known CD3 subunits, for example CD3 epsilon, CD3 delta, CD3 gamma, CD3 zeta, CD3 alpha and CD3 beta. The extracellular domains of CD3 epsilon, gamma and delta contain an immunoglobulin-like domain, so are therefore considered part of the immunoglobulin superfamily.
The terms “specific binding” or “specifically bind” or “binding specificity” are used interchangeably herein to refer to the high degree of binding affinity of a binding moiety to its corresponding target. Typically, specific binding as measured by one or more of the assays disclosed herein would have a dissociation constant or Kd of less than about 10−6 M; e.g, 10−7 M-10−12 M.
“Affinity” refers to the strength of the sum total of noncovalent interactions between a single binding site of a molecule (e.g., an antibody) and its binding partner (e.g., an antigen). Unless indicated otherwise, as used herein, “binding affinity” refers to intrinsic binding affinity which reflects a 1:1 interaction between members of a binding pair (e.g., antibody and antigen). The affinity of a molecule X for its partner Y can generally be represented by the dissociation constant (Kd). As used herein “a greater binding affinity” or “increased binding affinity” means a lower Kd value; e.g., 1×10−9 M is a greater binding affinity than 1×10−8 M, while a “lower binding affinity” means a greater Kd value; e.g., 1×10−7 M is a lower binding affinity than 1×10−8 M.
“Inhibition constant”, or “Ki”, are used interchangeably and mean the dissociation constant of the enzyme-inhibitor complex, or the reciprocal of the binding affinity of the inhibitor to the enzyme.
“Dissociation constant”, or “Kd”, are used interchangeably and mean the affinity between a ligand “L” and a protein “P”; i.e. how tightly a ligand binds to a particular protein. It can be calculated using the formula Kd=[L][P]/[LP], where [P], [L] and [LP] represent molar concentrations of the protein, ligand and complex, respectively. The term “kon”, as used herein, is intended to refer to the on rate constant for association of an antibody to the antigen to form the antibody/antigen complex as is known in the art. The term “koff”, as used herein, is intended to refer to the off rate constant for dissociation of an antibody from the antibody/antigen complex as is known in the art. Techniques such as flow cytometry or surface plasmon resonance can be used to detect binding events. The assays may comprise soluble antigens or receptor molecules, or may determine the binding to cell-expressed receptors. Such assays may include cell-based assays, including assays for proliferation, cell death, apoptosis and cell migration. The binding affinity of the subject compositions for the target ligands can be assayed using binding or competitive binding assays, such as Biacore assays with chip-bound receptors or binding proteins or ELISA assays, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,617, assays described in the Examples herein, radio-receptor assays, or other assays known in the art. The binding affinity constant can then be determined using standard methods, such as Scatchard analysis, as described by van Zoelen, et al., Trends Pharmacol Sciences (1998) 19)12):487, or other methods known in the art.
The term “antagonist”, as used herein, includes any molecule that partially or fully blocks, inhibits, or neutralizes a biological activity of a native polypeptide disclosed herein. Methods for identifying antagonists of a polypeptide may comprise contacting a native polypeptide with a candidate antagonist molecule and measuring a detectable change in one or more biological activities normally associated with the native polypeptide. In the context of the present disclosure, antagonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, antibodies or any other molecules that decrease the effect of a biologically active protein.
A “target cell marker” refers to a molecule expressed by a target cell including but not limited to cell-surface receptors, cytokine receptors, antigens, tumor-associated antigens, glycoproteins, oligonucleotides, enzymatic substrates, antigenic determinants, or binding sites that may be present in the on the surface of a target tissue or cell that may serve as ligands for a binding moiety. Non-limiting examples of target cell markers include the target markers of Table 5.
A “target tissue” refers to a tissue that is the cause of or is part of a disease condition such as, but not limited to cancer or inflammatory conditions. Sources of diseased target tissue include a body organ, a tumor, a cancerous cell or population of cancerous cells or cells that form a matrix or are found in association with a population of cancerous cells, bone, skin, cells that produce cytokines or factors contributing to a disease condition.
A “defined medium” refers to a medium comprising nutritional and hormonal requirements necessary for the survival and/or growth of the cells in culture such that the components of the medium are known. Traditionally, the defined medium has been formulated by the addition of nutritional and growth factors necessary for growth and/or survival. Typically, the defined medium provides at least one component from one or more of the following categories: a) all essential amino acids, and usually the basic set of twenty amino acids plus cysteine; b) an energy source, usually in the form of a carbohydrate such as glucose; c) vitamins and/or other organic compounds required at low concentrations; d) free fatty acids; and e) trace elements, where trace elements are defined as inorganic compounds or naturally occurring elements that are typically required at very low concentrations, usually in the micromolar range. The defined medium may also optionally be supplemented with one or more components from any of the following categories: a) one or more mitogenic agents; b) salts and buffers as, for example, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate; c) nucleosides and bases such as, for example, adenosine and thymidine, hypoxanthine; and d) protein and tissue hydrolysates.
The term “agonist” is used in the broadest sense and includes any molecule that mimics a biological activity of a native polypeptide disclosed herein. Suitable agonist molecules specifically include agonist antibodies or antibody fragments, fragments or amino acid sequence variants of native polypeptides, peptides, small organic molecules, etc. Methods for identifying agonists of a native polypeptide may comprise contacting a native polypeptide with a candidate agonist molecule and measuring a detectable change in one or more biological activities normally associated with the native polypeptide.
As used herein, “treatment” or “treating,” or “palliating” or “ameliorating” is used interchangeably herein. These terms refer to an approach for obtaining beneficial or desired results including but not limited to a therapeutic benefit and/or a prophylactic benefit. By therapeutic benefit is meant eradication or amelioration of the underlying disorder being treated. Also, a therapeutic benefit is achieved with the eradication or amelioration of one or more of the physiological symptoms or improvement in one or more clinical parameters associated with the underlying disorder such that an improvement is observed in the subject, notwithstanding that the subject may still be afflicted with the underlying disorder. For prophylactic benefit, the compositions may be administered to a subject at risk of developing a particular disease, or to a subject reporting one or more of the physiological symptoms of a disease, even though a diagnosis of this disease may not have been made.
A “therapeutic effect” or “therapeutic benefit,” as used herein, refers to a physiologic effect, including but not limited to the mitigation, amelioration, or prevention of disease or an improvement in one or more clinical parameters associated with the underlying disorder in humans or other animals, or to otherwise enhance physical or mental wellbeing of humans or animals, resulting from administration of a polypeptide of the disclosure other than the ability to induce the production of an antibody against an antigenic epitope possessed by the biologically active protein. For prophylactic benefit, the compositions may be administered to a subject at risk of developing a particular disease, a recurrence of a former disease, condition or symptom of the disease, or to a subject reporting one or more of the physiological symptoms of a disease, even though a diagnosis of this disease may not have been made.
The terms “therapeutically effective amount” and “therapeutically effective dose”, as used herein, refer to an amount of a drug or a biologically active protein, either alone or as a part of a polypeptide composition, that is capable of having any detectable, beneficial effect on any symptom, aspect, measured parameter or characteristics of a disease state or condition when administered in one or repeated doses to a subject. Such effect need not be absolute to be beneficial. Determination of a therapeutically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.
The term “equivalent molar dose” means that the amounts of materials administered to a subject have an equivalent amount of moles, based on the molecular weight of the material used in the dose.
The term “therapeutically effective and non-toxic dose” as used herein refers to a tolerable dose of the compositions as defined herein that is high enough to cause depletion of tumor or cancer cells, tumor elimination, tumor shrinkage or stabilization of disease without or essentially without major toxic effects in the subject. Such therapeutically effective and non-toxic doses may be determined by dose escalation studies described in the art and should be below the dose inducing severe adverse side effects.
The term “dose regimen”, as used herein, refers to a schedule for consecutively administered multiple doses (i.e., at least two or more) of a composition, wherein the doses are given in therapeutically effective amounts to result in sustained beneficial effect on any symptom, aspect, measured parameter, endpoint, or characteristic of a disease state or condition.
The terms “cancer” and “cancerous” refer to or describe the physiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth/proliferation. Examples of cancer include, but are not limited to, carcinomas, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, any form of skin cancer, melanoma, genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, an epithelia intraperitoneal malignancy with malignant ascites, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum kidney cancers, lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, small intestine cancer, liver cancer, hepatocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, liposarcoma, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, cancers of the bile duct, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid cancer, epithelial cancer, adenocarcinoma, sarcomas of any origin, primary hematologic malignancies including acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemias, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemias, myeloproliferative neoplastic disorders, or myelodysplastic disorders, myasthenia gravis, Morbus Basedow, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or Goodpasture syndrome.
“Tumor-specific marker” as used herein, refers to an antigen that is found on or in a cancer cell.
“Target cell” refers to a cell that has the ligand of a binding moiety, an antibody or antibody fragment of the subject compositions and is associated with or causes a disease or pathologic condition, including cancer cells, tumor cells, and inflammatory cells. The ligand of a target cell is referred to herein as a “target cell marker” or “target cell antigen” and includes, but is not limited to, cell surface receptors or antigens, cytokines, cytokine receptors, MHC proteins, and cytosol proteins or peptides that are exogenously presented. As used herein, “target cell” would not include an effector cell.
I. General Techniques
The practice of the present disclosure employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of immunology, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, genomics and recombinant DNA, which are within the skill of the art. See Sambrook, J. et al., “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual,” 3rd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2001; “Current protocols in molecular biology”, F. M. Ausubel, et al. eds., 1987; the series “Methods in Enzymology,” Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.; “PCR 2: a practical approach”, M. J. MacPherson, B. D. Hames and G. R. Taylor eds., Oxford University Press, 1995; “Antibodies, a laboratory manual” Harlow, E. and Lane, D. eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1988; “Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics,” 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2005; and Freshney, R. I., “Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique,” 4th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Somerset, N J, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
Host cells can be cultured in a variety of media. Commercially available media such as Ham's F10 (Sigma), Minimal Essential Medium (MEM, Sigma), RPMI-1640 (Sigma), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM, Sigma) are suitable for culturing eukaryotic cells. In addition, animal cells can be grown in a defined medium that lacks serum but is supplemented with hormones, growth factors or any other factors necessary for the survival and/or growth of a particular cell type. Whereas a defined medium supporting cell survival maintains the viability, morphology, capacity to metabolize and potentially, capacity of the cell to differentiate, a defined medium promoting cell growth provides all chemicals necessary for cell proliferation or multiplication. The general parameters governing mammalian cell survival and growth in vitro are well established in the art. Physicochemical parameters which may be controlled in different cell culture systems are, e.g., pH, pO2, temperature, and osmolarity. The nutritional requirements of cells are usually provided in standard media formulations developed to provide an optimal environment. Nutrients can be divided into several categories: amino acids and their derivatives, carbohydrates, sugars, fatty acids, complex lipids, nucleic acid derivatives and vitamins. Apart from nutrients for maintaining cell metabolism, most cells also require one or more hormones from at least one of the following groups: steroids, prostaglandins, growth factors, pituitary hormones, and peptide hormones to proliferate in serum-free media (Sato, G. H., et al. in “Growth of Cells in Hormonally Defined Media”, Cold Spring Harbor Press, N.Y., 1982). In addition to hormones, cells may require transport proteins such as transferrin (plasma iron transport protein), ceruloplasmin (a copper transport protein), and high-density lipoprotein (a lipid carrier) for survival and growth in vitro. The set of optimal hormones or transport proteins will vary for each cell type. Most of these hormones or transport proteins have been added exogenously or, in a rare case, a mutant cell line has been found which does not require a particular factor. Those skilled in the art will know of other factors required for maintaining a cell culture without undue experimentation.
Growth media for growth of prokaryotic host cells include nutrient broths (liquid nutrient medium) or LB medium (Luria Bertani). Suitable media include defined and undefined media. In general, media contains a carbon source such as glucose needed for bacterial growth, water, and salts. Media may also include a source of amino acids and nitrogen, for example beef or yeast extract (in an undefined medium) or known quantities of amino acids (in a defined medium). In one embodiment, the growth medium is LB broth, for example LB Miller broth or LB Lennox broth. LB broth comprises peptone (enzymatic digestion product of casein), yeast extract and sodium chloride. In one embodiment, a selective medium is used which comprises an antibiotic. In this medium, only the desired cells possessing resistance to the antibiotic will grow.
II. Recombinant Polypeptides and Activatable Antibody Compositions
The present disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising at least three categories of components; binding moieties, release segments (RS) and bulking moieties; each of which are described more fully herein. The disclosure also provides configurations of recombinant polypeptides that are specifically designed to confer pharmaceutical and therapeutic advantageous properties on the compositions in comparison to conventional antibody- and cytokine-based therapeutics.
In a first aspect, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptide compositions having a first binding moiety (FBM) designed to bind a target ligand, a release segment that is a substrate for a mammalian protease, and a bulking moiety such as an XTEN, wherein the FBM is an antibody, a cytokine, a cell receptor, or a fragment thereof. The recombinant polypeptides comprising a single binding moiety may be designed to confer a prodrug property on the composition in order to render it less reactive when in the circulation or when exposed to healthy tissues, but when in proximity to diseased tissues or cells that produce or have co-localized proteases that are capable of cleaving the RS incorporated into the recombinant polypeptide, the FBM and XTEN are released such that the XTEN no longer shields the FBM and the FBM regains its full potential for binding affinity for its ligand. In some embodiments, FBM suitable for incorporation into the subject compositions include cytokines, chemokines and interleukins (such as but not limited to interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-12, and IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, C—C chemokines (RANTES, monocyte chemoattractant protein or MCP-1, monocyte inflammatory protein or MIP-1α, and MIP-1β), C—X—C chemokines (IL-8 also called growth related oncogene or GRO/KC), C chemokines (lymphotactin), and CXXXC chemokines (fractalkine). In other embodiments, FBM suitable for incorporation into the subject compositions include antibody fragments that have binding affinity tumor associated antigens, including but not limited to the target cell markers of Table 5. In the foregoing embodiments, the recombinant polypeptides further comprise RS1 of Tables 1 or 2 and XTEN of Tables 8 or 10, or sequence variants thereof (as described more fully, below).
In a second aspect, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptide compositions comprising two antibody fragments, one or more release segments, and one or more XTEN that are activatable by cleavage of the release segments such that the antibody fragments are released from the composition and regain their full potential for binding affinity for their respective ligands. Such recombinant polypeptides having two antibody fragments are also referred to herein as activatable antibody compositions (AAC). In one embodiment, an AAC having a first binding moiety (FBM) fused to a second binding moiety (SBM) in which the FBM and SBM are both antibody fragments, further comprises at least a first release segment and at least a first XTEN.
The AAC constructs described herein confer multiple therapeutic advantages over traditional monoclonal antibodies and other smaller bispecific molecules. Of particular note is the conditional activation of the AAC of the present disclosure. The intact, uncleaved AAC have a reduced ability to bind their intended target cell markers due to the shielding effect of the bulky, unstructured XTEN tethered to the AAC by the release segment. Thus, the specific activity to non-diseased, normal tissue of the exemplary compositions of the disclosure is significantly reduced when compared to that of analogous antibodies and antibody fragments. The ability of the AAC polypeptides to activate at their desired site of action (e.g., the proximity of a diseased tissue such as a tumor or cancer cell) while remaining essentially inactive during their progress to this site is an advance in the field of immune-oncologic therapeutics, offering the promise of potent and specific therapeutics with improved therapeutic index, as well as a readily designable and manufacturable format that can be applied to multiple target cells such as those disclosed herein.
The AAC described herein with a FBM and SBM antibody fragment are designed to allow specific targeting and killing of cells expressing a target cell marker by recruiting cytotoxic effector cells, e.g., T cells. The intact, uncleaved AAC is in a prodrug form in that the XTEN shields the binding moieties, reducing their binding affinity towards their ligands until released from the composition by protease cleavage of any of the protease cleavage sites located within the RS. This improves the specificity of the composition towards diseased tissues or cells compared to bispecific T-cell engager therapeutics that are not in a prodrug format. In contrast, by activating the AAC specifically in the microenvironment of the target cell or diseased tissue, where the target cell marker and proteases capable of cleaving the RS are highly expressed, the bispecific binding moieties and XTEN of the AAC constructs are released upon cleavage of the RS and the fused FBM and SBM antibody fragments can crosslink cytotoxic effector cells with cells expressing a target cell marker in a highly specific fashion, thereby directing the cytotoxic potential of the T cell towards the target cell.
In an exemplary feature of the AAC, once released, the fused FBM-SBM antibody fragment, having a much smaller size compared to the uncleaved AAC, is then free to permeate the target sites, e.g., a tumor mass, in order to reach and bind to and link together the target cell and cytotoxic T cell. Additionally, the entire process is not dependent upon internalization of the composition. In one embodiment, the AAC constructs described herein engage cytotoxic T cells via binding to the surface-expressed CD3, which forms part of the T cell receptor complex, causing T cell activation that mediates the subsequent lysis of the cell expressing the particular target cell marker. Thus, AAC are contemplated to display strong, specific and efficient target cell killing.
Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the AAC described herein stimulate target cell killing by cytotoxic effector cells to eliminate the cells expressing the particular target cell marker bound by the target-specific targeting moiety of the AAC in protease-rich microenvironments (e.g., tumors). In such case, cells are eliminated selectively, thereby reducing the potential for toxic side effects. Proteases known to be associated with diseased cells or tissues include but are not limited to serine proteases, cysteine proteases, aspartate proteases, and metalloproteases.
The AAC of the disclosure may confer further therapeutic and pharmaceutical advantages over recognized monoclonal antibodies and other smaller bispecific molecules. Conventional bi-specific molecules are designed to bind to a target cell having a cell-specific marker associated with a pathogenic cell. Toxicity and undesirable side effects are possible when, in some cases, healthy cells or tissues express the same marker as the target cell. One benefit to an AAC of the disclosure is that binding to CD3 and the target cells is enhanced upon the release of the binding moieties by a protease expressed by, or in association with, the disease tissue harboring the target cell, such as a tumor cell, permitting the binding of the released fused FBM and SBM antibody fragments to the target cell marker and the effector cell, creating an immunologic synapse. With reference to
Polypeptide compositions capable of binding diseased tissues such as tumors have an optimal size for enhanced tissue penetration and distribution of the therapeutic. However, this is counterbalanced by the desire to have reduced first pass renal clearance as well as reduced extravasation from the circulation in normal tissue. Because the kidney generally filters out molecules below about 50 kDa, efforts to reduce clearance in the design of protein therapeutics have focused on increasing molecular size through fusions with proteins like albumin or the addition of polyethylene glycol polymers. However, while increasing the size of a protein therapeutic may prevent renal clearance and extravasation, the larger size also hinders penetration of the molecule into the target tissues. Exemplary AAC described herein avoid this by fusion of the binding moieties with release segments and bulking moieties such as XTEN, which greatly increase the apparent molecular weight of the composition (described more fully, below), and will prevent rapid renal clearance and extravasation in normal vasculature while having the ability to have the XTEN be released by the action of target tissue associated proteases on the RS, resulting in the release of the binding moieties having a small size, allowing for enhanced tissue penetration and distribution and optimal efficacy. Thus, the XTEN confers a number of favorable properties on the AAC embodiments, including but not limited to increased half-life, reduced extravasation in normal vasculature, increased solubility, reduced binding to healthy tissues, increased therapeutic index, and a prodrug format.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides AAC having a single chain binding moiety polypeptide directed to a ligand of a target cell and another single chain binding moiety polypeptide directed to an effector cell ligand, such as a CD3 antigen, making the configuration of this component of the AAC similar to bifunctional binding compositions such as blinatumomab (referred to as a BiTE® composition). A representative target cell marker is an antigen found on the surface of a cancer cell, e.g., EGFR, EpCAM, HER2, or any of the target markers of Table 5. In the embodiments, the AAC polypeptides comprise a FBM and a SBM, which can be scFv linked through a flexible linker such as those of Table 7, or can be configured as a single chain diabody. While each of the FBM and SBM have binding affinity for their respective ligands comparable to typical single chain binding moieties, the XTEN of the intact, uncleaved AAC composition serves to greatly reduce the ability of both scFv of the intact composition to bind their respective ligands by steric hindrance due to the ability of the flexible, unstructured XTEN to surround the binding moieties of the composition. Upon protease cleavage of the RS at any of the protease cleavage sites, the fused binding moieties separate from the XTEN, allowing the fused anti-target binding moiety and the anti-CD3 binding moiety to cooperatively bind their respective ligands and form an immunologic synapse between the target cell and the effector T cell. In those embodiments in which the recombinant polypeptide contains a single anti-target binding moiety, such as a cytokine or anti-cytokine, the released binding moiety would similarly have an enhanced ability to bind its ligand upon release from the intact composition by action of a protease on the RS.
III. Release Segments
In another aspect, the disclosure provides release segment (RS) peptides that are substrates for one or more mammalian proteases associated with or produced by disease tissues or cells found in proximity to disease tissues. Such proteases can include, but not be limited to the classes of proteases such as metalloproteinases, cysteine proteases, aspartate proteases, and serine proteases, including, but not limited to, the proteases of Table 3. The RS are useful for, amongst other things, incorporation into the subject recombinant polypeptides, conferring a prodrug format that can be activated by the cleavage of the RS by mammalian proteases. As described herein, the RS are incorporated into the subject recombinant polypeptide compositions, linking the incorporated binding moieties to the XTEN (the configurations of which are described more fully, below) such that upon cleavage of the RS by action of the one or more proteases for which the RS are substrates, the binding moieties and XTEN are released from the composition and the binding moieties, no longer shielded by the XTEN, regain their full potential to bind their ligands. In those recombinant polypeptide compositions comprising a first and a second antibody fragment, the compositions are also referred to herein as activatable antibody compositions (AAC).
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides activatable recombinant polypeptides comprising a first release segment (RS1) sequence having at least 88%, or at least 94%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 1, wherein the RS1 is a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases. In other embodiments, the disclosure provides activatable recombinant polypeptides comprising a RS1 and a second release segment (RS2) sequence, each having at least 88%, or at least 94%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 1, wherein the RS1 and the RS2 each are a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases. In another embodiment, disclosure provides activatable recombinant polypeptides comprising a first RS (RS1) sequence having at least 90%, at least 93%, at least 97%, or 100% identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 2, wherein the RS is a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases. In other embodiments, the disclosure provides activatable recombinant polypeptides comprising a RS1 and a second release segment (RS2) sequence, each having at least 88%, or at least 94%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 2, wherein the RS1 and the RS2 are each a substrate for one or more mammalian proteases. In the embodiments of activatable recombinant polypeptides comprising RS1 and RS2, the two release segments can be identical or the sequences can be different.
The present disclosure contemplates release segments that are substrates for one, two or three different classes of proteases selected from metalloproteinases, cysteine proteases, aspartate proteases, and serine proteases, including the proteases of Table 3. In a particular feature, the RS serve as substrates for proteases found in close association with or are co-localized with disease tissues or cells, such as but not limited to tumors, cancer cells, and inflammatory tissues, and upon cleavage of the RS, the binding moieties that are otherwise shielded by the XTEN of the subject recombinant polypeptide compositions (and thus have a lower binding affinity for their respective ligands) are released from the composition and regain their full potential to bind the target and/or effector cell ligands. In another embodiment, the RS of the subject recombinant polypeptide compositions comprises an amino acid sequence that is a substrate for a cellular protease located within a targeted cell, including but not limited to the proteases of Table 3. In another particular feature of the subject recombinant polypeptide compositions, the RS that are substrates for two or three classes of proteases were designed with sequences that are capable of being cleaved in different locations of the RS sequence by the different proteases, with a representative example depicted in
In one embodiment, the RS of the disclosure for incorporation into the subject recombinant polypeptide compositions is a substrate for one or more proteases selected from the group consisting of meprin, neprilysin (CD10), PSMA, BMP-1, A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs), ADAMS, ADAM9, ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAM15, ADAM17 (TACE), ADAM19, ADAM28 (MDC-L), ADAM with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS), ADAMTS1, ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, MMP-1 (collagenase 1), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, gelatinase A), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3, stromelysin 1), matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7, Matrilysin 1), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8, collagenase 2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, gelatinase B), matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10, stromelysin 2), matrix metalloproteinase-11 (MMP-11, stromelysin 3), matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12, macrophage elastase), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13, collagenase 3), matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP-14, MT1-MMP), matrix metalloproteinase-15 (MMP-15, MT2-MMP), matrix metalloproteinase-19 (MMP-19), matrix metalloproteinase-23 (MMP-23, CA-MMP), matrix metalloproteinase-24 (MMP-24, MT5-MMP), matrix metalloproteinase-26 (MMP-26, matrilysin 2), matrix metalloproteinase-27 (MMP-27, CMMP), legumain, cathepsin B, cathepsin C, cathepsin K, cathepsin L, cathepsin S, cathepsin X, cathepsin D, cathepsin E, secretase, urokinase (uPA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasmin, thrombin, prostate-specific antigen (PSA, KLK3), human neutrophil elastase (HNE), elastase, tryptase, Type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), DESC1, hepsin (HPN), matriptase, matriptase-2, TMPRSS2, TMPRSS3, TMPRSS4 (CAP2), fibroblast activation protein (FAP), kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK family), KLK4, KLK5, KLK6, KLK7, KLK8, KLK10, KLK11, KLK13, and KLK14. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for ADAM17. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for BMP-1. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for cathepsin. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for HtrA1. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for legumain. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for MMP-1. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for MMP-2. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for MMP-7. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for MMP-9. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for MMP-11. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for MMP-14. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for uPA. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for matriptase. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for MT-SP1. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for neutrophil elastase. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for thrombin. In one embodiment RS is a substrate for TMPRSS3. In one embodiment, the RS is a substrate for TMPRSS4. In one embodiment, the RS of the subject recombinant polypeptide compositions is a substrate for at least two proteases selected from the group consisting of legumain, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, and matriptase. In another embodiment, the RS of the subject recombinant polypeptide compositions is a substrate for legumain, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, and matriptase.
In another aspect, the RS for incorporation into the subject recombinant polypeptides can be designed to be selectively sensitive in order to have different rates of cleavage and different cleavage efficiencies to the various proteases for which they are substrates. As a given protease may be found in different concentrations in diseased tissues, including but not limited to a tumor, a blood cancer, or an inflammatory tissue or site of inflammation, compared to healthy tissues or in the circulation, the disclosure provides RS that have had the individual amino acid sequences engineered to have a higher or lower cleavage efficiency for a given protease in order to ensure that the recombinant polypeptide is preferentially converted from the prodrug form to the active form (i.e., by the separation and release of the binding moieties and XTEN from the recombinant polypeptide after cleavage of the RS) when in proximity to the target cell or tissue and its co-localized proteases compared to the rate of cleavage of the RS in healthy tissue or the circulation such that the released antibody fragment binding moieties have a greater ability to bind to ligands in the diseased tissues compared to the prodrug form that remains in circulation. By such selective designs, the therapeutic index of the resulting compositions can be improved, resulting in reduced side effects relative to convention therapeutics that do not incorporate such site-specific activation.
As used herein cleavage efficiency is defined as the log2 value of the ratio of the percentage of the test substrate comprising the RS cleaved to the percentage of the control substrate AC1611 cleaved when each is subjected to the protease enzyme in biochemical assays (further detailed in the Examples) in which reaction in conducted wherein the initial substrate concentration is 6 μM, the reactions are incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours before being stopped by adding EDTA, with the amount of digestion products and uncleaved substrate analyzed by non-reducing SDS-PAGE to establish the ratio of the percentage cleaved. The cleavage efficiency is calculated as follows:
Thus, a cleavage efficiency of −1 means that the amount of test substrate cleaved was 50% compared to that of the control substrate, while a cleavage efficiency of +1 means that the amount of test substrate cleaved was 200% compared to that of the control substrate. A higher rate of cleavage by the test protease relative to the control would result in a higher cleavage efficiency, and a slower rate of cleavage by the test protease relative to the control would result in a lower cleavage efficiency. As detailed in the Examples, a control RS sequence AC1611 (RSR-1517), having the amino acid sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT, was established as having an appropriate baseline cleavage efficiency by the proteases legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-14, uPA, and matriptase, when tested in in vitro biochemical assays for rates of cleavage by the individual proteases. By selective substitution of amino acids at individual locations in the RS peptides, libraries of RS were created and evaluated against the panel of the 7 proteases (detailed more fully in the Examples), resulting in profiles that were used to establish guidelines for appropriate amino acid substitutions in order to achieve RS with desired cleavage efficiencies. In making RS with desired cleavage efficiencies, substitutions using the hydrophilic amino acids A, E, G, P, S, and T are preferred, however other L-amino acids can be substituted at given positions in order to adjust the cleavage efficiency so long as the RS retains at least some susceptibility to cleavage by a protease. Conservative substitutions of amino acids in a peptide to retain or effect activity is well within the knowledge and capabilities of a person within skill in the art. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides RS in which the RS is cleaved by a protease selected from legumain, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase with at least a 0.2 log2, or 0.4 log2, or 0.8 log2, or 1.0 log2 higher cleavage efficiency in an in vitro biochemical competitive assay compared to the cleavage by the same protease of a control sequence RSR-1517 having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides RS in which the RS is cleaved by a protease selected from legumain, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase with at least a 0.2 log2, or 0.4 log2, or 0.8 log2, or 1.0 log2 lower cleavage efficiency in an in vitro biochemical competitive assay compared to the cleavage by the same protease of a control sequence RSR-1517 having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides RS in which the rate of cleavage of the RS by a protease selected from legumain, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase is at least 2-fold, or at least 4-fold, or at least 8 fold, or at least 16-fold faster compared to the control sequence RSR-1517 having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides RS in which the rate of cleavage of the RS by a protease selected from legumain, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-14, uPA, or matriptase is at least 2-fold, or at least 4-fold, or at least 8 fold, or at least 16-fold slower compared to the control sequence RSR-1517 having the sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides AAC comprising multiple RS wherein each RS sequence is selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 1 and the RS are linked to each other by 1 to 6 amino acids selected from glycine, serine, alanine, and threonine. In one embodiment, the AAC comprises a first RS and a second RS different from the first RS wherein each RS sequence is selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 1 and the RS are linked to each other by 1 to 6 amino acids selected from glycine, serine, alanine, and threonine. In another embodiment, the AAC comprises a first RS, a second RS different from the first RS, and a third RS different from the first and the second RS wherein each sequence is selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 1 and the first and the second and the third RS are linked to each other by 1 to 6 amino acids selected from glycine, serine, alanine, and threonine. It is specifically intended that the multiple RS of the AAC can be concatenated to form a sequence that can be cleaved by multiple proteases at different rates or efficiency of cleavage. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides AAC comprising an RS1 and an RS2 selected from the group of sequences set forth in Tables 1 and 2 and an XTEN 1 and XTEN 2 selected from the group of sequences set forth in Tables 8 and 10 wherein the RS1 is fused between the XTEN1 and the binding moieties and the RS2 is fused between the XTEN2 and the binding moieties. It is contemplated that such compositions would be more readily cleaved by diseased target tissues that express multiple proteases, compared with healthy tissues or when in the normal circulation, with the result that the resulting fragments bearing the binding moieties would more readily penetrate the target tissue; e.g., a tumor, and have an enhanced ability to bind and link the target cell and the effector cell (or just the target cell in the case of AAC designed with a single binding moiety.
The RS of the disclosure are useful for inclusion in recombinant polypeptides as therapeutics for treatment of cancers, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and other conditions where localized activation of the recombinant polypeptide is desirable. The subject compositions address an unmet need and are superior in one or more aspects including enhanced terminal half-life, targeted delivery, and improved therapeutic ratio with reduced toxicity to healthy tissues compared to conventional antibody therapeutics or bispecific antibody therapeutics that are active upon injection.
IV. Binding Moieties
In another aspect, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides comprising a first binding moiety (FBM) having specific binding affinity to a ligand. In one embodiment, the binding moiety is selected from an antibody, a cytokine, an interleukin, a chemokine, or a fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the binding moiety is a cell receptor or a fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the binding moiety is an antibody fragment having binding affinity to a cell receptor or target cell marker.
In some embodiments, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides that are AAC comprising a first binding moiety (FBM) and a second binding moiety (SBM), each having specific binding affinity to a their respective ligands. In some embodiments, the AAC comprise a first and a second binding moiety, each of which are antibody fragments. In such compositions, a binding moiety directed against a target cell marker of a disease tissue is used in combination with a second binding moiety directed towards an effector cell marker; thus it is bifunctional. As used herein, the antibody fragment is an antibody fragment containing an antigen binding domain that is capable of binding, especially specific binding, to a target ligand of interest. In such embodiments, the antibody fragment can be, but is not limited to, variable or hypervariable regions of light and/or heavy chains of an antibody (VL, VH), variable fragments (Fv), Fab′ fragments, F(ab′)2 fragments, Fab fragments, single chain antibodies (scAb), single chain variable fragment (scFv), linear antibodies, a single domain antibody, complementarity determining regions (CDR), domain antibodies (dAbs), single domain heavy chain immunoglobulins of the BHH or BNAR type, single domain light chain immunoglobulins, or other polypeptides known in the art containing an antibody fragment capable of binding target proteins or epitopes on target proteins associated with a target or effector cell. The VL and VH of the antibody fragments can also be configured in a single chain diabody configuration. In one embodiment, the first of the two binding moieties of the polypeptide contains an antibody fragment targeted to an effector cell ligand (such as, but not limited to CD3, CD16, TCRa, TCRp, CD28 and the like) and the second binding moiety contains an antibody fragment that has a disease targeting domain (e.g., a target cell marker produced by a disease tissue or cell).
The origin of the antibody fragments contemplated by the disclosure can be derived from a naturally occurring antibody or fragment thereof, a non-naturally occurring antibody or fragment thereof, a humanized antibody or fragment thereof, a synthetic antibody or fragment thereof, a hybrid antibody or fragment thereof, or an engineered antibody or fragment thereof. Methods for generating an antibody for a given target marker are well known in the art. For example, the monoclonal antibodies may be made using the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). The structure of antibodies and fragments thereof, variable regions of heavy and light chains of an antibody (VH and VL), single chain variable regions (scFv), complementarity determining regions (CDR), and domain antibodies (dAbs) are well understood. Methods for generating a polypeptide having a desired antigen-binding moiety of a target cell marker are known in the art.
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies from which VL and VH and CDR domains can be derived for the subject compositions are known in the art. Such therapeutic antibodies include, but are not limited to, rituximab, IDEC/Genentech/Roche (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,137), a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody used in the treatment of many lymphomas, leukemias, and some autoimmune disorders; ofatumumab, an anti-CD20 antibody approved for use for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and under development for follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, being developed by GlaxoSmithKline; lucatumumab (HCD122), an anti-CD40 antibody developed by Novartis for Non-Hodgkin's or Hodgkin's Lymphoma (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,879), AME-133, an antibody developed by Applied Molecular Evolution which binds to cells expressing CD20 to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, veltuzumab (hA20), an antibody developed by Immunomedics, Inc. which binds to cells expressing CD20 to treat immune thrombocytopenic purpura, HumaLYM developed by Intracel for the treatment of low-grade B-cell lymphoma, and ocrelizumab, developed by Genentech which is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application 20090155257), trastuzumab (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,171), a humanized anti-HER2/neu antibody approved to treat breast cancer developed by Genentech; pertuzumab, an anti-HER2 dimerization inhibitor antibody developed by Genentech in treatment of in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers; (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,894); cetuximab, an anti-EGFR antibody used to treat epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing, KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer, developed by Imclone and BMS (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,533; PCT WO 96/40210); panitumumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody specific to the epidermal growth factor receptor (also known as EGF receptor, EGFR, ErbB-1 and HER1, currently marketed by Amgen for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,883); zalutumumab, a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody developed by Genmab that is directed towards the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,301); nimotuzumab, a chimeric antibody to EGFR developed by Biocon, YM Biosciences, Cuba, and Oncosciences, Europe) in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, nasopharyngeal cancer and glioma (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,891,996; 6,506,883); matuzumab, a humanized monoclonal that is directed towards the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that was developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical for the treatment of colorectal, lung, esophageal and stomach cancer (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application 20090175858A1); cetuximab, a chimeric (mouse/human) monoclonal antibody that is directed to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) used for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer that was developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck KGaA (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,866); alemtuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to CD52 marketed by Bayer Schering Pharma for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and T-cell lymphoma; muromonab-CD3, an anti-CD3 antibody developed by Ortho Biotech/Johnson & Johnson used as an immunosuppressant biologic given to reduce acute rejection in patients with organ transplants; ibritumomab tiuxetan, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody developed by IDEC/Schering AG as treatment for some forms of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; gemtuzumab ozogamicin, an anti-CD33 (p67 protein) antibody linked to a cytotoxic chelator tiuxetan, to which a radioactive isotope is attached, developed by Celltech/Wyeth used to treat acute myelogenous leukemia; ABX-CBL, an anti-CD147 antibody developed by Abgenix; ABX-IL8, an anti-IL8 antibody developed by Abgenix, ABX-MA1, an anti-MUC18 antibody developed by Abgenix, Pemtumomab (R1549, 90Y-muHMFG1), an anti-MUC1 in development by Antisoma, Therex (R1550), an anti-MUC1 antibody developed by Antisoma, AngioMab (AS1405), developed by Antisoma, HuBC-1, developed by Antisoma, Thioplatin (AS1407) developed by Antisoma, ANTEGREN (natalizumab), an anti-alpha-4-beta-1 (VLA4) and alpha-4-beta-7 antibody developed by Biogen, VLA-1 mAb, an anti-VLA-1 integrin antibody developed by Biogen, LTBR mAb, an anti-lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTBR) antibody developed by Biogen, CAT-152, an anti-TGF-β2 antibody developed by Cambridge Antibody Technology, J695, an anti-IL-12 antibody developed by Cambridge Antibody Technology and Abbott, CAT-192, an anti-TGFβ1 antibody developed by Cambridge Antibody Technology and Genzyme, CAT-213, an anti-Eotaxin1 antibody developed by Cambridge Antibody Technology, LYMPHOSTAT-B, an anti-Blys antibody developed by Cambridge Antibody Technology and Human Genome Sciences Inc., TRAIL-R1mAb, an anti-TRAIL-R1 antibody developed by Cambridge Antibody Technology and Human Genome Sciences, Inc.; Herceptin, an anti-HER receptor family antibody developed by Genentech; Anti-Tissue Factor (ATF), an anti-Tissue Factor antibody developed by Genentech; Xolair (Omalizumab), an anti-IgE antibody developed by Genentech, MLN-02 Antibody (formerly LDP-02), developed by Genentech and Millennium Pharmaceuticals; HuMax CD4®, an anti-CD4 antibody developed by Genmab; tocilizuma, and anti-IL6R antibody developed by Chugai; HuMax-IL15, an anti-IL15 antibody developed by Genmab and Amgen, HuMax-Inflam, developed by Genmab and Medarex; HuMax-Cancer, an anti-Heparanase I antibody developed by Genmab and Medarex and Oxford GlycoSciences; HuMax-Lymphoma, developed by Genmab and Amgen, HuMax-TAC, developed by Genmab; IDEC-131, an anti-CD40L antibody developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals; IDEC-151 (Clenoliximab), an anti-CD4 antibody developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals; IDEC-114, an anti-CD80 antibody developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals; IDEC-152, an anti-CD23 developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals; an anti-KDR antibody developed by Imclone, DC101, an anti-flk-1 antibody developed by Imclone; anti-VE cadherin antibodies developed by Imclone; CEA-CIDE (labetuzumab), an anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody developed by Immunomedics; Yervoy (ipilimumab), an anti-CTLA4 antibody developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb in the treatment of melanoma; Lumphocide® (Epratuzumab), an anti-CD22 antibody developed by Immunomedics, AFP-Cide, developed by Immunomedics; MyelomaCide, developed by Immunomedics; LkoCide, developed by Immunomedics; ProstaCide, developed by Immunomedics; MDX-010, an anti-CTLA4 antibody developed by Medarex; MDX-060, an anti-CD30 antibody developed by Medarex; MDX-070 developed by Medarex; MDX-018 developed by Medarex; OSIDEM (IDM-1), an anti-HER2 antibody developed by Medarex and Immuno-Designed Molecules; HuMax®-CD4, an anti-CD4 antibody developed by Medarex and Genmab; HuMax-IL15, an anti-IL15 antibody developed by Medarex and Genmab; anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (CD54) antibodies developed by MorphoSys, MOR201; tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 antibody developed by Pfizer; visilizumab, an anti-CD3 antibody developed by Protein Design Labs; Anti-a 5β1 Integrin, developed by Protein Design Labs; anti-IL-12, developed by Protein Design Labs; ING-1, an anti-Ep-CAM antibody developed by Xoma; and MLN01, an anti-Beta2 integrin antibody developed by Xoma; all of the above-cited antibody references in this paragraph are expressly incorporated herein by reference. The sequences for the above antibodies can be obtained from publicly available databases, patents, or literature references. In addition, non-limiting examples of monoclonal antibodies and VH and VL sequences (and, in some cases, with indicated CDR sequences) from anti-CD3 antibodies are presented in Table 4 and non-limiting examples of monoclonal antibodies and VH and VL sequences (and, in some cases, with indicated CDR sequences) to cancer, tumor, or target cell markers are presented in Table 5.
In certain instances, the complementary determining regions of the heavy chain and/or the light chain for the antibody fragment directed to the effector cells to be incorporated into the subject AAC compositions are derived from known anti-CD3 antibodies, such as, for example, muromonab-CD3 (OKT3), otelixizumab (TRX4), teplizumab (MGA031), visilizumab (Nuvion), SP-34 or I2C, TR-66 or X35-3, VIT3, BMA030 (BW264/56), CLB-T3/3, CRIS7, YTH12.5, Fl 11-409, CLB-T3.4.2, TR-66, WT32, SPv-T3b, 11D8, XIII-141, XIII-46, XIII-87, 12F6, T3/RW2-8C8, T3/RW2-4B6, OKT3D, M-T301, SMC2, F101.01, UCHT-1 and WT-31. In some embodiments, the effector cell binding moiety of the subject AAC is a single chain antibody fragment comprising a paired VL and VH sequence as set forth in Table 4. In the foregoing embodiment, the VL and VH are linked by long linkers of hydrophilic amino acids selected from the sequences set forth in Table 6 and the scFv are linked together by a short linker of hydrophilic amino acids selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 7. In one embodiment, the long linker used to link the VL and VH is L7 of Table 6 and the intermolecular linker that fuses the two scFv is S-1 or S-2 of Table 7. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides AAC compositions comprising a single chain diabody in which after folding, the first domain (VL or VH) is paired with the last domain (VH or VL) to form one scFv and the two domains in the middle are paired to form the other scFv in which the first and second domains, as well as the third and last domains, are fused together by a short linker of hydrophilic amino acids selected from the sequences set forth in Table 7 and the second and the third variable domains are fused by a long linker selected from Table 6. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the selection of the short linker and long linker is to prevent the incorrect pairing of adjacent variable domains, thereby facilitating the formation of the single chain diabody configuration comprising the VL and VH of the first binding moiety and the second binding moiety.
NQKVKD
RFTISRDNSKNTAF
S
GVPSRFSGSGSGTDYTF
DDHYCLDY
WGQGTPVTVSS
SSNPFT
FGQGTKLQITR
ES
GVPSRFSGSGSGTDYT
YYGDSDWYFDV
WGQGTLVTV
GNTLPWT
FGQGTKVEIK
NQKFKD
RFTISADKSKSTAF
S
GVPSRFSGSGSGTDYTL
DYDVYFDY
WGQGTPVTVSS
SSNPPT
FGQGTKLQITR
NQKFKD
KATLTTDKSSSTAY
S
GVPAHFRGSGSGTSYSL
DDHYCLDY
WGQGTTLTVSS
SSNPFT
FGSGTKLEINR
NQKFKD
KATLTTDKSSSTAY
S
GVPYRFSGSGSGTSYSL
DDHYCLDY
WGQGTTLTVSS
SSNPLT
FGAGTKLELK
ADSVKG
RFTITTDKSTSTAY
S
GVPARFSGSGSGTDYSL
DDHYCLDY
WGQGTTVTVSS
SSNPLT
FGGGTKVEIK
H
WVRQAPGQRLEWMGRI
DPAN
GYT
KYDPKFQG
RV
SALQ
PGIPSRFSGSGSG
GNYGVYAMDY
WGQGTLV
H
WVRQATGKGLEWVSAI
A
WYQQKPGQAPRLLIYG
GPAGDTYYPGSV
KGRFT
ASSRAT
GIPDRFSGSGS
GGLIAPFDYWGQGTLVT
DPENGD
TEYAPKFQGKA
GPYYFD
YWGQGTLVTVS
GFLH
WYQQKPGKAPKLL
DPANGNSKYADSVKG
RF
VSDYAMAY
WGQGTLVTV
GFLH
WYQQKPGKAPKLL
DPANGNSKYVPKFQG
RA
VSDYAMAY
WGQGTLVTV
S
WVRQAPGKGLEWIGEI
HPDSSTINYAPSLKD
RF
STRHT
GVPSRFSGSGSG
FPWFAY
WGQGTPVTVSS
N
WVRQPPGKALEWLGFI
GNKAN
GYT
TEYSAS
VKG
NLASG
VPARFSGSGSGT
HWVRQAPGKGLEWVGFI
IY
WYQQKPGSPPQYLLR
RNKANGGTTETAASVKG
YKSDSDKQQGS
GVSSRF
GLRFYFDY
WGQGTTVTV
ASAV
FGGGTKLTVL
N
WVKQRPGQGLEWIGQI
SY
LNWYQQIPGQPPKLL
WPGDGDTNYNGKFKG
KA
TVGRYYYAMDY
WGQGTT
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVSTI
SWNSGSIGYADSVKG
RF
SNRAT
GIPARFSGSGSG
GNYYYGMDV
WGQGTTVT
H
WVKQTPRQGLEWIGAI
YPGNGDTSYNQKFKG
KA
NLAS
GVPARFSGSGSGT
SNSYWYFDV
WGTGTTVT
N
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGRI
ITYLY
WYLQKPGQSPQL
FPGDGDTDYNGKFKG
RV
GYWLVY
WGQGTLVTVSS
YPGNGDT
SYNQKFKGRF
NLAS
GVPSRFSGSGSGT
SNSYWYFDV
WGQGTLVT
YPGNGDT
SYNQKFKGKA
GGDWYFNV
WGAGTTVTV
YPGNGDTSYNQKF
KGKA
NLAS
GVPARFSGSGSGT
SNSYWYFDV
WGTGTTVT
RFLT
WFQQKPGKAPKLL
YEGGTDYNQKFKN
RATL
Y
WGQGTLVTVSS
SGSGGGT
YYADSVKGRF
S
NRATGIPARFSGSGSG
WFGEPVFDY
WGQGTLVT
SFMH
WYQQKPGQPPKLL
NTYTGEPTYADAFKG
RF
YGMDY
WGQGTSVTVSS
SFMH
WYQLKPGQSPKLL
LGPSGYTDYNEKFKA
KA
YAMDY
WGGGTSVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
SYDGRNKYYADSVKG
RF
SNRA
TGIPARFSGSGSG
YDFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
SYDGSIKTYADSVKG
RF
SSLES
GVPSRFSGSGSG
SNYLDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
WYDGSNKYYADSVKG
RF
SSLQS
GVPSRFSGSGSG
VRGDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
WYDGSNKYYADSVKG
RF
SSLQS
GVPSRFSGSGSG
VRGDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
YWS
WIRQPPGKGLEWLG
YIYYSGSTNYNPSLKSR
SNRAT
GIPARFSGSGSG
DYGGNCF
DYWGQGTLVT
S
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGWI
SASNGNTYYAQKLQG
RV
SSLKS
GVPSRFSGSGSG
YADY
WGQGTLVTVSS
NPNRRGTT
YNQKFEGRV
TS
NLASGVPSRFSGSGS
DY
WGQGTTVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVGMI
QKNYLA
WYQQKPGKAPK
DPSNSDTRFNPNFKD
RF
VTPLDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
WYDGSNKYYADSV
KGRF
SSLQS
GVPSRFSGSGSG
ATLYYYYYGMDV
WGQGT
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVTFI
A
WYQQKPGQAPRLLIYG
SYDGNNKYYADSVKG
RF
AFSRAT
GIPDRFSGSGS
GPFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
Y
WSWIRQHPGKGLEWIG
IIYYSGSTYYNPSLKS
R
SQSFS
GVPSRFSGSGSG
VTTIPGGMDV
WGQGTTV
LG
WVKQRPGHGLEWIGD
QKNYLT
WYQQKPGQPPK
IFPGSGNIHYNEKFKG
K
WDEPMDY
WGQGTTVTVS
T
FGAGTKLEIK
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
SYDGSNKYYADSVKG
RF
STRES
GVPDRFSGSGSG
GSGWRPYYYYGMDV
WGQ
NPGSGGT
NYNERFRGRA
S
NRYTGVPDRFTGSGSA
FAY
WGQGTLVTVSA
N
WVRQAPGKGLKWMGWI
NTYTGEPTYAD
DFKGRF
NL
AS
GFPARFSGSGSGT
GDY
WGQGTSVTVSS
NKNYLA
WYQQKPGQPPK
PGNDDFKYNE
RFKGKAT
Y
WGQGTSVTVSS
T
FGGGTKVKES
N
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGWI
ITY
LYWYLQKPGQSPQL
NTYTGEPTYGE
DFKGRF
GSGS
GTDFTLKISRVEA
VDY
WGQGSLVTVSS
N
WVKQAPGKGLEWMGWI
ITYLY
WYQQKPGKAPKL
NTYTGESTYADSFKG
RF
GD
YWGQGTLLTVSS
N
WVKQAPGKGLEWMGWI
ITYLY
WYQQKPGKAPKL
NTYTGESTYADSFKG
RF
GDY
WGQGTLLTVSS
A
WVRQAPGKGLEWVSRI
GPSGGPTHYADSVKG
RF
SNLHT
GVPSRFSGSGSG
YDYVAVAGPAEYFQH
WG
SSGGSYT
YYADSVKGRF
TS
NLASGVPSRFSGSGS
PAWF
AYWGQGTPVTVSS
N
WVKQSPGQSLEWIGRI
SLMH
WYHQKPGQQPRLL
HPYDGDTFYNQKFQG
KA
RAMDY
WGQGTTVTVSS
N
WVKQSPGQSLEWIGRI
SLMH
WYHQKPGQQPRLL
HPYDGDTFYNQKFQG
KA
RAMD
YWGQGTTVTVSS
TSENIFSYLA
WYQQKQG
FYNQKFKG
RATLTVDKS
AFPWT
FGGGSKLEIK
H
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGAL
NTYLH
WYLQKPGQSPQL
DPKTGDTAYSQKFKG
RV
TY
WGQGTLVTVSS
A
WVRQMPGKGLEWMGII
A
WYQQKPGQAPRLLIYG
FPGDSDTRYSPSFQG
QV
ASSRAT
GIPDRFSGSGS
YFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
A
WVRQMPGKGLEWMGII
A
WYQQKPGQAPRLLIYG
YPGDSDTRYSPSFQG
QV
ASSRAT
GIPDRFSGSGS
YFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
G
WMRQMSGKGLEWMGII
A
WYQQKPGQAPRLLIYG
YPGDSDTRYSPSFQG
HV
ASSRAT
GIPDRFSGSGS
FFDY
WGQGTPVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
NTYLS
WLQQRPGQPPRL
WYDGSDKYYADSVRG
RF
ILTGNPRDFDY
WGQGTL
WSGGNT
DYNTPFTSRLS
S
ESISGIPSRFSGSGSG
DYEFAY
WGQGTLVTVSA
H
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGYF
NPNSGYSTYAQKFQG
RV
NNLQT
GVPSRFSGSGSG
GYYVMDA
WGQGTTVTVS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
WDDGSYKYYGDSVKG
RF
SSLES
GVPSRFSGSESG
MVRGVMKDYFDY
WGQGT
YWS
WIRQPPGKGLEWIG
YIYYSGSTDYNPSLKS
R
SNRAT
GIPARFSGSGSG
FGVGTFDY
WGQGTLVTV
S
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGSI
IPIFGTVNYAQKFQG
RV
SSLES
GVPSRFSGSGSG
NLYWYFDL
WGRGTLVTV
S
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGSI
NKNYLA
WYQQKPGQPPK
IPIFGAANPAQKSQG
RV
KVAFDI
WGQGTMVTVSS
T
FGGGTKVEIK
N
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGWI
SAYNGNTYYAQKLRG
RV
STRAT
GIPARFSGSGSG
YGSGSVPFDP
WGQGTLV
Y
WVRQAPGQGLEWIGGI
NTYLD
WYQQTPGKAPKL
NPTSGGSNFNEKFKT
RV
FDSDGRGFDF
WGQGTTV
Y
WTWIRQSPGKGLEWIG
S
NLETGVPSRFSGSGSG
TGAFDI
WGQGTMVTVSS
NTY
LHWYLQKPGQSPKL
YTDIGKP
TYAEEFKGRF
SLFDY
WGQGTTLTVSS
S
WVRQTPKQRLEWVAYI
NTYLH
WYLQKPGQSPKL
ASGGDITYYADTVKG
RF
NNGDALDF
WGQGTSVTV
G
WVRQAPGKGLEWVSSI
SGSSRYITYADSVKG
RF
YNSYPLS
FGGGTKVEIK
GSYFNF
WGQGTLVTVSS
G
WVRQMPGKGLEWMGII
PS
WYQQTPGQAPRTLIY
YPGDSDTRYSPSFQG
QV
STNTRSS
GVPDRFSGSI
PL
WGQGTLVTVSS
YPTN
GYT
RYADSVKGRF
S
FLYSGVPSRFSGSRSG
GFYAMDY
WGQGTLVTVS
YPTN
GYT
RYDPKFQDKA
S
FRYTGVPDRFTGSRSG
GFYAMDY
WGQGASVTVS
S
WVRQAPGKGLEWVSAI
VH
WYQQLPGTAPKLLTY
SGRGDNTYYADSVKG
RF
GNTNRPS
GVPDRFSGFK
AFAFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
NPNSGGS
IYNQRFKGRF
S
YRYTGVPSRFSGSGSG
SFYFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
A
WVRQAPGKGLEWVSSI
VS
WYQQHPGKAPKLITY
SSSGGWTLYADSVKG
RF
EVSQRPS
GVSNRFSGSK
ATIFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVGEI
SAAGGYTDYADSVKG
RF
SFLYS
GVPSRFSGSGSG
SFEAAMDY
WGQGTLVTV
S
WVRQAPGKGLEWVANI
VS
WYQQHPGKAPKLMIY
NRDGSASYYVDSVKG
RF
DVSDRPS
GVSDRFSGSK
GYFDL
WGRGTLVTVSS
A
WVRQMPGKGLEYMGLI
S
WYQQLPGTAPKLLIYD
YPGDSDTKYSPSFQG
QV
HTNRPA
GVPDRFSGSKS
YCTDRTCAKWPEWLGV
W
Y
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAYM
NTYLE
WYQQTPGKAPKL
SNVGAITDYPDTVKG
RF
GSWFAY
WGQGTPVTVSS
DPGDSRT
RYSPSFQGQV
GVN
NRPSGVSNRFSGSK
GGTYMDG
WGQGTLVTVS
H
WVRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
WYDGSHEYYADSVKG
RF
SNRAT
GIPARFSGSGSG
YDSGSPLDY
WGQGTL
WYDGSHEYTADSVKG
RF
SNRAT
GIPARFSGSGSG
YDSGSPLDY
WGQGTL
S
WVRQAQGKGLEWVASI
A
WYQQKPGQAPRLLIYG
KQAGSEKTYVDSVKG
RF
ASSRAT
GIPDRFSGSGS
YYDSASYYPYYTYYSMD
V
WGQGTTVTVSS
N
WVKQSHGKSLEWIGLI
TPYNGASSYNQKFRG
KA
KLAS
GVPGRFSGSGSGN
GRGFDY
WGSGTPVTVSS
H
WVKQKPGQGLEWIGYI
Y
WYQQKPGSSPKLWIYS
NPYNDGTQYNEKFKG
KA
TSNLAS
GVPARFSGSGS
SYGFAY
WGQGTLITVSA
H
WVKQAPGQGLEWIGYI
Y
WYQQKPGKAPKLWIYS
NPYNDGTQTNKKFKG
KA
TSNLAS
GVPARFSGSGS
SYGFAY
NGQGTLVTVSS
H
WVKQTPGQGLEWIGYI
YPGNGATNYNQKFQG
KA
SLAS
GVPARFGGSGSGT
PFAY
WGQGTLVTVSA
E
WVKQRPGHGLEWIGEI
QKTYLA
WYQQKPGQSPK
LPGSNNSRYNEKFKG
KA
AWFAY
WGQGTPVTVSA
T
FGGGTKLEIK
E
WVRQAPGKGLEWVGEI
QKTYLA
WYQQKPGKAPK
LPGSNNSRYNEKFKG
RV
AWFAY
WGQGTLVTVSS
T
FGQGTKVEIK
S
WVRQAPGQGLEWMGGI
IPIFGKAHYAQKFQG
RV
SNRAT
GIPARFSGSGSG
VSGSPFGMDV
WGQGTTV
KQDGSEK
YYVDSVKGRF
AS
SRATGIPDRFSGSGS
FGELAFDY
WGQGTLVTV
SPYGGST
YYADSVKGRF
S
FLYSGVPSRFSGSGSG
GGFDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
YPSGGIT
FYADTVKGRF
DVS
NRPSGVSNRFSGSK
TVTTVDY
WGQGTLVTVS
H
WVKQAPGKGLEWIGNI
NPNNGGTTYNQKFED
KA
STRHT
GIPSRFSGSGSG
DY
WGQGTLLTVSS
SDGGYYT
YYSDIIKGRF
S
YRYSDVPSRFSGSASG
LRHGAMDY
WGQGTLVTV
S
WVRQAPGKGLEWIATI
YPSSGKTYYATWVNG
RF
DDGALFNI
WGPGTLVTI
S
WVRQIPEKRLEWVASI
SRGGTTYYPDSVKG
RFT
NRLVD
GVPSRFSGGGSG
YYAMDY
WGQGTSVTVSS
ASGSTYYANWAKG
RFTI
SNLAS
GVPSRFSGSGSG
TFNI
WGPGTLVTVSS
SGGSTWYASWVKG
RFTI
SNLAS
GVPSRFSGSRSG
FNI
WGPGTLVTISS
H
WVKQNPGQRLEWIGYF
QKNYLA
WYQQKPGQSPK
SPGNDDFKYNERFKG
KA
AY
WGQGTLVTVSS
T
FGAGTKLELK
N
WVKQGPGEGLKWMGWI
NTNTGEPRYAEEFKG
RX
TNRYT
GVPNRFTGSGYG
AYFFDY
WGQGTTLTVSS
S
WVKQRTGQGLEWIGEI
SVNSNYLH
WYQQKPGSS
YPGSNSIYYNEKFKG
RA
GFDY
WGQGTTLTVSS
PLT
FGAGTKLELK
N
WVRQAPGKGLEWVARI
RSKSNNYATYYADSVKD
STRLT
GVPDRFTGSGSG
DYDVRAMNY
WGQGTSVT
N
WVKQAPGQGLKWMGWI
NTYTGEPTYTDDFKG
RF
SYRYT
GVPDRFSGSGSG
SSYWYFDV
WGQGSLVTV
HW
VRQAPGKGLEWVAVI
A
WYQQKPGQAPRLLIYG
WYDGSNKYYADSVRG
RF
ASSRAT
GIPDRFSGSGS
SGVHHYFYYGLDV
WGQG
N
WVRQAPGKGLEWVSSI
SSSSSYITYADSVKG
RF
SNLDT
GVPSRFSGSGSG
FDI
WGQGTMVTVSSA
TSGGSYT
YYVDSVKGRF
S
SLDSGVPKRFSGSRSG
ALDY
WGQGTLVTVSS
V. Bulking Moieties and Extended Recombinant Polypeptides (XTEN)
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to recombinant polypeptides comprising at least a first bulking moiety that are incorporated into the subject compositions both in order to increase the mass and size of the construct, but that also serve to greatly reduce the ability of the binding moieties to bind their ligands when the molecule is in the intact, uncleaved state, described more fully, below. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising a single bulking moiety fused to the N- or C-terminus of the RS that is located between the binding moiety and the bulking moiety. Non-limiting examples of bulking moieties include extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN, as described herein, below); albumin binding domain; albumin; IgG binding domain; polypeptides of at least 350 amino acid residues consisting of proline, serine, and alanine; fatty acid; elastin-like protein (ELP) (the individual subunit or building blocks of ELPs are derived from a five amino acid motif found in human protein elastin that is repeated multiple times to form the ELP biopolymer, as described in WO2016081884),Fc domain, polyethylene glycol (PEG), PLGA, and hydoxylethyl starch.
In a preferred embodiment, the disclosure provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising at least a first XTEN fused to the N- or C-terminus of the RS, which, in turn, is fused to the adjacent binding moiety. In another embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide comprises two different XTEN sequences, wherein the two XTEN are each linked to two RS of the composition that, in turn, are linked to the binding moieties. In one embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide compositions comprise a first XTEN sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to an XTEN sequence of comparable length selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 8 or Table 10. In another embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide comprises a first and a second XTEN sequence (XTEN1 and XTEN2), each sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from sequences set forth in Table 8. In another embodiment, the recombinant polypeptide comprises a first and a second XTEN sequence (XTEN1 and XTEN2), each sequence having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from sequences set forth in Table 10.
Without being bound by theory, the incorporation of the bulking moiety was incorporated into the design of the subject compositions to confer certain properties; 1) provide recombinant polypeptide compositions with a bulking moiety XTEN that shields the binding moieties and reduces binding affinity for the target cell markers and effector cell antigens when the composition is in its intact, prodrug form; ii) provide recombinant polypeptide compositions with a bulking moiety XTEN that provides enhanced half-life when administered to a subject, iii) contribute to the solubility and stability of the intact composition, thereby enhancing the pharmaceutical properties of the subject compositions; and iv) provide recombinant polypeptide compositions with a bulking moiety XTEN that reduces extravasation in normal tissues and organs yet permits a degree of extravasation in diseased tissues (e.g., a tumor) with larger pore sizes in the vasculature, yet could be released from the composition by action of certain mammalian proteases, thereby permitting the binding moieties of the composition to more readily penetrate into the diseased tissues, e.g. a tumor, and to bind to and link together the target cell markers on the effector cell and tumor cell. To meet these needs, the disclosure provides compositions comprising one or more XTEN in which the XTEN provides increased mass and hydrodynamic radius to the resulting composition. The XTEN polypeptides of the embodiments provide certain advantages in the design of the subject compositions in that is provides not only provides increased mass and hydrodynamic radius, but its flexible, unstructured characteristics provides a shielding effect over the binding moieties of the composition, thereby reducing the likelihood of binding to antigens in normal tissues or the vasculature of normal tissues that don't express or express reduced levels of target cell markers and/or effector cell antigens, and enhances solubility and proper folding of the single chain antibody fragment binding moieties during their expression and recovery.
XTEN are polypeptides with non-naturally occurring, substantially non-repetitive sequences having a low degree or no secondary or tertiary structure under physiologic conditions, as well as additional properties described in the paragraphs that follow. XTEN typically have from at least about 100 to at least about 1000 or more amino acids, and more preferably at least about 200 to at least about 900 amino acids, of which the majority or the entirety are small hydrophilic amino acids selected from glycine, serine, threonine, glutamate, and proline. As used herein, XTEN specifically excludes whole antibodies or antibody fragments (e.g. single-chain antibodies and Fc fragments). XTEN polypeptides have utility as fusion partners in that they serve in various roles, conferring certain desirable properties when linked to a composition comprising, for example, the bispecific binding moieties of the subject AAC compositions described herein. The resulting compositions have enhanced properties, such as enhanced pharmacokinetic, physicochemical, pharmacologic, and improved toxicological and pharmaceutical properties compared to the corresponding binding moieties not linked to XTEN, making them useful in the treatment of certain conditions for which the binding moieties are known in the art to be used.
The unstructured characteristic and physicochemical properties of the XTEN result, in part, from the overall amino acid composition that is disproportionately limited to 4-6 types of hydrophilic amino acids, the sequence of the amino acids in a quantifiable, substantially non-repetitive design, and from the resulting length of the XTEN polypeptide. In an advantageous feature common to XTEN but uncommon to native polypeptides, the properties of XTEN disclosed herein are not tied to an absolute primary amino acid sequence, as evidenced by the diversity of the exemplary sequences of Tables 8 and 10 that, within varying ranges of length, possess similar properties and confer enhanced properties on the compositions to which they are linked, many of which are documented in the Examples. Indeed, it is specifically contemplated that the compositions of the disclosure not be limited to those XTEN specifically enumerated in Tables 8 or 10, but, rather, the embodiments include sequences having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to the sequences of Table 8 or Table 10 as they exhibit the properties of XTEN described herein. It has been established that such XTEN have properties more like non-proteinaceous, hydrophilic polymers (such as polyethylene glycol, or “PEG”) than they do proteins. The XTEN of the present disclosure exhibit one or more of the following advantageous properties: defined and uniform length (for a given sequence), conformational flexibility, reduced or lack of secondary structure, high degree of random coil formation, high degree of aqueous solubility, high degree of protease resistance, low immunogenicity, low binding to mammalian receptors, a defined degree of charge, and increased hydrodynamic (or Stokes) radii; properties that are similar to certain hydrophilic polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol) that make them particularly useful as fusion partners.
The XTEN component(s) of the subject recombinant polypeptides and AAC are designed to behave like denatured peptide sequences under physiological conditions, despite the extended length of the polymer. “Denatured” describes the state of a peptide in solution that is characterized by a large conformational freedom of the peptide backbone. Most peptides and proteins adopt a denatured conformation in the presence of high concentrations of denaturants or at elevated temperature. Peptides in denatured conformation have, for example, characteristic circular dichroism (CD) spectra and are characterized by a lack of long-range interactions as determined by NMR. “Denatured conformation” and “unstructured conformation” are used synonymously herein. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides compositions that comprise XTEN sequences that, under physiologic conditions, resemble denatured sequences that are substantially devoid of secondary structure under physiologic conditions. “Substantially devoid,” as used in this context, means that at least about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95%, or about 97%, or at least about 99% of the XTEN amino acid residues of the XTEN sequence do not contribute to secondary structure, as measured or determined by the methods described herein, including algorithms or spectrophotometric assays.
A variety of well-established methods and assays are known in the art for determining and confirming the physicochemical properties of the subject XTEN and the subject polypeptide compositions into which they are incorporated. Such properties include but are not limited to secondary or tertiary structure, solubility, protein aggregation, stability, absolute and apparent molecular weight, purity and uniformity, melting properties, contamination and water content. The methods to measure such properties include analytical centrifugation, EPR, HPLC-ion exchange, HPLC-size exclusion chromatography (SEC), HPLC-reverse phase, light scattering, capillary electrophoresis, circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence, HPLC-ion exchange, HPLC-size exclusion, IR, NMR, Raman spectroscopy, refractometry, and UV/Visible spectroscopy. In particular, secondary structure can be measured spectrophotometrically, e.g., by circular dichroism spectroscopy in the “far-UV” spectral region (190-250 nm). Secondary structure elements, such as alpha-helix and beta-sheet, each give rise to a characteristic shape and magnitude of CD spectra, as does the lack of these structure elements. Secondary structure can also be predicted for a polypeptide sequence via certain computer programs or algorithms, such as the well-known Chou-Fasman algorithm (Chou, P. Y., et al. (1974) Biochemistry, 13: 222-45) and the Garnier-Osguthorpe-Robson algorithm (“GOR IV algorithm”) (Gamier J, Gibrat J F, Robson B. (1996), GOR method for predicting protein secondary structure from amino acid sequence. Methods Enzymol 266:540-553), as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 20030228309A1. For a given sequence, the algorithms can predict whether there exists some or no secondary structure at all, expressed as the total and/or percentage of residues of the sequence that form, for example, alpha-helices or beta-sheets or the percentage of residues of the sequence predicted to result in random coil formation (which lacks secondary structure). Polypeptide sequences can be analyzed using the Chou-Fasman algorithm using sites on the world wide web at, for example, fasta.bioch.virginia.edu/fasta_www2/fasta_www.cgi?rm=misc1 and the GOR IV algorithm at npsa-pbilibcp.fr/cgi-bin/npsa_automat.pl?page=npsa_gor4.html (both accessed on Dec. 8, 2017). Random coil can be determined by a variety of methods, including by using intrinsic viscosity measurements, which scale with chain length in a conformation-dependent way (Tanford, C., Kawahara, K. & Lapanje, S. (1966) J. Biol. Chem. 241, 1921-1923), as well as by size-exclusion chromatography (Squire, P. G., Calculation of hydrodynamic parameters of random coil polymers from size exclusion chromatography and comparison with parameters by conventional methods. Journal of Chromatography, 1981, 5, 433-442). Additional methods are disclosed in Arnau, et al., Prot Expr and Purif (2006) 48, 1-13.
In one embodiment, the XTEN sequences of the subject compositions have an alpha-helix percentage ranging from 0% to less than about 5% and a beta-sheet percentage ranging from 0% to less than about 5% as determined by the Chou-Fasman algorithm and at least about 90%, or at least about 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% random coil formation as determined by the GOR IV algorithm. In another embodiment, the XTEN sequences of the disclosed compositions have an alpha-helix percentage less than about 2% and a beta-sheet percentage less than about 2% as determined by the Chou-Fasman algorithm and at least about 90% random coil formation as determined by the GOR IV algorithm. In another embodiment, the XTEN sequences of the compositions are substantially lacking secondary structure as measured by circular dichroism.
In one embodiment, the XTEN sequence used in the subject compositions of the disclosure is at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of AE 144_1A, AE 144_2A, AEE144_2B, AE 144_3A, AE144_3B, AE 144_4A, AE 144_4B, AE 144_5A, AE 144_6B, AE288_1, AE288_2, AE288_3, AE284, AE292, AE576, AE864, AE864_2, AE865, AE866, AE867, AE867_2, and AE868.
In some embodiments, wherein less than 100% of amino acids of an XTEN in the subject compositions are selected from glycine (G), alanine (A), serine (S), threonine (T), glutamate (E) and proline (P), or wherein less than 100% of the sequence consists of the XTEN sequences of Table 8 or Table 10, the remaining amino acid residues of the XTEN are selected from any of the other 14 natural L-amino acids, but are preferentially selected from hydrophilic amino acids such that the XTEN sequence contains at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or at least about 99% hydrophilic amino acids. The content of hydrophobic amino acids in the XTEN utilized in the subject compositions can be less than 5%, or less than 2%, or less than 1% hydrophobic amino acid content. Hydrophobic residues that are less favored in construction of XTEN include tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, and methionine. Additionally, XTEN sequences can contain less than 5% or less than 4% or less than 3% or less than 2% or less than 1% or none of the following amino acids: methionine (for example, to avoid oxidation), or asparagine and glutamine (to avoid desamidation).
In one embodiment, the amino acid sequences for certain XTEN utilized in the AAC embodiments of the disclosure are shown in Table 8.
The disclosure contemplates compositions comprising XTEN of intermediate lengths to those of Table 8, as well as XTEN of longers lengths in which motifs of 12 amino acids are added to the N- or C-terminus of an XTEN of Table 8 incorporated into the composition. In one embodiment, a subject composition comprises an XTEN of Table 8 with the addition of one or more copies of one or more motifs selected from the group of motifs set forth in Table 9.
In another embodiment, the amino acid sequences for certain XTEN utilized in the embodiments of the disclosure are shown in Table 10. In one embodiment, the AAC comprises a first XTEN (XTEN1) comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 10. In other embodiments, the AAC comprises an XTEN1 and a second XTEN (XTEN2) comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Table 10. In one embodiment of the foregoing, the XTEN1 and XTEN2 are identical. In another embodiment of the foregoing, the XTEN1 and XTEN2 are different. In another embodiment, the AAC comprises an XTEN1 and an XTEN2 comprising amino acid sequences having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Tables 8 and 10. In another embodiment, the AAC comprises an XTEN1 and an XTEN2 comprising amino acid sequences having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity, when optimally aligned, to a sequence selected from the sequences set forth in Tables 8 and 10 and further comprising a His tag of HHHHHH or HHHHHHHH at the N-terminus or C-terminus of the composition.
Additional examples of XTEN sequences that can be used according to the present disclosure and are disclosed in US Patent Publication Nos. 2010/0239554 A1, 2010/0323956 A1, 2011/0046060 A1, 2011/0046061 A1, 2011/0077199 A1, or 2011/0172146 A1, or International Patent Publication Nos. WO 2010091122 A1, WO 2010144502 A2, WO 2010144508 A1, WO 2011028228 A1, WO 2011028229 A1, WO 2011028344 A2, WO 2014/011819 A2, or WO 2015/023891.
VI. Recombinant Polypeptide and AAC Configurations and Properties
It is an object of the disclosure to provide recombinant polypeptides that are designed and created in an activatable, prodrug form in order to confer certain structural, activity, pharmaceutical and pharmacologic properties. In a property conferred by the design of the recombinant polypeptides, the binding moieties have reduced ability to bind their ligands until the XTEN component of the recombinant polypeptides, which shields the binding moieties and reduces their binding affinity to their ligands, is released from the composition by cleavage of the release segment that fuses the binding moieties to the XTEN.
The design of the subject compositions having a first binding moiety was driven by consideration of at least three properties: 1) compositions having a binding moiety with the capability to bind the desired target cell marker(s) on a target cell; 2) compositions with one or more XTEN that i) shields the binding moiety and reduces binding affinity for the target cell marker when the composition is in an intact form (thus rendering a prodrug form), ii) provides enhanced half-life when administered to a subject, iii) reduces extravasation of the intact composition from the circulation in normal tissues and organs compared to diseased tissues (e.g., tumor), and iv) confers an increased safety profile compared to conventional antibody therapeutics; and 3) is activated when the RS is cleaved by one or more mammalian proteases in proximity of or co-localized with diseased tissues or cells, thereby releasing the binding moiety such that the binding moiety regains its full binding affinity potential for the target ligand. The design of the subject compositions takes advantage of the properties of XTEN and the release segment (RS) components, and their positioning relative to the binding moiety achieves the foregoing properties, as evidenced by the results in the illustrative Examples, below.
In embodiments of recombinant polypeptides having a single binding moiety, a single RS, and a single XTEN, the recombinant polypeptides can have, in an uncleaved state, a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus of FBM-RS1-XTEN1 or XTEN1-RS1-FBM.
In other embodiments, the disclosure provides recombinant polypeptides having two binding moieties that are antibody fragments and are activatable (referred to as “AAC”) with a first binding moiety that targets an effector cell and a second binding moiety that targets a cell marker associated with a disease tissue or cell; both of which have specific binding affinity for their respective ligands. The design of the subject compositions having a first and a second binding moiety (FBM and SBM, respectively) was driven by consideration of at least three properties: 1) compositions having bispecific binding moieties with the capability to bind to and link together an effector cell and a target cell with the resultant formation of an immunological synapse; 2) compositions with a XTEN that i) shields both of the binding moieties and reduces binding affinity for the target and effector cell ligands when the composition is in an intact prodrug form, ii) provides enhanced half-life when administered to a subject, iii) reduces extravasation of the intact composition from the circulation in normal tissues and organs compared to diseased tissues (e.g., tumor), and iv) confers an increased safety profile compared to conventional bispecific cytotoxic antibody therapeutics; and 3) is activated when the RS is cleaved by one or more mammalian proteases in proximity of diseased tissues, thereby releasing the bispecific binding moieties such that they regain their full binding affinity potential for the target ligands. The design of the subject compositions takes advantage of the properties of XTEN and the release segment (RS) components, and their positioning relative to the bispecific binding moieties achieves the foregoing properties, as evidenced by the results in the illustrative Examples, below.
With reference to
In other embodiments, the disclosure provides AAC having two binding moieties, two RS, and two XTEN. The design of these AAC was driven by considerations of further reducing the binding affinity of the uncleaved compositions to the respective ligands of the FBM and SBM antibody fragments by the addition of the second XTEN in order to reduce the unintended binding of the AAC to healthy tissues or cells when administered to a subject, thereby further improving the therapeutic index of the subject compositions compared to AAC having only one RS and one XTEN. As described in the Examples, the addition of the second RS and second XTEN resulted in a surprising reduction of binding affinity of the intact, uncleaved AAC to the respective ligands of the FBM and SBM antibody fragments relative to those AAC having a single RS and XTEN, when assayed in vitro, and also resulted in reduced toxicity in animal models of disease. In embodiments of AAC having a two binding moieties, two RS, and two XTEN, the AAC can have, in an uncleaved state, a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus of XTEN1-RS1-SBM-FBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN1-RS1-FBM-SBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN2-RS2-SBM-FBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-FBM-SBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-diabody-RS1-XTEN1, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM, or XTEN1-RS1-diabody-RS2-XTEN2, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM. For the foregoing AAC configurations, and as described above, the FBM has VL and VH derived from antibodies having binding affinity to effector cells, including the antibodies of Table 4, the SBM VL and VH are derived from antibodies having binding affinity to target cell markers, including but not limited to the antibodies of Table 5, the release segments have sequences having 88-100% identity to the sequences of Table 1 or Table 2, and the XTEN have sequences having 90-100% identity to the sequences of Table 8 or Table 10.
It is an object of the disclosure that the binding affinity of each binding moiety released from the AAC is greater for the respective target ligands compared to the binding moieties of the intact composition that has not been cleaved, such as when assayed in an in vitro binding assay as described herein. In one embodiment, the binding affinity of the effector cell binding moiety released from the composition by cleavage of the RS by a protease is at least 3-fold, or at least 4-fold, or at least 5-fold, or at least 6-fold, or at least 7-fold, or at least 8-fold, or at least 9-fold, or at least 10-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 1000-fold, or at least 10,000-fold greater for the released effector cell antigen compared to the effector cell binding moiety of the intact AAC, as measured in an in vitro cell assay with an effector cell having said effector cell antigen on the cell surface of said cell or in an ELISA with bound effector cell antigen, when assayed under comparable conditions, e.g., equivalent molar concentrations. In one embodiment, the effector cell antigen is CD3. In other embodiments, the binding affinity of the target cell binding moiety released from the composition by cleavage of the RS by a protease is at least 2-fold, or at least 3-fold, or at least 4-fold, or at least 5-fold, or at least 6-fold, or at least 7-fold, or at least 8-fold, or at least 9-fold, or at least 10-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 1000-fold or at least 10,000-fold greater for the target marker or target cell antigen compared to the target cell binding moiety of the intact AAC, as measured in an in vitro cell assay with an tumor cell having said antigen on the cell surface of said cell or in an ELISA with bound effector cell antigen, when assayed under comparable conditions, e.g., equivalent molar concentrations. In one embodiment of the foregoing, the target marker or an antigen of a target cell is selected from the group consisting of alpha 4 integrin, Ang2, B7-H3, B7-H6, CEACAM5, cMET, CTLA4, FOLR1,EpCAM, CCR5, CD19, HER2, HER2 neu, HER3, HER4, HER1 (EGFR), PD-L1, PSMA, CEA, MUC1(mucin), MUC-2, MUC3, MUC4, MUCSAC, MUCSB, MUC7, MUC16 βhCG, Lewis-Y, CD20, CD33, CD38, CD30, CD56 (NCAM), CD133, ganglioside GD3; 9-O-Acetyl-GD3, GM2, Globo H, fucosyl GM1, GD2, carbonicanhydrase a, CD44v6, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Wue-1, plasma cell antigen 1, melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), CCR8, 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP), mesothelin, A33 antigen, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), Ly-6, desmoglein 4, fetal acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), CD25, cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), Muellerian inhibitory substance receptor type II (MISIIR), sialylated Tn antigen (s TN), fibroblast activation antigen (FAP), endosialin (CD248), epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), tumor-associated antigen L6 (TAL6), SAS, CD63, TAG72, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-antigen), insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), Cora antigen, CD7, CD22, CD70, CD79a, CD79b, G250, MT-MMPs, F19 antigen, CA19-9, CA-125, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), VEGFR1, VEGFR2, DLK1, SP17, ROR1, and EphA2. It is specifically contemplated in the embodiments of the paragraph that the shielding effect of the XTEN applies to both binding moieties of the foregoing embodiments of the intact, prodrug form of the activatable recombinant polypeptide composition, and that upon release of the XTEN from the AAC by cleavage of the RS, the full binding potential of the respective binding moieties is restored.
Without being bound to a particular theory, it is believed that using the bispecific binding moiety format of the AAC as described above, the released fused FBM and SBM antibody fragments are capable of killing target cells by recruitment of cytotoxic effector cells without any need for pre- and/or co-stimulation. Further, the independence from pre- and/or co-stimulation of the effector cell may substantially contribute to the exceptionally high cytotoxicity mediated by the released binding moieties. In some embodiments, the released FBM is designed with binding specificities such that it has the capability to bind and link together cytotoxic effector cells (e.g., T cells, NK cells, cytokine induced killer cell (CIK cell)), to preselected target cell markers by the SBM (that remains linked to the FBM by a linker peptide) that has binding specificity to target cell markers associated with tumor cells or cancer cells, thereby effecting an immunological synapse and a selective, directed, and localized effect of released cytokines and effector molecules against the target tumor or cancer cell, with the result that tumor or cancer cells are damaged or destroyed, resulting in therapeutic benefit to a subject. In one embodiment, the released FBM that binds to an effector cell antigen is capable of modulating one or more functions of an effector cell, resulting in or contributed to the cytolytic effect on the target tumor cell. The effector cell antigen can by expressed by the effector cell or other cells. In one embodiment, the effector cell antigen is expressed on cell surface of the effector cell. Non-limiting examples are CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD25, CD38, CD45RO, CD56, CD57, CD69, CD95, CD107, and CD154. Thus, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that the configurations of the subject compositions are intended to selectively or disproportionately deliver the active form of the composition to the target tumor tissue or cancer cell, compared to healthy tissue or healthy cells in a subject in which the composition is administered, with resultant therapeutic benefit. As is evident from the foregoing, the disclosure provides a large family of polypeptides in designed configurations to effect the desired properties.
It is an object of the disclosure that the design of the AAC, with the shielding XTEN of the intact AAC and the concomitant reduction in binding to T cells and target tissues, results in reduced production of Th1 T-cell associated cytokines or other proinflammatory mediators during systemic exposure when administered to a subject such that the overall side-effect and safety profile is improved compared to bispecific binding compositions not linked to a bulking moiety such as XTEN. As an important component of cellular immunity, the production of IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma are hallmarks of a Th1 response (Romagnani S. T-cell subsets (Th1 versus Th2). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2000. 85(1):9-18), particularly in T cells stimulated by anti-CD3 (Yoon, S. H. Selective addition of CXCR3+CCR4-CD4+ Th1 cells enhances generation of cytotoxic T cells by dendritic cells in vitro. Exp Mol Med. 2009. 41(3):161-170), and Il-4, IL-6, and IL-10 are also proinflammatory cytokines important in a cytotoxic response for bispecific antibody composition (Zimmerman, Z., et al. Unleashing the clinical power of T cells: CD19/CD3 bi-specific T cell engager (BiTE®) antibody composition blinatumomab as a potential therapy. Int. Immunol. (2015) 27(1): 31-37). In one embodiment, an intact, uncleaved AAC exhibits at least 3-fold, or at least 4-fold, or at least 5-fold, or at least 6-fold, or at least 7-fold, or at least 8-fold, or at least 9-fold, or at least 10-fold, or at least 20-fold, or at least 30-fold, or at least 50-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 1000-fold reduced potential to result in the production of Th1 and/or proinflammatory cytokines when the intact, uncleaved AAC is in contact with the effector cell and a target cell in an in vitro cell-based cytokine stimulation assay (such as described in the Examples, below) compared to the cytokine levels stimulated by the corresponding released first and second binding moieties (which remain linked together after release) of a protease-treated AAC in the in vitro cell-based stimulation cytokine assay performed under comparable conditions, e.g., equivalent molar concentrations. Non-limiting examples of Th1 and/or proinflammatory cytokines are IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. In one embodiment of the foregoing, the production of the Th1 cytokine is assayed in an in vitro assay comprising effector cells such as PBMC or CD3+ T cells and target cells having a tumor specific marker antigen selected from the group consisting of A33 antigen, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 4 integrin, Ang2, B7-H3, B7-H6, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbonic Anhydrase 6 (CA6), carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), CEACAM5, cMET, CTLA4, C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CCR3), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6 (CCR6), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 8 (CCR8), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 9 (CCR9), Cluster of Differentiation 7 (CD7), CD22, CD70, CD79a, CD79b, CD19, CCR8, CEA, βhCG, Lewis-Y, CA19-9, CA-125, CD20, CD22, CD25, CD33, CD38, CD30, CD44v6, CD47, CD56 (NCAM), CD63, CD79b, CD123, CD133, CD138, CD166, claudin-1, claudin 18.2, C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), C-type lectin domain family 12 (CLEC12), Cora antigen, delta like canonical notch ligand 3 (DDL3), desmoglein 4, delta like non-xanonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1), Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3), EGFR, EGFRvIII, EpCAM, endosialin (CD248), epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), EphA2, F19 antigen, fetal acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), fibroblast activation antigen (FAP), Fos-related antigen 1 (FRA1), Folate Receptor 1 (FOLR1), fucosyl GM1, G250, ganglioside GD3, glypican-3 (GPC3), 9-O-Acetyl-GD3, GM2, Glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor (GITR), globohexaosylceramide (globo-H), GD2, Glypican 3 (GPC3), guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), HER2, HER2 neu, HER3, HER4, HER1, IL13Rα2, insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM), lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly-6), melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), Membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT-MMP), mesothelin, mucin 1 (MUC1), MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUCSAC, MUCSB, MUC7, MUC16, Muellerian inhibitory substance receptor type II (MISIIR), nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (Nectin-4), 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP), plasma cell antigen 1, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PSMA, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), sialylated Tn antigen (s TN), sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2b (NaPi2b), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), SAS, SLAM Family Member 7 (SLAM7), Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2), Sperm Autoantigenic Protein 17 (SP17), TAG72, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-antigen), tumor-associated antigen L6 (TAL6), trophoblast glycoprotein (5T4), Trop-2, Wue-1, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and Wilms tumor protein (WT1). In another embodiment of the foregoing, the assayed cytokine is IL-2. In another embodiment of the foregoing, the assayed cytokine is TNF-alpha. In another embodiment of the foregoing, the assayed cytokine is IFN-gamma. In another embodiment, an intact, uncleaved AAC administered to a subject having a tumor with target cell marker that can be bound by the released binding moiety of the AAC exhibits at least 2-fold, at least 3-fold, at least 4-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 6-fold, at least 7-fold, at least 8-fold, at least 9-fold, at least 10-fold, at least 20-fold, at least 30-fold, at least 50-fold, at least 100-fold, or at least 1000-fold reduced potential to result in the systemic production of Th1 and/or proinflammatory cytokines in the subject compared to the cytokine levels produced by the corresponding released binding moieties of a protease-treated AAC in a comparable subject with a tumor dosed with an equivalent molar concentration. In the foregoing embodiment, the cytokines can be assessed from a blood, fluid, or tissue sample removed from the subject. In the foregoing embodiment, the subject can be mouse, rat, monkey, and human. In an advantage of the subject AACs, however, it has been discovered that the cytolytic properties of the compositions do not require prestimulation by cytokines; that formation of the immunological synapse of the effector cell bound to the target cell by the binding moieties is sufficient to effect cytolysis or apoptosis in the target cell. Nevertheless, the production of proinflammatory cytokines are useful markers to assess the potency or the effects of the subject AACs; whether by in vitro assay or in the monitoring of treatment of a subject with a tumor.
In accordance with the binding moiety embodiments referred to above, it is advantageous if the binding site recognizing the target cell marker antigen has a high binding affinity in order to capture the target cells to be destroyed with high efficiency. The AACs of the disclosure have the advantage that they may be used a number of times for killing tumour cells since, in preferred embodiments, the target cell binding moiety of the released target cell binding moiety has an affinity with a Kd value in the range of 10−7 to 10−10 M, as determined in an vitro binding assay. If the affinity of a bispecific binding moiety for binding a target cell marker is too high, the composition binds the expressing target cell and remains on its surface, making it unable to release and bind to another cell. In one embodiment, the released effector cell binding moiety of a subject AAC has a binding constant of between 10−5 and 10−8M, as determined in an vitro binding assay, detailed examples of which are described in the Examples, below. In another embodiment, the released effector cell binding moiety (FBM) of a subject AAC has a lower binding affinity to the effector cell ligand of at least one order of magnitude lower compared to the greater binding affinity of the SBM to the target cell marker, as determined as a Kd constant in an in vitro assay.
In another aspect, it is a feature of the designed compositions that when the RS of the AAC is cleaved by a mammalian protease in the environment of the target cell and is converted from the prodrug form to the activated or apoprotein form, upon cleavage and release of the bispecific binding moieties and the XTEN from the composition, the fused FBM and SBM bind to and link together an effector cell (e.g., a T cell bearing CD3) and a tumor or cancer cell bearing the target cell marker of a target cell targeted by the SBM, whereupon the effector cell is activated. In one embodiment, wherein RS of the AAC is cleaved and the binding moieties are released, the subsequent concurrent binding of the effector cell and the target cell results in at least a 3-fold, or a 10-fold, or a 30-fold, or a 100-fold, or a 300-fold, or a 1000-fold activation of the effector cell, wherein the activation is assessed by the production of cytokines, cytolytic proteins, or lysis of the target cell, assessed in an in vitro cell-based assay. In another embodiment, the concurrent binding of a T cell bearing the CD3 antigen and a tumor cell bearing the target cell marker of a target cell by the released binding moieties forms an immunologic synapse, wherein the binding results in the release of T cell-derived effector molecules capable of lysing the tumor cell. Non-limiting examples of the in vitro assay for measuring effector cell activation and/or cytolysis include cell membrane integrity assay, mixed cell culture assay, FACS based propidium Iodide assay, trypan Blue influx assay, photometric enzyme release assay, ELISA, radiometric 51Cr release assay, fluorometric Europium release assay, CalceinAM release assay, photometric MTT assay, XTT assay, WST-1 assay, alamarBlue assay, radiometric 3H-Thd incorporation assay, clonogenic assay measuring cell division activity, fluorometric Rhodamine123 assay measuring mitochondrial transmembrane gradient, apoptosis assay monitored by FACS-based phosphatidylserine exposure, ELISA-based TUNEL test assay, caspase activity assay, and cell morphology assay, or other assays known in the art for the assay of cytokines, cytolytic proteins, or lysis of cells, or the methods of the Examples, below.
It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that in the context of treatment of a subject using the subject compositions, the AAC are present in a prodrug form and are converted to a more active form when entering a certain cellular environment by the action of proteases co-localized with the disease tissue or cell. Upon release from the composition by the action of the protease(s) in the target tissue, the first binding moiety with binding specificity to an effector cell antigen and the linked second binding moiety with binding specificity to a tumor-specific marker or an antigen of a target cell regain their full capability to bind to and link together the effector cell to the target cell, forming an immunological synapse. The formation of the immuological synapse causes the effector cell to become activated, with various signal pathways turning on new gene transcription and the release, by exocytosis, the effector molecule contents of its vesicles. Depending on the type of effector cell, different cytokines and lymphokines are released; e.g., Type 1 helper T cells (Th1) release cytokines like IFN-gamma, IL-2 and TNF-alpha while Type 2 helper T cells (Th2) release cytokines like IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 that stimulate B cells, and cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs) release cytotoxic molecules like perforin and granzymes that kill the target (collectively, “effector molecules”). It is specifically contemplated that upon the concurrent binding to and linking together the effector cell to the target tumor cell by the released bispecific binding moieties of the AAC, at very low effector to target (E:T) ratios the tumor cell is acted upon by the effector molecules released by the effector cell into the immunological synapse between the cells, resulting in damage, perforin-mediated lysis, granzyme B-induced cell death and/or apoptosis of the tumor cell. Thus, in another aspect, it is a feature of the designed composition that when the activatable recombinant polypeptide composition is administered to a subject with a tumor, the prodrug form remains in the circulatory system in normal tissue but is able to extravasate in the more permeable vasculature of the tumor such that the prodrug form of the assembly is activated by the proteases co-localized with the tumor and that the released binding moieties bind together and link an effector cell (e.g., a T cell) and a tumor cell expressing the target cell marker targeted by the SBM of the composition, whereupon the effector cell is activated and lysis of the tumor cell is effected. In one embodiment of the foregoing, the released binding moiety in the tumor of the subject bound to both a tumor cell and an effector cell exhibits an increased ability to activate effector cells of at least 10-fold, or at least 30-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 200-fold, or at least 300-fold, or at least 400-fold, or at least 500-fold, or at least 1000-fold compared to the corresponding intact, uncleaved AAC. In another embodiment of the foregoing, the released binding moieties in the tumor of the subject bound to both a tumor cell and an effector cell exhibits an increased ability to lyse the tumor cell of at least 10-fold, or at least 30-fold, or at least 100-fold, or at least 200-fold, or at least 300-fold, or at least 400-fold, or at least 500-fold, or at least 1000-fold compared to the corresponding intact AAC that has not been cleaved. In the foregoing embodiments, the effector cell activation and/or the cytotoxicity can be assayed by conventional methods known in the art, such as cytometric measurement of activated effector cells, assay of cytokines, measurement of tumor size, or by histopathology. In the foregoing embodiments, the subject can be mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human. In particular, it is specifically contemplated that the subject compositions are designed such that they have an enhanced therapeutic index and reduced toxicity or side effects, achieved by a combination of the shielding effect and steric hindrance of XTEN on binding affinity over the binding moieties in the prodrug form, yet are able to release the bispecific binding moieties (achieved by inclusion of the cleavage sequences in the RS) in proximity to or within a target tissue (e.g., a tumor) that produces a protease for which the RS is a substrate.
In general, XTEN with cumulative lengths longer that about 400 residues incorporated into the compositions result in increased hydrodynamic radii, increased apparent molecular weight, and increased apparent molecular weight factor of a recombinant protein compared to a protein not linked to an XTEN. For example, incorporation of the XTEN can effectively enlarge the hydrodynamic radius of the subject compositions beyond the glomerular pore size of approximately 3-5 nm (corresponding to an apparent molecular weight of about 70 kDa) (Caliceti. 2003. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution properties of poly(ethylene glycol)-protein conjugates. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 55:1261-1277), resulting in reduced renal clearance of circulating proteins with a corresponding increase in terminal half-life. The increased hydrodynamic radius imparted by XTEN also reduces the extravasation of intact prodrug form of the AAC from the circulatory system in areas of normal, healthy tissue with average pore sizes of 5-12 nm, but permits the exit of the intact composition molecules in blood vessels that permeate tumors, where the epithelial cell junctions are more porous. It has long been known that various functions of tumor vasculature are impaired, such as a higher vascular permeability than normal vessels (Duran-Reynals, F. Studies on the localization of dyes and foreign proteins in normal and malignant tissue. Am J Cancer 35:98-107 (1939); Babson A L, Winnick T. Protein transfer in tumor-bearing rats. Cancer Res14:606-611 (1954)). These impaired functions contribute to the higher concentration of plasma proteins detected in tumor tissues than in normal tissues; a phenomenon was elucidated by Maeda and colleagues (Matsumura Y, Maeda H. Cancer Res 46:6387-6392 (1986); Maeda H, Matsumura Y. Tumoritropic and lymphotropic principles of macromolecular drugs. Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst 6:193-210 (1989), who described it as the enhanced permeability and retention effect, resultings from a combination of the increased permeability of tumor blood vessels and the decreased rate of clearance of functional lymphatic vessels in the tumor, with the net result that macromolecules accumulate in tumors. It is generally known that the physiologic upper limit of pore size in the capillary walls of most non-sinusoidal blood capillaries to the passage of non-endogenous macromolecules ranges between 5 and 12 nm (Hemant Sarin. J Angiogenes Res. 2010; 2:14), while inter-endothelial cell gaps in the blood-tumor barrier of both brain tumors and peripheral tumors have been reported to range between 40 nm and 200 nm or greater in diameter (Sarin, H. et al. J. Translational Medicine 2009 7:51). In an object of the disclosure, the subject AAC were designed to take advantage of this differential in pore size by the addition of the XTEN, such that extravasation of the intact AAC in normal tissue is reduced, but in the leaky environment of the tumor vasculature or other areas of inflammation, the intact assembly can extravasate and be activated by the proteases in the tumor environment, releasing the binding moieties to the effector and target cells. In the case of the RS of the AAC, the design takes advantage of the circumstance that when an AAC is in proximity to diseased tissues; e.g., a tumor, that elaborates one or more proteases, the RS sequences that are susceptible to the one or more proteases expressed by the tumor are capable of being cleaved by the proteases (described more fully, above). The action of the protease cleaves the release segment (RS) of the composition, separating the binding moieties from the XTEN, resulting in components with reduced molecular weight and hydrodynamic radii, particularly for the released binding moieties. As will be appreciated, the decrease in molecular weight and hydrodynamic radius of the composition also confers the property that the released binding moieties are able to more freely move in solution, move through smaller pore spaces in tissue and tumors, and extraysate more readily from the larger pores of the tumor vasculature and more readily penetrate into the tumor, resulting in an increased ability to attacht and link together the effector cell and the tumor cell. Such property can be measured by different assays.
In one embodiment, wherein the RS of the AAC is cleaved by a mammalian protease, upon cleavage and release of the bispecific binding moieties and the XTEN from the AAC, the binding moieties have a diffusion coefficient in phosphate buffered saline that is at least 2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold, 5-fold, 6-fold, 7-fold, 8-fold, 9-fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 50-fold, or 100-fold greater compared to the intact AAC composition. In another embodiment, the apparent molecular weight of the intact AAC composition is at least 2-fold, at least 3-fold, at least 4-fold, or at least 5-fold, or at least 10-fold greater than the binding moieties released by cleavage of the RS by a mammalian protease, when the apparent molecular weight is determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). In another embodiment, the hydrodynamic radius of the intact AAC composition is at least 2-fold, or at least 3-fold, or at least 4-fold, or at least 5-fold, or at least 10-fold greater than the binding moieties released by cleavage of the RS by a mammalian protease, when the hydrodynamic radius is determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an AAC, wherein upon cleavage of the RS to release the binding moieties and the XTEN from the AAC, the hydrodynamic radius of the released binding moieties is less than about 30%, or less than about 40%, or less than about 50% of the hydrodynamic radius of the intact AAC, when hydrodynamic radius is assessed by size exclusion chromatography. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an AAC, wherein upon cleavage of the RS to release the binding moieties and the XTEN from the AAC, the hydrodynamic radius of the released binding moieties is less than about 5 nm, or less than about 4 nm, or less than about 3 nm when hydrodynamic radius is determined by size exclusion chromatography. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an AAC, wherein upon cleavage of the RS to release the binding moieties and the XTEN from the AAC, the released binding moieties having a hydrodynamic radius of less than about 5 nm, or less than about 4 nm, or less than about 3 nm, when hydrodynamic radius is determined by size exclusion chromatography, has greater ability to penetrate a tumor tissue compared to an intact AAC. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an AAC, wherein the hydrodynamic radius of the intact, uncleaved AAC is greater than about 8 nm, or greater than about 9 nm, or greater than about 10 nm, or greater than about 12 mm when hydrodynamic radius is determined by size exclusion chromatography.
It is contemplated that the subject compositions will, by their design and linkage to XTEN, have enhanced pharmacokinetic properties when administered to a subject compared to the corresponding binding moieties not linked to XTEN. In one embodiment, an AAC composition administered to a subject using a therapeutically-effective dose exhibits a terminal half-life in a subject that is increased, upon or following administration to a subject, in comparison to the corresponding binding moieties not linked to the composition, by at least about 2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold, 5-fold, 6-fold, 7-fold, 8-fold, 9-fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 30-fold, 40-fold, or 100-fold greater. In another embodiment, an AAC composition administered to a subject using a therapeutically-effective dose exhibits increased area under the curve (AUC), upon or following administration to a subject, in comparison to the corresponding binding moieties not linked to the composition, of at least 25%, 50%, 100%, 200%, or at least 300% or more. In another embodiment, an AAC composition administered to a subject using a therapeutically-effective dose exhibits a lower volume of distribution, upon or following administration to a subject, in comparison to the corresponding binding moieties not linked to the composition, of at least 25% lower, or 50%, or 100%, or 200%, or at least 300% lower. In one embodiment, an AAC composition administered to a subject using a therapeutically-effective dose exhibits a terminal half-life of at least about 20 h, or at least about 30 h, or at least about 32 h, or at least about 48 h, or at least about 72 h, or at least about 96 h, or at least about 120 h, or at least about 144 h, or at least about 7 days, or at least about 10 days, or at least about 14 days following administration to a subject. In another aspect, it is specifically contemplated that because of the design of the subject AAC that are preferentially activated by protease(s) in association with a diseased tissue such as, but not limited to, a tumor, the concentration of the released binding moieties in the circulation of a subject will be low, thereby contributing to the improved safety profile and lower incidence of side effects compared to bispecific compositions not having the protective XTEN and release segment. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an AAC, wherein the plasma Cmax concentration of the binding moieties released from the AAC by cleavage of the RS by a protease capable of cleaving the RS of the composition upon or following a single administration of the chimeric polypeptide composition to a subject does not exceed about 0.01 ng/ml, or about 0.03 ng/ml, or about 0.1 ng/ml, or about 0.3 ng/ml, or about 1 ng/ml, or about 10 ng/ml, or about 100 ng/ml. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an AAC, wherein the plasma Cmax concentration of the binding moieties released from the AAC following a single administration of the chimeric polypeptide composition to a subject in which the RS has been cleaved by a protease capable of cleaving the RS of the composition is a least 10-fold lower, or at least 30-fold lower, or at least 100-fold, or at least 1000-fold lower than the plasma levels of the intact AAC in the same subject. In the foregoing embodiments of the paragraph, the subject is a mouse, or a rat, or a dog, or a monkey, or a human.
The AAC constructs described herein confer multiple therapeutic advantages over traditional monoclonal antibodies and other smaller bispecific molecules. Of particular note is the conditional activation of the AAC of the present disclosure. The constructs have a reduced ability to bind their intended target cell markers due to the shielding effect of the bulky, unstructured XTEN tethered to the AAC by the release segment. Thus, the specific activity to non-diseased, normal tissue of the exemplary compositions of the disclosure is significantly reduced when compared to that of analogous antibodies and antibody fragments. The ability of the polypeptides to activate at their desired site of action (e.g., the proximity of a diseased tissue such as a tumor or cancer cell) while remaining inactive during their progress to this site is an advance in the field of immune-oncologic therapeutics, offering the promise of potent and specific therapeutics with improved therapeutic index, as well as a readily designable and manufacturable format.
VII. Methods and Uses of Recombinant Polypeptide Compositions
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides cleavable recombinant polypeptide compositions and activatable antibody compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a recombinant polypeptide or an activatable antibody that are particularly useful in medical settings; for example in the prevention, treatment and/or the amelioration of certain cancers, tumors or inflammatory diseases.
A number of therapeutic strategies have been used to design the recombinant polypeptide compositions for use in methods of treatment of a subject with a cancerous disease, including the modulation of T cell responses by targeting TcR signaling, particularly using VL and VH portions of anti-human CD3 monoclonal antibodies that are widely used clinically in immunosuppressive regimes. The CD3-specific monoclonal OKT3 was the first such monoclonal approved for use in humans (Sgro, Toxicology 105 (1995), 23-29) and is widely used clinically as an immunosuppressive agent in transplantation (Chatenoud L: Immunologic monitoring during OKT3 therapy. Clin Transplant 7:422-430, 1993). Moreover, anti-CD3 monoclonals can induce partial T cell signaling and clonal anergy (Smith, J. Exp. Med. 185 (1997), 1413-1422). The OKT3 reacts with and blocks the function of the CD3 complex in the membrane of T cells; the CD3 complex being associated with the antigen recognition structure of T cells (TCR), which is essential for signal transduction. These and other such CD3 specific antibodies are able to induce various T cell responses, including cytokine production (Von Wussow, Human gamma interferon production by leukocytes induced with monoclonal antibodies recognizing T cells. J. Immunol. 127:1197-1200 (1981)), proliferation and suppressor T-cell induction. In cancer, attempts have been made to utilize cytotoxic T cells to lyse cancer cells. Without being bound by theory, to effect target cell lysis, cytotoxic T cells are believed to require direct cell-to-cell contact; the TCR on the cytotoxic T cell must recognize and engage the appropriate antigen on the target cell. This creates the immunologic synapse that, in turn initiates a signaling cascade within the cytotoxic T cell, causing T-cell activation and the production of a variety of cytotoxic cytokines and effector molecules. Perforin and granzymes are highly toxic molecules that are stored in preformed granules that reside in activated cytotoxic T cells. After recognition of the target cell, the cytoplasmic granules of the engaged cytotoxic T cells migrate toward the cytotoxic T-cell membrane, ultimately fusing with it and releasing their contents in directed fashion into the immunological synapse to form a pore within the membrane of the target cell, disrupting the tumor cell plasma membrane. The created pore acts as a point of entry for granzymes; a family of serine proteases that that induce apoptosis of the tumor cells. The disclosure contemplates methods of use of AAC that are engineered to target a range of malignant cells, such as tumors, in addition to the effector cells, in order to initiate target cell lysis and to effect a beneficial therapeutic outcome in that the AAC are designed such that one binding moiety binds and engages CD3 to activate the cytotoxic T cell while the second binding moiety can be designed to target a variety of different target cell markers that are characteristic of specific malignancies; bridging them together for the creation of the immunological synapse. In a particular advantage of the design, the physical binding of the cytotoxic effector cell and the cancer cell eliminates the need for antigen processing, MHCI/ß2-microglobulin, as well as co-stimulatory molecules. Examples of important tumor cell markers include, but are not limited to the markers of Table 5. Because of the range of tumor-specific markers (more extensively described, above) that can be engineered into the various embodiments of the subject compositions AAC, it will be appreciated that the resulting compositions will have utility against a variety of cancers, including solid and hematological tumors. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treatment of a subject with a tumor. The tumor being treated can comprise tumor cells arising from a cell selected from the group consisting of stromal cell, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, glial cells, epithelial cells, fat cells, lymphocytic cells, vascular cells, smooth muscle cells, mesenchymal cells, breast tissue cells, prostate cells, kidney cells, brain cells, colon cells, ovarian cells, uterine cells, bladder cells, skin cells, stomach cells, genito-urinary tract cells, cervix cells, uterine cells, small intestine cells, liver cells, pancreatic cells, gall bladder cells, bile duct cells, esophageal cells, salivary gland cells, lung cells, and thyroid cells. In a further advantage of the compositions, as the cytotoxic effector cells are not consumed during the damage/destruction of the bridged target cancer cell, after causing lysis of one target cell, an activated effector cell can release and move on through the local tissue towards other target cancer cells, bind the target antigen, and initiate additional cell lysis. In addition, it is contemplated that in a localized environment like a solid tumor, the release of effector cell molecules such as perforin and granzymes will result in damage to tumor cells that are adjacent but not bound by a given molecule of the bispecific binding domains, resulting in stasis of growth or regression of the tumor.
Accordingly, a utility of the disclosure will be understood; that after administration of a therapeutically effective dose of pharmaceutical composition comprising an AAC described herein to a subject with a cancer or tumor having the target cell marker, the composition can be acted upon by proteases in association with or co-localized with the cancer or tumor cells, releasing the fused FBM and SBM such that an immunological synapse can be created by the linking of the target cell and a effector cell, with the result that effector cell-derived effector molecules capable of lysing the target cell are released into the synapse, leading to apoptosis, cytolysis, or death of the target cancer or tumor cell. Furthermore, it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that use of the AAC can result in a sustained and more generalized beneficial therapeutic effect than a “single kill” once the immunological synapse is formed by the binding of the released binding domains to the effector cell and target cancer cell.
In one aspect, the disclosure relates to methods of treating a disease in a subject, such as a cancer or an inflammatory disorder. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of treating a disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant polypeptide or AAC described herein. A therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition may vary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the individual, and the ability of the antibody or antibody portion to elicit a desired response in the individual. A therapeutically effective amount is also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the subject compositions are outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects. A prophylactically effective amount refers to an amount of pharmaceutical composition required for the period of time necessary to achieve the desired prophylactic result.
In one embodiment of the method of treating a disease in a subject, the disease for treatment can be carcinomas, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, any form of skin cancer, melanoma, genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, an epithelia intraperitoneal malignancy with malignant ascites, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum kidney cancers, lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, small intestine cancer, liver cancer, hepatocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, liposarcoma, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, cancers of the bile duct, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid cancer, epithelial cancer, adenocarcinoma, sarcomas of any origin, primary hematologic malignancies including acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemias, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemias, myeloproliferative neoplastic disorders, or myelodysplastic disorders, myasthenia gravis, Morbus Basedow, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or Goodpasture syndrome. The therapeutically effective amount can produce a beneficial effect in helping to treat (e.g., cure or reduce the severity) or prevent (e.g., reduce the likelihood of recurrence) of a cancer or a tumor. In another embodiment of the method of treating the disease in a subject, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject as two or more therapeutically effective doses administered twice weekly, once a week, every two weeks, every three weeks, or monthly. In another embodiment of the method, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject as two or more therapeutically effective doses over a period of at least two weeks, or at least one month, or at least two months, or at least three months, or at least four months, or at least five months, or at least six months. In another embodiment of the method, a first low priming dose is administered to the subject, followed by one or more higher maintenance doses over the dosing schedule of at least two weeks, or at least one month, or at least two months, or at least three months, or at least four months, or at least five months, or at least six months. The initial priming dose administered is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.005 mg/kg, at least about 0.01 mg/kg, at least about 0.02 mg/kg, at least about 0.04 mg/kg, at least about 0.08 mg/kg, at least about 0.1 mg/kg, and one or more subsequent maintenance dose(s) administered is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.02 mg/kg, at least about 0.05 mg/kg, at least about 0.1 mg/kg, at least about 0.16 mg/kg, at least about 0.18 mg/kg, at least about 0.20 mg/kg, at least about 0.22 mg/kg, at least about 0.24 mg/kg, at least about 0.26 mg/kg, at least about 0.27 mg/kg, at least about 0.28 mg/kg, at least 0.3 mg/kg, at least 0.4. mg/kg, at least about 0.5 mg/kg, at least about 0.6 mg/kg, at least about 0.7 mg/kg, at least about 0.8 mg/kg, at least about 0.9 mg/kg, at least about 1.0 mg/kg, at least about 1.5 mg/kg, or at least about 2.0 mg/kg. In another embodiment of the method, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject intradermally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intra-arterially, intra-abdominally, intraperitoneally, intrathecally, or intramuscularly. In another embodiment of the method, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject as one or more therapeutically effective bolus doses or by infusion of 5 minutes to 96 hours as tolerated for maximal safety and efficacy. In another embodiment of the method, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject as one or more therapeutically effective bolus doses or by infusion of 5 minutes to 96 hours, wherein the dose is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.005 mg/kg, at least about 0.01 mg/kg, at least about 0.02 mg/kg, at least about 0.04 mg/kg, at least about 0.08 mg/kg, at least about 0.1 mg/kg, at least about 0.12 mg/kg, at least about 0.14 mg/kg, at least about 0.16 mg/kg, at least about 0.18 mg/kg, at least about 0.20 mg/kg, at least about 0.22 mg/kg, at least about 0.24 mg/kg, at least about 0.26 mg/kg, at least about 0.27 mg/kg, at least about 0.28 mg/kg, at least 0.3 mg/kg, at least 0.4. mg/kg, at least about 0.5 mg/kg, at least about 0.6 mg/kg, at least about 0.7 mg/kg, at least about 0.8 mg/kg, at least about 0.9 mg/kg, at least about 1.0 mg/kg, at least about 1.5 mg/kg, or at least about 2.0 mg/kg. In another embodiment of the method, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject as one or more therapeutically effective bolus doses or by infusion over a period of 5 minutes to 96 hours, wherein the administration to the subject results in a Cmax plasma concentration of the intact, uncleaved AAC of at least about 0.1 ng/mL to at least about 2 μg/mL or more in the subject that is maintained for at least about 3 days, at least about 7 days, at least about 10 days, at least about 14 days, or at least about 21 days. The therapeutically effective dose is at least about 0.005 mg/kg, at least about 0.01 mg/kg, at least about 0.02 mg/kg, at least about 0.04 mg/kg, at least about 0.08 mg/kg, at least about 0.1 mg/kg, at least about 0.12 mg/kg, at least about 0.14 mg/kg, at least about 0.16 mg/kg, at least about 0.18 mg/kg, at least about 0.20 mg/kg, at least about 0.22 mg/kg, at least about 0.24 mg/kg, at least about 0.26 mg/kg, at least about 0.27 mg/kg, at least about 0.28 mg/kg, at least 0.3 mg/kg, at least 0.4 mg/kg, at least about 0.5 mg/kg, at least about 0.6 mg/kg, at least about 0.7 mg/kg, at least about 0.8 mg/kg, at least about 0.9 mg/kg, at least about 1.0 mg/kg, at least about 1.5 mg/kg, or at least about 2.0 mg/kg. In one embodiment, an initial dose is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.005 mg/kg, at least about 0.01 mg/kg, at least about 0.02 mg/kg, at least about 0.04 mg/kg, at least about 0.08 mg/kg, at least about 0.1 mg/kg, and a subsequent dose is selected from the group consisting of at least about 0.1 mg/kg, at least about 0.12 mg/kg, at least about 0.14 mg/kg, at least about 0.16 mg/kg, at least about 0.18 mg/kg, at least about 0.20 mg/kg, at least about 0.22 mg/kg, at least about 0.24 mg/kg, at least about 0.26 mg/kg, at least about 0.27 mg/kg, at least about 0.28 mg/kg, at least 0.3 mg/kg, at least 0.4. mg/kg, at least about 0.5 mg/kg, at least about 0.6 mg/kg, at least about 0.7 mg/kg, at least about 0.8 mg/kg, at least about 0.9 mg/kg, at least about 1.0 mg/kg, at least about 1.5 mg/kg, or at least about 2.0 mg/kg. In the foregoing embodiments, the administration to the subject results in a plasma concentration of the recombinant polypeptide of at least about 0.1 ng/mL to at least about 2 ng/mL or more in the subject for at least about 3 days, at least about 7 days, at least about 10 days, at least about 14 days, or at least about 21 days. In the foregoing embodiments of the method, the subject can be mouse, rat, monkey, and human.
In particular, the pharmaceutical compositions can be used for the treatment of epithelial cancer, preferably adenocarcinomas, or minimal residual disease, more preferably early solid tumor, advanced solid tumor or metastatic solid tumor. In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions provided in this disclosure are useful in the treatment of sarcomas. In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising a recombinant polypeptide provided in this disclosure are useful in the treatment of lymphomas and leukemias, including primary hematologic malignancies including acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemias, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemias, myeloproliferative neoplastic disorders, or myelodysplastic disorders, B-cell disorders such as B-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, B-cell derived chronic lymphatic leukemia (B-CLL) and/or having a B-cell related autoimmune disease such as myasthenia gravis, Morbus Basedow, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or Goodpasture syndrome. In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising a recombinant polypeptide provided in this disclosure are useful in the treatment of cancers leading to ascites, including genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervix cancer, colorectal, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, colon cancer with malignant ascites, and gastric cancer.
In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of for achieving a beneficial effect in a cancer or tumor mediated by administration of pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant polypeptide or AAC compositions. In one embodiment of the method, the disclosure provides the use of a pharmaceutical composition in a method of treatment of a cancer or tumor in a subject in need thereof by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition in which one binding moiety of the composition is derived from a parental antibody that binds to an effector cell CD3 antigen and a second binding domain is derived from a parental antibody that binds to a target cell marker antigen selected from the group consisting of A33 antigen, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 4 integrin, Ang2, B7-H3, B7-H6, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbonic Anhydrase 6 (CA6), carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), CEACAM5, cMET, CTLA4, C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CCR3), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6 (CCR6), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 8 (CCR8), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 9 (CCR9), Cluster of Differentiation 7 (CD7), CD22, CD70, CD79a, CD79b, CD19, CCR8, CEA, βhCG, Lewis-Y, CA19-9, CA-125, CD20, CD22, CD25, CD33, CD38, CD30, CD44v6, CD47, CD56 (NCAM), CD63, CD79b, CD123, CD133, CD138, CD166, claudin-1, claudin 18.2, C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), C-type lectin domain family 12 (CLEC12), Cora antigen, delta like canonical notch ligand 3 (DDL3), desmoglein 4, delta like non-xanonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1), Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3), EGFR, EGFRvIII, EpCAM, endosialin (CD248), epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), EphA2, F19 antigen, fetal acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), fibroblast activation antigen (FAP), Fos-related antigen 1 (FRA1), Folate Receptor 1 (FOLR1), fucosyl GM1, G250, ganglioside GD3, glypican-3 (GPC3), 9-O-Acetyl-GD3, GM2, Glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor (GITR), globohexaosylceramide (globo-H), GD2, Glypican 3 (GPC3), guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), HER2, HER2 neu, HER3, HER4, HER1, IL13Rα2, insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM), lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly-6), melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), Membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT-MMP), mesothelin, mucin 1 (MUC1), MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUCSAC, MUCSB, MUC7, MUC16, Muellerian inhibitory substance receptor type II (MISIIR), nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (Nectin-4), 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP), plasma cell antigen 1, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PSMA, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), sialylated Tn antigen (s TN), sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2b (NaPi2b), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), SAS, SLAM Family Member 7 (SLAM7), Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2), Sperm Autoantigenic Protein 17 (SP17), TAG72, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-antigen), tumor-associated antigen L6 (TAL6), trophoblast glycoprotein (5T4), Trop-2, Wue-1, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and Wilms tumor protein (WT1). In one embodiment of the method, the administration of the therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition leads to the eradication or amelioration of the underlying cancer or tumor disorder such that an improvement is observed in the subject, notwithstanding that the subject may still be afflicted with the underlying disorder.
In another embodiment, the disclosure provides use of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an AAC in a method of treatment of a cancer or tumor in a subject by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition in which one binding moiety of the composition is derived from a parental antibody directed to an effector cell selected from the group consisting of the antibodies of Table 4 and a second binding moiety is derived from a parental antibody that binds to an target cell target antigen selected from the group consisting of the antibodies of Table 5 and further comprising one or more RS of Table 1 or Table 2 and one or more XTEN of Table 8 or Table 10, the AAC having a configuration as described herein. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition doses of the method are administered as a bolus dose. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition doses of the method are each administered by intravenous infusion. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition doses of the method are each administered by intraabdominal infusion. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition doses of the method are each administered by intra-arterial infusion. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition doses of the method are each administered by subcutaneous injection. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition doses of the method are each administered by intramuscular injection. In the foregoing embodiments of this paragraph, the subject is selected from the group consisting of mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of treating a cancer or a tumor in a subject according to a treatment regimen. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treating a cancer or a tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject with the disease according to a treatment regimen comprising two or more consecutive doses of a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant polypeptide or AAC composition disclosed herein. The disclosure provides a method of treating a cancer or a tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject with the disease according to a treatment regimen comprising two or more consecutive doses of a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition wherein the administration of the therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to the subject achieves a beneficial therapeutic effect including. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treating a cancer or a tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject with the disease according to a treatment regimen comprising two or more consecutive doses of a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein wherein the treatment regimen results in the improvement of a clinical parameter or endpoint associated with the disease in the subject. In the foregoing, the clinical parameter or endpoint is selected from one or any combination of the group consisting of tumor shrinkage as a complete, partial or incomplete response; time-to-progression; time to treatment failure; biomarker response; progression-free survival; disease free-survival; time to recurrence; time to metastasis; time of overall survival; improvement of quality of life; and improvement of symptoms.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of use in which the treatment regimen is part of a specified treatment cycle. In one embodiment of the method, the specified treatment cycle of the treatment regimen comprises administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a recombinant polypeptide or AAC disclosed herein twice a week, every week, every 10 days, every two weeks, every three weeks, or every month per each treatment cycle. In another embodiment of the method, the treatment regimen is used in treatment of a disease, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of carcinomas, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, B cell lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, any form of skin cancer, melanoma, genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, an epithelia intraperitoneal malignancy with malignant ascites, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum kidney cancers, lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, small intestine cancer, liver cancer, hepatocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, liposarcoma, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, cancers of the bile duct, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid cancer, epithelial cancer, adenocarcinoma, sarcomas of any origin, primary hematologic malignancies including acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemias, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemias, myeloproliferative neoplastic disorders, or myelodysplastic disorders, myasthenia gravis, Morbus Basedow, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or Goodpasture syndrome.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to improved methods of inducing death of a target cell, such as a cancer cell, utilizing the subject recombinant polypeptide or AAC compositions disclosed herein, wherein the method effects death or induces apoptosis in the target cell or tissue, but with reduced toxicity and side effects. In a particular advantage of the inventive methods, the enhanced properties of the compositions permit lower-dose pharmaceutical formulations or treatment methods using a reduced dosage, reduced dosing frequency and a superior dose regimen, both because of targeted delivery to tissues and cells and because of enhanced pharmacokinetic properties, resulting in a superior therapeutic index; i.e., improved efficacy with reduced toxicity. Consequently, the subject compositions can have superior efficacy and safety compared to the corresponding binding moieties not linked to the recombinant polypeptides or AAC because of the ability of the attached bulking moiety to reduce the non-specific binding to healthy tissues and to prevent extravasation from the circulatory system in healthy tissue, while permitting enhanced penetration and binding into the cancer or tumor tissue upon the cleavage of the RS and release of the binding moieties; thus resulting in a differential compartmentalization of the prodrug form versus the released binding moieties upon cleavage of the composition. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of inducing death of a target cell, the method comprising contacting the target cell and an effector cell with an AAC described herein, wherein the contact results in an effect in the target cell selected from the group consisting of loss of membrane integrity, pyknosis, karyorrhexis, inducement of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, inducement of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, apoptosis, cell lysis, and cell death. The effect can be determined in an in vitro cell-based assay comprising a mixed population of the target cells and the effector cells, and an effective amount of the recombinant polypeptide having binding affinity for the target cell marker and the effector cell.
In other embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of inducing death of a target cell in a subject having a cancer comprising a population of the target cell. In one embodiment of the method, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant polypeptide or AAC to the subject. In another embodiment of the method, the method comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition as one or more consecutively administered therapeutically effective doses. In another embodiment of the method, the method comprises determining the amount of a pharmaceutical composition needed to achieve a therapeutic effect in the subject having the cancer and administering the amount as two or more consecutive doses to the subject. In the foregoing methods, the cancer is selected from the group consisting of carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, blastoma, breast cancer, ER/PR+ breast cancer, Her2+ breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, colon cancer, colon cancer with malignant ascites, mucinous tumors, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, genito-urinary tract cancer, ovarian cancer, ovarian cancer with malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, uterine serous carcinoma, endometrial cancer, cervix cancer, colorectal, uterine cancer, mesothelioma in the peritoneum, kidney cancer, Wilm's tumor, lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, stomach cancer, small intestine cancer, liver cancer, hepatocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, liposarcoma, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, cancers of the bile duct, esophageal cancer, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid cancer, epithelial cancer, arrhenoblastoma, adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, and B-cell derived chronic lymphatic leukemia. In another embodiment of the method, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition to the subject wherein the method results in an improvement of a clinical parameter or endpoint. Exemplary clinical parameters or endpoints can be overall survival, symptom endpoints, disease-free survival, objective response rate, complete response, duration of response, progression-free survival, time to progression, time-to-treatment failure, tumor measurement, tumor size, tumor response rate, time to metastasis, and biomarker concentration. In another embodiment of the method, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition to the subject wherein the method results in a reduction in the frequency, duration, or severity in diagnostically associated side effects in the subject compared to administration of a comparable dose, in mmoles/kg, to a comparable subject of a composition comprising the FBM and SBM of the AAC, wherein the side effects are selected from the group consisting of increased plasma levels of IL-2, increased plasma levels of TNF-alpha, increased plasma levels of IFN-gamma, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, neurotoxicity, convulsions, encephalopathy, cytokine release syndrome, speech disturbance, equilibrium disturbance, fever, headache, confusion, hypotension, neutropenia, nausea, impaired consciousness, disorientation, and increased liver enzymes.
The methods of the disclosure may include administration of consecutive doses of a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition for a period of time sufficient to achieve and/or maintain the desired parameter or clinical effect, and such consecutive doses of a therapeutically effective amount establishes the therapeutically effective dose regimen for the pharmaceutical composition; i.e., the schedule for consecutively administered doses, wherein the doses are given in therapeutically effective amounts to result in a sustained beneficial effect on any clinical sign or symptom, aspect, measured parameter or characteristic of a cancer disease state or condition, including, but not limited to, those cancers and tumors described herein.
For the inventive methods, longer acting recombinant polypeptide of AAC compositions are preferred, so as to improve patient convenience, to increase the interval between doses and to reduce the amount of drug required to achieve a sustained effect. In one embodiment, a method of treatment comprises administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant polypeptide or AAC to a subject in need thereof that results in a gain in time spent within a therapeutic window established for the binding moiety components of the pharmaceutical composition compared to the corresponding binding moiety components not linked to the fusion protein and administered at a comparable molar dose to a subject. In some cases, the gain in time spent within the therapeutic window is at least about three-fold, or at least about four-fold, or at least about five-fold, or at least about six-fold, or at least about eight-fold, or at least about 10-fold, or at least about 20-fold, or at least about 40-fold, or at least about 50-fold, or at least about 100-fold greater compared to the corresponding binding moiety components not linked to the recombinant protein or AAC and administered at a comparable molar dose to a subject. The methods further provide that administration of multiple consecutive doses of a pharmaceutical composition administered using a therapeutically effective dose regimen to a subject in need thereof can result in a gain in time between consecutive Cmax peaks and/or Cmin troughs for blood levels of the composition compared to the corresponding binding moiety components not linked to the fusion protein. In the foregoing embodiment, the gain in time spent between consecutive Cmax peaks and/or Cmin troughs can be at least about three-fold, or at least about four-fold, or at least about five-fold, or at least about six-fold, or at least about eight-fold, or at least about 10-fold, or at least about 20-fold, or at least about 40-fold, or at least about 50-fold, or at least about 100-fold longer compared to the corresponding binding moiety component(s) not linked to the fusion protein and administered using a comparable molar dose regimen established for the targeting components. In the embodiments hereinabove described in this paragraph the administration of the pharmaceutical composition can result in an improvement in at least one parameter known to be useful for assessing the subject cancer or tumor using a lower unit dose in moles of recombinant polypeptide or AAC compared to the corresponding binding moiety components not linked to the recombinant polypeptide or AAC and administered at a comparable molar dose or dose regimen to a subject.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides methods of manufacturing an AAC. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid construct that encodes an activatable recombinant polypeptide under conditions that lead to expression of the activatable recombinant polypeptide, wherein the activatable recombinant polypeptide comprises an RS1, RS2, FBM, SBM, XTEN1, and XTEN2, wherein: i) the RS1 and RS2, wherein the RS1 and RS2 are each substrates for cleavage by a mammalian protease and each comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 88% or at least 94%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the sequences of Table 1; ii) the FBM is an antibody fragment comprising a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding specificity to CD3; iii) the SBM is an antibody fragment comprising a VL and VH derived from a monoclonal antibody having binding affinity to the target cell marker selected from A33 antigen, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 4 integrin, Ang2, B7-H3, B7-H6, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbonic Anhydrase 6 (CA6), carbonic anhydrase IX (CALX), CEACAM5, cMET, CTLA4, C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CCR1), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CCR3), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6 (CCR6), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 8 (CCR8), C—C Motif Chemokine Receptor 9 (CCR9), Cluster of Differentiation 7 (CD7), CD22, CD70, CD79a, CD79b, CD19, CCR8, CEA, βhCG, Lewis-Y, CA19-9, CA-125, CD20, CD22, CD25, CD33, CD38, CD30, CD44v6, CD47, CD56 (NCAM), CD63, CD79b, CD123, CD133, CD138, CD166, claudin-1, claudin 18.2, C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), C-type lectin domain family 12 (CLEC12), Cora antigen, delta like canonical notch ligand 3 (DDL3), desmoglein 4, delta like non-xanonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1), Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3), EGFR, EGFRvIII, EpCAM, endosialin (CD248), epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), EphA2, F19 antigen, fetal acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), fibroblast activation antigen (FAP), Fos-related antigen 1 (FRA1), Folate Receptor 1 (FOLR1), fucosyl GM1, G250, ganglioside GD3, glypican-3 (GPC3), 9-O-Acetyl-GD3, GM2, Glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor (GITR), globohexaosylceramide (globo-H), GD2, Glypican 3 (GPC3), guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), HER2, HER2 neu, HER3, HER4, HER1, IL13Rα2, insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM), lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly-6), melanoma chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP), Membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT-MMP), mesothelin, mucin 1 (MUC1), MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUCSAC, MUCSB, MUC7, MUC16, Muellerian inhibitory substance receptor type II (MISIIR), nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (Nectin-4), 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP), plasma cell antigen 1, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PSMA, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), sialylated Tn antigen (s TN), sodium-dependent phosphate transport protein 2b (NaPi2b), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), SAS, SLAM Family Member 7 (SLAM7), Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2), Sperm Autoantigenic Protein 17 (SP17), TAG72, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-antigen), tumor-associated antigen L6 (TAL6), trophoblast glycoprotein (5T4), Trop-2, Wue-1, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and Wilms tumor protein (WT1); iv) the XTEN1 and XTEN2 each comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group of sequences set forth in Table 8; v) the recombinant polypeptide has a structural arrangement from N-terminus to C-terminus as follows: XTEN1-RS1-SBM-FBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN1-RS1-FBM-SBM-RS2-XTEN2, XTEN2-RS2-SBM-FBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-FBM-SBM-RS1-XTEN1, XTEN2-RS2-diabody-RS1-XTEN1, wherein the diabody comprises VL and VH of the FBM and SBM; and recovering the activatable polypeptide composition. In the foregoing method, the activatable recombinant polypeptide is activated by cleavage of the RS1 and RS2 by one or more proteases capable of cleaving the RS1 and RS2, resulting in the release of the FBM and SBM from the composition, wherein the FBM and SBM remain fused and the XTEN1 and XTEN2 of the activatable recombinant polypeptide in an uncleaved state interfere with specific binding of the FBM to the CD3 and the SBM to the target cell marker such that the dissociation constant (Kd) of the FBM of the activatable recombinant polypeptide in an uncleaved state towards CD3 or the SBM to the target cell marker is at least 100 times greater compared to the FBM or the SBM released from the activatable recombinant polypeptide by cleavage of the RS1 and RS2, when measured in in vitro assays comprising the target cell marker under comparable conditions, e.g., equivalent molar concentrations.
VIII. Nucleic Acid Sequences
In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding the recombinant polypeptide or AAC compositions and sequences complementary to polynucleotide molecules encoding the recombinant polypeptide or AAC compositions.
In some embodiments, the disclosure provides polynucleotides encoding the recombinant polypeptide or AAC compositions embodiments described herein, or the complement of the polynucleotide sequence. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a recombinant polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence with at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence set forth in Table 11, Tables 14-16, or Table 18, or the complement of the polynucleotide sequence. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding an AAC composition wherein the polynucleotide sequence has at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a polynucleotide sequence set forth in Table 11, Table 16 or Table 18.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to methods to produce polynucleotide sequences encoding the recombinant polypeptide composition or AAC embodiments, or sequences complementary to the polynucleotide sequences, including homologous variants thereof, as well as methods to express the proteins expressed by the polynucleotide sequences. In general, the methods include producing a polynucleotide sequence coding for the proteinaceous recombinant polypeptide or AAC composition and incorporating the encoding gene into an expression vector appropriate for a host cell. For production of the encoded recombinant polypeptide or AAC, the method includes transforming an appropriate host cell with the expression vector, and culturing the host cell under conditions causing or permitting the resulting recombinant polypeptide or AAC to be expressed in the transformed host cell, thereby producing the recombinant polypeptide or AAC, which is recovered by methods described herein or by standard protein purification methods known in the art. Standard recombinant techniques in molecular biology are used to make the polynucleotides and expression vectors of the present disclosure.
In accordance with the disclosure, nucleic acid sequences that encode recombinant polypeptide compositions (or its complement) are used to generate recombinant DNA molecules that direct the expression in appropriate host cells. Several cloning strategies are suitable for performing the present disclosure, many of which are used to generate a construct that comprises a gene coding for a composition of the present disclosure, or its complement. In one embodiment, the cloning strategy is used to create a gene that encodes a recombinant polypeptide construct that comprises nucleotides encoding the recombinant polypeptide that is used to transform a host cell for expression of the composition. In the foregoing embodiments hereinabove described in this paragraph, the genes can comprise nucleotides encoding the binding moieties, release segments, and the bulking moieties in the configurations disclosed herein.
In one approach, a construct is first prepared containing the DNA sequence corresponding to recombinant polypeptide construct. Exemplary methods for the preparation of such constructs are described in the Examples. The construct is then used to create an expression vector suitable for transforming a host cell, such as a prokaryotic host cell for the expression and recovery of the recombinant polypeptide construct. Where desired, the host cell is an E. coli. Exemplary methods for the creation of expression vectors, the transformation of host cells and the expression and recovery of XTEN are described in the Examples.
The gene encoding for the recombinant polypeptide construct can be made in one or more steps, either fully synthetically or by synthesis combined with enzymatic processes, such as restriction enzyme-mediated cloning, PCR and overlap extension, including methods more fully described in the Examples. The methods disclosed herein can be used, for example, to ligate sequences of polynucleotides encoding the various components (e.g., binding domains, linkers, release segments, and XTEN) genes of a desired length and sequence. Genes encoding recombinant polypeptide compositions are assembled from oligonucleotides using standard techniques of gene synthesis. The gene design can be performed using algorithms that optimize codon usage and amino acid composition appropriate for the E. coli host cell utilized in the production of the recombinant polypeptide. In one method of the disclosure, a library of polynucleotides encoding the components of the constructs is created and then assembled, as described above. The resulting genes are then assembled and the resulting genes used to transform a host cell and produce and recover the recombinant polypeptide compositions for evaluation of its properties, as described herein.
The resulting polynucleotides encoding the recombinant polypeptide sequences can then be individually cloned into an expression vector. The nucleic acid sequence is inserted into the vector by a variety of procedures. In general, DNA is inserted into an appropriate restriction endonuclease site(s) using techniques known in the art. Vector components generally include, but are not limited to, one or more of a signal sequence, an origin of replication, one or more marker genes, an enhancer element, a promoter, and a transcription termination sequence. Construction of suitable vectors containing one or more of these components employs standard ligation techniques which are known to the skilled artisan. Such techniques are well known in the art and well described in the scientific and patent literature. Various vectors are publicly available. The vector may, for example, be in the form of a plasmid, cosmid, viral particle, or phage that may conveniently be subjected to recombinant DNA procedures, and the choice of vector will often depend on the host cell into which it is to be introduced. Thus, the vector may be an autonomously replicating vector, i.e., a vector, which exists as an extrachromosomal entity, the replication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, e.g., a plasmid. Alternatively, the vector may be one which, when introduced into a host cell, is integrated into the host cell genome and replicated together with the chromosome(s) into which it has been integrated.
The disclosure provides for the use of plasmid expression vectors containing replication and control sequences that are compatible with and recognized by the host cell, and are operably linked to the gene encoding the polypeptide for controlled expression of the polypeptide. The vector ordinarily carries a replication site, as well as sequences that encode proteins that are capable of providing phenotypic selection in transformed cells. Such vector sequences are well known for a variety of bacteria, yeast, and viruses. Useful expression vectors that can be used include, for example, segments of chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences. “Expression vector” refers to a DNA construct containing a DNA sequence that is operably linked to a suitable control sequence capable of effecting the expression of the DNA encoding the polypeptide in a suitable host. The requirements are that the vectors are replicable and viable in the host cell of choice. Low- or high-copy number vectors may be used as desired.
Suitable vectors include, but are not limited to, derivatives of SV40 and pcDNA and known bacterial plasmids such as col EI, pCR1, pBR322, pMal-C2, pET, pGEX as described by Smith, et al., Gene 57:31-40 (1988), pMB9 and derivatives thereof, plasmids such as RP4, phage DNAs such as the numerous derivatives of phage I such as NM98 9, as well as other phage DNA such as M13 and filamentous single stranded phage DNA; yeast plasmids such as the 2 micron plasmid or derivatives of the 2m plasmid, as well as centomeric and integrative yeast shuttle vectors; vectors useful in eukaryotic cells such as vectors useful in insect or mammalian cells; vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNAs, such as plasmids that have been modified to employ phage DNA or the expression control sequences; and the like. Yeast expression systems that can also be used in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the non-fusion pYES2 vector (Invitrogen), the fusion pYESHisA, B, C (Invitrogen), pRS vectors and the like. The control sequences of the vector include a promoter to effect transcription, an optional operator sequence to control such transcription, a sequence encoding suitable mRNA ribosome binding sites, and sequences that control termination of transcription and translation. The promoter may be any DNA sequence, which shows transcriptional activity in the host cell of choice and may be derived from genes encoding proteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell. Promoters suitable for use in expression vectors with prokaryotic hosts include the β-lactamase and lactose promoter systems [Chang et al., Nature, 275:615 (1978); Goeddel et al., Nature, 281:544 (1979)], alkaline phosphatase, a tryptophan (trp) promoter system [Goeddel, Nucleic Acids Res., 8:4057 (1980); EP 36,776], and hybrid promoters such as the tac promoter [deBoer et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 80:21-25 (1983)], all is operably linked to the DNA encoding CFXTEN polypeptides. Promoters for use in bacterial systems can also contain a Shine-Dalgarno (S.D.) sequence, operably linked to the DNA encoding recombinant polypeptide polypeptides.
IX. Methods of Making the Recombinant Polypeptide and AAC Compositions
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to methods of making the recombinant polypeptide compositions at high fermentation expression levels of functional protein using an E. coli host cell, as well as providing expression vectors encoding the constructs useful in methods to produce the cytotoxically active polypeptide construct compositions at high expression levels.
In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of 1) preparing the polynucleotide encoding the recombinant polypeptide or AAC of any of the embodiments disclosed herein, 2) cloning the polynucleotide into an expression vector, which can be a plasmid or other vector under control of appropriate transcription and translation sequences for high level protein expression in a biological system, 3) transforming an appropriate E. coli host cell with the expression vector, and 4) culturing the host cell in conventional nutrient media under conditions suitable for the expression of the recombinant polypeptide composition. Where desired, the E. coli host cell is BL21 Gold. By the method, the expression of the recombinant polypeptide or AAC results in fermentation titers of at least 0.1 g/L, or at least 0.2 g/L, or at least 0.3 g/L, or at least 0.5 g/L, or at least 0.6 g/L, or at least 0.7 g/L, or at least 0.8 g/L, or at least 0.9 g/L, or at least 1 g/L of the expression product of the host cell and wherein at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 97%, or at least 99% of the expressed protein are correctly folded. As used herein, the term “correctly folded” means that the binding moiety component of the composition has the ability to specifically bind its target ligand. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for producing a recombinant polypeptide or AAC composition, the method comprising culturing in a fermentation reaction a host cell that comprises a vector encoding a polypeptide comprising the recombinant polypeptide or AAC composition under conditions effective to express the polypeptide product at a concentration of more than about 10 milligrams/gram of dry weight host cell (mg/g), or at least about 250 mg/g, or about 300 mg/g, or about 350 mg/g, or about 400 mg/g, or about 450 mg/g, or about 500 mg/g of said polypeptide when the fermentation reaction reaches an optical density of at least 130 at a wavelength of 600 nm, and wherein the binding moieties of the expressed protein are correctly folded. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for producing a recombinant polypeptide composition or AAC, the method comprising culturing in a fermentation reaction a host cell that comprises a vector encoding a polypeptide comprising the recombinant polypeptide or AAC composition under conditions effective to express the polypeptide product at a concentration of more than about 10 milligrams/gram of dry weight host cell (mg/g), or at least about 250 mg/g, or about 300 mg/g, or about 350 mg/g, or about 400 mg/g, or about 450 mg/g, or about 500 mg/g of said polypeptide when the fermentation reaction reaches an optical density of at least 130 at a wavelength of 600 nm, and wherein the expressed polypeptide product is soluble.
The following are examples of compositions and evaluations of compositions of the disclosure. It is understood that various other embodiments may be practiced, given the general description provided above.
The gene encoding anti-EpCAM/anti-CD3 tandem scFv followed with one of the multi-specific release segment sequences (BSRS-1, amino acid sequence LSGRSDNHSPLGLAGS) was synthesized at Genescript, which introduced NdeI and BsaI restriction sites that are compatible with the NdeI and BsaI sites in the pBR322-XTEN864 destination vector. Restriction digested gene fragments containing anti-EpCAM/anti-CD3 tandem scFv and the BSRS-1 were ligated into the pBR322-XTEN864 vector using T4 DNA ligase and transformed into BL21 Gold cells (New England Biolabs). Transformants were screened by DNA miniprep and the desired construct was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The final vector encodes the ProTIA molecule with the components (in the N- to C-terminus) of anti-EpCAM-anti-CD3 bispecific tandem scFv with BSRS-1 as release segment fused to XTEN_864 gene under the control of a PhoA promoter and STII secretion leader. The resulting construct is AC1278, with the DNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence provided in Table 11.
Another anti-EpCAM anti-CD3-XTEN with Release Segment, designated AC1476 and with the DNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence provided in Table 11 as well, was constructed in a similar manner into base vector pYS0044-XTEN864-H6 base vector. The underscored sequence represents signal peptide, which is cleaved off during secretion and is absent in the final mature protein.
Additional ProTIA variants were constructed using the same procedure and their amino acid sequences are listed in Table 14.
MKKNIAFLLASMFVFSIAT
NAYAHHHHHHHHELVMTQS
MKKNIAFLLASMFVFSIAT
NAYADIQMTQSPSSLSASV
1) Expression and Purification of his(8)-aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN_AE864 from E. coli Fermentation Culture
The fusion protein AC1278 (MKKNIAFLLASMFVFSIATNAYA-His(8)-aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN_AE864) was expressed in a proprietary E. coli AmE098 strain. A 10L fermentation culture was grown at 37° C. and temperature shifted to 26° C. following depletion of the salt feed. During harvest, fermentation whole broth was centrifuged to pellet the cells. The supernatant was collected, and acid flocculation was then used to reduce endotoxin and host cell protein contamination. Using 1 M acetic acid, the supernatant pH was gradually lowered to pH 4.5 and left to incubate at room temperature for 30 minutes. The pH was then raised back to pH 7.5 using 2M NaOH and held overnight at 4° C. On the following day, the supernatant was 0.20 μm filtered using a 3M LifeAssure filter capsule.
To ensure N-terminal integrity at the His affinity tag, immobilized-metal affinity chromatography was used as the first capture step. Five 10-mL RedisepRf 25G column housings (Teledyne Isco) were packed with 10 mL of ToyoPearl-AF-Chelate 650M resin (TOSOH Biosciences). The columns were sanitized with 0.5M NaOH, thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, and then charged with 0.1M Ni2SO4, and equilibrated with 5 column volumes (CVs) of equilibration buffer (20 mM Tris, 250 mM NaCl, pH 7.5). Due to Triton X-114's cloud point of 23° C., Triton Wash buffer (20 mM Tris, 100 mM NaCl, 0.1% Triton X-114, pH 7.5) and Wash 2 buffer (20 mM Tris, 100 mM NaCl, pH 7.5) were prepared in advance, stored at 4° C., and kept on ice during use. After column equilibration, the supernatant was loaded to the column. Following 3 CVs of equilibration buffer as chase, the column was washed with 10CVs of cold Triton Wash buffer to lower endotoxin, followed by 10 CVs of cold Wash 2 buffer to remove Triton X-114. Protein was then eluted from the column with 3 CVs of elution buffer (20 mM Tris, 100 mM NaCl, 150 mM imidazole, pH 7.5), and 1 CV fractions (10 mL) were collected. To reduced protein oxidation, 5 mM EDTA was added to each elution. The load, flowthrough, and elutions were analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining. Based on the gel, elution CV1 and CV2 were saved for further processing. (
Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) was chosen as the subsequent polishing step. Two 20-mL RedisepRf 25G column housings (Teledyne Isco) were packed with 20 mL of Toyopearl-Phenyl-650M resin (TOSOH Biosciences). The columns were sanitized with 0.5M NaOH, thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, and equilibrated with 5 CVs of Buffer A (20 mM Tris, 1M (NH4)2SO4, pH 7.5). Elution buffers at 75% Buffer A, 50% Buffer A, and 25% Buffer A were prepared in advance by mixing appropriate volumes of Buffer A and Buffer B (20 mM Tris, pH 7.5). IMAC elutions CV1 and 2 were pooled together from the previous column step, and ammonium sulfate was added to a final concentration of 1M before loading to the pre-equilibrated Phenyl columns. After loading and chasing with 3 CVs of Buffer A, the column was eluted with 3 CVs each of 75% Buffer A, 50% Buffer A, 25% Buffer A, and 0% Buffer A. The load, flowthrough, and elutions were analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining. Based on the gel, wash and elutions CV1-2 at 750 mM (NH4)2SO4 (boxed) were pooled for further processing (
To ensure C-terminal integrity of XTEN and to further lower endotoxin, anion exchange chromatography was chosen as the final polishing step. A XK16 column housing on AKTApurifier was packed with 5 mL of Capto Q Impress resin (GE Healthcare), sanitized with 0.5M NaOH, thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, stripped with 2 CVs of Buffer B (20 mM Tris, 500 mM NaCl, pH 7.5), and equilibrated with 5 CVs of Buffer A (20 mM Tris pH 7.5). The HIC elution pool was diluted 4 fold before loading to the column. The column was then washed with 3 CVs of 30% Buffer B and eluted in a gradient of 30% to 70% Buffer B over 15 CVs. Elutions were collected in ½ CV (2.5 mL) fractions. The load, flowthrough, and elutions were then analyzed by non-reducing SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining to determine fractions to pool for formulation (
2) Formulation and Characterization
Desired elution fractions (boxed in
3) Enzyme Activation and Storage
Recombinant mouse MMP-9 was supplied as zymogen from R&D Systems and required activation by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). APMA was first dissolved in 0.1M NaOH to a final concentration of 10 mM before the pH was readjusted to neutral using 0.1N HCl. Further dilution of the APMA stock to 2.5 mM was done in 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2, pH 7.5. To activate pro-MMP, 1 mM APMA and 100 ug/mL of pro-MMP-9 were incubated at 37° C. for 3 hours. Activated enzyme added to a final concentration of 50% glycerol could then be stored at −20° C. for several weeks.
4) MMP-9 Digestion of his(8)-aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN864
To produce cleaved aEpCAM-aCD3 ProTIA-A, 9.12 mg of formulated His(8)-aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN864 (ProTIA-X) was incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. in a reaction mixture containing 10 mM CaCl2 and a 1:2237 enzyme-to-substrate molar ratio of active recombinant mouse MMP-9 (R&D Systems). To confirm specific digestion at BSRS1, 5 μg of undigested and MMP-9 digested product were run on 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE, followed by staining by Coomasie Blue. Use of Coomassie Blue staining allowed visualization of the full-length His8-aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN864 (ProTIA-X) before MMP-9 digestion and the His8-aEpCAM-aCD3 cleaved fragment (ProTIA-A) after MMP-9 digestion (
5) Purification of Cleaved his(8)-aEpCAM-aCD3 ProTIA-A Following MMP-9 Digestion
Following confirmation of MMP-9 digestion at BSRS1, immobilized-metal affinity chromatography was used to remove MMP-9. A 5-mL polypropylene column housing (ThermoScientific) was packed with 2 mL of ToyoPearl-AF-Chelate 650M resin (TOSOH Biosciences). The column was equilibrated with 5 CVs of equilibration buffer (20 mM Tris, 250 mM NaCl, pH 7.5). The digestion mixture was then loaded to the column. After loading and chasing with 1 CV of equilibration buffer, the column was washed with 3 CVs of equilibration buffer. Protein was eluted from the column with 3 CVs of elution buffer (20 mM Tris, 100 mM NaCl, 150 mM imidazole, pH 7.5), and 1 CV fractions (2 mL) were collected. The load, flow-through, and elutions were analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie straining to determine elutions containing ProTIA-A (
6) Formulation and Characterization of Cleaved his(8)-aEpCAM-aCD3
Desired elutions (boxed in
1) Expression and Purification of AC1476 aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN_AE864-his(6) from E. coli Fermentation Culture
The fusion protein AC1476 (MKKNIAFLLASMFVFSIATNAYA-aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN_AE864-His(6)) was expressed in a proprietary E. coli AmE097 strain. A 10L fermentation culture was grown at 37° C. and temperature shifted to 28° C. after depletion of the salt feed. During harvest, fermentation whole broth was centrifuged to pellet the cells. The supernatant was 0.20 μm filtered using a 3M LifeAssure filter capsule. A XK50 housing column was packed with 100 mL of Toyopearl-AF-Chelate-650M resin (TOSOH Biosciences) and connected to a peristaltic pump at 4° C. The column was sanitized with 0.5M NaOH, thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, charged with 0.1M NiSO4, and equilibrated with 5 CVs of equilibration buffer (20 mM Tris, 250 mM NaCl, pH 7.5). After column equilibration, the supernatant was loaded to the column, followed by Triton Wash, Wash 2, and elution similar to the process described above in Example 2-1. Elutions were collected in ¼ CV (25 mL) fractions and EDTA was added to a final concentration of 5 mM to chelate free nickel. The load, flowthrough, and elutions were analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining. Based on the gel, elutions 2-5 (boxed) were saved for further processing. (
Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) was chosen as the subsequent polishing step. A XK24 housing column on AKTApurifier was packed with 50 mL of Toyopearl-Phenyl-650M resin (TOSOH Biosciences). The column was sanitized with 0.5M NaOH, thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, and equilibrated with 5 CVs of Buffer A (20 mM Tris, 1M (NH4)2SO4, pH 7.5). Desired IMAC elutions were pooled together from the previous column step, and ammonium sulfate was added to a final concentration of 1M before loading to the column. Elutions were collected in ½ CV (25 mL) fractions in a gradient from 100% to 50% Buffer A over 10 CVs. The load, flowthrough, and elutions were analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining. Based on the gel, elutions boxed were pooled for further processing (
Anion exchange chromatography was chosen as the final polishing step. A XK24 housing column was packed with 30 mL Capto Q Impress resin (GE Healthcare), sanitized with 0.5M NaOH, thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, stripped with 2 CVs of Buffer B (20 mM Tris, 500 mM NaCl, pH 7.5), and equilibrated with 5 CVs of Buffer A (20 mM Tris, pH 7.5). The elution pool was buffer exchanged through a Pellicon XL Ultrafiltration module Biomax 10 kDa into 20 mM Tris pH 7.5 until the permeate had a conductivity of 8 ms/cm. The permeate was loaded to the Capto Q Impress column, and the column was then washed with 3 CVs of 10% and 20% Buffer B. Elutions were collected in ¼ CV (7.5 mL) fractions in a gradient from 20% to 70% Buffer B over 10 CVs. The load, flowthrough, and elutions were analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining. Based on the gel, selected elutions (boxed) were pooled for formulation (
2) Formulation and Characterization of aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN864-his(6)
Desired elutions were concentrated and buffer exchanged into 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.5. Lot release to determine product quality was performed following protocol established in Example 2 for SEC analysis (
To further prove the identity of the molecule, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was performed and the experimental mass was determined to be 138,652 Da, with ΔMass of +1 Da when compared to theoretical molecular weight of 138,651 Da (
4) MMP-9 Digestion of aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN864-his(6)
Following MMP-9 activation and digestion protocol described in Example 2, 20 mg of aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN864-His(6) (ProTIA-X) was digested, however using only 1:6000 molar enzyme-to-substrate molar ratio of active recombinant mouse MMP-9. Undigested and digested products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE (
5) Purification of Cleaved aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN864-his(6) Following MMP-9 Digestion
Following confirmation of MMP-9 digestion at BSRS1, anion exchange chromatography was used to remove cleaved free XTEN and uncleaved ProTIA-X. Two 5-ml polypropylene column housings (ThermoScientific) were packed with 3 mL each of MacroCap Q resin (GE Healthcare), sanitized with CIP (0.5M NaOH, 1M NaCl), thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, stripped with 2 CVs of Buffer B (20 mM Tris, 500 mM NaCl, PH 7.5), and equilibrated with 5 CVs of Buffer A (20 mM Tris, pH 7.5). The digestion mixture was loaded to the column. After loading and chasing with 1 CV of Buffer A, the column was eluted with 2 CVs each of 150 mM, 200 mM, 250 mM, 300 mM, and 500 mM NaCl. The load, flowthrough, and elutions were analyzed by 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie straining to determine fractions containing ProTIA-A (
6) Formulation and characterization of cleaved aEpCAM-aCD3 Desired ProTIA-A fractions were concentrated and buffer exchanged into 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.5. Lot release to determine product quality was performed following protocol established in Example 2 for SEC analysis (
To further prove the identity of the molecule, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was performed and the experimental mass was determined to be 58,071 Da, with ΔMass of +4 Da when compared to theoretical molecular weight of 58,067 Da (
The binding capability of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition was verified with an EpCAM/peroxidase-conjugated protein-L sandwich ELISA. In the ELISA binding assay, recombinant human EpCAM (rhEpCAM) (Sino BiologicalR&D Systems cat #10694-H08H960-EP-50) was coated on a 96-well, flat-bottomed plate at a concentration of 0.1 microg/100 microL. After overnight incubation at 4° C., the assay plate was washed and blocked with 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 1 h at room temperature. The plate was washed again followed by the introduction of a dose range of non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (i.e., a ProTIA without the release segment cleavage sequence and AC1484, a ProTIA chimeric polypeptide assembly composition) and protease-treated and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476). The dose range utilized for non-cleavable and protease-treated and untreated ProTIA was 0.0006 to 5 nM, achieved with a 1:6 fold serial dilution scheme from a starting concentration of 5 nM. The plate was allowed to incubate with shaking for 1 h at room temperature to allow the non-cleavable, protease-cleaved and uncleaved ProTIA to bind to the rhEpCAM coated on the plate. Unbound components were removed with a wash step and a peroxidase-conjugated protein L (PierceThermoFisher Scientific cat #32420) was added. After an appropriate incubation period that allowed protein-L to bind to the kappa light of the scFvs, any unbound reagent was removed by a wash step followed by the addition of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate to each well. TMB is a chromogenic substrate of peroxidase. After desired color intensity was reached, 0.2 N sulfuric acid was added to stop the reaction and absorbance (OD) was measured at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer. The intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of non-cleavable, protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA captured by the rhEpCAM/protein-L sandwich ELISA. The intensity of the color produced (measured OD) was plotted against protein concentration; and the concentration of non-cleavable, protease-cleaved and uncleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA that gave half-maximal response (EC50) was derived with a 4-parameter logistic regression equation using GraphPad prism software.
As shown in
Bispecific binding of the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition is also evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based assays utilizing CD3 positive human Jurkat cells and EpCAM positive human cells selected from SW480, HCT-116, Kato III, MDA-MB-453, MCF-7, MT3, SK-Br-3, SK-OV-3, OVCAR-3, BT-474, HPAF-II, JIMT-1, MDA-MB-436, NCI-H322, NCI-H660, NCI-H69 and PC3. CD3+ and EpCAM+ cells are incubated with a dose range of untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, and anti-CD3 scFv and anti-EpCAM scFv positive controls for 30 min at 4° C. in FACS buffer containing PBS with 1% BSA and 0.05% sodium azide. After several washes in FACS buffer to remove unbound test material, cells are incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-His tag antibody (Abcam cat #ab1206) for 30 min at 4° C. Unbound FITC-conjugated antibody is removed by several washes with FACS buffer and cells resuspended in FACS buffer for acquisition on a FACS Calibur flow cytometer (Becton Dickerson) or equivalent instrument. All flow cytometry data are analyzed with FlowJo software (FlowJo LLC) or equivalent.
While anti-EpCAM scFv is not expected to bind to Jurkat cells, anti-CD3 scFv, untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA are all expected to bind to Jurkat cells as indicated by an increase in fluorescence intensity when compared to Jurkat cells incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-His tag antibody alone. Similarly, anti-EpCAM scFv, protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA are all expected to bind to EpCAM positive cells, while anti-CD3 scFv is not expected to bind to EpCAM positive cells. It is expected that these data will reflect the bispecific binding ability of the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition to recognize both the CD3 and EpCAM antigen expressed respectively on Jurkat and the panel of EpCAM expressing human cell lines. Furthermore, due to the XTEN polymer providing some interference in surface binding, the untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is expected to bind at a lower affinity than the protease-treated ProTIA for both the CD3 and EpCAM antigens.
Redirected cellular cytotoxicity of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions were assessed by using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as effectors and EpCAM positive human carcinoma cells such as SW480 colon cells (or selected from HCT-116, Kato III, NCI-N87, MKN45, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453, MCF-7, MT3, SK-Br-3, SK-OV-3, OVCAR3, BT-474, HPAF-II, JIMT-1, MDA-MB-436, NCI-H322, NCI-H660, NCI-H69 and PC3) as targets. PBMC were isolated from screened, healthy donors by ficoll density gradient centrifugation from either whole blood or from lymphocyte-enriched buffy coat preparations obtained from local blood banks or Bioreclamation IVT. PBMC were resuspended and cultured at appropriate cell density as discussed below in RPMI-1640/10% FCS/25 mmol/mL HEPES at 37° C. in a 5% CO2 humidified incubator until use. Three different types of cytotoxicity assays are used for the determination of the cytolytic activity of non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 composition (AC1484), protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 cleavable ProTIA compositions (AC1278 & AC1476), namely lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, caspase 3/7 assay and FACS-based analysis.
As a non-radioactive alternative to 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay, the LDH release assay quantitatively measures the stable cytosolic enzyme LDH that is released upon cell lysis in much the same way as 51Cr is released in radioactive assays. Released LDH in culture supernatants is measured by an enzymatic assay that converts a tetrazolium salt into a red formazan product; the amount of color formed being proportional to the number of lysed cells.
The cytotoxic performance of the protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions in SW480 were thus analyzed as follows: cell density of SW480 and PBMC was first adjusted to 2.5×105 cells/mL and 1×106 cells/mL respectively in assay medium comprised of phenol red-free RPMI and 5% FCS. (Phenol red-free medium and 5% FCS were used to minimize background absorbance with the use of Promega CytoTox 96 Non-radioactive Cytotoxicity Assay kit (cat #G1780)). To achieve an effector to target ratio of 5:1, 100 microL aliquots of PBMC were co-cultured with 80 microL aliquots of SW480 cells per assay well in a 96-well round-bottom plate. Protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 composition samples were diluted in assay medium to the desired dose concentration and added in 20 microL to the respective experimental wells bringing the total assay volume to 200 microL. The protease-cleaved ProTIA was evaluated as a 12-point, 5× serial diluted dose concentration starting at 440 nM to obtain a final dose range of 0.000005 to 44 nM. The untreated non-cleaved ProTIA composition was analyzed as a 12 point, 5× serial diluted dose concentration starting at 184 nM to derive at a final dose range of 0.000002 to 18.4 nM. Assay controls that included spontaneous LDH released by effector and target cells; target cell maximum LDH released; volume correction control due to the addition of lysis solution and culture medium background were also set up at this time. For target spontaneous LDH released, SW480 cells were incubated in 200 microL of assay medium in the absence of any protease-treated or untreated composition. For effector spontaneous LDH released, PBMC were incubated in 200 microL of assay medium in the absence of any protease-treated or untreated composition. Target cell maximum LDH released was determined by the addition of 20 microL of 10× lysis solution to SW480 (220 microL total volume) and incubating the target cells in the presence of lysis solution for 45 min prior to harvesting the supernatant for LDH measurement. Volume correction control was achieved by adding 20 microL of 10× lysis solution to 200 microL of assay media, while culture medium background was obtained by incubating 200 microL of assay medium. The plate containing experimental wells of protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions and all the respective assay controls, all tested in duplicates, was then allowed to incubate overnight in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator.
The amount of LDH released into the supernatant as a result of cell lysis was measured using the Promega CytoTox Assay kit and following manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, 50 microL of the supernatant from each well of the assay plate was transferred to the corresponding well of a flat-bottomed enzymatic plate. To each well in the enzymatic plate, 50 microL of the reconstituted substrate was added. The plate was then covered, protected from light and allowed to incubate at room temperature for 30 min. After the desired incubation period, 50 microL of stop solution was added to each well and absorbance recorded at 490 nm.
Data analysis was then performed as followed:
1. Experimental, E:T ratio of 5:1 (average)−culture medium background (average)
SW480 target spontaneous (average)−culture medium background (average)
PBMC effector spontaneous (average)−culture medium background (average)
2. SW480 target maximum (average)−volume correction control (average)
3. % specific lysis=[(Experimental−SW480 target spontaneous−PBMC effector spontaneous)/(SW480 target maximum−SW480 target spontaneous)]×100
4. Dose concentration of protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was then plotted against % specific lysis; and the concentration of protein that gave half maximal response (EC50) was derived with a 4-parameter logistic regression equation using GraphPad prism software.
As shown in
The specificity of the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was further evaluated by comparing the cytotoxic activity of protease-treated and protease-untreated ProTIA to that of unconjugated monospecific anti-EpCAM scFv and monospecific anti-CD3 scFv in the LDH assay. Briefly, PBMC and SW480 cells were co-cultured in an effector to target ratio of 5:1 in assay medium in a 96-well round-bottom plate as described above. Protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, and unconjugated monospecific anti-EpCAM scFv plus monospecific anti-CD3 scFv samples were all evaluated as a 12-point, 5× serial dilution of a final dose range of 0.00005 to 45 nM in a total assay volume to 200 microL. Together with experimental wells, all relevant assay controls as described above were also included in the assay plate and the plate was incubated overnight in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator.
The amount of LDH released into the supernatant as a result of cell lysis was measured using the Promega CytoTox Assay kit and results analyzed as described above.
As expected, exposure of SW480 cells to protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA in the presence of PBMC show enhanced cytotoxicity as compared to untreated ProTIA. Significantly, combining monospecific anti-EpCAM scFv and monospecific anti-CD3 scFv in the presence of SW480 target cells and PBMC did not result in any cytotoxic activity (
We also hypothesized that the release segment cleavage sequence present in the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA may by itself be susceptible to cleavage by proteases released by the tumor cells or by activated CD3 positive T cells (e.g. granzymes). To address this hypothesis, a non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA without the release segment (AC1357) was constructed and evaluated in conjugation with the protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1278). All three ProTIA were analyzed in the LDH assay using a 5:1 PBMC to SW480 ratio and tested in a 12-point dose concentration range of 0.00005 to 45 nM achieved with a 5× serial dilution scheme.
As shown in
The non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA without the release segment (AC1484) and protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) were also evaluated in human cell line of ovarian origin. In this experiment, PBMC was mixed with SK-OV-3 ovarian cells in a ratio of 5:1 and all three ProTIA molecules were tested as a 12-point, 5× serial dilution dose curve in the LDH assay as described above. As expected, the activity trend of the three ProTIA molecules profiled in SK-OV-3 ovarian cell line was found to be similar to that observed in the SW480 colorectal cell line. In SK-OV-3 cells, untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was 45-fold less active than protease-treated ProTIA (EC50 of 136 pM vs. 3 pM); and the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was 600-fold less active than the protease-cleaved ProTIA (EC50 of 1793 pM vs. 3 pM) (
For analysis of cell lysis after 24 h by flow cytometer, EpCAM positive SK-OV-3 target cells (or target cells selected from HCT-116, Kato III, MDA-MB-453, MCF-7, MKN45, MT3, NCI-N87, SK-Br-3, SW480, OVCAR3, BT-474, HPAF-II, JIMT-1, MDA-MB-436, NCI-H322, NCI-H660, NCI-H69 and PC3 cell lines) are labeled with the fluorescent membrane dye CellVue Maroon dye (Affymetrix/eBioscience, cat #88-0870-16) according to manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively PKH26 (Sigma, cat #MINI26 and PKH26GL) can also be used. In brief, SK-OV-3 cells are washed twice with PBS followed by resuspension of 2×106 cells in 0.1 mL diluent C provided with the CellVue Maroon labeling kit. In a separate tube, 2 mircoL of CellVue Maroon dye is mixed with 0.5 mL diluent C, and then 0.1 mL added to the SK-OV-3 cell suspension. The cell suspension and CellVue Maroon dye are mixed and incubated for 2 min at room temperature. The labeling reaction is then quenched by the addition of 0.2 mL of FCS. Labeled cells are washed twice with complete cell culture medium (RPMI-1640 containing 10% FCS) and total number of viable cells determined by trypan blue exclusion. For an effector to target ratio of 5:1 in a total volume of 200 microL per well, 1×105 PBMC are co-cultured with 2×104 CellVue Maroon-labeled SK-OV-3 cells per well in a 96-well round-bottom plate in the absence or presence of the indicated dose range concentration of protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA samples. After 24 h, cells are harvested with Accutase (Innovative Cell Technologies, cat #AT104) and washed with 2% FCS/PBS. Before cell acquisition on a Guava easyCyte flow cytometer (Millipore), cells are resuspended in 100 microL 2% FCS/PBS supplemented with 2.5 micrograms/mL 7-AAD (Affymetrix/eBioscience, cat #00-6993-50) to discriminate between alive (7-AAD-negative) and dead (7-AAD-positive) cells. FACS data are analyzed with guavaSoft software (Millipore); and percentage of dead target cells is calculated by the number of 7-AAD-positive/CellVue Maroon-positive cells divided by the total number of CellVue Maroon-positive cells.
Dose response kill curves of percent cytotoxicity against ProTIA concentration are analyzed by 4 parameter-logistic regression equation using GraphPad Prism; and the concentration of ProTIA that induced half maximal percent cell cytotoxicity is thus determined.
Cytotoxicity results utilizing flow cytometry are expected to be in line with results obtained with the LDH assay. Exposure of SK-OV-3 cells to protease-cleaved and uncleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions in the absence of PBMC are expected to have no effect. Similarly, PBMC are not expected to be activated in the presence of ProTIA without target cells. These results are expected to indicate that ProTIA compositions need to be clustered on the surface of target cells in order to stimulate PBMC for cytotoxicity activity. In the presence of PBMC and target cells, there would be a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect due to ProTIA pretreated or untreated with protease. Further, results are expected to show that exposure of SK-OV-3 cells to untreated ProTIA (no protease) in the presence of PBMC would show reduced cytotoxicity as compared to protease-cleaved ProTIA composition.
The above set of cytotoxicity experiments is performed for other bispecific ProTIA compositions such as anti-CD19×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition and anti-HER2×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition. In these instances, CD19 and HER2 positive target cells will be used instead of EpCAM positive cells. Example cell lines for CD19 expressing cells will include but not limited to NAML-6, Blin-1, SKW6.4, Raji, Daudi and BJAB. For anti-HER2 targeting, HER2 positive cell lines such as SK-BR-3, BT474, HCC-1954, MDA-MB-453, SK-OV-3, NCI-N87, JIMT-1, HCT-116 will be used.
To measure the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA induced activation markers (CD69 and CD25), 1×105 PBMC or purified CD3+ cells were co-cultured in RPMI-1640 containing 10% FCS with 2×104 SK-OV-3 or OVCAR3 cells per assay well (i.e., effector to target ratio of 5:1) in the presence of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) in a 96-well round-bottom plate with total final volume of 200 microL. After 20 h incubation in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator, cells were stained with PECy5-conjugated anti-CD4, APC-conjugated anti-CD8, PE-conjugated anti-CD25, and FITC-conjugated anti-CD69 (all antibodies from BioLegend) in FACS buffer (1% BSA/PBS) at 4° C., washed twice with FACS buffer, and then re-suspended in FACS buffer for acquisition on a Guava easyCyte flow cytometer (Millipore).
As expected, the T-cell activation marker expression trend of the three ProTIA molecules profiled in SK-OV-3 ovarian cell line was found to be similar to that observed by LDH cytotoxicity assay. Using SK-OV-3 cells, activation of CD69 on CD8 and CD4 populations of PBMC by untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) was ˜70-fold less active than protease-treated AC1476 ProTIA (EC50 of 540 pM vs. 6.7 pM for CD8+, EC50 of 430 pM vs. 6.3 pM for CD4+); and the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1484) was ˜1000-fold less active than the protease-cleaved ProTIA (EC50 of 8700 pM vs. 6.7 pM for CD8+, EC50 of 6000 pM vs. 6.3 pM for CD4+) (
Similarly, activation of both CD69 and CD25 on CD8 and CD4 populations of PBMC cells by untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) was ˜60-fold less active than protease-treated ProTIA (MMP-9 treated AC1476), and the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1484) was ˜1300-fold less active than the protease-cleaved ProTIA (
To confirm the mechanism of action is through CD3+ cells, SK-OV-3 cells were used as target cells, and activation of CD69 on CD8 and CD4 populations of purified CD3+ cells by untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) was ˜100-fold less active than protease-treated ProTIA (EC50 of 260 pM vs. 2.4 pM for CD8+, EC50 of 240 pM vs. 2.2 pM for CD4+); and the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1484) was 2000-fold less active than the protease-cleaved ProTIA (EC50 of 5000 pM vs. 2.4 pM for CD8+, EC50 of 5000 pM vs. 2.2 pM for CD4+) (
Using OVCAR3 cells, activation of CD69 on CD8 and CD4 populations of purified CD3+ cells by untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) was ˜10-fold less active than protease-treated ProTIA (EC50 of 14 pM vs. 1.8 pM for CD8+, EC50 of 16 pM vs. 1.9 pM for CD4+); and the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1484) was ˜1000-fold less active than the protease-cleaved ProTIA (EC50 of 2000 pM vs. 1.8 pM for CD8+, EC50 of 1500 pM vs. 1.9 pM for CD4+) (
As further evidence of activation of T cells by anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA in the presence of target cells, induction of CD69 and granzyme B were measured. PBMC (1×105) were co-cultured with 2×104 OVCAR3 cells per assay well (i.e., effector to target ratio of 5:1) in the presence of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA in a 96-well round-bottom plate with total final volume of 200 microL. After 20 h incubation in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator, cells were stained with PECy5-conjugated anti-CD4, APC-conjugated anti-CD8, and FITC-conjugated anti-CD69 (all antibodies from BioLegend) in FACS buffer (1% BSA/PBS) at 4° C. Cells were then fixed and permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100/PBS before staining with PE-conjugated anti-granzyme B (ThermoFisher, cat #MHGB04) in FACS buffer. Cells were washed with FACS buffer and then resuspended in FACS buffer for acquisition on a Guava easyCyte flow cytometer.
As expected, both CD69 and granzyme B are expressed in ProTIA-activated T cells in the presence of OVCAR3 cells. Additionally, a greater fraction of CD8+ cells express granzyme B compared to CD4+ cells (
The pharmacokinetic properties of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA were analyzed in C57BL/6 mice. Three mice in group 1 were injected intravenously with 4 mg/kg of protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1278), and 3 mice in group 2 were injected intravenously with untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1278). At appropriate time points, blood was collected into lithium heparinized tubes and processed into plasma. For the protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA animals, plasma collection time points were pre-dose, 2 min, 15 min, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h and 24 h. For the untreated ProTIA mice, plasma collection time points were pre-dose, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 2 d, 4 d, 6 d and 7 d. Plasma concentration of protease-treated ProTIA was quantified by a rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-His tag sandwich ELISA with the protease-cleaved ProTIA as standard; while plasma concentration of untreated ProTIA was quantified by a rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA with the uncleaved ProTIA as standard.
Briefly, ELISA plate (Nunc Maxisorp cat #442404) was coated with 0.1 mircog/100 microL per well of rhEpCAM (R&D Systems, cat #EHH104111). After overnight incubation at 4° C., the ELISA plate was washed and blocked with 3% BSA for 1 h at room temperature. The plate was washed again followed by the appropriate addition of a dose range of protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA standards, appropriate quality controls and plasma test samples. The plate was allowed to incubate with shaking for 1 h at room temperature to allow the ProTIA standards, quality controls and test samples to bind to rhEpCAM coated on the plate. Unbound components were removed with several washes. For the detection of protease-cleaved ProTIA, biotinylated anti-His tag antibody (R&D Systems, cat #BAM050) was added at 0.2 microg/100 microL and plate allowed to incubate at room temperature for 1 h. For the detection of the protease-untreated ProTIA, biotinylated anti-XTEN antibody (a proprietary antibody) was added at 0.1 microg/100 microL and the plate allowed to incubate at room temperature for 1 h. After washing away unbound biotinylated reagent, streptavidin-HRP (Thermo Scientific cat #21130) was added at 1:30,000 dilution and plate incubated at room temperature for 1 h. After several washes, TMB substrate was added to each well. Once desired color intensity was reached, 0.2 N sulfuric acid was added to stop the reaction and absorbance (OD) was measured at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer. The intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of protease-treated and untreated ProTIA captured by the respective rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-His tag and rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA. The concentration of ProTIA present in the plasma samples was determined against the appropriate protease-treated or untreated ProTIA standard curve using SoftMax Pro software. Pharmacokinetic calculations of terminal half-life (T1/2) of the protease-cleaved and uncleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA were performed with GraphPad Prism.
In line with expectation, the protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA has a short terminal elimination half-life (T1/2) of about 3.5 h, whereas the protease-untreated ProTIA (with attached XTEN) has an extended T112 of 32 h (
An in vivo efficacy experiment was performed in immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice, characterized by the deficiency of T and B cells, and impaired natural killer cells. Mice were maintained in sterile, standardized environmental conditions and experiment performed in accordance to US Institutional Animal Care Association for Assessment and Use Committee (IACUCAccreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) guidelines. The efficacy of protease-treated and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1278) was evaluated using the human SW480 carcinoma xenograft model. Briefly, on day 0, six cohorts of 5 NOD/SCID mice per group were subcutaneously injected in the right flank with 1×107 human PBMC mixed with 1×107 SW480 cells. An hour after SW480/PBMC inoculation, cohort 1 was injected with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80), cohort 2 and 3 with 0.04 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA respectively, cohort 4 and 5 with 0.1 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and cohort 6 with 1 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. Cohort 1 to 5, but not cohort 6, were further subjected to four additional doses administered daily from day 1 to day 4.
Tumors were measured twice per week for a projected 35 days with a caliper in two perpendicular dimensions and tumor volumes were calculated by applying the (width2×length)/2 formula. Body weight, general appearance and clinical observations such as seizures, tremors, lethargy, hyper-reactivity, pilo-erection, labored/rapid breathing, coloration and ulceration of tumor and death were also closely monitored as a measure of treatment related toxicity. Study endpoint was defined as a tumor volume of 2000 mm3 or survival to 36 days, whichever comes first. Percent tumor growth inhibition index (% TGI) was calculated for each of the treatment group by applying the formula: ((Mean tumor volume of PBSvehicle control−Mean tumor volume of ProTIA treatment)/mean tumor volume of PBSvehicle control)×100. Treatment group with % TGI ≥60% is considered therapeutically active.
At day 36, cohort 1 mice treated with PBS vehicle in the presence of human effector cells did not inhibit tumor progression, demonstrating that human effector cells alone as such could not elicit an anti-tumor effect. Treatment with the protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA at 0.04 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg (cohort 2 and 3 respectively) in the presence of human effector cells exhibited clear dose-dependent response for suppression of tumor growth with the 0.4 mg/kg dose group providing more protection (% TGI=84%) than the 0.04 mg/kg dose group (% TGI=78%). Significantly, treatment with anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA at 1 mg/kg (cohort 5) in the presence of human effector cells also inhibited tumor growth (% TGI=83%) to almost the same extend as molar-equivalent 0.4 mg/kg protease-treated ProTIA (cohort 3). Data suggest that at 1 mg/kg, sufficient anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was effectively cleaved by proteases in the in vivo tumor environment to the more active, unXTENylated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 moiety to yield the observed efficacy. The lack of tumor regression in the 0.1 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA cohort 4 (% TGI=8%) suggested that at this dose, insufficient unXTENylated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 moiety was released to induced noticeable tumor regression. Cohort 6, subjected to a single 1 mg/kg dose of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, did not attained the threshold for therapeutic activity (% TGI=52%) despite exhibiting suppressed tumor growth as compared to control group (
Of note, no significant body weight loss was observed in all ProTIA treatment groups and vehicle control indicating that all treatments were well tolerated (
The specificity of the antitumor activity of protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA variants is performed in SW480/PBMC inoculated NOD/SCID mice much like the study described above but with eight mice per treatment group. In this study, early treatment with PBS vehicle control, non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1357 or AC1484), a bispecific negative control ProTIA (having the binding activity for CD3 but not for EpCAM), protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1278, AC1476, AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, AC1715) or protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is initiated an hour after SW480/PBMC inoculation. The 1 mg/kg dose concentration of protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA as determined in the above study is used in this study and the bispecific negative control ProTIA, non-cleavable and protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA test articles are all intravenously administered at equimolar concentration. Tumor volume, body weight and clinical observations are monitored two times per week for 35 days.
Treatment with PBS vehicle and the bispecific control ProTIA in the presence of human effector cells are not expected to induce anti-tumor effects, demonstrating that neither human effector cells alone nor a non-EpCAM targeting moiety could elicit an anti-tumor effect. Mice in both these treatment groups are expected to meet the study endpoint (day 35 or tumor volume of 2000 mm3). Five daily doses of protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, in the presence of human effector are expected to induce suppression of tumor growth. Treatment with equimolar concentration of the non-cleavable ProTIA is expected to minimally retard tumor growth as it does not contain the substrate for protease cleavage.
In the established colorectal tumor model, SW480 or HCT-116 tumor cells are independently implanted into NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rgnull) or NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid.IL2rgtm1Wj1/SzJ) mice on day 0. (The NOG or NSG mice are NOD/SCID mice bearing IL-2Rg mutation resulting in the mice lacking T, B and NK cells, dysfunctional macrophage, dysfunctional dendritic cells and reduced complement activity.) Human PBMC are then intravenously or intraperitoneally introduced sometime between days 3 to 10. When the SW480 and HCT-116 tumor have reached a volume of 150 mm3, treatment with protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, intact protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and a non-cleavable form of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is initiated as three doses per week for three to four weeks. It is expected that both protease-cleaved and protease-untreated ProTIA (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) will lead to reduction or eradication of established SW480 and HCT-116 tumors, with the protease-untreated ProTIA having the potential to impart better therapeutic exposure over time resulting in a more efficacious anti-tumor effect and better safety profile than protease-treated ProTIA. It is also postulated that differences in Release Segments are likely to play a role in efficacy profile among the protease-untreated ProTIAs.
The non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1484) is expected to minimally retard tumor growth as it does not contain the substrate sequence for protease cleavage within the tumor environment.
As a safety assessment of the ability of intact versus cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA to stimulate release of T-cell related cytokines in a cell-based in vitro assay, a panel of cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma were analyzed using the cytometric bead array (CBA) on supernatants from cultured human PBMC stimulated with protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA samples. The anti-human CD3 antibody, OKT3, was used as positive control and untreated wells served as negative control.
Briefly, OKT3 (0, 10 nM, 100 nM and 1000 nM) and protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1278 at 10 nM, 100 nM, 1000 nM and 2000 nM) were dry coated onto a 96-well flat bottomed plate by allowing the wells to evaporate overnight in the biosafety hood. Wells were then washed once gently with PBS and 1×106 PBMC in 200 microL were added to each well. The plate was then incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 for 24 h, after which tissue culture supernatant was collected from each well and analyzed for cytokine released using the validated commercial CBA kit (BD CBA human Th1/Th2 cytokine kit, cat #551809) by flow cytometry following manufacturer's instructions.
Results:
The raw data for detected levels of cytokines are presented in Table 12, and are depicted graphically in
As expected, OKT3, but not untreated wells, induced robust secretion of all cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) evaluated, thereby confirming the performance of the CBA cytokine assay. Stimulation with protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA triggered significant cytokine expression, especially at concentrations higher than 100 nM for all of the cytokines tested. In contrast, baseline levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were detected when the intact non-cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA molecule was the stimulant at a concentration range of 10 to 2000 nM. While an appreciable level of IL-4 was detected when induced with the protease-untreated ProTIA, the level of IL-4 was, however, not higher than that observed with the protease-treated ProTIA (
In vivo efficacy experiment was performed in immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice, characterized by the deficiency of T and B cells, and impaired natural killer cells. Mice were maintained in sterile, standardized environmental conditions and experiment performed in accordance with the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) guidelines. The efficacy of protease-treated and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) together with non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (i.e. ProTIA without the release segment cleavage sequence and an example of which being AC1484) was evaluated using the human HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma xenograft model. Briefly, on day 0, four cohorts of 5 NOD/SCID mice per group were subcutaneously injected in the right flank with 5×106 human PBMC mixed with 5×106 HCT-116 cells. An hour after HCT-116/PBMC inoculation and based on equimolar dosing, cohort 1 was injected with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80), cohort 2 with 0.21 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, cohort 3 with 0.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and cohort 4 with 0.49 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. Cohort 1 to 4 were all subjected to four additional doses administered daily from day 1 to 4.
Tumors were measured twice per week for a projected 35 days with a caliper in two perpendicular dimensions and tumor volumes were calculated by applying the (width2×length)/2 formula. Body weight, general appearance and clinical observations such as seizures, tremors, lethargy, hyper-reactivity, pilo-erection, labored/rapid breathing, coloration and ulceration of tumor and death were also closely monitored as a measure of treatment related toxicity. Study endpoint was defined as a tumor volume of 12002000 mm3 or survival to 35 days, whichever comes first. Percent tumor growth inhibition index (% TGI) was calculated for each of the treatment group by applying the formula: ((Mean tumor volume of PBS control−Mean tumor volume of ProTIA treatment)/mean tumor volume of PBS control)×100. Treatment group with % TGI ≥60% is considered therapeutically active.
At day 35, cohort 1 mice treated with vehicle in the presence of human effector cells did not inhibit tumor progression and exiting the study with a group mean tumor volume of 1654±87 mm3, demonstrating that human effector cells alone as such could not elicit an anti-tumor effect. Treatment with the protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA at 0.21 mg/kg (cohort 2) in the presence of human effector cells exhibited robust suppression of tumor growth; with 2/5 mice exhibiting complete tumor regression by displaying no measureable tumor volume at day 18. However, tumor regrowth and progression was observed from day 25 onwards in this cohort resulting in all 5 mice bearing a tumor burden exiting the study with a mean tumor volume of 296±33 mm3 at day 35. Significantly, treatment with intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA at 0.5 mg/kg (cohort 3) in the presence of human effector cells also imparted strong inhibition of tumor growth. In fact 4/5 mice in cohort 3 exhibited complete tumor regression by day 18. With 2 mice still retaining complete regression on day 35, this cohort existed the study with mean tumor volume of 48±67 mm3. Importantly, Cohort 4 subjected to 0.49 mg/kg dose of non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, did not induce any sustained inhibition of tumor progression as effectively as cohort 2 and 3, leaving 5/5 mice in this cohort with significant tumor burden. Cohort 4 exited study at day 35 with a group mean tumor volume of 748±272 mm3. Both protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA at 0.21 mg/kg (cohort 2) and intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA at 0.5 mg/kg (cohort 3) are considered therapeutically active with a TGI of 82% and 97% respectively. With a TGI of 55%, the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is considered therapeutically inactive. As expected, the group mean tumor volume of intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is found to be significantly different from that of non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA cohort (student's t-test, p=0.0016). Appreciably, the group mean tumor volume of intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA cohort is also found to be significantly different from that of protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA cohort (p=0.002). Results suggest that at 0.5 mg/kg, significant amount of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was effectively cleaved by proteases present in the in vivo HCT-116 tumor environment to the highly active, unXTENylated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 moiety to impart the remarkable observed tumor regression. This hypothesis is very much supported by the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA molecule lacking the release segment substrate that resulted in the lack of sustained tumor regression property (
Of note, no significant body weight loss was observed in all ProTIA treatment groups and vehicle control indicating that all treatments were generally well tolerated (
To demonstrate that cytotoxic activity of ProTIA molecules is mediated by CD3 positive T cells, non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA without the release segment (AC1484) and protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) were further evaluated in SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 human ovarian cell lines in the presence of purified human CD3 positive T cells. Purified human CD3 positive T cells were purchased from BioreclamationlVT and isolated by negative selection using MagCellect Human CD3+ T cell isolation kit from whole blood of healthy donors. In this experiment, purified human CD3 positive T cells were mixed with SK-OV-3 or OVAR-3 ovarian cells in a ratio of 5:1 and all three ProTIA molecules were tested as a 12-point, 5× serial dilution dose curve in the LDH assay as described above. As expected, the activity trend of the three ProTIA molecules profiled in SK-OV-3 was found to be similar to that observed in the SK-OV-3 with PBMC analysis (
To measure the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA induced expression of cytokines, 1×105 purified CD3+ cells were co-cultured with 2×104 SK-OV-3 cells per assay well (i.e., effector to target ratio of 5:1) in the presence of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) in a 96-well round-bottom plate with total final volume of 200 microL. After 20 h incubation in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator, cell supernatant was harvested for cytokine measurements. This assay can also be performed with other target cells selected from HCT-116, Kato III, MDA-MB-453, MCF-7, MKN45, MT3, NCI-N87, SK-Br-3, SW480, OVCAR3 and PC3 cell lines as well as PBMC in place of purified CD3+ cells.
Cytokine analysis of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma secreted into the cell culture supernatant was quantitated using the Human Th1/Th2 Cytokine Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) kit (BD Biosciences cat #550749) following manufacturer's instruction. In the absence of ProTIA, no cytokine secretion above background is expected from purified CD3+ cells. ProTIA in the presence of EpCAM-positive target cells and purified CD3+ cells is expected to activate T cells and secrete a pattern of T cell cytokines with a high proportion of Th1 cytokines such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.
As expected, anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA induced robust secretion of all cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) evaluated (see
As ProTIA is a bispecific-targeting composition, the binding capability of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition was also evaluated for binding affinity to human CD3. This was determined with a CD3ε & δ/peroxidase-conjugated protein-L sandwich ELISA. In this ELISA, recombinant human CD3 (rhCD3ε & δ) (Creative BioMart cat #CD3E&CD3D-219H) was coated on a 96-well, flat-bottomed plate at a concentration of 0.025 microg/100 microL. After overnight incubation at 4° C., the assay plate was washed and blocked with 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 1 h at room temperature. The plate was washed again followed by the introduction of dose ranges of non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1484), protease-treated and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476). The dose range utilized for all three versions of ProTIA was 0.002 to 100 nM, achieved with a 1:6 fold serial dilution scheme from a starting concentration of 100 nM. The plate was allowed to incubate with shaking for 1 h at room temperature to allow the non-cleavable, protease-cleaved and protease-untreated ProTIA to bind to the rhCD3ε & δ coated on the plate. Unbound components were removed with a wash step and a peroxidase-conjugated protein L (ThermoFisher Scientific cat #32420) at 0.05 microg/100 microL was added. After an appropriate incubation period, any unbound reagent was removed by a wash step followed by the addition of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate to each well. After desired color intensity was reached, 0.2 N sulfuric acid was added to stop the reaction and absorbance (OD) was measured at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer. The intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of non-cleavable, protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA captured by the rhCD3ε & δ/protein-L sandwich ELISA. The intensity of the color produced (measured OD) was plotted against protein concentration; and the concentration of non-cleavable, protease-cleaved and uncleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA that gave half-maximal response (EC50) was derived with a 4-parameter logistic regression equation using GraphPad prism software.
Results: As shown in
The binding specificity of an anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) was evaluated in conjunction with the control ProTIA compositions anti-CEA×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1432) and anti-HER2×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1408), in a target cell marker/biotin-conjugated protein-L sandwich ELISA. Both the anti-CEA×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1432) and the anti-HER2×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1408) bear the same anti-CD3 scFv component as the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) albeit with different targeting component. In the ELISA binding assay, recombinant human EpCAM (rhEpCAM) (R&D Systems cat #960-EP-50), recombinant human CEA (Abcam cat #ab742) and recombinant human HER2 (AcroBiosystems cat #HE2-H525) were coated on a 96-well, flat-bottomed plate at a concentration of 0.1 microg/100 microL. After overnight incubation at 4° C., the assay plate was washed and blocked with 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 1 h at room temperature. The plate was washed again followed by the introduction of a dose range (0.0007 to 0.5 nM, achieved with a 1:3 fold serial dilution scheme from a starting concentration of 0.5 nM) of protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) to EpCAM-coated wells, CEA-coated wells and HER2-coated wells. Serving as controls, protease-treated anti-CEA×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1432) was introduced at a similar dose range onto CEA-coated wells, and protease-treated anti-HER2×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1408) was also introduced at a similar dose range onto HER2-coated wells. The plate was allowed to incubate with shaking for 1 h at room temperature to allow the various protease-cleaved ProTIAs to bind to the respective antigen coated on the plate. Unbound components were removed with a wash step and a biotin-conjugated protein L (ThermoFisher Scientific cat #29997) was added at 0.05 microg/100 microL. After an appropriate incubation period, any unbound reagent was removed by a wash step followed by the addition of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate to each well. After desired color intensity was reached, 0.2 N sulfuric acid was added to stop the reaction and absorbance (OD) was measured at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer. The intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of the respective protease-treated ProTIAs captured by the appropriate antigen coated on the plate. The intensity of the color produced (measured OD) was plotted against ProTIA concentration; and the respective dose curve derived with a 4-parameter logistic regression equation using GraphPad prism software.
Results: As shown in
The protease susceptibility of the Release Segment (RS) as engineered into the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA molecule (AC1476) in tumor environment was also evaluated in vivo together with non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1484), protease-treated and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1476) in the SW480/PBMC inoculated NOD/SCID xenograft model. Much like the study described in Examples 10 and 13, an hour after SW480/PBMC inoculation (denoted as day 0), cohort 1 mice was injected with vehicle (PBS_0.05% Tween 80), cohort 2 with 0.21 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, cohort 3 with 0.5 mg/kg intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and cohort 4 with 0.49 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. All cohorts (i.e. 1 to 4) were further treated with four additional doses administered daily from day 1 to day 4. Tumor volume, body weight and clinical observations are monitored two times per week for a targeted 35 days.
As shown in
As shown in
The in vivo efficacy of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is also evaluated using the human ovarian OVCAR-3 cell line implanted intraperitoneally into the severely immunodeficient NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid.IL2rgtm1wj1/SzJ) or NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rgnull) mice. NOG and NSG mice are characterized by the deficiency of T, B and NK cells, as well as the dysfunction of macrophages, dendritic cell and complement system. Briefly, on day 0, seven cohorts of 5 NOG or NSG mice per group are implanted intraperitoneally with 5-10×106 OVCAR-3 cells, followed by the intravenous introduction of 5-10×106 of PBMC on day 14. On day 16, treatment is initiated with cohort 1 injected with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80) daily for 5 doses (qdx5), cohort 2 with 0.21 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qdx5, cohort 3 with 1.05 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA once per week (qw), cohort 4 with 0.5 mg/kg with protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qdx5, cohort 5 with 2.5 mg/kg with protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qw, cohort 6 with 0.49 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qdx5 and cohort 7 with 2.45 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qw. All cohorts are subjected to another cycle of treatment the following week. Mice are monitored daily for behavior and survival, and twice weekly for body weight and abdomen distention. Blood are collected on day 30, day 40, day 50 and day 60 for CA125 determination as sign of tumor development. When weight of animals has increased by 30% from day 0, the animal is defined as having met study endpoint and is sacrificed and autopsied.
Growth of OVCAR-3 tumor is evidenced by the development of intraperitoneal ascites as monitored by increase in body weight, increase in abdomen diameter and an increase in circulating CA125 levels. It is expected that both protease-cleaved and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) will lead to improve survival and an absence or delay of ascites formation. It is also expected that the protease-untreated ProTIA will have a better therapeutic exposure leading to a more efficacious anti-tumor effect and better safety profile than protease-treated ProTIA. The non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is also expected to retard tumor growth but to a much lesser extent than that demonstrated by the release segment bearing protease-untreated and the protease-treated ProTIA.
Protease-cleaved, protease-untreated and non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIAs' PK and bio-distribution profile is evaluated as a mixture of independently metal-labeled molecules in the OVCAR-3 tumor bearing BALB/c nude mice. To each irradiated BALB/c nude mice, ten million OVCAR-3 cells are injected intraperitoneally on day 0. Treatment is initiated when abdominal distention is visibly observed and/or when animal body weight has increased by 10-15% over day 0. Out of twenty OVCAR-3 tumor bearing mice, 18 are selected and randomized according to their individual body weight into 2 groups of 9 animals per group. One group of 9 mice is intravenously injected with 1.5 mg/kg of the mixture comprising of equimolar concentration of metal 1-labeled protease-cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, metal 2-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and metal 3-labeled non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. The other group of 9 animals is administered intraperitoneally with 1.5 mg/kg of the same ProTIA mixture.
By alternating between animals in the same group (i.e. intravenously and intraperitoneal administered groups), blood is collected by jugular/mandibular vein puncture into lithium heparin tubes at 0.5 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, day 3, day 5 and day 7 post-test article administration. Blood is processed into plasma by centrifugation at 1300 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and stored at −80° C. till analysis.
Ascites is collected from both intravenously and intraperitoneal administered groups at 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, day 3, day 5 and day 7 post-test article administrations by alternating between animals in the same group. Ascites samples are immediately centrifuged at 300 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and fluid component frozen down at −80° C. until analysis.
Three mice from each group will be terminated on day 3, day 5 and day 7. Organs (brain, heart, liver, lung, spleen, and pancreas) and tumor nodules in the peritoneal cavity are harvested, weighed, flash frozen and stored at −80° C. until analysis is performed.
All samples (blood, ascites, normal organs and tumor tissues) are analyzed by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). In the intravenous arm, low amount of all 3 ProTIAs are expected to be detected in the ascites. In the plasma component, metal 2-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and metal 3-labeled non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA are expected to demonstrate a longer systemic half-life than metal 1-labeled protease-cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. In the intraperitoneal arm, all 3 ProTIA versions are expected to be detectable in the ascites. Due to the presence of tumor in the intraperitoneal space, it is unknown if metal 2-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and metal 3-labeled non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA will have a longer retention time in the peritoneal cavity as compared to metal 1-labeled protease-cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. All 3 ProTIA versions are expected to be detected in plasma at a delayed time and at a lower concentration as compared to the intravenous route. All 3 ProTIA versions are expected to be present at higher concentration in tumor nodules extracted from the peritoneal cavity but minimally or none in normal organs.
The in vivo efficacy of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is also evaluated using the human ovarian SK-OV-3 cell line implanted intraperitoneally into the severely immunodeficient NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid.IL2rgtm1Wj1/SzJ) or NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rgnull) mice. NOG and NSG mice are characterized by the deficiency of T, B and NK cells, as well as the dysfunction of macrophages, dendritic cell and complement system. Briefly, on day 0, seven cohorts of 5 NOG or NSG mice per group are implanted intraperitoneally with 5-10×106 SK-OV-3 cells, followed by the intraperitoneal introduction of 5-10×106 of PBMC on day 5. On day 7, treatment is initiated with cohort 1 injected with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80) daily for 5 doses (qdx5), cohort 2 with 0.21 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qdx5, cohort 3 with 1.05 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA once per week (qw), cohort 4 with 0.5 mg/kg with protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qdx5, cohort 5 with 2.5 mg/kg with protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qw, cohort 6 with 0.49 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qdx5 and cohort 7 with 2.45 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA qw. Mice are monitored daily for behavior and survival, and twice weekly for body weight and abdomen distention. When weight of animals has increased by 30% from day 0, animal is defined as having met study endpoint and are sacrificed and autopsied.
Growth of SK-OV-3 is evidenced by the development of intraperitoneally ascites monitored by increase in body weight and increase in abdomen diameter. It is expected that both protease-cleaved and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) will lead to improve survival and absence or delay of ascites formation. It is also expected that the protease-untreated ProTIA will impart better therapeutic exposure, a more efficacious anti-tumor effect and better safety profile than protease-treated ProTIA. The non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is also expected to retard tumor growth but to a much lesser magnitude than that exhibited by the release segment bearing protease-untreated ProTIA and the protease-treated ProTIA.
Human malignant ascites are collected from patients with primary intraperitoneal EpCAM positive epithelial malignancies which includes but not limited to advanced, relapsed and refractory ovarian (adenocarcinoma and mucinous), colorectal, gastric, bile duct/cholangiocarcinoma, Ampulla of Vater, pancreatic and non-clear renal cell carcinoma patients. Patients who are receiving chemotherapy, immunological therapy, biologics and/or corticosteroid therapy within the last 30 days prior to sample collection are excluded. Malignant ascites are centrifuged at 300-400 g for 10 min at room temperature and the fluid and pellet component harvested. The concentration of human proteases including but not limited to MMP-9, MMP-2, matriptase and uPA are quantitated in the fluid component using commercially available ELISA kits (human MMP-9, Invitrogen cat #KHC3061 or equivalent; human MMP-2, Invitrogen cat #KHC3081 or equivalent; human matriptase, Enzo cat #ADI-900-221; and human uPA, Abcam cat #119611) following manufacturer's instructions. The rate of intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) cleavage by protease found in the ascites fluid is determined by spiking a known concentration of the ProTIA into the ascites fluid component and incubating mixture at 37° C., with an aliquot withdrawn at indicated time points of 0.5 h, 2h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, 3 day, 4 day, 5 day and 7 day. The amount of intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA present at the respective time points are then analyzed on a rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA with the corresponding intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 as standard.
Briefly, ELISA plate (Nunc Maxisorp cat #442404) is coated with 0.1 mircog/100 microL per well of rhEpCAM (R&D Systems, cat #EHH104111). After overnight incubation at 4° C., the ELISA plate is washed and blocked with 3% BSA for 1 h at room temperature. The plate is washed again followed by the appropriate addition of a dose range of intact, protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA standards, appropriate quality controls and ProTIA-spiked ascites test samples. The plate is allowed to incubate with shaking for 1 h at room temperature to allow the ProTIA standards, quality controls and test samples to bind to rhEpCAM coated on the plate. Unbound components are removed with several washes. Biotinylated anti-XTEN antibody (a proprietary antibody) is added at 0.1 microg/100 microL and the plate allowed to incubate at room temperature for 1 h. After washing away unbound biotinylated reagent, streptavidin-HRP (ThermoFisher Scientific cat #21130) is added at 1:30,000 dilution and plate incubated at room temperature for 1 h. After several washes, TMB substrate is added to each well. Once desired color intensity is reached, 0.2 N sulfuric acid is added to stop the reaction and absorbance (OD) is measured at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer. The intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of intact ProTIA captured by the rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA. The concentration of intact ProTIA present in the ascites test samples is determined against the intact ProTIA standard curve using the SoftMax Pro software. The rate of decrease of intact ProTIA as detected in the rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA (i.e. half-life) is determined using GraphPad Prism. It is postulated that differences in Release Segments are likely to play a role in the metabolism rate among the protease-untreated ProTIAs
The ascites pellet is phenotyped for EpCAM, CD3, CD4, CD8, CA125 and CD56 expression. Malignant ascites samples tested positive for EpCAM and CD3 are used for cytotoxic analysis with protease-treated and protease-untreated ProTIA. Briefly, 1×105 ascites cells are reconstituted with appropriate amount of ascites fluid and allowed to adhere on a 24-well plate for 24 h in triplicate. Cells are treated with dose concentrations of protease-treated and intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA for 48 h, followed by quantitation of caspase 3/7 using a luminogenic caspase 3/7 substrate as instructed by manufacturer (Promega Caspase-Glo 3/7 cat #G8091). With luminescence signal being proportional to caspase-3/7 activity, dose concentration of protease-treated and untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is then plotted against luminescence signal and the concentration of protein that give half maximal response (EC50) is derived with a 4-parameter logistic regression equation using GraphPad prism software. It is expected that the human malignant ascites derived from advanced, relapsed and refractory EpCAM positive cancer patients will contain all necessary components for the cleavage and subsequent activation of intact anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA to the unXTENylated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 moiety that exert strong cytotoxic activity. A decrease in number of EpCAM positive cells as a sign of tumor elimination; and an increase in T cell activation markers such as CD69 and granzymes as reflective of T cell activation are also expected,
Redirected cellular cytotoxicity of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions was also assessed via caspase 3/7 activities of apoptotic cells. Similar to the LDH cytotoxicity assay described above, PBMC or purified CD3 positive T cells were mixed with EpCAM positive tumor target cells such as SW480, SK-OV-3 and OVAR-3 cells in a ratio of 5 effectors to 1 target, HCT-116 at a ratio of 10:1; and all three ProTIA versions were tested as a 12-point, 5× serial dilution dose concentrations as in the LDH assay described above.
Upon cell lysis, released caspase 3/7 in culture supernatants was measured by the amount of luminogenic caspase 3/7 substrate cleavage by caspase 3/7 to generate the “glow-type” luminescent signal (Promega Caspase-Glo 3/7 cat #G8091). The amount of luminescence is proportional to the amount of caspase activities.
As expected, the activity trend of the protease-treated, protease-untreated and non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA profiled in SK-OV-3, OVCAR-3, HCT-116 and SW480 tumor cell lines was found to be in agreement with the activities observed in the LDH assay analysis. In the cytotoxic killing of SK-OV-3 ovarian cells by human PBMC, untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is 12-fold less active than protease-treated ProTIA (EC50 of 140 pM vs. 12 pM); and the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is 390-fold less active than the protease-cleaved ProTIA (EC50 of 4700 pM vs. 12 pM) (
The experiment was conducted to demonstrate that the aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN_AE864-His(6) AC1476, previously described in Example 3, can be cleaved in vitro by multiple tumor-associated proteases, including MMP-2, MMP-9, and neutrophil elastase.
1. Enzyme Activation
All enzymes used were obtained from R&D Systems. Recombinant neutrophil elastase and recombinant human matriptase were provided as activated enzymes and stored at −80° C. until use. Recombinant mouse MMP-2 and recombinant mouse MMP-9 were supplied as zymogens and required activation by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). APMA was first dissolved in 0.1M NaOH to a final concentration of 10 mM before the pH was readjusted to neutral using 0.1N HCl. Further dilution of the APMA stock to 2.5 mM was done in 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2, pH 7.5. To activate pro-MMP, 1 mM APMA and 100 μg/mL of pro-MMP were incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour (MMP-2) or 3 hours (MMP-9). Glycerol was added to activated enzymes to a final concentration of 50% and then each was stored at −20° C.
2. Enzymatic Digestion
A panel of enzymes was used to digest the AC1476 aEpCAM-aCD3-BSRS1-XTEN_AE864-His(6) ProTIA composition. 10 μM of the substrate composition was incubated individually with each enzyme in the following enzyme-to-substrate molar ratios: MMP-2 (1:200), MMP-9 (1:2000), matriptase (1:12.5), and neutrophil elastase (1:1000). Reactions were incubated at 37° C. for two hours before stopping digestion by gel loading dye and heating at 80° C.
3. Analysis of Cleavage.
Analysis of the samples was performed by loading 5 μg of undigested and digested material on SDS-PAGE and staining with Coomassie Blue. Upon treatment by each protease at the BSRS-1 release segment, the substrate yielded two fragments detectable in the SDS-PAGE gel, with the small fragment containing aEpCAM-aCD3 (the activated first portion form with the binding domains) and the other containing released XTEN, which migrates at a slightly lower apparent molecular weight on SDS-PAGE than the intact form. For neutrophil elastase, which also digests released XTEN, the activated form was observed in the gel as well as other smaller fragments; the latter due to the cleavage of XTEN at various locations along the sequence. The results confirm that all proteases tested cleaved the construct as intended, with the release of the binding domains.
In the established colorectal tumor model, HCT-116 tumor cells were independently implanted into NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rgnull) mice on day 0. (The NOG mice are NOD/SCID mice bearing IL-2Rg mutation resulting in the mice lacking T, B and NK cells, dysfunctional macrophage, dysfunctional dendritic cells and reduced complement activity.) Human PBMC were then intravenously introduced on day 4. When the HCT-116 tumor had reached a volume of 100-150 mm3, treatment with anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIAs were initiated 3× per week for 4 weeks at equimolar concentration of 21.6 nmol/kg. This is equivalent to 1.26 mg/kg of protease-cleaved and 3.0 mg/kg of protease-untreated and non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA.
Both protease-cleaved and protease-untreated ProTIA (e.g. AC1476) led to significant reduction of established HCT-116 tumors when compared to vehicle-treated control group (p=0.004 and p=0.001 respectively). The non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1484) did not retard tumor growth as expected since it does not contain the substrate sequence for protease cleavage within the tumor environment (p=0.198) (
The in vivo efficacy of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was also evaluated using the human platinum-resistant OVCAR-3 ovarian cell line implanted intraperitoneally into the severely immunodeficient NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rgnull) mice. NOG mice are characterized by the deficiency of T, B and NK cells, as well as the dysfunction of macrophages, dendritic cell and complement system. On day 0, eight cohorts (Groups 1-7 with 6 NOG mice per group; and Group 9 with 8 NOG mice) were implanted intraperitoneally with 10×106 OVCAR-3 cells. Group 8, comprising of 5 NOG mice, was also set up on day 0 with no OVCAR-3 inoculation. When tumor cells were observed to have progressed as reflected by an increase in human CA125 level from baseline (below limit of detection) to 300-400 U/mL on day 20, 10×106 of PBMC were intraperitoneally introduced to Groups 1-8. Group 9 did not received any PBMC. Treatments were initiated on day of PBMC inoculation with Groups 1, 8 and 9 injected with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80), Group 2 with 0.21 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 3 with 1.05 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 4 with 0.5 mg/kg with protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 5 with 2.5 mg/kg with protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 6 with 0.49 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, and Group 7 with 2.46 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. All cohorts were treated twice per week for 4 weeks. Mice were monitored daily for behavior and survival, and twice weekly for body weight and abdomen distention. Blood were collected on day 28, day 42 and day 48 for CA125 determination as sign of tumor development.
Growth of OVCAR-3 tumor was most clearly evidenced by an increase in circulating human CA125 levels. As shown in
As expected both protease-cleaved and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1476) led to decrease level of circulating CA125 over time. This was demonstrated for both dose levels. As shown in
The non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA treated groups demonstrated an increased in CA125 levels over time. Group 6 (0.49 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA) saw an increased in CA125 from 344±118 U/mL on day 20 to 3426±4170 U/mL on day 48; and Group 7 (2.46 mg/kg non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA) demonstrated an increased in CA125 from 351±113 U/mL on day 20 to 1905±2534 U/mL on day 48.
The in vivo efficacy of protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (such that the ProTIA remained intact) administered intraperitoneal versus intravenous as well as against bevacizumab was evaluated using the human platinum-resistant OVCAR-3 ovarian cell line implanted intraperitoneally into the severely immunodeficient NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rgnull) mice. NOG mice are characterized by the deficiency of T, B and NK cells, as well as the dysfunction of macrophages, dendritic cell and complement system. On day 0, eight cohorts (Groups 1-7 and Group 9) of 6 NOG mice per group were implanted intraperitoneally with 10×106 OVCAR-3 cells. Group 8, comprising of 6 NOG mice, was also set up on day 0 with no OVCAR-3 inoculation. When tumor cells were observed to have progressed as reflected by an increase in human CA125 level from baseline (below limit of detection) to approximately 650 U/mL on day 21, 10×106 of PBMC were intravenously introduced to Groups 1-8. Group 9 did not received any PBMC. Treatments were initiated on day of PBMC inoculation with Groups 1, 8 and 9 intravenously injected with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80), Group 2 intraperitoneally administered with 0.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 3 intraperitoneally administered with 2.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 4 intravenously administered with 0.5 mg/kg with protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 5 intravenously administered with 2.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Group 6 intravenously administered with 2 mg/kg bevacizumab, and Group 7 intravenously administered with 5 mg/kg bevacizumab. All cohorts were treated twice per week for 4 weeks. Mice were monitored daily for behavior and survival, and twice weekly for body weight and abdomen distention. Blood were collected on day 27, day 34, day 41, day 48 and at sacrifice for CA125 determination as sign of tumor development.
Growth of OVCAR-3 tumor was most clearly evidenced by an increase in circulating human CA125 levels. CA125 level in Group 1 (OVCAR3+PBMC) increased from 682±259 U/mL on day 21 to 1727±749 U/mL at sacrifice; and in Group 9 (OVCAR-3 only) from 671±212 U/mL on day 21 to 3554±2908 U/mL at sacrifice. Group 8 bearing only PBMC only with no OVCAR-3 cells had below limit of detection CA125 level throughout the study.
As monitored by CA125, protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1476) administered intravenously was as efficacious was intraperitoneal administration (
When monitored by total tumor volume at sacrifice of all animals, intravenous administered protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA out-performed administration via intraperitoneal route especially between the higher dose groups. Total tumor volume for all animals at sacrifice for Group 3 (2.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, IP) was 2600 mm3; and was 460 mm3 for Group 5 (2.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, IV) (
When monitored by total tumor volume at sacrifice of all animals, intravenous administered 2.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (Group 5) out-performed 2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg bevacizumab treated cohorts, with lower total tumor volume. Total tumor volume for all animals at sacrifice for Group 5 (2.5 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, IV) was 460 mm3 compared to 2900 mm3 for Group 6 (2 mg/kg bevacizumab, IV) and 4630 mm3 for Group 7 (5 mg/kg bevacizumab, IV) (
The binding capability of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition was verified with a CD3epsilon-delta/anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA. In the ELISA binding assay, recombinant human CD3 (rhCD3) (Creative Biomart cat #CD3E&CD3D-219H) was coated on a 96-well, flat-bottomed plate at a concentration of 0.25 microg/100 microL. After overnight incubation at 4° C., the assay plate was washed and blocked with 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 1 h at room temperature. The plate was washed again followed by the introduction of a dose range of non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (i.e., a ProTIA without the release segment cleavage sequence and AC1484, a ProTIA chimeric polypeptide assembly composition) and protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, AC1715). The dose range utilized for non-cleavable and protease-untreated ProTIA was 3,600 to 0.077 ng/mL, achieved with a 1:6 fold serial dilution scheme from a starting concentration of 3,600 ng/mL. The plate was allowed to incubate with shaking for 1 h at room temperature to allow the non-cleavable, protease-uncleaved ProTIA to bind to the rhCD3ε & δ coated on the plate. Unbound components were removed with a wash step and a proprietary biotinylated anti-XTEN monoclonal antibody was added. After an appropriate incubation period that allowed the anti-XTEN antibody to bind to the XTEN polypeptide on the ProTIAs, any unbound reagent was removed by a wash step followed by the addition of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate to each well. TMB is a chromogenic substrate of peroxidase. After desired color intensity was reached, 0.2 N sulfuric acid was added to stop the reaction and absorbance (OD) was measured at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer. The intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of non-cleavable, protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA captured by the rhCD3ε & δ/anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA. The intensity of the color produced (measured OD) was plotted against protein concentration; and the concentration of non-cleavable and protease-uncleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA that gave half-maximal response (EC50) was derived with a 4-parameter logistic regression equation using GraphPad prism software.
As shown in
The pharmacokinetic properties of protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA variants (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) would be analyzed in conjunction with non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1484) in C57BL/6 mice. Each ProTIA would be evaluated with three mice per group at an intravenous dose of 4 mg/kg. At appropriate time points of pre-dose, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 2 d, 4 d, 6 d and 7 d, blood would be collected into lithium heparinized tubes and processed into plasma. Plasma concentration of ProTIAs would be quantified by a rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA with the protease-untreated ProTIA as standard.
Briefly, ELISA plate (Nunc Maxisorp cat #442404) would be coated with 0.1 mircog/100 microL per well of rhEpCAM (R&D Systems, cat #EHH104111). After overnight incubation at 4° C., the ELISA plate would be washed and blocked with 3% BSA for 1 h at room temperature. The plate would then be washed again followed by the appropriate addition of a dose range of protease-untreated and non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA standards, appropriate quality controls and plasma test samples. The plate would be allowed to incubate with shaking for 1 h at room temperature to allow the ProTIA standards, quality controls and test samples to bind to rhEpCAM coated on the plate. Unbound components would be removed with several washes. For detection, biotinylated anti-XTEN antibody would be added at 0.1 microg/100 microL and the plate allowed to incubate at room temperature for 1 h. After washing away unbound biotinylated reagent, streptavidin-HRP (Thermo Scientific cat #21130) would be added at 1:30,000 dilution and plate incubated at room temperature for 1 h. After several washes, TMB substrate would be added to each well. Once desired color intensity is reached, 0.2 N sulfuric acid is added to stop the reaction and absorbance (OD) measured at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer. The intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of protease-untreated and non-cleavable ProTIA captured by the rhEpCAM/biotinylated-anti-XTEN sandwich ELISA. The concentration of ProTIA present in the plasma samples is determined against the appropriate protease-untreated or non-cleavable ProTIA standard curve using SoftMax Pro software. Pharmacokinetic calculations of terminal half-life (T1/2) of the protease-uncleaved and non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA would be performed with GraphPad Prism.
It is expected that the results would show no difference in elimination half-life (T1/2) between the different protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA variants, and also against the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA.
Protease-cleaved, protease-untreated and non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIAs' PK profile was evaluated as a mixture of independently metal-labeled molecules in the OVCAR-3 tumor bearing BALB/c nude mice. To each irradiated BALB/c nude mice, ten million OVCAR-3 cells are injected intraperitoneally on day 0. Treatment was initiated when abdominal distention was visibly observed and/or when animal body weight had increased by 10-15% over day 0. Out of twenty OVCAR-3 tumor bearing mice, 18 were selected and randomized according to their individual body weight into 2 groups of 9 animals per group. One group of 9 mice was intravenously injected with 1.5 mg/kg of the mixture comprising of equimolar concentration of Lutetium (Lu)-labeled protease-cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, Holmium (Ho)-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and Terbium (Tb)-labeled non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA. The other group of 9 animals is administered intraperitoneally with 1.5 mg/kg of the same ProTIA mixture.
By alternating between animals within the same group (i.e. intravenously and intraperitoneal administered groups) due to limitations in blood draw and treatment handling per mouse, blood was collected by jugular/mandibular vein puncture into lithium heparin tubes at 0.5 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, day 3, day 5 and day 7 post-test article administration. Blood was processed into plasma by centrifugation at 1300 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and stored at −80° C. till analysis.
Ascites was collected from both intravenously and intraperitoneal administered groups at 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, day 3, day 5 and day 7 post-test article administrations by alternating between animals within the same group. Ascites samples were immediately centrifuged at 300 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and fluid component frozen down at −80° C. until analysis. All samples (blood and ascites) were analyzed by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry).
In the plasma compartment of the intravenous administered arm, Ho-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and Tb-labeled non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA demonstrated similar half-life of 19.5 h. As expected, Ho-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA had a longer systemic half-life compared to the Lu-labeled protease-cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (19.5 h vs. 2 h) (
In the plasma compartment of the intraperitoneal administered arm, Ho-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA and Tb-labeled non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA reached Cmax at ˜8 h, and demonstrated equivalent half-life of 21.4 and 22.9 h, respectively. The Ho-labeled protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA exhibited a longer systemic half-life compared to the Lu-labeled protease-cleaved anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (21.4 h vs. 6.5 h) (
Results demonstrated that protease-untreated ProTIA is stable in systemic circulation in OVCAR-3 tumor bearing diseased mice; and has a 10-fold improved half-life compared to protease-treated ProTIA. In the peritoneal cavity, all 3 ProTIAs (i.e. protease-treated, protease-untreated and non-cleavable) had long exposure likely due to tumor target interaction.
Redirected cellular cytotoxicity of protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) against non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1484) was also assessed via caspase 3/7 activities of apoptotic cells. Similar to the caspase cytotoxicity assay described above, PBMC were mixed with EpCAM positive tumor target cells such as HPAF-II (human pancreatic tumor cell line), HCT-116 (human colorectal tumor cell line) and MDA-MB-231 (human triple negative breast cell line) in a ratio of 10 effectors to 1 target; and all ProTIA variants were tested as either a 8-point or a 12-point, 5× serial dilution dose concentrations as in the caspase assay described above. The three cell lines were selected to represent high, mid and low EpCAM antigen expressing cells with HPAF-II expressing 1.1 million EpCAM antigen per cell, HCT-116 500,000 per cell and MDA-MB-231 13,000 per cell.
Upon cell lysis, released caspase 3/7 in culture supernatants was measured by the amount of luminogenic caspase 3/7 substrate cleavage by caspase 3/7 to generate the “glow-type” luminescent signal (Promega Caspase-Glo 3/7 cat #G8091). The amount of luminescence is proportional to the amount of caspase activities.
When evaluated in EpCAM high expressing HPAF-II cell line, the activity among the protease-untreated ProTIA variants ranged from similar (AC1684, AC1685, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) to ˜6-fold less active (AC1686) (Table 13).
When evaluated in EpCAM mid expressing HCT-116 cell line, the activity among the protease-untreated ProTIA variants ranged from similar (AC1684, AC1685, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) to ˜7-fold less active (AC1686) (Table 13).
When evaluated in EpCAM low expressing MDA-MB-231 cell line, all ProTIAs (protease-untreated and non-cleavable) exhibited much lower activity than was observed in the high and mid EpCAM expressing cell lines. The activity among the protease-untreated ProTIA variants ranged from similar (AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) to 4-fold less active (AC1684) (Table 13).
In line with the activity trend of the protease-untreated versus non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA profiled in above examples, the activity of the non-cleavable ProTIA (e.g. AC1484) is consistently poorer as compared to all the protease-untreated ProTIAs (AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) in all three high, mid and low EpCAM expressing cell lines tested. (The only exception being AC1684 and AC1484 having equivalent activity in MDA-MB-231 cell line.) The fold difference in activity between protease-untreated versus non-cleavable in the EpCAM high expressing HPAF-II is approximately 60-fold, in HCT-116 about 37-fold and in MDA-MB-231 about 3.6-fold.
Results demonstrated that EpCAM expression of approximately ≥500,000 per target cell is sufficient to provide strong cytotoxic activity, while EpCAM expression of approximately ≤13,000 per target cell will induced much poorer cytotoxic activity. Differences in ProTIA Release Segment composition as represented by AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715 can influence the cytotoxic activity of ProTIAs to kill a specific target cell in the presence of effector PBMC. Results also demonstrated that non-cleavable ProTIA is consistently less active than the protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 variants in all three high, mid and low EpCAM expressing cell lines evaluated.
The in vivo efficacy of among protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA variants as well as against bevacizumab would be evaluated using the human platinum-resistant OVCAR-3 ovarian cell line implanted intraperitoneally into the severely immunodeficient NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rgnull) mice. NOG mice are characterized by the deficiency of T, B and NK cells, as well as the dysfunction of macrophages, dendritic cell and complement system. On day 0, nine cohorts (Groups 1-9) of 6 NOG mice per group would be implanted intraperitoneally with 10×106 OVCAR-3 cells. When tumor cells are observed to have progressed as monitor by an increase in human CA125 level from baseline (below limit of detection) to approximately 650 U/mL (approximately day 21), 10×106 of PBMC would be intravenously introduced to Groups 1-9. Treatments would be initiated on day of PBMC inoculation with Group 1 intravenously injected with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80); Groups 2-8, each intravenously administered with one protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA variants (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715) at 0.5 mg/kg; and Group 9 intravenously administered with 2 mg/kg bevacizumab. All cohorts would be treated twice per week for 4 weeks. Mice will be monitored daily for behavior and survival, and twice weekly for body weight and abdomen distention. Blood would be collected on day 27, day 34, day 41, and day 48 and at sacrifice for CA125 determination as sign of tumor development. All mice will be sacrificed at day 55 study endpoint, in which time ascites volume will be measured and total number and mass of all tumor nodules found in the peritoneal cavity counted.
Growth of OVCAR-3 tumor would be clearly evidenced by an increase in circulating human CA125 levels. CA125 level in Group 1 vehicle is expected to increase significantly over time. CA125 level in Group 9 bevacizumab is also expected to increase over time but to a lesser extent than that observed in Group 1 vehicle. CA125 levels in Groups 2-7 are expected to decrease over time due to efficacy imparted by the various protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1684, AC1685, AC1686, AC1693, AC1695, AC1714, and AC1715). As these variants bear different release segment, there is a good likely hood that differences in degree of efficacy (i.e. magnitude of CA125 decrease) would be observed among the protease-untreated variants.
When monitored by ascites volume and total tumor volume at sacrifice of all animals, intravenous administered protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIAs are expected to out-performed Group 1 and 9. Group 1 and 9 are expected to bear ascites volume at sacrifice due to tumor growth. Minimal ascites fluid and tumor nodules are expected in Groups 2 to 8 due to efficacy imparted by the various protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIAs. As these variants bear different release segment, there is a good likely hood that differences in degree of efficacy would be observed among the protease-untreated variants.
Toxicity of ProTIA was assessed by using surrogate molecules that bind to mouse EpCAM and mouse CD3ε proteins. The main toxicity attributed to this molecule is cytokine release syndrome due to expression of EpCAM positive cells in the mouse lymphocytes. The test articles were AC1553X, AC1553A, and AC1476A. AC1553X is a 138 kDa recombinant molecule consisting of anti-mouse EpCAM scFv fused to an anti-mouseCD3 scFv linked to an 864-amino acid XTEN protein (AE864), described more fully in Example 24. A tumor-associated protease-sensitive cleavage site was engineered between the aCD3 scFv and adjoining XTEN. Insertion of the unique protease cleavage site enables selective cleavage of AC1553X by tumor-associated proteases such as MMP-9, MMP-2, and matriptase to release the fused anti-mouseEpCAM and anti-mouse CD3 scFv cytotoxic moiety. AC1553A is configured in a format equivalent to a BiTE molecule that can be generated by cleavage of the AC1553X by the tumor-associated proteases, and it recognizes mouse EpCAM and mouse CD38/6 receptors. AC1476A is a bispecific molecule that recognizes human EpCAM and human CD38/6 receptor, and it is used as a negative control in the toxicity assessment because it does not recognize the mouse EpCAM nor mouse CD3 molecules.
Normal BALB/c mice were dosed with 500 μg of control non-binding BiTE equivalent (AC1476A), varying amount of BiTE equivalent (50, 150, and 500 μg/kg; AC1553A), and matching molar amounts of ProTIA (120, 360, and 1,200 μg/kg; AC1553X). Blood was collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 hours post-dosing, and cytokine levels for IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a, and INF-g were determined by luminex assay using Milliplex cytokine analysis kits (catalog #MHSTCMAG-70K).
Results: Except for interferon-gamma (IFN-g;
Conclusions: The cytokine induction is much higher for AC1553A treatment than that of AC1553X indicating a much greater cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in AC1553A-treated mice vs. AC1553X-treated mice. This was particularly the case for IL-6 (
Toxicity of ProTIA was assessed by using a surrogate molecule that binds to mouse EpCAM and mouse CD3ε proteins. The main toxicity attributed to this molecule is cytokine release syndrome due to expression of EpCAM positive cells in the mouse lymphocytes. The test articles were AC1553X and AC1553A, described in Example 24. Normal C57BL/6 mice were dosed with varying amount of AC1553A (50, 150, and 500 μg/kg), and matching molar amounts of AC1553X (120, 360, and 1,200 μg/kg), and health and body weight of the mice were monitored for 14 days post-dosing.
Mice that were treated with the high dose of AC1553A (500 μg/kg) all died by the third day post-treatment (5 out of 5 mice), and mice treated with the mid dose of AC1553A (150 μg/kg) resulted in death of 3 out of the 5 mice during the study (
Results: Mice that were treated with high dose of AC1553A (500 μg/kg) exhibited greater than 10% body weight loss after 2 days of treatment, and all of the mice died within 3 days (
Conclusions: The fact that 3 of 5 mice died when treated with mid dose of AC1553A and all of the mice (5 out of 5) died with high dose suggests that the maximum tolerable dose of AC1553A in mice is between 50 to 150 μg/kg. Since all of the mice treated with AC1553X at various amounts of drug are alive, the results suggest that the maximum tolerable dose for AC1553X in mice is greater than 1,200 μg/kg.
The binding affinity of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1476) to human EpCAM and human CD3 was measured by two methods: 1) using surface plasmon resonance with recombinant EpCAM and CD3 antigens and 2) using flow cytometry with EpCAM and CD3 expressing cells. Note that AC1516 is the codon-optimized version of AC1476 and they share the same amino acid sequence.
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding experiments were performed on a Biacore 3000. To assess binding of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA to human EpCAM, Fc-tagged EpCAM (R&D Systems, cat #960-EP-050) was captured on a carboxy-methylated dextran chip using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Then binding of each of the three ProTIA molecules [untreated (e.g. AC1516), protease-treated (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1516), and non-cleavable (e.g. AC1484) anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 to the EpCAM chip was performed at 5-6 difference concentrations for full kinetic analysis and Kd determination. The Kd for binding to human EpCAM was determined to be 11.4 nM for untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, 1.15 nM for protease-treated ProTIA, and 10.0 nM for non-cleavable ProTIA.
To assess binding of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA to human CD3, His-tagged CD3εδ (Creative Biomart, cat #CD3E&CD3D-219H) was captured on a carboxy-methylated dextran chip using EDC and NHS. Then binding of each of the three ProTIA molecules [untreated (e.g. AC1516), protease-treated (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1516), and non-cleavable (e.g. AC1484) anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3] to the CD3 chip was performed at 5-6 difference concentrations for full kinetic analysis and Kd determination. The Kd for binding to human CD3 was determined to be 15.3 nM for untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA, 2.22 nM for protease-treated ProTIA, and 27.8 nM for non-cleavable ProTIA.
The binding constants for anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA binding to EpCAM-expressing and CD3-expressing cells were determined by competition binding with a fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA. The fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA was made by conjugation of Alexa Fluor 647 C2 maleimide (Thermo Fisher, cat #A20347) to a cysteine-containing, protease-treated ProTIA mutant (MMP-9 treated AC1531). Binding experiments were performed on 10,000 cells at 4° C. for 1 hour in a total volume of 100 microL of binding buffer (1% bovine serum albumin in phosphate-buffered saline). Cells were washed once with cold binding buffer, then re-suspended in 2% formaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline and immediately analyzed on a Millipore Guava easyCyte flow cytometer. Binding of the fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA revealed an apparent Kd of 0.85 nM to CHO cells stably transfected with human EpCAM (EpCAM-CHO) and 2.6 nM to CD3+Jurkat cells. Competition binding of the fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA to EpCAM-CHO cells resulted in apparent binding constants of 2.9 nM for untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1476) and 0.29 nM for protease-treated ProTIA (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1476). Competition binding of the fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA to CD3+Jurkat cells resulted in apparent binding constants of 31 nM for untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1476) and 1.1 nM for protease-treated ProTIA (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1476).
The binding affinity to EpCAM for the protease-treated ProTIA was about 10-fold stronger than untreated and non-cleavable ProTIA by both SPR and flow cytometry. The binding affinity to CD3 for the protease-treated ProTIA was stronger than untreated and non-cleavable ProTIA: about 10-fold by SPR and about 30-fold by flow cytometry. These data support the conclusion that XTEN reduces the binding affinity of the intact, untreated ProTIA prodrug form compared to the protease-treated activated ProTIA. The reduction in binding affinity to both EpCAM and CD3 makes the untreated ProTIA less likely to bind to its targets in the circulation or healthy tissues.
To measure the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA induced activation markers (CD69 and CD25), 1×105 PBMC or purified CD3+ cells would be co-cultured in RPMI-1640 containing 10% FCS with 2×104 SK-OV-3 or OVCAR3 cells per assay well (i.e., effector to target ratio of 5:1) in the presence of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1695) in a 96-well round-bottom plate with total final volume of 200 microL. After 20 h incubation in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator, cells would be stained with PECyS-conjugated anti-CD4, APC-conjugated anti-CD8, PE-conjugated anti-CD25, and FITC-conjugated anti-CD69 (all antibodies from BioLegend) in FACS buffer (1% BSA/PBS) at 4° C., washed twice with FACS buffer, and then re-suspended in FACS buffer for acquisition on a Guava easyCyte flow cytometer (Millipore).
T-cell activation marker expression is expected to have a similar trend for the three ProTIA molecules [untreated (e.g. AC1695), protease-treated (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1695), and non-cleavable (e.g. AC1484) anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3] as was observed by caspase 3/7 cytotoxicity assay. Using SK-OV-3 cells, activation of CD69 on CD8 and CD4 populations of PBMC by untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1695) is expected to be ˜50-100-fold less active than protease-treated ProTIA (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1695); and the non-cleavable anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1484) is expected to be ˜1000-fold less active than the protease-cleaved ProTIA (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1695).
To measure the anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA induced expression of cytokines, 1×105 purified CD3+ cells would be co-cultured with 2×104 SK-OV-3 cells per assay well (i.e., effector to target ratio of 5:1) in the presence of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1695) in a 96-well round-bottom plate with total final volume of 200 microL. After 20 h incubation in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator, cell supernatant would be harvested for cytokine measurements. This assay can also be performed with other target cells selected from HCT-116, Kato III, MDA-MB-453, MCF-7, MKN45, MT3, NCI-N87, SK-Br-3, SW480, OVCAR3 and PC3 cell lines as well as PBMC in place of purified CD3+ cells.
Cytokine analysis of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma secreted into the cell culture supernatant would be quantitated using the Human Th1/Th2 Cytokine Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) kit (BD Biosciences cat #550749) following manufacturer's instruction. In the absence of ProTIA, no cytokine secretion above background is expected from purified CD3+ cells. ProTIA in the presence of EpCAM-positive target cells and purified CD3+ cells is expected to activate T cells and secrete a pattern of T cell cytokines with a high proportion of Th1 cytokines such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.
Anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA is expected to induce robust secretion of all cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) that would be evaluated (see
The binding affinity of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1695) to human EpCAM and human CD3 would be measured using flow cytometry with EpCAM and CD3 expressing cells.
The binding constants for anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA binding to EpCAM-expressing and CD3-expressing cells would be measured by competition binding with a fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA. The fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA was made by conjugation of Alexa Fluor 647 C2 maleimide (Thermo Fisher, cat #A20347) to a cysteine-containing, protease-treated ProTIA mutant (MMP-9 treated AC1531). Binding experiments would be performed on 10,000 cells at 4° C. for 1 hour in a total volume of 100 microL of binding buffer (1% bovine serum albumin in phosphate-buffered saline). Cells would be washed once with cold binding buffer, then re-suspended in 2% formaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline and immediately analyzed on a Millipore Guava easyCyte flow cytometer. Binding of the fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA would be expected to have an apparent Kd value of approximately 1 nM to CHO cells stably transfected with human EpCAM (EpCAM-CHO) and approximately 3 nM to CD3+ Jurkat cells. Competition binding of the fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA to EpCAM-CHO cells is expected to result in apparent binding constants of single-digit nM for untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1695) and sub-nM for protease-treated ProTIA (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1695). Competition binding of the fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA to CD3+ Jurkat cells is expected to result in apparent binding constants of double-digit nM for untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1695) and approximately single-digit nM for protease-treated ProTIA (e.g. MMP-9 treated AC1695).
The XTEN base vector AC1611 with Release Segment RSR-1517 (amino acid sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT) was built from modifying pNL0356 by PCR to encode the protein of HD2-V5-XTEN144-RSR-1517-XTEN712-H8 under the control of T7lac promoter, where HD2 sequence is MKNPEQAEEQAEEQREET and V5 is GKPIPNPLLGLDST. The coding sequence of release segment RSR-1517 on AC1611 is flanked by unique NheI and BsaI restriction sites to enable replacement with another release segments. After ligation reaction, transformants were screened by DNA miniprep and the desired construct was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The resulting construct is AC1611, with the DNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence provided in Table 16.
The Release Segment-XTEN variant constructs were transformed into E. coli BL21_DE3 strain (New England Biolabs) to be expressed under the control of a T7 promotor. Starter cultures were prepared by inoculating glycerol stocks of E. coli BL21_DE3 carrying the corresponding plasmids into 6 mL of LB Broth media containing 50 μg/mL kanamycin and incubated overnight at 37° C. at 200 min−1. Overnight starter cultures were inoculated 1:50 into approximately 250 mL of ZY auto-induction media and grown at 26° C. for 26 hours, at 200 min-1. Cells were then harvested by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm for 30 mins for immediate use or frozen at −80° C. until use.
The ZY auto-induction media were made by mixing the components as follows: 928 mL of ZY media (10 g bacto tryptone, 5 g yeast extract and 925 mL of water; autoclaved), 1 mL 1M MgSO4, 20 mL 50× 5052 solution (25 g glycerol, 2.5 g glucose (Fisher FLBP350-1), 10 g a-lactose (Sigma L3625), and 73 ml water; sterile-filtered), 50 ml 20×NPS solution (to make 100 mL, dissolve 6.6 g (NH4)2SO4, 13.6 g KH2PO4, 14.2 g Na2HPO4 in 90 mL water; sterile-filtered) and 1 mL kanamycin (50 mg/mL).
1) Lysis, Clarification and Titer Analysis
Cell pellets were resuspended 1:4 in 50 mM citrate, pH 4.0. The resuspended cells were heated to 80° C. for 15 minutes, followed by immediate cooling on ice for 30 minutes. The lysate was then clarified by centrifugation at 4,000 rpm for 40 min at 4° C. Supernatant was collected and 0.2 μm filtered.
The titer of each construct was estimated by analyzing 5 μL clarified lysate with a regular non-reducing SDS-PAGE using NuPAGE 4-12% Bis-Tris gel from Invitrogen according to manufacturer's specifications with Coomassie staining.
2) Single-Step IMAC Purification
Immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) was used as the capture step. For each variant, a 10-mL polypropylene column (Thermo Scientific) was packed with 5 mL of ToyoPearl-AF-Chelate 650M resin (TOSOH Biosciences). The column was equilibrated with 5 column volumes (CVs) of equilibration buffer (20 mM Tris, 100 mM NaCl, pH 7.5). The pH of the clarified cell lysates was adjusted to 7.5 before loading to the columns. After loading is completed, the column is washed with 3 CVs of equilibration buffer before eluted with 3CVs of 20 mM Tris pH 7.5, 100 mM NaCl, 100 mM imidazole. 1 CV fractions (5 mL) were collected.
The load, flowthrough, and elutions were analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining to determine fractions with the eluted protein and their purity, as shown in
3) HPLC Quantification and Lot Release
The aforementioned single-step IMAC purified variants were analyzed side-by-side on non-reducing 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS-PAGE (
Conclusions: We demonstrated that expression of various RS-XTEN constructs in E. coli is feasible and single-step IMAC purification is sufficient to produce these variants with adequate quantity and quality for subsequent enzymatic screening assay.
This example demonstrates that RSR-1517-containing XTEN constructs AC1611, can be cleaved by various tumor-associated proteases including recombinant human uPA, matriptase, legumain, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MMP-14, in test tubes.
1. Enzyme Activation
All enzymes used were obtained from R&D Systems. Recombinant human u-plasminogen activator (uPA) and recombinant human matriptase were provided as activated enzymes and stored at −80° C. until use. Recombinant mouse MMP-2, recombinant human MMP-7, and recombinant mouse MMP-9 were supplied as zymogens and required activation by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). APMA was first dissolved in 0.1M NaOH to a final concentration of 10 mM before the pH was readjusted to neutral using 0.1M HCl. Further dilution of the APMA stock to 2.5 mM was done in 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2. To activate pro-MMP, 1 mM APMA and 100 μg/mL of pro-MMP in 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2 were incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour (MMP-2, MMP-7) or 24 hours (MMP-9). To activate MMP-14, 0.86 μg/mL recombinant human furin and 40 μg/mL pro-MMP-14 in 50 mM Tris pH 9, 1 mM CaCl2 were incubated at 37° C. for 1.5 hours. To activate legumain, 100 μg/mL pro-legumain in 50 mM sodium acetate pH 4, 100 mM NaCl were incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours. 100% Ultrapure glycerol were added to all activated enzymes (including uPA and MTSP1) to a final concentration of 50% glycerol, then be stored at −20° C. for several weeks.
2. Enzymatic Digestion
A panel of enzymes was tested to determine cleavage efficiency of each enzyme for AC1611. 6 μM of the substrate was incubated with each enzyme in the following enzyme-to-substrate molar ratios and conditions: uPA (1:25 in 50 mM Tris pH 8.5), matriptase (1:25 in 50 mM Tris pH 9, 50 mM NaCl), legumain (1:20 in 50 mM MES pH 5, 250 mM NaCl), MMP-2 (1:1200 in 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2), MMP-7 (1:1200 in 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2), MMP-9 (1:2000 in 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2), and MMP-14 (1:30 in 50 mM Tris pH 8.5, 3 mM CaCl2, 1 μM ZnCl2) in 20 uL reactions. Reactions were incubated at 37° C. for two hours before stopped by adding EDTA to 20 mM in the case of MMP reactions, heating at 85° C. for 15 minutes in the case of uPA and matriptase reactions, and adjusting pH to 8.5 in the case of legumain.
3. Analysis of Cleavage Efficiency.
Analysis of the samples to determine percentage of cleaved product was performed by loading 2 μL of undigested substrate (at 12 μM) and 4 μL digested (at 6 μM) reaction mixture on SDS-PAGE and staining with Stains-All (Sigma Aldrich), as shown on
Conclusions: We selected a particular Release Segment RSR-1517 (amino acid sequence EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT) and determined its cleavage profile as defined by percentage of cleavage under current standard experimental condition for all seven enzymes. This Release Segment has intermediate cleavage efficiency for all enzymes so that during screening, cleavage of faster or slower variants will fall within the assay window to allow accurate ranking.
Here we select uPA as the example to show how the Release Segment screening was performed. The same procedure was applied to all seven tumor-associated proteases to define the relative cleavage profile for each substrate, which is a seven number array to describe how well it can be cleaved for each enzyme, when compared to the control substrate RSR-1517.
1. Enzymatic Digestion
All Release Segment-containing XTEN variants and the control AC1611 were diluted to 12 μM in 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2 in individual Eppendorf tubes. A master mix of uPA was prepared so that after 1:1 mixing with each substrate, the total reaction volume is 20 μL, the initial substrate concentration is 6 μM, and the enzyme-to-substrate ratio was varied between 1:20 to 1:3000, depending on the enzyme, in order to have reaction products and uncleaved substrate that could be visualized at the endpoint. All reactions were incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours before stopped by adding EDTA to a final concentration of 20 mM. All products were analyzed by non-reducing SDS-PAGE followed by Stains-All. For each gel, AC1611 digestion product was always included as the staining control to normalize differential staining between different gels (
2. Relative Cleavage Efficiency Calculation
Percentage of cleavage for individual substrate was analyzed by ImageJ software and calculated as described before. For each variant, the relative cleavage efficiency is calculated as follows:
A +1 value in relative cleavage efficiency indicates the substrate yielded twice as much product when compared to the AC1611 control while a −1 value in relative cleavage efficiency indicates the substrate yielded only 50% as much product when compared to the AC1611 control, under the experimental condition specified above.
In this experiment, the percentage of cleavage (% cleaved) for AC1611 is 20%, as quantified by ImageJ. The substrates being screened in this experiment demonstrated 21%, 39%, 1%, 58%, 24%, 6%, 15%, 1%, 1%, and 25% cleavage, where 1% essentially represents below detection limit and does not indicate accurate values. The relative cleavage efficiencies calculated based on the formula above were 0.08, 0.95, -4.34, 1.51, 0.26, -1.76, -0.47, -4.34, -4.34, and 0.32, respectively.
Conclusions: We determined relative cleavage efficiencies of 10 Release Segment variants when subject to uPA when compared to AC1611 in the same experiment. Following similar procedures, we determined the cleavage profiles of 134 Release Segments, the results of which are listed in Table 17, using RSR1517 (AC1611) as the reference control. These Release Segments covers a wide range of cleavage efficiency for individual enzyme as well as combinations. For example, RSR-1478 has a −2.00 value for MMP-14, meaning that this substrate yielded only 25% of product compared to the reference control RSR-1517 when digested with MMP-14. Certain Release Segments, such as RSR-1951, appear to be better substrate for all seven proteases tested. These faster Release Segments may prove to be useful in the clinic if the systemic toxicity is low/manageable while efficacy (partially depending on how fast cleavage happens to render ProTIA as the activated form) needs improvement.
EAGRSANHEPLGLVAT
This competitive assay is developed to minimize any variability in enzyme concentration or reaction condition between reactions in different vials within the same experiment. In order to resolve both the control substrate and the RS of interest in the same example, new control plasmids are constructed.
1. Molecular Cloning of RSR-1517-Containing Internal Control
Two internal control plasmids, AC1830 (HD2-V5-AE144-RSR-1517-XTEN288) and AC1840 (HD2-V5-AE144-RSR-1517-XTEN432), are constructed in a similar fashion as AC1611 described in Example 39, with the only difference in the length of the C-terminal XTEN.
2. Enzymatic Digestion
2× substrate solution is prepared by mixing and diluting purified AC1830 or AC1840 and the RS of interest in assay buffer so that the final concentrations of individual substrates are 6 μM. An enzyme master mix is prepared so that after 1:1 mixing with 2× substrate solution, the total reaction volume is 20 μL, the final substrate concentration of each component is 3 μM, and the enzyme-to-substrate ratio is as selected in assay development. The reaction is incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours before stopped by procedures as described above.
3. Relative Cleavage Efficiency Calculation
The reaction mixture is analyzed by non-reducing 4-12% SDS-PAGE. Since the internal control and the substrate of interest have different molecular weight, once cleaved, four bands should be visible in the same sample lane. Percentage of cleavage for both can be calculated and the relative cleavage efficiency can be derived from the same formula in Example 43:
The only difference is now both values are calculated from the reaction mixture in the same vial, while previously from two reactions sharing the same enzyme mix.
Conclusions: We expect this competitive digestion assay with RSR-1517 as internal control to have less assay-to-assay variability when compared to the assay described in Example 43. We anticipate to adopt this method for future Release Segment screening.
In order to generate a ProTIA with both an N-terminal and C-terminal XTEN, the XTEN292 was PCR amplified from a plasmid using primers including a 17-21 bp 5′ homology region to backbone DNA on the N-terminus and to an uncleavable release site (RSR3028, amino acid sequence TTGEAGEAAGATSAGATGP) on the C-terminus. A second set of PCR products encoding the light and part of the heavy chain of the anti-EpCAM antibody 4D5MOCB was amplified using primers that included a 16-21 bp 5′ homology region to RSR3058 on the N-terminus and the heavy chain of 4D5MOCB on the C-terminus. These PCR fragments were cloned into a backbone vector digested with BsiWI-SacII that encoding the remainder of the 4D5MOCB heavy chain/anti-CD3 tandem scFv, a second copy of the RSR3058 uncleavable release site and XTEN867 with a 6×HIS affinity tag using the In-Fusion Plasmid Assembly Kit (Takara Bio). The final vector encodes the ProTIA molecule with the components (in the N- to C-terminus) of XTEN292, the uncleavable RSR3058, anti-EpCAM-anti-CD3 bispecific tandem scFv with RSR3058 fused to XTEN_867 with a 6×HIS affinity tag under the control of a PhoA promoter and STII secretion leader. The resulting construct is AC1886 with the DNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence provided in Table 18.
AC1886 was used as a template to create two ProTIA construct encoding XTEN292, the cleavable release segment RSR2295, anti-EpCAM-anti-CD3 bispecific tandem scFv with RSR2295 fused to XTEN_868. Both plasmids utilized two common PCR products using AC1886 as a template; the first encoding a 6×HIS affinity tag and XTEN292 with an 5′ homology region to the vector backbone and the 3′ homology region encoding the first RSR2295, the second encoding the anti-EpCAM-anti-CD3 bispecific tandem scFv with 5′ and 3′ homology regions encoding the RSR2295 segments 5′ and 3′ of the tandem scFvs. The third fragment different between the two constructs. The third fragment for AC1955 encoded XTEN868 and the C-Tag affinity tag (amino acid sequence EPEA) with a 5′ homology region encoding the second RSR2295 and a 3′ homology region to the backbone vector. The third fragment for AC1954 encoded XTEN866 and a 6×HIS affinity tag with a 5′ homology region encoding the second RSR2295 and a 3′ homology region to the backbone vector. For both AC1955 and AC1954, the three PCR fragments were cloned into AC1886 that had been digested with BsiWI-NotI using the In-Fusion Plasmid Assembly Kit. The final vector AC1955 encodes the ProTIA molecule with the components (in the N- to C-terminus) of 6×HIS affinity tag, XTEN292, RSR2295, anti-EpCAM-anti-CD3 bispecific tandem scFv, RSR2295, XTEN868 and a C-Tag affinity tag under the control of a PhoA promoter and STII secretion leader with the DNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence provided in Table 18. The final vector AC1954 encodes the ProTIA molecule with the components (in the N- to C-terminus) of 6×HIS affinity tag, XTEN292, RSR2295, anti-EpCAM-anti-CD3 bispecific tandem scFv, RSR2295, XTEN866 and a 6×HIS affinity tag under the control of a PhoA promoter and STII secretion leader with the DNA sequence and encoded amino acid sequence provided in Table 11. ProTIA constructs with different release segments or tumor-specific scFvs were cloned by digesting AC1954 or AC1955 with DraIII-BtsI, followed by In-Fusion mediated cloning of PCR products containing the structure release site-tumor scFv-anti-CD3 scFv-release site withl7-20 bp 5′ homology regions to the XTEN292 and 3′ homology regions to the C-terminal XTEN. AC1954 was used as a backbone for making the contructs AC1948, AC1952 and AC1969. AC1955 was used as a backbone for making constructs AC1972, AC1976, AC2009, AC2078, AC2084 and the sequences of these constructs are provided in Table 12.
EXPRESSION: Constructs conforming to the format aEpCAM-aCD3-RS-XTEN_AE864_His(6) were expressed in a proprietary E. coli AmE098 strain and partitioned into the periplasm via an N-terminal secretory leader sequence (MKKNIAFLLASMFVFSIATNAYA-), which was cleaved during translocation. Fermentation cultures were grown with animal-free complex medium at 37° C. and the temperature was shifted to 26° C. prior to phosphate depletion. During harvest, fermentation whole broth was centrifuged to pellet the cells. At harvest, the total volume and the wet cell weight (WCW; ratio of pellet to supernatant) were recorded, and the pelleted cells were collected and frozen at −80° C.
RECOVERY: The frozen cell pellet was resuspended in Lysis Buffer (17.7 mM citric acid, 22.3 mM Na2HPO4, 75 mM NaCl, 2 mM EDTA, pH 4.0) targeting 30% wet cell weight. The resuspension was allowed to equilibrate at pH 4 then homogenized via two passes at 800±50 bar while output temperature was monitored and maintained at 15±5° C. The pH of the homogenate was confirmed to be within the specified range (pH 4.0±0.2).
CLARIFICATION: To reduce endotoxin and host cell impurities, the homogenate was allowed to undergo low-temperature (10±5° C.), acidic (pH 4.0±0.2) flocculation overnight (15-20 hours). To remove the insoluble fraction, the flocculated homogenate was centrifuged for 40 minutes at 16,900 RCF at 2-8° C., and the supernatant was retained. The supernatant was diluted approximately 3-fold with Milli-Q water (MQ), then adjusted to 7±1 mS/cm with 5 M NaCl. To remove nucleic acid, lipids, and endotoxin and to act as a filter aid, the supernatant was adjusted to 0.1% (m/m) diatomaceous earth. To keep the filter aid suspended, the supernatant was mixed via impeller and allowed to equilibrate for 30 minutes. A filter train, consisting of a depth filter followed by a 0.22 μm filter, was assembled then flushed with MQ. The supernatant was pumped through the filter train while modulating flow to maintain a pressure drop of 25±5 psig. To adjust the composite buffer system (based on the ratio of citric acid and Na2HPO4) to the desired range for capture chromatography, the filtrate was adjusted with 500 mM Na2HPO4 such that the final ratio of Na2HPO4 to citric acid was 9.33:1, and the pH of the buffered filtrate was confirmed to be within the specified range (pH 7.0±0.2).
PURIFICATION: AEX Capture: To separate dimer, aggregate, and large truncates from monomeric product, and to remove endotoxin and nucleic acids, anion exchange (AEX) chromatography was utilized to capture the electronegative C-terminal XTEN domain (AE864). The AEX1 stationary phase (GE Q Sepharose FF), AEX1 mobile phase A (12.2 mM Na2HPO4, 7.8 mM NaH2PO4, 40 mM NaCl), and AEX1 mobile phase B (12.2 mM Na2HPO4, 7.8 mM NaH2PO4, 500 mM NaCl) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with AEX1 mobile phase A. Based on the total protein concentration measured by bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, the filtrate was loaded onto the column targeting 28±4 g/L-resin, chased with AEX1 mobile phase A, then washed with a step to 30% B. Bound material was eluted with a gradient from 30% B to 60% B over 20 CV. Fractions were collected in 1 CV aliquots while A220≥100 mAU above (local) baseline. Elution fractions were analyzed and pooled on the basis of SDS-PAGE and SE-HPLC.
IMAC Intermediate Purification: To ensure C-terminal integrity, immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) was used to capture the C-terminal polyhistidine tag (His(6)). The IMAC stationary phase (GE IMAC Sepharose FF), IMAC mobile phase A (18.3 mM Na2HPO4, 1.7 mM NaH2PO4, 500 mM NaCl, 1 mM imidazole), and IMAC mobile phase B (18.3 mM Na2HPO4, 1.7 mM NaH2PO4, 500 mM NaCl, 500 mM imidazole) were used herein. The column was charged with zinc solution and equilibrated with IMAC mobile phase A. The AEX1 Pool was adjusted to pH 7.8±0.1, 50±5 mS/cm (with 5 M NaCl), and 1 mM imidazole, loaded onto the IMAC column targeting 2 g/L-resin, and chased with IMAC mobile phase A until absorbance at 280 nm (A280) returned to (local) baseline. Bound material was eluted with a step to 25% IMAC mobile phase B. The IMAC Elution collection was initiated when A280≥10 mAU above (local) baseline, directed into a container pre-spiked with EDTA sufficient to bring 2 CV to 2 mM EDTA, and terminated once 2 CV were collected. The elution was analyzed by SDS-PAGE.
Protein-L Intermediate Purification: To ensure N-terminal integrity, Protein-L was used to capture kappa domains present close to the N-terminus of the molecule (specifically the aEpCAM scFv). Protein-L stationary phase (GE Capto L), Protein-L mobile phase A (16.0 mM citric acid, 20.0 mM Na2HPO4, pH 4.0±0.1), Protein-L mobile phase B (29.0 mM citric acid, 7.0 mM Na2HPO4, pH 2.60±0.02), and Protein-L mobile phase C (3.5 mM citric acid, 32.5 mM Na2HPO4, 250 mM NaCl, pH 7.0±0.1) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with Protein-L mobile phase C. The IMAC Elution was adjusted to pH 7.0±0.1 and 30±3 mS/cm (with 5 M NaCl and MQ) and loaded onto the Protein-L column targeting 2 g/L-resin then chased with Protein-L mobile phase C until absorbance at 280 nm (A280) returned to (local) baseline. The column was washed with Protein-L mobile phase A, and Protein-L mobile phases A and B were used to effect low-pH elution. Bound material was eluted at approximately pH 3.0 and collected into a container pre-spiked with one part 0.5 M Na2HPO4 for every 10 parts collected volume. Fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE.
HIC Polishing: To separate N-terminal variants (4 residues at the absolute N-terminus are not essential for Protein-L binding) and overall conformation variants, hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) was used. HIC stationary phase (GE Capto Phenyl ImpRes), HIC mobile phase A (20 mM histidine, 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate 80, pH 6.5±0.1) and HIC mobile phase B (1 M ammonium sulfate, 20 mM histidine, 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate 80, pH 6.5±0.1) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with HIC mobile phase B. The adjusted Protein-L Elution was loaded onto the HIC column targeting 2 g/L-resin and chased with HIC mobile phase B until absorbance at 280 nm (A280) returned to (local) baseline. The column was washed with 50% B. Bound material was eluted with a gradient from 50% B to 0% B over 75 CV. Fractions were collected in 1 CV aliquots while A280 >3 mAU above (local) baseline. Elution fractions were analyzed and pooled on the basis of SE-HPLC and HI-HPLC.
FORMULATION: To exchange the product into formulation buffer and to bring the product to the target concentration (0.5 g/L), anion exchange was again used to capture the C-terminal XTEN (AE864). AEX2 stationary phase (GE Q Sepharose FF), AEX2 mobile phase A (20 mM histidine, 40 mM NaCl, 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate 80, pH 6.5±0.2), AEX2 mobile phase B (20 mM histidine, 1 M NaCl, 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate 80, pH 6.5±0.2), and AEX2 mobile phase C (12.2 mM Na2HPO4, 7.8 mM NaH2PO4, 40 mM NaCl, 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate 80, pH 7.0±0.2) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with AEX2 mobile phase C. The HIC Pool was adjusted to pH 7.0±0.1 and 7±1 mS/cm (with MQ) and loaded onto the AEX2 column targeting 2 g/L-resin then chased with AEX2 mobile phase C until A280 returned to (local) baseline. The column was washed with AEX2 mobile phase A (20 mM histidine, 40 mM NaCl, 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate 80, pH 6.5±0.2). AEX2 mobile phases A and B were used to generate an [NaCl] step and effect elution. Bound material was eluted with a step to 38% AEX2 mobile phase B. The AEX2 Elution collection was initiated when A280 >5 mAU above (local) baseline and terminated once 2 CV were collected. The AEX2 Elution was 0.22 μm filtered within a BSC, aliquoted, labeled, and stored at −80° C. as Bulk Drug Substance (BDS). The bulk drug substance (BDS) was confirmed by various analytical methods to meet all lot release criteria. Overall quality was analyzed by SDS-PAGE (
Molecule AC1955: His(6)_XTEN_AE288-RSR2295-aEGFR-aCD3-RSR2295-XTEN_AE864_EPEA
EXPRESSION: AC1955 was expressed in a proprietary E. coli AmE098 strain and partitioned into the periplasm via an N-terminal secretory leader sequence (MKKNIAFLLASMFVFSIATNAYA-), which was cleaved during translocation. Fermentation cultures were grown with animal-free complex medium at 37° C. and the temperature was shifted to 26° C. prior to phosphate depletion. During harvest, fermentation whole broth was centrifuged to pellet the cells. At harvest, the total volume and the wet cell weight (WCW; ratio of pellet to supernatant) were recorded, and the pelleted cells were collected and frozen at −80° C.
RECOVERY: The frozen cell pellet was resuspended in Lysis Buffer (100 mM citric acid) targeting 30% wet cell weight. The resuspension was allowed to equilibrate at pH 4.4 then homogenized at 17,000±200 bar while output temperature was monitored and maintained at 15±5° C. The pH of the homogenate was confirmed to be within the specified range (pH 4.4±0.1)
CLARIFICATION: To reduce endotoxin and host cell impurities, the homogenate was allowed to undergo low-temperature (10±5° C.), acidic (pH 4.4±0.1) flocculation overnight (15-20 hours). To remove the insoluble fraction, the flocculated homogenate was centrifuged for 40 minutes at 8,000 RCF and 2-8° C., and the supernatant was retained. To remove nucleic acid, lipids, and endotoxin and to act as a filter aid, the supernatant was adjusted to 0.1% (m/m) diatomaceous earth. To keep the filter aid suspended, the supernatant was mixed via impeller and allowed to equilibrate for 30 minutes. A filter train, consisting of a depth filter followed by a 0.22 μm filter, was assembled then flushed with MQ. The supernatant was pumped through the filter train while modulating flow to maintain a pressure drop of 25±5 psig.
PURIFICATION: Protein-L Capture: To remove host cell proteins, endotoxin, and nucleic acid, Protein-L was used to capture the kappa domain present within the aEGFR scFv of the AC1955 molecule. The Protein-L stationary phase (Tosoh TP AF-rProtein L-650F), Protein-L mobile phase A (11.5 mM citric acid, 24.5 mM Na2HPO4, 125 mM NaCl, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 5.0), and Protein-L mobile phase B (11 mM phosphoric acid, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 2.0) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with Protein-L mobile phase A. The filtrate was adjusted to pH 5.5±0.2 and loaded onto the Protein-L column targeting 2-4 g/L-resin then chased with Protein-L mobile phase A until absorbance at 280 nm (A280) returned to (local) baseline. Bound material was eluted with mobile phase B and collected as a 2 CV fraction pre-spiked with 0.4 CV of 0.5 M Na2HPO4 and was analyzed by SDS-PAGE.
IMAC Intermediate Purification: To ensure N-terminal integrity, Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC) was used to capture the N-terminal polyhistidine tag (His(6)) of the AC1955 molecule. The IMAC stationary phase (GE IMAC Sepharose FF), IMAC mobile phase A (12.2 mM Na2HPO4, 7.8 mM NaH2PO4, 500 mM NaCl, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 7.0), and IMAC mobile phase B (50 mM histidine, 200 mM NaCl, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 6.5) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with IMAC mobile phase A. The Protein-L Elution was adjusted to pH 7.8±0.1 and 50±5 mS/cm (with 5 M NaCl). The adjusted Protein-L Pool was loaded onto the IMAC column targeting 2 g/L-resin and chased with IMAC mobile phase A until absorbance at 280 nm (A280) returned to (local) baseline. Bound material was eluted with IMAC mobile phase B. The IMAC Elution was collected as a 2 CV fraction pre-spiked with 0.02 CV 200 mM EDTA and was analyzed by SDS-PAGE.
C-tag Intermediate Purification: To ensure C-terminal integrity, C-tag Affinity Chromatography was used to capture the C-terminal-EPEA tag. The C-tag stationary phase (Thermo C-tagXL), C-tag mobile phase A (50 mM histidine, 200 mM NaCl, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 6.5), and C-tag mobile phase B (20 mM Tris, 0.6 M MgCl2, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 7.0) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with C-tag mobile phase A. The IMAC Elution was loaded onto the C-tag column targeting 2 g/L-resin and chased with C-tag mobile phase A until absorbance at 280 nm (A280) returned to (local) baseline. Bound material was eluted with a C-tag mobile phase B. The C-tag Elution was collected as a 2 CV fraction and was analyzed by SDS-PAGE.
AEX Polishing: To separate dimer and aggregate from monomeric product Anion Exchange (AEX) chromatography was utilized to capture the electronegative N- and C-terminal XTEN domains. The AEX1 stationary phase (BIA QA-80), AEX1 mobile phase A (50 mM histidine, 200 mM NaCl, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 6.5), and AEX1 mobile phase B (50 mM histidine, 500 mM NaCl, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 6.5) were used herein. The column was equilibrated with AEX mobile phase A. The C-tag elution was diluted to 10 mS/cm with MQ, loaded targeting 2 g/L-resin, and then chased with AEX mobile phase A until absorbance at 280 nm returned to (local) baseline. Bound material was eluted with a gradient from 0% B to 100% B over 60 CV. Fractions were collected in 1 CV aliquots while A280≥2 mAU above (local) baseline. Elution fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and SE-HPLC, and fractions found to be ≥98% monomer were pooled (AEX Pool) for further processing.
FORMULATION: To exchange the product into formulation buffer and to bring the product to the target concentration (0.5 g/L), Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration (UF/DF) was used. Using a 10 kDa membrane with an area of 0.1 m2 and a TMP target of 15 psi, the AEX pool was concentrated to 0.5 g/L, then diluted 10-fold with Formulation Buffer (50 mM histidine, 200 mM NaCl, 0.005% polysorbate 80, pH 6.5). The AEX pool was concentrated 10-fold and diluted 10-fold two more times. The recovered Formulated product was 0.22 μm filtered within a BSC, aliquoted, labeled, and stored at −80° C. as Bulk Drug Substance (BDS). The BDS was confirmed by various analytical methods to meet all Lot Release criteria. Overall quality was analyzed by SDS-PAGE (
Bispecific binding of the anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition is also evaluated by flow cytometry-based assays utilizing CD3 positive human Jurkat cells and EGFR positive human cells selected from HT-29, HCT-116, NCI-H1573, NCI-H1975, FaDu, and SCC-9 or a stable CHO cell line expressing EGFR. CD3+ and EGFR+ cells are incubated with a dose range of untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955, comprising 2 XTEN and 2 RS), protease-treated AC1955, and anti-CD3 scFv and anti-EGFR scFv positive controls for 30 min at 4° C. in binding buffer containing HBSS with 2% BSA and 5 mM EDTA. After washing with binding buffer to remove unbound test material, cells are incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-His tag antibody (Abcam cat #ab1206) for 30 min at 4° C. Unbound FITC-conjugated antibody is removed by washing with binding buffer and cells resuspended in binding buffer for acquisition on a FACS Calibur flow cytometer (Becton Dickerson) or equivalent instrument. All flow cytometry data are analyzed with FlowJo software (FlowJo LLC) or equivalent.
While anti-EGFR scFv is not expected to bind to Jurkat cells, anti-CD3 scFv, untreated AC1955 and protease-treated AC1955 are all expected to bind to Jurkat cells as indicated by an increase in fluorescence intensity when compared to Jurkat cells incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-His tag antibody alone. Similarly, anti-EGFR scFv, protease-treated and untreated AC1955 are all expected to bind to EGFR positive cells, while anti-CD3 scFv is not expected to bind to EGFR positive cells. It is expected that these data will reflect the bispecific binding ability of the anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition to recognize both the CD3 and EGFR antigen expressed respectively on Jurkat and the panel of EGFR expressing human cell lines. Furthermore, due to the XTEN polymer providing some interference in surface binding, the untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA is expected to bind at a lower affinity than the protease-treated ProTIA for both the CD3 and EpCAM antigens.
Cell lysis by the anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA composition is evaluated by flow cytometry utilizing human PBMCs and an EGFR positive cell line. EGFR positive HCT-116 target cells (or target cells selected from HT-29, NCI-H1573, NCI-H1975, FaDu, and SCC-9 or a stable CHO cell line expressing EGFR) are labeled with the fluorescent membrane dye CellVue Maroon dye (Affymetrix/eBioscience, cat #88-0870-16) according to manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively PKH26 (Sigma, cat #MINI26 and PKH26GL) can also be used. In brief, HCT-116 cells are washed twice with PBS followed by resuspension of 2×106 cells in 0.1 mL Diluent C provided with the CellVue Maroon labeling kit. In a separate tube, 2 microL of CellVue Maroon dye is mixed with 0.5 mL diluent C, and then 0.1 mL added to the HCT-116 cell suspension. The cell suspension and CellVue Maroon dye are mixed and incubated for 2 min at room temperature. The labeling reaction is then quenched by the addition of 0.2 mL of fetal bovine serum (FCS). Labeled cells are washed twice with complete cell culture medium (RPMI-1640 containing 10% FCS) and the total number of viable cells determined by trypan blue exclusion. For an effector to target ratio of 10:1 in a total volume of 200 microL per well, 1×105 PBMC are co-cultured with 1×104 CellVue Maroon-labeled HCT-116 cells per well in a 96-well round-bottom plate in the absence or presence of the indicated dose range concentration of protease-treated and untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955, comprising 2 XTEN and 2 RS) samples. After 24 h, cells are harvested with Accutase (Innovative Cell Technologies, cat #AT104) and washed with 2% FCS/PBS. Before cell acquisition on a Guava easyCyte flow cytometer (Millipore), cells are resuspended in 100 microL 2% FCS/PBS supplemented with 2.5 micrograms/mL 7-AAD (Affymetrix/eBioscience, cat #00-6993-50) to discriminate between alive (7-AAD-negative) and dead (7-AAD-positive) cells. FACS data are analyzed with guavaSoft software (Millipore); and percentage of dead target cells is calculated by the number of 7-AAD-positive/CellVue Maroon-positive cells divided by the total number of CellVue Maroon-positive cells.
Dose response kill curves of percent cytotoxicity against ProTIA concentration are analyzed by 4 parameter-logistic regression equation using GraphPad Prism; and the concentration of ProTIA that induced half maximal percent cell cytotoxicity is thus determined.
Cytotoxicity results utilizing flow cytometry are expected to be in-line with results obtained with other cytotoxicity assays, including LDH and caspase. Exposure of HCT-116 cells to protease-cleaved and uncleaved anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions in the absence of PBMC are expected to have no effect. Similarly, PBMC are not expected to be activated in the presence of ProTIA without target cells. These results are expected to indicate that ProTIA compositions need to be clustered on the surface of target cells in order to stimulate PBMC for cytotoxicity activity. In the presence of PBMC and target cells, there would be a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect due to ProTIA pretreated or untreated with protease. Further, results are expected to show that exposure of HCT-116 cells to untreated ProTIA (no protease) in the presence of PBMC would show reduced cytotoxicity as compared to protease-cleaved ProTIA composition.
To measure the anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA induced activation markers (CD69 and CD25), 1×105 PBMC or purified CD3+ cells are co-cultured in RPMI-1640 containing 10% FCS with 1×104 HCT-116 or HT-29 cells per assay well (i.e., effector to target ratio of 10:1) in the presence of anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955, comprising 2 XTEN and 2 RS) in a 96-well round-bottom plate with total final volume of 200 microL. After 20 h incubation in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator, cells are stained with PECy5-conjugated anti-CD4, APC-conjugated anti-CD8, PE-conjugated anti-CD25, and FITC-conjugated anti-CD69 (all antibodies from BioLegend) in FACS buffer (1% BSA/PBS) at 4° C., washed twice with FACS buffer, and then re-suspended in FACS buffer for acquisition on a Guava easyCyte flow cytometer (Millipore).
The T-cell activation marker expression trend of the three ProTIA molecules is expected to be similar to that observed by cytotoxicity assays, including LDH and caspase. Activation of CD69 on CD8 and CD4 populations of PBMC or CD3+ cells by untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955) is expected to be less active than protease-treated AC1955 ProTIA; and the non-cleavable anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1991) is expected to be less active than the untreated AC1955.
As a safety assessment of the ability of intact versus cleaved anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955, comprising 2 XTEN and 2 RS) to stimulate release of T-cell related cytokines in a cell-based in vitro assay, a panel of cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma are analyzed using the cytometric bead array (CBA) on supernatants from cultured human PBMC stimulated with protease-treated and untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA samples. The anti-human CD3 antibody, OKT3, is used as positive control and untreated wells serve as negative control.
Briefly, OKT3 (0, 10 nM, 100 nM and 1000 nM) and protease-treated and untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955 at 10 nM, 100 nM, 1000 nM and 2000 nM) are dry-coated onto a 96-well flat bottomed plate by allowing the wells to evaporate overnight in the biosafety hood. Wells are then washed once gently with PBS and 1×106 PBMC in 200 microL were added to each well. The plate is then incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 for 24 h, after which tissue culture supernatant is collected from each well and analyzed for cytokine released using the validated commercial CBA kit (BD CBA human Th1/Th2 cytokine kit, cat #551809) by flow cytometry following manufacturer's instructions.
OKT3, but not untreated wells, is expected to induce robust secretion of all cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) evaluated, thereby confirming the performance of the CBA cytokine assay. Stimulation with protease-treated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA is expected to trigger significant cytokine expression, especially at concentrations higher than 100 nM for all of the cytokines tested. In contrast, baseline levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma are expected when the intact non-cleaved anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA molecule is the stimulant at a concentration range of 10 to 2000 nM. These data support that the XTEN polymer of the intact ProTIA composition provides considerable shielding effect and hinders PBMC stimulated cytokine responses compared to the protease-treated ProTIA in which the EGFR×anti-CD3 portion is released from the composition.
To demonstrate that cytotoxic activity of ProTIA molecules is mediated by CD3 positive T cells, non-cleavable anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA without the release segment (AC1991, comprising 2 XTEN) and protease-treated and untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955, comprising 2 XTEN and 2 RS) are evaluated in EGFR+ human cell lines (e.g. HCT-116 or HT-29) in the presence of purified human CD3 positive T cells. Purified human CD3 positive T cells are purchased from BioreclamationIV, where they are isolated by negative selection using MagCellect Human CD3+ T cell isolation kit from whole blood of healthy donors. In this experiment, purified human CD3 positive T cells are mixed with an EGFR+ cell line in a ratio of about 10:1 and all three ProTIA molecules were tested as a 12-point, 5× serial dilution dose curve in the LDH assay as described above. The activity trend of the three ProTIA molecules profiled with CD3+ cells is expected to be similar to the profile of the same cell line with PBMCs. Untreated AC1955 is expected to be less active than protease-treated AC1955; and the non-cleavable AC1991 is expected to be less active than untreated AC1955. Such results would demonstrate that cytotoxic activity of ProTIA molecules is indeed mediated by CD3 positive T cells. The susceptibility of the release segment contained within the cleavable anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA molecule to proteases postulated to be released from the tumor cells and/or activated CD3 positive T cells in the assay mixture is likely to differ between cell lines.
To measure the anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA induced expression of cytokines, purified CD3+ cells are co-cultured with HCT-116 cells per assay well (i.e., effector to target ratio of about 10:1) in the presence of anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (AC1955, comprising 2 XTEN and 2 RS) in a 96-well round-bottom plate with total final volume of 200 microL. After 20 h incubation in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator, cell supernatant is harvested for cytokine measurements. This assay can also be performed with other target cells selected from HT-29, NCI-H1573, NCI-H1975, FaDu, and SCC-9 as well as PBMC in place of purified CD3+ cells.
Cytokine analysis of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma secreted into the cell culture supernatant is quantitated using the Human Th1/Th2 Cytokine Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) kit (BD Biosciences cat #550749) following manufacturer's instruction. In the absence of ProTIA, no cytokine secretion above background is expected from purified CD3+ cells. AC1955 in the presence of EGFR-positive target cells and purified CD3+ cells is expected to activate T cells and secrete a pattern of T cell cytokines with a high proportion of Th1 cytokines such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Compared to intact AC1955, lower concentrations of protease-treated AC1955 are expected to active T cells and secrete T cell cytokines, supporting the shielding effect of the XTEN polymer in ProTIA.
Redirected cellular cytotoxicity of anti-mouse EpCAM×anti-mouse CD3 ProTIA compositions was assessed via assay of caspase 3/7 activities of apoptotic cells. Mouse splenocytes were mechanically dissociated from BALB/c mouse spleens by grinding between the ground-glass label end of two microscope slides, lysing red blood cells with ACK, and filtering through a 40 micrometer filter. Mouse CD3 cells were purified by negative selection from mouse splenocytes using EasySep Mouse T Cell Isolation Kit (StemCell cat #19851). Purified CD3 positive T cells were mixed with mouse EpCAM positive tumor target cells such as 4T1, msEp-CT26 (a stable pool of CT26 transfected with mouse EpCAM with mean mouse EpCAM density of 500,000), and msEp-CT26-3 (a clone of CT26 transfected with mouse EpCAM with mean mouse EpCAM density of 410,000 per cell) in a ratio of 5 or 10 effector cells to 1 target cell; and all three ProTIA versions were tested as an 8- or 12-point, 5× or 8× serial dilution dose concentrations.
Upon cell lysis, released caspase 3/7 in culture supernatants was measured by the amount of luminogenic caspase 3/7 substrate cleavage by caspase 3/7 to generate the “glow-type” luminescent signal (Promega Caspase-Glo 3/7 cat #G8091). The amount of luminescence is proportional to the amount of caspase activities.
Results: As shown in Table 19, the activity of the non-cleavable AC1867 and AC1554 are consistently poorer as compared to protease-untreated ProTIA (AC1696 and AC1553) in all mouse EpCAM expressing cell lines tested. As expected, protease-cleaved AC1696 and AC1553 were the most active, and cleavable, protease-untreated ProTIA constructs showed varying activities depending on the release segment sequence and target cell line.
Redirected cellular cytotoxicity of anti-human EpCAM×anti-mouse CD3 ProTIA compositions was assessed via assay of caspase 3/7 activities of apoptotic cells. Mouse splenocytes were mechanically dissociated from C57BL/6 mouse spleens by grinding between the ground-glass label end of two microscope slides, lysing red blood cells with ACK, and filtering through a 40 micrometer filter. Mouse CD3 cells were purified by negative selection from mouse splenocytes using EasySep Mouse T Cell Isolation Kit (StemCell cat #19851). Purified CD3 positive T cells were mixed with human EpCAM positive tumor target cells such as hEp-CHO 4-12B (a clone of CHO transfected with human EpCAM), HCT-116, hEp-LL/2 (a pool of Lewis Lung cell line transfected with human EpCAM), and hEp-LL/2-1 through hEp-LL/2-5 (five clones of Lewis Lung transfected with human EpCAM) in a ratio of 5 tor10 effector cells to 1 target cell; and all three ProTIA versions were tested as an 8- or 12-point, 5× or 8× serial dilution dose concentrations.
Upon cell lysis, released caspase 3/7 in culture supernatants was measured by the amount of luminogenic caspase 3/7 substrate cleavage by caspase 3/7 to generate the “glow-type” luminescent signal (Promega Caspase-Glo 3/7 cat #G8091). The amount of luminescence is proportional to the amount of caspase activities.
Results: As shown in Table 20, for ProTIA with a single XTEN moiety, the activity of the non-cleavable AC1916 is consistently poorer as compared to protease-untreated AC1783 in all human EpCAM expressing cell lines tested. For ProTIA with two XTEN moieties, the activity of the non-cleavable AC1949 and AC1956 are poorer as compared to the protease-untreated AC1948 and AC1957. Interestingly, the protease-untreated ProTIA with the human EpCAM scFv and mouse CD3 scFv (AC1948) were less active than the protease-untreated ProTIA with the human EpCAM and mouse CD3 single chain diabody (AC1957). This trend was also observed for the non-cleavable human EpCAM scFv and mouse CD3 scFv (AC1949) and non-cleavable ProTIA with the human EpCAM and mouse CD3 single chain diabody (AC1956). As expected, protease-cleaved AC1783 and AC1948 were the most active. Data for cytotoxicity against huEp-CHO 4-12B are included in
Toxicity of ProTIA with a single XTEN was assessed in B6.FVB-Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J mice (Jackson Laboratory stock #008426) using a surrogate molecule that binds to human EpCAM and mouse CD3 proteins. B6.FVB-Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J is a hemizygous human EpCAM transgenic mouse line. The test articles were non-cleaved AC1783 (RSR-2295), cleaved AC1783, and non-cleavable AC1916 (RSR-3058). B6.FVB-Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J mice were dosed with varying amount of non-cleaved AC1783 (0.87, 2.6, and 8.7 nmol/kg), cleaved AC1783 (0.26, 0.87, and 2.6 nmol/kg), and non-cleavable AC1916 (2.6, 8.7, and 26.1 nmol/kg), and health and body weight of the mice were monitored for 14 days post-dosing.
Results: One out of five mice treated with 2.6 nmol/kg of AC1783 and all five mice treated with 8.7 nmol/kg of AC1783 died by the fifth day post-treatment. One out of five mice treated with 2.6 nmol/kg of protease cleaved AC1783 died by the eighth day post-treatment. One out of five mice treated with 26 nmol/kg of non-cleavable AC1916 died by the fifth day post-treatment. Dose-dependent body weight loss was observed for each test article (
Conclusions: Toxicity of anti-human EpCAM×anti-mouse CD3 ProTIA constructs, as assessed by body weight loss and death after a single dose, indicates that XTEN masks the in vivo activity, as observed by a 10-fold increase in MTD for non-cleavable AC1916 compared to cleaved AC1783. The non-cleaved AC1783 has a similar MTD as the cleaved AC1783, suggesting that in vivo cleavage of AC1783 occurs in the Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J transgenic mice.
Toxicity of ProTIA constructs with one or two XTEN was assessed in B6.FVB-Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J mice (Jackson Laboratory stock #008426) using a surrogate molecule that binds to human EpCAM and mouse CD3 proteins. B6.FVB-Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J is a hemizygous human EpCAM transgenic mouse line. The test articles were non-cleaved AC1783 (RSR-2295, single XTEN), non-cleaved AC1948 (RSR-2295, two XTEN), cleaved AC1948, and non-cleavable AC1949 (RSR-3058, two XTEN). B6.FVB-Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J mice were dosed with a varying amount of non-cleaved AC1783 (0.87, 2.6, and 8.7 nmol/kg), non-cleaved AC1948 (0.87, 2.6, 8.7, 26.1, and 78.3 nmol/kg), cleaved AC1948 (0.26, 0.87, 2.6, and 8.7 nmol/kg), or non-cleavable AC1949 (8.7, 26.1, and 78.3 nmol/kg), and health and body weight of the mice were monitored for 14 days post-dosing.
Results: One out of five mice treated with 0.87 or 2.6 nmol/kg of AC1783 and four out of five mice treated with 8.7 nmol/kg of AC1783 died by the fourth day post-treatment. One two of five mice treated with 8.7 nmol/kg, 3 out of 5 mice treated with 26.1 nmol/kg, and all five mice treated with 78.3 nmol/kg of AC1948 died by the seventh, fourth, and third day post-treatment, respectively. One out of five mice treated with 0.26 nmol/kg, three out of five mice treated with 2.6 nmol/kg, and all five mice treated with 8.7 nmol/kg of protease cleaved AC1948 died by the fourth day post-treatment. One out of five mice treated with 78.3 nmol/kg of non-cleavable AC1949 died by the fourth day post-treatment. Dose-dependent body weight loss was observed for each test article (
Conclusions: Toxicity of anti-human EpCAM×anti-mouse CD3 ProTIA constructs, as assessed by body weight loss and death after a single dose, indicates that two XTEN masks the in vivo activity, as observed by at least a 100-fold increase in MTD for non-cleavable AC1949 compared to cleaved AC1948. The non-cleaved AC1948 has at least a 10-fold increase in MTD compared to cleaved AC1948, suggesting that only a fraction of AC1948 is cleaved in vivo in the Tg(TACSTD1)02Leij/J transgenic mice.
Toxicity of ProTIA constructs was assessed in BALB/c mice using a surrogate molecule that binds to mouse EpCAM and mouse CD3 proteins. Several studies were performed using test articles with one XTEN and release segment sequences of varying rates.
Test articles were dosed at levels between 0.87 and 78.3 nmol/kg (with 3, 4, or 5 mice per group), and health and body weight of the mice were monitored for 14 days post-dosing.
Results: Table 21 shows a summary of the results, with differences in toxicity, as observed by body weight loss and death, depending on the rate and protease inclusivity of the release segment sequence.
Conclusions: Toxicity of anti-mouse EpCAM×anti-mouse CD3 ProTIA constructs, as assessed by body weight loss and death after a single dose, indicates that XTEN masks the in vivo activity, as observed by a 90-fold increase in MTD for non-cleavable AC1867 compared to cleaved AC1696. Depending on the release segment, the non-cleaved one XTEN ProTIA constructs have 10- to 90-fold increases in MTD compared to cleaved AC1696, demonstrating that the protease included in and rate of the release segment affect the in vivo activity.
The binding affinity of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA constructs to human EpCAM and human CD3 was measured using flow cytometry with huEp-CHO 4-12B (CHO cell line transfected with human EpCAM) and Jurkat cells.
The binding constants for anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA binding to EpCAM-expressing and CD3-expressing cells was measured by competition binding with a fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA. The fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated ProTIA was made by conjugation of Alexa Fluor 647 C2 maleimide (Thermo Fisher, cat #A20347) to a cysteine-containing, protease-treated ProTIA mutant (MMP-9 treated AC1531). Binding experiments were performed on 10,000 cells at 4° C. for 1 hour in a total volume of 100 microL of binding buffer (2% FCS, 5 mM EDTA, HBSS). Cells were washed once with cold binding buffer, then re-suspended in 2% formaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline and immediately analyzed on a Millipore Guava easyCyte flow cytometer. Binding of the fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated AC1531 was found to have an apparent Kd value of 1 nM to hEp-CHO 4-12B and 6 nM to CD3+ Jurkat cells.
Competition binding experiments were performed on 10,000 hEp-CHO 4-12B cells with 1.5 nM fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated AC1531 at 4° C. for 1 hour in a total volume of 100 microL of binding buffer (2% FCS, 5 mM EDTA, HBSS). Cells were washed once with cold binding buffer, then re-suspended in 2% formaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline and immediately analyzed on a Millipore Guava easyCyte flow cytometer.
Results of the binding assays are summarized in Table 22. Competition binding of fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated AC1531 to hEp-CHO 4-12B cells with cleaved ProTIA resulted in apparent binding constants of 0.5-0.8 nM for hEp.2, whereas uncleaved ProTIA with a single XTEN showed weaker hEp.2 binding constants (6.1 to 8.9 nM) and uncleaved ProTIA with two XTENs showed the weakest hEp.2 binding constant (100 nM).
Competition binding experiments were performed on 10,000 Jurkat cells with 10 nM fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated AC1531 at 4° C. for 1 hour in a total volume of 100 microL of binding buffer (2% FCS, 5 mM EDTA, HBSS). Cells were washed once with cold binding buffer, then re-suspended in 2% formaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline and immediately analyzed on a Millipore Guava easyCyte flow cytometer. Competition binding of fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated AC1531 to Jurkat cells with cleaved ProTIA resulted in apparent binding constants of 12 nM for hCD3.3 (Table 22), whereas ProTIA with a single XTEN showed weaker hCD3.3 binding constants (128 to 158 nM) and ProTIA with two XTENs showed the weakest hCD3.3 binding constant (412 nM). Competition binding of fluorescently-labeled, protease-treated AC1531 to Jurkat cells with cleaved ProTIA resulted in apparent binding constants of 75 nM for hCD3.9, whereas ProTIA with a single XTEN showed weaker hCD3.9 binding constants (370 nM) and ProTIA with two XTENs showed the weakest hCD3.9 binding constant (930 nM).
Conclusions: The shielding of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA constructs by one XTEN (AC1703 and AC1968) weakened the binding affinity to human EpCAM on hEp-CHO 4-12B cells by about 10-fold compared to cleaved constructs (cleaved AC1695 and cleaved AC1968). ProTIA with two XTEN decreased the binding affinities by about 100-fold (AC1886 and AC1952 compared to cleaved AC1695 and cleaved AC1968, respectively). The shielding of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3.3 ProTIA constructs by one XTEN (AC1703) weakened the binding affinity to human CD3 on Jurkat cells by about 10-fold compared to cleaved AC1695, whereas the shielding of anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3.9 ProTIA constructs by one XTEN (AC1968) weakened the binding affinity to human CD3 on Jurkat cells by about 5-fold compared to cleaved AC1968. ProTIA with two XTEN decreased the binding affinities by about 30-fold for CD3.3 and 10-fold for CD3.9 (AC1886 compared to cleaved AC1695, and AC1952 compared to cleaved AC1968, respectively). Overall the data demonstrates that one XTEN shields both the anti-EpCAM and anti-CD3 domains of ProTIA, and two XTEN further shield both domains.
In the established breast tumor model, BT-474 tumor cells were independently implanted, in the presence of matrigel, subcutaneously into NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rγnull) or NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid.IL2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) mice on day 0. (The NOG or NSG mice are NOD/SCID mice bearing IL-2Rγ mutation resulting in the mice lacking T, B and NK cells, dysfunctional macrophage, dysfunctional dendritic cells and reduced complement activity.) Human PBMCs were then intravenously introduced when BT-474 tumor volume reached 100-200 mm3. Treatment with vehicle, protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA carrying different release site composition (e.g. AC1714, AC1684 and AC1686) and an anti-Her2×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1503) as a positive control was initiated as three intravenous doses per week for four weeks. Cohort 1 was the vehicle-treated group. Cohort 2 and 3 were the AC1714-treated groups dosed at 0.1 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg respectively. Cohort 4 and 5 were the AC1684-treated groups dosed at 0.1 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg respectively. Cohort 6 was the AC1686-treated group dosed at 0.1 mg/kg; and cohort 7 was the anti-Her2×anti-CD3 positive control ProTIA (AC1503) dosed at 0.5 mg/kg.
Tumors were measured twice per week for a projected 45 days with a caliper in two perpendicular dimensions and tumor volumes were calculated by applying the (width2×length)/2 formula. Body weight, general appearance and clinical observations such as seizures, tremors, lethargy, hyper-reactivity, pilo-erection, labored/rapid breathing, coloration and ulceration of tumor and death were also closely monitored as a measure of treatment related toxicity. Percent tumor growth inhibition index (% TGI) was calculated for each of the treatment group by applying the formula: ((Mean tumor volume of Group 2 vehicle control−Mean tumor volume of ProTIA treatment)/mean tumor volume of Group 2 vehicle control)×100. A treatment result with a % TGI ≥60% was considered therapeutically active.
Results: Tumor volume data are depicted in
Conclusions: The data suggest that at 0.5 mg/kg, sufficient AC1714 anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA was effectively cleaved by proteases in the in vivo BT-474 tumor environment to the more active, unXTENylated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 moiety to yield the observed robust anti-tumor response. AC1684 and AC1686 are both much less effective as compared to AC1714 in yielding active anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 moiety in BT-474 to elicit any significant efficacy.
Redirected cellular cytotoxicity of protease-untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions (e.g. AC1955 and AC1958) compared to protease-treated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA and protease-non-cleavable (e.g. AC1991) was assessed in an in vitro cell-based assay of caspase 3/7 activities of apoptotic cells. Similar to the caspase cytotoxicity assay described in the Examples, above, PBMC were mixed with EGFR positive tumor target cells in a ratio of 10 effector cells to 1 target cell and incubated at 37° C./5% CO2 for either 24h or 48 h. All ProTIA variants were tested using a 12-point, 5× serial dilution of dose concentrations. Human tumor target cell lines assayed were FaDu (squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, SCCHN), SCC-9 (SCCHN), HCT-116 (colorectal bearing KRAS mutation), NCI-H1573 (colorectal bearing KRAS mutation), HT-29 (colorectal bearing BRAF mutation) and NCI-H1975 (EGFR T790M mutation). The cell lines were selected to represent colorectal and SCCHN tumors with wild type EGFR and T790M, KRAF and BRAF mutations.
Upon cell lysis, released caspase 3/7 in culture supernatants was measured by the amount of luminogenic caspase 3/7 substrate cleavage by caspase 3/7 to generate the “glow-type” luminescent signal (Promega Caspase-Glo 3/7 cat #G8091). The amount of luminescence is proportional to the amount of caspase activities.
Results: Results of the assays are depicted in
When evaluated in EGFR BRAF mutant HT-29 cell line, the EC50 activity of the protease-untreated ProTIA variant AC1955 was 10,930 pM and the EC50 activity AC1958 was 12,100 pM. The EC50 activity of the non-cleavable ProTIA AC1991 was >100,000 pM and the EC50 activity of the protease-cleaved ProTIA was 0.8 pM.
The two protease-untreated ProTIA variants (e.g. AC1955 and AC1958) had a 4-fold difference in activity in HCT-116 and similar activity in HT-29. However, both variants were >1,000 to 15,000-fold less active than the cleaved anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA in the two EGFR mutant cell lines tested. As expected, the activity of the non-cleavable ProTIA (AC1991) was the least active of the PoTIA versions evaluated with EC50 of greater than 100,000 pM.
Conclusions: The results demonstrated that anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA are cytotoxically active against EGFR KRAS- and BRAF-mutant cell lines. Uncleaved anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIAs bearing two XTEN (e.g. AC1955) offered strong masking of cytotoxicity activity of 4000- to 14,000-fold less cytotoxicity compared to the cleaved form.
Redirected cellular cytotoxicity of protease-untreated anti-Her2×anti-CD3 ProTIA compositions (e.g. AC2038 and AC2040) compared to protease-treated anti-Her2×anti-CD3 ProTIA and protease-non-cleavable (e.g. AC2039) was assessed in an in vitro cell-based assay of caspase 3/7 activities of apoptotic cells. Similar to the caspase cytotoxicity assays described above, PBMC were mixed with Her2 positive tumor target cells in a ratio of 5 effector cells to 1 target cell and incubated at 37° C./5% CO2 for 24 h. All ProTIA variants were tested using a 12-point, 5× serial dilution of dose concentrations as in the caspase assay described above. Human Her2-expressing breast tumor cell lines used in the assay were BT-474, SK-BR-3, JIMT-1, T-47D, ZR-75-1, MCF-7, MBA-MB-231, human Her2-expressing ovarian tumor cell line SK-OV-3, human Her2-expressing gastric tumor cell lines NCI-N87, MNK7, SNU-216, NUGC-4, and human Her2-expressing bladder cell line such as RT-112. The cell lines were selected to not only represent different cancer types but also different levels of Her2-expression per cell with BT-474, SK-OV-3, SK-BR-3, NCI-N87 and MNK7 expressing high level of Her2; JIMT-1, SNU-216, NUGC-4 and RT-112 expressing mid-level of Her2; and T-47D, ZR-75-1, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 expressing low to zero level of Her2.
Upon cell lysis, released caspase 3/7 in culture supernatants was measured by the amount of luminogenic caspase 3/7 substrate cleavage by caspase 3/7 to generate the “glow-type” luminescent signal (Promega Caspase-Glo 3/7 cat #G8091). The amount of luminescence is proportional to the amount of caspase activities.
Results: Results of the assays are depicted in
When evaluated in Her2 high SK-OV-3 cell line, the EC50 activity of the protease-untreated ProTIA variant AC2038 and AC2040 was 14,140 pM and 6,127 pM respectively. In comparison, the EC50 activity of protease-treated AC2038 was 1 pM and the EC50 activity of non-cleavable ProTIA (e.g. AC2039) was >100,000 pM.
When evaluated in Her2 mid JIMT-1 cell line, the EC50 activity of the protease-treated AC2038 was 52 pM, compared to an EC50 activity of >100,000 pM for the protease-untreated AC2038 and AC2040 and the non-cleavable ProTIA AC2039.
When evaluated in Her2 low MDA-MB-231 cell line, the EC50 activity of the protease-treated AC2038 was 124 pM as compared to an EC50 activity of >100,000 pM for protease-untreated AC2038 and AC2040 and the non-cleavable ProTIA AC2039.
Comparison of the two protease-untreated anti-Her2×anti-CD3 ProTIA variants AC2038 and AC2040 was assayed in Her2-high expressing cell lines such as SK-OV-3 and BT-474. The difference in EC50 activity between the two variants was only 2-fold to 9-fold. Significantly, both ProTIA variants were 440 to 14,000-fold less active than the cleaved anti-Her2×anti-CD3 ProTIA in the BT-474 and SK-OV-3 cell lines tested. As expected, the activity of the non-cleavable ProTIA AC2039 was the least active of the PoTIA versions evaluated with an EC50 greater than 100,000 pM.
Conclusions: The results demonstrated that while protease-treated anti-Her2×anti-CD3 ProTIA was highly active, with a robust magnitude of killing in Her2-high- and Her2-mid expressing cell lines, the activity and magnitude of killing was poorer in Her2 low-expressing cell lines. In line with the activity trend of the protease-untreated ProTIA profiled above, anti-Her2×anti-CD3 ProTIAs bearing two XTEN (e.g. AC2038) offered strong masking of cytotoxicity activity, with a reduced EC50 activity of at least greater than 14,000-fold.
An in vivo efficacy experiment was performed in immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice, characterized by the deficiency of T and B cells and impaired natural killer cells. Mice were maintained in sterile, standardized environmental conditions and the experiment was performed in accordance with US Institutional Animal Care Association for Assessment and Use Committee (IACUC Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)) guidelines. The efficacy of protease-treated and protease-untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1955) was evaluated using the EGFR BRAF mutant human HT-29 adenocarcinoma xenograft model. Briefly, on day 0, 6 NOD/SCID mice were subcutaneously implanted in the right flank with 3×106 HT-29 cells per mouse (Cohort 1). On the same day, cohort 2 to 7 each consisting of 6 NOD/SCID mice per group were subcutaneously injected in the right flank with a mixture of 6×106 human PBMC and 3×106 HT-29 cells per mouse. Four hours after HT-29 or HT-29/PBMC mixture inoculation, treatments were initiated. Cohort 1 and 2 were injected intravenously] with vehicle (PBS+0.05% Tween 80), cohort 3 and 4 were injected with 0.05 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg protease-treated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA respectively, cohort 5 and 6 were injected with 0.143 mg/kg and 1.43 mg/kg protease-untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA, and cohort 7 with injected with 50 mg/kg Cetuximab. Cohorts 1 to 6 further received seven additional doses administered daily from day 1 to day 7 (total 8 doses). Cohort 7 was dosed with cetuximab twice/week for 4 weeks for a total of 8 doses.
Tumors were measured twice per week for a projected 33 days with a caliper in two perpendicular dimensions and tumor volumes were calculated by applying the (width2×length)/2 formula. Body weight, general appearance and clinical observations such as seizures, tremors, lethargy, hyper-reactivity, pilo-erection, labored/rapid breathing, coloration and ulceration of tumor and death were also closely monitored as a measure of treatment related toxicity. Percent tumor growth inhibition index (% TGI) was calculated for each of the treatment group by applying the formula: ((Mean tumor volume of Group 2 vehicle control−Mean tumor volume of ProTIA treatment)/mean tumor volume of Group 2 vehicle control)×100. Treatment results with a % TGI ≥60% is considered therapeutically active.
Results: Results are depicted in
Conclusions: The results suggest that protease-untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g. AC1955) can be effectively cleaved and is efficacious in the EGFR BRAF mutant HT-29 tumor environment to inhibit tumor progression. In addition, protease-untreated anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA is superior to cetuximab in anti-tumor activity. Of note, no significant body weight loss was observed in all ProTIA treatment groups and vehicle control indicating that all treatments were well tolerated.
In the established breast tumor model, BT-474 tumor cells were independently implanted, in the presence of matrigel, subcutaneously into NOG (NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rγnull) or NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid.IL2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) mice on day 0. (The NOG or NSG mice are NOD/SCID mice bearing IL-2Rγ mutation resulting in the mice lacking T, B and NK cells, dysfunctional macrophage, dysfunctional dendritic cells and reduced complement activity.) Human PBMCs were then intravenously introduced when BT-474 tumor volume reached 100-200 mm3. Treatment with vehicle, protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA carrying one XTEN polymer (e.g. AC1968) and an anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA bearing two XTEN polymers (e.g. AC1952) was initiated intravenously as three doses per week for four weeks. Cohort 1 was the vehicle-treated group, cohort 2 was the AC1968-treated group at 0.5 mg/kg, and cohort 3 was the AC1952-treated group at 0.5 mg/kg.
Tumors were measured twice per week for a projected 45 days with a caliper in two perpendicular dimensions and tumor volumes were calculated by applying the (width2×length)/2 formula. Body weight, general appearance and clinical observations such as seizures, tremors, lethargy, hyper-reactivity, pilo-erection, labored/rapid breathing, coloration and ulceration of tumor and death were also closely monitored as a measure of treatment related toxicity. Percent tumor growth inhibition index (% TGI) was calculated for each of the treatment group by applying the formula: ((Mean tumor volume of Group 2 vehicle control−Mean tumor volume of ProTIA treatment)/mean tumor volume of Group 2 vehicle control)×100. Treatment group with % TGI ≥60% is considered therapeutically active.
Results: Results are depicted in
Conclusions: Interim data suggest that at 0.5 mg/kg in the in vivo BT-474 tumor environment, protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA bearing two XTENs (e.g., AC1952) is as efficacious as protease-untreated anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3 ProTIA bearing one XTEN polymer (e.g., AC1968). Of note, no significant body weight loss was observed in all ProTIA treatment groups and vehicle control indicating that all treatments were well tolerated.
The pharmacokinetics (PK) and general tolerability of anti-EGFR×anti-CD3 ProTIA (e.g., AC1955) following single and multiple intravenous administrations will be evaluated in naïve, healthy non-human primates (NHP) (e.g., cynomolgus monkeys). Briefly, one female and one male monkey is intravenously infused with via the cephalic vein. Both animals will be monitored for two weeks. When no adverse events are observed, animals will be subjected to a multi-dose regimen initiated as one dose every three days for three weeks (total 9 doses in study). At specific time points throughout the study, blood will be collected for assay of pharmacokinetics, cytokines, hematology and serum chemistries.
Animal monitoring will include body weight, food consumption, body temperature and cage-side observations once or twice daily during the duration of the study. Animals will be monitored for general health and appearance; signs of pain and distress; fever, chills, nauseas, vomiting and skin integrity. On dosing days, animals will be checked for injection side reactions before and after ProTIA administration.
The amount of AC1955 present in plasma will be quantitated on a sandwich ELISA using EGFR-biotin captured on an electrochemiluminescence streptavidin plate with sulfo-tagged anti-XTEN-antibody as detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters including Cmax, Tmax, area under the curve, half-life and exposure profile will be analyzed using the WinNonLin software.
The cytokine panel includes measurement of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNFα using the Meso-Scale Discovery platform.
The hematology panel includes measurement of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width, platelet, mean platelet volume, % neutrophils, % lymphocytes, % monocytes, % eosinophils and % basophils.
The serum chemistry panel includes measurement of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, γ-glutamyltransferase, glucose, urea, creatinine, calcium, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, sodium, potassium, chlorine and creatine kinase.
It is expected that AC1955 will not elicit any adverse events at a dose of 1.7 μg/kg. No cytokine syndrome, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting and skin rash are expected. Hematology and clinical panel should be within normal range. Based on historical data of XTENylated proteins, AC1955 is anticipated to have a T1/2 of 3-5 days.
The maximum tolerated dose of AC1955 in NHP will be carried out in healthy, naïve cynomolgus monkeys with one female and one male monkey per cohort. Cohort 1 will be intravenously infused with 25.5 μg/kg of AC1955 via the cephalic vein. Both monkeys will be monitored for a week. When no adverse events such as fever, chills, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, abnormal hematology and serum chemistry are observed, animals will be subjected to a multi-dose regimen initiated as two doses per week for 3 weeks (total 7 doses per cohort). At specific time, blood will be drawn for pharmacokinetics, cytokines, immune contexture, hematology and serum chemistry analyses.
When no adverse events are observed one week after the first dose in Cohort 1, AC1955 will be dose escalated 3-fold to 76.5 mg/kg in Cohort 2. The dosing regimen, monitoring and blood collection of Cohort 2 will be similar to that of Cohort 1. When no adverse events are observed one week after the first dose in Cohort 2, AC1955 will be dose escalated another 3-fold to 230 μg/kg in Cohort 3. The three-fold dose escalation of AC1955 will proceed until adverse events are observed.
Animal monitoring will include body weight, food consumption, body temperature and cage-side observations once or twice daily during the duration of the study. Animals will be monitored for general health and appearance; signs of pain and distress; fever, chills, nauseas, vomiting and skin integrity. On dosing days, animals will also be checked for injection site reaction before and after ProTIA administration.
The amount of AC1955 present in plasma will be quantitated on a sandwich ELISA using EGFR-biotin captured on an electrochemiluminescence streptavidin plate with sulfo-tagged anti-XTEN-antibody as detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters including Cmax, Tmax, area under the curve, half-life and exposure profile will be analyzed using WinNonLin software.
The cytokine panel includes measurement of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ and TNFα using Beckon Dickinson Cytometric Bead Array.
The immune contexture includes measurement of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD20, CD25, CD45, CD69, Foxp3 and PD-1.
The hematology panel includes measurement of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width, platelet, mean platelet volume, % neutrophils, % lymphocytes, % monocytes, % eosinophils and % basophils.
The serum chemistry panel includes measurement of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, γ-glutamyltransferase, glucose, urea, creatinine, calcium, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, sodium, potassium, chlorine and creatine kinase.
It is expected that AC1955 will hit a maximum tolerated dose at one of the dose levels eliciting some adverse events. The anticipated adverse events could be one or a combination of chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, and abnormal hematology and chemistry readings, spiked in cytokines.
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/609,296 filed on Dec. 21, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/780,719 filed Dec. 17, 2018, which are hererby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2018/066939 | 12/20/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62780719 | Dec 2018 | US | |
| 62609296 | Dec 2017 | US |
