Single Domain Antibodies Directed Against Intracellular Antigens

Abstract
This invention provides compositions and methods to prevent aberrant cell proliferation in a subject using a single-domain antibody (sdAb) directed against an intracellular component, wherein the aberrant cell proliferation can be cancer. The sdAb is synergistic with one or more chemotherapeutic drugs and improves therapeutic efficacy of the one or more chemotherapeutic drug against cancer. The invention also includes a method of treating viral infections using a single-domain antibody (sdAb), wherein the sbAb inhibits the replication of Ebola viruses and Zika viruses in infected cells.
Description
SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file titled “Sequence listing 51293-14” created Oct. 20, 2017, and is 89,000 bytes in size. The information in the electronic format of the Sequence Listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.


BACKGROUND

The use of single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) as single antigen-binding proteins or as an antigen-binding domain in larger protein or polypeptide offers a number of significant advantages over the use of conventional antibodies or antibody fragments. The advantages of sdAbs include: only a single domain is required to bind an antigen with high affinity and with high selectivity; sdAbs can be expressed from a single gene and require no post-translational modification; sdAbs are highly stable to heat, pH, proteases and other denaturing agents or conditions; sdAbs are inexpensive to prepare; and sdAbs can access targets and epitopes not accessible to conventional antibodies.


There are a number of diseases or conditions, such as cancer, that are caused by aberrant cell proliferation, including aberrant intracellular or transmembrane components such as nucleotides and proteins. Aberrant cell proliferation is abnormal cell growth, usually linked to cancer. Elimination of the aberrant components can be used to prevent or treat the diseases or conditions. There are a number of pharmacological compounds available for treatment, but the compounds can be ineffective, undeliverable, or toxic to unaffected cells.


Other treatments include the use of therapeutic proteins or agents that contain an exogenous targeting sequence so that the therapeutic agent can be recognized by receptors in the cell membrane, enabling the therapeutic agent to cross the cell membrane and enter the cell. Once the therapeutic agent is inside the cell, the therapeutic agent can interact with the target component in order to treat the disease. However, the use of exogenous targeting sequence can limit the cell type that is targeted by the therapeutic agent, and adds to the cost of manufacturing the therapeutic agent.


For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for compositions and methods to treat or prevent a disease that do not rely on exogenous targeting sequences or chemical compositions in order to enter the cell, and that are effective in targeting only the affected cells in the body.


The present invention relates to single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), proteins and polypeptides comprising the sdAbs. The sdAbs are directed against intracellular components that cause a condition or disease. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding the sdAbs, proteins and polypeptides, and compositions comprising the sdAbs. The invention includes the use of the compositions, sdAbs, proteins or polypeptides for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. The invention also includes the use of monoclonal antibodies directed towards the sdAbs of the invention.


SUMMARY

The invention includes a method of preventing aberrant cell proliferation in a subject using a single-domain antibody (sdAb) directed against an intracellular component. The aberrant cell proliferation can be cancer, and the cancer can be osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma or glioblastoma.


The sdAb is synergistic with one or more chemotherapeutic drugs and improves therapeutic efficacy of the one or more chemotherapeutic drug against cancer. The one or more chemotherapeutic drugs can be doxorubicin.


The sbAb decreases the toxicity of one or more chemotherapeutic drugs and improves survival in the treated subject. Optionally, the sbAb is used in combination with one or more compounds. The intracellular component comprises a protein, and the protein can be STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, or STAT6. Optionally, the sdAb comprises anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb.


Another embodiment of the invention is a method of treating viral infections using a single-domain antibody (sdAb). The viral infection is caused by one or more of a DNA virus, an RNA virus, or a retrovirus. The virus can be hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human papillomavirus, polio virus, rabies virus, herpesvirus, West Nile virus, Ebola virus, and Zika virus. The sbAb can inhibit the replication of Ebola viruses in infected cells. The sdAb inhibits the replication of Zika virus in infected cells. Optionally, the sdAb is used in combination with one or more compounds.





DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:



FIG. 1 is a schematic map of VHH13 anti-STAT3 sdAb expression vector pTT21-stt VHH13;



FIG. 2 is a schematic map of VHH14 anti-STAT3 sdAb expression vector pTT21-stt VHH14;



FIG. 3 depicts the results of an immunoprecipitation assay using anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 STAT3 (SEQ ID NO:3) and anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH14 STAT3 (SEQ ID NO:4);



FIG. 4 depicts the results of an immunoprecipitation assay using anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 STAT3 (SEQ ID NO:3);



FIG. 5 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model, dosed at 0.5 mg/kg/day;



FIG. 6 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ. ID. NO. 3) sdAb in MDA-MB-231 xenograft model at doses ranging from 1 mg/kg twice daily to 2 mg/kg twice daily or 2 mg/kg/day;



FIG. 7 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model, dosed at 5 mg/kg/twice daily;



FIG. 8 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO-3) sdAb in the DU145 xenograft model, dosed at 5 mg/kg twice daily;



FIG. 9 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the PANC-1 xenograft model, dosed at 5 mg/kg/twice daily;



FIG. 10 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the MCF-7 xenograft model, dosed at 1 mg/kg/three times daily.



FIG. 11 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the BT-474 xenograft model, dosed at 1 mg/kg/three times daily;



FIG. 12 illustrates the cytotoxicity of TNF-alpha in U937 cells;



FIG. 13 illustrates the cytotoxicity of Staurosporine in U937 cells;



FIG. 14 illustrates inhibition of TNF-alpha cytotoxicity by anti-TNF-α sdAbs;



FIG. 15 shows staining of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in neurons and glial cells;



FIG. 16 shows staining of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in cancer cells;



FIG. 17 shows MDA-MB 231 cells incubated with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb;



FIG. 18 shows PANC-1 cells incubated with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb;



FIG. 19 shows MDA-MB 231 cells incubated with TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb;



FIG. 20 shows PANC-1 cells incubated with TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb;



FIG. 21 shows cytoplasmic staining of Stat3 in HEp-2 cells incubated with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb;



FIG. 22 shows nuclear staining of Stat3 in HEp-2 cells incubated with recombinant IL-6;



FIG. 23 shows cytoplasmic staining of Stat3 in HEp-2 cells incubated with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb and recombinant IL-6;



FIG. 24 illustrates the dose response curves for controls E864 and AQ for EBOV/Hela;



FIG. 25 illustrates the dose response curves for controls E864 and AQ for EBOV/HFF;



FIG. 26 illustrates the dose response curves for controls E864 and AQ for Zika/Vero;



FIG. 27 illustrates the dose response curves with test drugs for EBOV/Hela;



FIG. 28 illustrates the dose response curves with test drugs for EBOV/HFF; and



FIG. 29 illustrates the dose response curves with test drugs for Zika/Vero.





DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used.


The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.


The term “antigenic determinant” refers to the epitope on the antigen recognized by the antigen-binding molecule (such as an sdAb or polypeptide of the invention) and more in particular by the antigen-binding site of the antigen-binding molecule. The terms “antigenic determinant” and “epitope” may also be used interchangeably. An amino acid sequence that can bind to, that has affinity for and/or that has specificity for a specific antigenic determinant, epitope, antigen or protein is said to be “against” or “directed against” the antigenic determinant, epitope, antigen or protein.


As used herein, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.


It is contemplated that the sdAbs, polypeptides and proteins described herein can contain so-called “conservative” amino acid substitutions, which can generally be described as amino acid substitutions in which an amino acid residue is replaced with another amino acid residue of similar chemical structure and which has little or essentially no influence on the function, activity or other biological properties of the polypeptide. Conservative amino acid substitutions are well known in the art. Conservative substitutions are substitutions in which one amino acid within the following groups (a)-(e) is substituted by another amino acid within the same group: (a) small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues: Ala, Ser, Thr, Pro and Gly; (b) polar, negatively charged residues and their (uncharged) amides: Asp, Asn, Glu and Gln; (c) polar, positively charged residues: His, Arg and Lys; (d) large aliphatic, nonpolar residues: Met, Leu, Ile, Val and Cys; and (e) aromatic residues: Phe, Tyr and Trp. Other conservative substitutions include: Ala into Gly or into Ser; Arg into Lys; Asn into Gln or into His; Asp into Glu; Cys into Ser; Gln into Asn; Glu into Asp; Gly into Ala or into Pro; His into Asn or into Gln; Ile into Leu or into Val; Leu into Ile or into Val; Lys into Arg, into Gln or into Glu; Met into Leu, into Tyr or into Ile; Phe into Mel, into Leu or into Tyr, Ser into Thr, Thr into Ser; Trp into Tyr; Tyr into Trp; and/or Phe into Val, into Ile or into Leu.


A “domain” as used herein generally refers to a globular region of an antibody chain, and In particular to a globular region of a heavy chain antibody, or to a polypeptide that essentially consists of such a globular region.


The amino acid sequence and structure of an sdAb is typically made up of four framework regions or “FRs,” which are referred to as “Framework region 1” or “FR1”; as “Framework region 2” or “FR2”; as “Framework region 3” or “FR3”; and as “Framework region 4” or “FR4,” respectively. The framework regions are interrupted by three complementarity determining regions or “CDRs,” which are referred as “Complementarity Determining Region 1” or “CDR1”; as “Complementarity Determining Region 2” or “CDR2”; and as “Complementarity Determining Region 3” or “CDR3,” respectively.


As used herein, the term “humanized sdAb” means an sdAb that has had one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of the naturally occurring VHH sequence replaced by one or more of the amino acid residues that occur at the corresponding position in a VH domain from a conventional 4-chain antibody from a human. This can be performed by methods that are well known in the art. For example, the FRs of the sdAbs can be replaced by human variable FRs.


As used herein, an “isolated” nucleic acid or amino acid has been separated from at least one other component with which it is usually associated, such as its source or medium, another nucleic acid, another protein/polypeptide, another biological component or macromolecule or contaminant, impurity or minor component.


The term “mammal” is defined as an individual belonging to the class Mammalia and includes, without limitation, humans, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, and pet animals, such as cows, horses, sheep, dogs and cats.


As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Suitable carriers are described in the most recent edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, a standard reference text in the field. Preferred examples of such carriers or diluents include, but are not limited to, water, saline, Ringer's solutions, dextrose solution, PBS (phosphate-buffered saline), and 5% human serum albumin. Liposomes, cationic lipids and non-aqueous vehicles such as fixed oils may also be used. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with a therapeutic agent as defined above, use thereof in the composition of the present invention is contemplated.


A “quantitative immunoassay” refers to any means of measuring an amount of antigen present in a sample by using an antibody. Methods for performing quantitative immunoassays include, but are not limited to, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), specific analyse labeling and recapture assay (SALRA), liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and the like.


The term “solution” refers to a composition comprising a solvent and a solute, and includes true solutions and suspensions. Examples of solutions include a solid, liquid or gas dissolved in a liquid and particulates or micelles suspended in a liquid.


The term “specificity” refers to the number of different types of antigens or antigenic determinants to which a particular antigen-binding molecule or antigen-binding protein molecule can bind The specificity of an antigen-binding protein can be determined based on affinity and/or avidity. The affinity, represented by the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an antigen with an antigen-binding protein (KD), is a measure for the binding strength between an antigenic determinant and an antigen-binding site on the antigen-binding protein; the lesser the value of the KD, the stronger the binding strength between an antigenic determinant and the antigen-binding molecule (alternatively, the affinity can also be expressed as the affinity constant (KA), which is 1/KD). As will be clear to one of skill in the art, affinity can be determined depending on the specific antigen of interest. Avidity is the measure of the strength of binding between an antigen-binding molecule and the antigen. Avidity is related to both the affinity between an antigenic determinant and its antigen binding site on the antigen-binding molecule and the number of pertinent binding sites present on the antigen-binding molecule. Specific binding of an antigen-binding protein to an antigen or antigenic determinant con be determined by any known manner, such as, for example, Scatchard analysis and/or competitive binding assays, such as radioimmunoassays (RIA), enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and sandwich competition assays.


As used herein, the term “recombinant” refers to the use of genetic engineering methods (for example, cloning, and amplification) used to produce the sdAbs of the invention.


A “single domain antibody,” “sdAb” or “VHH” can be generally defined as a polypeptide or protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework regions interrupted by three complementarity determining regions. This is represented as FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4. An sdAb of the invention also includes a polypeptide or protein that comprises the sdAb amino acid sequence. Typically, sdAbs are produced in camelids such as llamas, but can also be synthetically generated using techniques that are well known in the art. As used herein, the variable domains present in naturally occurring heavy chain antibodies will also be referred to as “VHH domains,” in order to distinguish them from the heavy chain variable domains that are present in conventional 4-chain antibodies, referred to as “VH domains,” and from the light chain variable domains that are present in conventional 4-chain antibodies, referred to as “VL domains.” “VHH” and “sdAb” are used interchangeably herein. The numbering of the amino acid residues of a sdAb or polypeptide is according to the general numbering for VH domains given by Kabat et al. (“Sequence of proteins of immunological interest,” US Public Health Services, NIH Bethesda, Md., Publication No. 91). According to this numbering, FR1 of a sdAb comprises the amino acid residues at positions 1-30, CDR1 of a sdAb comprises the amino acid residues at positions 31-36, FR2 of a sdAb comprises the amino acids at positions 36-49, CDR2 of a sdAb comprises the amino acid residues at positions 50-65, FR3 of a sdAb comprises the amino acid residues at positions 66-94. CDR3 of a sdAb comprises the amino acid residues at positions 95-102, and FR4 of a sdAb comprises the amino acid residues at positions 103-113.


The term “synthetic” refers to production by in vitro chemical or enzymatic synthesis.


The term “target” as used herein refers to any component, antigen, or moiety that is recognized by the sdAb. The term “intracellular target” refers to any component, antigen, or moiety present inside a cell. A “transmembrane target” is a component, antigen, or moiety that is located within the cell membrane. An “extracellular target” refers to a component, antigen, or moiety that is located outside of the cell.


A “therapeutic composition” as used herein means a substance that is intended to have a therapeutic effect such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, biologies, and other substances. Genetic materials include substances intended to have a direct or indirect genetic therapeutic effect such as genetic vectors, genetic regulator elements, genetic structural elements, DNA, RNA and the like. Biologies include substances that are living matter or derived from living matter intended to have a therapeutic effect.


As used herein, the phrases “therapeutically effective amount” and “prophylactically effective amount” refer to an amount that provides a therapeutic benefit in the treatment prevention, or management of a disease or an overt symptom of the disease. The therapeutically effective amount may treat a disease or condition, a symptom of disease, or a predisposition toward a disease, with the purpose to cure, heal, alleviate, relieve, alter, remedy, ameliorate, improve, or affect the disease, the symptoms of disease, or the predisposition toward disease. The specific amount that is therapeutically effective can be readily determined by an ordinary medical practitioner, and may vary depending on factors known in the art such as, e.g., the type of disease, the patients history and age, the stage of disease, and the administration of other therapeutic agents.


The present invention relates to single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that are directed against intracellular components, as well as to proteins and polypeptides comprising the sdAbs and nucleotides encoding the proteins and polypeptides. The invention can also relate to sdAbs that are directed against intercellular, transcellular and extracellular targets or antigens. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding the sdAbs, proteins and polypeptides, and compositions comprising the sdAbs. The invention includes the use of the compositions, sdAbs, proteins or polypeptides for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.


SdAbs have a number of unique structural characteristics and functional properties which make sdAbs highly advantageous for use as functional antigen-binding domains or proteins. SdAbs functionally bind to an antigen in the absence of a light chain variable domain, and can function as a single, relatively small, functional antigen-binding structural unit, domain or protein. This distinguishes sdAbs from the domains of conventional antibodies, which by themselves do not function as an antigen-binding protein or domain, but need to be combined with conventional antibody fragments such as Fab fragments or ScFv's fragment in order to bind an antigen.


SdAbs can be obtained using methods that are well known in the art. For example, one method for obtaining sdAbs includes (a) immunizing a Camelid with one or more antigens, (b) isolating peripheral lymphocytes from the immunized Camelid, obtaining the total RNA and synthesizing the corresponding cDNAs, (c) constructing a library of cDNA fragments encoding VHH domains, (d) transcribing the VHH domain-encoding cDNAs obtained in step (c) to mRNA using PCR, converting the mRNA to ribosome display format, and selecting the VHH domain by ribosome display, and (e) expressing the VHH domain in a suitable vector and, optionally purifying the expressed VHH domain.


Another method of obtaining the sdAbs of the invention is by preparing a nucleic acid encoding an sdAb using techniques for nucleic acid synthesis, followed by expression of the nucleic acid in vivo or in vitro. Additionally, the sdAb, polypeptides and proteins of the invention can be prepared using synthetic or semi-synthetic techniques for preparing proteins, polypeptides or other amino acid sequences.


The sdAbs of the invention will generally bind to all naturally occurring or synthetic analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of the target, or at least to those analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of the target that contain one or more antigenic determinants or epitopes that are essentially the same as the antigenic determinant or epitope to which the sdAbs of the invention bind in the wild-type target. The sdAbs of the invention may bind to such analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments with an affinity and/or specificity that is the same as, or that is higher than or lower than the affinity and specificity with which the sdAbs of the invention bind to the wild-type target. It is also contemplated within the scope of the invention that the sdAbs of the invention bind to some analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of the target but not to others. In addition, the sdAb of the invention may be humanized, and may be monovalent or multivalent and/or multispecific. Additionally, the sdAbs of the invention can bind to the phosphorylated form of the target protein as well as the unphosphorylated form of the target protein. SdAbs can be linked to other molecules such as albumin or other macromolecules.


In addition, it is within the scope of the invention that the sdAbs are multivalent, that is, the sdAb can have two or more proteins or polypeptides which are directed against two or more different of epitopes of the target. In such a multivalent sdAb, the protein or polypeptide may be directed, for example, against the same epitopes, substantially equivalent epitopes, or different epitopes. The different epitopes may be located on the same target or it could be on two or more different targets.


It is also contemplated that the sequence of one or more sdAbs of the invention may be connected or joined with one or more linker sequences. The linker can be, for example, a protein sequence containing a combination of serines, glycines and alanines.


It is also within the scope of the invention to use parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, alleles and/or derivatives of the sdAbs of the invention, as long as these are suitable for the described uses.


Since the sdAbs of the invention are mainly intended for therapeutic and/or diagnostic use, they are directed against mammalian, preferably human, targets. However, it is possible that the sdAbs described herein are cross-reactive with targets from other species, for example with targets from one or more other species of primates or other animals (for example, mouse, rat rabbit, pig or dog), and in particular in animal models for diseases and disorders associated with the disease associated with the targets.


In another aspect the invention relates to a nucleic acid that encodes an sdAb of the invention. Such a nucleic acid may be, for example, in the form of a genetic construct.


In another aspect, the invention relates to host or host cell that expresses or is capable of expressing an sdAb of the invention, and/or that contains a nucleic acid encoding a sdAb of the invention. Sequences of the sdAbs can be used to insert into the genome of any organism to create a genetically modified organism (GMO). Examples include, but are not limited to, plants, bacteria, viruses, and animals.


The invention further relates to methods for preparing or generating the sdAbs, nucleic acids encoding the sdAbs, host cells expressing or capable of expressing such sdAbs, products and compositions containing the sdAbs of the invention.


The invention further relates to applications and uses of the sdAb, the nucleic acids encoding the sdAbs, host cells, products and compositions described herein. Such a product or composition may, for example, be a pharmaceutical composition for treatment or prevention of a disease, or a product or composition for diagnostic use. The sdAb of the invention can also be used to deliver a therapeutic agent or can be covalently linked to a molecule in order to deliver the therapeutic agent into a cell or across the blood-brain barrier of a person in need thereof. The sdAb can be used to target primary malignancies of the central nervous system, metastatic cancer, and central nervous system diseases such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, and the like. Furthermore, sdAbs can be used in a variety of assays, for example ELISA assays and mass spectrometry assays to measure the serum and tissue levels of the sdAbs.


In another aspect, a nucleic acid encoding one or more sdAb of the invention can be inserted into the genome of an organism to treat or prevent diseases.


The present invention generally relates to sdAbs, as well as to proteins or polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such sdAbs, that can be used for prophylactic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes.


The methods and compositions detailed in the present invention can be used to treat disease described herein, and can be used with any dosage and/or formulation described herein or otherwise known, as well as with any route of administration described herein or otherwise known to one of skill in the art.


The sdAbs of the invention, in particular the anti-STAT3 VHH, the anti-KRAS VHH, and the anti-TNF-α VHH of the present invention, can be used for treatment and prevention of malignant diseases including, but not limited to: multiple myeloma, leukemias (HTLV-1 dependent, erythroleukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and large granular lymphocyte leukemia (LGL), lymphomas (EBV-related/Burkitt's, mycosis fungoides, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancers, head and neck cancers, melanoma, ovarian cancers, lung cancers, pancreatic cancers, prostate cancers, sarcomas, osteosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, hepatocellular cancers, glioma, neuroblastoma, astrocytoma, colorectal cancers, Wilm's tumors, renal cancers, bladder cancers, endometrial cancers, cervical cancers, esophageal cancers, cutaneous squamous cell cancers, basal cell cancers, and any metastatic cancers. The sdAbs can be used in cancer patients to help prevent or reduce weight loss or cachexia due to cancer.


The sdAb, in particular the anti-STAT3 and the anti-TNF-α sdAbs of the present invention, can also be used for treatment and prevention of diseases such as, but not limited to: autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, bacterial induced colitis, asthma, scleroderma, lupus, encephalomyelitis, arteritis, vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, uveitis, uveoretinitis, multiple sclerosis), polycystic kidney disease, dermatologic diseases (e.g., psoriasis, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, keloids/hypertrophic scars, lipoma, Paget's disease, and actinic keratosis), Hidradenitis suppurativa, transplantation (e.g., solid organ, bone marrow, hand, face, limbs, any body part), muscular dystrophy and muscle wasting associated with cancers and aging, endometriosis, macular degeneration, retinal degeneration, stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, Alzheimer's disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and ankylosing spondylitis.


Additionally, sdAbs can target orphan diseases. Examples of these rare orphan diseases include, but are not limited to, triple negative breast cancers, pancreatic cancers, AML (acute myeloid leukemia), head and neck cancers, multiple myeloma, and chemo-resistant cancers.


Viruses are small particles of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) that are surrounded by a protein coal. Some viruses also have a fatly “envelope” covering. They are incapable of reproducing on their own. Viruses depend on the organisms they infect (hosts) for their very survival. A viral infection is a proliferation of a harmful virus inside the body. Viruses infect a host by introducing their genetic material into the cells and hijacking the cell's internal machinery to make more virus particles. With an active viral infection, a virus makes copies of itself and bursts the host cell (killing it) to set the newly-formed virus particles free. In other cases, virus particles “bud” off the host cell over a period of time before killing the host cell. Either way, new virus particles are then free to infect other cells. Symptoms of the viral illness occur as a result of cell damage, tissue destruction, and the associated immune response.


Viral infections can be treated by targeting intracellular viral proteins in infected cells. Viral proteins, such as HIV reverse transcriptase, can block viral life-cycle. The sdAb of the invention can also target intracellular viral proteins such as Ebola VP24 and thus block Ebola's ability to shut down the host's anti-viral immune response. The sdAbs of the invention can be used to target diseases when there is an overexpression of an intracellular molecule. Huntington's disease can be treated with sdAbs. The sdAb can be used to treat additional viral infections caused by RNA viruses, DNA viruses, or retroviruses such as, for example, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cancer-causing strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), polio, rabies, Varicella-Zoster, Epstein-Barr, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, West Nile, Ebola virus, and Zika. In the event ebola or zika is targeted, the sbAb inhibits the replication of ebola viruses in infected cells.


The sdAbs of the invention can be used with one or more compounds. For example, the sdAb of the invention can be used with JAK/STAT inhibitors such as, for example, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Cucurbitacin A, B, E, I, Q, Flavopiridol, Deoxytetrangomycin, Cyclopentenone derivatives, N-Acylhomoserine Lactone, Indirubin derivatives, Meisoindigo, Tyrphostins, Platinum-containing compounds (e.g., IS3-295), Peptidomimetics, antisense oligonucleotides, S31-201, phosphotyrosin tripeptide derivatives, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, indinavir, saquinavir, & ritomavir), JSI-124, XpYL, Ac-pYLPQTV-NH2, ISS 610. CJ-1383, pyrimethamine, Metformin, Atiprimod, S31-M2001, STX-0119; N-[2-(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl)]-4 quinolinecarboxamide derivative, S31-1757, LY5; 5,8-dioxo-6(pyridin-3-ylamino)-5,8,-dihydro-naphthalene-1-sulfonamide, withacinslin, Stattic, STA-21, LLL-3, LLL12, XZH-5, SF-1066, SF-1087, 17o, Cryptotanshinone, FLL32, FLL62, CT88-9, BP-1108 and BP-1075, Galiellalactone, JQ1, 5, 15 DPP, WP1066, Niclosamide, SD1008, Nifuroxazide, Cryptotanshinone, BBI quinone, and Ruxolitnib Phosphate. The one or more compounds can increase the therapeutic response and augment the effectiveness of the sdAb of the invention. In addition, the effectiveness of the sdAb can be increased by combining it with peptides, peptidomimetics, and other drugs, such as, for example, but not limited to, cimetidine, atorvastatin, celecoxib, metformin, and cimetidine. In addition, anti-STAT3 sdAbs can convert radioresistant cancers to radiosensitive cancers with respect to radiation therapy.


It is also contemplated that one or more sdAbs of the invention can be combined, or the sdAbs of the invention can be combined with other sdAbs.


It is contemplated that certain sdAbs of the invention can cross the cell membrane and enter the cell without the aid of additional targeting protein sequences on the sdAb, and without the aid of exogenous compounds that direct the sdAb to bind to the cell surface receptors and cross the cell membrane. Additionally, sdAbs of the invention can cross the blood-brain barrier.


After crossing the cell membrane, these sdAbs can target transmembrane or intracellular molecules or antigens. These intracellular or transmembrane targets can be, for example, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, mutated proteins, viral proteins, and prions. The sdAb targets may function as enzymes, structural proteins of the cell, intracellular portions of cell membrane molecules, molecules within the membranes of organelles, any type of RNA molecule, any regions of DNA or chromosome, methylated or unmethylated nucleic acids, partially assembled molecules within the synthesis mechanism of the cell, second messenger molecules, and molecules within cell signaling mechanisms. Targets may include all molecules in the cytoplasm, nucleus, organelles, and cell membrane. Molecules destined for secretion or placement in the cell membrane can be targeted within the cytoplasm before leaving the cell.


The sdAbs of the invention can cross the blood-brain barrier and target brain cells in vivo without exogenous compounds. The sdAbs of the invention can also be used as carriers to transport therapeutics or other molecules across the blood-brain barrier.


The sdAb targets can be in humans, animals, plants, fungi, parasites, protists, bacteria, viruses, prions, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells. Some examples of inter- and intracellular signaling molecules and protein groups that can be targeted by the sdAbs of the invention are: oncogene products, hormones, cytokines, growth factors, neurotransmitters, kinases (including tyrosine kinase, serine kinase, and threonine kinase), phosphatases, ubiquitin, cyclic nucleotides, cyclases (adenylyl and guanylyl), G proteins, phosphodiesterases, GTPase superfamily, immunoglobulins (antibodies, Fab fragments, binders, sdAbs), immunoglobulin superfamily, inositol phosphate lipids, steroid receptors, calmodulin, CD group (e.g., CD4, CD5, CD28, etc.), transcription factors, TGF-beta, TNF-α and beta, TNF ligand superfamily, notch receptor signaling molecules, hedgehog receptor signaling molecules, Wnt receptor signaling molecules, toll-like receptor signaling molecules, caspases, actin, myosin, myostatin, 12-lipoxygenase, 15-lipoxygenase, lipoxygenase superfamily, reverse transcriptase, viruses and their proteins, amyloid proteins, collagen, G protein coupled receptors, mutated normal proteins, prions, Ras, Raf, Myc, Src, BCR/ABL, MEK, Erk, Mos, Tpl2, MLK3, TAK, DLK, MKK, p38, MAPK, MEKK, ASK, SAPK, JNK, BMK, MAP, JAK, PI3K, cyclooxygenase, STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, STAT6, Myc p53, BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, HRAS and chemokines. IL-6 production can also be regulated by the sdAbs of the invention. Increased IL-6 production can result in cell growth and wound healing, while decreased IL-6 production can result in decreased cell proliferation.


KRAS is a Kirsten ras oncogene homolog from the mammalian ras gene family. KRAS encodes a protein that is a member of the small GTPase superfamily. The protein is implicated in various malignancies, including lung adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenoma, ductal carcinoma of the pancreas, and colorectal carcinoma. Under normal conditions, Ras family members influence cell growth and differentiation events in a subcellular membrane compartmentalization-based signaling system. However, oncogenic Ras can deregulate processes that control both cell proliferation and apoptosis.


Anti-KRAS sdAbs were developed to target wild-type and mutated KRAS (G12D) in order to disrupt its role in malignant cells such as, for example, cells involved in colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, lung cancer, leukemias, and other metastatic malignancies. Without being bound by a particular mechanism, it is thought that the anti-KRAS sdAb binds KRAS and blocks the downstream signaling of KRAS in malignant cells. Additionally, the anti-KRAS sdAb may successfully treat malignancies that are resistant to anti-EGFR biologies (e.g., cetuximab and panitumumab).


Using methods that are well-known in the art, recombinant human mutant KRAS (G12D) protein was used to generate sdAbs that are directed against or can bind to an epitope of KRAS or mutant KRAS (G12D), or other KRAS mutants. Additionally, sdAbs can be generated to other KRAS mutants. To generate the anti-KRAS sdAbs, recombinant full-length human KRAS (Gene ID: 3845) was expressed in Escherichia coli.


Several sdAbs were obtained and screened. The DNA sequence of one anti-KRAS (G12D) sdAb, named KRAS_13 (SEQ ID NO:1), is shown below.









5′Gaggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggtgcagctggtggagtctggggg





aggctcggtgcagactggagggtctctgagactctcctgtgcagtttctg





gaaatatcggcagcagctactgcatgggctggttccgccaggctccaggg





aagaagcgcgaggcggtcgcacgtattgtacgtgatggtgccactggcta





cgcagactacgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccgagacagcgccaaga





acactctgtatctgcaaatgaacaggctgatacctgaggacactgccatc





tactactgtgcggcagacctgcccccaggttgtttgactcaggcgatttg





gaattttggttatcggggccagggaaccctggtcaccgtctcctca-3′






The amino acid sequence of the anti-KRAS (G12D) sdAb (SEQ ID NO:2), KRAS_13, is shown below, with the CDRs underlined:









EVQLVESGGGSVQTGGSLRLSCAVSGNIGSSYCMGWFRQAPGKKREAVA






RIVRDGATGYADYVKGRFTISRDSAKNTLYLQMNRLIPEDTAIYYCAAD







LPPGCLTQAIWNFGYRGQGTLVTVSS







Additionally, the present invention comprises one or more mouse monoclonal antibodies which are directed against one or more domains of the anti-KRAS sdAb of the invention. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be generated by methods that are known by one of skill in the art, for example, the mouse monoclonal antibody can be produced by a mouse hybridoma. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be used in diagnostic assays, for example, the antibody can be used in an immunoassay such as an ELISA or mass spectrometry assay in order to measure the amount of anti-KRAS sdAb present in a patient's serum. The cytotoxicity of KRAS (G12D) sdAbs on PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells was tested, as described below.


STAT3 is a member of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) family of proteins that carry both signal transduction and activation of transcription functions. STAT3 is widely expressed and becomes activated through phosphorylation on tyrosine and/or serine as a DNA binding protein in response to a various cytokines and growth factors such as EGF, IL-6, PDGF, IL-2 and G-CSF. The STAT3 phosphoprotein forms homodimers and heterodimers with other members of the STAT family and translocates to the nucleus in order to modulate the transcription of various genes, and as a result plays a key role in many cellular processes such as cell growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and survival.


An anti-STAT3 sdAb can be given to patients and other organisms to treat diseases caused by phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated STAT3, as well as to prevent the development of disease or recurrence of disease. For example, patients who have undergone organ transplant and bone marrow transplant are at higher risk for cutaneous SCCA and BCCA due to the immunosuppressive medications they take. Administration of an anti-STAT3 sdAb can reduce or eliminate this risk. Patients treated for a malignancy who are at risk for recurrence will benefit from treatment with the anti-STAT3 sdAb. Based on family medical history and HLA-type, some individuals will be at increased risk for some types of autoimmune diseases and may benefit from treatment with sdAbs to reduce risk of developing that autoimmune disease. Breast cancer risk can be reduced with administration of anti-STAT3 medication such as GLG-302, as demonstrated in a recent NCI study.


In addition to inhibiting STAT3, the anti-STAT3 sdAb can also inhibit STAT1, STAT2, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, and STAT6 due to the high degree of homology between these molecules.


Recombinant human STAT3 protein was used to produce anti-STAT sdAbs that were directed against or can bind to an epitope of STAT3. To generate the anti-STAT3 sdAbs, recombinant full-length human STAT3 (Gene ID: 6774) was expressed by baculovirus in Sf9 insect cells. The anti-STAT sdAbs were cloned into vectors that can be expressed in both bacterial and mammalian cells, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.


The anti-STAT3 sdAb of the invention can be used to target STAT3 and all other STAT molecules inside the cell in order to inhibit cell growth, such as, for example, suppression of cancer cell growth. In addition, the anti-STAT3 sdAb can inhibit cell growth in other proliferative diseases such as psoriasis, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration via inhibition of the production of VEGF.


Without being limited to a particular mechanism of action, it is thought that anti-STAT3 sdAb can eliminate cancer induced immune suppression by decreasing STAT3 levels in antigen presenting cells such as, for example, host dendritic cells. STAT3 inhibition promotes anti-cancer response by patients innate and adaptive immune systems (i.e., dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, NK cells, and B cells).


Using methods that are well known in the art, several anti-STAT sdAbs were obtained and screened for the ability to suppress cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines, as described below. The cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative activities of the anti-STAT3 sdAbs was tested. In addition, the tolerance of anti-STAT3 sdAbs was tested In vitro and In vivo. The production of mouse monoclonal antibody directed against one or more domains of the anti-STAT sdAbs is described below.


The amino acid sequence of one anti-STAT3 sdAb, named VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3), is shown below:









HVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQVPGKEREGVSG






ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR







FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 








The three CDRs are underlined.


The amino acid sequence of a second anti-STAT3 sdAb, named VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4), is shown below:









QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA






LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKEDAAMYYCAARE







GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS







Again, the three CDRs are underlined. The protein sequences of other anti-STAT3 sdAbs that were obtained are as follows:










STAT3_10 (SEQ ID NO: 5): 



  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_34 (SEQ ID NO: 6):


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_19 (SEQ ID NO: 7):


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_14 (SEQ ID NO: 8): 


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_35 (SEQ ID NO: 9): 


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_9 (SEQ ID NO: 10):


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_30 (SEQ ID NO: 11): 


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_23 (SEQ ID NO: 12):


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_24 (SEQ ID NO: 13): 


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_36 (SEQ ID NO: 14): 


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCVASTYTGCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVAA 





 (48) LSSRGFAGHYTDSVKGRFSISRDYVKNAVYLQMNTVKPEDAAMYYCAARE 





 (98) GWECGETWLDRTAGGHTYWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_12 (SEQ ID NO: 15): 


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_16 (SEQ ID NO: 16): 


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_11 (SEQ ID NO: 17):


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_20 (SEQ ID NO: 18): 


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_2 (SEQ ID NO: 19): 


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_15 (SEQ ID NO: 20): 


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_6 (SEQ ID NO: 21) 


  (1) HVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_33 (SEQ ID NO: 22): 


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 





STAT3_17 (SEQ ID NO: 23):


  (1) QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 





STAT3_25 (SEQ ID NO: 24); 


  (1) EVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 





STAT3_32 (SEQ ID NO: 25): 


  (1) DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 





STAT3_13 (SEQ ID NO: 26): 


  (1) HVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTLVTVSS 





STAT3_39 (SEQ ID NO: 27): 


  (1) HVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 





STAT3_4 (SEQ ID NO: 28): 


  (1) HVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 





STAT3_29 (SEQ ID NO: 29)::


  (1) HVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGANGGRSCMGWFRQAPGKEREGVSG 





 (51) ISTGGLITYYADSVKGRFTISQDNTKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATSR 





(101) FDCYRGSWFNRYMYNSWGQGTQVTVSS 






The corresponding anti-STAT3 DNA sequences are as follows:










Stat3_VHH-10 (SEQ ID NO: 30):



5′-gatgtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggaggctctctg





agactctcctgtgagcctctacatacaccggctgcatgggctggttccgccaggctcctggaaaggagcgcgagggagtcgcagctctta





gtagccgtggttttgccgggcactataccgactccgtgaagggccgattctccatctcccgagactacgtcaagaatgcggtgtatctgcaa





atgaacactgtgaaacctgaggacgctgccatgtactactgtgcagcacgggagggatgggagtgcggtgagacctggttggaccggac





cgccgggggccatacctactggggccaggggacccaggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-14 (SEQ ID NO: 31):


5′-caggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggaggctctc





tgagactctcctgtgtagcctctacatacaccggctgcatgggctggttccgccaggctcctggaaaggagcgcgagggagtcgcagctct





tagtagccgtggttttgccgggcactataccgactccgtgaagggccgattctccatctcccgagactacgtcaagaatgcggtgtatctgca





aatgaacactgtgaaacctgaggacgctgccatgtactactgtgcagcacgggagggatgggagtgcggtgagacctggttggaccgga





ccgccgggggccatacctactggggccaggggaccctggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-12 (SEQ ID NO: 32):


5′-caggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtctct





gagactctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgagggg





tttctggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacgct





gtatctgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttcaa





ccgatatatgtataacagttggggccaggggaccctggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-13 (SEQ ID NO: 33):


5′-catgtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtctct





gagactctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaacggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgagggg





gtttctggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacgc





tgtatctgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttcaa





ccgatatatgtataacagttggggccaggggacccaggtcactgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-20 (SEQ ID NO: 34):


5′-gatgtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtctct





gagactctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgaggggg





tttctggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacgct





gtatctgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttcaa





ccgatatatgtataacagttggggccaggggaccctggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-23 (SEQ ID NO: 35):


5′-caggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggaggctctct





gagactctcctgtgtagcctctacatacaccggctgcatgggctggttccgccaggctcctggaaaggagcgcgagggagtcgcagctctt





agcagccgtggttttgccgggcactataccgactccgtgaagggccgattctccatctcccgagactacgtcaagaatgcggtgtatctgca





aatgaacactgtgaaacctgaggacgctgccatgtactactgtgcagcacgggagggatgggagtgcggtgagacctggttggaccgga





ccgccgggagccatacctactggggccaggggaccctggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-24 (SEQ ID NO: 36):


5′-gaggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggaggctctct





gagactctcctgtgtagcctctacatacaccggctgcatgggctggttccgccaggctcctggaaaggagcgcgagggagtcgcagctctt





agtagccgtggttttgccgggcactataccgactccgtgaagggccgattctccatctcccgagactacgtcaagaatgcggtgtatctgca





aatgaacactgtgaaacctgaggacgctgccatgtactactgtgcagcacgggagggatgggagtgcggtgagacctggttggaccgaa





ccgccgggggccatacctactggggccaggggaccctggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-25 (SEQ ID NO: 37):


5′-gaggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtctctg





agactctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgagggggtt





tctggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggtcgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacgctgt





atctgcaaatgagcagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttcaacc





gatatatgtataacagttggggccaggggacccaggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-19 (SEQ ID NO: 38):


catgtgcagctggtggagtctggggggggctcggtgcaggctggaggctctctga





gactctcctgtgtagcctctacatacaccggctgcatgggctggttccgccaggctcctggaaaggagcgcgagggagtcgcagctcttag





tagccgtggttttgccgggcactataccgactccgtgaagggccgattctccatctcccgagactacgtcaagaatgcggtgtatctgcaaat





gaacactgtgaaacctgaggacgctgccatgtactactgtgcagcacgggagggatgggagtgcggtgagacctggttggaccggaccg





ccgggggccatacctactggggccaggggacccaggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-32 (SEQ ID NO: 39):


5′-gatgtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtc





tctgagactctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgaggg





ggtttctggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacg





ctgtatctgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttca





accgatatatgtataacagttggggccaggggacccaggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-33 (SEQ ID NO: 40):


5′-caggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtct





ctgagactctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgaggg





ggtttctggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacg





ctgtatctgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttca





accgatatatgtataacagttggggccaggggacccaggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-36 (SEQ ID NO: 41):


5′-gatgtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagactctctga





gactctcctgtgtagcctctacatacaccggctgcatgggctggttccgccaggctcctggaaaggagcgcgagggagtcgcagctcttag





tagccgtggttttgccgggcactataccgactccgtgaagggccgattctccatctcccgagactacgtcaagaatgcggtgtatctgcaaat





gaacactgtgaaacctgaggacgctgccatgtactactgtgcagcacgggagggatgggagtgcggtgagacctggttggaccggaccg





ccgggggccatacctactggggccaggggaccctggtcactgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-11 (SEQ ID NO: 42):


5′-gtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtctctgag





actctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgtgaggggtttct





ggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacgctgtat





ctgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttcaaccga





tatatgtataacagttggggccaggggaccctggtcactgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-6 (SEQ ID NO: 43):


5′-gtgcagctggtggagtctgagggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtctctgaga





ctctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgagggggtttct





ggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaagaacacgctgtat





ctgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttcaaccga





tatatgtataacagttggggccaggggaccctggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





Stat3_VHH-1 (SEQ ID NO: 44):


5′-gtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcaggctggagggtctctgaga





ctctcctgtgcagcctctggagccaatggtggtcggagctgcatgggctggttccgccaggttccagggaaggagcgcgagggggtttct





ggtatttcaaccggtggtcttattacatactatgccgactccgtgaagggccgattcaccatctcccaagacaacaccaataacacgctgtatc





tgcaaatgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgacgagtcggtttgactgctatagaggctcttggttcaaccgat





atatgtataacagttggggccaggggaccctggtcactgtctcctca-3′






Additionally, the present invention comprises one or more mouse monoclonal antibodies which are directed against one or more domains of the anti-STAT3 sdAb of the invention. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be generated by methods that are known by one of skill in the art, for example, the mouse monoclonal antibody can be produced by a mouse hybridoma. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be used in diagnostic assays, for example, the antibody can be used in an immunoassay such as an ELISA in order to measure the amount of anti-STAT3 sdAb present in a patient's serum. It should be appreciated that the method is not limited to anti-STAT3 sdAbs, and could be used to produce a mouse antibody directed towards any of the sdAbs of the present invention.


Anti-STAT5a sdAbs were also generated. The DNA and corresponding protein sequences for one clone is listed below.









Stat5-31 (SEQ ID NO: 82):


5′-gaggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggctcggtgcagactggagg





gtctctgagactctcctgcgcagcctctggattcccctttagtagtcacg





ttatgggctggttccgccaggctccagggaagaaacgcgagggggtcgca





gctatttcggttgatagtggtagcacatggtatgccgactccgtgaaggg





ccgattcaccatctccctggacagcgccaagaacacgctgtatctgcaaa





tgaacagcctgaaacctgaggacactgccatgtactactgtgcgactaga





cgtggagttattcttacactaagcccagagacctatgactactggggcca





ggggacccaggtcaccgtctcctca-3′





STAT5-31 (SEQ ID NO: 83):


EVQLVESGGGSVQTGGSLRLSCAACGFPFSSHVMGWFRQAPGKKREGVAA





ISVDSGSTWYADSVKGRFTISLDSAKNTLYQMNSLKPEDTAMYYCATRRG





VILTLSPETYDYWGQGTQVTVSS






The TNF-α gene encodes a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. This cytokine is mainly secreted by macrophages. The cytokine is involved in the regulation of a wide spectrum of biological processes including growth regulation, differentiation, inflammation, viral replication, tumorigenesis, and autoimmune diseases; and in viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Besides inducing hemorrhagic necrosis of tumors, TNF was found to be involved in tumorigenesis, tumor metastasis, viral replication, septic shock, fever, inflammation, cachexia, and autoimmune diseases including Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis as well as graft-versus-host disease.


The present invention provides sdAbs, proteins, and polypeptides that are directed against TNF-α, in particular against human TNF-α inside the cell or cell membrane, so as to prevent the secretion of TNF-α by cells.


It is contemplated that the anti-TNF-α sdAbs and polypeptides of the invention can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases and disorders associated with and/or mediated by TNF-α, such as inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Addison's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune parotitis, diabetes type 1, epididymitis, glomerulonephritis, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, male infertility, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, pemphigus, psoriasis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, spondyloarthropathies, thyroiditis, vasculitis, and weight loss due to cancer and cachexia.


TNF-α exists in different forms; there are monomeric and multimeric forms, including a trimeric form. It is within the scope of the invention that the sdAbs, proteins and polypeptides of the invention bind to TNF-α in its different form, i.e., monomeric form or multimeric forms. Thus, when sdAbs, proteins and polypeptides of the invention are directed to TNF-α, it should be understood that this also comprises sdAbs, proteins and polypeptides directed against TNF-α in its trimeric form.


It is known that signal transduction by TNF involves crosslinking by TNF receptors by a trimer of TNF molecules, which contains three receptor binding sites (see, for example, Peppel et al., J. Exp. Med., 174 (1991), 1483-1489).


Recombinant human TNF-α protein was used to generate sdAbs that are directed against or can bind to an epitope of TNF-α. To generate the anti-TNF-α sdAbs, recombinant full-length human TNF-α (Gene ID: 7124) was expressed in Escherichia call and used as the target antigen.


Thirty-five sdAbs against the TNF-α protein were obtained. These anti-TNF-α antibodies were divided into three groups based on sequence homology.


The amino acid sequence of the first anti-TNF-α sdAb, named TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb, is shown below:









HVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGLERE





GVATIDIDGLTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRG-QGTLVTVSS







The three CDRs are underlined.


The amino acid sequence of the second anti-TNF-α sdAb, named TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb, is shown below:









EVQLVESGGGSVLAGGSLRLSCVASGFTSRYNYMAWFRQAPGKERE





GVATIGTASGSADYYGSVKDRFTISQDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





MYYCAARTYGTISLTPSDYRYWGQGTLVTVSS







The three CDRs are underlined.


The amino acid sequence of the third anti-TNF-α sdAb, named TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb, is shown below:









QVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCSWAQGTQGTLVTVSS






The three CDRs are underlined. Other anti-TNF-α sdAbs that were found include the sequences below, again with the CDRs underlined:









TNF_2 (SEQ ID NO: 48): 


QVQLVESGGGSVEAGRSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGQTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_2 (SEQ ID NO: 49): 


QVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGQTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_71 (SEQ ID NO: 50): 


QVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGLTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_21 (SEQ ID NO: 51): 


QVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGQTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_38 (SEQ ID NO: 52): 


EVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGQTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_18 (SEQ ID NO: 53): 


EVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGLTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_37 (SEQ ID NO: 54): 


DVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGQTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_66 (SEQ ID NO: 55): 


HVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGLTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_68 (SEQ ID NO: 56): 


HVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGLATHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_78 (SEQ ID NO: 57): 


HVQLVESGGGSVEAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDGQTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_67 (SEQ ID NO: 58): 


HVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGFRYAAYCMGWFRQADGKERE





GVATIDIDQLTTHADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_6 (SEQ ID NO: 59): 


QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGFIDSFGVMAWFRQAPGKERE





GVAAVYRRAGDTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDSA





MYYCAARTYGSVSSWTGYKYWGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_7 (SEQ ID NO: 60): 


QVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGFIDSFGVMAWFRQTPGKERE





GVAAVYRRAGDTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDSA





MYYCAARTYGSVSSWTGYKYWGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_13 (SEQ ID NO: 61): 


DVQLVESGGGSVQVGGSLTLSCAVSGYTDSYGVMAWFRQAPGKERE





GVASYRNSGITYYPDSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLSLQMNDLKPEDSA





TYYCAVRSFGSVSTWAGYVYWGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_60 (SEQ ID NO: 62): 


DVQLVESGGGSVQAGGSLRLSCAASGYTDSFGVMAWFRQAPGKERE





GVAAVYRRRAGTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDSA





MYYCAARTYGSVSSWTGYKYWGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_73 (SEQ ID NO: 63): 


DVQLVESGGGSVRAGGSLRLSCTASGDTSKSDCMAWFRQADGKERE





RVGAIYTRNGYTHYADSVNGRFTISQDNAKNALYLQMSGLKPEDTA





MYYCAARFRIYGQCVEDDDIDYWGQGTLVTVSS





TNF_69 (SEQ ID NO: 64): 


EVQLVESGGGSVLAGGSLRLSCVASGFTSRYNYMAWFRQADGKERE





GVATIGTASGSADYYGSVKDRFTISQDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





MYYCAADRDRCGSIWTYAYKYRGQGTQVTVSS





TNF_76 (SEQ ID NO: 65): 


QVQVVEYGGGSVQAGETVRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHEWE





LVSNITTEGITSEASSSYADSVRGRFTIFDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKHEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYREYCTWAQGTQGTLVTVSS





TNF_62 (SEQ ID NO: 66): 


QVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCSWAQGTQGTLVTVSS





TNF_43 (SEQ ID NO: 67): 


QVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCSWAQGTQGTLVTVSS





TNF_15 (SEQ ID NO: 68): 


QVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_11 (SEQ ID NO: 69): 


QVQLVESGGGSVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_17 (SEQ ID NO: 70): 


QVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_63 (SEQ ID NO: 71): 


QVQLVESGGGSVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_20 (SEQ ID NO: 72): 


HVQLVESGGGSVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_58 (SEQ ID NO: 73): 


EVQLVESGGGSVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_27 (SEQ ID NO: 74): 


EVQLVESGGGSVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_28 (SEQ ID NO: 75): 


EVQLVESGGGSVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_4 (SEQ ID NO: 76): 


EVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_14 (SEQ ID NO: 77): 


DVQLVESRGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGAQGTLVTVSS





TNF_3 (SEQ ID NO: 78): 


DVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHVCE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGTQGTLVTVSS





TNF_1 (SEQ ID NO: 79): 


DVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGLECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSEYCTWAQGTQGTLVTVSS





TNF_45 (SEQ ID NO: 80): 


DVQLVESGGGPVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSEASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGTQGTLVTVSS





TNF_22 (SEQ ID NO: 81): 


DVQLVESGGGSVQAGETLRLSCTASGFTFAEADMGWYRQAPGHECE





LVSTITTEGITSVASSYYADSVRGRFTISRDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTA





VYYCAPDPYAYSTYSDYCTWAQGTQGTLVTVSS






The in vitro growth inhibition of several TNF-α sdAbs was tested, as described below. The present invention also comprises one or more mouse monoclonal antibodies which are directed against one or more domains of the anti-TNF-α sdAb of the invention. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be generated by methods that are known by one of skill in the art. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be used in diagnostic assays, such as, for example, an immunoassay such as an ELISA in order to measure the amount of anti-TNF-α sdAb present in a patients serum.


The RAF proteins are a family of serine/threonine-specific kinases that serve as a central intermediate in transmitting extracellular signals to the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, which controls cell growth, differentiation and survival, BRAF is a member of the RAF family that is activated by members of the Ras family upon growth factor-induced stimulation. Active Ras can induce heterodimerization of cRaf and BRAF and this may explain the observed cooperativity of cRaf and BRaf in cells responding to growth factor signals. Activating mutations in the BRAF gene are present in a large percentage of human malignant melanomas and in a proportion of colon cancers. The vast majority of these mutations result in a valine to glutamic acid change at residue 599 within the activation segment of BRAF.


Anti-BRAF sdAbs were developed to target wild-type and mutated BRAF in order to disrupt its rote in malignant cells such as, for example, cells involved in colon cancer and other malignancies.


Using methods that are well-known in the art, recombinant human BRAF protein was used to generate sdAbs that are directed against or can bind to an epitope of BRAF.


Additionally, the present invention comprises one or more mouse monoclonal antibodies which are directed against one or more domains of the anti-BRAF sdAb of the invention. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be generated by methods that are known by one of skill in the art. The mouse monoclonal antibody can be used in diagnostic assays, for example, the antibody can be used in an immunoassay such as an ELISA in order to measure the amount of anti-BRAF sdAb present in a patient's serum.


EXAMPLES
Example 1
Anti-Stats VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb Binds STAT3

In this example, the affinity of two VHH targets against STAT3 was measured using Octet based label-free binding assay. Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, anti-KRAS (negative control) and GST-STAT3 (16 kDa monovalent antigen, Creative BioMart #STAT3-1476H) were used as antigen probes in this assay. The GST-STAT3 protein was captured at 20 μg/ml in PBS using aminopropylsilane (APS) dip and read biosensors, specifically meant for hydrophobic protein. The probes were then dipped into wells with the GST-STAT3 protein, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb or anti-KRAS at a concentration as indicated. The association rate (on rate) of the antigen was measured. The sensors were quenched with 1% BSA in water. The probes were dipped into assay buffer (PBS) and the dissociation rate (off rate) was measured.


The affinity, represented by the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an antigen with an antigen-binding protein (KD) was determined from the obtained affinity constant (KA), and KD using 1:1 global fit analysis Fortebio software as shown below in Table 1. Affinity was determined by averaging KD values for curves with R2 values >0.95. The 250 nM anti-STAT3 VHH13 data point was omitted as it is an outlier. It was determined that the anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb affinity was 1.16×10−7. The affinity of anti-KRAS VHH was not determined.









TABLE 1







Local Fit Analysis

















VHH Conc.






Sensor Type
Sample ID
Loading Sample ID
(nM)
KD (M)
kon (1/Mb)
koff(1/s)
Full R{circumflex over ( )}2

















APS (Aminopropylsilane)
ANTI-STAT3 VHH13
STAT3 20 μg/ml
1000
1.168E−07
3.16E+05
3.69E−02
0.985


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-STAT3 VHH13
STAT3 20 μg/ml
500
1.012E−07
4.04E+05
4.09E−02
0.974


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-STAT3 VHH13
STAT3 20 μg/ml
250
 <1.0E−12
4.69E+91
5.11E−02
0.980


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-STAT3 VHH13
STAT3 20 μg/ml
125
1.474E−07
3.09E+05
4.55E−02
0.991


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-STAT3 VHH13
STAT3 20 μg/ml
62.5
9.921E−08
2.71E+05
2.69E−02
0.975


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-STAT3 VHH13
STAT3 20 μg/ml
31.3
 1.53E−06
6.75E+04
1.03E−01
0.656


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-kras
STAT3 20 μg/ml
1000
 6.75E−08
1.19E+04
8.01E−04
0.917


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-kras
STAT3 20 μg/ml
500
2.916E−08
1.65E+04
4.80E−04
0.890


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-kras
STAT3 20 μg/ml
250
4.324E−09
8.93E+04
3.86E−04
0.276


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-kras
STAT3 20 μg/ml
125
NA
NA
NA
NA


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-kras
STAT3 20 μg/ml
62.5
NA
NA
NA
NA


APS (Aminopropylsilane
ANTI-kras
STAT3 20 μg/ml
31.3
NA
NA
NA
NA









Example 2
Immunoprecipitation Studies

The specificity of STAT3 sdAbs was assayed in human breast cancer cells. In this example, MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were grown to 50% to 70% confluence. The cells were then disrupted in freshly prepared ice-cold lysis buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.9, 400 mM NaCl, 0.1% NP-40, 10% glycerol, 1 mM sodium vanadate, 1 mM sodium fluoride, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 1 mM phcnylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 10 μg/mL aprotinin, 10 μg/mL leupeptin) for 45 minutes on ice. Lysates were then centrifuged, the supernatant collected, and protein concentration was determined using a modified Lowry method (Bio Rad, Hercules, Calif.). Total protein (1 mg) was incubated with 1.5 mg of Dynabeads (Invitrogen) with sdAbs against STAT3, a positive control (STAT3, cat #SC-482, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, Tex.), or negative control (STAT-1, cat #9172, Cell Signaling, Danvers, Mass.) for 1 hour at 4° C. Beads were then washed. Following the final wash, 60 μl of lysis buffer was added, and the resulting supernatant was subject to Western blot analysis. Briefly, samples were separated on 10% polyacrylamide gels and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. The membranes were blocked, then incubated with appropriate primary and secondary antibodies. Anti-STAT3 antibody, used as a positive control, was from Cell Signaling (Cat #4904, Danvers, Mass.). The chemiluminescence reaction was performed using the ECL system from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Dallas, Tex.).


As illustrated in FIG. 3, endogenous STAT3 immunoprecipitated with all sdAbs tested at varying amounts. M is the Marker lane containing the marker, lane 1 contained STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) produced and isolated from mammalian cells, lane 2 contained STAT3 VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4) produced and isolated from mammalian cells, lane 3 contained STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) produced and isolated from bacterial cells, lane 4 contained STAT3 VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4) produced and isolated from bacterial cells, lane 5 was the positive STAT3 antibody, lane 6 used STAT-1 as a negative control, showed no band.


Example 3
Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 Binds with High Affinity to Cell Lines Containing Constitutively Actived STAT3

The specificity of bacterial anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) using constitutively activated STAT3 in human (PANC-1 and DU145) and murine (4T1) cell lines was assayed. Commercial HeLa cells were also treated with interferon gamma (INFΓ) in order to induce phosphorylated STAT3. The PC-3 STAT3 null cell line was used as a negative control.


The cells were grown to 50% to 70% confluence, then disrupted in freshly prepared ice-cold lysis buffer as described above for 45 minutes on ice. Lysalcs were then centrifuged, the supernatant collected, and protein concentration was determined as described above. Total protein (1 mg) was incubated with 1.5 mg of Dynabeads (Invitrogen) containing the bacterial anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) or negative control (KRAS, Creative Biolabs, Shirley, N.Y.) for 1 hour at 4° C. Beads were then washed. Following the final wash, 60 μl of lysis buffer was added, and the resulting supernatant was subject to Western Blot analysis as described in Example 2.


As illustrated in FIG. 4, endogenous STAT3 was immunoprecipitated by bacterial VHH13 STAT3 (SEQ ID NO:3) in the constitutively activated STAT3 cell lines: PANC-1 (lane 1), DU145 (lane 2), and 4T1 (lane 4). Furthermore, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb bound to the Phospho-STAT3 in HeLa lysate (lane 3). No bands were noted for either PANC-1 KRAS, lane 3, or PC-3 (negative control), lane 6. These results indicate that anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb can bind both phosphorylated and un-phosphorylated STAT3.


Example 4
Cytotoxicity Studies of Anti-STAT3 SdAbs in MDA-MB-231 Cancer Cell Lines

In this example, the anti-proliferative effects of anti-STAT3 sdAbs were assayed using the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. For the experiments, MDA-MB-231 cells were grown until they reached a confluency of 90%. At that time, cells were washed, trypsinized and counted using a Coulter Counter (Beckman, Brea, Calif.). The proliferation studies were carried out using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiaolyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. For this, cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of 5×103 per well as indicated by the manufacturer (Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind.). Cells were allowed to adhere for 24 hours and then the sdAbs were added at the appropriate concentrations (i.e., 0, 0.5, 1.0, 10.0, or 100 μg/ml). Cells were counted on day 3. For the 5-day treated cells, fresh media containing the sdAbs was refreshed on day 3. At the time of termination, 10 μl of MTT reagent (0.5 mg/mL) was added to each well as indicated by the manufacturer. After a 4 hour incubation period, 100 μl of solubilization solution was added and the plate was placed in the incubator overnight. All the plates were read at 570 nm using the Biotek plate reader (Winooski, Vt.).


All data were analyzed using GraphPad InStat 3 (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.). Treatments groups were compared with vehicle control group using one-way ANOVA. If a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed, the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test was conducted.


Based on the MTT experiment, the bacterial VHH13 anti-STAT3 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was found to be effective in inhibiting cell growth at days 3 and 5 post-treatment as shown in Tables 2-5 below.









TABLE 2







Mean Absorbance (570 nM) ± S.E. Day 3 Post


Treatment with Anti-STAT3 sdAbs in MDA-MB-231 Cells













Treatment
Control
0.5 μg/ml
1.0 μg/ml
10.0 μg/ml
100 μg/ml
p-value*
















H.VHH13
0.444 ± 0.030
0.504 ± 0.043
0.545 ± 0.060
0.603 ± 0.025
0.272 ± 0.011
0.001


H.VHH14
0.404 ± 0.011
0.485 ± 0.040
0.402 ± 0.017
0.588 ± 0.020
0.416 ± 0.030
0.002


B.VHH13
0.550 ± 0.036
0.685 ± 0.018
0.716 ± 0.023
0.355 ± 0.033
0.059 ± 0.001
<0.0001


B.VHH14
0.593 ± 0.014
0.666 ± 0.022
0.644 ± 0.045
0.456 ± 0.048
0.255 ± 0.005
<0.0001





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 3







Effects of Anti-STAT3 sdAb Treatment on MDA-MB-


231 Cell Proliferation after 3 Days of Treatment












Treatment
μg/ml
% Inhibition
p-value*
















H.VHH13
0.5

NS




1.0

NS




10.0

NS




100.0
38.7
P < 0.05



H.VHH14
0.5

NS




1.0
0.5
NS




10.0

NS




100.0

NS



B.VHH13
0.5

NS




1.0

NS




10.0
35.5
P < 0.001




100.0
89.3
P < 0.001



B.VHH14
0.5

NS




1.0

NS




10.0
23.1
P < 0.05




100.0
57.0
P < 0.001







*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 4







Mean Absorbance (570 nM) ± S.E. Day 5 Post


Treatment with Anti-STAT3 sdAb in MDA-MB-231 Cells













Treatment
Control
0.5 μg/ml
1.0 μg/ml
10.0 μg/ml
100 μg/ml
p-value*
















H.VHH13
1.100 ± 0.088
0.955 ± 0.013
0.963 ± 0.018
0.832 ± 0.028
0.721 ± 0.025
0.0012


H.VHH14
0.983 ± 0.023
0.890 ± 0.021
0.935 ± 0.037
0.804 ± 0.015
0.797 ± 0.010
0.0007


B.VHH13
0.804 ± 0.046
0.761 ± 0.055
0.653 ± 0.024
0.506 ± 0.030
0.083 ± 0.005
<0.0001


B.VHH14
0.677 ± 0.015
0.733 ± 0.038
0.794 ± 0.023
0.640 ± 0.011
0.549 ± 0.023
<0.0001





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 5







Effects of Anti-STAT3 sdAb Treatment on MDA-MB-


231 Cell Proliferation after 5 Days of Treatment












Treatment
μg/ml
% Inhibition
p-value*
















H.VHH13
0.5
13.2
NS




1.0
12.5
NS




10.0
24.4
P < 0.001




100.0
34.5
P < 0.001



H.VHH14
0.5
9.5
NS




1.0
4.9
NS




10.0
18.2
P < 0.001




100.0
18.9
P < 0.001



B.VHH13
0.5
5.4
NS




1.0
18.8
NS




10.0
37.1
P < 0.001




100.0
89.7
P < 0.001



B.VHH14
0.5
0
NS




1.0
0
NS




10.0
5.5
NS




100.0
18.9
P < 0.05







*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test






Example 5
Cytotoxicity Studies of Anti-STAT3 SdAbs in Human Breast (MDA-MB-231) and Pancreatic (PANC-1) Cancer Cell Lines

In this Example, the anti-proliferative effects of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) and the VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4) sdAbs were assayed using the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1. For the experiments, MDA-MB-231 and PANC-1 cells were grown until they were 90% confluent. At that time, cells were washed, trypsinized and counted using a Coulter Counter (Beckman, Brea, Calif.). The proliferation studies were carried out using the MTT assay described above. For the 5-day treated cells, fresh media containing the anti-STAT3 sdAbs was refreshed on day 3.


All data were analyzed using GraphPad InStat 3. Treatments groups were compared with vehicle control group using one-way ANOVA. If a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed, the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test was conducted.


Based on the MTT experiment, both the VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) and the VHH14 (SEQ ED NO:4) were found to inhibit cell growth in both the MDA-MB-231 and PANC-1 cancer cells, as shown in Tables 6-13 below.









TABLE 6







Mean Absorbance (570 nM) ± S.E. Day 3


Post Treatment With sdAbs in the MDA-MB-231 Cells












Treatment
Experiment
Control
10.0 μg/ml
100 μg/ml
p-value*















B.VHH13
1
0.550 ± 0.036
0.355 ± 0.033
0.059 ± 0.001
<0.0001



2
0.735 ± 0.092
0.489 ± 0.019
0.449 ± 0.054
0.0355



3
0.627 ± 0.033
0.432 ± 0.060
0.078 ± 0.001
0.0002



4
0.648 ± 0.090
0.576 ± 0.061
0.063 ± 0.002
0.0011











Overall Mean
0.640 ± 0.038
0.463 ± 0.047
0.163 ± 0.10 
0.0019












B.VHH14
1
0.593 ± 0.014
0.456 ± 0.048
0.255 ± 0.005
0.0005



2
0.624 ± 0.046
0.499 ± 0.018
0.357 ± 0.019
0.0025



3
0.816 ± 0.088
0.502 ± 0.048
0.308 ± 0.021
0.0026



4
0.729 ± 0.051
0.559 ± 0.041
0.287 ± 0.021
0.0007











Overall Mean
0.691 ± 0.051
0.504 ± 0.021
0.302 ± 0.043
<0.0001





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 7







Mean Absorbance (570 nM) ± S.E. Day 5 Post


Treatment with Anti-STAT3 sdAbs in MDA-MB-231 Cells












Treatment
Experiment
Control
10.0 μg/ml
100 μg/ml
p-value*















B.VHH13
1
0.804 ± 0.046
0.506 ± 0.030
0.083 ± 0.005
<0.0001



2
0.561 ± 0.024
0.417 ± 0.011
0.266 ± 0.015
<0.0001



3
0.970 ± 0.048
0.814 ± 0.052
0.105 ± 0.005
<0.0001



4
0.757 ± 0.118
0.665 ± 0.036
0.087 ± 0.004
0.011











Overall Mean
0.773 ± 0.084
0.601 ± 0.088
0.135 ± 0.044
0.0005












B.VHH14
1
0.677 ± 0.015
0.640 ± 0.011
0.549 ± 0.023
0.0047



2
0.456 ± 0.037
0.338 ± 0.023
0.274 ± 0.012
0.0166



3
0.983 ± 0.019
0.930 ± 0.044
0.578 ± 0.039
0.0004



4
1.092 ± 0.053
0.842 ± 0.052
0.499 ± 0.036
0.0004











Overall Mean
0.802 ± 0.145
0.688 ± 0.131
 0.475 ± 0.0690
0.2022





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 8







Mean Absorbance (570 nM) ± S.E. Day 3 Post Treatment with


Anti-STAT3 sdAbs in the PANC-1 Cells













Exper-






Treatment
iment
Control
10.0 μ/ml
100 μg/ml
p-value*















B.VHH13
1
0.756 ± 0.045
0.432 ± 0.015
0.307 ± 0.012
<0.0001



2
1.347 ± 0.189
0.491 ± 0.087
0.169 ± 0.094
0.0019



3
1.025 ± 0.056
0.493 ± 0.029
0.166 ± 0.028
<0.0001











Overall Mean
1.043 ± 0.171
0.472 ± 0.020
0.214 ± 0.047
0.0034












H.VHH13
1
1.541 ± 0.097
1.066 ± 0.153
0.732 ± 0.015
0.0046



2
1.611 ± 0.119
1.353 ± 0.119
0.762 ± 0.654
0.3527



3
1.074 ± 0.040
0.897 ± 0.154
0.700 ± 0.082
0.1092











Overall Mean
1.409 ± 0.169
1.105 ± 0.133
0.731 ± 0.181
0.0238












H.VHH14
1
1.195 ± 0.205
0.920 ± 0.133
0.808 ± 0.239
0.4161



2
1.423 ± 0.038
1.183 ± 0.114
0.993 ± 0.088
0.0338



3
1.293 ± 0.169
1.163 ± 0.044
0.916 ± 0.088
0.1330











Overall Mean
1.304 ± 0.066
1.089 ± 0.085
0.906 ± 0.054
0.0188





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 9







Mean Absorbance (570 nM) ± S.E. Day 5 Post Treatment with


Anti-STAT3 sdAbs in the PANC-1 Cells













Exper-






Treatment
iment
Control
10.0 μ/ml
100 μg/ml
p-value*















B.VHH13
1
0.687 ± 0.047
0.433 ± 0.036
0.243 ± 0.024
0.0004



2
1.670 ± 0.196
0.869 ± 0.053
0.211 ± 0.006
0.0004



3
1.389 ± 0.044
0.627 ± 0.073
0.203 ± 0.013
<0.0001











Overall Mean
1.249 ± 0.292
0.643 ± 0.126
0.219 ± 0.012
0.0208












H.VHH13
1
1.462 ± 0.150
1.128 ± 0.105
0.839 ± 0.117
0.0349



2
1.792 ± 0.202
1.341 ± 0.095
0.911 ± 0.079
0.0113



3
1.605 ± 0.289
1.161 ± 0.140
0.820 ± 0.005
0.0638











Overall Mean
1.620 ± 0.096
1.210 ± 0.066
0.857 ± 0.028
0.0007












H.VHH14
1
1.992 ± 0.105
1.859 ± 0.033
0.095 ± 0.003
<0.0001



2
1.517 ± 0.050
1.165 ± 0.015
1.169 ± 0.050
0.0015



3
1.579 ± 0.134
1.081 ± 0.103
0.998 ± 0.049
0.0136











Overall Mean
1.696 ± 0.149
1.368 ± 0.247
0.754 ± 0.333
0.0967





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 10







Mean Growth Inhibition Post 3 Days of Anti-STAT3


sdAbs Treatment on MDA-MB-231 Cell Proliferation













Treatment
Experiment
P-valuea
10.0 μg/ml
P-valueb
100 μg/ml
P-valueb





B.VHH13
1
P < 0.0001
35.5
P < 0.001
89.3
P < 0.001



2
P = 0.03
33.5
ns
38.9
P < 0.05



3
P = 0.0001
31.1
P < 0.05
87.6
P < 0.001



4
P = 0.0001
11.1
ns
90.3
P < 0.01


Overall


27.8

76.5


Average %


Inhibition


B.VHH14
1
P < 0.001
23.1
P < 0.05
57.0
P < 0.001



2
P = 0.03
20.0
ns
42.8
P < 0.01



3
P = 0.03
38.5
P < 0.05
62.3
P < 0.01



4
P = 0.006
23.3
ns
60.6
P < 0.001


Overall


26.2

55.7


Average %


Inhibition






aOne-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA);




bPost test = Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons Test














TABLE 11







Mean Growth Inhibition Post 5 days of Anti-STAT3


sdAbs Treatment on MDA-MB-231 Cell Proliferation













Treatment
Experiment
P-valuea
10.0 μg/ml
P-valueb
100 μg/ml
P-valueb
















B.VHH13
1
P < 0.0001
37.1
P < 0.001
89.7
P < 0.001



2
P < 0.0001
25.7
P < 0.001
52.6
P < 0.001



3
P < 0.0001
16.1
ns
89.2
P < 0.001



4
P = 0.001
12.2
ns
88.5
P < 0.01


Overall


22.8

80.0


Average %


Inhibition


B.VHH14
1
P < 0.0001
5.5
ns
18.9
P < 0.05



2
P = 0.02
25.9
ns
39.9
P < 0.05



3
P = 0.0004
5.4
ns
41.2
P < 0.001



4
P = 0.0004
22.9
P < 0.05
54.3
P < 0.001


Overall


14.9

38.6


Average %


Inhibition






aOne-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA);




bPost test = Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons Test














TABLE 12







Mean Growth Inhibition Post 3 Days of Anti-STAT3


sdAbs Treatment on PANC-1 Cell Proliferation













Treatment
Experiment
P-valuea
10.0 μg/ml
P-valueb
100 μg/ml
P-valueb





B.VHH13
1
P < 0.0001
42.9
P < 0.001
59.4
P < 0.001



2
P = 0.03
63.5
P < 0.05
87.5
P < 0.01



3
P < 0.0001
51.9
P < 0.001
83.8
P < 0.001


Overall


52.8

76.9


Average %


Inhibition


H.VHH13
1
P = 0.005
30.8
P < 0.05
52.5
P < 0.01



2
P = 0.002
16.0
ns
52.7
P < 0.01



3
P = 0.11
16.5
ns
34.8
ns


Overall


21.1

46.7


Average %


Inhibition


H.VHH14
1
P = 0.42
23.0
ns
32.4
ns



2
P = 0.03
16.9
ns
30.2
P < 0.05



3
P = 0.13
10.1
ns
29.2
ns


Overall


16.7

30.6


Average %


Inhibition






aOne-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA);




bPost test = Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons Test














TABLE 13







Mean Growth Inhibition Post 5 Days of Anti-STAT3


sdAbs Treatment on PANC-1 Cell Proliferation













Treatment
Experiment
P-valuea
10.0 μg/ml
P-valueb
100 μg/ml
P-valueb





B.VHH13
1
P = 0.0004
37.0
P < 0.01
64.6
P < 0.001



2
P = 0.0004
48.0
P < 0.01
87.4
P < 0.001



3
P < 0.0001
54.9
P < 0.001
85.4
P < 0.001


Overall


46.6

79.1


Average


% Inhibition


H.VHH13
1
P = 0.03
22.8
ns
42.6
P < 0.05



2
P = 0.01
25.2
ns
49.2
P < 0.01



3
P = 0.06
27.7
ns
48.9
ns


Overall


25.2

46.9


Average %


Inhibition


H.VHH14
1
P = 0.08
26.8
ns
14.8
ns



2
P = 0.002
23.2
P < 0.01
22.9
P < 0.01



3
P = 0.02
31.5
P < 0.05
36.8
P < 0.05


Overall


27.2

24.8


Average %


Inhibition






aOne-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA);




bPost test = Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons Test







Example 6
Anti-Proliferative Actions of STAT3 SdAbs in the Human Breast Cancer and Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

The proliferative effects of the STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb were assayed in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and the human prostate cancer cell lines DU145. For the experiments, cancer cells were grown until they reached 90% confluence. At that time, cells were washed, trypsinized, and counted using a Coulter Counter (Beckman, Brea, Calif.). The proliferation studies done using the MTT assay as described above.


The anti-proliferative properties of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb on MDA-MB-231 cells were compared to its actions on DU145 cells. As shown in Table 14, MDA-MB-231 cells treated with the anti-STAT3 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAbs showed an average growth inhibition of 29.6 and 91.2 at 50.0 and 100 μg/ml, respectively. In the DU145 cells, a similar growth inhibition (31.2 and 92.1% for 50.0 and 100 μg/ml, respectively) was seen as set forth in Table 15.









TABLE 14







Anti-proliferative Actions of Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 sdAbs on MDA-MB-


231 Breast Cancer Cells













Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Experiment 3
Average




Absorbance
Absorbance
Absorbance
Absorbance




(% Inhibition)
(% Inhibition)
(% Inhibition)
(% Inhibition)
p-value*





control
0.93
1.25
1.46
1.21



 50 μg
0.82 (12.0)
0.99 (20.5)
0.64 (56.2)
0.82 (32.6)
NS


100 μg
0.07 (93.1)
0.12 (90.1)
0.14 (90.5)
0.11 (91.0)
<0.001





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test













TABLE 15







Anti-proliferative Actions of Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 sdAbs on DU145 Prostate


Cancer Cells













Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Experiment 3
Average




Absorbance
Absorbance
Absorbance
Absorbance




(% Inhibition)
(% Inhibition)
(% Inhibition)
(% Inhibition)
p-value*





control
1.05
1.58
1.61
1.41



 50 μg
0.68 (35.7)
 1.2 (55.5)
1.03 (35.8)
0.98 (30.5)
NS


100 μg
0.13 (87.4)
0.12 (95.7)
0.06 (96.1)
0.10 (92.7)
<0.001





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test






Example 7
Anti-Proliferative Effects of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAbs on Human Cancer Cell Lines

To test the anti-proliferative effects of the STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAbs using the human cancer cell lines: MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MCF-7, BT474, and DU145 as shown in Table 16.


All human cancer cell lines were obtained from American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Va.). Cell lines were maintained and cultured in RPMI 1640 media (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MCF-7, BT474) or MEM-E (DU145) containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM L-glutamine and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic solution (10 units/mL penicillin, 10 μg/mL streptomycin and 25 μg/mL amphotericin B). Cells were kept at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2, Cell culture supplies were obtained from Life Technologies, Inc., (Grand Island, N.Y.). The MTT reagent was purchased from Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.).


For the experiments, cancer cells were grown until they reached 90% con fluency. At that time, cells were washed, trypsinized and counted using a Coulter Counter (Beckman, Brea, Calif.). The proliferation studies were carried out using the MTT assay as described above.


The anti-proliferative properties of Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAbs were evaluated on five breast cancer cells of representing various classifications (Table 16). As shown in Table 17, all cell lines at 72 hours post treatment showed significant growth inhibition. The greatest growth inhibition was noted at 100 and 200 μg/ml dose for all cell lines. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for growth in the cell lines tested were: 10.1±2.4, 12.36±1.5, 14.8±1.6, and 25.2±14.7 for the MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MCF-7, and BT474 cell lines, respectively. These data suggest that the triple negative breast cancer cell lines require the lowest concentration of VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAbs to achieve the IC50 as compared to estrogen/progesterone positive cell lines (i.e., MCF-7) or HER2 amplified cell lines (i.e., BT474).









TABLE 16







Breast Cancer Cell Line Characteristics










Cell line
Disease
Immunoprofile
Classification





MDA-MB-231
adenocarcinoma
ER-, PR-,
Basal; Claudin-




HER2-
low


MDA-MB-468
adenocarcinoma
ER-, PR-,
Basal




HER2-



MDA-MB-453
metastatic carcinoma
ER, PR, HER2-
Unclassified


BT474
ductal carcinoma
Her2 amplified
Luminal B


MCF-7
adenocarcinoma
ER-, PR-,
Luminal A




HER2-
















TABLE 17







Inhibition of Breast Cancer Cell Lines by Anti-STAT3 VHH13


(SEQ ID NO: 3) sdAbs












Treatment
Mean
%



Cell Line
(μg/ml)
Abs
Inhibition
p-value














BT474
0
0.634





0.39
0.322
49.3
P < 0.001



0.78
0.462
27.2
P < 0.001



1.56
0.502
20.8
P < 0.01 



3.13
0.446
29.7
P < 0.001



6.25
0.469
26.1
P < 0.001



12.5
0.363
42.7
P < 0.001



25
0.256
59.6
P < 0.001



50
0.145
77.2
P < 0.001



100
0.046
92.8
P < 0.001



200
0.040
93.8
P < 0.001


MCF-7
0
0.590





0.39
0.818
0




0.78
0.785
0




1.56
0.823
0




3.13
0.689
0




6.25
0.435
22.1
NS



12.5
0.327
41.6
P < 0.01 



25
0.212
62.1
P < 0.001



50
0.057
89.9
P < 0.001



100
0.038
93.2
P < 0.001



200
0.040
92.9
P < 0.001


MDA-MB-468
0
0.253





0.39
0.311
0




0.78
0.289
0




1.56
0.201
20.6




3.13
0.223
11.9




6.25
0.230
9.1




12.5
0.130
48.6
P < 0.001



25
0.067
73.5
P < 0.001



50
0.042
83.4
P < 0.001



100
0.038
85.0
P < 0.001



200
0.040
84.4
P < 0.001


MDA-MB-231
0
0.502





0.39
0.603
0




0.78
0.576
0




1.56
0.570
0




3.13
0.445
11.4
P < 0.001



6.25
0.312
37.8
P < 0.001



12.5
0.224
55.4
P < 0.001



25
0.196
60.9
P < 0.001



50
0.130
74.2
P < 0.001



100
0.041
91.8
P < 0.001



200
0.042
91.7
P < 0.001









The actions of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was also evaluated in the human prostate cancer cell line DU145, as shown in Table 18. The anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb showed dose-dependent growth inhibition in all cancer cells tested.









TABLE 18







Effect of Anti-STAT3 VHH13 sdAbs on Prostate Cancer Cell Lines












Treatment (mg/ml)
Mean Abs
% Inhibition
p-value














DU145
0
0.771




DU145
0.39
0.906
0



DU145
0.78
1.023
0



DU145
1.56
0.967
0



DU145
3.13
0.783
0



DU145
6.25
0.770
0
P < 0.05 


DU145
12.5
0.560
27.4
P < 0.001


DU145
25
0.359
53.5
P < 0.001


DU145
50
0.161
79.1
P < 0.001


DU145
100
0.039
95.0
P < 0.001


DU145
200
0.039
95.0
P < 0.001









Example 8
Maximum Tolerated Dose of Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) in BALB/C Mice

In this Example, the tolerance of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was assayed in test animals using the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. For the experiment, a total of 9 BALB/C nude female mice (6 to 7 weeks old) were divided into three groups according to body weights. (Table 19) Mice (n=3) received either vehicle (PBS) or anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb at 250 or 500 μg/kg body weight/day for five days. During the study, mortality/morbidity was performed twice daily. Body weights were recorded on days 1, 4, and 6 of the study as well as on the day of study termination (Day 13). Toxicity was assessed by body weight measurements and mouse behavior compared to vehicle control mice. Upon completion of treatment phase, animals were followed for an additional week to note any abnormalities in body weights and/or general health post treatment.









TABLE 19







Experimental Design of Maximun Tolerated Dose Study












Group
# Mice
Treatment
Dose
Route
Frequency





1
3
PBS Vehicle

IP
5 days


2
3
Bacterial VHH13
250 μg/kg b.w.
IP
5 days


3
3
Bacterial VHH13
500 μg/kg b.w.
IP
5 days









As illustrated in Table 20, there was no significant difference in body weights among the groups, and anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was not associated with any drug-related deaths at either dosing level. Additionally, no behavior changes were observed in the animals treated with anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb as compared to the control mice.









TABLE 20







Mean body weight ± S.E













Randomi-






Group
zation
Day 1
Day 4
Day 6
Day 13





Vehicle
17.1 ± 0.06
17.1 ± 0.07
17.8 ± 0.12
18.1 ± 0.09
18.8 ± 0.20


250 μg/kg
17.1 ± 0.06
17.2 ± 0.03
17.2 ± 0.15
17.5 ± 0.15
18.1 ± 0.21


500 μg/kg
17.1 ± 0.17
17.1 ± 0.09
17.8 ± 0.18
18.0 ± 0.20
18.5 ± 0.18


p-value*
>0.9999
0.52
0.05
0.07
0.11





*One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA); Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparison Test






Example 9
Activity of Bacterial Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) in Nude BALB/C Mice Xenograft and Human Breast Cancer and Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

In this example, the activity of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was evaluated in mice using the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer xenograft model and the PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Dosing schedules were as follows: Group 1 (n=6; PBS; IP) daily for 14 days [QD×14]; and Group 2 (n−12; 500 μg/kg bw; IP), every day for 14 days [QD×14]. An observation period of 5 days followed the drug administration.


The human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and PANC-1) were obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.). The MDA-MB-231 cells were growth in MEM (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.) supplemented with 10% FBS (Atlanta Biologicals, Flowery Branch, Ga.) and Penicillin-Streptomycin-Glutamine (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.). The PANC-1 cells were grown in RPMI 1640 media (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.) supplemented with 10% FBS and Penicillin-Streptomycin-Glutamine. All cells were grown in the presence of 5% CO2 at 37° C. in an incubator.


Athymic nude-Foxnlnu male mice aged 4 to 5 weeks were purchased from Harlan Laboratories (Indianapolis, Ind.). Animals were quarantined for one week and housed five mice per cage, with a 12-hr light-dark cycle, and a relative humidity of 50%. Drinking water and diet were supplied to the animals ad libitum. All animals were housed under pathogen-free conditions and experiments were performed in accordance with the IIT Research Institute Animal Use and Care Committee. For the MDA-MB-231 xenograft study, cells (4×106) in a 100-μL final volume of MEM media were injected subcutaneously into right flanks of mice. For the PANC-1 xenograft study, cells (5×106) in a 100-μL final volume of RPMI media were injected subcutaneously into right flanks of mice. Tumor measurements for both models were initiated as soon as the tumors were palpable. Thereafter, tumors were measured twice weekly. Animals were randomized when tumors reach a range size of 75 to 175 mm3, control (n=6) and a treatment (n=2) groups were randomized using the stratified random sampling algorithm. Treatment (anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb) or Vehicle (PBS) was initiated the day following randomization. The treatment was well tolerated and associated with no drug-related deaths. No significant body weight loss was noted.


For the MDA-MB-231 xenograft study, the randomization Mean (±SE) tumor size was: 103.01±11.89 and 102.61±9.60 for control and treatment groups respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at randomization were: 32.08±0.76 and 30.27+0.75 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Table 21 shows the mean body weights (±SE) for the entire study.









TABLE 21







Mean body weights ± S.E.













Treatment
Day 1
Day 6
Day 9
Day 12
Day 16
Day 20





Vehicle
31.0 ± 0.83
32.1 ± 0.76
31.9 ± 0.66
32.1 ± 0.68
32.0 ± 0.71
32.5 ± 0.88


Anti-STAT3
29.2 ± 0.71
30.3 ± 0.75
30.4 ± 0.79
29.9 ± 0.72
30.6 ± 0.74
30.6 ± 0.77


VHH13


p-value*
0.16
0.18
0.27
.09
0.28
0.17





*Two-tail T-Test






On day 14 of dosing, the mean tumor size (±SE) for the control was 179.11±19.39 versus 118.86±15.94 for treatment group. Mean body weights (±SE) at termination were: 31.98±0.71 and 30.45±0.74 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Table 22 summarizes the tumor volumes (±SE) for entire study. The % mean tumor growth inhibition in the treatment group was 33.64%. The tumor doubling times were as follows: Group 1: 44.27 days; and Group 2: 61.06 days. FIG. 5 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model. Anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb showed significant growth inhibition (p=0.047). Thus, anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb has chemotherapeutic activity in the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer model system.









TABLE 22







Individual Tumor Measurements


(mm3) for the MDA-MB-231 Xenograft Model















Ani-








Group
mal #
Day 1
Day 6
Day 9
Day 12
Day 16
Day 20

















1
1
117.43
141.72
135.00
139.31
127.93
133.19



2
130.30
142.83
206.15
256.99
244.06
243.00



3
78.00
105.97
114.04
144.06
154.50
158.94



4
118.24
162.41
171.39
225.59
181.32
217.97



5
71.10
109.03
133.13
168.80
187.73
164.45


Mean

103.01
132.39
151.94
186.95
179.11
183.51


S.E.

11.89
10.82
16.42
23.28
19.39
20.28


2
6
123.94
114.91
129.22
176.04
170.09
162.98



7
85.93
101.06
112.60
112.24
139.56
96.43



8
147.34
148.72
169.69
185.08
170.07
256.71



9
115.91
103.64
108.37
141.21
144.51
119.42



10
73.23
82.59
110.13
91.22
166.77
285.88



11
163.73
178.23
183.79
165.52
214.28
129.51



12
75.54
83.94
103.68
119.88
104.26
99.48



13
70.04
89.24
102.60
75.25
57.65
95.23



14
101.62
65.09
82.02
68.01
61.41
61.83



15
67.83
62.21
59.00
77.04
65.49
82.73



16
131.93
75.28
76.21
53.55
73.66
51.61



17
74.28
109.06
111.92
89.94
58.56
100.07


Mean

102.61
101.16
112.44
112.92
118.86
128.49


S.E.

9.6
9.8
10.3
12.9
15.9
21.1


P-value

0.98
0.08
0.06
0.01
0.05
0.14









For the PANC-1 xenograft study, the randomization Mean (+SE) tumor sizes were 107.01±4.54 in the control and 110.58±6.18 in the treatment groups. Mean body weights (±SE) at randomization were: 29.0±0.81 and 28.5±0.70 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at termination were: 31.2±0.99 and 30.1±0.75 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Table 23 summarizes the mean body weights (±SE) for entire study. On day 14 of dosing, the mean tumor size (±SE) for control was 287.30±33.94 versus 318.74+29.76 for treatment group. Table 24 summarizes the tumor volumes (±SE) for entire study.









TABLE 23







Mean body weights ± S.E.













Treatment
2/19
2/24
2/27
3/2
3/6
3/10





Vehicle Control
31.0 ± 0.83
32.1 ± 0.76
31.9 ± 0.66
32.1 ± 0.68
32.0 ± 0.71
32.5 ± 0.88


Anti-STAT3
29.2 ± 0.71
30.3 ± 0.75
30.4 ± 0.79
29.9 ± 0.72
30.6 ± 0.74
30.6 ± 0.77









The tumor doubling limes were as follows: Group 1: 22.44 days, and Group 23.02 days. Anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb showed no significant growth inhibition in the PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer model system.









TABLE 24







Individual Tumor Measurements


(mm3) for the PANC-1 xenograft Model















Ani-








Group
mal #
2/19
2/24
2/27
3/2
3/6
3/10

















1
1
99.77
117.96
134.67
161.27
160.79
195.58



2
117.54
137.14
221.14
241.27
303.70
321.45



3
120.30
210.99
276.05
322.17
394.96
732.07



4
111.65
135.91
215.87
340.97
334.08
382.06



5
90.88
96.35
165.26
156.28
223.17
314.97



6
107.05
156.56
192.98
324.34
307.13
573.99


Mean

107.87
142.49
201.00
257.72
287.30
420.02


S.E.

11.11
16.01
20.00
34.35
33.94
80.34


2
7
96.31
193.71
275.06
317.53
395.37
540.66



8
89.24
90.03
112.43
125.51
189.63
235.08



9
80.62
148.97
196.38
187.24
299.84
530.46



10
108.03
144.14
234.46
240.39
288.75
421.61



11
77.66
116.21
313.19
290.38
411.66
197.67



12
129.68
143.20
290.67
224.92
261.44
343.04



13
108.99
182.30
239.00
254.64
342.19
464.00



14
123.27
171.03
223.34
226.88
248.69
324.30



15
144.53
136.03
198.47
226.04
247.97
273.58



16
120.96
136.48
226.43
338.06
564.71
883.81



17
112.69
144.76
167.12
225.70
223.06
326.19



18
134.95
189.64
193.14
248.01
351.63
364.44


Mean

110.58
149.71
222.47
242.11
318.74
408.74


S.E.

6.18
8.79
15.90
16.30
29.76
53.25


P-value

0.78
0.67
0.43
0.64
0.53
0.91









Example 10
MDA-MB-231 Xenograft Study

Example, the efficacy of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the MDA-MB-231 human breast xenograft model was further evaluated. The dosing schedules were as follows: Group 1 (n=4; PBS; IP) twice a day for 14 days [BID×14]; Group 2 (n=4; 1 mg/kg bw; IP), twice a day for 14 days [BID×14]; Group 3 (n=4; 2 mg/kg bw; IP) twice a day for 14 days [BID×14]; and Group 4 (n=4; 2 mg/kg bw; IP) once a day for 14 days [QD×14]. An observation period of 7 days followed administration.


The human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and athymic nude-Foxnlnu female mice were described above.


MDA-MB-231 cells at a density of 5×106 were injected subcutaneously into the right flank of the mice at a final volume of 100-μL in MEM media. Tumor measurements were initiated as soon as the tumors were palpable. Thereafter, tumors were measured twice weekly. Animals are randomized when tumors reach a range size of 55 to 150 mm using the stratified random sampling algorithm. Treatment (anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb) or Vehicle (PBS) was initiated the day following randomization.


The randomization Mean (±SE) tumor size was: 92.08±13.24, 82.38±5.17, 77.47±7.17, and 104.71±14.64 for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. As shown in Table 25, mean body weights (±SE) at randomization were: 23.65±0.72, 23.45±0.66, 23.10±0.20, and 22.45±1.25 for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.


As shown in Table 26, at day 14 of dosing, the mean tumor size (±SE) for control group was 221.51±57.32 versus 67.12±10.66, 58.27±22.54, and 131.44±22.86, for treatment group 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At the time of termination (day 42) mean tumor size (±S.E.) was: 255.42±65.46, 55.98±6.94, 41.15±13.21, and 145.51±52.32, for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at termination were: 24.80±0.49, 23.25±1.20, 24.00±0.32, and 23.2±1.46 for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The max mean % net weight loss (day) was: 0.7 (36), 1.5 (23), 1.8 (36), and 2.2 (29) for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.


Also as shown in Table 26, the mean growth inhibition in the treatment groups was 78.3, 75.2, and 55.9, for Groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The tumor doubling times were: Group 1: 20.56 days; Group 2: 34.54 days; Group 3: 30.07 days; and Group 4: 27.17 days. There was a growth delay of 13.99, 9.52, and 6.61 days for Groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The % treatment/control values for treatment groups were: Group 2: −33.75 (tumor stasis); Group 3: −54.4 (tumor regression); and Group 4: 10.28 (tumor inhibition). FIG. 6 illustrates the growth inhibition of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model.


Administration of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was associated with a significant growth inhibition in Group 2 (p=0.02) [1 mg/kg; BID×14] and Group 3 (p=0.02) [2 mg/kg; BID×14]. Furthermore, three out of four tumors showed significant regression. Based on these data, it is concluded that anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb has chemotherapeutic activity in the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer model system.









TABLE 25







Mean Body Weights ± S.E.









Date/Study Day










Dosing
Recovery

















6/23
6/26
6/29
7/2
7/6
7/9
7/15


Group
Schedule
20
23
26
29
33
36
42





1
PBS: BID x 14
23.65 ± 0.72
23.85 ± 0.60
24.18 ± 0.67
24.05 ± 0.63
24.30 ± 0.67
24.13 ± 0.72
24.80 ± 0.49


2
1 mg/kg: BID x 14
23.45 ± 0.66
23.10 ± 0.68
23.13 ± 0.74
23.13 ± 0.95
23.08 ± 1.01
23.13 ± 1.09
23.25 ± 1.20


3
2 mg/kg: BID x 14
23.10 ± 0.20
23.10 ± 0.14
23.20 ± 0.07
23.85 ± 0.39
23.80 ± 0.24
23.38 ± 0.23
24.00 ± 0.32


4
2 mg/kg: QD x 14
22.45 ± 1.25
22.35 ± 1.32
22.58 ± 1.46
22.08 ± 1.44
22.73 ± 1.47
22.55 ± 1.46
23.20 ± 1.38
















TABLE 26







Individual Tumor Measurements (mm3) for the MDA-MB-231 Xenograft Model
















Animal
Jun. 23, 2015
Jun. 26, 2015
Jun. 29, 2015
Jul. 2, 2015
Jul. 6, 2015
Jul. 9, 2015
Jul. 15, 2015



#
(20)
(23)
(26)
(29)
(33)
(36)
(42)



















Group 1











001
93.38
119.07
159.80
197.91
210.95
243.31
265.61



002
116.07
241.31
313.16
339.13
362.30
390.48
426.32



003
55.67
83.45
98.22
135.50
198.19
204.96
218.29



004
104.82
112.09
118.44
111.07
114.61
115.31
111.45


Mean Absolute

92.49
138.98
172.41
195.90
221.51
238.51
255.42


Mean Relative

100.00%
150.27%
186.41%
211.82%
239.51%
257.89%
276.17%


S.E. Mean

13.12
34.97
48.64
51.12
51.56
57.32
65.46


% Inhibition


Mean


Median

99.10
115.58
139.12
166.71
204.57
224.13
241.95


Absolute


Median

100.00%
116.62%
140.38%
168.22%
206.42%
226.16%
244.14%


Relative


S.E. Median

13.66
37.49
52.30
53.83
52.48
57.91
65.92


% Inhibition


Median


Group 2



005
73.15
54.54
59.17
57.21
56.20
37.13
39.17



006
80.11
76.56
80.34
88.75
99.09
87.42
72.18



007
97.22
79.99
78.44
59.90
55.90
53.66
60.35



008
81.21
53.58
54.34
67.43
57.30
29.02
52.23


Mean Absolute

82.92
66.17
68.07
68.32
67.12
51.81
55.98


Mean Relative

100.00%
79.79%
82.09%
82.39%
80.95%
62.48%
67.51%


S.E. Mean

5.09
7.03
6.62
7.14
10.66
12.93
6.94


% Inhibition

10.34%
52.39%
60.52%
65.12%
69.70%
78.28%
78.08%


Mean


Median

80.66
65.55
68.80
63.66
56.75
45.40
56.29


Absolute


Median

100.00%
81.27%
85.30%
78.93%
70.36%
56.28%
69.79%


Relative


S.E. Median

5.25
7.04
6.63
7.63
12.23
13.45
6.94


% Inhibition

18.61%
43.28%
50.54%
61.81%
72.26%
79.75%
76.74%


Median


Group 3



009
56.41
43.61
33.13
31.76
34.11
50.33
18.94



010
84.06
85.18
61.75
80.69
110.72
89.11
73.89



011
82.87
54.78
34.92
54.38
78.47
78.68
51.30



012
86.73
44.01
23.09
16.99
9.78
18.71
20.48


Mean Absolute

77.52
56.89
38.22
45.95
58.27
59.21
41.15


Mean Relative

100.00%
73.39%
49.31%
59.28%
75.17%
76.38%
53.09%


S.E. Mean

7.08
9.78
8.26
13.90
22.54
15.79
13.21


% Inhibition

16.19%
59.06%
77.83%
76.54%
73.69%
75.18%
83.89%


Mean


Median

83.46
49.39
34.02
43.07
56.29
64.51
35.89


Absolute


Median

100.00%
59.18%
40.76%
51.60%
67.44%
77.29%
43.00%


Relative


S.E. Median

7.87
10.69
8.61
14.00
22.56
16.08
13.56


% Inhibition

15.78%
57.27%
75.54%
74.17%
72.49%
71.22%
85.17%


Median


Group 4



013
88.56
108.35
105.80
102.94
183.39
159.78
291.06



014
78.73
51.51
54.20
70.39
84.29
55.83
42.03



015
113.20
85.29
69.30
103.16
103.20
87.15
130.64



016
141.91
130.82
87.49
145.68
154.89
117.63
118.31


Mean

105.60
93.99
79.20
105.54
131.44
105.10
145.51


Absolute


Mean Relative

100.00%
89.01%
75.00%
99.94%
124.47%
99.52%
137.79%


S.E. Mean

14.11
16.94
11.18
15.44
22.86
22.17
52.32


% Inhibition

−14.18%
32.37%
54.06%
46.13%
40.66%
55.94%
43.03%


Mean


Median

100.88
96.82
78.40
103.05
129.05
102.39
124.47


Absolute


Median

100.00%
95.98%
77.71%
102.15%
127.92%
101.49%
123.38%


Relative


S.E. Median

14.37
17.02
11.19
15.50
22.90
22.22
53.72


% Inhibition

−1.80%
16.23%
43.65%
38.19%
36.92%
54.32%
48.55%


Median









Example 11
Efficacy of Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb on Three Human Cancer Xenograft Models

In this Example, the efficacy of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was evaluated in the MDA-MB-231 Human Breast, PANC-1 Pancreatic, and DU145 Prostate cancer xenograft models.


Athymic Nude-Foxnlnu mice, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, PANC-1 pancreatic cancer and the DU145 prostate cancer cell lines were described above. The body weight of the mice ranged from 17 to 19 g (34 females) and 21 to 23 g (16 males) on Day 1 of the study.


Cells in early passages (4 to 10) were used for implantation into the mice and were harvested during log phase growth. MDA-MB-231 (5×106), DU145 (5×106), and PANC-1 (1.5×106) were injected subcutaneously into the right flank of the mice at a final volume of 100-μL of media. Tumor measurements were initiated as soon as the tumors were palpable. Thereafter, tumors were measured twice weekly.


Animals were randomized using the stratified random sampling algorithm when rumors reach a range size of: 74-120 mm3 (MDA-MB-231), 89-146 mm3 (DU145), or 60-160 mm3 (PANC-1). Treatment (containing anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb and referred to herein as SBT-100) or Vehicle (PBS) was initiated the day following randomization. referred to as day 1.


Anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was supplied as a pre-formulated solution at a concentration of 0.651 mg/ml and was stored at −20° C. until ready to use. The stock solution was diluted in sterile PBS pH 7.6 to provide a 5 mg/kg in a dosing volume of 10 mL/kg. The working solution was prepared every 7 days, aliquoted onto seven vials and stored at 4° C. On each day of treatment, only the needed vial was brought to room temperature. All leftover sdAb material was retained at 4° C. as need for the next dose. At day 8, any remaining sdAb material was discarded and a fresh batch prepared.


Two groups (control and SBT-100) of mice per tumor model were dosed according to the protocol shown in Table 27. Dosing schedules were as follows. Group 1 (n=4; PBS) twice a day for 14 days [BID×14]; Group 2 (n=4; SBT-100, 5 mg/kg bw), twice a day for 14 days [BID×14]. Both the vehicle (PBS pH 7.6) and SBT100 were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice a day, six hours apart for fourteen days. Dosing was conducted according to individual animal weights. A recovery period of 7 days followed administration.









TABLE 27







Experimental Design of Xenograft Study















# of cells



Dose




Model
inoculated/mouse
Group
# Mice
Agent
(mg/Kg)
Route
Schedule





MDA-MB-231
5 × 108
1
4
Control (PBS)
0
IP
BIDx14




2
4
SBT-100
5
IP
BIDx14


PANC-1
1.5 × 108 
1
4
Control (PBS)
0
IP
BIDx14




2
4
SBT-100
5
IP
BIDx14


DU145
5 × 108
1
4
Control (PBS)
0
IP
BIDx14




2
4
SBT-100
5
IP
BIDx14





Study Log Study Director Animal Study Management Software






Study Log Study Director Animal Study Management Software (San Francisco, Calif.) was used to randomize animals, collect data (e.g., dosing, body weights, tumors measurements, clinical observations), and conduct data analyses.


In the MDA-MB-231 tumor xenograft model, animals were randomized on day 23 post-inoculation with a mean (±SE) tumor size of: 77.98±21.58 and 84.71±5.56 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at randomization were: 20.04±0.62 and 23.7±1.84 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Table 28 summarizes the mean body weights (±SE) for entire study. At last day of dosing (Day 14), the mean tumor size (±SE) for control group was 168.28±51.57 versus 83.81±22.65 for SBT-100 treated mice. Table 29 summarizes the tumor volumes (±SE) for entire study. At the lime of termination (day 28) mean tumor size (±S.E.) was: 270.49±112.35 and 91.72±33.17, for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at termination were: 25.36±1.07 and 24.25±1.68 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. At the end of the study, the mean tumor growth inhibition in the SBT-100 treated group was 85.8% (p=0.006). FIG. 7 illustrates the mean tumor volume. The tumor doubling times were 25.78 days versus 111.6 days for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. The % treatment/control for Group 2 was 13.35 (tumor inhibition).









TABLE 28







Mean Body Weights for Mice in MDA-MB-231









Phase











Animal
Dosing
Recovery















Group
ID
8/28
9/1
9/4
9/8
9/11
9/15
9/18


















Control
001
23.40
24.80
24.60
25.00
24.70
23.30
25.10


Control
002
22.40
22.50
22.60
22.70
22.80
20.60
23.10


Control
003
23.70
24.80
25.20
24.80
24.30
23.30
25.20


Control
004
23.70
24.70
25.10
25.30
24.90
22.90
25.40


Mean

23.30
24.20
24.38
24.45
24.18
22.53
24.70


Median

23.55
24.75
24.85
24.90
24.50
23.10
25.15


SD

0.62
1.13
1.21
1.18
0.95
1.30
1.07


% Change

0.00
3.82
4.56
4.89
3.73
−3.38
5.97


SBT-100
005
21.70
21.70
21.70
22.40
22.60
21.40
22.20


SBT-100
006
25.00
24.30
24.30
24.70
25.30
24.40
25.00


SBT-100
007
22.60
23.00
23.10
23.10
23.80
22.80
23.70


SBT-100
008
25.50
25.30
25.50
26.10
25.80
25.60
26.10


Mean

23.7
23.575
23.65
24.075
24.375
23.55
24.25


Median

23.8
23.65
23.7
23.9
24.55
23.6
24.35


SD

1.84
1.56
1.63
1.66
1.46
1.84
1.68


% Change

0.00
−0.45
−0.15
1.65
2.96
−0.63
2.38
















TABLE 29







Tumor Volumes for MDA-MB-231









Phase












Animal
Pre-Dosing
Dosing
Recovery


















Group
ID
8/21
8/24
8/27
8/28
9/1
9/4
9/8
9/11
9/15
9/18





















Control
001
51.00
55.80
80.94
76.35
83.66
94.11
110.78
129.99
162.81
184.15


Control
002
75.19
77.22
121.13
120.73
145.12
179.21
203.16
234.05
308.70
428.44


Control
003
57.04
57.81
75.32
81.06
93.25
114.27
181.87
242.88
295.93
408.67


Control
004
42.92
51.67
106.54
92.23
116.96
142.60
191.58
213.48
286.91
303.19


Mean

56.54
60.63
95.98
92.59
109.75
132.55
171.84
205.10
263.59
331.11


Median

54.02
56.80
93.74
86.64
105.10
128.44
186.72
223.76
291.42
355.93


SD

13.71
11.36
21.58
19.91
27.42
36.92
41.63
51.57
67.78
112.35


SBT-100
005
72.25
64.45
80.02
74.07
56.81
49.44
68.70
73.04
93.32
116.07


SBT-100
006
61.50
63.08
80.67
79.60
71.92
67.08
87.54
115.80
116.97
120.44


SBT-100
007
37.41
35.15
91.93
91.85
50.02
50.32
46.10
63.85
66.57
80.57


SBT-100
008
43.80
56.95
86.22
79.94
59.23
60.19
54.10
82.57
79.47
49.78


Mean

53.74
54.91
84.71
81.37
59.49
56.76
64.11
83.81
89.08
91.72


Median

52.65
60.02
83.45
79.77
58.02
55.25
61.40
77.81
86.40
98.32


SD

16.00
13.57
5.56
7.49
9.16
8.43
18.21
22.65
21.56
33.17


% T/C

0.0
32.3
84.0
81.6
13.6
5.9
9.2
20.7
17.6
13.4


p-value

0.800
0.542
0.351
0.332
0.013
0.007
0.003
0.005
0.003
0.006









In the DU45 tumor xenograft model, animals were randomized on day 17 post-inoculation with a mean (±SE) tumor size of: 111.87±20.53 and 111.23±25.16 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at randomization were: 29.10±1.94 and 30.68±1.56 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Table 30 summarizes the mean body weights (±SE) for entire study. At last day of dosing (Day 14), the mean tumor size (±SE) for control group was 621.81±276.25 versus 364.14±51.64 for SBT-100 treated mice. Table 31 summarizes the tumor volumes (±SE) for entire study. At the time of termination (day 28) mean tumor size (±S.E.) was: 819.42±351.88 and 601.83±131.51, for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at termination were: 29.20±2.33 and 29.60±1.04 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. At the end of the study, the mean tumor growth inhibition in the SBT-100 treated group was 26.6% (p=0.29). FIG. 8 illustrates the mean tumor volume. The tumor doubling times were 14.57 days versus 18.19 days for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. The % treatment/control for Group 2 was 74.8.









TABLE 30







Mean Body Weights for Mice in DU145









Phase











Animal
Dosing
Recovery















Group
ID
9/4
9/8
9/11
9/15
9/18
9/22
9/25


















Control
001
29.60
28.10
29.30
28.40
28.30
29.00
29.90


Control
002
29.70
30.10
31.20
30.10
30.40
29.90
30.00


Control
003
30.80
30.10
31.00
31.70
31.20
31.10
31.10


Control
004
26.30
25.70
26.60
25.20
26.10
26.20
25.80


Mean

29.10
28.50
29.53
28.85
29.00
29.05
29.20


Median

29.65
29.10
30.15
29.25
29.35
29.45
29.95


SD

1.94
2.09
2.13
2.78
2.29
2.09
2.33


% Change

0.00
−2.07
1.46
−0.99
−0.37
−0.19
0.27


SBT-100
005
30.90
30.20
27.90
29.80
29.90
30.50
30.10


SBT-100
006
28.40
26.20
27.30
26.90
27.50
29.10
28.50


SBT-100
007
31.70
31.20
31.50
30.40
30.70
31.20
30.80


SBT-100
008
31.70
29.70
30.20
28.20
28.10
28.80
29.00


Mean

30.68
29.33
29.23
28.83
29.05
29.90
29.60


Median

31.30
29.95
29.05
29.00
29.00
29.80
29.55


SD

1.56
2.17
1.97
1.58
1.50
1.14
1.04


% Change

0.00
−4.47
−4.74
−6.00
−5.23
−2.39
−3.40
















TABLE 31







Tumor Volumes for DU145









Phase












Animal
Pre-Dosing
Dosing
Recovery



















Group
ID
8/24
8/27
8/31
9/3
9/4
9/8
9/11
9/15
9/18
9/22
9/25






















Control
001
39.18
41.27
38.41
92.80
93.22
121.16
203.79
310.41
409.15
430.31
450.69


Control
002
45.05
35.99
64.98
95.50
103.83
135.42
225.62
327.76
478.14
534.48
599.97


Control
003
46.65
22.37
88.76
127.98
141.49
213.24
384.15
930.74
1,023.13
1,084.09
1,198.93


Control
004
17.06
36.44
65.73
131.20
138.33
227.23
289.78
338.79
576.83
926.90
1,027.90


Mean

36.98
34.02
64.47
111.87
119.22
174.26
275.84
476.93
621.81
743.95
819.42


Median

42.11
36.22
65.36
111.74
121.08
174.33
257.70
333.27
527.49
730.69
813.93


SD

13.67
8.12
20.58
20.53
24.32
53.70
80.91
302.77
276.25
311.67
351.88


SBT-
005
33.80
23.32
35.67
86.02
89.21
151.92
145.67
386.92
325.85
474.31
498.83


SBT-
006
59.44
41.00
54.21
98.56
121.39
148.44
206.10
357.62
391.02
518.25
588.67


SBT-
007
42.20
35.11
77.90
144.66
145.78
115.05
106.70
248.12
316.24
454.78
528.83


SBT-
008
69.37
50.18
71.23
116.28
118.70
134.16
147.52
320.22
423.45
604.72
790.96


Mean

51.23
37.40
59.75
111.23
118.77
137.39
151.50
328.22
364.14
513.01
601.83


Median

50.87
38.06
62.72
107.42
120.05
141.30
146.60
338.92
358.43
496.28
558.75


SD

16.13
11.25
18.90
25.16
23.17
16.786
40.98
59.97
51.64
66.65
131.51


% T/C

0.0
−26.9
29.1
78.8
81.7
65.4
42.1
70.6
56.9
69.9
74.8


p-value

0.226
0.643
0.747
0.970
0.980
0.238
0.034
0.372
0.116
0.197
0.291









In the PANC-1 tumor xenograft model, animals were randomized on day 22 post-inoculation with a mean (±SE) tumor size of: 78.74±40.21 and 93.84±36.31 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at randomization were: 22.50±1.47 and 24.23±1.63 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Table 32 summarizes the mean body weights (±SE) for entire study. At last day of dosing (Day 14), the mean tumor size (±SE) for control group was 204.95±178.90 versus 159.03±28.01 for SBT-100 treated mice. Table 33 summarizes the tumor volumes (±SE) for entire study. At the time of termination (day 28) mean tumor size (±S.E.) was: 284.77±288.88 and 203.02±30.34, for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean body weights (±SE) at termination were: 27.38±1.07 and 26.23±1.19 for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. At the end of the study, the mean tumor growth inhibition in the SBT-100 treated group was 41.78% (p=0.35). FIG. 9 illustrates the mean tumor volume. The tumor doubling times were 18.51 days versus 35.70 days for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. The % treatment/control for Group 2 was 52.79.









TABLE 32







Mean Body Weights for Mice in PANC-1









Phase











Animal
Dosing
Recovery















Group
ID
9/9
9/11
9/15
9/18
9/22
9/25
9/29


















Control
001
26.50
26.60
25.80
27.10
25.70
26.10
27.20


Control
002
24.30
24.60
23.90
25.10
24.40
25.00
25.60


Control
003
27.60
26.50
26.30
26.20
26.10
27.50
28.20


Control
004
25.10
25.30
24.20
25.10
24.70
25.90
26.90


Mean

22.50
22.80
23.04
24.30
24.58
25.90
27.38


Median

25.80
25.90
25.00
25.65
25.20
26.00
27.05


SD

1.47
0.97
1.18
0.97
0.81
1.03
1.07


% Change

0.00
−0.39
−3.15
0.12
−2.41
1.05
4.33


SBT-100
005
22.60
22.80
21.40
22.50
22.60
22.90
24.80


SBT-100
006
26.00
25.10
24.90
25.70
25.10
25.40
27.10


SBT-100
007
23.10
22.30
22.40
22.70
23.10
23.50
25.70


SBT-100
008
25.20
25.00
25.20
25.40
26.20
25.40
27.30


Mean

24.23
23.80
23.48
24.08
24.25
24.30
26.23


Median

24.15
23.90
23.65
24.05
24.10
24.45
26.40


SD

1.63
1.46
1.87
1.71
1.69
1.29
1.19


% Change

0.00
−1.71
−3.14
−0.63
0.13
0.39
8.39
















TABLE 33







Tumor Volumes for PANC-1









Phase












Animal
Pre-Dosing
Dosing
Recovery


















Group
ID
8/31
9/3
9/8
9/9
9/11
9/15
9/18
9/22
9/25
9/29





















Control
001
54.91
56.79
94.23
94.37
94.69
123.90
135.77
206.74
220.31
223.91


Control
002
46.38
75.43
81.99
81.62
88.44
130.01
151.06
140.52
145.62
202.22


Control
003
0.00
27.50
57.30
59.60
99.77
107.02
142.23
140.55
168.68
187.27


Control
004
0.00
0.00
152.17
159.98
227.02
380.54
502.06
514.93
574.44
781.45


Mean

20.26
32.54
78.74
80.91
104.18
151.29
189.83
204.95
226.81
284.77


Median

23.19
42.15
88.11
87.99
97.23
126.95
146.64
173.65
194.50
213.06


SD

29.45
33.13
40.21
43.18
66.52
130.48
179.63
178.90
200.56
288.88


SBT-
005
39.60
64.75
76.44
78.07
57.54
93.17
112.98
140.09
173.92
245.84


SBT-
006
40.31
37.27
68.57
73.13
76.46
113.30
130.49
192.56
205.55
189.42


SBT-
007
85.71
91.27
147.61
149.02
123.95
116.01
157.50
171.29
175.68
200.97


SBT-
008
48.72
55.19
82.73
83.18
86.90
102.48
105.65
132.19
136.93
175.84


Mean

53.58
62.12
93.84
95.85
86.21
106.24
126.65
159.03
173.02
203.02


Median

44.51
59.97
79.59
80.62
81.68
107.89
121.73
155.69
174.80
195.19


SD

21.82
22.52
36.31
35.69
27.94
10.49
23.05
28.01
28.10
30.34


% T/C

0.0
0.0
42.6
44.2
27.4
34.4
38.0
49.7
51.0
52.8


p-value

0.174
0.310
0.927
0.917
0.296
0.272
0.286
0.350
0.343
0.355









Example 12
Efficacy of Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb in the ER+/PR+ (MCF-7) Human Breast Tumor Xenograft Model

This Example demonstrates the efficacy of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the MCF-7 human breast tumor xenograft model in nude mice.


Female athymic nude mice (Crl:NU(Ncr)-Foxnlnu, Charles River) were twelve weeks old with a body weight (BW) range of 23.0 to 30.1 g on Day 1 of the study. The animals were fed and housed as described above.


MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells were obtained and cultured as described above, and used for the mouse xenograph. Three days prior to tumor cell implantation, estrogen pellets (0.36 mg estradiol, 60-day release. Innovative Research of America, Sarasota, Fla.) were implanted subcutaneously between the scapulae of each lest animal using a sterilized trocar.


The tumor cells used for implantation were harvested during log phase growth and resuspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at a concentration of 1×108 cells/mL. On the day of implantation, each test mouse received 1×107 MCF-7 cells (0.1 mL cell suspension) implanted subcutaneously in the right flank and tumor growth was monitored as the average size approached the target range of 100-150 mm3. Twenty-one days later, designated as Day 1 of the study, the animals were sorted into two groups each consisting of four mice with individual tumor volumes ranging from 108 to 144 mm3 and group mean tumor volumes from 117 to 123 mm3.


Anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was provided as a pre-formulated ready to dose solution at a concentration 0.41867 mg/mL in 1 mL aliquots and were stored at −20° C. until needed. The 0.41867 mg/mL solution provided 1 mg/kg dosage in a dosing volume of 23.88 ml/kg. On each day of treatment, only needed vials of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb were thawed to room temperature. All leftover dosing suspensions were retained at 4° C. as needed for the next dose.


Two groups of athymic nude mice were dosed according to the protocol shown in Table 34. All vehicle (control) and anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb doses were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) three times daily, six hours apart for fourteen days, with two doses delivered on Day 1 and one dose delivered on the morning of Day 15 (tid×14, first day 2 doses). The dosing volume for vehicle and anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was 0.478 mL per 20 grams of body weight (23.88 mL/kg) and was scaled to the body weight of each individual animal. Group 1 received the vehicle and served as the benchmark group for tumor engraftment and progression, as well as the control. Group 2 was given anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb at 1 mg/kg.









TABLE 34







Protocol Design for the Study











Treatment Regimen












Group
n
Agent
mg/kg
Route
Schedule





1
4
vehicle

ip
tid × 14 first Day 2 doses


2
4
VHH13
1
ip
tid × 14 first Day 2 doses









Tumors were measured twice weekly, and each animal was euthanized when its neoplasm reached the predetermined endpoint volume (1000 mm3) or at the end of the study, day 39, whichever came first. When a tumor reached the endpoint volume, the animal was documented as euthanized for tumor progression (TP), with the date of euthanasia. The time to endpoint (TTE) for each mouse was calculated by the following equation:






TTE
=




log
10



(

endpoint





volume

)


-
b

m





where TTE is expressed in days, endpoint volume is expressed in mm3, b is the intercept, and m is the slope of the line obtained by linear regression of a log-transformed tumor growth data set The data set consists of the first observation that exceeded the endpoint volume used in analysis and the three consecutive observations that immediately preceded the attainment of this endpoint volume. The calculated TTE is usually less than the TP date, the day on which the animal was euthanized for tumor size. Animals that did not reach the endpoint volume were assigned a TTE value equal to the last day of the study (D39). Any animal classified as having died from treatment-related (TR) causes was to be assigned a TTE value equal to the day of death. Any animal classified as having died from non-treatment-related (NTR) causes was to be excluded from TTE calculations.


Treatment efficacy was determined from tumor growth delay (TGD), which is defined as the increase in the median TTE, in days, for a treatment group compared to the control group:





TGD=T−C


The percent increase in the median TTE, relative to the control group, is


where:







%





TGD

=



T
-
C

C

×
100





T=median TTE for a treatment group, and


C=median TTE for the designated control group.


Treatment efficacy in each group may be indicated by the median tumor volume, MTV(n), which was defined as the median tumor volume on the last day of the study (D39) in the number of animals remaining (n) whose tumors had not attained the endpoint volume.


Treatment efficacy may also be determined from the incidence and magnitude of regression responses observed during the study. Treatment may cause partial regression (PR) or complete regression (CR) of the tumor in an animal. In a PR response, the tumor volume was 50% or less of its Dl volume for three consecutive measurements during the course of the study, and equal to or greater than 13.5 mm3 for one or more of these three measurements. In a CR response, the tumor volume was less than 13.5 mm3 for three consecutive measurements during the course of the study. Any animal with a CR response at the end of the study was additionally classified as a tumor-free survivor (TFS).


Animals were weighed daily for the first five days, then twice weekly for the remainder of the study. The mice were observed frequently for health and overt signs of any adverse treatment related TR side effects, and noteworthy clinical observations were recorded. Individual body weight loss was monitored per protocol, and any animal with weight loss exceeding 30% for one measurement, or exceeding 25% for three measurements, was to be euthanized for health as a TR death. If group mean body weight recovered, dosing may resume in that group, but at a lower dose or less frequent dosing schedule. Acceptable toxicity was defined as a group mean BW loss of less than 20% during the study and not more than one TR death among ten treated animals, or 10%. Any dosing regimen resulting in greater toxicity is considered above the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). A death was to be classified as TR if it was attributable to treatment side effects as evidenced by clinical signs and/or necropsy, or may also be classified as TR if due to unknown causes during the dosing period or within 14 days of the last dose. A death was classified as NTR if there was evidence that the death was related to the tumor model, rather than treatment-related. NTR deaths are further categorized as NTRa (due to accident or human error), NTRm (due to necropsy-confirmed tumor dissemination by invasion or metastasis), and NTRu (due to unknown causes).


Prism 6.07 (GraphPad) for Windows was employed for graphical analyses. Statistics were not employed due to small sample size.


A scatter plot was constructed to show TTE values for individual mice, by group: this plot shows NTR deaths, which were excluded from all other figures. Individual animal, group median and mean tumor volumes were plotted as functions of time. When an animal exited the study because of tumor size or TR death, its final recorded tumor volume was included with the data used to calculate the median volume at subsequent lime points. A Kaplan-Meier plot was constructed to show the percentage of animals in each group remaining on study versus time. Tumor growth curves were truncated after two TR deaths occurred in the same group. Group mean BW changes over the course of the study were graphed as percent change, ±SEM, from Day 1. Tumor growth and BW change curves were truncated after more than half the assessable mice in a group exited the study. FIG. 10 illustrates the mean tumor volume in the study.


Table 35 provides the mean BW losses, TR and NTR deaths for the mice. Clinical signs were recorded when observed, as shown in Tables 36-38. No TR deaths occurred during the study. Bodyweight losses were variable, severe for one animal in each group, and resulted from estrogen effects. Clinical observations including weight loss, enlarged uterine horns, and bladder crystals were present in both groups and were also attributable to estrogen effects. Estrogen toxicity resulted in two non-treatment related deaths in each group. The treatment evaluated in the study was acceptably tolerated.









TABLE 35







Response Summary






















Mean




Treatment Regimen
Median

%
MTV(n)
Regressions
BW
Deaths






















Group
n
Agent
mg/kg
Route
Schedule
TTE
T-C
TGD
D39
PR
CR
TFS
Nadir
TR
NTR

























1
2
Vehicle

ip
tid x 14 first
23.2



0
0
0
−15.6%
0
2







Day 2 doses







Day 25




2
2
VHH13
1
ip
tid x 14 first
32.9
9.7
42

0
0
0
−21.8%
0
2







Day 2 doses







Day 32
















TABLE 36





Body Weight


Body Weight







Group I: vehicle (ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)















Date
Jul. 27, 2015
Jul. 28, 2015
Jul. 29, 2015
Jul. 30, 2015
Jul. 31, 2015
Aug. 3, 2015
Aug. 6, 2015
Aug. 10, 2015


Day of Study
1
2
3
4
5
8
11
15


A#
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)













1
27.50
28.60
28.10
29.30
29.40
NTRa on Aug. 1, 2015















2
26.30
27.30
27.40
27.30
27.40
26.80
26.40
26.50


3
30.10
31.00
30.50
30.00
31.10
29.50
28.20
26.00













4
23.00
24.20
24.40

25.00
NTRu on Aug. 3, 2015















Mean
26.7
27.8
27.6
27.9
28.2
28.2
27.3
26.3


STDEV
2.9
2.8
2.5
2.2
2.6
1.9
1.3
0.4


n
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
2







Group 2: VHH13 (1 mg/kg, ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)















Date
Jul. 27, 2015
Jul. 28, 2015
Jul. 29, 2015
Jul. 30, 2015
70/31/15
Aug. 3, 2015
Aug. 6, 2015
Aug. 10, 2015


Day of Study
1
2
3
4
5
8
11
15


A#
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)


1
28.90
29.30
28.50
29.60
28.80
28.70
27.80
28.30


2
25.30
27.00
26.40
26.40
26.30
25.90
25.80
26.00


3
27.20
25.40
23.90




NTRu on Jul. 30, 2015


4
27.60
27.50
27.10
27.30
27.20
26.90
26.10
NTRu on Aug. 8, 2015


Mean
27.3
27.3
26.5
27.8
27.4
27.2
26.6
27.2


STDEV
1.5
1.6
1.9
1.7
1.3
1.4
1.1
1.6


n
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2












Group I: vehicle (ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)
















Date
Aug. 13, 2015
Aug. 17, 2015
Aug. 20, 2015
Aug. 24, 2015
Aug. 27, 2015
Aug. 31, 2015
Sep. 3, 2015



Day of Study
18
22
25
29
32
36
39



A#
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)










1
NTRa on Aug. 1, 2015












2
26.60
27.20
TP on Aug. 17, 2015













3
22.50
23.60
23.80
TP on Aug. 20, 2015










4
NTRu on Aug. 3, 2015
















Mean
24.6
25.4
23.8







STDEV
2.9
2.5








n
2
2
1













Group 2: VHH13 (1 mg/kg, ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)
















Date
Aug. 13, 2015
Aug. 17, 2015
Aug. 20, 2015
Aug. 24, 2015
Aug. 27, 2015
Aug. 31, 2015
Sep. 3, 2015



Day of Study
18
22
25
29
32
36
39



A#
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)
Wt (g)














1
28.20
28.80
29.00
28.90
TP on Aug. 24, 2015
















2
24.50
21.90
20.10
21.10
21.20
23.80
24.20










3
NTRu on Jul. 30, 2015



4
NTRu on Aug. 8, 2015
















Mean
26.4
25.4
24.6
25
21.2
23.8
24.2



STDEV
2.6
4.9
6.3
5.5






n
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
















TABLE 37





Tumor Measurement


Caliper Measurement
















Group 1: vehicle (ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)













Date
Jul. 27, 2015
Jul. 30, 2015
Aug. 3, 2015
Aug. 6, 2015



Day of Study
1
4
8
11
















A#
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)













1
6
6
7
8
NTRa on Aug. 1, 2015
















2
5
9
7
9
8
12
9
13


3
6
7
7
10
9
10
10
12













4
6
8
7
11
NTRa on Aug. 3, 2015









Group 2: VHH13 (1 mg/kg, ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)













Date
Jul. 27, 2015
Jul. 30, 2015
Aug. 3, 2015
Aug. 6, 2015



Day of Study
1
4
8
11
















A#
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)


1
6
6
7
8
8
10
9
10


2
6
6
6
7
7
8
7
8











3
6
7
NTRu on Jul. 30, 2015
















4
6
7
6
8
7
10
8
10










Group 1: vehicle (ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)











Date
Aug. 10, 2015
Aug. 13, 2015
Aug. 17, 2015
Aug. 20, 2015


Day of Study
15
18
22
25















A#
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)








1
NTRa on Aug. 1, 2015














2
10
13
10
13
12
15
TP on Aug. 17, 2015















3
11
12
11
12
11
13
12
14








4
NTRa on Aug. 3, 2015







Group 2: VHH13 (1 mg/kg, ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)











Date
Aug. 10, 2015
Aug. 13, 2015
Aug. 17, 2015
Aug. 20, 2015


Day of Study
15
18
22
25















A#
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)


1
9
10
9
10
10
11
12
12


2
8
9
8
9
9
10
9
10








3
NTRu on Jul. 30, 2015


4
NTRu on Aug. 8, 2015










Group 1: vehicle (ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)












Date
Aug. 24, 2015
Aug. 27, 2015
Aug. 31, 2015
Sep. 3, 2015



Day of Study
29
32
36
39
















A#
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)









1
NTRa on Aug. 1, 2015



2
TP on Aug. 17, 2015



3
TP on Aug. 20, 2015



4
NTRa on Aug. 3, 2015








Group 2: VHH13 (1 mg/kg, ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)












Date
Aug. 24, 2015
Aug. 27, 2015
Aug. 31, 2015
Sep. 3, 2015



Day of Study
29
32
36
39
















A#
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)
W (mm)
L (mm)











1
13
13
TP on Aug. 24, 2015
















2
10
10
10
10
12
12
13
13









3
NTRu on Jul. 30, 2015



4
NTRu on Aug. 8, 2015
















TABLE 38





Tumor Volume


Tumor Volume







Group 1: vehicle (ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)
















14







Date
Jul. 27, 2015
Jul. 30, 2015
Aug. 3, 2015
Aug. 6, 2015
Aug. 10, 2015
Aug. 13, 2015
Aug. 17, 2015


Day of Study


8
11
15
18
22


A#
TV (mm3)

TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)










1
108
196
NTRa on Aug. 1, 2015














2
113
221
384
527
650
650
1080


3
126
245
405
600
726
726
787










4

270
NTRu on Aug. 3, 2015














Mean
122.6
232.8
394.5
563.3
688
688
933.3


SEM
8.1
15.8
10.5
36.8
38
38
146.8


n
4
4


222221









Group 2: VHH13 (1 mg/kg, ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)
















14







Date
Jul. 27, 2015
Jul. 30, 2015
Aug. 3, 2015
Aug. 6, 2015
Aug. 10, 2015
Aug. 13, 2015
Aug. 17, 2015


Day of Study


8
11
15
18
22


A#
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)


1
108
196
320
405
405
405
550


2
108
126
196
196
288
288
405












3
126



NTRu on Jul. 30, 2015


4
126
144
245
320
NTRu on Aug. 8, 2015














Mean
117
155.3
253.7
307
346.5
346.5
477.5


SEM
5.2
21
36.1
60.7
58.5
58.5
72.5


n
4
3
3












Group 1: vehicle (ip, tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)














Date
Aug. 20, 2015
Aug. 24, 2015
Aug. 27, 2015
Aug. 31, 2015
Sep. 3, 2015



Day of Study
25
29
32
36
39



A#
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)










1
NTRa on Aug. 1, 2015



2
TP on Aug. 17, 2015











3
1008
TP on Aug. 20, 2015










4
NTRu on Aug. 3, 2015














Mean
1008







SEM








n














Group 2: VHH13 (1 mg/kg, ip. tid x 14 first Day 2 doses)














Date
Aug. 20, 2015
Aug. 24, 2015
Aug. 27, 2015
Aug. 31, 2015
Sep. 3, 2015



Day of Study
25
29
32
36
39



A#
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)
TV (mm3)












1
864
1099
TP on Aug. 24, 2015














2
405
500
500
864
1099










3
NTRu on Jul. 30, 2015



4
NTRu on Aug. 8, 2015














Mean
634.5
799.3
500
864
1098.5



SEM
229.5
299.3






n
322222111









Because two out of the four mice in the control group and also in the treatment group died of estrogen toxicity, no statistical conclusion could be determined. With the data available, the median tumor growth and mean tumor volume were reduced in the treatment group when compared to the control group. This difference was present during the 14 days of treatment but also to day 25 of the study. It took the control group 25 days to reach a tumor volume of 1000 mm3, whereas the treatment group took 36 days to reach a tumor volume of 1000 mm3. This suggests that anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb slows the growth of MCF-7 tumor in vivo. Throughout the study both the control group and the treatment group maintained similar weights. This suggests that the anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb did not cause toxicity with respect to weight loss.


Example 13
Treatment of Human HER2+ (BT474) Breast Cancer with Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb in Xenograft Mice

In this Example, the efficacy of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was determined in the BT474 human breast tumor xenograft in CB.17 SCID mice.


Two groups of 8-12 week old CB.17 SCID mice containing xenographs of 1 mm3 BT474 tumor fragments in their flank were treated according to the protocol shown in Table 39 when the tumors reached an average size of 100-150 mm3. All vehicle (PBS control) and anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (shown in Table 39 as SB-01) doses were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) three times daily, six hours apart for fourteen days, with two doses delivered on Day 1 (tid×14, first day 2 doses). The dosing volume for vehicle and anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was 0.478 mL per 20 grams of body weight (23.88 mL/kg) and was scaled lo the body weight of each individual animal. Group 1 received the vehicle and served as the benchmark group for tumor engraftment and progression, as well as the control. Group 2 was given anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb at 1 mg/kg.









TABLE 39







Study protocol









Regimen 1













Group
N
Agent
Vehicle
mg/kg
Route
Schedule















1#
4
vehicle

ip
tid x 14 first day







2 doses


2
4
SB-01
1
ip
tid x 14 first day







2 doses









During the first 14 days of the study, the treatment group received anti-STAT3 B VHH13 and the control group only received the vehicle. As shown in Table 40, during this time, the treatment group maintained and gained weight throughout the study while the control group had lower weights throughout the study. This suggests that the treatment group did not experience toxicity from anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb with respect to weight loss. Both groups mean tumor volume and median tumor volume were similar, and exactly the same on day 15 of the study. On day 59 of the study, both groups reached a tumor volume of 700 cubic mm3. This suggests that the anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb did not reduce the growth of BT474 tumors in vivo when compared to the control group. FIG. 11 illustrates the group mean tumor volume.









TABLE 40







BT474 Response Summary










Treatment Regimen 1






























mg/


Median

%
Stat
MTV (n)



BW


NTR


Group
n
Agent
Vehicle
kg
Route
Schedule
TTE
T-C
TGD
Sign
Day 60
PR
CR
TFS
Nadir
TR
NTRm
NTR



























1#
4
vehicle

ip
tid x 14
49.2



288
0
0
0
−9.1%
0
0
0







first day




(2)



(3)










2 doses














2
4
SB-01
1
ip
tid x 14
60.0
10.8
22

550
0
0
0

0
0
0







first day




(3)














2 doses





#Control Group






Example 14
Production of Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Directed Against Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb

In this Example, mouse monoclonal antibodies were generated towards the sdAb of the invention. The animals used were BAlB/c female mice, 8-10 week. A water-soluble adjuvant was used (CBL). The HAT and the HT used were from Sigma-Aldrich.


Anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was used to immunize three mice and make hybridoma cell lines. The mice were immunized three times each with water-soluble adjuvant. In one mouse, the serum liter reached 1/51200. The mouse was sacrificed and hybridoma cell lines were made by fusing spleen cells with myeloma cell line Sp2/0.


The fused cells were seeded into 96 well plates by limited dilution. The fused cells were cultured in the presence of HAT, and 651 single clones were tested. Of the 651 single clones, 27 positive clones were identified that specifically bound to anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb antigen.


Example 15
Cytotoxicity of KRAS (G12D) Single Domain Antibodies on PANC-1 Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

This Example demonstrates the anti-proliferative effects of the anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb using the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1. For the experiments, the PANC-1 cells were grown until they reached a confluency of 90%. At that time, proliferation studies were carried out using the MTT assay as described above.


The anti-proliferative properties of anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb on PANC-1 cells three days post treatment are shown in Table 41. PANC-1 cells treated with the anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb showed an average growth inhibition of 19.9 and 37.7 at 50.0 and 100 μg/ml, respectively.









TABLE 41







Anti-proliferative Actions of Anti-KRAS


(G12D) (SEQ ID NO: 2) sdAb on PANC-1 Cancer Cells










Means Abs ± SE
% Inhibition





control
0.281 ± 0.017



 50 μg/ml
0.225 ± 0.006
19.9


100 μg/ml
0.175 ± 0.016
37.7









Thus, the anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb showed dose-dependent growth inhibition in the PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells.


Example 16
In Vitro Growth Inhibition by TNF-A SdAb

This Example demonstrates the method development to determine TNF-α concentration and evaluation of the inhibition of TNF-α function. The concentration of TNF-α required to show measurable modulation of activity in the U937 human lung lymphoblast cell line was evaluated by quantitation of the ATP present, which signals the presence of metabolically active cells using Promega's Cell Titer-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability assay.


The U937 cells were seeded in a clear polystyrene 96-well microculture plate (Corning® Costar® 96-well flat bottom plate, Cat. #3997) in a total volume of 90 μL/well. After 24 hours of incubation in a humidified incubator at 37° C. with 5% C02 and 95% air, 5 μL of 20×, serially diluted TNF-α in growth medium was added to each well in duplicate (10 pt dose response, highest concentration 20 ng/mL). Additionally, 5 μL of 20×, diluted staurosporine in growth medium was added to each well in duplicate (concentration 1 nM).


After 24 hours of culture in the presence of test agents, the concentration of compound required to show measurable modulation of TNF-α activity in the U937 cell line as evaluated by quantitation of the ATP present. Percent cell growth was calculated relative to untreated control wells. All tests were performed in duplicate at each concentration level.


The EC50 value for the test agents was estimated using Prism 6.05 by curve-fitting the data using the following four parameter-logistic equation:






Y
=



Top
-
Bottom


1
+


(


X
/
1







C
50


)

n



+
Bottom





where Top is the maximal % of control absorbance. Bottom is the minimal % of control absorbance at the highest agent concentration, Y is the % of control absorbance, X is the agent concentration, IC50 is the concentration of agent that inhibits cell growth by 50% compared to the control cells, and n is the slope of the curve.



FIGS. 12 and 13 demonstrate that TNF-α is cytotoxic to the U937 cells. The IC50 for TNF-α against U937 is 95.1 pg/ml. The TNF-α curve shows a dose titration killing effect.



FIG. 14 demonstrates that TNF-α cytotoxicity against U937 is inhibited by the three different anti-TNF-α VHHs. When anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb, anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb, and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb were incubated with a constant dose of TNF-α, at EC50, all three anti-TNF-α VHHs inhibit killing of U937 by TNF-α. The IC50 of anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb was approximately 713.6 ug/ml. The IC50 of anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb was greater than 208.055 ug/ml. The IC50 of anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb could not be determined because it completely inhibited the cytotoxicity of TNF-α from concentrations of about 1×102 ug/ml to 1×102 ug/ml of anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb. In this concentration range of anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb, there is an increase in U937 cell growth, and thus complete inhibition of TNF-α activity.


Example 17
Anti-Proliferative Effects of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb on Glioblastoma, Osteosarcoma and Fibrosarcoma Cell Lines

The anti-proliferative effects of the STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was assayed using HT1080, SJSA and U87 mg cells. The treatment time and dose is shown in Table 42, as is the percent growth inhibition is shown in Table 42. The IC50 of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in HT1080 cells was 33 μg/ml. The IC50 of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb for SJSA cells was 51 μg/ml. The IC50 of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb for U87 mg cells was 65 μg/ml. The results show statistically significant suppression with anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb within three days after treatment.









TABLE 42







Growth Inhibition









Dose (μg/ml)
Absorbance ± S.E.
% Inhibition










HT1080 cells for 72 hrs. with SBT-100









0
1.58 ± 0.07



12.5
1.36 ± 0.09
14


25
1.09 ± 0.01
31


50
0.42 ± 0.04
73


100
0.27 ± 0.01
83


200
0.22 ± 0.02
86







SJSA cells treated for 72 hr. with SBT-100









0
1.52 ± 0.15



12.5
1.52 ± 0.10
0


25
1.36 ± 0.09
11


50
0.90 ± 0.04
41


100
0.27 ± 0.01
82


200
0.26 ± 0.01
83







U87 mg cells treated for 72 hr. with SBT-100









0
0.555 ± 0.02



12.5
0.702 ± 0.04
0


25
0.687 ± 0.03
0


50
0.456 ± 0.01
18


100
0.271 ± 0.02
51


200
0.211 ± 0.03
62









Example 18
Anti-Proliferative Effects of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAbs on Human Cancer Cell Lines in Combination with Chemotherapy

The anti-proliferative effects of the STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was assayed using the human cancer cell line PANC-1 with or without the chemotherapy drug Gemcitabine.


The PANC-1 cell line was maintained as described above. The cells were treated with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (denoted SBT-100) alone. Gemcitabine alone, or with a combination of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb and Gemcitabine. Addition of 10 micromolar Gemcitabine (IC50 concentration) showed a 48% growth inhibition of PANC-1 cells three days after treatment. When 100 μg/ml STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was added to the cells, there was a 68% growth inhibition of PANC-1 cells three days after treatment. The combination of 10 micromolar Gemcitabine and 100 μg/ml STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb resulted in an 80% growth inhibition of PANC-1 cells three days after treatment. Similarly, the combination of Gemcitabine (at ⅛th it's IC50 conc.) and 100 μg/ml STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb resulted in a 75% growth inhibition of PANC-1 cells three days after treatment.


Table 43 shows the growth inhibition of PANC-1 cells treated for 72 hours with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (100 μg/ml) alone or in combination with Gemcitabine (5 or 10 μM) prepared in water.









TABLE 43







Growth Inhibition of PANC-1 Cells











Treatment
% Inhibition
p-value






Vehicle





SBT-100
77
p < 0.001



Gemcitabine (5 μM)
38
p < 0.001



Gemcitabine (10 μM)
35
p < 0.001



SBT-100 + Gem (5 μM)
87
p < 0.001



SBT-100 + Gem (10 μM)
81
p < 0.001









The growth inhibition was dose dependent, as shown in Table 44.









TABLE 44







Growth Inhibition of PANC-1 Cells











Treatment
Absorbance
±SE
% Inhibition
P-value














Vehicle Control
1.050
0.075




Gemcitabine 10 μM
0.543
0.037
48
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 5 μM
0.631
0.012
40
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 2.5 μM
0.681
0.017
35
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 1.25 μM
0.861
0.077
18
ns


Gemcitabine 0.625 μM
1.050
0.162
0
ns


Gemcitabine 0.313 μM
0.997
0.054
5
ns


Gemcitabine 0.156 μM
1.210
0.062
0
ns


Gemcitabine 0.078 μM
1.230
0.039
0
ns


Gemcitabine 0.039 μM
1.240
0.014
0
ns


Gemcitabine 0.020 μM
1.560
0.101
0
ns


SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.333
0.050
68
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 10 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.234
0.041
78
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 5 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.294
0.044
72
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 2.5 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.240
0.036
77
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 1.25 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.204
0.013
81
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.625 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.232
0.008
78
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.313 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.276
0.010
74
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.156 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.290
0.047
72
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.078 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.265
0.015
75
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.039 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.446
0.039
56
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.020 μM + SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.457
0.002
56
p < 0.001









Example 19
Treatment of PANC-1 Cells with Anti-STAT3 Bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb in Xenograft Mice

In this Example, the efficacy of anti-STAT3 bacterial VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was determined in PANC-1 xenograft in mice. The 1.5×106 PANC-1 cells were injected into nude mice, and large xenograft tumors were grown to between 100-150 mm3. The mice were divided into four groups. As shown in Table 45, the groups were left untreated, treated for 14 days with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb alone, treated with Gemcitabine alone, or treated with a combination of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) (SBT-100) sdAb and Gemcitabine, followed by a 7 day recovery period. Body weight (Table 46) and inhibition of tumor growth (Table 47) was measured on days 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, and 22.









TABLE 45







Treatment
















# of cells






Mean Tumour



inoculated/



Dose


Size (mm3)


Model
mouse
Group
# of mice
Agent
(mg/kg)
Route
Schedule
Day 1


















PANC-1
1.5 × 106
1
10
Control (PBS)
0
IP
BIDx14
125.31 ± 16.5 




2
6
STB-100
5
IP
BIDx14
107.34 ± 29.46




3
6
Gemcitabine
20
IP
QDx7
122.23 ± 23.46




4
6
SBT-100 + Gemcitabine
5 + 20
IP
BIDx14 + QDx7
115.87 ± 10.01









As shown in Table 46, there was no substantial weight loss observed in mice after the different treatment regimens.









TABLE 46







Body Weight















Day 1
Day 5
Day 8
Day 12
Day 15
Day 19
Day 22





















BODY WEIGHT (g)
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
























Control
23.84
0.81
24.41
0.89
24.02
0.80
24.06
0.91
23.73
0.86
24.22
0.92
24.55
0.87


5 mg/g SBT-100 BID
23.68
0.50
24.35
0.72
23.72
0.62
23.25
0.47
23.72
0.48
24.38
0.50
24.63
0.43


20 mg/kg Gemcitabine
23.77
0.68
23.47
0.60
23.37
0.46
23.13
0.43
212.98
0.56
23.97
0.37
24.55
0.46


5 mg/kg SBT-100 + 20 mg/kg
22.93
0.90
22.30
0.80
22.03
0.76
21.68
0.63
21.85
0.80
22.85
0.82
23.53
0.81


Gemcitabine









PANC-1 tumors demonstrated enhanced inhibition after treatment with either STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb alone or Gemcitabine alone. However, treatment with a combination of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb and Gemcitabine resulted in a synergistic inhibition of tumor growth, as seen in Table 48. Combination treatment resulted in increased inhibition of tumor growth as compared to the inhibition seen with either compound alone.









TABLE 47







Tumor Growth


TUMOR















VOLUMES
Day 1
Day 5
Day 8
Day 12
Day 15
Day 19
Day 22























(mm3)
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
Mean
SEM
p Value

























Control
125.31
16.15
188.50
22.66
200.72
24.42
238.05
21.52
320.80
34.54
407.55
42.23
483.19
51.64



5 mg/g
107.34
29.46
145.86
28.86
149.12
43.88
188.78
31.64
233.25
56.43
332.68
82.01
390.59
115.03
p <− 0.05


SBT-100 BID

















20 mg/kg
122.23
23.46
165.57
41.17
183.88
25.61
191.6
35.30
246.48
27.01
312.74
40.96
411.93
43.33
p <− 0.01


Gemcitabine

















5 mg/kg
115.87
10.01
152.90
19.60
169.92
23.99
169.42
14.14
207.00
19.43
259.31
45.72
330.88
34.96
p <− 0.001


SBT-100 +

















20 mg/kg

















Gemcitabine









Table 48 depicts the percent inhibition of tumor growth after the indicated treatment. The combination of STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb and Gemcitabine resulted in an increased inhibition of tumor growth as compared to cells treated with either STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb or Gemcitabine alone.









TABLE 48







Inhibition of Tumor Growth











% INHIBITION OF






CONTROL
Day 12
Day 15
Day 19
Day 22





5 mg/kg SBT-100 BID
20.70
27.29
18.37
19.17


20 mg/kg Gemcitabine
19.51
23.17
23.26
14.93


5 mg/kg SBT-100 + 20
28.83
35.48
36.37
31.52


mg/kg Gemcitabine









Example 20
STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb is Localized in Brain and Tumor Cells

Various tissues from the xenograft mice with a MDA-MB-231 tumor as described in Example 11 were taken for immunohistochemical analysis. Slides were made from the tissues using standard procedures. The slides were then blocked with blocking serum. A 1:50 dilution of the primary antibody, in this case a STAT3 rabbit monoclonal antibody (Cell Signaling Inc., Danvers, Mass., Catalog #4904), was made with buffer containing 1.5% blocking buffer for 1.5 hours at room temperature in a humidity chamber. The slides were then rinsed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The slides were then incubated in prediluted biotinylated nonspecific universal secondary antibody for 10 minutes, followed by a PBS rinse. The slides were then incubated in streptavidin/peroxidase complex reagent for 5 minutes, followed by a PBS rinse. The slides were then incubated in peroxidase substrate solution for 15 minutes, followed by a rinse in distilled water. The slides were counterstained with Gill's #1 hematoxylin for 45 seconds, and then rinsed three times with water for five minutes followed by 45 seconds with Scott's tap water substitute.


As seen in FIG. 15, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb can be seen in neurons and glial cells, indicating that anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb can cross the blood-brain barrier. Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb can also be seen in the cytoplasm of the living cancer cells, as can be seen in FIG. 16. These results show that anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb can cross the cell membrane into cells without exogenous targeting sequences or compounds.


Example 21
Internalization of Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb and TNF-A VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb in MDA-MB 231 and PANC-1 Cells

MDA-MB 231 and PANC-1 cell lines were plated at low density on chamber slides and left overnight for cell attachment. The next day, the chambers were rinsed with fresh media and STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (diluted 1:10 in media) or TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb was added to the chamber. An anti-HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase (RT) sdAb was used as a negative control.


The slides were incubated for 18 hours after sdAb addition. The chambers were briefly rinsed with media and fixed in ice-cold methanol for 5-10 min. The chambers were then dried and stained with a fluorescent anti-His tag antibody (1:200) (Novus Biologicals, Littleton, Colo.) for 45 min at room temperature. The slides were rinsed in PBS for 5 minutes and mounted.


Both the MDA-MB 231 cells and PANC-1 cells incubated with STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb showed positive cytoplasmic staining, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 respectively. Similarly, both the MDA-MB 231 cells and PANC-1 cells incubated with TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb showed positive cytoplasmic staining, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, respectively. As expected, no staining was seen in either cell line with the anti-HIV-1 RT sdAb.


Example 22
Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb Binds KRAS, Mutant KRAS and Mutant Stat3

Protein binding experiments were performed on a Biacore 3000 (General Electric Company, Fairfield, Conn.) at 25° C. The assay buffer contained 10 mM HEPES buffer (pH 7.4), 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, and 0.05% P20. The regeneration buffer contained 10 mM glycine HCl pH 1.75, and the immobilization buffer contained 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 5.0. The flow rate used for capturing the ligand was 5 ul/min. The flow rate used for kinetics analysis was 30 ul/min.


The ligands used for the protein binding experiment were human KRAS and human STAT3. The ligands were directly immobilized by amine coupling (EDC/NHS) at a response unit (RU) of 1000, 420, and 1800 on flow cell 2 and 3 for KRAS and 4 for STAT3, respectively, on a CM5 sensor chip. Flow cell 1 was kept blank and used for background subtraction. The un-occupied sites on the CM5 chip were blocked with 1M ethanol amine. For binding analysis, the analyte, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb or anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb was flowed over the sensor chip. Binding of analyte to the ligand was monitored in real time. The affinity constant (KD=kd/ka) was calculated from the observed on rate (ka) of off rate (kd), as shown in Table 49. Full kinetic analysis was performed at analyte concentrations as indicated. Chi square analysis was carried out between the actual sensorgram and the sensorgram generated from the BIAnalysis software to determine the accuracy of the analysis. A chi square value within 1-2 is considered accurate and below 1 is highly accurate.


The anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb bound both KRAS and STAT3 ligands. The anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb anti-KRAS VHH analyte bound the KRAS ligand, but not the STAT3 ligand.









TABLE 49







Kinetic Analysis














Ligand
Analyte
ka (1/Ms)
kd(1/s)
Rmax
KD (M)
Conc. (nM)
Chi2

















Hu.KRAS
Anti-STAT VHH13
3.66 × 104
4.62 × 10−3
11.8
1.26 × 10−7
0
0.0783


1000RU





12.5



Flow cell 2





25









50









100









100









200



Hu.KRAS
Anti-KRAS VHH
3.96 × 103
4.56 × 10−3
358
1.15 × 10−6
0
0.223


420 RU





12.5



Flow cell 3





25









50









100









100









200



Hu.STAT3
Anti-STAT VHH13
7.58 × 104
1.70 × 10−3
17.6
2.24 × 10−8
0
0.194


1800RU





12.5



Flow cell 4





25









50









100









100









200



Hu.STAT3
Anti-KRAS VHH
NA
NA
NA
NA
0-200
NA


1800 RU









Example 23
Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb BINDS KRAS, Mutant KRAS and MUTANT STAT3

Protein binding experiments were performed on a Biacore 3000 as described above. The ligands used for the protein binding experiment were anti-STAT5-31 sdAb (SEQ ID NO:83), anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb and anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb. The ligands were directly immobilized by amine coupling (EDC/NHS) on a CM5 sensor chip at a response unit (RU) of 440, 140, and 1000 on flow cells 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Flow cell 1 was kept blank and used for background subtraction. The un-occupied sites on the CM5 chip were blocked with 1M ethanol amine. For binding analysis, the analyte, STAT5, normal human KRAS, or mutant human KRAS (12 ASP) was flowed over the sensor chip. Binding of analyte to the ligand was monitored in real time. The affinity constant (KD=kd/ka) was calculated from the observed on rate (ka) of off rate (kd). Full kinetic analysis was performed at analyte concentrations as indicated. Chi square analysis was carried out between the actual sensorgram and the sensorgram generated from the BIAnalysis software to determine the accuracy of the analysis. A chi square value within 1-2 is considered accurate and below 1 is highly accurate.


As shown in Table 50, STAT3, normal and mutant KRAS, as well as STAT5 ligands bound the anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb ligand, but not STAT5-31 VHH, anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb bound the human KRAS protein, but not STAT5 or mutant









TABLE 50







Kinetic Analysis















Ligand
Analyte
ka (1/Ms)
kd(1/s)
Rmax
KD (M)
Conc. (nM)
Chi2
Result


















STAT5-31 VHH
STAT5 protein
NA
NA
NA
NA
500
NA
No binding


(440 RU)










STAT5-31VHH
hu.KRAS full
NA
NA
NA
NA
500
NA
No binding


(440 RU)










STAT5-31 VHH
hu.KRAS
NA
NA
NA
NA
500
NA
No binding


(440 RU)
12 ASP









anti-KRAS (G12D)
STAT5 protein
NA
NA
NA
NA
500
NA
No binding


(SEQ ID NO: 2)










sdAb (140 RU)










anti-KRAS (G12D)
hu.KRAS full
1.86 × 105
5.52 × 10−3
8.94
2.96 × 10−8
500
0.42
Binding


(SEQ ID NO: 2)
protein









sdAb (140 RU)










Anti-KRAS (G12D)
Hu.KRAS
NA
NA
NA
NA
500
NA
No binding


VHH (140 RU)
12ASP









Anti-STAT3
STAT5 protein
2.99 × 104
7.90 × 10−4
27.2
2.64 × 10−8
500
0.0719
Binding


VHH13










(1000 RU)










Anti-STAT3
Hu.KRAS full
5.09 × 104
2.76 × 10−4
36
5.42 × 10−9
500
0.338
Binding


VHH13
protein









(1000 RU)










Anti-STAT3
Hu.KRAS
2.62 × 104
8.06 × 10−7
12.9
3.08 × 10−11
500
0.0546
Binding


VHH13
12ASP









(1000 RU)









Example 24
Activity of Anti-STAT3 SdAbs

To determine whether the anti-STAT3 sdAbs were able to inhibit the induction of the reporter cell line by interleukin-6, the activity of the two anti-STAT3 sdAbs were evaluated in a STAT3 reporter Thaw and Use GloResponse™ cell assay from Promega (Madison, Wis.).


Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, anti-STAT3 VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4) sdAb, anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb, and BBI608 (napabucasin) (Selleckchem, Houston, Tex.) were used. The concentration used for the assay was at 55.8 and 10 μg/mL for anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, 843 and 10 μg/mL for anti-STAT3 VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4) sdAb, 50.5 and 10 μg/mL for anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb and 4.16 and 2 μM for BBI608.


The antibody blocking protocol provided with the Thaw and Use GloResponse™ SIE-luc2P/HEK293 cells was utilized with some modifications. The modifications consisted of pretreating the cells with test article for 48 or 24 hours prior to induction with IL-6.


The assay was performed over 4 days. On assay day 1, GloResponse™ SIE-luc2P/HEK 293 cells were thawed and dispensed into 96-well plates at 1×104 cells/well. The sdAbs and BBI608 control were prepared in assay medium (DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS) and added to triplicate wells. Media was added to wells designated for IL-6 positive and negative controls. All plates were then incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO2 humidity. On assay day 2, an identical set of test article dilutions to day 1 were prepared and added to triplicate wells. Media was added to wells designated for IL-6 positive and negative controls.


IL-6 induction occurred on assay day 3. A 10× IL-6 stock (ThermoFisher, Hanover Park, Ill.) at the EC50 concentration (40 ng/mL final concentration) was prepared in assay medium and added to the appropriate test article and IL-6 control (“+IL6”) wells on each plate. A triplicate set of wells were designated as “−IL-6” and received assay media only. Plates were again incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO2 humidity.


Detection was performed utilizing the Promega Bio-Glo™ Luciferase Assay System. On assay day 4, the Bio-Glo™ reagent was reconstituted per the manufacturer's instructions. At the end of induction, the plates were removed from the incubator and allowed to equilibrate to ambient temperature for 10-15 minutes. The Bio-Glo™ Reagent was then added to each welt After approximately 3-5 minutes, the relative luminescence units (RLU) was measured using the Veritas Microplate Luminator (Turner Biosystems, Sunnyvale, Calif.).


Statistical analysts by ANOVA with Dunnett Multiple Comparisons Test using the +IL6 as the control column was performed. The Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, Ill.) was utilized to determine protein concentration. Cells were plated and treated with test article and IL-6 in parallel with the reporter assay. On assay day 4, cells were lysed and harvested for protein concentration utilizing the BCA kit.


Data from the STAT3 Reporter Assay and the BCA protein concentration results arc reported in Tables 51 and 52. STAT3 Reporter Assay results were reported as a RLU value. The values were not normalized to protein concentration, although at the highest level of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, a decrease in protein concentration was observed.









TABLE 51







STAT3 Reporter Assay, 24 Hour Treatment Prior to IL6 Induction





















VHH13
VHH13
VHH14
VHH14
BB1608
BB1608
VHH69
VHH69




−IL6
+IL6
55.8 μg/mL
10 μg/mL
84.3 μg/mL
10 μg/mL
4.16 μM
2 μM
50.5 μg/mL
10 μg/mL
Media





















Luminescence (RLU)
359
132340
11445
169890
520343
203210
28
33
194320
184364
19


Luminescence (RLU)
604
175040
12058
191537
503880
223150
31
39
198330
165776
27


Luminescence (RLU)
489
174030
10992
164397
465649
218125
41
41
203139
159115
31


Average RLU
483
160470
11498
175275
496624
214828
33
38
198596
169752
26


Standard Deviation
123
24367
535
14349
28060
10371
7
4
4416
13086
6


% CV
25
15
5
8
6
5
20
11
2
8
24


Average RLU
457
160444
11473
175249
496598
214803
8
12
198571
169726
N/A


with Media Blank













Fold-Induction

351
25
383
1086
470
0
0
434
371
N/A


RLU/RLU of −IL6













Protein
252
270
180
277
270
189
174
425
213
237
N/A


concentration
















TABLE 52







STAT3 Reporter Assay, 48 Hour Treatment Prior to IL6 Induction





















VHH13
VHH13
VHH14
VHH14
BB1608
BB1608
VHH69
VHH69




−IL6
+IL6
55.8 μg/mL
10 μg/mL
84.3 μg/mL
10 μg/mL
4.16 μM
2 μM
50.5 μg/mL
10 μg/mL
Media





















Luminescence (RLU)
634
172542
104
168740
494706
241785
25
26
237816
191241
33


Luminescence (RLU)
476
158914
96
188307
488307
236843
31
42
220259
171796
28


Luminescence (RLU)
485
169797
68
189606
458771
218982
32
31
219104
155927
37


Average RLU
532
167084
89
182218
480595
232537
29
33
225726
172988
33


Standard Deviation
89
7208
19
11690
19169
11996
4
8
10486
17687
5


% CV
17
4
21
6
4
5
13
25
5
10
14


Average RLU
499
167052
57
182185
480562
232504
−3
0
225694
172955
N/A


with Media Blank













Fold-Induction

335
0
365
963
466
0
0
452
347
N/A


RLU/RLU of −IL6













Protein
211
199
92
223
229
216
165
324
208
222
N/A


concentration









Data was analyzed using an ANOVA. The data was shown to be statistically significant al both 24 and 48 hour treatment time points; a P value of <0.0001 was obtained. Inhibition of IL-6 was seen in the wells treated with the highest concentration of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb and with the positive control (BBI608) with both the 24 hours and 48 hours treatment (P values <0.01). Some of the lower RLU value with the highest concentration of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb can be attributed to the decrease in cell numbers (based on protein analysis). The decrease in protein is approximately 2-fold while the decrease in RLU is greater than 10-fold at 24 hours and greater than 1,000-fold at 48 hours. Both concentrations of anti-STAT3 VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4) sdAb and the highest concentrations of anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb showed an enhancement of the IL-6 induction (P values <0.05 and −0.01). The results indicate that anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb can enter a cell and can suppress IL-6 production, with results comparable to a small molecule inhibitor of STAT3.


Example 25
Anti-STAT3 SdAb Suppresses IL-6 Production

Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) suppressed IL-6 production in HEp-2, MDA-MB-231, and PANC-1 cell lines. The cells were grown to confluence on chamber slides. Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb was added to duplicate chambers (1:10 dilution in media) overnight in a 37° C. incubator. As a negative control, no antibody was added to duplicate chambers. The slides were washed, and either serum-free media alone or 100 ng/ml recombinant human IL-6 (Peprotech, Rocky Hill, N.J.) in serum free media was added to the slides for 15 min at 37° C. The media was then removed and the chamber slides were fixed in ice cold 100% methanol for 10 min at −20° C.


Immunofluorescence assays were performed on the fixed slides. First, the slides were blocked with 3% BSA in PBS was done for one hour al room temperature. The primary antibody, Stat3 (124H6) mouse monoclonal antibody (Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, Mass.) was added to the slides at a 1:1000 dilution overnight in dark box at 4° C. The following day, the slides were washed and the secondary Alexa Fluor 488 anti-mouse IgG antibody (Cell Signaling Technology) was added at a 1:500 dilution and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. The slides were then washed, mounted with mounting media and viewed with a fluorescence microscope.


Cells that were pre-treated with anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb alone showed Stat3 staining in the cytoplasm (FIG. 21 shows HEp-2 cells, but similar results were seen with MDA-MB-231 and PANC-1 cells). The nucleus of cells treated with IL-6 stained positive for Stat3 (FIG. 22). The cells that were pre-treated with anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb followed by treatment with IL-6 did not stain positive for Stat3 in the nucleus, but rather showed Stat3 staining in the cytoplasm (FIG. 23). Thus, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb blocks the translocation of Stat3 to the nucleus following IL-6 treatment.


Example 26
VEGF-A Analysis in Retinal Cells Treated with Anti-STAT3 SdAb

Inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) production was assessed in retinal cells exposed to anti-STAT3 sdAb, in particular anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb. For Experiment 1, the retinal cell line ARPE-19 (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) were plated at 5×104 cells/well into a 24-well plate and grown to confluence. All incubations with cells were performed in a 37° C., 5% CO2 humidified incubator. The media was replaced with growth media (DMEM:HAM12) containing 1% FBS and incubated overnight. The media was then removed and replaced with media containing anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb at 0.5 μg/mL, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb at 0.1 μg/ml, anti-STAT-3 monoclonal antibody (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.), or media alone, and incubated for 24 or 72 hours. At that time, the supernatant was removed and stored at ≦−65° C. for ELISA analysis. Cells were lysed using RIPA lysis buffer (ThermoFisher Scientific, Rockford, Ill.) and the protein content of the cell lysate was measured in the BCA assay (ThermoFisher Scientific) according to the kit instructions. VEGF-A was measured utilizing the Human VEGF-A ELISA Kit (ThermoFisher Scientific) in accordance with the kit instructions.


For Experiment 2, the assay was performed in a 96-well plate format. ARPE-19 cells were plated at 1.5×104 cells/well into three 96-well plates and allowed to grow to confluence. The media was replaced with growth media (DMEM:HAM12) containing 1% FBS and incubated overnight. The media was then replaced with media containing anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb at 100, 10, 1 or 0.1 μg/ml, anti-EMP2 antibody (Abcam), or media, and incubated for 12, 24 or 48 hours. At the appropriate time point, the supernatant was removed and stored at ≦−65° C. for ELISA analysis. Cells were lysed using RIPA lysis buffer and the protein content of the cell lysate was measured in the BCA assay according to the kit instructions. VEGF-A was measured utilizing the Human VEGF-A ELISA Kit. For both experiments, statistical analysis by ANOVA with Dunnett Multiple Comparisons Test using the negative control as the control column was performed.


ELISA results were reported as pictograms (pg) VEGF-A/mL and then adjusted for the dilution of samples in the ELISA (1:2 for Experiment 1 and 1:5 for Experiment 2). The ELISA results were Own normalized for protein content. Data from Experiment 1 is reported in Table 53 and Table 54. For samples collected at 24 hours, inhibition of VEGF-A was not definitively detected At 0.5 μg/mL anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, triplicate wells ranged from 61.9 to 115 pg VEGF-A/μg of protein which was similar to the negative control (NC) media only wells which ranged from 59.3 to 105 pg VEFG/μg protein. The positive control (PC) (anti-STAT3 monoclonal antibody) ranged from 48.8 to 66.4 pg VEFG/μg protein slightly lower but overlapping the range seen with the negative control. Statistical analysis confirmed that the variation seen was not statistically significant (P value >0.05). The samples collected at 72 hours were higher than the top standard curve.









TABLE 53







Experiment 1 VEGF-A ELISA Results

















Mean


Adj.






Result
Result


Result*
Mean





(pg
(pg


(pg
(pg

%



VEGF-A
VEGF-A


VEGF-A
VEGF-A

Negative


Sample
per mL)
per mL)
Std. Dev.
CV %
per mL)
per mL)
Std. Dev.
Control


















STAT3 VHH13 at 0.5
466
637
241.6
37.9
1274
2664
1303.3
92.0


μg/well 24 Hr Well 1
808









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.5
1277
1429
214.2
15.0
2857





μg/well 24 Hr Well 2
1580









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.5
1823
1930
150.5
7.8
3859





μg/well 24 Hr Well 3
2036









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
464
520
78.3
15.1
1040
2060
1280.0
71.1


μg/well 24 Hr Well 1
575









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
1478
1748
1748
381.6
3496





μg/well 24 Hr Well 2
2018









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
727
822
822
134.7
1644





μg/well 24 Hr Well 3
917









PC (anti-STAT3 antibody
551
664
159.9
24.1
1328
1970
556.6
68.0


@ 1:500 dil) 24 Hr Well 1
777









PC (anti-STAT3 antibody
1082
1155
1155
103.2
2311





@ 1:500 dil) 24 Hr Well 2
1228









PC (anti-STAT3 antibody
1086
1136
1136
70.6
2272





@ 1:500 dil) 24 Hr Well 3










NC (media only)
928
1008
113.5
11.3
2016
2896
826.1
100.0


24 Hr Well 1










NC (media only)
1668
1828
1828
226.1
3655





24 Hr Well 2










NC (media only)
1496
1508
1508
17.2
3016





24 Hr Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at 0.5
>6,000
1289811
481845.2
37.4
>12,000





μg/well 72 Hr Well 1
>6,000









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.5
>6,000
320652
1461.5
0.5
>12,000





μg/well 72 Hr Well 2
>6,000









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.5
>6,000
351430
166765.9
47.5
>12,000





μg/well 72 Hr Well 3
>6,000









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
>6,000
896832
338049.2
37.7
>12,000





μg/well 72 Hr Well 1
>6,000









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
>6,000
4936142
0.0
0.0
>12,000





μg/well 72 Hr Well 2
>6,000









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
>6,000
282889
86269.8
30.5
>12,000





μg/well 72 Hr Well 3
>6,000









PC (anti-STAT3 antibody
>6,000
Range?
Range?
Range?
>12,000





@ 1:500 dil) 72 Hr Well 1
>6,000









PC (anti-STAT3 antibody
>6,000
10802
215.7
2.0
>12,000





@ 1:500 dil) 72 Hr Well 2
>6,000









PC (anti-STAT3 antibody
>6,000
Range?
Range?
Range?
>12,000





@ 1:500 dil) 72 Hr Well 3
>6,000









NC (media only)
>6,000
45898
41321.1
90.0
>12,000





72 Hr Well 1
>6,000









NC (media only)
1065
3417
3326.5
97.3
6835





72 Hr Well 2
5769









NC (media only)
>6,000
418930
170327.2
40.7
>12,000





72 Hr Well 3
>6,000





*All samples tested at a 1:2 dilution













TABLE 54







Experiment 1 VEGF-A Normalized Results


















pg
Mean





pg
Protein
Total
VEGF-A
(pg VEGF-A





VEGF-A
Conc.
protein
per μg
per μg
Std.
%


Sample
per well#
(μg/mL)
per well#
protein)
protein)
Dev.
Control

















STAT3 VHH13 at
637
206
10
62
99
41.7
115.8


0.5 μg/well 24 Hr









Well 1









STAT3 VHH13 at
1429
315
16
91





0.5 μg/well 24 Hr









Well 2









STAT3 VHH13 at
1930
268
13
144





0.5 μg/well 24 Hr









Well 3









STAT3 VHH13 at
520
245
12
42
66
37
76.8


0.1 μg/well 24 Hr









Well 1









STAT3 VHH13 at
1748
323
16
108





0.1 μg/well 24 Hr









Well 2









STAT3 VHH13 at
822
357
18
46





0.1 μg/well 24 Hr









Well 3









PC (anti-STAT3
664
272
14
49
58
8.9
68.4


antibody @ 1:500









dil) 24 Hr Well 1









PC (anti-STAT3
1155
387
19
60





antibody @ 1:500









dil) 24 Hr Well 2









PC (anti-STAT3
1136
342
17
66





antibody @ 1:500









dil) 24 Hr Well 3









NC (media only)
1008
340
17
59
85
23.5
100.0


24 Hr Well 1









NC (media only)
1828
348
17
105





24 Hr Well 2









NC (media only)
1508
329
16
92





24 Hr Well 3






#Based on collecting 0.5 ml of supernatant per well and the addition of 0.05 μl per well of RIPA buffer.







Data from Experiment 2 is reported in Table 55 and Table 56. Data was analyzed using an ANOVA. The data was shown to be statistically significant at all time points. For the 12 and 48 hour treatments a P value of <0.0001 was obtained and for the 24 hour treatment the P value was 0.0004. At 100 μg/mL anti-STAT3 VHH13, less VEGF-A was detected. At 48 hours, the pg VEGF-A/μg protein for the 100 μg/mL anti-STAT3 VHH13 treatment was al 11% of the negative control (P<0.01). Similar decreases in VEGF-A were seen with the 12 and 24 hour treatments (20.1% and 7.5%decrease respectively; P values of <0.01 for both). This decrease in VEGF-A was not seen with lower concentrations of anti-STAT3 VHH13. It should be noted that less protein was also detected from the wells with 100 μg/mL anti-STAT3 VHH13, which could be due to the inhibition of cell growth and proliferation, resulting in the lower concentrations of protein seen in Experiment 2.









TABLE 55







Experiment 2 VEGF-A ELISA Results

















Mean


Adj.






Result
Result


Result*
Mean





(pg
(pg


(pg
(pg

%



VEGF-A
VEGF-A


VEGF-A
VEGF-A
Std.
Negative


Sample
per mL)
per mL)
Std. Dev.
CV %
per mL)
per mL)
Dev.
Control


















STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
29.44
28.54
1.272
4.5
142.71
159.7
23.13
123.8


μg/well 12 Hr Well 1
27.64









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
29.74
30.06
0.455
1.5
150.31





μg/well 12 Hr Well 2
30.38









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
36.84
37.2
0.519
1.4
186.02





μg/well 12 Hr Well 3
37.57









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
26.74
25.82
1.3
5
129.12
142.5
16.67
110.5


μg/well 12 Hr Well 1
24.91









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
26.62
27.43
1.15
4.2
137.14





μg/well 12 Hr Well 2
28.24









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
33.18
32.23
1.337
4.1
161.16





μg/well 12 Hr Well 3
31.29









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
29.66
30.43
1.092
3.6
152.14
139.00
15.4
107.8


μg/well 12 Hr Well 1
31.2









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
24.52
24.41
0.151
0.6
122.07





μg/well 12 Hr Well 2
24.31









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
27.98
28.58
0.848
3
142.92





μg/well 12 Hr Well 3
29.18









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
5.09
4.86
0.327
6.7
24.27
23.8
0.79
18.5


μg/well 12 Hr Well 1
4.62









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
5.3
4.86
0.623
12.8
24.27





μg/well 12 Hr Well 2
4.41









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
4.83
4.58
0.356
7.8
22.91





μg/well 12 Hr Well 3
4.33









NC (media only)
28.76
26.76
0
0
143.78
128.9
23.87
100


12 Hr Well 1
28.76









NC (media only)
28.58
28.33
0.363
1.3
141.63





12 Hr Well 2
28.07









NC (media only)
20.52
20.28
0.311
1.6
101.4





12 Hr Well 3
20.05









PC (anti-STAT3
25.76
25.31
0.634
2.5
12656
120.1
12.65
93.2


antibody @ 1:500 dil)
24.86









12 Hr Well 1










PC (anti-STAT3
20.77
21.11
0.482
2.3
105.55





antibody @ 1:500 dil)
21.45









12 Hr Well 2










PC (anti-STAT3
28.33
25.66
3.777
14.7
128.28





antibody @ 1:500 dil)
22.99









12 Hr Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
58.86
55.73
4.431
8
278.66
287.4
14
93.6


μg/well 24 Hr Well 1
52.60









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
59.52
56.02
4.959
8.9
280.09





μg/well 24 Hr Well 2
52.51









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
64.54
60.72
5.413
8.9
303.58





μg/well 24 Hr Well 3
56.89









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
78.44
74.61
5.413
7.3
373.06
327.9
39.69
106.8


μg/well 24 Hr Well 1
70.78









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
68.61
62.42
8.755
14
312.11





μg/well 24 Hr Well 2
56.23









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
63.71
59.71
5.658
9.5
298.74





μg/well 24 Hr Well 3
55.71









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
57.85
55.95
2.696
4.8
279.74
350.7
72.26
1142


μg/well 24 Hr Well 1
54.04









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
72.69
69.61
4.356
6.3
348.06





μg/well 24 Hr Well 2
66.53









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
84.97
84.84
0.19
0.2
424.20





μg/well 24 Hr Well 3
84.71









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
6.01
5.84
0.238
4.1
29.21
19.2
8.66
6.3


μg/well 24 Hr Well 1
5.67









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
2.82
2.86
0.059
2.1
14.31





μg/well 24 Hr Well 2
2.9









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
2.61
2.82
0.296
10.5
14.10





μg/well 24 Hr Well 3
3.03









NC (media only)
62.91
62.21
0.997
1.6
311.04
307.1
45.18
100


24 Hr Well 1
61.5









NC (media only)
51.81
52.01
0.278
0.5
260.04





24 Hr Well 2
52.21









NC (media only)
70.61
70.03
0.815
1.2
350.15





24 Hr Well 3
69.45









PC (anti-STAT3
48.11
45.11
4.238
9.4
225.54
264.1
8.66
6.3


antibody @ 1:500 dil)
42.11









24 Hr Well 1










PC (anti-STAT3
55.27
51.99
4.633
8.9
259.95





antibody @ 1:500 dil)
48.72









24 Hr Well 2










PC (anti-STAT3
59.44
61.35
2.708
4.4
306.75





antibody @ 1:500 dil)
63.27









24 Hr Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
195.75
189.30
9.122
4.8
946.50
966
45.18
100


μg/well 48 Hr Well 1
182.85









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
173.80
170.27
4.997
2.9
851.33





μg/well 48 Hr Well 2
166.73









STAT3 VHH13 at 0.1
220.87
220.04
1.17
0.5
1100.22





μg/well 48 Hr Well 3
219.22









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
168.84
175.22
9.012
5.1
876.08
1004.7
40.76
86


μg/well 48 Hr Well 1
181.59









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
195.75
203.89
11.508
5.6
1019.44





μg/well 48 Hr Well 2
212.03









STAT3 VHH13 at 1
225.75
223.71
2.880
1.3
1118.55





μg/well 48 Hr Well 3
221.67









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
194.18
191.17
4.257
2.2
955.85
925.1
125.59
99.3


μg/well 48 Hr Well 1
188.16









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
194.77
196.56
2.538
1.3
982.81





μg/well 48 Hr Well 2
198.36









STAT3 VHH13 at 10
158.85
167.34
12.002
7.2
836.69





μg/well 48 Hr Well 3
175.83









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
7.83
7.78
0.082
1.1
38.88
35.6
3.34
3.7


μg/well 48 Hr Well 1
7.72









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
7.49
7.76
0.384
5
38.78





μg/well 48 Hr Well 2
8.03









STAT3 VHH13 at 100
5.86
5.85
0.027
0.5
29.23





μg/well 48 Hr Well 3
5.83









NC (media only)
202.96
195.55
10.455
5.3
977.76
972.4
32.87
100


48 Hr Well 1
188.16









NC (media only)
209.84
200.46
13.254
6.6
1002.32





48 Hr Well 2
191.09









NC (media only)
205.67
187.45
25.767
13.7
937.23





48 Hr Well 3
169.23









PC (anti-STAT3
186.06
177.48
12.142
6.8
887.38
887.7
41.95
91.3


antibody @ 1:500 dil)
168.89









48 Hr Well 1










PC (anti-STAT3
196.49
185.96
14.884
8
929.82





antibody @ 1:500 dil)
175.44









48 Hr Well 2










PC (anti-STAT3
177.32
169.18
11.512
6.8
845.90





antibody @ 1:500 dil)
161.04









48 Hr Well 3





*All samples tested at a 1:2 dilution













TABLE 56







Experiment 2 VEGF-A Normalized Results




















pg
Mean






Protein

Total
VEGF-A
(pg VEGF-A





pg VEGF-A
Conc.
ML RIPA
protein
per μg
per μg

%


Sample
per mL#
(μg/mL)
buffer/well
per well
protein
protein)
Std. Dev.
Control


















STAT3 VHH13 at
14.3
67
0.1
6.7
2.1
2.540
0.5
134.4


0.1 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
15
62
0.1
6.2
2.4





0.1 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
18.6
61
0.1
6.1
3





0.1 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
12.9
66
0.1
6.6
2
2.273
0.4
120.3


1 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
13.7
63
0.1
6.3
2.2





1 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
16.1
60
0.1
6
2.7





1 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
15.2
61
0.1
6.1
2.5
2.148
0.3
113.7


10 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
12.2
64
0.1
6.4
1.9





10 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
14.3
70
0.1
7
2





10 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
2.4
64
0.1
6.4
0.4
0.4
0.380
0


100 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
2.4
62
0.1
6.2
0.4





100 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
2.3
62
0.1
6.2
0.4





100 μg/well 12 Hr










Well 3










NC (media only)
14.4
73
0.1
7.3
2
1.889
0.3
100


12 Hr Well 1










NC (media only)
14.2
67
0.1
6.7
2.1





12 Hr Well 2










NC (media only)
10.1
64
0.1
6.4
1.6





12 Hr Well 3










PC (anti-STAT3
12.7
66
0.1
6.6
1.9
1.917
0.2
101.5


antibody @ 1:500










dil) 12 Hr Well 1










PC (anti-STAT3
10.6
61
0.1
6.1
1.7





antibody @ 1:500










dil) 12 Hr Well 2










PC (anti-STAT3
12.8
61
0.1
6.1
2.1





antibody @ 1:500










dil) 12 Hr Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
27.9
83
0.089
7.4
3.8
4.152
0.5
94.1


0.1 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
28
72
0.097
7.0
4.0





0.1 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
30.4
73
0.089
6.5
4.7





0.1 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
37.3
68
0.1
6.8
5.5
4.084
1.6
82.5


1 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
31.2
71
0.1
7.1
4.4





1 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
29.9
126
0.1
12.6
2.4





1 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
28
64
0.1
6.4
4.4
5.290
0.9
119.8


10 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
34.8
64
0.1
6.4
5.4





10 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
42.4
70
0.1
7
6.1





10 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
2.9
62
0.1
6.2
0.5
0.329
0.1
7.5


100 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
1.4
56
0.1
5.6
0.3





100 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
1.4
54
0.1
5.4
0.3





100 μg/well 24 Hr










Well 3










NC (media only)
31.1
76
0.095
7.2
4.3
4.414
1.1
100


24 Hr Well 1










NC (media only)
26
77
0.1
7.7
3.4





24 Hr Well 2










NC (media only)
35
105
0.06
6.3
5.6





24 Hr Well 3










PC (anti-STAT3
22.6
73
0.087
6.4
3.6
3.838
0.3
86.9


antibody @ 1:500










dil) 24 Hr Well 1










PC (anti-STAT3
26
72
0.096
6.9
3.8





antibody @ 1:500










dil) 24 Hr Well 2










PC (anti-STAT3
30.7
73
0.1
7.3
4.2





antibody @ 1:500










dil) 24 Hr Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
94.7
74
0.091
6.7
14.1
14.067
1
107.4


0.1 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
85.1
74
0.088
6.5
13.1





0.1 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
110
73
0.1
7.3
15.1





0.1 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
87.6
72
0.098
7.1
12.4
13.796
1.5
105.4


1 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
101.9
77
0.097
7.5
13.6





1 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
111.9
73
0.1
7.3
15.3





1 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
95.6
71
6.8
6.8
14
13.696
1.8
104.6


10 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
98.3
67
6.4
6.4
15.3





10 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
83.7
71
701
7.1
11.8





10 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 3










STAT3 VHH13 at
3.9
27
2.7
2.7
1.4
1.458
0.1
11.1


100 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 1










STAT3 VHH13 at
3.9
25
2.5
2.5
1.6





100 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 2










STAT3 VHH13 at
3.9
22
2.1
2.1
1.4





100 μg/well 48 Hr










Well 3










NC (media only)
97.8
75
7.5
7.5
13
13.092
0.6
100


48 Hr Well 1










NC (media only)
100.2
83
7.3
7.3
13.7





48 Hr Well 2










NC (media only)
93.7
78
7.5
7.5
12.5





48 Hr Well 3










PC (anti-STAT3
88.7
69
6.8
6.8
131
13.412
1
102.4


antibody @ 1:500










dil) 48 Hr Well 1










PC (anti-STAT3
93
68
6.4
6.4
14.5





antibody @ 1:500










dil) 48 Hr Well 2










PC (anti-STAT3
84.6
68
6.7
6.7
12.6





antibody @ 1:500










dil) 48 Hr Well 3






#Based on collection 0.1 ml of supernatant.







The treatment of retinal cells with 100 μg/mL of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb decreased the production of VEGF-A. This may be associated with the inhibition of STAT3 and subsequent effect on the growth and proliferation of the retinal cells.


Example 27
Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb Specificity

Experiments were performed to assess the specificity of multiple STAT sdAbs including STAT3 sdAb and the STAT5 sdAb bind to other STAT proteins using an ELISA format. A panel of STAT proteins (STAT1, STAT 2, STAT 3, STAT 4, STAT 5a, STAT 5b and STAT 6) were used.


The test articles for this study were STAT 3 VHH labeled Process Intermediate III from Anthem Biosciences (Bangalore, India), anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, and STAT5-31 (SEQ ID NO:83) sdAb. The lest articles were tested at 10, 1, 0.1 and 0.01 μg/mL.


A standard sandwich ELISA format was utilized. For each ELISA, wells on a 96-well plate were coated with one of the STAT proteins at 0.5 μg/mL in carbonate buffer. Plates were incubated overnight at 2-8° C. After the incubation, plates were washed (3×) and blocked (3% BSA in PBS) for at least one hour at room temperature.


After removal of the blocking buffer and washing (3×), samples were added to the appropriate wells of the ELISA plates and incubated al room temperature with shaking (150 rpm) for at least one hour. The secondary antibody was then added to each well and incubated with shaking for at least one hour at room temperature. On Run 1, the secondary antibody was rabbit anti-llama biotinylated antigen at 1:5,000 dilution. For Run 2, in addition to the rabbit anti-lama, the his-probe (H-3) biotin labeled secondary antibody at a 1:1,000 dilution was tested in parallel.


After the incubation with secondary antibody, the plates were again washed (3×) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) al a 1:25,000 dilution was added to each well. Plates were incubated with shaking for at least one hour at room temperature. One last wash (3×) was performed followed by the addition of TMB (Tetramethylbenzidine) substrate. After a 20 to 22 minute incubation at room temperature, stop solution was added to halt the colorimetric reaction. The absorbance at 450 nm was measured on a VersaMax instrument utilizing SoftMax Pro GxP version 5.4 software from Molecular Devices.


The STAT3 VHH from Anthem, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, and STAT5-31 (SEQ ID NO:83) sdAb were detected in each of the STAT1, STAT 2, STAT 3, STAT 4, STAT 5a, STAT 5b and STAT 6 ELISA. Mean OD450 values are shown in Table 57. The STAT 3 VHH from Anthem showed a higher specify to STAT 3 as indicated by a higher OD value as compared with the other ELISAs. The anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb had higher values in the STAT 3 and STAT 4 ELISA The STAT5-31 (SEQ ID NO:83) sdAb had higher values in both the STAT 5a and the STAT 1 ELISA; however, the overall values seen with the STAT5-31 (SEQ ID NO:83) sdAb were considerably lower than those seen with the anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb in the same ELISAs. While it was demonstrated that these VHHs are not specific for their targeted STAT some preferential specificity was shown.









TABLE 57







STAT Specificity Mean OD450 Value*
















Concentration









Sample
μg/mL
STAT 1
STAT 2
STAT 3
STAT 4
STAT 5a
STAT 5b
STAT 6


















STAT 3 VHH from Anthem
0.01
0.008
0.007
0.007
0.008
0.005
0.008
0.007



0.1
0.009
0.007
0.045
0.020
0.020
0.023
0.019



1
0.203
0.270
0.776
0.237
0.250
0.284
0.251



10
1.990
2.266
3.243
2.246
2.153
2.354
2.265


STAT 3 VHH13
0.01
0.026
0.023
0.063
0.083
0.107
0.038
0.044



0.1
0.159
0.186
0.431
0.833
0.821
0.499
0.413



1
1.938
1.846
2.759
3.140
2.725
2.297
2.094



10
3.163
3.336
3.669
3.674
3.322
3.377
3.205


STAT 5-31
0.01
0.024
0.007
0.009
0.006
0.017
0.005
0.009



0.1
0.015
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000



1
0.056
0.015
0.014
0.012
0.000
0.009
0.007



10
0.122
0.076
0.088
0.085
0.158
0.051
0.048





*Mean OD450 values from duplicate wells






The results show that the STAT3 VHH from Anthem and anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb bind to STAT proteins with an increased affinity for the STAT3 protein. The STAT5-31 (SEQ ID NO:83) sdAb binds to STAT 1, STAT 2, STAT 3, STAT 4, STAT 5a, STAT 5b and STAT 6 proteins with an increased affinity for the STAT 5a protein.


Example 28
Anti-TNF-A SdAbs Bind to TNF-A Protein

In this Example, the binding of anti-TNF-α sdAbs to active human TNF-α full length protein was assessed using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format. Additionally, the feasibility of utilizing a secondary antibody targeted to the his tag portion of the sdAbs was assessed.


The test articles for this study were anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb, TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb, and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb (Experiment 1). Subsequently, additional lots of anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb and VHH69 (Experiment 4), as well as anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb (Experiment 5) were received. For the testing of the secondary antigen (Experiments 2 and 3), the following sdAb molecules were included: anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb, anti-STAT3 VHH14 (SEQ ID NO:4) sdAbs, anti-KRAS (G12D) (SEQ ID NO:2) sdAb, and a commercially available anti-Stat3 antibody (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.).


For the assays to assess the binding of the sdAbs to TNF-α protein (Experiment 1, 4 and 5), a standard sandwich ELISA format was utilized. For each ELISA, wells on a 96-well plate were coated with TNF proteins (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.) at 0.5.0.25 or 0.125 μg/mL in carbonate buffer for the initial experiment and at 0.5 μg/mL only for subsequent assays. Plates were incubated overnight at 2-8° C. After the incubation, plates were washed (3×) and blocked (3% Bovine Scrum Albumin (BSA) in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)) for at least one hour at room temperature.


After removal of the blocking buffer and washing (3×), samples were added to the appropriate wells of the ELISA plates and incubated at room temperature with shaking (150 rpm) for at least one hour. The secondary antibody (rabbit anti-llama biotinylated antibody at either a 1:5,000 or 10,000 dilution) was then added to each well and incubated with shaking for at least one hour at room temperature.


After the incubation with secondary antibody, the plates were again washed (3×) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at either a 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 dilution was added to each well. Plates were incubated with shaking for at least one hour at room temperature. A final wash (3×) was performed followed by the addition of TMB (Tetramethylbenzidine) substrate. After a 20 to 25 minute incubation at room temperature, stop solution was added to halt the colorimetric reaction. The absorbance at 450 nm was measured on a VersaMax instrument utilizing SoftMax Pro GxP version 5.4 software from Molecular Devices (Sunnyvale, Calif.).


Two assays (Experiment 2 and 3) were performed to assess the binding of the secondary antibody to the sdAbs. A similar ELISA method was utilized except the sdAbs were directly coated onto the assay plate at a concentration of 1 μg/mL. Plates were incubated overnight at 2-8° C. After the incubation, plates were washed (3×) and blocked (3% BSA in PBS) for at least one hour at room temperature.


After removal of the blocking buffer and washing (3×), the secondary antibodies, either rabbit anti-llama biotinylated antibody or his-probe (H-3) biotin labeled antibody at was then added at a 1:5,000 dilution to each well and incubated with shaking for at least one hour at room temperature. Only the rabbit anti-llama biotinylated antibody was used in Experiment 2. Both antibodies were run in parallel in Experiment 3.


After the incubation with secondary antibody, the plates were again washed (3×) and HRP at a 1:50,000 dilution was added to each well. Plates were incubated with shaking for at least one hour at room temperature. One last wash (3×) was performed followed by the addition of TMB substrate and plates were incubated at room temperature. For the anti-llama biotinylated antibody stop solution was added to halt the colorimetric reaction at 10 minutes. The his-probe (H-3) biotin labeled antibody was allowed to incubate for 20 minutes prior to stopping. The absorbance at 450 nm was measured as before.


For Experiment 1, a checkerboard of coating antigen concentration (0.5, 0.25, and 0.125 μg/mL), secondary antibody (1:5,000 and 1:10,000) and HRP (1:25,000 and 1:50,000) were assessed for signal to noise against 1 μg/mL of each sdAb. Signal/Noise ratios are provided in Table 58 for anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb, anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb respectively. Both anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb had little to no detection (i.e. very low OD values) indicating poor binding of the sdAbs to the TNF-α protein or to the rabbit anti-Llama secondary antibody. The anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb demonstrated good binding to the TNF-α protein with signal to noise ratios as high as 44.8.









TABLE 58







TNF ELISA Signal/Noise Ratio Experiment 1









Signal/Noise Ratio















anti-





Rabbit

TNF-α
TNF-α
TNF-α



anti-Llama

VHH62
VHH66
VHH69


Coating
Secondary
HRP
(SEQ ID
(SEQ ID
(SEQ ID


antigen
Antibody (1:X
(1:X
NO: 47)
NO: 45)
NO: 46)


(μg/mL)
dilution)
dilution)
sdAb
sdAb
sdAb















0.5
5,000
25,000
2.0
40.4
8.0


0.5
5,000
50,000
1.9
44.8
7.5


0.5
10,000
25,000
1.7
41.9
5.9


0.5
10,000
50,000
1.5
32.4
3.7


0.25
5,000
25,000
1.5
35.3
3.2


0.25
5,000
50,000
1.4
28.7
2.4


0.25
10,000
25,000
1.4
25.7
2.1


0.25
10,000
50,000
1.3
18.5
1.9


0.125
5,000
25,000
1.1
11.8
1.6


0.125
5,000
50,000
1.1
12.4
1.6


0.125
10,000
25,000
1.1
11.4
1.5


0.125
10,000
50,000
0.9
7.3
1.3









The binding of the secondary antibody was assessed in Experiments 2 and 3 to determine if the lack of detection with anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb was due to binding to the coating antigen or to the secondary antibody. Data is shown in Table 59 below. Additional VHH molecules were included in these ELISAs as indicated. In Experiment 2, high OD450 values (>1) were obtained with all but the anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb. This indicates that the rabbit anti-llama Secondary Antibody is an appropriate antibody for these ELISAs. For Experiment 3, an anti-his secondary antibody was compared to the anti-llama secondary antibody. For all but one sdAb, anti-STAT3 VHH14 (SEQ ED NO:4), lower OD450 values were obtained with the anti-his secondary antibody.


A comparison of data obtained between Experiment 2 and Experiment 3 showed a decrease in OD values for several of the sdAbs tested. For Experiment 3 the 1:100 dilution of sdAb that had been prepared for Experiment 2 was utilized instead of preparing a fresh dilution (this was done to conserve material as several were in limited supply). The 1:100 dilution had been prepared in PBS and stored at −20° C. for three months. The decrease in OD450 values is an indication of sample stability. Either storing the dilute solution and/or freeze thawing the samples resulted in the decreased stability.









TABLE 59







Comparison of Secondary Biotinylated


Antibodies in Experiments 2 and 3









OD450 Values











Rabbit
Rabbit




anti-Llama
anti-Llama
His-probe



Secondary
Secondary
(H-3)



Antibody
Antibody
Exper-


Sample
Experiment 2
Experiment 3
iment 3





Anti-STAT3 VHH14
2.813
2.439
3.416


(SEQ ID NO: 4) sdAb


Anti-KRAS (G12D)
1.924
1.307
0.577


(SEQ ID NO: 2) sdAb


Anti-STAT3 VHH13
1.313
0.363
0.360


(SEQ ID NO: 3) sdAb


Anti-TNF-α VHH62
1.485
2.341
0.196


(SEQ ID NO: 47) sdAb


Anti-TNF-α VHH66
2.057
2.682
0.181


(SEQ ID NO: 45) sdAb


Anti-TNF-α VHH69
0.499
0.443
0.153


(SEQ ID NO: 46) sdAb


Anti-Stat 3 commercial
Not tested
3.076
0.018


antibody





{circle around (1)}Documentation does not indicate that this VHH has a his-tag.






New batches of anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb were tested using four 10-fold serial dilutions starting at 1 μg/mL. Again very little detection was seen with the anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb (data not shown). The original receipt performed better than the new receipt; however, OD values were poor (<0.2 OD450). For anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb, sufficient OD values were obtained to demonstrate a dose response of OD450 to concentration of sdAb, as shown in FIG. 22. A comparison of the old and new lot of anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb showed similar results with the new batch having slightly higher OD values.


Two new batches of anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb were tested in Experiment 5 alongside the original batch. Each sdAb was tested at four 10-fold dilutions starling at 1 μg/mL. Similar detection was seen with all three batches (data not shown). Of the conditions tested, the combination of 0.5 μg/mL coating antigen, secondary antibody at 1:5,000 and HRP at 1:25,000 was shown to be optimal.


The final experiment performed was to confirm that the results from the ELISA testing were due to binding to the TNF-α protein and not non-specific binding of the sdAb. For this determination, a comparison was made between wells coated with 0.5 μg/mL of coating antigen and non-coated wells. The results are provided in Table 60. As previously seen, 1 μg/mL of anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb was not detected in either coated or non-coated wells. Both the anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb (at 1 μg/mL) were detected in coated wells but not in non-coated wells. This experiment confirms that the detection seen with the previous experiments was due to the specific binding of the VHH to the coating antigen and not due to non-specific binding.









TABLE 60







Assessment of Non-specific Binding









OD450 Values











anti-TNF-α





VHH62
TNF-α VHH66
TNF-α VHH69



(SEQ ID NO: 47)
(SEQ ID NO: 45)
(SEQ ID NO: 46)



sdAb
sdAb
sdAb














Coated
0.005
3.863
1.948


Non-Coated
−0.001
0.009
0.007









The results snowed that both anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb and anti-TNF-α VHH69 (SEQ ID NO:46) sdAb demonstrated binding to the TNF-α protein. Detection of anti-TNF-α VHH62 (SEQ ID NO:47) sdAb was not demonstrated. Of the three anti-TNF-α sdAbs tested, anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb demonstrated the best affinity to the TNF-α protein. Additional preparations of each sdAb demonstrated similar results, indicating consistency between batch preparations.


Example 29
Cytotoxicity of Anti-TNF-α VHH66 SdAb (SEQ ID NO 45) on L929 Fibroblast Cells

This Example demonstrates the anti-proliferative effects of the anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb. The activity of the anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb was assessed by incubating the anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb with a cytotoxic dose of TNFα, followed by evaluating the mixture for the inhibition of cytotoxicity in the TNFα sensitive mouse fibroblast cell line L929 (ATCC, Manassas, Va.).


Promega's protocol for determining bioactivity in rhTNF-α using L929 cells was modified to show inhibition of the cytotoxicity of TNF-α. L929 cells were grown to near con fluency at 37° C. with 5% CO2 and humidity in a 96-well plate. The cells were plated at 20,000 cells/well for Assay 1 and incubated approximately 48 hours. For Assay 2, 40,000 cells/well were plated and incubated approximately 24 hours.


Human recombinant TNF-α (Sigma-Aldrich, Saint Louis, Mo.) was prepared at a 4× concentration of 2 μg/mL in assay medium (DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS; 0.5 μg/mL final concentration in the assay). Next, the anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb was serially diluted in assay medium at 4× concentration. The final assay concentrations using three separate batches of anti-TNF-α VH1166 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb, designated Batch A, Batch B, and Batch C. For Assay 1, 10-fold dilutions ranging from 100 μg/mL to 0.01 μg/mL (Batch B and C), and 52 to 0.0052 μg/mL (Batch A). For Assay 2, Batches B and C were tested at a final concentration range (2-fold dilutions) of 40 μg/mL to 0.3125 μg/mL. Equal volumes of the TNF-α and the appropriate anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb (or assay media) were mixed and incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. The medium was then aspirated off the cells and replaced with assay media containing actinomycin D (final concentration 1 μg/mL) or assay media only (designated as media only wells). The TNF-α/anti-TNF-α VHH66 (SEQ ID NO:45) sdAb mixtures were then added to the appropriate wells in quadruplicate. In addition to the media only control wells (no actinomycin D, no TNF-α), TNF-α (with actinomycin D) and actinomycin D only (no TNF-α) control wells were included. After incubating for 24 hours at 37° C. with 5% CO2 and humidity, a MTS/PMS solution (Cell Titer 96 AQueous Non-Radioactive Cell Proliferation Assay, Promega, Madison, Wis.) was added to each well. The plate was incubated for 4 hours at 37° C. with 5% CO2 and humidity. The absorbance was then read at 490 nm on a VersaMax instrument utilizing SoftMax Pro GxP version 5.4 software from Molecular Devices (Sunnyvale, Calif.).


Dose response curves were generated and the EC50 value (the value at which the effective concentration is half of the maximal) was determined for each sdAb. For Assay 1, the EC50 0 value for Batch A was 2.9 μg/mL. The EC50 value for Batch B was 1.2 μg/mL and the EC50 value for Batch C was 2.3 μg/mL. The percent cytotoxicity for the control wells and test samples are provided in Table 61 and 62, respectively.









TABLE 61







Percent Toxicity for Controls (Assay 1) % Toxicity


% Toxicity









Sample Replicate #



Sample




















1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12






















Actinomycin D
18.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.4
2.3
3.5


only (no TNFα)














Media only
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


(no TNF-α)














TNFα
101.9
102.6
102.7
102.1
101.8
101.8
102.1
102.1
101.7
101.6
101.8
102.1


(0.5 μg/mL)
















TABLE 62







Percent Toxicity for Test Samples (Assay 1)



















Standard










Test Sample
Sample Replicate #
Mean %
Deviation










Batch A













   52 μg/mL
31.4
28.3
19.6
23.2
25.6
4.55


  5.2 μg/mL
48.4
28.1
30.1
27.3
33.5
8.68


 0.52 μg/mL
78.6
70.5
71.4
67.9
72.1
3.97


 0.052 μg/mL
101.5
101.1
101.2
101.5
101.3
0.18


0.0052 μg/mL
102.0
101.6
101.9
102.1
101.9
0.19







Batch B













  100 μg/mL
15.4
7.7
4.8
5.7
8.4
4.18


   10 μg/mL
35.7
34.7
31.6
32.2
33.6
1.70


   1 μg/mL
34.6
34.4
34.8
33.0
34.2
0.71


  0.1 μg/mL
101.2
101.7
101.7
102.0
101.7
0.29


 0.01 μg/mL
102.1
102.4
102.1
102.3
102.2
0.13


  100 μg/mL
15.4
7.7
4.8
5.7
8.4
4.18







Batch C













  100 μg/mL
18.8
15.0
15.7
38.2
21.9
9.50


   10 μg/mL
34.6
32.8
33.8
32.4
33.4
0.86


   1 μg/mL
44.9
42.1
41.6
45.7
43.6
1.76


  0.1 μg/mL
102.0
102.3
102.0
101.7
102.0
0.21


 0.01 μg/mL
102.1
102.3
102.4
102.1
102.2
0.13









For Assay 2, the concentration range was narrowed in order to further refine the EC50 value. Values of 4.5 μg/mL and 6.2 μg/mL were determined for Batch B and C, respectively. The percent cytotoxicity for the control wells and test samples are provided in Table 63 and 64, respectively.









TABLE 63







Percent Toxicity for Controls (Assay 2)


% Toxicity









Sample Replicate #



Sample
















1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8


















Actinomycin D
2.3
0
10.4
−1
0
0
0.4
0


only (no TNFα)










Media only
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


(no TNFα)










TNFα
98.0
97.5
97.7
97.4
98
97.4
97.4
97.2


(0.5 μg/mL)






1Well was masked as an outlier (Q-test performed).














TABLE 64







Percent Toxicity for Test Samples (Assay 1)













Test





Standard










Sample
Sample Replicate #
Mean %
Deviation










Batch B













 40 μg/mL
12.1
9.6
9.2
11.0
10.5
1.15


 20 μg/mL
10.5
5.7
6.5
7.7
7.6
1.82


 10 μg/mL
30.1
31.2
15.1
13.7
22.5
8.15


  5 μg/mL
40.6
39.6
25.1
23.6
32.2
7.90


2.5 μg/mL
96.3
96.2
84.5
82.6
89.9
6.39







Batch C













  40 μg/mL
10.5
6.5
10.6
4.0
7.9
2.79


  20 μg/mL
5.5
2.6
9.7
2.5
5.1
2.93


  10 μg/mL
14.0
11.9
26.6
25.6
19.5
6.63


  5 μg/mL
44.9
42.5
85.7
86.3
64.9
21.17


 2.5 μg/mL
96.9
96.3
97.3
97.3
97.0
0.41


1.25 μg/mL
97.5
97.3
97.7
97.4
97.5
0.15









Activity against TNF-α was demonstrated for all three batches of anti-TNFα VHH66 as shown by the reduction in TNF cytotoxicity. The difference between Batch B and C was less than 2-fold. Batch A demonstrated <2-fold difference as compared to Batch C and slightly higher then 2-fold difference compared to Batch B.


Example 30
Anti-STAT3 AND Anti-VP24 Zika and Ebola Virus Infection Assays

This example demonstrates the effect anti-Stat3 sdAbs and anti-VP24 sdAbs have on infection with the Zika virus and the Ebola virus. Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb and anti-Ebola virus VP24-5 (SEQ ID NO:84) were tested in Zika/Vero and Ebola/Hela and Ebola/HFF virus infection assays. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84 is MGDVQLVESGGDSVRAGGSLQLSKASGYTYNSRVDIRSMGWFRQYPGKEREGVATIN IRNSVTYYADSVKGRFTISQDNAKNTVYLQMNALKPEDTAMYYCALSDRFAAQVPARY GIRPSDYNYWGEGTLVTVSSSSGLE


The materials used consisted of the following cell lines: 1) Vero cells infected with Zika; 2) Hela cells infected with Ebola; and 3) HHF-1 cells infected with Ebola. The antibodies were made in an aqueous buffer at concentrations indicated in Table 65.









TABLE 65





Concentrations of Antibodies


















VHH13 (SEQ ID NO: 3)
556.7 ug/ml



VP24-5 (SEQ ID NO: 84)
524.1 ug/ml










The antibodies were manually dispensed 2 hours before infection into the assay wells with cells. Titration was done in 10× intermediate dilution in media (with no serum) starting at 55.6 ug/ml (final) for anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) and 52.4 ug/ml (final) for VP24-5 (SEQ ID NO:84). Antibody activity was tested in a 10-point dose response with 2-fold step dilution in a 384-well assay plate. The titration was repeated 4 times on a single plate (n=4) for Zika and EBOV/HFF and 3 times (n=3) for EBOV/Hela.


Column 2 was used as “blank control” BC with cells not infected with virus. Column 3 was used as “neutral control” NC-infected, treated with DMSO only, E864 and AQ were used as control compounds and tittered in dose response starting at 2.5 uM for E864 and 10 uM for AQ with 2-fold step dilution.


2 hours after treatment the cells were infected with Zika/DAKAR D41525 Senegal strain at MOI=0.3, EBOv (Makon) at MOI=2.0 for Hela cells and MOI=18 for HFF. The infection was stopped after 48 hours by fixing cells with a formalin solution. To detect infected cells, an immuno-staining was done with anti-Flavi virus epitope (mm D1-4G2 anti-Env P antibodies for detecting Zika infection and mm 6D8 anti-GP Ab for Ebola infection. Images were acquired by the PE Opera con focal platform using a 10× objective and were analyzed using Acapella software. The signal for GP-staining was converted into % infection and the number of nuclei per well was used to determine the % cell count (or viability of cells) in comparison to infected but untreated controls, n=16. The data was analyzed using GeneData software. % of Infection was converted into % Inhibition (% INH) for each well using plate controls. The results are shown in Tables 66A, 66B, 67 and 68.









TABLE 66A







Plate Statistics












Index
Cell line
Pathogen
MOI
Plate ID
Date















1
Hela
EBOV
2
AA00005885
Apr. 26, 2017




(Makona)


2
HFF
EBOV
18
AA00005112
Apr. 26, 2017




(Makona)


3
Vero
Zika
0.3
AA00005886
Apr. 26, 2017




(Senegal)
















TABLE 66B







Plate Statistics
















Nuclei-


Number of
AQ,




Well
Number,
%

Analyzed
EC50
E864, EC50


Index
Masking
NC
Infection
Z' Factor
Fields
[uM]
[nM]





1
0%
4321
79.10
0.89
5
3.53 ± 0.36
199.4 ± 15.04


2
0%
2259
92.27
0.88
5
4.56 ± 0.46



3
2%
6388
42.56
0.44
5
3.70 ± 1.35
246.4 ± 61.97
















TABLE 67







Curve Fitting Results for EBOV
















Compound
Cell



EC50

EC90
CC50
CC50/


ID
line
Pathogen
Plate ID
Fit Model
ug/m
SD
ug/ml
ug/ml
EC50



















VHH13
Hela
EBOV
AA00005885
2pHill
19.02
3.0524
58.72
31
1.6


(SEQ ID

(Makona)

(AC50, n)







NO: 3)











VP24-5
Hela
EBOV
AA00005885
4pHill
>52.4


>52.4



(SEQ ID

(Makona)

(AC50, n, S0, S







NO: 55)



inf)







VHH13
HFF
EBOV
AA00005112
3pHill
38.36
2.7858
66.43
31
0.8


(SEQ ID

(Makona)

(AC50, n, S0)







NO: 3)











VP24-5
HFF
EBOV
AA00005112
Constant
>52.4


>52.4



(SEQ ID

(Makona)









NO: 55)
















TABLE 68







Curve Fitting Results for ZikV
















Compound
Cell



EC50

EC90
CC50
CC50/


ID
line
Pathogen
Plate ID
Fit Model
ug/m
SD
ug/ml
ug/ml
EC50



















VHH13
Vero
Zika
AA00005886
2pHill
11.04
3.5011
48.11
31
2.8


(SEQ ID
E6
(Senegal)

(AC50, n)







NO: 3)











VHH-VP24
Vero
Zika
AA00005886
Constant
>52.4


>52.4




E6
(Senegal)
















Example 31
IC50 Studies on Six Human Cancer Cell Lines Using VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SdAb

The objective of these studies was to test the anti-proliferative effects of the VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) SDAB (SBT-100) using the human cancer cell lines: U87MG, SJSA-1 and HT1080 (single treatment [SBT-100]), SJSA-1 (combination treatment: SBT-100 and Doxorubicin), PANC-1 (combination SBT-100 and gemcitabine), and SJSA-1 (comparison studies with SBT-100 from Creative Biolab versus SBT-100 from CuriRx Inc).


For the experiments, the cells were grown until to 90% confluence, when they were washed, trypsinized, and counted using a Coulter Counter (Beckman, Brea, Calif.). The proliferation studies were carried out using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiaolyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay (Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind.). For this, cells were seeded in a 96-well plate at a density of 5×103 (U87MG, HT1080, PANC-1, SJSA-1) or 1×103 (SJSA-1; experiment 5a) cells per well. Cells were allowed to adhere for 24 hours and treated at the appropriate concentrations as described in Table 69 for the different experiments. At Day 3, 10 μl of MTT reagent (0.5 mg/mL) was added to each well as indicated by the manufacturer. After a 4 hour incubation period, 100 μL of solubilization solution was added and the plate was placed in the incubator overnight. All the plates were read at 570 nm wavelength using the Biotek plate reader (Winooski, Vt.).









TABLE 69







Dose levels of SBT-100, Gemcitabine, and Doxorubicin


for cell proliferation studies












Test
Dose(s)
Test
Dose(s)


Experiments
Article #1
μg/ml
Article #2
μM














1) HT1080
SBT-100
0
N/A



2) SJSA-1

12.5


3) U87MG

25




50




100




200


4) PANC-1
SBT-100
0
Gemcitabine
0




100

0.02






0.04






0.08






0.16






0.31






0.63






1.25






2.50






5.00






10.00


5a) SJSA-1
SBT-100
0
Doxorubicin
0




3.13

0.03




6.25

0.06




12.5

0.13




25.0

0.25




50.0

0.50




100.0

1.00


5b) SJSA-1
SBT-100
0
Doxorubicin
0




3.13

0.31




6.25

0.63




12.5

1.25




25.0

2.50




50.0

5.00




100.0

10.00


6) MDA-MB-231
MPT His
50, 100
N/A



Tag SBT-100



MPT B1
50, 100



(pH 5.0)



MPT B2
50, 100



(pH 7.4)



MPT B3
50, 100



(pH 7.4)



Creative
50, 100



Biolabs (1/14)



PBS Control


7) SJSA-1
SBT100 PO4
50, 100
N/A



SBT100 SUCC
50, 100



SBT100 SUCC-
50, 100



PROLINE



Creative
50, 100



Biolabs (5/16)









As shown in Table 70, treatment of cells with anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) (SBT-100) showed a significant growth inhibition. The IC50 were calculated to be: 33, 51, and 65 μg/ml for HT1080, SJSA-1, and U87MG, respectively.









TABLE 70







Anti-proliferative actions of SBT-100 on the HT1080 Human


fibrosarcoma cell line, SJSA1 Human Bone Osteosarcoma


cell line and U87MG Human Glioblastoma cell line.










Dose (μg/ml)
Absorbance ± S.E.
% Inhibition










HT1080 cells treated for 72 hr. with SBT-100










0
1.58 ± 0.07




12.5
1.36 ± 0.09
14


25
1.09 ± 0.01
31
IC50 = 33 μg/ml


50
0.42 ± 0.04
73


100
0.27 ± 0.01
83


200
0.22 ± 0.02
86







SJSA cells treated for 72 hr. with SBT-100










0
1.52 ± 0.15




12.5
1.52 ± 0.10
0


25
1.36 ± 0.09
11
IC50 = 51 μg/ml


50
0.90 ± 0.04
41


100
0.27 ± 0.01
82


200
0.26 ± 0.01
83







U87mg cells treated for 72 hr. with SBT-100










0
0.555 ± 0.02




12.5
0.702 ± 0.04
0


25
0.687 ± 0.03
0
IC50 = 65 μg/ml


50
0.456 ± 0.01
18


100
0.271 ± 0.02
51


200
0.211 ± 0.03
62









PANC-1 Human Pancreatic cells treated with anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) (SBT-100) alone or in combination with Gemcitabine were evaluated. For these studies, PANC-1 cells were treated with SBT-100 (100 μg/ml) and increasing concentrations of Gemcitabine (0 to 10 μM) for 72 hours. Two experiments using different sources of Gemcitabine (Biovison #1759, Gemcitabine Hydrochloride; and Selleckchem #S1714, Gemcitabine Free Base) were conducted. Results for the two studies are shown in Table 71.









TABLE 71







PANC-1 cells treated with Gemicitabine alone of in combination with SBT-100










Gemcitabine Free Base
Gemcitabine Hydrochloride



Selleckchem #S1714
Biovision #1759















Treatment
Abs
±SE
% Inh
p-value
Abs
±SE
% Inh
p-value





Vehicle Control
1.050
0.075


1.020
0.068




Gemcitabine 10 μM
0.543
0.037
48
p < 0.001
0.576
0.006
46
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 5 μM
0.631
0.012
40
p < 0.001
0.654
0.018
36
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 2.5 μM
0.681
0.017
35
p < 0.01 
0.762
0.022
25
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 1.25 μM
0.861
0.077
18
ns
0.852
0.019
16
p < 0.05 


Gemcitabine 0.625 μM
1.050
0.162
0
ns
1.001
0.026
2
ns


Gemcitabine 0.313 μM
0.997
0.054
5
ns
1.084
0.054
0
ns


Gemcitabine 0.156 μM
1.210
0.062
0
ns
1.405
0.041
0
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.078 μM
1.230
0.039
0
ns
1.405
0.034
0
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.039 μM
1.240
0.014
0
ns
1.550
0.037
0
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 0.020 μM
1.560
0.101
0
ns
1.631
0.056
0
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml
0.333
0.050
68
p < 0.001
0.381
0.023
63
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 10 μM+
0.234
0.041
78
p < 0.001
0.350
0.001
66
p < 0.001


Gemcitabine 5 μM +
0.294
0.044
72
p < 0.001
0.314
0.010
69
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 2.5 μM +
0.240
0.036
77
p < 0.001
0.295
0.018
71
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 1.25 μM +
0.204
0.013
81
p < 0.001
0.296
0.023
71
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 0.625 μM +
0.232
0.008
78
p < 0.001
0.319
0.008
69
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 0.313 μM +
0.276
0.010
74
p < 0.001
0.326
0.005
68
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 0.156 μM +
0.290
0.047
72
p < 0.001
0.336
0.012
67
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 0.078 μM +
0.265
0.015
75
p < 0.001
0.294
0.024
71
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 0.039 μM +
0.446
0.039
56
p < 0.001
0.059
0.000
***
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml










Gemcitabine 0.020 μM +
0.457
0.002
56
p < 0.001
0.344
0.011
66
p < 0.001


SBT-100 100 μg/ml

















Based on the results of the IC50 studies, further experiments were done to assess anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) in combination with an established chemotherapeutic agent (i.e., Doxorubicin). For these studies, cells were plated in 96 wells at a density of 1×106 (Experiment 5a) or 5×106 (Experiment 5b). In both experiments, one drug was kept constant (i.e., SBT-100 at 50 μg/ml 5a, or 25 μg/ml 5b) and the other drug (i.e., Doxorubicin) was used al increasing concentrations. When Doxorubicin was kept constant (i.e., 62.5 μM 5a or 1 μM 5b) SBT-100 was then administered at increasing concentrations. For both experiments, cells were exposed to the drugs for 72 hours. The dose of Doxorubicin for experiment 5a was based on the literature, however, significant inhibition was not reached. For experiment 5b, the dose levels for Doxorubicin and the cell density were increased. In both experiments, anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) showed significant inhibition at dose levels of 50 and 100 μg/ml. Similarly, doxorubicin showed significant dose-dependent inhibition at all dose levels tested. When both drugs are combined, the effects on the PANC-1 cells are synergistic.









TABLE 72







SJSA-1 Human Bone Osteosarcoma Cells Treated with anti-STAT3


VHH13 (SEQ ID NO: 3) sdAb (SBT-100) alone or in combination


with Doxorubicin SJSA-1 cells treated for 72 hours


SJSA-1 cells treated for 72 hours











Mean Abs
% inhi-




(±SD)
bition
p-value
















SBT-100 Dose (μg/ml)






0
0.241 ± 0.034



3.13
0.278 ± 0.057
0
ns



6.25
0.258 ± 0.097
0
ns



12.5
0.231 ± 0.046
4
ns



25
0.221 ± 0.034
8
ns



50
0.066 ± 0.003
73
0.05



100
0.058 ± 0.002
76
0.01



Doxorubicin (μM)



0
0.388 ± 0.040



0.0313
0.281 ± 0.031
28
0.05



0.0625
0.277 ± 0.035
29
0.05



0.125
0.257 ± 0.026
34
0.01



0.25
0.245 ± 0.038
37
0.01



0.5
0.248 ± 0.038
36
0.01



1
0.197 ± 0.012
49
0.001







Constant dose level of SBT-100 (50 μg/ml) with


a dose range of Doxorubicin (μM)












Doxorubicin (μM)






0
0.311 ± 0.024



0.0313
 0.09 ± 0.013
71
0.001



0.0625
0.087 ± 0.013
72
0.001



0.125
0.088 ± 0.008
72
0.001



0.25
0.086 ± 0.011
72
0.001



0.5
0.078 ± 0.008
75
0.001



1
0.057 ± 0.00 
82
0.001







Constant dose of doxorubicin (62.5 μM) with


a dose range of SBT-100 (μg/ml)












SBT-100 Dose (μg/ml)






0
0.353 ± 0.046



3.13
0.204 ± 0.031
42
0.001



6.25
0.176 ± 0.023
50
0.001



12.5
0.185 ± 0.024
48
0.001



25
0.187 ± 0.028
47
0.001



50
0.069 ± 0.012
80
0.001



100
0.057 ± 0.006
84
0.001

















TABLE 73







SJSA-1 Human Bone Osteosarcoma Cells Treated with anti-STAT3


VHH13 (SEQ ID NO: 3) sdAb (SBT-100) alone or in combination


with Doxorubicin SJSA-1 cells treated for 72 hours


SJSA-1 cells treated for 72 hours_Experiment 2











Mean Abs
% inhi-




(±SD)
bition
p-value
















SBT-100 Dose (μg/ml)






0
0.789 ± 0.091



3.13
0.774 ± 0.068
0
ns



6.25
0.835 ± 0.058
0
ns



12.5
0.800 ± 0.058
0
ns



25
0.781 ± 0.057
1
ns



50
0.460 ± 0.038
42
0.001



100
0.091 ± 0.002
88
0.001



Doxorubicin (μM)



0
0.751 ± 0.009



0.313
0.519 ± 0.004
31
0.001



0.625
0.530 ± 0.024
29
0.001



1.25
0.469 ± 0.016
38
0.001



2.50
0.353 ± 0.004
53
0.001



5.00
0.358 ± 0.003
52
0.001



10.0
0.414 ± 0.007
45
0.001







Constant dose level of SBT-100 (25 μg/ml) with


a dose range of Doxorubicin (μM)












Doxorubicin (μM)






0
0.723 ± 0.015



0.313
0.553 ± 0.018
24
0.001



0.625
0.566 ± 0.030
22
0.001



1.25
0.434 ± 0.011
40
0.001



2.50
0.385 ± 0.013
47
0.001



5.00
0.261 ± 0.004
64
0.001



10.0
0.193 ± 0.012
73
0.001







Constant dose level of doxorubicin (1 μM) with


a dose range of SBT-100 (μm/ml)












SBT-100 Dose (μg/ml)






0
0.868 ± 0.067



3.13
0.502 ± 0.103
42
0.001



6.25
0.405 ± 0.129
53
0.001



12.5
0.458 ± 0.047
47
0.001



25
0.444 ± 0.017
49
0.001



50
0.340 ± 0.074
61
0.001



100
0.265 ± 0.125
70
0.001










An efficacy study was conducted using anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) (Creative Biolabs) and anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) produced by Microprotein Technologies inc (i.e., MPT His Tag, MPT B1 (pH 5.0), MPT B2 (pH7.4) and MPT B3 (pH 7.4). The results are shown in Table 74. While the greatest inhibition was noted for MPT His Tag, it was noted the test article had a cloudy appearance and that cells exposed to this drug appeared to lose normal morphology within a few hours of exposure. Other samples tested allowed a more similar response to that of the SBT-100 produced by Creative Biolabs.


A comparison study was conducted using anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) from Creative Biolabs and compared its efficacy with that of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) produced by Curirx. For this study, SJSA-1 cells were treated with anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) produced by Creative Biolabs or with the different samples of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) produced by Curirx (i.e., Succinate-Proline, Succinate, P04). The anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) was tested at three dose levels: 0, 50 or 100 μg/ml. For each sample their respective buffers were used as vehicle controls. The study was terminated at 72 hours post-treatment. As shown in Table 75, all anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) treated samples tested showed highly significant growth inhibition at the highest dose tested (100 μg/ml) while only the Creative Biolab and the Curirx P04 buffer based show significant growth inhibition at the 50 μg/ml dose level.









TABLE 75







Comparison study of SJSA-1 Human Bone Osteosarcoma


Cancer Cells treated with anti-STAT3 VHH13


(SEQ ID NO: 3) sdAb (SBT-100)














Mean Abs


p-


Source
Treatment
(570 nm)
±SD
% Inhibition
value















Creative Biolabs
PBS
0.439
0.059





 50 μg/ml
0.242
0.044
44.9
<0.001



100 μg/ml
0.058
0.002
86.9
<0.001


Curirx-Succinate-
Succinate-
0.425
0.051


Proline
Proline



 50 μg/ml
0.367
0.038
13.7
ns



100 μg/ml
0.054
0.002
87.2
<0.001


Curirx-Succinate
Succinate
0.542
0.128



 50 μg/ml
0.516
0.028
4.7
ns



100 μg/ml
0.054
0.001
90.1
<0.001


Curirx-P04
P04
0.749
0.119



 50 μg/ml
0.278
0.068
62.8
<0.001



100 μg/ml
0.054
0.002
92.8
<0.001









Cumulatively, these studies show support for anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) as a chemotherapeutic agent (alone or in combination with established chemotherapeutic agents) against various types of cancers including: Pancreatic (PANC-1), Osteosarcoma (SJSA-1), fibrosarcoma (HT1080) (U87MG) Glioblastoma (U87MG) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231).


Example 32
Efficacy of SBT-100 And Doxorubicin on SJSA-1 Bone Osteosarcoma Subcutaneous Xenograft Model

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) alone or in combination with Doxorubicin on SJSA-1 Bone Osteosarcoma Subcutaneous Xenograft Model.


5 to 6 week old athymic mice (Hsd: Athymic Nude-FoxInu, Charles River laboratories) were fed ad libitum autoclaved water and PicoLab Rodent Diet 20 Irradiated consisting of 20% crude protein, 4.5% crude fat, and 6.0% crude fiber. The mice were housed on autoclaved bedding in plastic shoebox cages with filter. The animals were kept in a 12-hour light cycle at 20-26° C. (68-78.8° F.) and 30-70% humidity.


The SJSA-1 Bone Osteosarcoma cell line was obtained from American Type Culture collection (ATCC, Manassas, Va.). The SJSA-1 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% of 100× Penicilin-streplomycinglutamine. Cells were cultured in a humidified incubator at 37° C. in 5% CO2 and 95% air.


Tumor cells in passage three were used for the implantation and were harvested during log phase growth. SJSA-1 (1×106) were injected subcutancously into the right flank at a final volume of 100-μL of media. Tumor measurements were initiated as soon as the tumors were palpable. Thereafter, tumors were measured twice weekly. Tumors were measured in two dimensions using calipers and volume was calculated using the formula:







Tumor





volume






(

mm
3

)


=



w
2


x





1

2





Where w=width and l=length in mm of a tumor. Tumor weight may be estimated with the assumption that 1 mg is equivalent to 1 mm3 or tumor volume. Animals are randomized using the stratified random sampling algorithm using animal body weights (g). Treatment was initiated the day following randomization.


Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) was provided as a pre-formulated ready to dose solution (Lot No. 11152012-VHH026E_Anti-STAT3_VHH13). The dosing solution was supplied at 0.558 mg/mL in 1 mL aliquots and stored at −20° C. until needed for dosing. On each day of treatment, only needed vials of SBT-100 were thawed to room temperature. All leftover dosing suspensions were retained at 4° C. as needed for the next dose. Doxorubicin was purchased from Selleckchem (Houston, Tex.). Sterile water was used as a vehicle to dissolve Doxorubicin.


Athymic nude mice were dosed as indicated in Table 76. All treatments were administered via intraperitoneal (IP). Vehicle and anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) were administered twice daily, six hours; the dosing level was 5.0 mg/kg twice a day (BID) for 14 days. Doxorubicin was dosed al a dose level of 7.0 mg/kg on days 1.8 and 14.









TABLE 76







Doseage















Dose




Group
# Mice
TA
(mg/kg)
Schedule
Route















1
9
PBS
0
BIDx14
IP


2
7
SBT-100
5.0
BIDx14
IP


3
7
Doxorubicin
7.0
Days 1, 8, and 14
IP


4
7
SBT-100 and
5.0/7.0
BID x14 (SBT-100)
IP




Doxorubicin

& Days 1, 8, and 14






(Doxorubicin)









SJSA-1 Tumor Xenograft Model animals were quarantined for one week after arrival. The animals were then inoculated with SJSA-1 (1×106) cells and randomized based on body weights. Treatment was initialed 8 days post-inoculation. Mean (±SE) tumor size was shown to be as follows: 39.66±12.48 (n=9), 31.31±11.59 (n=7), 16.52±5.93 (n=7), and 34.86±11.42 (n=7) for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Table 77 summarizes the mean and median tumor measurements for the entire study. Mean body weights (±SE) at randomization were 2228±0.63 (Groups 1), 21.96±0.43 (Group 2), 23.26±0.42 (Group 3) and 21.56±0.43 (Group 4). Table 78 summarizes the mean and median body weights (±SE) for entire study.









TABLE 77







SJSA-1 Human Osteosarcoma Subcutaneous Xenograft Model Summart of Tumor


Measurements (mm3)











Date/Study Day post implant




Dosing

















5/26
5/30
6/2
6/6
6/7
6/9
6/13


Group
Animal ID
9
13
16
20
21
23
27


















1
001
41.59
59.20
62.67
157.81
176.52
345.34
1,026.02


1
002
0.00
11.16
42.12
84.18
90.11
154.67
365.59


1
003
13.66
36.49
163.74
234.36
333.88
461.26
1,194.54


1
004
14.65
56.77
235.84
253.93
302.38
390.15
1,138.99


1
005
120.48
125.58
340.31
711.65
1,012.21
1,102.51
2,529.62


1
006
22.68
52.53
103.20
192.63
261.71
340.11
584.01


1
007
21.02
76.68
165.63
286.11
307.94
490.44
919.47


1
008
71.90
159.96
292.14
487.89
602.12
689.81
2,606.85


1
009
50.99
134.65
156.84
371.01
507.23
720.72
2,341.61














Mean Abs
39.66
79.22
173.61
308.84
399.34
521.67
1,411.86


SD Mean
37.44
49.78
100.44
191.72
277.18
279.72
854.02


SE Mean
12.48
16.59
33.48
63.91
92.39
93.24
284.67


Median Abs
22.68
59.20
163.74
253.93
307.94
461.26
1,138.99


SE Med
13.85
18.04
33.66
66.79
97.88
95.65
300.58















2
010
15.75
106.64
139.83
191.62
271.05
308.49
707.34


2
011
19.98
28.26
36.05
70.70
115.97
201.00
474.71


2
012
0.00
0.00
11.02
59.97
96.53
185.39
380.72


2
013
69.47
126.45
200.95
616.53
901.18
1,359.67
2,500.29


2
014
10.46
38.25
187.82
180.38
155.51
197.83
351.21


2
015
79.76
420.78
358.90
450.45
602.51
756.79
1,699.89


2
016
23.77
85.60
126.46
200.68
198.86
332.80
1,275.63














Mean Abs
31.31
115.14
151.57
252.90
334.52
477.43
1,055.68


SD Mean
30.67
142.13
115.91
205.52
303.26
436.98
812.51


SE Mean
11.59
53.72
43.81
77.68
114.62
165.16
307.10


% Inh Mean
21.06%
−45.34%
12.69%
18.11%
16.23%
8.48%
25.23%


Median Abs
19.98
85.60
139.83
191.62
198.86
308.49
707.34


SE Med
12.48
55.06
44.07
81.61
127.30
178.99
338.43


% Inh Med
11.92%
−44.59%
14.60%
24.54%
35.42%
33.12%
37.90%


% T/C
n/a
n/a
71.23
73.26
76.22
79.47
69.91


p-value
0.64
0.49
0.69
0.58
0.56
0.81
0.41
















TABLE 78







SJSA-1 Human Osteosarcoma Subcutaneous Xenograft Model Summary of Body Weights (g)













Date/Study Day post implant




Pre-dosing
Dosing

















5/24
5/26
5/30
6/2
6/6
6/9
6/13


Group
Animal ID
7
9
13
16
20
23
27


















1
001
21.60
22.40
22.80
23.20
23.30
21.10
23.40


1
002
24.90
24.90
25.30
26.80
27.20
24.60
26.90


1
003
21.60
23.00
22.40
22.70
22.90
20.90
24.40


1
004
25.30
25.30
24.90
25.30
25.30
23.20
26.20


1
005
21.80
22.10
22.10
22.30
23.10
20.80
21.50


1
006
20.50
21.00
20.50
20.80
20.70
21.00
22.40


1
007
22.10
22.50
22.80
22.60
23.40
23.80
25.10


1
008
19.60
20.40
19.80
19.60
20.10
21.00
21.60


1
009
23.10
23.70
23.60
24.50
24.50
24.20
24.40














Mean Abs
22.28
22.81
22.69
23.09
23.39
22.29
23.99


Mean Rel
100.0%
100.00%
99.46%
101.22%
102.53%
97.71%
105.16%


SD Mean
1.88
1.63
1.81
2.21
2.17
1.62
1.93


SE Mean
0.63
0.54
0.60
0.74
0.72
0.54
0.64


Median Abs
21.80
22.50
22.80
22.70
23.30
21.10
24.40


Median Rel
100.00%
100.00%
101.33%
100.89%
103.56%
93.78%
108.44%


SE Med
n/a
0.55
0.60
0.75
0.73
0.68
0.66















2
010
22.3
21.70
23.00
23.40
23.80
24.20
25.50


2
011
22.1
22.00
22.00
22.50
23.70
24.40
24.50


2
012
20.4
20.20
20.70
21.40
21.90
22.20
23.00


2
013
23.2
22.80
22.70
23.90
25.20
25.70
26.80


2
014
20.9
20.80
21.90
21.90
21.40
22.30
22.90


2
015
23.4
23.10
24.70
24.70
25.40
25.60
26.90


2
016
21.4
21.10
21.60
22.10
22.40
22.80
24.80














Mean Abs
21.96
21.67
22.37
22.86
23.40
23.89
24.91


Mean Rel
100.00%
100.00%
103.23%
105.47%
107.96%
110.22%
114.96%


SD Mean
1.13
1.05
1.27
1.19
1.57
1.48
1.62


SE Mean
0.43
0.40
0.48
0.45
0.59
0.56
0.61


% Inh Mean
n/a
5.00%
1.40%
1.00%
−0.05%
−7.16%
−3.86%


Median Abs
22.10
21.70
22.00
22.60
23.70
24.20
24.80


Median Rel
100.00%
100.00%
101.38%
104.15%
109.22%
111.52%
114.29%


SE Med
n/a
0.40
0.50
0.46
0.60
0.57
0.61


% Inh Med
n/a
3.56%
3.51%
0.44%
−1.72%
−14.69%
−1.64%









At the last day of dosing, the mean tumor size (±SE) was 399.34±92.39, 334.52±114.62, 118.18±11.13, and 147.15±59.23 for Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. At the time of termination mean tumor size (±S.E.) was: 1411.86±284.67, 1055.68±307.10, 215.84±52.32, and 298.82±159.35, for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. A significant growth inhibition was noted for Group 2 (p=0.09) and for Group 3 (p=0.02). Mean body weights (±SE) at termination were: 23.99±0.64, 24.91±0.61, 18.35±0.45, 17.22±0.44 for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At termination the % body weight change were 11.23, 14.51, −14.99, and −18.33 for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Table 78 shows the average body weights for the study period. The number of surviving al the end of the study was 9, 7, 2, and 5 for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At the end of the study, the mean tumor growth inhibition was shown to be: 25.23% (Group 2), 84.71% (Group 3) and 78.83% (Group 4). Table 77 illustrates the mean tumor volume. The tumor doubling times were: 8.22 (Group 1), 8.84 (Group 2), 13.32 (Group 3), and 13.86 (Group 4). The % T/C was 69.91, 17.91 and 0.24 for Groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively.









TABLE 79







Body Weights: SJSA-1 Xenograft Study 2680











Control vs.
Control vs.
Control vs. Combination


Dates
SBT-100
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin and SBT-100













May 26, 2017
0.1316
0.7365
0.0006


May 30, 2017
0.6996
0.246
0.0068


Jun. 2, 2017
0.8066
0.7404
0.001


Jun. 6, 2017
0.9911
0.0024
0.0005


Jun. 9, 2017
0.618
0.0002
<0.0001


Jun. 13, 2017
0.3255
0.0034
<0.0001









Two-tailed P-values









Table 79 illustrates the body weights throughout the study, as compared to the control.









TABLE 80





Comparison of Survival Curves: Groups Control,


SBT-100, Doxorubicin and Combination


















Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) Test




Chi square
15.35



df
6



P value
0.0015



P value summary
**



Are the survival curves sig different?
Yes



Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test



Chi square
5.101



df
1



P value
0.0239



P value summary
*



Are the survival curves sig different?
Yes

















TABLE 81





Comparison of Survival Curves: Groups Control and Doxorubicin


















Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) Test




Chi square
9.403



df
1



P value
0.0022



P value summary
**



Are the survival curves sig different?
Yes



Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test



Chi square
8.949



df
1



P value
0.0028



P value summary
**



Are the survival curves sig different?
Yes

















TABLE 82





Comparison of Survival Curves: Groups Control and Combination


















Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) Test




Chi square
2.780



df
1



P value
0.0954



P value summary
ns



Are the survival curves sig different?
No



Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test



Chi square
2.769



df
1



P value
0.0961



P value summary
ns



Are the survival curves sig different?
No










Tables 80-82 illustrate comparison of the survival curves between the Control group, the SBT-100 group, the Doxorubicin group and the Combination group.


Anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) showed a non-significant decrease in mean tumor size as compared to control. Moreover, while SBT-100 did not increase tumor inhibition in comparison to the Doxorubicin treatment, animals received both SBT-100 and Doxorubicin were less likely to die as compared to animals receiving Doxorubicin alone. Therefore it appears that combining Doxorubicin with anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb (SBT-100) is beneficial for treatment. FIG. 24 illustrates the dose response curves for controls E864 and AQ for EBOV/Hela, FIG. 25 illustrates the dose response curves for controls E864 and AQ for EBOV/HFF, FIG. 26 illustrates the dose response curves for controls E864 and AQ for Zika/Vero, FIG. 27 illustrates the dose response curves with test drugs for EBOV/Hela, FIG. 28 illustrates the dose response curves with test drugs for EBOV/HFF; and FIG. 29 illustrates the dose response curves with test drugs for Zika/Vero.


Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims
  • 1. A method of preventing aberrant cell proliferation in a subject using a single-domain antibody (sdAb) directed against an intracellular component.
  • 2. The method of claim 2, wherein the aberrant cell proliferation is cancer.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma or glioblastoma.
  • 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sdAb is synergistic with one or more chemotherapeutic drags and improves therapeutic efficacy of the one or more chemotherapeutic drug against cancer.
  • 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more chemotherapeutic drugs comprises doxorubicin.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sbAb decreases the toxicity of one or more chemotherapeutic drugs and improves survival in the treated subject.
  • 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sbAb is used in combination with one or more compounds.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the Intracellular component comprises a protein.
  • 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the protein comprises STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, or STAT6.
  • 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sdAb comprises anti-STAT3 VHH13 (SEQ ID NO:3) sdAb.
  • 11. A method of treating viral infections using a single-domain antibody (sdAb).
  • 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the viral infection is caused by one or more of a DNA virus, an RNA virus, or a retrovirus.
  • 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the virus is hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human papillomavirus, polio virus, rabies virus, herpesvirus, West Nile virus, Ebola virus, and Zika virus.
  • 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the sbAb inhibits the replication of Ebola viruses in infected cells.
  • 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the sdAb inhibits the replication of Zika virus in infected cells.
  • 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the sdAb is used in combination with one or more compounds.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 15/655,833, titled “Single Domain Antibodies Directed Against Intracellular Antigens,” filed Jul. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/608,255 titled “Single Domain Antibodies Directed Against Intracellular Antigens,” filed May 30, 2017, which is continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/922,093 tilled “Single Domain Antibodies Directed Against STAT3” filed Oct. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,695,234 issued on Jul. 4, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/067,908, filed on Oct. 23, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/148,656, filed on Apr. 16, 2015; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/188,353 filed on Jul. 2, 2015; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/210,795, filed on Aug. 27, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Provisional Applications (4)
Number Date Country
62067908 Oct 2014 US
62148656 Apr 2015 US
62188353 Jul 2015 US
62210795 Aug 2015 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 15608255 May 2017 US
Child 15655833 US
Continuation in Parts (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 15655833 Jul 2017 US
Child 15823295 US
Parent 14922093 Oct 2015 US
Child 15608255 US