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Novel biotherapeutic glycoproteins, like recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are widely used for the treatment of numerous diseases. The N-glycans attached to the constant region of an antibody have been demonstrated to be crucial for the biological efficacy. Even minor modifications of the N-glycan structure can dictate the potency of IgG effector functions such as the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Here, we present the development of a glycoengineered CHO-K1 host cell line (HCL), stably expressing β1,4-N-Acetylglucoseaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) and α-mannosidase II (Man-II), for the expression of a-fucosylated antibodies with enhanced Fc-mediated effector function. Glycoengineered HCLs were generated in a two-step strategy, starting with generating parental HCLs by stable transfection of CHO-K1 cells with GnT-III and Man-II. In a second step, parental HCLs were stably transfected a second time with these two transgenes to increase their copy number in the genetic background. Generated glycoengineered CHO-K1 cell lines expressing two different mAbs deliver antibody products with a content of more than 60% a-fucosylated glycans. In-depth analysis of the N-glycan structure revealed that the majority of the Fc-attached glycans of the obtained mAbs were of complex bisected type. Furthermore, we showed the efficient use of FcγRIIIa affinity chromatography as a novel method for the fast assessment of the mAbs a-fucosylation level. By testing different cultivation conditions for the pre-glycoengineered recombinant CHO-K1 clones, we identified key components essential for the production of a-fucosylated mAbs. The prevalent effect could be attributed to the trace element manganese, which leads to a strong increase of a-fucosylated complex- and hybrid-type glycans. In conclusion, the novel pre-glycoengineered CHO-K1 HCL can be used for the production of antibodies with high ratios of a-fucosylated Fc-attached N-glycans. Application of our newly developed FcγRIIIa affinity chromatography method during cell line development and use of optimized cultivation conditions can ultimately support the efficient development of a-fucosylated mAbs.

We identified B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) as a potential therapeutic target in 778 newly diagnosed and relapsed myeloma patients. We constructed an IgG-based BCMA-T cell bispecific antibody (EM801) and showed that it increased CD3+ T cell/myeloma cell crosslinking, followed by CD4+/CD8+ T cell activation, and secretion of interferon-γ, granzyme B, and perforin. This effect is CD4 and CD8 T cell mediated. EM801 induced, at nanomolar concentrations, myeloma cell death by autologous T cells in 34 of 43 bone marrow aspirates, including those from high-risk patients and patients after multiple lines of treatment, tumor regression in six of nine mice in a myeloma xenograft model, and depletion of BCMA+ cells in cynomolgus monkeys. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics indicate weekly intravenous/subcutaneous administration.

We developed cergutuzumab amunaleukin (CEA-IL2v, RG7813), a novel monomeric CEA-targeted immunocytokine, that comprises a single IL-2 variant (IL2v) moiety with abolished CD25 binding, fused to the C-terminus of a high affinity, bivalent carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-specific antibody devoid of Fc-mediated effector functions. Its molecular design aims to (i) avoid preferential activation of regulatory T-cells vs. immune effector cells by removing CD25 binding; (ii) increase the therapeutic index of IL-2 therapy by (a) preferential retention at the tumor by having a lower dissociation rate from CEA-expressing cancer cells vs. IL-2R-expressing cells, (b) avoiding any FcγR-binding and Fc effector functions and (c) reduced binding to endothelial cells expressing CD25; and (iii) improve the pharmacokinetics, and thus convenience of administration, of IL-2. The crystal structure of the IL2v-IL-2Rβγ complex was determined and CEA-IL2v activity was assessed using human immune effector cells. Tumor targeting was investigated in tumor-bearing mice using 89Zr-labeled CEA-IL2v. Efficacy studies were performed in (a) syngeneic mouse models as monotherapy and combined with anti-PD-L1, and in (b) xenograft mouse models in combination with ADCC-mediating antibodies. CEA-IL2v binds to CEA with pM avidity but not to CD25, and consequently did not preferentially activate Tregs. In vivo, CEA-IL2v demonstrated superior pharmacokinetics and tumor targeting compared with a wild-type IL-2-based CEA immunocytokine (CEA-IL2wt). CEA-IL2v strongly expanded NK and CD8+ T cells, skewing the CD8+:CD4+ ratio toward CD8+ T cells both in the periphery and in the tumor, and mediated single agent efficacy in syngeneic MC38-CEA and PancO2-CEA models. Combination with trastuzumab, cetuximab and imgatuzumab, all of human IgG1 isotype, resulted in superior efficacy compared with the monotherapies alone. Combined with anti-PD-L1, CEA-IL2v mediated superior efficacy over the respective monotherapies, and over the combination with an untargeted control immunocytokine. These preclinical data support the ongoing clinical investigation of the cergutuzumab amunaleukin immunocytokine with abolished CD25 binding for the treatment of CEA-positive solid tumors in combination with PD-L1 checkpoint blockade and ADCC competent antibodies.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) play critical roles in tumor growth, providing a strong rationale for the combined inhibition of IGF-1R and EGFR signaling in cancer therapy. We describe the design, affinity maturation, in vitro and in vivo characterization of the bispecific anti-IGF-1R/EGFR antibody XGFR*. XGFR* is based on the bispecific IgG antibody XGFR, which enabled heterodimerization of an IGF-1R binding scFab heavy chain with an EGFR-binding light and heavy chain by the “knobs-into-holes” technology. XGFR* is optimized for monovalent binding of human EGFR and IGF-1R with increased binding affinity for IGF-1R due to affinity maturation and highly improved protein stability to oxidative and thermal stress. It bears an afucosylated Fc-portion for optimal induction of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Stable Chinese hamster ovary cell clones with production yields of 2–3 g/L were generated, allowing for large scale production of the bispecific antibody. XGFR* potently inhibits EGFR- and IGF-1R-dependent receptor phosphorylation, reduces tumor cell proliferation in cells with heterogeneous levels of IGF-1R and EGFR receptor expression and induces strong ADCC in vitro. A comparison of pancreatic and colorectal cancer lines demonstrated superior responsiveness to XGFR*-mediated signaling and tumor growth inhibition in pancreatic cancers that frequently show a high degree of IGF-1R/EGFR co-expression. XGFR* showed potent anti-tumoral efficacy in the orthotopic MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic xenograft model, resulting in nearly complete tumor growth inhibition with significant number of tumor remissions. In summary, the bispecific anti-IGF-1R/EGFR antibody XGFR* combines potent signaling and tumor growth inhibition with enhanced ADCC induction and represents a clinical development candidate for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The effector functions elicited by IgG antibodies strongly depend on the carbohydrate moiety linked to the Fc region of the protein. Therefore several approaches have been developed to rationally manipulate these glycans and improve the biological functions of the antibody. Overexpression of recombinant beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) in production cell lines leads to antibodies enriched in bisected oligosaccharides. Moreover, GnT-III overexpression leads to increases in non-fucosylated and hybrid oligosaccharides. Such antibody glycovariants have increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). To explore a further variable besides overexpression of GnT-III, we exchanged the localization domain of GnT-III with that of other Golgi-resident enzymes. Our results indicate that chimeric GnT-III can compete even more efficiently against the endogenous core alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase (alpha1,6-FucT) and Golgi alpha-mannosidase II (ManII) leading to higher proportions of bisected non-fucosylated hybrid glycans ("Glyco-1" antibody). The co-expression of GnT-III and ManII led to a similar degree of non-fucosylation as that obtained for Glyco-1, but the majority of the oligosaccharides linked to this antibody ("Glyco-2") are of the complex type. These glycovariants feature strongly increased ADCC activity compared to the unmodified antibody, while Glyco-1 (hybrid-rich) features reduced complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) compared to Glyco-2 or unmodified antibody. We show that apart from GnT-III overexpression, engineering of GnT-III localization is a versatile tool to modulate the biological activities of antibodies relevant for their therapeutic application.

T cell bispecific antibodies that recruit and engage T cells for tumor cell killing through binding to the T cell receptor (TCR) upon binding to a tumor antigen (TA) and subsequent crosslinking have attracted broad interest. Here, we describe a novel asymmetric head-to-tail 2+1 T cell bispecific antibody (2+1 TCB) platform characterized by the fusion of a flexible Fab fragment to the N-terminus of the CD3e Fab of a heterodimeric asymmetric bispecific TA-CD3e IgG1 antibody in head-to-tail geometry via a flexible linker. The resulting TCB is monovalent for CD3e (KD 70-100 nM) and binds bivalently with avidity to the TA on the target cell. Correct heavy chain pairing is enabled by knob-into-holes technology, correct light chain pairing by CrossMAb technology or using a common light chain. This enables production with standard processes in CHO cells. To exclude FcgR-mediated unspecific TCR and FcgR co-activation resulting in unspecific cytokine release, Fc- effector functions (ADCC, ADCP, CDC) are abolished by introduction of P329G LALA mutations while FcRn binding and IgG-like pharmacokinetic properties are retained as shown in mouse and Cynomolgus. For comparative profiling, the following TCBs were generated with specificity for the tumor antigens MCSP/CSPG4, FOLR1/FRalpha, CD19 and CD20: 2+1 TCBCD3-inside, 2+1 TCBCD3-outside, one-armed 1+1 TCBCD3-inside and a classical asymmetric 1+1 IgG TCB. In vitro Jurkat-NFAT, T cell killing, activation and proliferation assays show that both 2+1 TCB formats mediate superior potency of killing (for CSPG4, FOLR1, CD19, CD20) and superior absolute killing (for CSPG4, CD19) compared to the respective classical asymmetric 1+1 IgG TCB. Surprisingly, the 2+1 TCBCD3-inside format was found to be superior in potency compared to the 2+1 TCBCD3-outside format, although its binding affinity for CD3e is reduced. These data confirm that TCBs mediate extremely potent T cell killing with fM-pM EC50 values based on CD3e antibodies with affinities of only 70-100 nM. Notably, for CD19 both, 2+1 TCBCD3-inside and one-armed 1+1 TCBCD3-inside, mediate comparable potency and overall killing, and both were superior compared to the asymmetric 1+1 IgG TCB. These data underline the importance of the head-to-tail geometry with two Fabs on one arm attached to each other via a flexible G4S-linker. Finally, using 2+1 and 1+1 FOLR1 TCBs we demonstrate that bivalent binding allows better differentiation in killing of cells with high vs. low FOLR1 expression as compared to monovalent binding. Taken together, we demonstrate that the 2+1 TCBCD3-inside is the most potent, efficacious and versatile TCB design. Due to its orientation with the CD3e Fab inside, it allows the conversion of existing antibodies into potent TCBs without format restriction. Based on this platform, CEA CD3 TCB (RG7802, Phase I/Ib) and CD20 CD3 TCB (RG6026, Phase I) have entered clinical trials. Citation Format: Christian Klein, Christiane Neumann, Tanja Fauti, Tina Weinzierl, Anne Freimoser-Grundschober, Inja Waldhauer, Linda Fahrni, Sylvia Herter, Erwin van Puijenbroek, Sara Colombetti, Johannes Sam, Sabine Lang, Sherri Dudal, Wolfgang Schäfer, Jörg T. Regula, Samuel Moser, Oliver Ast, Ralf Hosse, Ekkehard Mössner, Peter Brünker, Marina Bacac, Pablo Umana. Engineering a novel asymmetric head-to-tail 2+1 T-cell bispecific (2+1 TCB) IgG antibody platform with superior T-cell killing compared to 1+1 asymmetric TCBs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3629. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3629

In the present study, we have developed a novel one-arm single chain Fab heterodimeric bispecific IgG (OAscFab-IgG) antibody format targeting the insulin-like growth factor receptor type I (IGF-1R) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with one binding site for each target antigen. The bispecific antibody XGFR is based on the "knob-into-hole" technology for heavy chain heterodimerization with one heavy chain consisting of a single chain Fab to prevent wrong pairing of light chains. XGFR was produced with high expression yields and showed simultaneous binding to IGF-1R and EGFR with high affinity. Due to monovalent binding of XGFR to IGF-1R, IGF-1R internalization was strongly reduced compared with the bivalent parental antibody, leading to enhanced Fc-mediated cellular cytotoxicity. To further increase immune effector functions triggered by XGFR, the Fc portion of the bispecific antibody was glycoengineered, which resulted in strong antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity activity. XGFR-mediated inhibition of IGF-1R and EGFR phosphorylation as well as A549 tumor cell proliferation was highly effective and was comparable with a combined treatment with EGFR (GA201) and IGF-1R (R1507) antibodies. XGFR also demonstrated potent anti-tumor efficacy in multiple mouse xenograft tumor models with a complete growth inhibition of AsPC1 human pancreatic tumors and improved survival of SCID beige mice carrying A549 human lung tumors compared with treatment with antibodies targeting either IGF-1R or EGFR. In summary, we have applied rational antibody engineering technology to develop a heterodimeric OAscFab-IgG bispecific antibody, which combines potent signaling inhibition with antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity induction and results in superior molecular properties over two established tetravalent bispecific formats.

We present an update on the pTRIDENT multicistronic mammalian expression vectors and their implications in various metabolic engineering and therapeutic applications. The pTRIDENT vector family has been expanded by construction of a new set of pTRIDENT-based vectors containing constitutive promoters of human origin (ubiquitin C and EF-1alpha promoters) and selectable markers (zeocin resistance) and expressing different reporter genes (secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and the secreted single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (low-M(r) u-PA)). In addition, we have constructed pTRIDENT derivatives with novel streptogramin-repressible and streptogramin-inducible promoters for simultaneous and adjustable expression of three different transgenes. Streptogramin-inducible and tetracycline-repressible pTRIDENT derivatives were used to simultaneously control expression of three fluorescent proteins in mammalian cells: the enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), the recently isolated red fluorescent protein (RFP, also designated dsRed), and the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Owing to their modular structure, the pTRIDENT vector family represents a construction kit for the design of novel multicistronic expression constructs.

CD20 is an important target for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma as well as autoimmune disorders. B-cell depletion therapy using monoclonal antibodies against CD20, such as rituximab, has revolutionized the treatment of these disorders, greatly improving overall survival in patients. Here, we report the development of GA101 as the first Fc-engineered, type II humanized IgG1 antibody against CD20. Relative to rituximab, GA101 has increased direct and immune effector cell-mediated cytotoxicity and exhibits superior activity in cellular assays and whole blood B-cell depletion assays. In human lymphoma xenograft models, GA101 exhibits superior antitumor activity, resulting in the induction of complete tumor remission and increased overall survival. In nonhuman primates, GA101 demonstrates superior B cell–depleting activity in lymphoid tissue, including in lymph nodes and spleen. Taken together, these results provide compelling evidence for the development of GA101 as a promising new therapy for the treatment of B-cell disorders.

Background & Aim: T-cell bispecific antibodies (TCBs) binding to a target on tumor cells and CD3 on T cells induce potent T-cell mediated killing of cells carrying the target. In contrast to targets like e.g. CD38 or CD138, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is suggested to be only expressed on plasma cells (PCs) and multiple myeloma (MM) PCs. Therefore, a BCMA-TCB should specifically act on these cell types. We report on a new class of BCMA-TCBs designed for effective and convenient therapy of MM. Molecular structure & its rationale (fig. 1A): The new class of BCMA-TCBs are asymmetric two-arm IgG-based human antibodies, bivalent to BCMA, monovalent to CD3 and comprising an engineered Fc. To achieve tumor specificity of the BCMA-TCBs and avoid unspecific T-cell activation, monovalent binding to CD3 was fixed at an affinity of KD= 70 nM, whereas various BCMA-TCBs with binding affinities to BCMA ranging from KD= 50 pM to 10 nM have been investigated (measurement of binding affinities by surface plasmon resonance and flow cytometry (FC)). For long elimination half-life, an Fc was introduced to enable once a week intravenous or subcutaneous administration. Fc is engineered to abolish binding to FcgR and C1q to minimize risk of infusion reactions without interfering with FcRn binding. The BCMA-TCBs can be well-manufactured and have no tendency to aggregation. In vitro profile: Potency of BCMA-TCBs to activate T cells and to induce killing of human MM cell lines was measured in a 24h co-culture assay with human PBMCs and MM cells in a ratio of 10:1. Results: (i) NCI-H929 cells expressing on cell surface up to 100 times more BCMA than primary patient MM cells were killed in presence of BCMA-TCBs with EC50 ranging from 5 to 50 pM, but not in presence of a control-TCB binding to CD3 only. (ii) As next, RPMI-8226 cells were used as target cells because surface BCMA expression was found to be only slightly higher than on primary patient MM cells (specific antigen binding capacity SABC as measured by FC between 1165 and 5461 per RPMI-8226 cell compared to 116 to 4479 per primary patient MM cell). Effective killing of RPMI-8226 MM cells was observed; the killing potency was higher respectively EC50 lower with the BCMA-TCBs having binding affinities below 1 nM (fig. 1B; EC50 from 50 pM to 1000 pM). (iii) Killing of U266 and L363 human MM cell lines was also observed with BCMA-TCBs. (iv) T-cell activation and increased T-cell function go in parallel with lysis of MM target cells as observed by an upregulation of CD69 and CD25 expression, release of granzyme B (>20 ng/mL at 3 nM vs. 20 pg/mL for control) and proinflammatory cytokines e.g. IFN-g, TNF-a, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10. (v) At 120h incubation, BCMA-TCBs induced concentration dependant CD4 and CD8 T-cell proliferation as observed by CFSE dilution. A small exploratory study in whole bone marrow (BM) aspirates from MM patients (n=3) suggested a concentration dependent killing of MM PCs induced by BCMA-TCBs in presence of autologous T cells, thus justifying for a much larger trial to investigate one of the BCMA-TCB of this new class to induce killing and T-cell activation/function in MM patient BM aspirates performed by two clinical groups (Abstract also submitted to ASH). In vivo profile: New BCMA-TCBs bind to BCMA as well as CD3 of cynomolgus monkeys (cyno). Single dose pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of a BCMA-TCB was studied in cyno at 0.003, 0.03, 0.3 mg/kg intravenously. Dose linear PK was observed. Mean serum concentrations in the first 7 days after 0.03 mg/kg were ≈1 to 2 nM, BM aspirates collected at 96h showed also concentrations of ≈1 to 2 nM. Elimination between 24 h and 504 h was found to be first order with a half-life of approximately 6 to 8 days. These data suggest a convenient clinical dosing schedule, e.g. once a week. Peripheral blood T-cell redistribution was observed 24h after dosing. Reduction of PCs could be observed by FC while total B cells and other cell types were unaffected. Summary: Effective and specific killing of MM cells was demonstrated with the BCMA-TCBs. Killing goes in parallel with T-cell activation and increased function. TCB with binding affinity to BCMA below 1 nM have higher potency/lower EC50 than those with affinity above 1 nM. TCBs could be produced with high purity and were stable with no tendency to aggregation. In cynomolgus monkeys, a PK profile has been found, suitable for once a week administration. This new class of BCMA-TCB has promises for clinical development. Disclosures Vu: EngMab AG: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moser:Roche: Employment. Delon:Roche: Employment. Latzko:Roche: Employment. Gianotti:Roche: Employment. Lüoend:Roche: Employment. Friang:Roche: Employment. Murr:Roche: Employment. Duerner:Roche: Employment. Weinzierl:Roche: Employment. Fauti:Roche: Employment. Bacac:Roche: Employment. Ast:Roche: Employment. Freimoser-Grundschober:Roche: Employment. Rodriguez Diaz:Roche: Employment. Zielonka:Roche: Employment. van Puijenbroek:Roche: Employment. Hosse:Roche: Employment. Bruenker:Roche: Employment. Mössner:Roche: Employment. Klein:Roche: Employment. Umaña:Roche: Employment. Strein:EngMab AG: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BB Biotech AG: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novimmune SA: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

IL-2 therapy can lead to durable responses in cancer patients, but is associated with significant toxicity. None of the described IL-2-based immunocytokines has progressed beyond Phase II trials due to various constraints in their design: 1) pM affinity for IL-2Rαβγ on immune cells and pulmonary vascular endothelium compromising tumor targeting due to the fusion of two wildtype IL-2 moieties to the antibody, together with FcγR binding on the same cells; 2) Rapid systemic clearance and short half-life due to high affinity IL-2Rαβγ binding; 3) Preferential activation of Tregs over immune effectors by wt IL-2. Here, we describe a novel monomeric tumor-targeted immunocytokine where a single, engineered IL-2 variant (IL-2v) with abolished IL-2Rα (CD25) binding is fused to the C-terminus of an antibody with a heterodimeric Fc-part. FcγR and C1q binding is completely abolished by a novel Fc mutation. For targeting, human(-ized) high affinity antibodies against CEA (GA504, CEA-IL2v) or FAP (GA501, FAP-IL2v) were selected. CEA- and FAP-IL2v were recombinantly produced and induction of P-STAT5, proliferation, activation induced cell death (AICD), activation markers and cytokines were determined on effector cells. Safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), tumor targeting, pharmacodynamics and anti-tumor efficacy were analyzed in SCID and immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice. FAP- and CEA-IL-2v completely lack binding to CD25, but retain IL-Rβγ binding. They do not bind to CD25 or preferentially activate Tregs, and induce lower degree of AICD. However, IL-2Rβγ bioactivity is retained and they activate NK, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as shown by induction of activation markers and proliferation. In particular, CEA- and FAP-IL2v expand and activate NK cells and skew the CD4:CD8 ratio towards CD8+ T cells in vivo. In C57Bl/6 mice, CEA- and FAP-IL2v demonstrate improved safety despite of higher exposure and circulatory half-life than the corresponding wt IL-2 immunocytokine. MicroSPECT/CT imaging revealed FAP-mediated tumor targeting of FAP-IL2v with low normal tissue uptake with FAP-IL2v tumor targeting being similar to the parental FAP antibody with low accumulation in lymphoid tissues and clearly superior to an FAP-targeted wt IL-2 immunocytokine that shows preferential spleen targeting. Studies in tumor-bearing mice showed dose dependent anti-tumor efficacy of CEA- and FAP-IL2v in established xenograft and syngeneic mouse models. Thus, CEA- and FAP-IL2v demonstrate superior safety, PK and tumor targeting, while lacking preferential induction of Tregs due to abolished CD25 and FcγR binding, monovalency and high-affinity tumor-targeting as compared to classical immunocytokines. They retain capacity to activate NK and T-effector cells through IL-2Rβγ; in particular once targeted to the tumor microenvironment. These data support their investigation for the immunotherapy of CEA/FAP-positive tumors. Citation Format: Christian Klein, Inja Waldhauer, Valeria Nicolini, Claire Dunn, Anne Freimoser-Grundschober, Sylvia Herter, Edwin Geven, Otto Boerman, Tapan Nayak, Erwin van Puijenbroek, David Wittig, Samuel Moser, Oliver Ast, Peter Bruenker, Ralf Hosse, Sabine Lang, Sebastian Neumann, Hubert Kettenberger, Adelbert Grossmann, Ingo Gorr, Stefan Evers, Pavel Pisa, Jennifer Fretland, Victor Levitsky, Christian Gerdes, Marina Bacac, Ekkehard Moessner, Pablo Umaña. Tumor-targeted, engineered IL-2 variant (IL-2v)-based immunocytokines for the immunotherapy of cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 486. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-486

MCSP/CSPG4 is a large transmembrane proteoglycan identified in melanomas as HMW-MAA. In the mouse it is known as neurite growth factor 2 (NG2), a marker of pericyte recruitment. MCSP has been used as a target for clinical imaging of (uveal) melanomas by immunoscintigraphy. MCSP shows uniform and abundant expression in ca. 60-80% of melanoma, and was described in lobular breast carcinoma, glioblastoma, osteo- & chondrosarcoma, and basal cell carcinoma. It is present at high levels on pericytes of tumor neovasculature, but down-regulated as vessels mature. Normal tissue expression is low and it is not detected on PBMCs. We have generated human/Cynomolgus cross-reactive antibodies against a membrane-proximal MCSP epitope by mouse immunization with a linear peptide derived from the membrane proximal D3 domain followed by boosting with melanoma cells. The mouse antibody LC007 was selected for humanization due to its potent induction of ADCC as a chimeric antibody, compared to antibodies to membrane distal epitopes of MCSP. LC007 as chimeric IgG1 and its humanized IgG1 derivative M4-3-ML2 are characterized by the following properties: i) Specific binding to the native epitope on MCSP+ melanoma cells, but no induction of internalization; ii) Specific IHC staining of MCSP+ cells in FFPET samples; iii) ca 10 nM monovalent affinity for hMCSP D3 domain. Moreover, glycoengineering of LC007 and M4-3-ML2 antibodies using GlycoMab technology resulted in increased binding affinity for hFcgRIIIa and enhanced ADCC potency and absolute killing of melanoma cell lines. As expected, neither up to 10 ug/mL wildtype, nor glycoengineered M4-3-ML2 induced relevant cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ) release in human whole blood supporting that MCSP is not expressed there. Subsequently, we studied anti-tumoral efficacy of the chimeric antibody LC007 and the humanized antibody M4-3-ML2 in disseminated models of MV3 and MDA-MB435 melanoma after i.v. injection of tumor cells in hCD16 transgenic Scid mice, which express the functional human high affinity FcgRIIIa receptor on NK cells. Both, glycoengineered LC007 and M4-3-ML2 mediated efficacy in terms of enhanced median and overall survival in both disseminated xenograft models, and were superior to the respective non-glycoengineered antibodies. Taken together, our studies support MCSP/CSPG4 as an attractive target for antibody-based cancer immunotherapy. Further studies investigating the anti-angiogenic effect of MCSP antibodies via their action on pericytes/vascular smooth muscle cells are ongoing. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-236. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-236

GA101 is a novel monoclonal antibody of IgG1 type which binds with high affinity and selectivity to the extracellular domain of the human CD20 antigen on B cells. In contrast to rituximab which is a chimeric antibody and recognizes a type I epitope, GA101 is humanized and recognizes a type II epitope which is also localized in the extracellular loop of CD20. The recognition of the type II epitope together with a modification of the elbow hinge region results in enhanced direct non-caspase dependent cell death induction, and concomitant reduction in CDC upon binding to CD20. In addition, using GlycoMab technology, the Fc-region of GA101 was glycoengineered to contain bisected, afucosylated carbohydrates. As a result GA101 has increased affinity for the low and high affinity FcγRIIIa receptor expressed on natural killer cells, macrophages and monocytes. Consequently, GA101 mediated a 5–50 fold enhanced induction of effector cell mediated ADCC. In B-cell depletion assays with whole blood from healthy donors, an assay combining all mechanisms of action, GA101 was significantly more potent and efficacious in depleting B cells than rituximab. In preclinical NHL testing these properties translated into superior anti-tumoral efficacy of GA101 in direct comparison to rituximab against a number of aggressive NHL xenograft models. In cynomolgus monkeys the induction of B cell depletion mediated by GA101 and subsequent B cell recovery were investigated. GA101 induced complete, rapid and long-lasting B cell depletion both in peripheral blood and in lymphoid tissue e.g. spleen and lymph nodes. The efficacy of GA101 (10 and 30 mg/kg) at depleting B cells in different lymphoid tissues of cynomolgus monkeys was compared with that of rituximab (10 mg/kg) following 2 i.v. doses administered on days 0 and 7. Notably, GA101 showed statistically superior depletion of total B cells from lymph nodes compared to Rituximab from day 9 to 35 onwards with B cell numbers decreased by over 95%. These results demonstrated that GA101 was more efficacious at depleting B cells from lymph nodes and spleen of cynomolgus monkeys compared to rituximab. Compared to existing antibodies, GA101 constitutes the first type II CD20 antibody engineered for increased ADCC with significantly enhanced efficacy in a variety of preclinical models. Based on these data it is assumed that the combination of the recognition of a type II epitope together with improved ADCC potency might translate into superior efficacy in the clinical treatment of CD20 positive malignant diseases.

Background: Treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with antibodies targeting CD20 in conjunction with combination chemotherapy is standard clinical practice. Two different types of CD20 MAb differing significantly in their mode of CD20 binding and biological activities have been identified (Cragg and Glennie. Blood103: 2738–2743, 2004): type I antibodies, as rituximab, are potent in complement mediated cytotoxicity, whereas type II antibodies, as tositumomab, effectively initiate target cell death via caspase-independent apoptosis with concomitant phosphatidylserine exposure. GA101 is a humanized and optimized, third generation, type II CD20 IgG1 antibody that exhibits enhanced ADCC and superior caspase-independent apotosis induction in comparison with currently available CD20 MAbs. Material and Methods: GA101 was humanized by grafting CDR sequences from the murine monoclonal antibody B-ly1 on framework regions with fully human IgG1-kappa germline sequences. During humanization different elbow hinge sequences in the variable region were studied for their capability to induce apoptosis. Furthermore, the Fc region-carbohydrates were glycoengineered using GlycoMAb™ technology leading to bisected, afucosylated Fc region-carbohydrates. Results: The humanized GA101 antibody bound CD20 as type II antibody with nanomolar affinity. Its glycoengineered Fc region bound with 50-fold higher affinity to human FcgammaRIII receptors compared to a standard, non-glycoengineered antibody. Increased FcgammaRIII binding led to a 10–100-fold increase in ADCC against CD20-expressing NHL cell lines. Modification of elbow hinge sequences within the antibody variable framework regions resulted in a strong apoptosis-inducing activity of GA101 upon CD20 binding on target cells. Direct comparison to other CD20 antibodies GA101 showed enhanced apoptosis induction in both a panel of NHL cell lines and ex vivo in samples from patients with a variety of B-cell malignancies. Furthermore, in B-cell depletion assays with whole blood from healthy donors and B-cell leukemic patients, an assay combining ADCC-, CDC- and apoptosis-mediated mechanisms of action, GA101 was significantly more potent and efficacious than other CD20 antibodies, including rituximab and Fc-variants of rituximab that have increased ADCC. Finally, the in vitro superiority of GA101 also translated into superior efficacy in vivo. In NHL xenograft models of different histological origin, including aggressive DLBCL and MCL, treatment with GA101 results in complete tumor remission and long-term survival (cure) compared to tumor stasis, at best, for rituximab. Conclusion: Compared to existing CD20 antibodies GA101 represents a novel, third generation antibody with significantly enhanced efficacy in a variety of in vitro and in vivo preclinical models. GA101 constitutes the first type II CD20 antibody successfully engineered for increased ADCC. Based on these data, GA101 is a promising therapeutic antibody candidate for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.

The CD52 MAb alemtuzumab (Campath) has been licensed for Fludarabine-refractory CLL. Like most commercial therapeutic MAbs, it is produced in mammalian cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary cells) and contains fucosylated carbohydrates attached to the Fc region. In contrast, a fraction of natural human serum IgG lacks fucose on their Fc-oligosaccharides and such antibodies bind with higher affinity to the FcgRIII receptors of immune effector cells. We have produced glycoengineered versions of alemtuzumab with high levels of non-fucosylated Fc oligosaccharides, increased binding affinity to FcgRIII and increased target-cell killing potency via ADCC. Glycoengineering was achieved by stable over-expression of genes encoding carbohydrate-modifying enzymes in an industrial-grade CHO cell line. Two glycovariants were produced: CAMGlyco1, enriched in non-fucosylated, hybrid-type Fc carbohydrates and CAMGlyco2, carrying non-fucosylated oligosaccharides both of hybrid- and complex-type (in approximately equal proportions). Both glycovariants had a proportion of non-fucosylated oligosaccharides leading to markedly enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in comparison with regular alemtuzumab. CAMGlyco1 mediated lower complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) than CAMGlyco2. The activity of the two glycoforms was assessed in cynomolgus monkeys. The pharmacokinetics of both glycoforms were not significantly different from wild-type alemtuzumab. There was no increased cytokine release with either of the glycoforms. Both CAMGlyco1 and CAMGlyco2 appeared to deplete lymphocytes from both blood and lymph node better than wild-type alemtuzumab. Mean lymphocyte loss from peripheral blood following low dose treatment was 33.7%, 55.9% and 55.0% for alemtuzumab, CAMGlycol1 and CAMGlyco2, respectively (p