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Background Cancer is a complex disease with profound genomic alterations and extensive heterogeneity. Recent studies on large-scale genomics have shed light on the impact of core oncogenic pathways, which are frequently dysregulated in a wide spectrum of cancer types. Aberrant activation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling axis has been associated with promoting various oncogenic programs during tumor initiation, progression, and treatment resistance. As a result, HGF-targeted therapy has emerged as an attractive therapeutic approach. However, recent clinical trials involving HGF-targeted therapies have demonstrated rather disappointing results. Thus, an alternative, in-depth assessment of new patient stratification is necessary to shift the current clinical course. Methods To address such challenges, we have evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of YYB-101, an HGF-neutralizing antibody, in a series of primary glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we performed genome and transcriptome analysis to determine genetic and molecular traits that exhibit therapeutic susceptibility to HGF-mediated therapy. Results We have identified several differentially expressed genes, including MET, KDR, and SOX3, which are associated with tumor invasiveness, malignancy, and unfavorable prognosis in glioblastoma patients. We also demonstrated the HGF-MET signaling axis as a key molecular determinant in GSC invasion, and we discovered that a significant association in HGF expression existed between mesenchymal phenotype and immune cell recruitment. Conclusions Upregulation of MET and mesenchymal cellular state are essential in generating HGF-mediated therapeutic responses. Our results provide an important framework for evaluating HGF-targeted therapy in future clinical settings.

Current chemotherapy regimens have certain limitations in improving the survival rates of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is important in ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion. This study assessed the effects of YYB-101, a humanized monoclonal anti-HGF antibody, on the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells. YYB-101 suppressed the phosphorylation of the HGF receptor c-MET and inhibited the migration and invasion of SKOV3 and A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, the combination of YYB-101 and paclitaxel synergistically inhibited tumor growth in an in vivo ovarian cancer mouse xenograft model and significantly increased the overall survival (OS) rate compared with either paclitaxel or YYB-101 alone. Taken together, these findings suggest that YYB-101 has therapeutic potential in ovarian cancer when combined with conventional chemotherapy agents.

Background: YYB101, a humanized monoclonal antibody against hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), has shown safety and efficacy in vitro and in vivo. This is a first-in-human trial of this antibody. Materials and Methods: YYB101 was administered intravenously to refractory cancer patients once every 4 weeks for 1 month, and then once every 2 weeks until disease progression or intolerable toxicity, at doses of 0.3, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg, according to a 3+3 dose escalation design. Maximum tolerated dose, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics were studied. HGF, MET, PD-L1, and ERK expression was evaluated for 9 of 17 patients of the expansion cohort (20 mg/kg). Results: In 39 patients enrolled, no dose-limiting toxicity was observed at 0.3 mg/kg, and the most commonly detected toxicity was generalized edema ( n = 7, 18.9%) followed by pruritis and nausea ( n = 5, 13.5%, each), fatigue, anemia, and decreased appetite ( n = 4, 10.8%, each). No patient discontinued treatment because of adverse events. YYB101 showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics up to 30 mg/kg. Partial response in 1 (2.5%) and stable disease in 17 (43.5%) were observed. HGF, MET, PD-L1, and ERK proteins were not significant predictors for treatment response. However, serum HGF level was significantly lowered in responders upon drug administration. RNA sequencing revealed a mesenchymal signature in two long-term responders. Conclusion: YYB101 showed favorable safety and efficacy in patients with refractory solid tumors. Based on this phase I trial, a phase II study on the YYB101 + irinotecan combination in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients is planned. Conclusion: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02499224

3104 Background: It has been demonstrated in vivo that HGF-MET signaling axis is a key molecular determinant in tumor invasion and there is a significant association in HGF expression and mesenchymal phenotype in addition to immune cell recruitment. We have developed a HGF neutralizing humanized monoclonal antibody antibody, YYB-101. The aim of this study was to determine the maximum tolerate dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of YYB101, in patients with refractory solid tumors. Methods: YYB101 was administered intravenously at once every 2 weeks doses of 0.3, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg, according to a 3+3 dose escalation design. Enrolled patients were planned to receive YYB101 until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The escalation and expansion cohorts (20mg/kg) were completed. Pre-planned biomarker analysis was performed in parallel. Results: 39 heavily pre-treated refractory cancer patients were enrolled and received YYB101. No DLT was observed. YYB101 demonstrated dose proportional PK up to the dose of 30 mg/kg. No patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events. Based on PK analysis and toxicity data, the recommended dose was determined as 20 mg/kg. Of 39 evaluation patients, there was 1 confirmed partial response for > +14months (2.5%, N = 1; 1 (of 2) sebaceous carcinoma) and 17 stable disease as best response (43.5%, N = 17; 7 (of 13) CRC, 3 (of 4) melanoma, 1 (of 2) sebaceous carcinoma, 1 (of 3) gastric, 1 (of 1) basal cell carcinoma, 2 (of 10) ovarian cancer, 1 (of 1) HCC, 1 (of 1) lung cancer). Of note, 1 sebaceous carcinoma patient who have failed to ≥2+ lines of chemotherapy, have been responding to YYB for 14 months. The MET and HGF expressions by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were evaluated in 19 and 17 tumor specimens, respectively. Neither protein expressions were significant predictors for treatment response to anti-HGF antibody. However, we have observed significant reduction in HGF in responders to YYB. Two long-term responders had mesenchymal signature in RNA sequencing. Conclusions: YYB101 has a favorable safety profile in patients with refractory solid tumors and a dose-proportional PK. Efficacy data are encouraging and phase II combination therapy with YYB101 is planned to be open in metastatic CRC patients as salvage treatment. The predictive power of mesenchymal signature in YYB responders will be defined prospectively. Clinical trial information: 02499224.

Anti-hepatocyte growth factor (anti-HGF) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are potential therapeutics against various cancers. Screening for high-producer clones is a time-consuming and complex process and is a major hurdle in the development of therapeutic mAbs. Here, we describe an efficient approach that allows the selection of high-producer Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines producing the novel anti-HGF mAb SFN68, which was generated previously by immunizing HGF bound to its receptor c-Met. We selected an SFN68-producing parental cell line via transfection of the dihydrofolate reductase-deficient CHO cell line DG44, which was preadapted to serum-free suspension culture, with an SFN68-expression vector. Subsequent gene amplification via multiple passages of the parental cell line in a methotrexate-containing medium over 4 weeks, followed by clonal isolation, enabled us to isolate two cell lines, 2F7 and 2H4, with 3-fold higher specific productivity. We also screened 72 different media formulated with diverse feed and basal media to develop a suboptimized medium. In the established suboptimized medium, the highest anti-HGF mAb yields of the 2F7 and 2H4 clones were 842 and 861 mg/l, respectively, which were about 10.5-fold higher than that of the parental cell line in a non-optimized basal medium. The selected CHO cell lines secreting high titers of SFN68 would be useful for the production of sufficient amounts of antibodies for efficacy evaluation in preclinical and early clinical studies.

e14501Background: The aim of this study was to determine the maximum tolerate dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of YYB101, a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) neutra...

The growth factors derived from the microenvironment create an environment conducive to tumor growth and survival. HGF deprivation using neutralizing antibody enhanced chemosensitivity in colorectal cancer cells (CRC). We determined secreted HGF in fibroblast conditioned medium (CM). Combination treatment of anti-HGF antibody and irinotecan (CPT-11) directly enhanced CPT-11 sensitivity in CRC. We generated xenograft in NOD/SCID mice inoculating HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells subcutaneously with or without fibroblast. We found that the combination of CPT-11 and anti-HGF antibody induced marked suppression of tumor development. These results suggest that HGF produced by fibroblast induce CPT-11 resistance, and that anti-HGF antibody abrogate such resistance in vivo. fibroblast-derived HGF is important determinant of chemoresistance. Anti-HGF monoclonal antibody treatment confirmed the importance of this growth factor for chemoresistance in CRC. These results present new options toward the early diagnosis of chemoresistance and suggest novel combinations of chemotherapy and anti-HGF agents to prevent or significantly delay the onset of therapy resistance.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, cMET, play critical roles in cell proliferation, angiogenesis and invasion in a wide variety of cancers. We therefore examined the anti-tumor activity of the humanized monoclonal anti-HGF antibody, YYB-101, in nude mice bearing human glioblastoma xenografts as a single agent or in combination with temozolomide. HGF neutralization, The extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, and HGF-induced scattering were assessed in HGF-expressing cell lines treated with YYB-101. To support clinical development, we also evaluated the preclinical pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics in cynomolgus monkeys, and human and cynomolgus monkey tissue was stained with YYB-101 to test tissue cross-reactivity. We found that YYB-101 inhibited cMET activation in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in the orthotopic mouse model of human glioblastoma. Combination treatment with YYB-101 and temozolomide decreased tumor growth and increased overall survival compared with the effects of either agent alone. Five cancer-related genes (TMEM119, FST, RSPO3, ROS1 and NBL1) were overexpressed in YYB-101-treated mice that showed tumor regrowth. In the tissue cross-reactivity assay, critical cross-reactivity was not observed. The terminal elimination half-life was 21.7 days. Taken together, the in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated the anti-tumor efficacy of YYB-101, which appeared to be mediated by blocking the HGF/cMET interaction. The preclinical pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics and tissue cross-reactivity data support the clinical development of YYB-101 for advanced cancer.

The humanized anti-hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) monoclonal antibody (mAb) YYB-101 is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating various cancers. In this study, we developed a bioprocess for large-scale production of YYB-101 and evaluated its therapeutic potential for tumor treatment using a xenograft mouse model. By screening diverse chemically defined basal media formulations and by assessing the effects of various feed supplements and feeding schedules on cell growth and antibody production, we established an optimal medium and feeding method to produce 757 mg/l of YYB-101 in flask cultures, representing a 7.5-fold increase in titer compared with that obtained under non-optimized conditions. The optimal dissolved oxygen concentration for antibody production was 70% pO2. A pH shift from 7.2 to 7.0, rather than controlled pH of either 7.0 or 7.2, resulted in productivity improvement in 5 L and 200 L bioreactors, yielding 737 and 830 mg/ml of YYB-101, respectively. The YYB-101 mAb highly purified by affinity chromatography using a Protein A column and two-step ion exchange chromatography effectively neutralized HGF in a cell-based assay and showed potent tumor suppression activity in a mouse xenograft model established with human glioblastoma cells.