Herbert Lamche

Effective Immunoconjugate Therapy in Cancer Models Targeting a Serine Protease of Tumor Fibroblasts

Purpose: Invasion and metastasis of malignant epithelial cells into normal tissues is accompanied by adaptive changes in the mesenchyme-derived supporting stroma of the target organs. Altered gene expression in these nontransformed stromal cells provides potential targets for therapy. The present study was undertaken to determine the antitumor effects of an antibody-conjugate against fibroblast activation protein-α, a cell surface protease of activated tumor fibroblasts. Experimental Design: A novel antibody-maytansinoid conjugate, monoclonal antibody (mAb) FAP5-DM1, was developed to target a shared epitope of human, mouse, and cynomolgus monkey fibroblast activation protein-α, enabling preclinical efficacy and tolerability assessments. We have used stroma-rich models in immunodeficient mice, which recapitulate the histotypic arrangement found in human epithelial cancers. Results: Treatment with mAb FAP5-DM1 induced long-lasting inhibition of tumor growth and complete regressions in xenograft models of lung, pancreas, and head and neck cancers with no signs of intolerability. Analysis of chemically distinct conjugates, resistance models, and biomarkers implicates a unique mode of action, with mitotic arrest and apoptosis of malignant epithelial cells coupled to disruption of fibroblastic and vascular structures. Conclusions: We show that mAb FAP5-DM1 combines excellent efficacy and tolerability and provides a first assessment of the mode of action of a novel drug candidate for tumor stroma targeting, thus encouraging further development toward clinical testing of this treatment paradigm.

A novel Fc-engineered monoclonal antibody to CD37 with enhanced ADCC and high proapoptotic activity for treatment of B-cell malignancies

The tetraspanin CD37 is widely expressed in B-cell malignancies and represents an attractive target for immunotherapy with mAbs. We have chimerized a high-affinity mouse Ab to CD37 and engineered the CH2 domain for improved binding to human Fcγ receptors. The resulting mAb 37.1 showed high intrinsic proapoptotic activity on malignant B cells accompanied by homotypic aggregation. Furthermore, the Ab-mediated high Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) on lymphoma and primary CLL cells. mAb 37.1 strongly depleted normal B cells as well as spiked B-lymphoma cells in blood samples from healthy donors as well as malignant B cells in blood from CLL patients. In all assays, mAb 37.1 was superior to rituximab in terms of potency and maximal cell lysis. A single dose of mAb CD37.1 administered to human CD37-transgenic mice resulted in a reversible, dose-dependent reduction of peripheral B cells. In a Ramos mouse model of human B-cell lymphoma, administration of mAb 37.1 strongly suppressed tumor growth. Finally, a surrogate Fc-engineered Ab to macaque CD37, with in vitro proapoptotic and ADCC activities very similar to those of mAb 37.1, induced dose-dependent, reversible B-cell depletion in cynomolgus monkeys. In conclusion, the remarkable preclinical pharmacodynamic and antitumor effects of mAb 37.1 warrant clinical development for B-cell malignancies.

Pharmacodynamic and Antineoplastic Activity of BI 836845, a Fully Human IGF Ligand-Neutralizing Antibody, and Mechanistic Rationale for Combination with Rapamycin

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is thought to play a role in the development and progression of multiple cancer types. To date, therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting IGF signaling have largely focused on antibodies that target the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR). Here, we describe the pharmacologic profile of BI 836845, a fully human monoclonal antibody that utilizes an alternative approach to IGF signaling inhibition by selectively neutralizing the bioactivity of IGF ligands. Biochemical analyses of BI 836845 demonstrated high affinity to human IGF-I and IGF-II, resulting in effective inhibition of IGF-induced activation of both IGF-IR and IR-A in vitro. Cross-reactivity to rodent IGFs has enabled rigorous assessment of the pharmacologic activity of BI 836845 in preclinical models. Pharmacodynamic studies in rats showed potent reduction of serum IGF bioactivity in the absence of metabolic adverse effects, leading to growth inhibition as evidenced by reduced body weight gain and tail length. Moreover, BI 836845 reduced the proliferation of human cell lines derived from different cancer types and enhanced the antitumor efficacy of rapamycin by blocking a rapamycin-induced increase in upstream signaling in vitro as well as in human tumor xenograft models in nude mice. Our data suggest that BI 836845 represents a potentially more effective and tolerable approach to the inhibition of IGF signaling compared with agents that target the IGF-I receptor directly, with potential for rational combinations with other targeted agents in clinical studies. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(2); 399–409. ©2013 AACR.

Abstract A208: Pharmacodynamic properties and antitumor efficacy of BI 836845, a fully human IGF ligand neutralizing antibody.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is thought to play an important role in the development of tumors and resistance to existing cancer therapies. The proliferative and pro-survival signals driven by the IGF ligands, IGF-1 and IGF-2, are transmitted through their binding to the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). In addition, IGF-2 activates the insulin receptor variant A (IR-A) that is expressed during embryonic development as well as in many cancers. To target IGF signaling for cancer therapy we have developed BI 836845, a fully human IgG1 antibody derived from an antibody phage display library that can bind to and neutralize the functions of both IGF-1 and IGF-2. Surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis demonstrated that BI 836845 has an affinity (K D ) of 0.07 nM and 0.8 nM for human IGF-1 and IGF-2, respectively. BI 836845 also shows comparable affinities to mouse as well as rat IGF-1 and IGF-2, allowing a comprehensive pre-clinical characterization of the pharmacodynamic properties of the antibody in these species. Cell-based ELISA assays were used to demonstrate that BI 836845 potently neutralizes the ability of IGF-1 and IGF-2 to phosphorylate the human IGF-1R. Similarly, BI 836845 inhibits phosphorylation of IR-A driven by IGF-2. BI 836845 was also shown to completely and potently inhibit IGF bioactivity in human serum samples ex vivo. Pharmacodynamic effects of BI 836845 were studied in growing rats treated intravenously once weekly with 20, 60, or 200 mg/kg antibody. Inhibition of IGF bioactivity as determined by ex vivo IGF-1R phosphorylation potential in the plasma was observed at all dose levels, despite a corresponding increase in total IGF-1 levels. An increase in total IGF-1 levels has also been seen with IGF-1R targeted antibodies in clinical studies and is thought to be due to blockade of a growth hormone mediated physiological feedback mechanism. Treatment with BI 836845 resulted in a marked dose dependent reduction of rat body weight gain at all dose levels, consistent with the known role for IGFs in normal growth and development. BI 836845 potently inhibits the in vitro proliferation of cell lines derived from various cancers, with mesenchymal-derived cancer cell lines being particularly sensitive (EC 50 values in the low nanomolar range). In a model of Ewing s sarcoma, using immunodeficient nude mice subcutaneously transplanted with human RD-ES cells, twice-weekly treatment with BI 836845 resulted in partial inhibition of tumor growth. Treatment in combination with rapamycin resulted in improved efficacy at tolerated doses. In conclusion, BI 836845 is a potent IGF ligand neutralizing antibody whose pharmacological profile warrants further investigation in clinical studies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A208.