Antibodies to Costimulatory Receptor 4-1BB Enhance Anti-tumor Immunity via T Regulatory Cell Depletion and Promotion of CD8 T Cell Effector Function.

The costimulatory receptor 4-1BB is expressed on activated immune cells, including activated T cells. Antibodies targeting 4-1BB enhance the proliferation and survival of antigen-stimulated T cells in vitro and promote CD8 T cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity in pre-clinical cancer models. We found that T regulatory (Treg) cells infiltrating human or murine tumors expressed high amounts of 4-1BB. Intra-tumoral Treg cells were preferentially depleted by anti-4-1BB mAbs in vivo. Anti-4-1BB mAbs also promoted effector T cell agonism to promote tumor rejection. These distinct mechanisms were competitive and dependent on antibody isotype and FcγR availability. Administration of anti-4-1BB IgG2a, which preferentially depletes Treg cells, followed by either agonistic anti-4-1BB IgG1 or anti-PD-1 mAb augmented anti-tumor responses in multiple solid tumor models. An antibody engineered to optimize both FcγR-dependent Treg cell depleting capacity and FcγR-independent agonism delivered enhanced anti-tumor therapy. These insights into the effector mechanisms of anti-4-1BB mAbs lay the groundwork for translation into the clinic.

Determining the footprint of breeding in the seed microbiome of a perennial cereal.

BACKGROUND: Seed endophytes have a significant impact on plant health and fitness. They can be inherited and passed on to the next plant generation. However, the impact of breeding on their composition in seeds is less understood. Here, we studied the indigenous seed microbiome of a recently domesticated perennial grain crop (Intermediate wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium L.) that promises great potential for harnessing microorganisms to enhance crop performance by a multiphasic approach, including amplicon and strain libraries, as well as molecular and physiological assays. RESULTS: Intermediate wheatgrass seeds harvested from four field sites in Europe over three consecutive years were dominated by Proteobacteria (88%), followed by Firmicutes (10%). Pantoea was the most abundant genus and Pantoea agglomerans was identified as the only core taxon present in all samples. While bacterial diversity and species richness were similar across all accessions, the relative abundance varied especially in terms of low abundant and rare taxa. Seeds from four different breeding cycles (TLI C3, C5, C704, C801) showed significant differences in bacterial community composition and abundance. We found a decrease in the relative abundance of the functional genes nirK and nifH as well as a drop in bacterial diversity and richness. This was associated with a loss of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Bacilli, which could be partially compensated in offspring seeds, which have been cultivated at a new site. Interestingly, only a subset assigned to potentially beneficial bacteria, e.g. Pantoea, Kosakonia, and Pseudomonas, was transmitted to the next plant generation or shared with offspring seeds. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study advances our understanding of the assembly and transmission of endophytic seed microorganisms in perennial intermediate wheatgrass and highlights the importance of considering the plant microbiome in future breeding programs.

Use of Monte Carlo simulations with a realistic rat phantom for examining the correlation between hematopoietic system response and red marrow absorbed dose in Brown Norway rats undergoing radionuclide therapy with (177)Lu- and (90)Y-BR96 mAbs.

PURPOSE: Biokinetic and dosimetry studies in laboratory animals often precede clinical radionuclide therapies in humans. A reliable evaluation of therapeutic efficacy is essential and should be based on accurate dosimetry data from a realistic dosimetry model. The aim of this study was to develop an anatomically realistic dosimetry model for Brown Norway rats to calculate S factors for use in evaluating correlations between absorbed dose and biological effects in a preclinical therapy study. METHODS: A realistic rat phantom (Roby) was used, which has some flexibility that allows for a redefinition of organ sizes. The phantom was modified to represent the anatomic geometry of a Brown Norway rat, which was used for Monte Carlo calculations of S factors. Kinetic data for radiolabeled BR96 monoclonal antibodies were used to calculate the absorbed dose. Biological data were gathered from an activity escalation study with (90)Y- and (177)Lu-labeled BR96 monoclonal antibodies, in which blood cell counts and bodyweight were examined up to 2 months follow-up after injection. Reductions in white blood cell and platelet counts and declines in bodyweight were quantified by four methods and compared to the calculated absorbed dose to the bone marrow or the total body. RESULTS: A red marrow absorbed dose-dependent effect on hematological parameters was observed, which could be evaluated by a decrease in blood cell counts. The absorbed dose to the bone marrow, corresponding to the maximal tolerable activity that could safely be administered, was determined to 8.3 Gy for (177)Lu and 12.5 Gy for (90)Y. CONCLUSIONS: There was a clear correlation between the hematological effects, quantified with some of the studied parameters, and the calculated red marrow absorbed doses. The decline in body weight was stronger correlated to the total body absorbed dose, rather than the red marrow absorbed dose. Finally, when considering a constant activity concentration, the phantom weight, ranging from 225 g to 300 g, appeared to have no substantial effect for the estimated absorbed dose.

Vectorized Treg-depleting αCTLA-4 elicits antigen cross-presentation and CD8+ T cell immunity to reject 'cold' tumors.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a clinically proven concept to treat cancer. Still, a majority of patients with cancer including those with poorly immune infiltrated 'cold' tumors are resistant to currently available ICB therapies. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is one of few clinically validated targets for ICB, but toxicities linked to efficacy in approved αCTLA-4 regimens have restricted their use and precluded full therapeutic dosing. At a mechanistic level, accumulating preclinical and clinical data indicate dual mechanisms for αCTLA-4; ICB and regulatory T cell (Treg) depletion are both thought to contribute efficacy and toxicity in available, systemic, αCTLA-4 regimens. Accordingly, strategies to deliver highly effective, yet safe αCTLA-4 therapies have been lacking. Here we assess and identify spatially restricted exposure to a novel strongly Treg-depleting, checkpoint-blocking, vectorized αCTLA-4, as a highly efficacious and potentially safe strategy to target CTLA-4. METHODS: A novel human IgG1 CTLA-4 antibody (4-E03) was identified using function-first screening for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and targets associated with superior Treg-depleting activity. A tumor-selective oncolytic vaccinia vector was then engineered to encode this novel, strongly Treg-depleting, checkpoint-blocking, αCTLA-4 antibody or a matching surrogate antibody, and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (VVGM-αCTLA-4). RESULTS: The identified 4-E03 antibody showed significantly stronger Treg depletion, but equipotent checkpoint blockade, compared with clinically validated αCTLA-4 ipilimumab against CTLA-4-expressing Treg cells in a humanized mouse model in vivo. Intratumoral administration of VVGM-αCTLA-4 achieved tumor-restricted CTLA-4 receptor saturation and Treg depletion, which elicited antigen cross-presentation and stronger systemic expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and antitumor immunity compared with systemic αCTLA-4 antibody therapy. Efficacy correlated with FcγR-mediated intratumoral Treg depletion. Remarkably, in a clinically relevant mouse model resistant to systemic ICB, intratumoral VVGM-αCTLA-4 synergized with αPD-1 to reject cold tumors. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate in vivo proof of concept for spatial restriction of Treg depletion-optimized immune checkpoint blocking, vectorized αCTLA-4 as a highly effective and safe strategy to target CTLA-4. A clinical trial evaluating intratumoral VVGM-αhCTLA-4 (BT-001) alone and in combination with αPD-1 in metastatic or advanced solid tumors has commenced.

Targeting FcγRIIB by antagonistic antibody BI-1206 improves the efficacy of rituximab-based therapies in aggressive mantle cell lymphoma.

Inevitable relapses remain as the major therapeutic challenge in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) despite FDA approval of multiple targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) play important roles in regulating antibody-mediated immunity. FcγRIIB, the unique immune-checkpoint inhibitory member of the FcγR family, has been implicated in immune cell desensitization and tumor cell resistance to the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab and other antibody-mediated immunotherapies; however, little is known about its expression and its immune-modulatory function in patients with aggressive MCL, especially those with multi-resistance. In this study, we found that FcγRIIB was ubiquitously expressed in both MCL cell lines and primary patient samples. FcγRIIB expression is significantly higher in CAR T-relapsed patient samples (p < 0.0001) compared to ibrutinib/rituximab-naïve, sensitive or resistant samples. Rituximab-induced CD20 internalization in JeKo-1 cells was completely blocked by concurrent treatment with BI-1206, a recombinant human monoclonal antibody targeting FcγRIIB. Combinational therapies with rituximab-ibrutinib, rituximab-venetoclax and rituximab-CHOP also induced CD20 internalization which was again effectively blocked by BI-1206. BI-1206 significantly enhanced the in vivo anti-MCL efficacy of rituximab-ibrutinib (p = 0.05) and rituximab-venetoclax (p = 0.02), but not the rituximab-CHOP combination in JeKo-1 cell line-derived xenograft models. In patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, BI-1206, as a single agent, showed high potency (p < 0.0001, compared to vehicle control) in one aggressive PDX model that is resistant to both ibrutinib and venetoclax but sensitive to the combination of rituximab and lenalidomide (the preclinical mimetic of R2 therapy). BI-1206 sensitized the efficacy of rituximab monotherapy in a PDX model with triple resistance to rituximab, ibrutinib and CAR T-therapies (p = 0.030). Moreover, BI-1206 significantly enhanced the efficacy of the rituximab-venetoclax combination (p < 0.05), which led to long-term tumor remission in 25% of mice. Altogether, these data support that targeting this new immune-checkpoint blockade enhances the therapeutic activity of rituximab-based regimens in aggressive MCL models with multi-resistance.

Soil disturbance alters plant community composition and decreases mycorrhizal carbon allocation in a sandy grassland.

We have studied how disturbance by ploughing and rotavation affects the carbon (C) flow to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in a dry, semi-natural grassland. AM fungal biomass was estimated using the indicator neutral lipid fatty acid (NLFA) 16:1ω5, and saprotrophic fungal biomass using NLFA 18:2ω6,9. We labeled vegetation plots with (13)CO(2) and studied the C flow to the signature fatty acids as well as uptake and allocation in plants. We found that AM fungal biomass in roots and soil decreased with disturbance, while saprotrophic fungal biomass in soil was not influenced by disturbance. Rotavation decreased the (13)C enrichment in NLFA 16:1ω5 in soil, but (13)C enrichment in the AM fungal indicator NLFA 16:1ω5 in roots or soil was not influenced by any other disturbance. In roots, (13)C enrichment was consistently higher in NLFA 16:1ω5 than in crude root material. Grasses (mainly Festuca brevipila) decreased as a result of disturbance, while non-mycorrhizal annual forbs increased. This decreases the potential for mycorrhizal C sequestration and may have been the main reason for the reduced mycorrhizal C allocation found in disturbed plots. Disturbance decreased the soil ammonium content but did not change the pH, nitrate or phosphate availability. The overall effect of disturbance on C allocation was that more of the C in AM fungal mycelium was directed to the external phase. Furthermore, the functional identity of the plants seemed to play a minor role in the C cycle as no differences were seen between different groups, although annuals contained less AM fungi than the other groups.

Domain binding and isotype dictate the activity of anti-human OX40 antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Previous data suggests that anti-OX40 mAb can elicit anti-tumor effects in mice through deletion of Tregs. However, OX40 also has powerful costimulatory effects on T cells which could evoke therapeutic responses. Human trials with anti-OX40 antibodies have shown that these entities are well tolerated but to date have delivered disappointing clinical responses, indicating that the rules for the optimal use of anti-human OX40 (hOX40) antibodies is not yet fully understood. Changes to timing and dosages may lead to improved outcomes; however, here we focus on addressing the role of agonism versus depleting activity in determining therapeutic outcomes. We investigated a novel panel of anti-hOX40 mAb to understand how these reagents and mechanisms may be optimized for therapeutic benefit. METHODS: This study examines the binding activity and in vitro activity of a panel of anti-hOX40 antibodies. They were further evaluated in several in vivo models to address how isotype and epitope determine mechanism of action and efficacy of anti-hOX40 mAb. RESULTS: Binding analysis revealed the antibodies to be high affinity, with epitopes spanning all four cysteine-rich domains of the OX40 extracellular domain. In vivo analysis showed that their activities relate directly to two key properties: (1) isotype-with mIgG1 mAb evoking receptor agonism and CD8+ T-cell expansion and mIgG2a mAb evoking deletion of Treg and (2) epitope-with membrane-proximal mAb delivering more powerful agonism. Intriguingly, both isotypes acted therapeutically in tumor models by engaging these different mechanisms. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the significant impact of isotype and epitope on the modulation of anti-hOX40 mAb therapy, and indicate that CD8+ T-cell expansion or Treg depletion might be preferred according to the composition of different tumors. As many of the current clinical trials using OX40 antibodies are now using combination therapies, this understanding of how to manipulate therapeutic activity will be vital in directing new combinations that are more likely to improve efficacy and clinical outcomes.

Targeting the Antibody Checkpoints to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy-Focus on FcγRIIB.

Immunotherapy with therapeutic antibodies has increased survival for patients with hematologic and solid cancers. Still, a significant fraction of patients fails to respond to therapy or acquire resistance. Understanding and overcoming mechanisms of resistance to antibody drugs, and in particular those common to antibody drugs as a class, is therefore highly warranted and holds promise to improve response rates, duration of response and potentially overall survival. Activating and inhibitory Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) are known to coordinately regulate therapeutic activity of tumor direct-targeting antibodies. Similar, but also divergent, roles for FcγRs in controlling efficacy of immune modulatory antibodies e.g., checkpoint inhibitors have been indicated from mouse studies, and were recently implicated in contributing to efficacy in the human clinical setting. Here we discuss evidence and mechanisms by which Fc gamma receptors-the "antibody checkpoints"-regulate antibody-induced antitumor immunity. We further discuss how targeted blockade of the sole known inhibitory antibody checkpoint FcγRIIB may help overcome resistance and boost activity of clinically validated and emerging antibodies in cancer immunotherapy.

Improved tumor targeting and decreased normal tissue accumulation through extracorporeal affinity adsorption in a two-step pretargeting strategy.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the possibilities of reducing the accumulation of radiolabeled streptavidin in radiosensitive organs by extracorporeal affinity adsorption (ECAT). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Rats were injected with biotinylated antibody and subjected to removal of the antibodies from the circulation by ECAT 24 h after injection (avidin column). Animals were then injected with 111In-1,4,7,10-tetra-azacylododecane N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-streptavidin. In a third step, animals were subjected to a second ECAT 8 h after injection to remove the DOTA-streptavidin from the circulation (biotin column). Biodistribution and tumor targeting of DOTA-streptavidin 24 h after injection was determined. RESULTS: Elimination of biotinylated antibody by ECAT before injection of DOTA-streptavidin increased the tumor targeting by 50%. In addition, the levels of DOTA-streptavidin in liver and lymph nodes were reduced by 60%, which implied a 4.3- and 3.8-fold increase of tumor-to-liver and tumor-to-lymph node ratios, respectively. By doing a second ECAT to remove DOTA-streptavidin from the circulation, accumulation in normal tissues was reduced. However, this latter ECAT also reduced tumor accumulation by 25% (mostly corresponding to radioactivity in the circulation). CONCLUSIONS: ECAT was efficient as a means of removing biotinylated antibodies and would probably also be efficient for the clearance of streptavidin-conjugated antibodies. Conversely, the use of ECAT for removal of radiolabeled streptavidin seems not to offer any advantage.

Fc Effector Function Contributes to the Activity of Human Anti-CTLA-4 Antibodies.

With the use of a mouse model expressing human Fc-gamma receptors (FcγRs), we demonstrated that antibodies with isotypes equivalent to ipilimumab and tremelimumab mediate intra-tumoral regulatory T (Treg) cell depletion in vivo, increasing the CD8+ to Treg cell ratio and promoting tumor rejection. Antibodies with improved FcγR binding profiles drove superior anti-tumor responses and survival. In patients with advanced melanoma, response to ipilimumab was associated with the CD16a-V158F high affinity polymorphism. Such activity only appeared relevant in the context of inflamed tumors, explaining the modest response rates observed in the clinical setting. Our data suggest that the activity of anti-CTLA-4 in inflamed tumors may be improved through enhancement of FcγR binding, whereas poorly infiltrated tumors will likely require combination approaches.

Reduced myelotoxicity with sustained tumor concentration of radioimmunoconjugates in rats after extracorporeal depletion.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of decreasing the myelotoxicity associated with radioimmunotherapy (RIT) by extracorporeal depletion of radioimmunoconjugates (RIC) from the circulation. The optimal combination of radionuclide and the time interval between injection of the RIC and the subsequent extracorporeal depletion procedure was assessed in immunocompetent rats, with respect to both myelotoxicity and tumor concentration of RIC. METHODS: Rats were injected with 177Lu- or 90Y-labeled antibody conjugate (mAb-DOTA-biotin) (mAb is monoclonal antibody; DOTA is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid) and subjected to removal of the conjugate from the circulation by extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment (ECAT) 12, 24, or 48 h after injection. Myelotoxicity was assessed by analysis of blood parameters for 10 wk. The effect of ECAT on the tumor concentration of RIC was evaluated in parallel by scintillation camera imaging in rats injected with 111In-labeled RIC. RESULTS: ECAT reduced the blood content of RIC by 95%. Thus, myelotoxicity was significantly milder in animals subjected to ECAT than that in controls. The timing of ECAT influenced the rate and level of bone marrow recovery, with an earlier recovery in animals subjected to ECAT early after injection. The toxicity-reducing effect of ECAT was more distinct in animals injected with 177Lu-labeled RIC than in animals injected with 90Y-labeled RIC. Scintillation camera imaging of tumors before and after ECAT revealed that subjecting animals to ECAT at 12 h after injection considerably reduced the total activity in tumors (34%), whereas the effect was lower at both 24 h (18%) and 48 h (18%) after injection. CONCLUSION: ECAT can efficiently reduce myelotoxicity associated with RIT, and the concentration of RIC in tumor can be sustained, provided ECAT is performed at an optimal time after antibody administration. The choice of radionuclide for RIT in combination with ECAT is important, as the physical half-life is crucial for the toxicity-reducing potential of ECAT at a specific time.

Water use efficiency and shoot biomass production under water limitation is negatively correlated to the discrimination against 13C in the C3 grasses Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea and Phalaris arundinacea.

Climate change impacts rainfall patterns which may lead to drought stress in rain-fed agricultural systems. Crops with higher drought tolerance are required on marginal land with low precipitation or on soils with low water retention used for biomass production. It is essential to obtain plant breeding tools, which can identify genotypes with improved drought tolerance and water use efficiency (WUE). In C3 plant species, the variation in discrimination against 13C (Δ13C) during photosynthesis has been shown to be a potential indicator for WUE, where discrimination against 13C and WUE were negatively correlated. The aim of this study was to determine the variation in the discrimination against 13C between species and cultivars of three perennial C3 grasses (Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot), Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue) and Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass)) and test the relationships between discrimination against 13C, season-long water use WUEB, shoot and root biomass production in plants grown under well-watered and water-limited conditions. The grasses were grown in the greenhouse and exposed to two irrigation regimes, which corresponded to 25% and 60% water holding capacity, respectively. We found negative relationships between discrimination against 13C and WUEB and between discrimination against 13C and shoot biomass production, under both the well-watered and water-limited growth conditions (p < 0.001). Discrimination against 13C decreased in response to water limitation (p < 0.001). We found interspecific differences in the discrimination against 13C, WUEB, and shoot biomass production, where the cocksfoot cultivars showed lowest and the reed canary grass cultivars highest values of discrimination against 13C. Cocksfoot cultivars also showed highest WUEB, shoot biomass production and potential tolerance to water limitation. We conclude that discrimination against 13C appears to be a useful indicator, when selecting C3 grass crops for biomass production under drought conditions.

Determining maximal tolerable dose of the monoclonal antibody BR96 labeled with 90Y or 177Lu in rats: establishment of a syngeneic tumor model to evaluate means to improve radioimmunotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate therapeutic strategies, it is essential to use biological models reflecting important aspects of the clinical situation. The aim of the present study was to compare the maximal tolerable dose of the monoclonal antibody BR96 labeled with 90Y or 177Lu in immunocompetent rats. Maximal tolerable dose was defined as the highest activity that allows 100% of the animals to survive without clinical signs, such as infections, bleeding, or diarrhea, and with <20% loss in body weight. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Increasing activity levels of BR96 labeled with 90Y or 177Lu were administered to groups of rats. Blood parameters, body weight, and general performance were monitored for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Two days postinjection, all groups had decreased leukocyte counts down to 5% to 15% of initial values. Initiation of recovery (at 14-21 days) showed a dose-response relationship. All groups, except the group given the highest activity of 90Y, had complete resolution in their leukopenia. The decrease in platelets was delayed to days 7 to 14 postinjection with a dose-dependent response regarding both severity of the nadir (10-40% of initial value) and the start of recovery. Animals in the groups given the highest activities of both 90Y and 177Lu exhibited skin infections on day 21. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed good reproducibility and dose-dependent toxicity for both radionuclides, indicating that the maximal tolerable dose for 177Lu-BR96 (1,000 MBq/kg) is 1.7 times that for 90Y-BR96 (600 MBq/kg) in rats. This model makes it feasible to evaluate strategies to escalate therapeutic doses to tumors without increasing normal tissue toxicity.

Blood pharmacokinetics of various monoclonal antibodies labeled with a new trifunctional chelating reagent for simultaneous conjugation with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid and biotin before radiolabeling.

PURPOSE: Knowledge of the blood pharmacokinetics of monoclonal antibodies is crucial in deciding the optimal time for starting the administration of a "clearing agent" or using a "clearing device." The primary purpose was to investigate whether the pharmacokinetics of various antibodies labeled with the same chelator and (111)In differed significantly after i.v. injection in immunocompetent rats. A new trifunctional chelator called "1033" containing a biotin and a radiometal chelation moiety is introduced, making it possible to use only one conjugation procedure for the antibody. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Sixty-five non-tumor-bearing rats were included and divided into four groups (I-IV). The blood pharmacokinetics was investigated for rituximab, BR96, and trastuzumab labeled with 1033 and (111)In (I-III). The whole-body activity and activity uptake in muscle, liver, and kidney, which might explain differences in the early pharmacokinetics in blood, were also measured. hMN14 labeled with another chelator [1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)], but with the same radionuclide ((111)In-biotin-DOTA-hMN14), was studied (IV). The blood pharmacokinetics from another 15 tumor-bearing rats was compared with those of non-tumor-bearing rats (III) by injection of (111)In-1033-BR96. RESULTS: No statistical difference was detected between the groups regarding the blood pharmacokinetics of rituximab, BR96, or trastuzumab. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of (111)In-biotin-DOTA-hMN14 exhibited a clear difference compared with others. There were no significant differences in the blood pharmacokinetics of (111)In-1033-BR96 between tumor-bearing rats and non-tumor-bearing rats. CONCLUSIONS: Different antibodies labeled with the trifunctional chelator 1033 and (111)In did not exhibit different blood pharmacokinetics, which means that the pharmacokinetics could be predicted irrespective of the IgG1 antibody chosen. A small tumor burden did not change the pharmacokinetics of the radioimmunoconjugates.

Antagonistic human FcγRIIB (CD32B) antibodies have anti-tumor activity and overcome resistance to antibody therapy in vivo.

Therapeutic antibodies have transformed cancer therapy, unlocking mechanisms of action by engaging the immune system. Unfortunately, cures rarely occur and patients display intrinsic or acquired resistance. Here, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting human (h) FcγRIIB (CD32B), a receptor implicated in immune cell desensitization and tumor cell resistance. FcγRIIB-blocking antibodies prevented internalization of the CD20-specific antibody rituximab, thereby maximizing cell surface accessibility and immune effector cell mediated antitumor activity. In hFcγRIIB-transgenic (Tg) mice, FcγRIIB-blocking antibodies effectively deleted target cells in combination with rituximab, and other therapeutic antibodies, from resistance-prone stromal compartments. Similar efficacy was seen in primary human tumor xenografts, including with cells from patients with relapsed/refractory disease. These data support the further development of hFcγRIIB antibodies for clinical assessment.

A human ICAM-1 antibody isolated by a function-first approach has potent macrophage-dependent antimyeloma activity in vivo.

We isolated a tumor B-cell-targeting antibody, BI-505, from a highly diversified human phage-antibody library, using a pioneering "function-first" approach involving screening for (1) specificity for a tumor B cell surface receptor, (2) induction of tumor programmed cell death, and (3) enhanced in vivo antitumor activity compared to currently used treatments. BI-505 bound to intercellular adhesion molecule-1, identifying a previously unrecognized role for this receptor as a therapeutic target in cancer. The BI-505 epitope was strongly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells from both newly diagnosed and relapsed patients. BI-505 had potent macrophage-dependent antimyeloma activity and conferred enhanced survival compared to currently used treatments in advanced experimental models of multiple myeloma.

Toxicity-reducing potential of extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment in combination with the auristatin-conjugated monoclonal antibody BR96 in a syngeneic rat tumor model.

BACKGROUND: Antibody-drug conjugates, comprising monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) that bind to tumor-associated antigens, display different toxicity profiles compared with radiolabeled MoAbs. Dose-limiting toxicities may include damage to the liver and myelotoxicity. The drug component is the antimitotic agent auristatin, which is 100-1000 times more potent than doxorubicin. Consequently, auristatin antibody-drug conjugates require a high selectivity in tumor targeting to display pronounced activity at well-tolerated doses. We have evaluated the possibility of increasing the therapeutic index of BR96-auristatin by combining the administration of conjugates with subsequent extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment. METHODS: Rats were injected with biotinylated, monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF)-conjugated monoclonal antibody BR96. The conjugate was then removed from the circulation by extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment, 24 hours postinjection using an avidin affinity column. By analyzing blood parameters for 100 days, myelotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity were assessed. Body weight, general status, and tumor size were also recorded. The toxicity-reducing effect of extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment was evaluated. RESULTS: Extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment removed 85%-90% of BR96-MMAF from the circulation. Early toxicity-related death was seen in nontumor-bearing animals that were given MMAF-conjugated BR96, in contrast to animals that were given a higher amount of BR96-MMAF with subsequent extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment, in which all survived 100 days postinjection. Extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment reduced the loss of body weight, myelotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment can be used to reduce the toxicity associated with administration of BR96-MMAF conjugates, making it possible to increase the amount of conjugates administered. The combined treatment will be further optimized in future studies.

High-dose radioimmunotherapy combined with extracorporeal depletion in a syngeneic rat tumor model: evaluation of toxicity, therapeutic effect, and tumor model.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to investigate the possibility of increasing the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of a tumor-selective radiolabeled antibody when radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is combined with extracorporeal depletion of radioimmunoconjugates from the circulation. Furthermore, the authors evaluated whether this increase in dose improved the therapeutic effect on solid manifest tumors in an immunocompetent animal model. METHODS: Rats were injected with high activities/body weight of lutetium ((177)Lu)- or yttrium ((90)Y)-labeled antibody conjugates (monoclonal antibody tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid-biotin) and subjected to removal of the conjugate from the circulation by extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment 24 hours postinjection. Myelotoxicity was assessed by analysis of blood parameters for 12 weeks. The effect of increased doses in combination with extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment was evaluated with respect to myelotoxicity and therapeutic effect in a syngeneic rat colon cancer model. RESULTS: The MTD of (177)Lu- or (90)Y-labeled immunoconjugates could be increased 2.0x or 1.5x, respectively, when RIT was combined with extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment. All animals treated with (177)Lu- or (90)Y-labeled antibodies showed persistent complete response of manifest tumors (approximately 10 x 15 mm) within 16 days postinjection. However, several animals showed disseminated disease 1.5 to 3 months postinjection. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment is a method that safely and efficiently reduces myelotoxicity associated with RIT. Extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment allows increased administered activity without increased toxicity, with the aim of increasing the absorbed dose to the tumor. However, because tumor/normal tissue radiosensitivity ratios are more favorable in rodents, it is not possible to draw any conclusions concerning the therapeutic efficacy of increased administered activity in combination with extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatment in this study. Targeted RIT with beta-emitting radionuclides seems not to be effective in microscopic disease, because metastases developed at sites without previously known disease.

A nonsurgical technique for blood access in extracorporeal affinity adsorption of antibodies in rats.

Monoclonal antibodies for targeting cytotoxic conjugates to tumor cells are currently being evaluated together with extracorporeal affinity adsorption. The aim of the adsorption was to reduce undesired side effects in normal organs and to increase the tumor-to-normal tissue ratios. This technique is also applicable to several other therapeutic areas such as immune-mediated disorders, that is, autoimmunity, allergy, and transplantation rejection. We describe an improved technique for extracorporeal affinity adsorption of radiolabeled biotinylated antibodies in rats. Blood access is established through the tail artery and tail vein, without surgical insertion of permanent catheters. This technique is simple, does not require surgery, and causes only minimal stress to the animals. In addition, experiments can be carried out on several animals simultaneously. This new technique is of considerable benefit for studying extracorporeal affinity adsorption in rats, as experiments can be carried out with negligible anatomical and physiological interventions, compared to previously used techniques.