Bifunctional TGF-ß trap/IL-15 protein complex elicits potent NK cell and CD8+ T cell immunity against solid tumors.

Advances in immunostimulatory and anti-immunosuppressive therapeutics have revolutionized cancer treatment. However, novel immunotherapeutics with these dual functions are not frequently reported. Here we describe the creation of a heterodimeric bifunctional fusion molecule, HCW9218, constructed using our soluble tissue factor (TF)-based scaffold technology. This complex comprises extracellular domains of the human transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) receptor II and a human interleukin-15 (IL-15)/IL-15 receptor α complex. HCW9218 can be readily expressed in CHO cells and purified using antibody-based affinity chromatography in a large-scale manufacturing setting. HCW9218 potently activates mouse natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells in vitro and in vivo to enhance cell proliferation, metabolism, and antitumor cytotoxic activities. Similarly, human immune cells become activated with increased cytotoxicity following incubation with HCW9218. This fusion complex also exhibits TGF-ß neutralizing activity in vitro and sequesters plasma TGF-ß in vivo. In a syngeneic B16F10 melanoma model, HCW9218 displayed strong antitumor activity mediated by NK cells and CD8+ T cells and increased their infiltration into tumors. Repeat-dose subcutaneous administration of HCW9218 was well tolerated by mice, with a half-life sufficient to provide long-lasting biological activity. Thus, HCW9218 may serve as a novel therapeutic to simultaneously provide immunostimulation and lessen immunosuppression associated with tumors.

First-in-human phase 1 clinical study of the IL-15 superagonist complex ALT-803 to treat relapse after transplantation.

New therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies who relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) are needed. Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a cytokine that stimulates CD8+ T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell antitumor responses, and we hypothesized this cytokine may augment antileukemia/antilymphoma immunity in vivo. To test this, we performed a first-in-human multicenter phase 1 trial of the IL-15 superagonist complex ALT-803 in patients who relapsed >60 days after allo-HCT. ALT-803 was administered to 33 patients via the IV or subcutaneous (SQ) routes once weekly for 4 doses (dose levels of 1, 3, 6, and 10 µg/kg). ALT-803 was well tolerated, and no dose-limiting toxicities or treatment-emergent graft-versus-host disease requiring systemic therapy was observed in this clinical setting. Adverse events following IV administration included constitutional symptoms temporally related to increased serum IL-6 and interferon-γ. To mitigate these effects, the SQ route was tested. SQ delivery resulted in self-limited injection site rashes infiltrated with lymphocytes without acute constitutional symptoms. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed prolonged (>96 hour) serum concentrations following SQ, but not IV, injection. ALT-803 stimulated the activation, proliferation, and expansion of NK cells and CD8+ T cells without increasing regulatory T cells. Responses were observed in 19% of evaluable patients, including 1 complete remission lasting 7 months. Thus, ALT-803 is a safe, well-tolerated agent that significantly increased NK and CD8+ T cell numbers and function. This immunostimulatory IL-15 superagonist warrants further investigation to augment antitumor immunity alone and combined with other immunotherapies. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01885897.

ALT-803 Transiently Reduces Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replication in the Absence of Antiretroviral Treatment.

Developing biological interventions to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) could contribute to the development of a functional cure. As a potential alternative to ART, the interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist ALT-803 has been shown to boost the number and function of HIV-specific CD8+ T and NK cell populations in vitro Four simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-positive rhesus macaques, three of whom possessed major histocompatibility complex alleles associated with control of SIV and all of whom had received SIV vaccine vectors that had the potential to elicit CD8+ T cell responses, were given ALT-803 in three treatment cycles. The first and second cycles of treatment were separated by 2 weeks, while the third cycle was administered after a 29-week break. ALT-803 transiently elevated the total CD8+ effector and central memory T cell and NK cell populations in peripheral blood, while viral loads transiently decreased by ∼2 logs in all animals. Virus suppression was not sustained as T cells became less responsive to ALT-803 and waned in numbers. No effect on viral loads was observed in the second cycle of ALT-803, concurrent with downregulation of the IL-2/15 common γC and ß chain receptors on both CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Furthermore, populations of immunosuppressive T cells increased during the second cycle of ALT-803 treatment. During the third treatment cycle, responsiveness to ALT-803 was restored. CD8+ T cells and NK cells increased again 3- to 5-fold, and viral loads transiently decreased again by 1 to 2 logs.IMPORTANCE Overall, our data show that ALT-803 has the potential to be used as an immunomodulatory agent to elicit effective immune control of HIV/SIV replication. We identify mechanisms to explain why virus control is transient, so that this model can be used to define a clinically appropriate treatment regimen.

ALT-803, an IL-15 superagonist, in combination with nivolumab in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a non-randomised, open-label, phase 1b trial.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy with PD-1 or PD-L1 blockade fails to induce a response in about 80% of patients with unselected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and many of those who do initially respond then develop resistance to treatment. Agonists that target the shared interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-15Rßγ pathway have induced complete and durable responses in some cancers, but no studies have been done to assess the safety or efficacy of these agonists in combination with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. We aimed to define the safety, tolerability, and activity of this drug combination in patients with NSCLC. METHODS: In this non-randomised, open-label, phase 1b trial, we enrolled patients (aged ≥18 years) with previously treated histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB or IV NSCLC from three academic hospitals in the USA. Key eligibility criteria included measurable disease, eligibility to receive anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Patients received the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab intravenously at 3 mg/kg (then 240 mg when US Food and Drug Administration [FDA]-approved dosing changed) every 14 days (either as new treatment or continued treatment at the time of disease progression) and the IL-15 superagonist ALT-803 subcutaneously once per week on weeks 1-5 of four 6-week cycles for 6 months. ALT-803 was administered at one of four escalating dose concentrations: 6, 10, 15, or 20 µg/kg. The primary endpoint was to define safety and tolerability and to establish a recommended phase 2 dose of ALT-803 in combination with nivolumab. Analyses were per-protocol and included any patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02523469; phase 2 enrolment of patients is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between Jan 18, 2016, and June 28, 2017, 23 patients were enrolled and 21 were treated at four dose levels of ALT-803 in combination with nivolumab. Two patients did not receive treatment because of the development of inter-current illness during enrolment, one patient due to leucopenia and one patient due to pulmonary dysfunction. No dose-limiting toxicities were recorded and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. The most common adverse events were injection-site reactions (in 19 [90%] of 21 patients) and flu-like symptoms (15 [71%]). The most common grade 3 adverse events, occurring in two patients each, were lymphocytopenia and fatigue. A grade 3 myocardial infarction occurred in one patient. No grade 4 or 5 adverse events were recorded. The recommended phase 2 dose of ALT-803 is 20 µg/kg given once per week subcutaneously in combination with 240 mg intravenous nivolumab every 2 weeks. INTERPRETATION: ALT-803 in combination with nivolumab can be safely administered in an outpatient setting. The promising clinical activity observed with the addition of ALT-803 to the regimen of patients with PD-1 monoclonal antibody relapsed and refractory disease shows evidence of anti-tumour activity for a new class of agents in NSCLC. FUNDING: Altor BioScience (a NantWorks company), National Institutes of Health, and Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center.

A novel interleukin-2-based fusion molecule, HCW9302, differentially promotes regulatory T cell expansion to treat atherosclerosis in mice.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by deposition of oxidative low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the arterial intima which triggers the innate immune response through myeloid cells such as macrophages. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in controlling the progression or regression of atherosclerosis by resolving macrophage-mediated inflammatory functions. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling is essential for homeostasis of Tregs. Since recombinant IL-2 has an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile limiting its therapeutic use, we constructed a fusion protein, designated HCW9302, containing two IL-2 domains linked by an extracellular tissue factor domain. We found that HCW9302 exhibited a longer serum half-life with an approximately 1000-fold higher affinity for the IL-2Rα than IL-2. HCW9302 could be administered to mice at a dosing range that expanded and activated Tregs but not CD4+ effector T cells. In an ApoE-/- mouse model, HCW9302 treatment curtailed the progression of atherosclerosis through Treg activation and expansion, M2 macrophage polarization and myeloid-derived suppressor cell induction. HCW9302 treatment also lessened inflammatory responses in the aorta. Thus, HCW9302 is a potential therapeutic agent to expand and activate Tregs for treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Immunotherapeutic approach to reduce senescent cells and alleviate senescence-associated secretory phenotype in mice.

Accumulation of senescent cells (SNCs) with a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) has been implicated as a major source of chronic sterile inflammation leading to many age-related pathologies. Herein, we provide evidence that a bifunctional immunotherapeutic, HCW9218, with capabilities of neutralizing TGF-ß and stimulating immune cells, can be safely administered systemically to reduce SNCs and alleviate SASP in mice. In the diabetic db/db mouse model, subcutaneous administration of HCW9218 reduced senescent islet ß cells and SASP resulting in improved glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and aging index. In naturally aged mice, subcutaneous administration of HCW9218 durably reduced the level of SNCs and SASP, leading to lower expression of pro-inflammatory genes in peripheral organs. HCW9218 treatment also reverted the pattern of key regulatory circadian gene expression in aged mice to levels observed in young mice and impacted genes associated with metabolism and fibrosis in the liver. Single-nucleus RNA Sequencing analysis further revealed that HCW9218 treatment differentially changed the transcriptomic landscape of hepatocyte subtypes involving metabolic, signaling, cell-cycle, and senescence-associated pathways in naturally aged mice. Long-term survival studies also showed that HCW9218 treatment improved physical performance without compromising the health span of naturally aged mice. Thus, HCW9218 represents a novel immunotherapeutic approach and a clinically promising new class of senotherapeutic agents targeting cellular senescence-associated diseases.

Novel human interleukin-15 agonists.

IL-15 is an immunostimulatory cytokine trans-presented with the IL-15 receptor alpha-chain to the shared IL-2/IL-15Rbeta and common gamma-chains displayed on the surface of T cells and NK cells. To further define the functionally important regions of this cytokine, activity and binding studies were conducted on human IL-15 muteins generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Amino acid substitutions of the asparagine residue at position 72, which is located at the end of helix C, were found to provide both partial agonist and superagonist activity, with various nonconservative substitutions providing enhanced activity. Particularly, the N72D substitution provided a 4-5-fold increase in biological activity of the IL-15 mutein compared with the native molecule based on proliferation assays with cells bearing human IL-15Rbeta and common gamma-chains. The IL-15N72D mutein exhibited superagonist activity through improved binding ability to the human IL-15Rbeta-chain. However, the enhanced potency of IL-15N72D was not observed with cells expressing the mouse IL-15Ralpha-IL-15Rbeta-gamma(c) complex, suggesting that this effect is specific to the human IL-15 receptor. The enhanced biological activity of IL-15N72D was associated with more intense phosphorylation of Jak1 and Stat5 and better anti-apoptotic activity compared with the wild-type IL-15. IL-15N72D superagonist activity was also preserved when linked to a single-chain TCR domain to generate a tumor-specific fusion protein. Thus, the human IL-15 superagonist muteins and fusions may create opportunities to construct more efficacious immunotherapeutic agents with clinical utility.

A Fusion Protein Complex that Combines IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 Signaling to Induce Memory-Like NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells are a promising cellular therapy for cancer, with challenges in the field including persistence, functional activity, and tumor recognition. Briefly, priming blood NK cells with recombinant human (rh)IL-12, rhIL-15, and rhIL-18 (12/15/18) results in memory-like NK cell differentiation and enhanced responses against cancer. However, the lack of available, scalable Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)-grade reagents required to advance this approach beyond early-phase clinical trials is limiting. To address this challenge, we developed a novel platform centered upon an inert tissue factor scaffold for production of heteromeric fusion protein complexes (HFPC). The first use of this platform combined IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 receptor engagement (HCW9201), and the second adds CD16 engagement (HCW9207). This unique HFPC expression platform was scalable with equivalent protein quality characteristics in small- and GMP-scale production. HCW9201 and HCW9207 stimulated activation and proliferation signals in NK cells, but HCW9207 had decreased IL-18 receptor signaling. RNA sequencing and multidimensional mass cytometry revealed parallels between HCW9201 and 12/15/18. HCW9201 stimulation improved NK cell metabolic fitness and resulted in the DNA methylation remodeling characteristic of memory-like differentiation. HCW9201 and 12/15/18 primed similar increases in short-term and memory-like NK cell cytotoxicity and IFNγ production against leukemia targets, as well as equivalent control of leukemia in NSG mice. Thus, HFPCs represent a protein engineering approach that solves many problems associated with multisignal receptor engagement on immune cells, and HCW9201-primed NK cells can be advanced as an ideal approach for clinical GMP-grade memory-like NK cell production for cancer therapy.

Phase I Trial of ALT-803, A Novel Recombinant IL15 Complex, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

Purpose: IL15 induces the activation and proliferation of natural killer (NK) and memory CD8+ T cells and has preclinical antitumor activity. Given the superior activity and favorable kinetics of ALT-803 (IL15N72D:IL15RαSu/IgG1 Fc complex) over recombinant human IL15 (rhIL15) in animal models, we performed this first-in-human phase I trial of ALT-803 in patients with advanced solid tumors.Patients and Methods: Patients with incurable advanced melanoma, renal cell, non-small cell lung, and head and neck cancer were treated with ALT-803 0.3 to 6 µg/kg weekly intravenously or 6 to 20 µg/kg weekly subcutaneously for 4 consecutive weeks, every 6 weeks. Immune correlates included pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and lymphocyte expansion and function. Clinical endpoints were toxicity and antitumor activity.Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled; 11 received intravenous and 13 received subcutaneous ALT-803. Of these patients, nine had melanoma, six renal, three head and neck, and six lung cancer. Although total lymphocyte and CD8+ T-cell expansion were modest, NK cell numbers rose significantly. Neither anti-ALT-803 antibodies nor clinical activity were observed. Overall, ALT-803 was well tolerated, with adverse effects including fatigue and nausea most commonly with intravenous administration, whereas painful injection site wheal was reported most commonly with subcutaneous ALT-803.Conclusions: Subcutaneous ALT-803 produced the expected NK cell expansion and was well tolerated with minimal cytokine toxicities and a strong local inflammatory reaction at injection sites in patients with advanced cancer. These data, together with compelling evidence of synergy in preclinical and clinical studies, provide the rationale for combining ALT-803 with other anticancer agents. Clin Cancer Res; 24(22); 5552-61. ©2018 AACR.

Comparison of the Superagonist Complex, ALT-803, to IL15 as Cancer Immunotherapeutics in Animal Models.

IL15, a potent stimulant of CD8(+) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, is a promising cancer immunotherapeutic. ALT-803 is a complex of an IL15 superagonist mutant and a dimeric IL15 receptor αSu/Fc fusion protein that was found to exhibit enhanced biologic activity in vivo, with a substantially longer serum half-life than recombinant IL15. A single intravenous dose of ALT-803, but not IL15, eliminated well-established tumors and prolonged survival of mice bearing multiple myeloma. In this study, we extended these findings to demonstrate the superior antitumor activity of ALT-803 over IL15 in mice bearing subcutaneous B16F10 melanoma tumors and CT26 colon carcinoma metastases. Tissue biodistribution studies in mice also showed much greater retention of ALT-803 in the lymphoid organs compared with IL15, consistent with its highly potent immunostimulatory and antitumor activities in vivo. Weekly dosing with 1 mg/kg ALT-803 in C57BL/6 mice was well tolerated, yet capable of increasing peripheral blood lymphocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte counts by >8-fold. ALT-803 dose-dependent stimulation of immune cell infiltration into the lymphoid organs was also observed. Similarly, cynomolgus monkeys treated weekly with ALT-803 showed dose-dependent increases of peripheral blood lymphocyte counts, including NK, CD4(+), and CD8(+) memory T-cell subsets. In vitro studies demonstrated ALT-803-mediated stimulation of mouse and human immune cell proliferation and IFNγ production without inducing a broad-based release of other proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., cytokine storm). Based on these results, a weekly dosing regimen of ALT-803 has been implemented in multiple clinical studies to evaluate the dose required for effective immune cell stimulation in humans.

Intravesical ALT-803 and BCG treatment reduces tumor burden in a carcinogen induced bladder cancer rat model; a role for cytokine production and NK cell expansion.

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been shown to induce a specific immunologic response (i.e., activation of IL-2 and effector T-cells), while preclinical studies using ALT-803 (mutated IL-15 analogue combined with IL-15Rα-Fc fusion) have shown promising results by prolonging the agent's half-life and stimulating CD8+ T-cells. Based on these results, we hypothesized that the intravesical administration of ALT-803 along with BCG will generate an immunologic response leading to significant bladder tumor burden reduction. Using a well-established carcinogen induced rat non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) model, we studied the effects of intravesical ALT-803 with and without BCG. Rat tissues were evaluated to document treatment response. Intravesical ALT-803 was safe and well tolerated alone and in combination with BCG. As a single treatment agent, ALT-803 reduced tumor burden by 35% compared to control whereas BCG alone only reduced tumor burden by 15%. However, the combination of ALT-803 plus BCG reduced tumor burden by 46% compared to control. Immune monitoring suggested that the antitumor response was linked to the production and secretion of IL-1α, IL-1ß and RANTES, which in turn, induced the proliferation and activation of NK cells. Lastly, tumoral responses of the combinational treatment were associated with 76% reduction in angiogenesis, which is significantly higher than when assessed with either agent alone. The enhanced therapeutic index seen with this duplet provides justification for the development of this regimen for future clinical trials.

Inhibition of acute vascular thrombosis in chimpanzees by an anti-human tissue factor antibody targeting the factor X binding site.

Tissue factor (TF) antagonists targeting the factor VII (FVII) binding domain have been shown to interrupt acute vascular thrombus formation without impairing haemostasis in non-human primates. In this study, we evaluate whether a human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody (ALT-836, formerly known as Sunol-cH36) blocking the factor X/factor IX (FX/FIX) binding site of tissue factor could achieve similar clinical benefits in an arterial thrombosis model induced by surgical endarterectomy in chimpanzees. In this model, sequential surgical endarterectomies on right and left superficial femoral arteries were performed 30 days apart in five chimpanzees. A bolus (1 mg/kg) of ALT-836 was injected intravenously immediately preceding the restoration of flow in the endarterectomised femoral artery. Pre-surgical labelling of autologous platelets using (111)In-Oxine and post-surgical gamma camera imaging of (111)In-platelet deposition at endarterectomy sites was performed. The manipulated arterial segments were harvested for patency analysis 30 days following surgery. The results indicate that ALT-836 was highly effective at reducing acute vascular thrombosis, with no significant variations in surgical blood loss and template-bleeding time in the treated group compared to the control animals. These data suggest that ALT-836 is an effective and safe antithrombotic agent in preventing TF-initiated vascular thrombogenesis without compromising haemostasis.