In:
Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, BMJ, Vol. 9, No. Suppl 2 ( 2021-11), p. A785-A785
Abstract:
Alligator's Neo-X-Prime platform aims to enable antigen presenting cells to efficiently enhance priming of tumor neoantigen-specific T cells with the goal of overcoming PD-1 resistance in certain tumor types. We hypothesize that binding of a CD40 x TAA bispecific antibody (bsAb) to CD40 on dendritic cells (DCs) and a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) on tumor exosomes or tumor debris leads to (i) activation of the DC, (ii) uptake of the tumor material, (iii) cross-presentation of tumor-derived neoantigen (present in exosomes or debris) and, iv) priming of tumor neoantigen-specific T cells, resulting in an increased quantity and/or quality of the tumor-targeting T cell pool. Methods Functionality was evaluated in vitro using CD40 reporter cells and monocyte-derived DCs, co-cultured with cells expressing TAA. Further, co-localization of TAA-expressing cellular debris with a CD40-expressing human B cell line in the presence of bsAbs was assessed using live cell imaging. In vivo, anti-tumor efficacy and immunological memory were assessed in human CD40 transgenic (hCD40tg) mice bearing MB49 bladder carcinoma tumors transfected with human TAA or controls. T cells isolated from OVA-specific TCR-transgenic mice were used to evaluate the effect of Neo-X-Prime bsAbs on antigen-specific T cell expansion in the presence of hCD40tg DCs and exosomes from MB49 tumors transfected with both human TAA and OVA using flow cytometry. Results Using CEA as a highly expressed TAA, we have developed lead Neo-X-Prime CD40-CEA bsAbs engineered to achieve an optimal profile. Further, using Neo-X-Prime concept molecules targeting EpCAM, we have demonstrated the ability to mediate co-localization of tumor debris and CD40 expressing antigen presenting cells that is dependent on the receptor density of the TAA. We have further shown that addition of Neo-X-Prime bsAbs to a co-culture of murine DCs, T cells and tumor-derived exosomes induces increased expansion of model neoantigen-specific T cells. In vivo, Neo-X-Prime bsAbs display a potent, TAA-dependent anti-tumor effect that is superior to CD40 mAbs. Cured mice develop a broad immunological memory that is not dependent on expression of the TAA. The tumor-localizing property of Neo-X-Prime bsAbs also shows potential for improved safety compared to CD40 monospecific antibodies. Conclusions Neo-X-Prime bsAbs have the potential to tumor-selectively target CD40-expressing antigen-presenting cells to mediate an expansion of the tumor-specific T cell repertoire, resulting in increased T cell infiltration and potent anti-tumor effects. Ethics Approval All experiments were performed after approval from the Malmö/Lund Animal Ethics Committee.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2051-1426
DOI:
10.1136/jitc-2021-SITC2021.751
Language:
English
Publisher:
BMJ
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2719863-7
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