Targeting intracellular WT1 in AML with a novel RMF-peptide-MHC-specific T-cell bispecific antibody

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Christian Augsberger - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Gerulf Hänel - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Wei Xu - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Vesna Pulko - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Lydia Jasmin Hanisch - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Angelique Augustin - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • John Challier - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Katharina Hunt - , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (Author)
  • Binje Vick - , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (Author)
  • Pier Eduardo Rovatti - , Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Author)
  • Christina Krupka - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Maurine Rothe - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Anne Schönle - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Johannes Sam - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Emmanuelle Lezan - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Axel Ducret - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Daniela Ortiz-Franyuti - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Antje Christine Walz - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Jörg Benz - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Alexander Bujotzek - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Felix S. Lichtenegger - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Christian Gassner - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Alejandro Carpy - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Victor Lyamichev - , Nimble Therapeutics (Author)
  • Jigar Patel - , Nimble Therapeutics (Author)
  • Nikola Konstandin - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Antje Tunger - , Institute for Immunology, University Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital), National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden, Faculty of Biology (Author)
  • Marc Schmitz - , Institute for Immunology, University Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital), National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Karsten Spiekermann - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Luca Vago - , Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Author)
  • Irmela Jeremias - , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Estelle Marrer-Berger - , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Author)
  • Pablo Umaña - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Christian Klein - , Roche Innovation Center Zurich (Author)
  • Marion Subklewe - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)

Abstract

Antibody-based immunotherapy is a promising strategy for targeting chemoresistant leukemic cells. However, classical antibody-based approaches are restricted to targeting lineage-specific cell surface antigens. By targeting intracellular antigens, a large number of other leukemia-associated targets would become accessible. In this study, we evaluated a novel T-cell bispecific (TCB) antibody, generated by using CrossMAb and knob-into-holes technology, containing a bivalent T-cell receptor–like binding domain that recognizes the RMFPNAPYL peptide derived from the intracellular tumor antigen Wilms tumor protein (WT1) in the context of HLA-A*02. Binding to CD3ε recruits T cells irrespective of their T-cell receptor specificity. WT1-TCB elicited antibody-mediated T-cell cytotoxicity against AML cell lines in a WT1- and HLA-restricted manner. Specific lysis of primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells was mediated in ex vivo long-term cocultures by using allogeneic (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] specific lysis, 67 ± 6% after 13-14 days; n = 18) or autologous, patient-derived T cells (mean ± SEM specific lysis, 54 ± 12% after 11-14 days; n = 8). WT1-TCB–treated T cells exhibited higher cytotoxicity against primary AML cells than an HLA-A*02 RMF-specific T-cell clone. Combining WT1-TCB with the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide further enhanced antibody-mediated T-cell cytotoxicity against primary AML cells (mean ± SEM specific lysis on days 3-4, 45.4 ± 9.0% vs 70.8 ± 8.3%; P = .015; n = 9-10). In vivo, WT1-TCB–treated humanized mice bearing SKM-1 tumors exhibited a significant and dose-dependent reduction in tumor growth. In summary, we show that WT1-TCB facilitates potent in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo killing of AML cell lines and primary AML cells; these results led to the initiation of a phase 1 trial in patients with relapsed/refractory AML (#NCT04580121).

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2655-2669
Number of pages15
JournalBlood
Volume138
Issue number25
Publication statusPublished - 23 Dec 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 34280257

Keywords