The IL-7R antagonist lusvertikimab reduces leukemic burden in xenograft ALL via antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Lennart Lenk - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Irène Baccelli - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Anna Laqua - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Julia Heymann - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Claas Reimer - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Anna Dietterle - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Dorothee Winterberg - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Caroline Mary - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Frédérique Corallo - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Julien Taurelle - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Emma Narbeburu - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Stéphanie Neyton - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Mylène Déramé - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Sabrina Pengam - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Fotini Vogiatzi - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Beat Bornhauser - , University of Zurich (Author)
  • Jean Pierre Bourquin - , University of Zurich (Author)
  • Simon Raffel - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Vladyslava Dovhan - , Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Author)
  • Thomas Schüler - , Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Author)
  • Gabriele Escherich - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Monique L. den Boer - , Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology (Author)
  • Judith M. Boer - , Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology (Author)
  • Wiebke Wessels - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Matthias Peipp - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Julia Alten - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Željko Antić - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Anke K. Bergmann - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Martin Schrappe - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Gunnar Cario - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Monika Brüggemann - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Nicolas Poirier - , OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (Author)
  • Denis M. Schewe - , Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Author)

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) arises from the uncontrolled proliferation of B-cell precursors (BCP-ALL) or T cells (T-ALL). Current treatment protocols obtain high cure rates in children but are based on toxic polychemotherapy. Novel therapies are urgently needed, especially in relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease, high-risk (HR) leukemias and T-ALL, in which immunotherapy approaches remain scarce. Although the interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) plays a pivotal role in ALL development, no IL-7R–targeting immunotherapy has yet reached clinical application in ALL. The IL-7Rα chain (CD127)–targeting IgG4 antibody lusvertikimab (LUSV; formerly OSE-127) is a full antagonist of the IL-7R pathway, showing a good safety profile in healthy volunteers. Here, we show that ∼85% of ALL cases express surface CD127. We demonstrate significant in vivo efficacy of LUSV immunotherapy in a heterogeneous cohort of BCP- and T-ALL patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in minimal residual disease (MRD) and overt leukemia models, including R/R and HR leukemias. Importantly, LUSV was particularly effective when combined with polychemotherapy in a phase 2-like PDX study with CD127high samples leading to MRD-negativity in >50% of mice treated with combination therapy. Mechanistically, LUSV targeted ALL cells via a dual mode of action comprising direct IL-7R antagonistic activity and induction of macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). LUSV–mediated in vitro ADCP levels significantly correlated with CD127 expression levels and the reduction of leukemia burden upon treatment of PDX animals in vivo. Altogether, through its dual mode of action and good safety profile, LUSV may represent a novel immunotherapy option for any CD127+ ALL, particularly in combination with standard-of-care polychemotherapy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2735-2748
Number of pages14
JournalBlood
Volume143
Issue number26
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jun 2024
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38518105

Keywords