Discovery of a novel IL-15 based protein with improved developability and efficacy for cancer immunotherapy

Sci Rep. 2018 May 16;8(1):7675. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25987-4.

Abstract

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) can promote both innate and adaptive immune reactions by stimulating CD8+/CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells (NK) while showing no effect in activating T-regulatory (Treg) cells or inducing activation-associated death among effector T cells and NK cells. Thus, IL-15 is considered as one of the most promising molecules for antitumor immune therapy. To improve the drug-like properties of natural IL-15, we create an IL-15-based molecule, named P22339, with the following characteristics: 1) building a complex of IL-15 and the Sushi domain of IL-15 receptor α chain to enhance the agonist activity of IL-15 via transpresentation; 2) through a rational structure-based design, creating a disulfide bond linking the IL-15/Sushi domain complex with an IgG1 Fc to augment its half-life. P22339 demonstrates excellent developability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties as well as antitumor efficacy in both in vitro assessments and in vivo studies. It significantly suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in rodent models, and activates T effector cells and NK cells in cynomolgus monkey. Overall, these data suggest that P22339 has a great potential for cancer immunotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Interleukin-15 / chemistry
  • Interleukin-15 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-15 / pharmacokinetics
  • Interleukin-15 Receptor alpha Subunit / chemistry*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / metabolism
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interleukin-15
  • Interleukin-15 Receptor alpha Subunit