T-cell Activating Tribodies as a Novel Approach for Efficient Killing of ErbB2-positive Cancer Cells

J Immunother. 2019 Jan;42(1):1-10. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000248.

Abstract

The Tyrosine Kinase Receptor ErbB2 (HER2) when overexpressed in breast cancer (BC) is associated with poor prognosis. The monoclonal antibody Trastuzumab has become a standard treatment of ErbB2+BC. The antibody treatment has limited efficacy, often meets resistance and induces cardiotoxicity. T-cell recruiting bispecific antibody derivatives (TRBA) offer a more effective alternative to standard antibody therapy. We evaluated a panel of TRBAs targeting 3 different epitopes on the ErbB2 receptor either in a bivalent targeting tribody structure or as a monovalent scFv-fusion (BiTE format) for binding, cytotoxicity on Trastuzumab-resistant cell lines, and induction of cardiotoxicity. All three TRBAs bind with high affinity to the ErbB2 extracellular domain and a large panel of ErbB2-positive tumor cells. Tribodies had an increased in vitro cytotoxic potency as compared to BiTEs. It is interesting to note that, Tribodies targeting the epitopes on ErbB2 receptor domains I and II bind and activate lysis of mammary and gastric tumor cells more efficiently than a Tribody targeting the Trastuzumab epitope on domain IV. The first 2 are also active on Trastuzumab-resistant cancer cells lacking or masking the epitope recognized by Trastuzumab. None of the Tribodies studied showed significant toxicity on human cardiomyocytes. Altogether these results make these novel anti-ErbB2 bispecific Tribodies candidates for therapeutic development for treating ErbB2-positive Trastuzumab-resistant cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bispecific / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / pharmacology
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2