Generation of a canine anti-canine CD20 antibody for canine lymphoma treatment

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 10;10(1):11476. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68470-9.

Abstract

Lymphoma is the most common hematological cancer in dogs. Canine diffuse large B cell lymphoma shows a relatively good response to treatment with multi-agent cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy; however, the 2-year survival rate is as low as 20%. For human B cell type lymphoma, the anti-CD20 chimeric antibody, rituximab, was developed two decades ago. The combination of rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy was highly successful in improving patient prognosis. However, no anti-canine CD20 antibody is available for the treatment of canine lymphoma. During this study, a rat anti-canine CD20 monoclonal antibody was established. We also generated a rat-canine chimeric antibody against canine CD20 designed for clinical application. This chimeric antibody (4E1-7-B) showed in vitro antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) against the canine B cell lymphoma cell line CLBL-1. Moreover, to obtain stronger ADCC activity, a defucosylated 4E1-7-B antibody (4E1-7-B_f) was also generated, and it showed tenfold stronger ADCC activity compared with 4E1-7-B. 4E1-7-B_f as well as 4E1-7-B suppressed the growth of CLBL-1 tumors in an immunodeficient xenotransplant mouse model. Finally, a single administration of 4E1-7-B_f induced considerable peripheral B cell depletion in healthy beagles. Thus, 4E1-7-B_f is a good antibody drug candidate for canine B cell type lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / immunology
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / pharmacology*
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • B-Lymphocytes
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / immunology
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma / immunology
  • Lymphoma / veterinary
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / immunology
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology
  • Mice

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Antineoplastic Agents