Discovery of BT8009: A Nectin-4 Targeting Bicycle Toxin Conjugate for the Treatment of Cancer

J Med Chem. 2022 Nov 10;65(21):14337-14347. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00065. Epub 2022 Oct 6.

Abstract

Bicycle toxin conjugates (BTCs) are a promising new class of molecules for targeted delivery of toxin payloads into tumors. Herein we describe the discovery of BT8009, a Nectin-4 targeting BTC currently under clinical evaluation. Nectin-4 is overexpressed in multiple tumor types and is a clinically validated target for selective delivery of cytotoxic payloads. A Nectin-4 targeting bicyclic peptide was identified by phage display, which showed highly selective binding for Nectin-4 but suffered from low plasma stability and poor physicochemical properties. Multiparameter chemical optimization involving introduction of non-natural amino acids resulted in a lead Bicycle that demonstrated high affinity for Nectin-4, good stability in biological matrices, and a much-improved physicochemical profile. The optimized Bicycle was conjugated to the cytotoxin Monomethyl auristatin E via a cleavable linker to give the targeted drug conjugate BT8009, which demonstrates potent anticancer activity in in vivo rodent models.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bicycling
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates*
  • Immunotoxins*
  • Nectins
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Immunotoxins
  • Nectins
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Immunoconjugates