Hiding Payload Inside the IgG Fc Cavity Significantly Enhances the Therapeutic Index of Antibody-Drug Conjugates

J Med Chem. 2023 Jan 12;66(1):1011-1026. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01812. Epub 2022 Dec 30.

Abstract

The inadequate understanding of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of glycosite-specific antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) hinders its design and development. Herein, we revealed the systemic SAR and structure-toxicity relationship (STR) of gsADCs by constructing 50 gsADC structures bearing three glycan subtypes and diverse linker-drug combinations. According to the results, extra hydrophilic linkers are indispensable for the intact glycan-based gsADCs to achieve better in vivo efficacy. Meanwhile, the gsADCs that conjugate linker-drug complexes onto the terminal sialic acid are more stable and potent than the ones conjugated onto the terminal galactose in vivo. Notably, the LacNAc-based gsADCs, which shortened the spacer and located the linker-drug more inside the immunoglobulin class G (IgG) Fc cavity, showed excellent hydrophilicity, in vivo activity, pharmacokinetics, and safety. Conclusively, we found that hiding the linker-toxin into the Fc cavity can significantly enhance the therapeutic index of LacNAc-based gsADCs, which will benefit the further design of ADCs with optimal druggability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Immunoconjugates* / chemistry
  • Immunoconjugates* / pharmacology
  • Immunoconjugates* / therapeutic use
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Polysaccharides
  • Therapeutic Index

Substances

  • Immunoconjugates
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • Polysaccharides
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Antineoplastic Agents