GT-00AxIL15 is a novel interleukin-15-based immunocytokine targeting a tumor-specific, glycosylated epitope of MUC1 (TA-MUC1). We characterized mode of action, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties and investigated the relevance of TA-MUC1 binding for the concept of delivering IL-15 to solid tumors. In vitro pharmacology was analyzed in binding and cell-based assays. The in vivo PK profile and IL-15-mediated PD effects of GT-00AxIL15 were investigated in tumor-free mice. Tumor accumulation, immune infiltration and anti-tumor activity were assessed in TA-MUC1+ syngeneic and xenogeneic murine tumor models. GT-00AxIL15 was shown to specifically bind TA-MUC1 on tumor cells via its mAb moiety, to IL-15 receptors on immune cells via its IL-15 fusion modules and to FcγRs via its functional Fc-part. In vitro, NK, NKT and CD8+ T cells were activated and proliferated, leading to anti-tumor cytotoxicity and synergism with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediating mAbs. In vivo, GT-00AxIL15 exhibited favorable PK characteristics with a serum half-life of 13 days and specifically accumulated in TA-MUC1+ tumors. In the tumor microenvironment, GT-00AxIL15 induced robust immune activation and expansion and mediated anti-metastatic and anti-tumor effects in syngeneic and xenograft tumor models. These results support the rationale to improve PK and anti-tumor efficacy of IL-15 by increasing local concentrations at the tumor site via conjugation to a TA-MUC1 binding mAb. The tumor-selective expression pattern of TA-MUC1, powerful immune activation and anti-tumor cytotoxicity, long serum half-life and tumor targeting properties, render GT-00AxIL15 a promising candidate for treatment of solid tumors with high medical need, e.g., ovarian, lung and breast cancer.
Keywords: TA-MUC1; anti-tumor cytotoxicity; cancer; immunocytokine; immunotherapy; interleukin-15; monoclonal antibody.