U.S. patent application number 15/614571 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-30 for humanized anti-cd70 binding agents and uses thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Seattle Genetics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul Carter, Charlotte McDonagh.
Application Number | 20170342157 15/614571 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37115968 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170342157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McDonagh; Charlotte ; et
al. |
November 30, 2017 |
Humanized Anti-CD70 Binding Agents and Uses Thereof
Abstract
Disclosed are CD70 binding agents, such as humanized anti-CD70
antibodies and fragments and derivatives, that exert a cytotoxic,
cytostatic or immunomodulatory on CD70 expressing cells, as well as
pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the antibody,
fragment or derivative. Also disclosed are methods for the
treatment of CD70-expressing cancers and immunological disorders,
comprising administering to a subject the CD70 binding agents or
pharmaceutical compositions.
Inventors: |
McDonagh; Charlotte;
(Seattle, WA) ; Carter; Paul; (Mercer Island,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Seattle Genetics, Inc. |
Bothell |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
37115968 |
Appl. No.: |
15/614571 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15217109 |
Jul 22, 2016 |
9701752 |
|
|
15614571 |
|
|
|
|
14053164 |
Oct 14, 2013 |
9428585 |
|
|
15217109 |
|
|
|
|
13271143 |
Oct 11, 2011 |
8562987 |
|
|
14053164 |
|
|
|
|
11912096 |
Oct 23, 2008 |
8067546 |
|
|
PCT/US2006/015145 |
Apr 19, 2006 |
|
|
|
13271143 |
|
|
|
|
60673070 |
Apr 19, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 37/02 20180101;
A61K 2039/505 20130101; C07K 2317/92 20130101; C07K 2317/732
20130101; C07K 2317/24 20130101; C07K 2317/734 20130101; C07K
16/2875 20130101; Y02A 50/386 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101 |
International
Class: |
C07K 16/28 20060101
C07K016/28 |
Claims
1-38. (canceled)
39. A method for treating multiple myeloma or glioma in a human
subject, comprising administering to a subject having multiple
myeloma or glioma an effective amount of a humanized antibody or
antigen binding fragment, comprising: (i) a humanized heavy chain
comprising the three CDRs from SEQ ID NO:2 and a variable region
framework sequence of human germline V.sub.H1-2 or V.sub.H1-18 and
exon J.sub.H-6, provided that any of positions H46, H67, H68, H69,
H70, H71, H80, H81, H82, H82A and H91 (Kabat numbering) can be
occupied by the amino acid occupying the corresponding position
from SEQ ID NO:2; and (ii) a humanized light chain comprising the
three CDRs from SEQ ID NO:22 and a variable region framework
sequence of human germline V.sub..chi. exon B3 and J.sub..chi. exon
J.sub..chi.-1, provided that any of positions L25 and L33 can be
occupied by the amino acid occupying the corresponding position
from SEQ ID NO:22.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein position H46 is occupied by the
amino acid occupying the corresponding position from SEQ ID
NO:2.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein at least one of positions H46,
H67, H68, H69, H70, H71, H80, H81, H82, H82A and H91 (Kabat
numbering) in the humanized heavy chain variable region is occupied
by the residue occupying the corresponding position in SEQ ID
NO:2.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein at least one of positions L25
and L33 in the humanized light chain variable region is occupied by
the residue occupying the corresponding position in SEQ ID
NO:22.
43. The method of claim 39, wherein (i) the humanized heavy chain
variable region comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ
ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:18, or amino acids
20-137 of SEQ ID NO:4, and (ii) the humanized light chain variable
region comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24.
44. The method of claim 39, wherein at least one of positions H71
and H91 (Kabat numbering) in the humanized heavy chain variable
region is occupied by the residue occupying the corresponding
position in SEQ ID NO:2.
45. The method of claim 39, wherein the humanized heavy chain
variable region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:14 or
SEQ ID NO: 18, and the humanized light chain variable region
comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:24.
46. The method of claim 39, wherein the humanized heavy chain
comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 20-467
of SEQ ID NO:16 or positions 20-467 of SEQ ID NO:20.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the humanized heavy chain
comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 20-467
of SEQ ID NO:16
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the humanized light chain
comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 21-238
of SEQ ID NO:26.
49. The method of claim 39, wherein the humanized antibody or
antigen-binding fragment is an antigen-binding fragment.
50. The method of claim 39, wherein the humanized antibody or
antigen-binding fragment is a scFv, diabody, Fab, minibody or
scFv-Fc.
51. The method of claim 39, wherein the humanized antibody or
antigen binding fragment further comprises an antibody effector
domain.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the antibody effector domain
mediates ADCC, ADCP or CDC.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the antibody effector domain
mediates ADCP.
54. The method of claim 51, wherein the antibody effector domain is
a human antibody effector domain.
55. The method of claim 39, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding
fragment is conjugated to a chemotherapeutic agent.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is
an anti-tubulin agent.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the anti-tubulin agent is MMAE
or MMAF.
58. The method of claim 39, wherein the subject has multiple
myeloma.
59. The method of claim 39, wherein the subject has glioma.
60. The method of claim 55, wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is
an alkylating agent.
61. A method for treating multiple myeloma or glioma in a human
subject, comprising administering to a subject having multiple
myeloma or glioma an effective amount of a humanized antibody or
antigen binding fragment, comprising: (i) a humanized heavy chain
variable region with the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:14; and
(ii) a humanized light chain variable region with the sequence set
forth in SEQ ID NO:24.
62. The method of claim 61, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding
fragment is conjugated to a chemotherapeutic agent.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is
an anti-tubulin agent.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein the anti-tubulin agent is MMAE
or MMAF.
65. The method of claim 62, wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is
an alkylating agent.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/053,164, filed Oct. 14, 2013, which is a division of U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/271,143, filed Oct. 11, 2011, now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,562,987, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/912,096, filed Oct. 23, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,067,546, which
is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 USC 371 of
International Application No. PCT/US2006/015145, filed Apr. 19,
2006, which claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/673,070, filed Apr. 19, 2005,
each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING
[0002] This application includes an electronic sequence listing in
a file named "481668-Sequence.txt", created on Jul. 22, 2016 and
containing 52,076 bytes, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] CD70 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family
of cell membrane-bound and secreted molecules that are expressed by
a variety of normal and malignant cell types. The primary amino
acid (AA) sequence of CD70 predicts a transmembrane type II protein
with its carboxyl terminus exposed to the outside of cells and its
amino terminus found in the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane
(Bowman et al., 1994, J. Immunol. 152:1756-61; Goodwin et al.,
1993, Cell 73:447-56). Human CD70 is composed of a 20 AA
cytoplasmic domain, an 18 AA transmembrane domain, and a 155 AA
extracytoplasmic domain with two potential N-linked glycosylation
sites (Bowman et al., supra; Goodwin et al., supra). Specific
immunoprecipitation of radioisotope-labeled CD70-expressing cells
by anti-CD70 antibodies yields polypeptides of 29 and 50 kDa
(Goodwin et al., supra; Hintzen et al., 1994, J. Immunol.
152:1762-73). Based on its homology to TNF-alpha and TNF-beta,
especially in structural strands C, D, H and I, a trimeric
structure is predicted for CD70 (Petsch et al., 1995, Mol. Immunol.
32:761-72).
[0004] Original immunohistological studies revealed that CD70 is
expressed on germinal center B cells and rare T cells in tonsils,
skin, and gut (Hintzen et al., 1994, Int. Immunol. 6:477-80).
Subsequently, CD70 was reported to be expressed on the cell surface
of recently antigen-activated T and B lymphocytes, and its
expression wanes after the removal of antigenic stimulation (Lens
et al., 1996, Eur. J. Immunol. 26:2964-71; Lens et al., 1997,
Immunology 90:38-45). Within the lymphoid system, activated natural
killer cells (Orengo et al., 1997, Clin. Exp. Immunol. 107:608-13)
and mouse mature peripheral dendritic cells (Akiba et al., 2000, J.
Exp. Med. 191:375-80) also express CD70. In non-lymphoid lineages,
CD70 has been detected on thymic medullar epithelial cells (Hintzen
et al., 1994, supra; Hishima et al., 2000, Am. J. Surg. Pathol.
24:742-46).
[0005] CD70 is not expressed on normal non-hematopoietic cells.
CD70 expression is mostly restricted to recently antigen-activated
T and B cells under physiological conditions, and its expression is
down-regulated when antigenic stimulation ceases. Evidence from
animal models suggests that CD70 may contribute to immunological
disorders such as, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis (Brugnoni et al.,
1997, Immunol. Lett. 55:99-104), psoriatic arthritis (Brugnoni et
al., 1997, Immunol. Lett. 55:99-104), and lupus (Oelke et al.,
2004, Arthritis Rheum. 50:1850-60). In addition to its potential
role in inflammatory responses, CD70 is also expressed on a variety
of transformed cells including lymphoma B cells, Hodgkin's and
Reed-Sternberg cells, malignant cells of neural origin, and a
number of carcinomas.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for anti-CD70 antibodies and
other CD70 binding agents that can exert a clinically useful
cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory effect on
CD70-expressing cells, particularly without exerting undesirable
effects on non-CD70-expressing cells. Such compounds would be
useful therapeutic agents against cancers that express CD70 or
immune disorders that are mediated by CD70-expressing cells. (The
recitation of any reference in this application is not an admission
that the reference is prior art to this application.)
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention provides CD70 antibodies and related
CD70 binding agents and methods relating to the use of such binding
agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of CD70-expressing cancers
and immunological disorders where CD70-expressing cells are
present. The CD70 binding agent, alone or in combination with a
therapeutic agent, exerts a cytotoxic, cytostatic, and/or
immunomodulatory effect on CD70-expressing cells.
[0008] In an aspect, CD70 binding agents are provided. The CD70
binding agent can be, for example, an antibody. In some
embodiments, the binding agent includes at least one effector
domain mediating at least an ADCC, ADCP or CDC response in the
subject. In some embodiments, the binding agent exerts a
cytostatic, cytotoxic or immunomodulatory effect in the absence of
conjugation to a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the
binding agent is conjugated to a therapeutic agent that exerts a
cytotoxic, cytostatic or immunodulatory effect. The antibody can
compete for binding to CD70 with monoclonal antibody 1F6 or
2F2.
[0009] In another aspect, a method of treating a CD70-expressing
cancer in a subject is provided. The method generally includes
administering to the subject an effective amount of a CD70 binding
agent. In some embodiments, the binding agent includes at least one
effector domain mediating at least an ADCC, ADCP or CDC response in
the subject. In some embodiments, the binding agent exerts a
cytostatic, cytotoxic or immunomodulatory effect in the absence of
conjugation to a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the
binding agent is conjugated to a therapeutic agent that exerts a
cytotoxic, cytostatic or immunodulatory effect.
[0010] The CD70-binding agent can be, for example, an antibody. The
antibody can include, for example, an effector domain of a human
IgM or IgG antibody. The IgG antibody can be, for example, a human
IgG1 or IgG3 subtype. In some embodiments, the antibody includes a
human constant region. In some embodiments, the CD70 binding agent
competes for binding to CD70 with monoclonal antibody 1F6 or 2F2.
In other embodiments, the antibody is a humanized 1F6. In other
embodiments, the antibody is a humanized 2F2. The antibody can be,
for example, monovalent, divalent or multivalent.
[0011] The CD70-expressing cancer can be, a kidney tumor, a B cell
lymphoma, a colon carcinoma, Hodgkin's Disease, multiple myeloma,
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a mantle
cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic
leukemia, a nasopharyngeal carcinoma, brain tumor or a thymic
carcinoma. The kidney tumor can be, for example, a renal cell
carcinoma. The brain tumor can be, for example, a glioma, a
glioblastoma, an astrocytoma or a meningioma. The subject can be,
for example, a mammal, such as a human being.
[0012] In another aspect, a method for treating an immunological
disorder is provided. The method includes administering to a
subject an effective amount of a CD70 binding agent. In some
embodiments, the binding agent includes at least one effector
domain mediating at least an ADCC, ADCP or CDC response in the
subject. In some embodiments, the binding agent exerts a
cytostatic, cytotoxic or immunomodulatory effect in the absence of
conjugation to a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the
binding agent is conjugated to a therapeutic agent that exerts a
cytotoxic, cytostatic or immunodulatory effect. The CD70 binding
agent can be, for example, an antibody. The antibody can include,
for example, an effector domain of a human IgM or IgG antibody. The
IgG antibody can be, for example, a human IgG.sub.1 or IgG.sub.3
subtype. In some embodiments, the antibody includes a human
constant region.
[0013] The immunological disorder can be, for example, a T
cell-mediated immunological disorder. In some embodiments, the T
cell mediated immunogical disorder comprises activated T cells
expressing CD70. In some embodiments, resting T cells are not
substantially depleted by administration of the antibody-drug
conjugate. The T cell-mediated immunological disorder also can be,
for example, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE), Type I diabetes, asthma, atopic
dermatitus, allergic rhinitis, thrombocytopenic purpura, multiple
sclerosis, psoriasis, Sjogren's syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis,
Graves' disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, Wegener's
granulomatosis, tuberculosis, or graft versus host disease. In
other embodiments, the immunological disorder is an activated
B-lymphocyte disorder. The subject can be, for example, a mammal,
such as a human being.
[0014] In a related aspect, also provided is a pharmaceutical
composition for the treatment of a CD70-expressing cancer or an
immunological disorder. The composition includes a CD70 binding
agent and at least one pharmaceutically compatible ingredient.
Further provided is a pharmaceutical kit including a container
including a CD70 binding agent, wherein the agent is lyophilized,
and a second container comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable
diluent.
[0015] The present invention may be more fully understood by
reference to the following detailed description of the invention,
non-limiting examples of specific embodiments of the invention and
the appended figures and sequence listing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an alignment of humanized 1F6 V.sub.H humanized
variants hV.sub.HE (SEQ ID NO:6) and hV.sub.HJ (SEQ ID NO:14) with
1F6 mV.sub.H (residues 20-137 of SEQ ID NO:2) and human germline
V.sub.H exon V.sub.H1-2 and J.sub.H exon JH6 (collectively SEQ ID
NO:31). In the alignment, a <.cndot.> indicates that the
amino acid is identical to the murine residue. The highlighted
lysine residue (K) at H46 of hV.sub.HJ indicates a back mutation to
the murine residue. Underlined amino acid residues indicate
positions in CDR1 and CDR2 according to the Kabat definition,
whereas boxed residues indicate positions in the corresponding CDR
identified by the Chothia definition. A < >, as at positions
37, 39, 45, 47, 95 and 97, indicates a residue in involved in the
V.sub.H/V.sub.L interface.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an alignment of humanized 1F6 V.sub.H humanized
variants hV.sub.HH (SEQ ID NO:10) and hV.sub.HM (SEQ ID NO:18) with
1F6 mV.sub.H (residues 20-137 of SEQ ID NO:2) and human germline
V.sub.H exon V.sub.H1-18 and J.sub.H exon JH6 (collectively SEQ ID
NO:32). In the alignment, a <.cndot.> indicates that the
amino acid is identical to the murine residue. The highlighted
residues at H46, H67, H68, H69, H70, and H71 of hV.sub.HM indicate
back mutations to the murine residues. Similarly, the highlighted
residues at H67, H68, H69, H70, H71, H80, H81, H82, and H82A of
hV.sub.HH indicate back mutations to the murine residues.
Underlined amino acid residues indicate positions in CDR1, CDR2,
and CDR3 according to the Kabat definition, whereas boxed residues
indicate positions in the corresponding CDR identified by the
Chothia definition. A < >, as at positions 37, 39, 45, 47,
98, and 100 indicates a residue in involved in the V.sub.H/V.sub.L
interface.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an alignment of humanized 1F6 V.sub.L variant
hV.sub.LA (SEQ ID NO:24) with 1F6 mV.sub.L (residues 21-132 of SEQ
ID NO:22) and human germline V.sub..kappa. exon B3 and
J.sub..kappa. exon J.kappa.-1 (collectively SEQ ID NO:33). In the
alignment, a <.cndot.> indicates that the amino acid is
identical to the murine residue. Underlined amino acid residues
indicate positions in CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 according to the Kabat
definition, whereas boxed residues indicate positions in the
corresponding CDR identified by the Chothia definition.
A<.sup.A>, as at positions 42, 44, 50, 52, and 93, indicates
a residue in involved in the V.sub.H/V.sub.L interface.
[0019] FIGS. 4A-B show that humanized 1F6 anti-CD70 antibodies
mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
Na.sub.2.sup.51CrO.sub.4-labeled target cells (WIL2-S B
lymphoblastoid cells, 786-O renal cell carcinoma cells, and 769-P
renal cell carcinoma cells) were coated with antibody and incubated
with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at an effector to
target ratio of 10 CD16.sup.+ (Fc.gamma.III receptor) cells to 1
target cell. After 4 hours, the supernatants from lysed cells were
measured on a scintillation counter. The percent specific lysis was
calculated as {(test sample cpm-spontaneous cpm)/(total
cpm-spontaneous cpm)}.times.100. Points represent the
mean.+-.standard deviation of triplicate samples. FIG. 4A shows the
ADCC activity mediated by humanized 1F6 variants HHLA, HJLA and
HELA compared to non-binding antibody control hIgG.sub.1 and murine
1F6 antibody.
[0020] FIG. 4B shows antibody-directed lysis of renal cell
carcinoma cell lines mediated by chimeric 1F6 and humanized 1F6
variant HJLA, and hIgG.sub.1.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows that humanized 1F6 anti-CD70 variant HJLA
mediates complement-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (CDC). LP-1,
MHH PreB-1 and WIL-S target cells were mixed with chimeric 1F6,
humanized 1F6 (HJLA) or non-binding human Ig in the presence of
human serum as a source of complement. After 2 hours at 37.degree.
C., propidium iodide was added to determine cell viability as
measured by flow cytometry, and the amount of lytic activity was
calculated. Bars represent the mean.+-.standard deviation of
triplicate samples.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows that humanized 1F6 anti-CD70 antibodies mediate
antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). 786-O CD70.sup.+
renal cell carcinoma target cells were labeled with a red
fluorescent cell membrane dye (PKH26, Sigma-Aldrich, Inc., St.
Louis, Mo.) and then coated with chimeric 1F6, humanized 1F6 (HJLA)
or non-binding human Ig for 30 minutes on ice. Labeled,
antibody-treated target cells were mixed with monocyte-derived
macrophages at a ratio of 1 macrophage to 4 target cells for 1 hour
at 37.degree. C. Macrophages were stained with an Alexa Fluor.RTM.
488 (Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, Oreg.) anti-CD11b antibody and
the percent phagocytic activity was determined by the percentage of
macrophages exhibiting dual fluorescence when analyzed by flow
cytometry.
[0023] FIGS. 7A-C shows humanized 1F6 anti-CD70 antibody prolongs
survival of mice in xenograft models of disseminated lymphoma and
multiple myeloma. (FIG. 7A) Survival of mice injected with Raji
cells and treated with humanized 1F6 antibody or control
non-binding antibody. Treatment was initiated one day after tumor
cell injection and was administered by intraperitoneal injection
every four days for a total of six doses (n=10 per group). (FIGS.
7B-C, left panels) Survival of mice injected with L363- or
MM.1S-cells and treated with humanized 1F6 starting one day after
cell implant. The antibody was administered by intravenous
injection once weekly for a total of five doses. Mice were
monitored twice weekly and were euthanized upon manifestation of
disease (n=7 per group). (FIGS. 7B-C, right panels) Analyis of
.lamda. light chain concentrations in sera collected from mice
injected with L363- or MM.1S-cells. Samples were collected on days
35 and 42 post tumor injection, respectively. In all studies, p
values given are between humanized 1F6-treated groups and the
untreated group.
[0024] FIGS. 8A-B shows humanized 1F6 mediates depletion of
antigen-specific CD8+/V.beta.17+ cells. PBMCs from a normal
HLA-A0201 donor were stimulated with the M1 peptide. (FIG. 8A)
Peptide-stimulated cultures were untreated or treated with
concurrent addition of graded doses of humanized 1F6 antibody, as
indicated. The percent CD8+/V.beta.17+ cells after 9 days was
determined by flow cytometry. (FIG. 8B) Peptide-stimulated cultures
were untreated or treated on day 0 with 1 .mu.g/ml humanized 1F6 in
the absence (solid bars) or presence (hatched bars) of 10 .mu.g/ml
antibody specific for Fc.gamma.RIII (CD16). The percent
CD8+/V.beta.17+ cells after 9 days was determined by flow
cytometry.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows minimal impact of anti-CD70 1F6 antibody on
bystander resting T cells. PBMCs from a normal HLA-A0201 donor were
untreated (no stim) or stimulated with M1 peptide (peptide stim) in
the presence or absence of 1 .mu.g/mL c1F6. After nine days in
culture, V.beta. TCR representation among CD4 and CD8 cells from
each group was analyzed by flow cytometry using the IOTest.RTM.
Beta Mark TCR V.beta. Repertoire Kit.
[0026] FIGS. 10A-B shows a mouse Xenograft model of Renal Cell
Carcinoma. (FIG. 10A) Subcutaneous 786-O tumors were initiated in
nude mice by implanting tumor fragments (N=5 or 6/group) of
approximately 30 mm.sup.3. Tumor growth was allowed to establish
and treatment began when average tumor size within each group was
approximately 100 mm.sup.3. h1F6-mcMMAF4 or h1F6-vcMMAF4 at the
indicated doses was administered at a q4d.times.4 schedule
beginning on day 17 after tumor implantation, as indicated by the
arrows. Cross-strikes indicate when animals with tumors >1000
mm.sup.3 were euthanized. (FIG. 10B) 786-O tumor implantation and
treatment initiation are the same as given in (FIG. 10A). Groups of
mice (N=5-7) were administered with h1F6-mcMMAF4 or h1F6-vcMMAF4 at
0.17 mg/kg at a q4d.times.4 or q4d.times.10 schedule beginning on
day 13 after tumor implantation. Tumor growth is represented by
Kaplan-Meier plots. An event was registered when a mouse with a
tumor quadrupled in size compared to day 13 when treatment began.
Mice with tumors that did not quadruple in size at the end of the
experiment on day 43 were censored. The log-rank test was used to
generate p values between treatment groups and the untreated
group.
[0027] FIGS. 11A-B shows a mouse Xenograft Model of Multiple
Myeloma. (FIG. 11A) Ten million MM-1S cells were injected
intravenously into each SCID mouse. Groups of mice (N=8-10) were
left untreated, received IgG-vcMMAF4, IgG-mcMMAF4, h1F6-vcMMAF4, or
h1F6-mcMMAF4 at the specified doses on a q7d.times.5 schedule, as
indicated by the arrows. Mice showing symptoms of hind limb
paralysis, hunched posture, cranial swelling, and/or scruffy coat
were euthanized, and the percent survival of each group was
plotted. The log-rank test was used to generate p values between
treatment groups and the control groups. (FIG. 11B) Bone marrow
cells were recovered from the femurs of euthanized mice due to the
above disease symptoms or on day 122 post tumor cell implantation
when the experiment was terminated. The percentage of
CD138-expressing MM-1S cells in the femers of each mouse was
determined by flow cytometry. The Mann-Whitney test was used to
derived p values between the indicated groups.
[0028] FIGS. 12A-B shows a mouse Xenograft model of Multiple
Myeloma. (FIG. 12A) Ten million L363 cells were injected
intravenously into each SCID mouse. Groups of mice (N=7) were left
untreated, received IgG-vcMMAF4, or h1F6-vcMMAF4 at the specified
doses on a q7d.times.5 schedule as indicated by the arrows. Mice
showing palpable tumor masses were euthanized, and the percent
survival of each group was plotted. The log-rank test was used to
generate the p value between the treated group and the untreated
group. (FIG. 12B) Serum samples were obtained from mice 40 days
after tumor implant. The concentration of human .lamda. light chain
in the serum of each mouse was determined by ELISA. The
Mann-Whitney test was used to derive p values between the indicated
groups.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present invention provides CD70 binding agents and
methods for using such binding agents for the prophylaxis or
treatment of CD70-expressing cancers and immunological disorders.
The CD70 binding agent specifically binds to CD70 (e.g., the
extracellular domain). The binding agent may include at least one
effector domain mediating an ADCC, ADCP and/or CDC response. The
binding agent may exert a cytostatic, cytotoxic or immunomodulatory
effect in the absence of conjugation to a therapeutic agent. The
binding agent may be conjugated to a therapeutic agent that exerts
a cytotoxic, cytostatic or immunodulatory effect.
[0030] In one aspect, the compositions and methods relate to CD70
binding agents, such as antibodies and antibody derivatives. The
anti-CD70 antibody can be a monoclonal, chimeric or humanized
antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof. In some embodiments,
the anti-CD70 antibody includes an antibody constant region or
domain. The antibody constant region or domain can be, for example,
of the IgG subtype. In an exemplary embodiment, the anti-CD70
antibody, fragment or derivatives thereof, competes with the murine
monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1F6 or 2F2 for binding to CD70 and
comprises human antibody constant region sequences. In another
exemplary embodiment, the anti-CD70 antibody, or fragment or
derivative thereof, has an effector domain (e.g., an Fc portion)
that can interact with effector cells or complement to mediate a
cytotoxic, cytostatic, and/or immunomodulatory effect that results
in the depletion or inhibition of the proliferation of
CD70-expressing cells. In another exemplary embodiment, the
anti-CD70 antibody lacks effector function. In another exemplary
embodiment, the anti-CD70 antibody is conjugated to a therapeutic
agent.
[0031] Also included are kits and articles of manufacture
comprising a CD70 binding agent (e.g., a humanized anti-CD70
antibody).
[0032] For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the
detailed description of the invention is divided into the
subsections which follow.
I. Definitions and Abbreviations
[0033] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art pertinent to the methods and compositions
described. When trade names are used herein, applicants intend to
independently include the trade name product formulation, the
generic drug, and the active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) of the
trade name product. As used herein, the following terms and phrases
have the meanings ascribed to them unless specified otherwise.
[0034] The terms "CD70 binding agent" and "anti-CD70 binding agent"
as used herein means an anti-CD70 antibody, a derivative or a
fragment of an anti-CD70 antibody, or other agent that binds to
CD70 and comprises at least one CDR or variable region of a CD70
binding antibody, or a derivative thereof.
[0035] The term "specifically binds" means that the binding agent
will react, in a highly selective manner, with its corresponding
antigen and not with the multitude of other antigens (e.g.,
non-CD70 molecules).
[0036] As used herein, the term "functional" in the context of a
CD70 binding agent indicates that the binding agent is capable of
binding to CD70.
[0037] The terms "inhibit" or "inhibition of" as used herein means
to reduce by a measurable amount, or to prevent entirely.
[0038] The term "deplete" in the context of the effect of a
CD70-binding agent on CD70-expressing cells refers to a reduction
in the number of or elimination of the CD70-expressing cells.
[0039] "Intact antibodies" and "intact immunoglobulins" are defined
herein as heterotetrameric glycoproteins, typically of about
150,000 daltons, composed of two identical light (L) chain and two
identical heavy (H) chains. Each light chain is covalently linked
to a heavy chain by a disulfide bond to form a heterodimer. The
heterotetramer is formed by covalent disulfide linkage between the
two identical heavy chains of such heterodimers. Although the light
and heavy chains are linked together by a disulfide bond, the
number of disulfide linkages between the two heavy chains varies by
immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype. Each heavy and light chain also has
regularly spaced intrachain disulfide bridges. Each heavy chain has
at the amino-terminus a variable domain (V.sub.H), followed by
three or four constant domains (C.sub.H1, C.sub.H2, C.sub.H3,
and/or C.sub.H4), as well as a hinge (J) region between C.sub.H1
and C.sub.H2. Each light chain has two domains, an amino-terminal
variable domain (V.sub.L) and a carboxy-terminal constant domain
(C.sub.L). The V.sub.L domain associates non-covalently with the
V.sub.H domain, whereas the C.sub.L domain is commonly covalently
linked to the C.sub.H1 domain via a disulfide bond. Particular
amino acid residues are believed to form an interface between the
light and heavy chain variable domains (Chothia et al., 1985, J.
Mol. Biol. 186:651-663).
[0040] The term "hypervariable" refers to certain sequences within
the variable domains that differ extensively in sequence among
antibodies and contain residues that are directly involved in the
binding and specificity of each particular antibody for its
specific antigenic determinant. Hypervariability, both in the light
chain and the heavy chain variable domains, is concentrated in
three segments known as complementarity determining regions (CDRs)
or hypervariable loops (HVLs). CDRs are defined by sequence
comparison in Kabat et al., 1991, In: Sequences of Proteins of
Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National
Institutes of Health, Bethesda, M.D., whereas HVLs are structurally
defined according to the three-dimensional structure of the
variable domain, as described by Chothia and Lesk, 1987, J. Mol.
Biol. 196:901-917. Where these two methods result in slightly
different identifications of a CDR, the structural definition is
preferred. As defined by Kabat (see Kabat et al., "Sequences of
proteins of immunological interest, 5th ed., Pub. No. 91-3242, U.S.
Dept. Health & Human Services, NIH, Bethesda, M. D., 1991),
CDR-L1 is positioned at about residues 24-34, CDR-L2, at about
residues 50-56, and CDR-L3, at about residues and 89-97 in the
light chain variable domain and at about 31-35 in CDR-H1, at about
50-65 in CDR-H2, and at about 95-102 in CDR-H3 in the heavy chain
variable domain.
[0041] The three CDRs within each of the heavy and light chains are
separated by framework regions (FRs), which contain sequences that
tend to be less variable. From the amino terminus to the carboxy
terminus of the heavy and light chain variable domains, the FRs and
CDRs are arranged in the order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3,
and FR4. The largely .beta.-sheet configuration of the FRs brings
the CDRs within each of the chains to close proximity to each other
as well as to the CDRs from the other chain. The resulting
conformation contributes to the antigen binding site (see Kabat et
al., 1991, NIH Publ. No. 91-3242, Vol. I, pages 647-669), although
not all CDR residues are necessarily directly involved in antigen
binding.
[0042] FR residues and Ig constant domains typically are not
directly involved in antigen binding, but can contribute to antigen
binding or mediate antibody effector function. Some FR residues can
have a significant effect on antigen binding in at least three
ways: by noncovalently binding directly to an epitope, by
interacting with one or more CDR residues, and by affecting the
interface between the heavy and light chains. The constant domains
mediate various Ig effector functions, such as participation of the
antibody in antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC),
complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and/or antibody dependent
cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).
[0043] The light chains of vertebrate immunoglobulins are assigned
to one of two clearly distinct classes, kappa (.kappa.) and lambda
(.lamda.), based on the amino acid sequence of the constant domain.
By comparison, the heavy chains of mammalian immunoglobulins are
assigned to one of five major classes, according to the sequence of
the constant domains: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. IgG and IgA are
further divided into subclasses (isotypes), e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3,
IgG4, IgA, and IgA2. The heavy chain constant domains that
correspond to the different classes of immunoglobulins are called
.alpha., .delta., .epsilon., .gamma., and .mu., respectively. The
subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of the
classes of native immunoglobulins are well known.
[0044] The terms "antibody", "anti-CD70 antibody", "humanized
anti-CD70 antibody", and "variant humanized anti-CD70 antibody" are
used herein in the broadest sense and specifically encompass
full-length and native antibodies, monoclonal antibodies (including
full-length monoclonal antibodies), polyclonal antibodies,
multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and
antibody or antigen-binding fragments thereof, such as variable
domains and other portions of antibodies that exhibit a desired
biological activity, e.g., CD70 binding.
[0045] The term "monoclonal antibody" (mAb) refers to an antibody
obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies;
that is, the individual antibodies comprising the population are
identical except for naturally occurring mutations that may be
present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly
specific, being directed against a single antigenic determinant,
also referred to as an epitope. The modifier "monoclonal" is
indicative of a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies
directed to the identical epitope and is not to be construed as
requiring production of the antibody by any particular method.
Monoclonal antibodies can be made by any technique or methodology
known in the art; for example, the hybridoma method first described
by Kohler et al., 1975, Nature 256:495, or recombinant DNA methods
known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). In another
example, monoclonal antibodies can also be isolated from phage
antibody libraries, using techniques described in Clackson et al.,
1991, Nature 352: 624-628, and Marks et al., 1991, J. Mol. Biol.
222:581-597.
[0046] In contrast, the antibodies in a preparation of polyclonal
antibodies are typically a heterogeneous population of
immunoglobulin isotypes and/or classes and also exhibit a variety
of epitope specificity.
[0047] The term "chimeric" antibody, as used herein, is a type of
monoclonal antibody in which a portion of or the complete amino
acid sequence in one or more regions or domains of the heavy and/or
light chain is identical with, homologous to, or a variant of the
corresponding sequence in a monoclonal antibody from another
species or belonging to another immunoglobulin class or isotype, or
from a consensus sequence. Chimeric antibodies include fragments of
such antibodies, provided that the antibody fragment exhibits the
desired biological activity of its parent antibody, for example
binding to the same epitope (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567;
and Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 81:6851-6855).
Methods for producing chimeric antibodies are known in the art.
(See, e.g., Morrison, 1985. Science 229:1202; Oi et al., 1986,
BioTechniques 4:214; Gillies et al., 1989, J. Immunol. Methods
125:191-202; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,807,715; 4,816,567; and
4,816,397.)
[0048] The terms "antibody fragment", "anti-CD70 antibody
fragment", "humanized anti-CD70 antibody fragment", and "variant
humanized anti-CD70 antibody fragment" refer to a portion of a
full-length anti-CD70 antibody in which a variable region or a
functional capability is retained, for example, specific CD70
epitope binding. Examples of antibody fragments include, but are
not limited to, a Fab, Fab', F(ab').sub.2, Fd, Fv, scFv and scFv-Fc
fragment, diabody, triabody, tetrabody, linear antibody,
single-chain antibody, and other multispecific antibodies formed
from antibody fragments. (See Holliger and Hudson, 2005, Nat.
Biotechnol. 23:1126-1136.)
[0049] A "single-chain Fv" or "scFv" antibody fragment is a single
chain Fv variant comprising the V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains of an
antibody, in which the domains are present in a single polypeptide
chain and which is capable of recognizing and binding antigen. The
scFv polypeptide optionally contains a polypeptide linker
positioned between the V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains that enables the
scFv to form a desired three-dimensional structure for antigen
binding (see, e.g., Pluckthun, 1994, In The Pharmacology of
Monoclonal Antibodies, Vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds.,
Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315).
[0050] The term "diabody" refers to small antibody fragment having
two antigen-binding sites. Each fragment contains a heavy chain
variable domain (V.sub.H) concatenated to a light chain variable
domain (V.sub.L) to form a V.sub.H-V.sub.L or V.sub.L-V.sub.H
polypeptide. By using a linker that is too short to allow pairing
between the two domains on the same chain, the linked
V.sub.H-V.sub.L domains are forced to pair with complementary
domains of another chain, creating two antigen-binding sites.
Diabodies are described more fully, for example, in EP 404 097; WO
93/11161; and Hollinger et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
90:6444-6448.
[0051] The term "linear antibody" refers to antibodies that
comprises a pair of tandem Fd segments
(V.sub.H-C.sub.H1-V.sub.H-C.sub.H1) that form a pair of antigen
binding regions. Linear antibodies can be bispecific or
monospecific, as described in Zapata et al., 1995, Protein Eng.
8(10):1057-1062.
[0052] A "humanized antibody" refers to an immunoglobulin amino
acid sequence variant or fragment thereof which is capable of
binding to a predetermined antigen and which comprises a variable
region polypeptide chain having framework regions having
substantially the amino acid sequence of a human immunoglobulin and
a CDR(s) having substantially the amino acid sequence of a
non-human immunoglobulin.
[0053] Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid
residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human. These
non-human amino acid residues are referred to herein as "import"
residues, which are typically taken from an "import" antibody
domain, particularly a variable domain. An import residue,
sequence, or antibody has a desired affinity and/or specificity, or
other desirable antibody biological activity as discussed
herein.
[0054] In general, the humanized antibody will comprise
substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable
domains in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions
correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or
substantially all of the framework regions are those of a human
immunoglobulin sequence, such as from, for example, a consensus or
germline sequence. The humanized antibody optionally also will
comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin Fc domain,
typically that of a human immunoglobulin. For example, the antibody
may contain both the light chain as well as at least the variable
domain of a heavy chain. The antibody also may include the
C.sub.H1, hinge (J), C.sub.H2, C.sub.H3, and/or C.sub.H4 regions of
the heavy chain, as appropriate.
[0055] The humanized antibody can be selected from any class of
immunoglobulins, including IgM, IgG, IgD, IgA and IgE, and any
isotype, including IgG.sub.1, IgG.sub.2, IgG.sub.3 and IgG.sub.4.
The constant region or domain can include, for example, a
complement fixing constant domain where it is desired that the
humanized antibody exhibit cytotoxic activity (e.g., IgG.sub.1).
Where such cytotoxic activity is not desirable, the constant domain
may be of another class (e.g., IgG.sub.2). The humanized antibody
may comprise sequences from more than one class or isotype, and
selecting particular constant domains to optimize desired effector
functions is within the ordinary skill in the art.
[0056] The FR and CDR regions of the humanized antibody need not
correspond precisely to the parental sequences, e.g., the import
CDR or the consensus FR may be altered by substitution, insertion
or deletion of at least one residue so that the CDR or FR residue
at that site does not correspond to either the consensus or the
import antibody. Such mutations typically will not be extensive.
Usually, at least 75% of the humanized antibody residues will
correspond to those of the parental FR and CDR sequences, more
often at least 90%, and most often greater than 95%.
[0057] The term "antibody effector function(s)" as used herein
refers to a function contributed by an Fc domain(s) of an Ig. Such
functions can be, for example, antibody-dependent cellular
cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis or
complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Such function can be effected
by, for example, binding of an Fc effector domain(s) to an Fc
receptor on an immune cell with phagocytic or lytic activity or by
binding of an Fc effector domain(s) to components of the complement
system. Typically, the effect(s) mediated by the Fc-binding cells
or complement components result in inhibition and/or depletion of
the CD70 targeted cell. Without intending to be bound by any
particular theory, Fc regions of antibodies can recruit Fc receptor
(FcR)-expressing cells and juxtapose them with antibody-coated
target cells. Cells expressing surface FcR for IgGs including
Fc.gamma.RIII (CD16), Fc.gamma.RII (CD32) and Fc.gamma.RIII (CD64)
can act as effector cells for the destruction of IgG-coated cells.
Such effector cells include monocytes, macrophages, natural killer
(NK) cells, neutrophils and eosinophils. Engagement of Fc.gamma.R
by IgG activates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or
antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). ADCC is mediated
by CD16.sup.+ effector cells through the secretion of membrane
pore-forming proteins and proteases, while phagocytosis is mediated
by CD32.sup.+ and CD64.sup.+ effector cells (see Fundamental
Immunology, 4.sup.th ed., Paul ed., Lippincott-Raven, N.Y., 1997,
Chapters 3, 17 and 30; Uchida et al., 2004, J. Exp. Med.
199:1659-69; Akewanlop et al., 2001, Cancer Res. 61:4061-65;
Watanabe et al., 1999, Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 53:199-207). In
addition to ADCC and ADCP, Fc regions of cell-bound antibodies can
also activate the complement classical pathway to elicit
complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). C1q of the complement
system binds to the Fc regions of antibodies when they are
complexed with antigens. Binding of C1q to cell-bound antibodies
can initiate a cascade of events involving the proteolytic
activation of C4 and C2 to generate the C3 convertase. Cleavage of
C3 to C3b by C3 convertase enables the activation of terminal
complement components including C5b, C6, C7, C8 and C9.
Collectively, these proteins form membrane-attack complex pores on
the antibody-coated cells. These pores disrupt the cell membrane
integrity, killing the target cell (see Immunobiology, 6.sup.th
ed., Janeway et al., Garland Science, N.Y., 2005, Chapter 2).
[0058] The term "antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity", or
ADCC, is a mechanism for inducing cell death that depends upon the
interaction of antibody-coated target cells with immune cells
possessing lytic activity (also referred to as effector cells).
Such effector cells include natural killer cells,
monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. The effector cells attach to
an Fc effector domain(s) of Ig bound to target cells via their
antigen-combining sites. Death of the antibody-coated target cell
occurs as a result of effector cell activity.
[0059] The term "antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis", or
ADCP, refers to the process by which antibody-coated cells are
internalized, either in whole or in part, by phagocytic immune
cells (e.g., macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells) that
bind to an Fc effector domain(s) of Ig.
[0060] The term "complement-dependent cytotoxicity", or CDC, refers
to a mechanism for inducing cell death in which an Fc effector
domain(s) of a target-bound antibody activates a series of
enzymatic reactions culminating in the formation of holes in the
target cell membrane. Typically, antigen-antibody complexes such as
those on antibody-coated target cells bind and activate complement
component C1q which in turn activates the complement cascade
leading to target cell death. Activation of complement may also
result in deposition of complement components on the target cell
surface that facilitate ADCC by binding complement receptors (e.g.,
CR3) on leukocytes.
[0061] "Immune cell" as used herein refers to a cell of
hematopoietic lineage involved in regulating an immune response. In
typical embodiments, an immune cell is a T lymphocyte, a B
lymphocyte, an NK cell, a monocyte/macrophage, or a dendritic
cell.
[0062] "Effector cell" as used herein refers to a cell that
expresses a surface receptor for the Fc domain of an immunoglobulin
(FcR). For example, cells that express surface FcR for IgGs
including Fc.gamma.RIII (CD16), Fc.gamma.RII (CD32) and
Fc.gamma.RIII (CD64) can act as effector cells. Such effector cells
include monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells,
neutrophils and eosinophils.
[0063] A "therapeutic agent" is an agent that exerts a cytotoxic,
cytostatic, and/or immunomodulatory effect on cancer cells,
activated immune cells or other target cell population. Examples of
therapeutic agents include cytotoxic agents, chemotherapeutic
agents, cytostatic agents, and immunomodulatory agents.
[0064] A "cytotoxic effect" refers to the depletion, elimination
and/or the killing of a target cell. A "cytotoxic agent" refers to
an agent that has a cytotoxic effect on a cell. The term is
intended to include radioactive isotopes (such as I.sup.131,
I.sup.125, Y.sup.90, and Re.sup.186), chemotherapeutic agents, and
toxins such as enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal,
plant, or animal origin, and fragments thereof. Such cytotoxic
agents can be coupled to an antibody, e.g., a humanized anti-CD70
antibody, and used, for example, to treat a patient indicated for
therapy with the antibody. In one embodiment, "cytotoxic agent"
includes monoclonal antibodies, e.g., antibodies used in
combination with the humanized antibodies described herein.
[0065] A "chemotherapeutic agent" is a chemical compound useful in
the treatment of cancer. Examples of chemotherapeutic agents
include alkylating agents such a thiotepa and cyclosphosphamide
(CYTOXAN.TM.); alkyl sulfonates such as busulfan, improsulfan, and
piposulfan; aziridines such as benzodopa, carboquone, meturedopa,
and uredopa; ethylenimines and methylamelamines including
altretamine, triethylenemelamine, triethylenephosphoramide,
triethylenethiophosphoramide, and trimethylolomelamine;
[0066] acetogenins (especially bullatacin and bullatacinone);
camptothecin (including the synthetic analogue topotecan);
bryostatin; callystatin; CC-1065 (including its adozelesin,
carzelesin, and bizelesin synthetic analogues) and derivatives
thereof; cryptophycines (particularly cryptophycin 1 and
cryptophycin 8); dolastatin, auristatins (including analogues
monomethyl-auristatin E and monomethyl-auristatin F (see, e.g.,
U.S. Published Application No. 2005-0238649, published Oct. 27,
2005, incorporated herein in its entirety); duocarmycin (including
the synthetic analogues, KW-2189 and CBI-TMI); eleutherobin;
pancratistatin; sarcodictyin; spongistatin; nitrogen mustards such
as chlorambucil, chlornaphazine, cholophosphamide, estramustine,
ifosfamide, mechlorethamine, mechlorethamine oxide hydrochloride,
melphalan, novembichin, phenesterine, prednimustine; trofosfamide,
uracil mustard; nitrosureas such as carmustine, chlorozotocin,
fotemustine, lomustine, nimustine, ranimustine; antibiotics such as
the enediyne antibiotics (e.g., calicheamicin, especially
calichemicin gamma1I and calicheamicin phiI1, see for example,
Agnew, Chem. Intl. Ed. Engl., 33:183-186; dynemicin, including
dynemicin A; bisphosphonates, such as clodronate; esperamicin; as
well as neocarzinostatin chromophore and related chromoprotein
enediyne antibiotic chromomophores), aclacinomysins, actinomycin,
authramycin, azaserine, bleomycins, cactinomycin, carabicin,
carminomycin, carzinophilin, chromomycins, dactinomycin,
daunorubicin, detorubicin, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, doxorubicin
(Adriamycin.TM.) (including morpholino-doxorubicin,
cyanomorpholino-doxorubicin, 2-pyrrolino-doxorubicin, and
deoxydoxorubicin), epirubucin, esorubicin, idarubicin,
marcellomycin, mitomycins such as mitomycin C, mycophenolic acid,
nogalamycin, olivomycins, peplomycin, potfiromycin, puromycine,
quelamycin, rodorubicin, streptonigrin, streptozocin, tubercidin,
ubenimex, zinostatin, zorubicin; anti-metabolites such a
methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU); folic acid analogues such
as denopterin, methotrexate, pteropterin, trimetrexate; purine
analogs such as fludarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, thiamiprine,
thioguanine; pyrimidine analogs such as ancitabine, azacitidine,
6-azauridine, carmofur, cytarabine, dideoxyuridine, doxifluridine,
enocitabine, floxuridine; androgens such as calusterone,
dromostanolone propionate, epitiostanol, mepitiostane,
testolactone; anti-adranals such as aminoglutethimide, mitotane,
trilostane; folic acid replenisher such as frolinic acid;
aceglatone; aldophosphamide glycoside; aminolevulinic acid;
eniluracil; amsacrine; bestrabucil; bisantrene; edatraxate;
defofamine; democolcine; diaziquone; elfornithine; elliptinium
acetate; an epothilone; etoglucid; gallium nitrate; hydroxyurea;
lentinan; lonidamine; maytansinoids such as maytansine and
ansamitocins; mitoguazone, mitoxantrone; mopidamol; nitracrine;
pentostatin; phenamet; pirarubicin; losoxantrone; podophyllinic
acid; 2-ethylhydrazide; procarbazine; PSK.RTM.; razoxane; rhizoxin;
sizofiran; spirogermanium; tenuazonic acid; triaziquone;
2,2',2''-trichlorotriethylamine; trichothecenes (especially T-2
toxin, verracurin A, roridin A and anguidine); urethan; vindesine;
dacarbazine; mannomustine; mitabronitol; mitolactol; pipobroman;
gacytosine; arabinoside ("Ara-C"); cyclophosphamide; thiotepa;
taxoids, e.g., paclitaxel (TAXOL.RTM., Bristol-Myers Squibb
Oncology, Princeton, N.J.) and doxetaxel (TAXOTERE.RTM.,
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France); chlorambucil; gemcitabine
(Gemzar.TM.); 6-thioguanine; mercaptopurine; methotrexate; platinum
analogs such as cisplatin and carboplatin; vinblastine; platinum;
etoposide (VP-16); ifosfamide; mitoxantrone; vincristine;
vinorelbine (Navelbine.TM.); novantrone; teniposide; edatrexate;
daunomycin; aminopterin; xeloda; ibandronate; CPT-11; topoisomerase
inhibitor RFS 2000; difluoromethylornithine (DMFO); retinoids such
as retinoic acid; capecitabine; and pharmaceutically acceptable
salts, acids, or derivatives of any of the above. Also included in
this definition are anti-hormonal agents that act to regulate or
inhibit hormone action on tumors such as anti-estrogens and
selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), including, for
example, tamoxifen (including Nolvadex.TM.), raloxifene,
droloxifene, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, trioxifene, keoxifene, LY117018,
onapristone, and toremifene (Fareston.TM.); aromatase inhibitors
that inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which regulates estrogen
production in the adrenal glands, such as, for example,
4(5)-imidazoles, aminoglutethimide, megestrol acetate (Megace.TM.),
exemestane, formestane, fadrozole, vorozole (Rivisor.TM.),
letrozole (Femara.TM.), and anastrozole (Arimidex.TM.); and
anti-androgens such as flutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide,
leuprolide, and goserelin; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts,
acids, or derivatives of any of the above.
[0067] The term "prodrug" as used herein refers to a precursor or
derivative form of a pharmaceutically active substance that is less
cytotoxic to tumor cells compared to the parent drug and is capable
of being enzymatically activated or converted into the more active
parent form. See, for example, Wilman, 1986, "Prodrugs in Cancer
Chemotherapy", In Biochemical Society Transactions, 14, pp.
375-382, 615th Meeting Belfast; and Stella et al., 1985, "Prodrugs:
A Chemical Approach to Targeted Drug Delivery, In: "Directed Drug
Delivery, Borchardt et al., (ed.), pp. 247-267, Humana Press.
Useful prodrugs include, but are not limited to,
phosphate-containing prodrugs, thiophosphate-containing prodrugs,
sulfate-containing prodrugs, peptide-containing prodrugs, D-amino
acid-modified prodrugs, glycosylated prodrugs,
.beta.-lactam-containing prodrugs, optionally substituted
phenoxyacetamide-containing prodrugs, and optionally substituted
phenylacetamide-containing prodrugs, 5-fluorocytosine and other
5-fluorouridine prodrugs that can be converted into the more active
cytotoxic free drug. Examples of cytotoxic drugs that can be
derivatized into a prodrug form include, but are not limited to,
those chemotherapeutic agents described above.
[0068] A "cytostatic effect" refers to the inhibition of cell
proliferation. A "cytostatic agent" refers to an agent that has a
cytostatic effect on a cell, thereby inhibiting the growth and/or
expansion of a specific subset of cells.
[0069] The term "immunomodulatory effect" as used herein refers to
a stimulation (immunostimulatory) or inhibition (immunosuppressive)
of the development or maintenance of an immunologic response.
Inhibition can be effected by, for example, by elimination of
immune cells (e.g., T or B lymphocytes); induction or generation of
immune cells that can modulate (e.g., down-regulate) the functional
capacity of other cells; induction of an unresponsive state in
immune cells (e.g., anergy); or increasing, decreasing or changing
the activity or function of immune cells, including, for example,
altering the pattern of proteins expressed by these cells (e.g.,
altered production and/or secretion of certain classes of molecules
such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, transcription
factors, kinases, costimulatory molecules or other cell surface
receptors, and the like). An "immunomodulatory agent" refers to an
agent that has an immunomodulatory effect on a cell. In some
embodiments, an immunomodulatory agent has a cytotoxic or
cytostatic effect on an immune cell that promotes an immune
response.
[0070] The term "label" refers to a detectable compound or
composition that is conjugated directly or indirectly to the
antibody. The label may itself be detectable (e.g., radioisotope
labels or fluorescent labels) or, in the case of an enzymatic
label, may catalyze chemical alteration of a substrate compound or
composition that is detectable. Labeled anti-CD70 antibody can be
prepared and used in various applications including in vitro and in
vivo diagnostics.
[0071] An "isolated" nucleic acid molecule is a nucleic acid
molecule that is identified and separated from at least one
contaminant nucleic acid molecule with which it is ordinarily
associated in the natural source of the nucleic acid. An isolated
nucleic acid molecule is other than in the form or setting in which
it is found in nature. Isolated nucleic acid molecules therefore
are distinguished from the nucleic acid molecule as it exists in
natural cells. However, an isolated nucleic acid molecule includes
a nucleic acid molecule contained in cells that ordinarily express
the antibody where, for example, the nucleic acid molecule is in a
chromosomal location different from that of natural cells.
[0072] The term "control sequences" refers to polynucleotide
sequences necessary for expression of an operably linked coding
sequence in a particular host organism. The control sequences
suitable for use in prokaryotic cells include, for example,
promoter, operator, and ribosome binding site sequences. Eukaryotic
control sequences include, but are not limited to, promoters,
polyadenylation signals, and enhancers. These control sequences can
be utilized for expression and production of anti-CD70 binding
agent in prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells.
[0073] A nucleic acid sequence is "operably linked" when it is
placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid
sequence. For example, a nucleic acid presequence or secretory
leader is operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide
if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the
secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably
linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the
sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding
sequence if it is positioned so as to facilitate translation.
Generally, "operably linked" means that the DNA sequences being
linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader,
contiguous and in reading frame. However, enhancers are optionally
contiguous. Linking can be accomplished by ligation at convenient
restriction sites. If such sites do not exist, synthetic
oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers can be used to link the DNA
sequences.
[0074] The term "polypeptide" refers to a polymer of amino acids
and its equivalent and does not refer to a specific length of a
product; thus, "peptides" and "proteins" are included within the
definition of a polypeptide. Also included within the definition of
polypeptides are "antibodies" as defined herein. A "polypeptide
region" refers to a segment of a polypeptide, which segment may
contain, for example, one or more domains or motifs (e.g., a
polypeptide region of an antibody can contain, for example, one or
more complementarity determining regions (CDRs)). The term
"fragment" refers to a portion of a polypeptide typically having at
least 20 contiguous or at least 50 contiguous amino acids of the
polypeptide. A "derivative" is a polypeptide or fragment thereof
having one or more non-conservative or conservative amino acid
substitutions relative to a second polypeptide; or a polypeptide or
fragment thereof that is modified by covalent attachment of a
second molecule such as, e.g., by attachment of a heterologous
polypeptide, or by glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and
the like. Further included within the definition of "derivative"
are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an
amino acid (e.g., unnatural amino acids and the like), polypeptides
with unsubstituted linkages, as well as other modifications known
in the art, both naturally and non-naturally occurring.
[0075] An "isolated" polypeptide is one which has been identified
and separated and/or recovered from a component of its natural
environment. Contaminant components of its natural environment are
materials which would interfere with diagnostic or therapeutic uses
for the polypeptide, and may include enzymes, hormones, and other
proteinaceous or nonproteinaceous solutes. An isolated polypeptide
includes an isolated antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof
"Antibody" includes the antibody in situ within recombinant cells
since at least one component of the antibody's natural environment
will not be present.
[0076] In certain embodiments, the antibody will be purified (1) to
greater than 95% by weight of antibody as determined by the Lowry
method, and in other aspects to more than 99% by weight, (2) to a
degree sufficient to obtain at least 15 residues of N-terminal or
internal amino acid sequence by use of a spinning cup sequenator,
or (3) to homogeneity by SDS-PAGE under reducing or nonreducing
conditions using Coomassie blue or, preferably, silver stain.
[0077] The term "heterologous," in the context of a polypeptide,
means from a different source (e.g., a cell, tissue, organism, or
species) as compared with another polypeptide, so that the two
polypeptides are different. Typically, a heterologous polypeptide
is from a different species.
[0078] In the context of immunoglobulin polypeptides or fragments
thereof, "conservative substitution" means one or more amino acid
substitutions that do not substantially reduce specific binding
(e.g., as measured by the K.sub.D) of the immunoglobulin
polypeptide or fragment thereof to an antigen (i.e., substitutions
that increase binding affinity, that do not significantly alter
binding affinity, or that reduce binding affinity by no more than
about 40%, typically no more than about 30%, more typically no more
than about 20%, even more typically no more than about 10%, or most
typically no more than about 5%, as determined by standard binding
assays such as, e.g., ELISA).
[0079] The terms "identical" or "percent identity," in the context
of two or more nucleic acids or polypeptide sequences, refer to two
or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a
specified percentage of nucleotides or amino acid residues that are
the same, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence. To
determine the percent identity, the sequences are aligned for
optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in the
sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal
alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence). The amino
acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions
or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the
first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or
nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence,
then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent
identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of
identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % identity=# of
identical positions/total # of positions (e.g., overlapping
positions).times.100). In some embodiments, the two sequences are
the same length.
[0080] The term "substantially identical," in the context of two
nucleic acids or polypeptides, refers to two or more sequences or
subsequences that have at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, or
at least 65% identity; typically at least 70% or at least 75%
identity; more typically at least 80% or at least 85% identity; and
even more typically at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%
identity (e.g., as determined using one of the methods set forth
infra).
[0081] The terms "similarity" or "percent similarity" in the
context of two or more polypeptide sequences refer to two or more
sequences or subsequences that have a specified percentage of amino
acid residues that are the same or conservatively substituted when
compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using
one of the methods set forth infra. By way of example, a first
amino acid sequence can be considered similar to a second amino
acid sequence when the first amino acid sequence is at least 50%,
60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, or 95% identical, or conservatively
substituted, to the second amino acid sequence when compared to an
equal number of amino acids as the number contained in the first
sequence, or when compared to an alignment of polypeptides that has
been aligned by, e.g., one of the methods set forth infra.
[0082] The terms "substantial similarity" or "substantially
similar," in the context of polypeptide sequences, indicate that a
polypeptide region has a sequence with at least 70%, typically at
least 80%, more typically at least 85%, or at least 90% or at least
95% sequence similarity to a reference sequence. For example, a
polypeptide is substantially similar to a second polypeptide, for
example, where the two peptides differ by one or more conservative
substitution(s).
[0083] In the context of anti-CD70 antibodies, or derivatives
thereof, a protein that has one or more polypeptide regions
substantially identical or substantially similar to one or more
antigen-binding regions (e.g., a heavy or light chain variable
region, or a heavy or light chain CDR) of an anti-CD70 antibody
retains specific binding to an epitope of CD70 recognized by the
anti-CD70 antibody, as determined using any of various standard
immunoassays known in the art or as referred to herein.
[0084] The determination of percent identity or percent similarity
between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical
algorithm. A preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical
algorithm utilized for the comparison of two sequences is the
algorithm of Karlin and Altschul, 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
87:2264-2268, modified as in Karlin and Altschul, 1993, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5877. Such an algorithm is incorporated into
the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul et al., 1990, J. Mol.
Biol. 215:403-410. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with
the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12, to obtain nucleotide
sequences homologous to a nucleic acid encoding a protein of
interest. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST
program, score=50, wordlength=3, to obtain amino acid sequences
homologous to protein of interest. To obtain gapped alignments for
comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in
Altschul et al., 1997, Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402.
Alternatively, PSI-Blast can be used to perform an iterated search
which detects distant relationships between molecules (Id.). When
utilizing BLAST, Gapped BLAST, and PSI-Blast programs, the default
parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can
be used. Another non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm
utilized for the comparison of sequences is the algorithm of Myers
and Miller, CABIOS (1989). Such an algorithm is incorporated into
the ALIGN program (version 2.0) which is part of the GCG sequence
alignment software package. When utilizing the ALIGN program for
comparing amino acid sequences, a PAM120 weight residue table, a
gap length penalty of 12, and a gap penalty of 4 can be used.
Additional algorithms for sequence analysis are known in the art
and include ADVANCE and ADAM as described in Torellis and Robotti,
1994, Comput. Appl. Biosci. 10:3-5; and FASTA described in Pearson
and Lipman, 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444-8. Within
FASTA, ktup is a control option that sets the sensitivity and speed
of the search. If ktup=2, similar regions in the two sequences
being compared are found by looking at pairs of aligned residues;
if ktup=1, single aligned amino acids are examined. ktup can be set
to 2 or 1 for protein sequences, or from 1 to 6 for DNA sequences.
The default if ktup is not specified is 2 for proteins and 6 for
DNA. Alternatively, protein sequence alignment may be carried out
using the CLUSTAL W algorithm, as described by Higgins et al.,
1996, Methods Enzymol. 266:383-402.
[0085] As used herein, the expressions "cell", "cell line", and
"cell culture" are used interchangeably and all such designations
include the progeny thereof. Thus, "transformants" and "transformed
cells" include the primary subject cell and cultures derived
therefrom without regard for the number of transfers. It is also
understood that all progeny may not be precisely identical in DNA
content, due to deliberate or naturally occurring mutations. Mutant
progeny that have the same function or biological activity as
screened for in the originally transformed cell are included. Where
distinct designations are intended, it will be clear from the
context.
[0086] The term "subject" for purposes of treatment refers to any
animal, particularly an animal classified as a mammal, including
humans, domesticated and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or pet
animals, such as dogs, horses, cats, cows, and the like.
Preferably, the subject is human.
[0087] A "disorder", as used herein, and the terms "CD70-associated
disorder" and "CD70-associated disease" refer to any condition that
would benefit from treatment with an anti-CD70 binding agent, as
described herein. A "CD70-associated disorder" and "CD70-associated
disease" typically express CD70, or a fragment thereof, on the cell
surface. This includes chronic and acute disorders or diseases
including those pathological conditions that predispose the mammal
to the disorder in question. Non-limiting examples or disorders to
be treated herein include cancer, hematological malignancies,
benign and malignant tumors, leukemias and lymphoid malignancies,
carcinomas, and inflammatory, angiogenic and immunologic disorders.
Specific examples of disorders are disclosed infra.
[0088] The terms "treatment" and "therapy", and the like, as used
herein, are meant to include therapeutic as well as prophylactic,
or suppressive measures for a disease or disorder leading to any
clinically desirable or beneficial effect, including but not
limited to alleviation or relief of one or more symptoms,
regression, slowing or cessation of progression of the disease or
disorder. Thus, for example, the term treatment includes the
administration of an agent prior to or following the onset of a
symptom of a disease or disorder, thereby preventing or removing
all signs of the disease or disorder. As another example, the term
includes the administration of an agent after clinical
manifestation of the disease to combat the symptoms of the disease.
Further, administration of an agent after onset and after clinical
symptoms have developed where administration affects clinical
parameters of the disease or disorder, such as the degree of tissue
injury or the amount or extent of metastasis, whether or not the
treatment leads to amelioration of the disease, comprises
"treatment" or "therapy" as used herein.
[0089] As used herein, the terms "prevention" or "prevent" refer to
administration of an anti-CD70 binding agent to a subject before
the onset of a clinical or diagnostic symptom of a CD70-expressing
cancer or immunological disorder (e.g., administration to an
individual with a predisposition or at a high risk of acquiring the
CD70-expressing cancer or immunological disorder) to (a) block the
occurrence or onset of the CD70-expressing cancer or immunological
disorder, or one or more of clinical or diagnostic symptoms
thereof, (b) inhibit the severity of onset of the CD70-expressing
cancer or immunological disorder, or (c) to lessen the likelihood
of the onset of the CD70-expressing cancer or immunological
disorder.
[0090] The term "intravenous infusion" refers to introduction of an
agent, e.g., a therapeutic agent, into the vein of an animal or
human patient over a period of time greater than approximately 15
minutes, generally between approximately 30 to 90 minutes.
[0091] The term "intravenous bolus" or "intravenous push" refers to
drug administration into a vein of an animal or human such that the
body receives the drug in approximately 15 minutes or less,
generally 5 minutes or less.
[0092] The term "subcutaneous administration" refers to
introduction of an agent, e.g., a therapeutic agent, under the skin
of an animal or human patient, typically within a pocket between
the skin and underlying tissue, by relatively slow, sustained
delivery from a drug receptacle. Pinching or drawing the skin up
and away from underlying tissue may create the pocket.
[0093] The term "package insert" is used to refer to instructions
customarily included in commercial packages of therapeutic
products, that contain information about the indications, usage,
administration, contraindications and/or warnings concerning the
use of such therapeutic products.
[0094] A "liposome" is a small vesicle composed of various types of
lipids, phospholipids and/or surfactant which is useful for
delivery of a drug (such as an antibody) to a mammal. The
components of the liposome are commonly arranged in a bilayer
formation, similar to the lipid arrangement of biological
membranes.
[0095] The term "subcutaneous infusion" refers to introduction of a
drug under the skin of an animal or human patient, preferably
within a pocket between the skin and underlying tissue, by
relatively slow, sustained delivery from a drug receptacle for a
period of time including, but not limited to, 30 minutes or less,
or 90 minutes or less. Optionally, the infusion may be made by
subcutaneous implantation of a drug delivery pump implanted under
the skin of the animal or human patient, wherein the pump delivers
a predetermined amount of drug for a predetermined period of time,
such as 30 minutes, 90 minutes, or a time period spanning the
length of the treatment regimen.
[0096] The term "subcutaneous bolus" refers to drug administration
beneath the skin of an animal or human patient, where bolus drug
delivery is less than approximately 15 minutes; in another aspect,
less than 5 minutes, and in still another aspect, less than 60
seconds. In yet even another aspect, administration is within a
pocket between the skin and underlying tissue, where the pocket may
be created by pinching or drawing the skin up and away from
underlying tissue.
[0097] The term "effective amount" refers to the amount of an
anti-CD70 binding agent (e.g., an antibody or derivative or other
binding agent) that is sufficient to inhibit the occurrence or
ameliorate one or more clinical or diagnostic symptoms of a
CD70-expressing cancer or immunological disorder in a subject. An
effective amount of an agent is administered according to the
methods described herein in an "effective regimen." The term
"effective regimen" refers to a combination of amount of the agent
and dosage frequency adequate to accomplish treatment or prevention
of a CD70-expressing cancer or immunological disorder.
[0098] The term "therapeutically effective amount" is used to refer
to an amount of a therapeutic agent having beneficial patient
outcome, for example, a growth arrest effect or deletion of the
cell. In one aspect, the therapeutically effective amount has
apoptotic activity, or is capable of inducing cell death. In
another aspect, the therapeutically effective amount refers to a
target serum concentration that has been shown to be effective in,
for example, slowing disease progression. Efficacy can be measured
in conventional ways, depending on the condition to be treated. For
example, in neoplastic diseases or disorders characterized by cells
expressing CD70, efficacy can be measured by assessing the time to
disease progression (TTP), or determining the response rates
(RR).
[0099] The term "pharmaceutically acceptable" as used herein means
approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state
government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally
recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly
in humans. The term "pharmaceutically compatible ingredient" refers
to a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or
vehicle with which an anti-CD70-binding agent is administered.
[0100] The phrase "pharmaceutically acceptable salt," as used
herein, refers to pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic
salts of an anti-CD70 binding agent or therapeutic agent. The
anti-CD70 binding agent or therapeutic agent contains at least one
amino group, and accordingly acid addition salts can be formed with
this amino group or other suitable groups. Exemplary salts include,
but are not limited, to sulfate, citrate, acetate, oxalate,
chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, bisulfate, phosphate, acid
phosphate, isonicotinate, lactate, salicylate, acid citrate,
tartrate, oleate, tannate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbate,
succinate, maleate, gentisinate, fumarate, gluconate, glucuronate,
saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate,
ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p toluenesulfonate, and pamoate
(i.e., 1,1' methylene bis-(2 hydroxy 3 naphthoate)) salts. A
pharmaceutically acceptable salt may involve the inclusion of
another molecule such as an acetate ion, a succinate ion or other
counterion. The counterion may be any organic or inorganic moiety
that stabilizes the charge on the parent compound. Furthermore, a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt may have more than one charged
atom in its structure. Instances where multiple charged atoms are
part of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt can have multiple
counter ions. Hence, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt can have
one or more charged atoms and/or one or more counterion.
[0101] "Pharmaceutically acceptable solvate" or "solvate" refer to
an association of one or more solvent molecules and an anti-CD70
binding agent and/or therapeutic agent. Examples of solvents that
form pharmaceutically acceptable solvates include, but are not
limited to, water, isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, DMSO, ethyl
acetate, acetic acid, and ethanolamine.
[0102] The abbreviation "AFP" refers to
dimethylvaline-valine-dolaisoleuine-dolaproine-phenylalanine-p-phenylened-
iamine.
[0103] The abbreviation "MMAE" refers to monomethyl auristatin
E.
[0104] The abbreviation "AEB" refers to an ester produced by
reacting auristatin E with paraacetyl benzoic acid.
[0105] The abbreviation "AEVB" refers to an ester produced by
reacting auristatin E with benzoylvaleric acid.
[0106] The abbreviation "MMAF" refers to
dovaline-valine-dolaisoleunine-dolaproine-phenylalanine.
[0107] The abbreviations "fk" and "phe-lys" refer to the linker
phenylalanine-lysine.
II. Anti-CD70 Antibodies and Derivatives Thereof
[0108] The compositions and methods described herein encompass the
use of a CD70 binding agent that specifically binds to CD70. The
CD70 binding agent may exert a cytotoxic, cytostatic or
immunomodulatory effect on CD70-expressing cancer cells, activated
immune cells or other target cells. The CD70 binding agent can be,
for example, an anti-CD70 antibody, an antigen-binding fragment of
an anti-CD70 antibody, a derivative thereof, or other CD70-binding
agent comprising at least one complementarity determining region
(CDR) of a CD70-binding antibody.
[0109] In one aspect, the CD70 binding agent comprises one or more
complementarity determining regions (CDRs) identical, substantially
identical or substantially similar to one or more CDR(s) of
monoclonal antibody 1F6. (The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences
of the heavy and light chain variable regions of 1F6 are set forth
in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2, and SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO:
22, respectively, and are disclosed in International Patent
Publication No. WO 04/073656; the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein.) For example, the binding agent
can include a heavy chain CDR and/or a light chain CDR that is
identical or substantially identical or substantially similar to a
corresponding heavy chain CDR (H1, H2, or H3 regions) or
corresponding light chain CDR (L1, L2, or L3 regions) of mAb 1F6.
In typical embodiments, the anti-CD70 binding agent has two or
three heavy chain CDRs and/or two or three light chain CDRs that
are identical, substantially identical or substantially similar to
corresponding heavy and/or light chain CDRs of mAb 1F6.
[0110] For example, in some embodiments, where the anti-CD70
binding agent has at least one heavy chain CDR substantially
identical or substantially similar to a heavy chain CDR of mAb 1F6,
the binding agent can further include at least one light chain CDR
that is substantially identical or substantially similar to a light
chain CDR of mAb 1F6.
[0111] In some embodiments, the anti-CD70 binding agent includes a
heavy or light chain variable domain, the variable domain having
(a) a set of three CDRs identical, substantially identical or
substantially similar to corresponding CDRs of mAb 1F6, and (b) a
set of four variable region framework regions from a human
immunoglobulin. For example, an anti-CD70 antibody can include a
heavy and/or light chain variable domain(s), the variable domain(s)
having (a) a set of three CDRs, in which the set of CDRs are from
monoclonal antibody 1F6, and (b) a set of four framework regions
derived from a human IgG. The antibody can optionally include a
hinge region. In an exemplary embodiment, the anti-CD70 antibody is
a fully humanized antibody.
[0112] In another aspect, the CD70 binding agent comprises one or
more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) substantially
identical or substantially similar to one or more CDR(s) of
monoclonal antibody 2F2. (The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences
of the heavy and light chain variable regions of 2F2 are set forth
in SEQ ID NO:27 and SEQ ID NO:28, and SEQ ID NO: 29 and SEQ ID NO:
30, respectively, and are disclosed in International Patent
Publication No. WO 04/073656; the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein.) For example, the binding agent
can include a heavy chain CDR and/or a light chain CDR that is
identical or substantially identical or substantially similar to a
corresponding heavy chain CDR (H1, H2, or H3 regions) or
corresponding light chain CDR (L1, L2, or L3 regions) of mAb 2F2.
In typical embodiments, the anti-CD70 binding agent has two or
three heavy chain CDRs and/or two or three light chain CDRs that
are identical, substantially identical or substantially similar to
corresponding heavy and/or light chain CDRs of mAb 2F2.
[0113] For example, in some embodiments, where an anti-CD70
antibody has at least one heavy chain CDR substantially identical
or substantially similar to a heavy chain CDR of mAb 2F2, the
antibody or derivative thereof can further include at least one
light chain CDR that is substantially identical or substantially
similar to a light chain CDR of mAb 2F2.
[0114] In some embodiments, the anti-CD70 binding agent includes a
heavy or light chain variable domain, the variable domain having
(a) a set of three CDRs identical, substantially identical or
substantially similar to corresponding CDRs of mAb 2F2, and (b) a
set of four variable region framework regions from a human
immunoglobulin. For example, an anti-CD70 antibody can include a
heavy and/or light chain variable domain(s), the variable domain(s)
having (a) a set of three CDRs, in which the set of CDRs are from
monoclonal antibody 2F2, and (b) a set of four framework regions
derived from a human IgG. The antibody can optionally include a
hinge region. In an exemplary embodiment, the anti-CD70 antibody is
a fully humanized antibody.
[0115] In some embodiments, the framework regions are chosen from
human germline exon V.sub.H, J.sub.H, V.kappa. and J.kappa.
sequences. For example, acceptor sequences for humanization of FR
of a c1F6 V.sub.H domain can be chosen from germline V.sub.H exons
V.sub.H1-18 (Matsuda et al., 1993, Nature Genetics 3:88-94) or
V.sub.H1-2 (Shin et al., 1991, EMBO J. 10:3641-3645) and for the
hinge region (J.sub.H), exon J.sub.H-6 (Manila et al., 1995, Eur.
J. Immunol. 25:2578-2582). In other examples, germline V.kappa.
exon B3 (Cox et al., 1994, Eur. J. Immunol. 24:827-836) and
J.kappa. exon J.kappa.-1 (Hieter et al., 1982, J. Biol. Chem.
257:1516-1522) can be chosen as acceptor sequences for c1F6 V.sub.L
domain humanization.
[0116] In some embodiments, the sequence of the framework region of
the humanized anti-CD70 antibody includes a derivative of the
acceptor human germline exon used, including derivatives in which
mouse donor residues are reintroduced. These residues include
reintroduction of the mouse donor residue at one or more of
positions H46, H67, H68, H69, H70, H71, H80, H81, H82, H82A and H91
in the V.sub.H domain, according to the Kabat numbering
convention.
[0117] The following table indicates the regions of humanized 1F6
to which each SEQ ID NO. corresponds.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 NUCLEOTIDE SEQ ID MOLECULE OR AMINO ACID NO
c1F6 Heavy Chain Variable Region Nucleotide 1 c1F6 Heavy Chain
Variable Region Amino Acid 2 h1F6 hV.sub.H-D + hIgG.sub.1 Constant
Domain Nucleotide 3 h1F6 hV.sub.H-D + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain
Amino Acid 4 h1F6 hV.sub.H-E Nucleotide 5 h1F6 hV.sub.H-E Amino
Acid 6 h1F6 hV.sub.H-E + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Nucleotide 7
h1F6 hV.sub.H-E + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Amino Acid 8 h1F6
hV.sub.H-H Nucleotide 9 h1F6 hV.sub.H-H Amino Acid 10 h1F6
hV.sub.H-H + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Nucleotide 11 h1F6
hV.sub.H-H + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Amino Acid 12 h1F6
hV.sub.H-J Nucleotide 13 h1F6 hV.sub.H-J Amino Acid 14 h1F6
hV.sub.H-J + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Nucleotide 15 h1F6
hV.sub.H-J + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Amino Acid 16 h1F6
hV.sub.H-M Nucleotide 17 h1F6 hV.sub.H-M Amino Acid 18 h1F6
hV.sub.H-M + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Nucleotide 19 h1F6
hV.sub.H-M + hIgG.sub.1 Constant Domain Amino Acid 20 c1F6 Light
Chain Variable Region Nucleotide 21 c1F6 Light Chain Variable
Region Amino Acid 22 hV.sub.LA Nucleotide 23 hV.sub.LA Amino Acid
24 hV.sub.LA + human .kappa. constant domain Nucleotide 25
hV.sub.LA + human .kappa. constant domain Amino Acid 26 c2F2 Heavy
Chain Variable Region Nucleotide 27 c2F2 Heavy Chain Variable
Region Amino Acid 28 c2F2 Light Chain Variable Region Nucleotide 29
c2F2 Light Chain Variable Region Amino Acid 30
[0118] In some embodiments, the CD70 binding agent can be a
humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment of antibody 1F6 or
2F2. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment
comprises a polypeptide chain having the amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:18, or amino acids
20-137 of SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the antibody or
antigen-binding fragment comprises a polypeptide chain having the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24.
[0119] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding
fragment comprises a polypeptide chain that is at least 80%
identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:10,
SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:18, or amino acids 20-137 of SEQ ID NO:4.
In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment
comprises a polypeptide chain that is at least 85% identical to the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ
ID NO:18, or amino acids 20-137 of SEQ ID NO:4. In some
embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a
polypeptide chain that is at least 90% identical to the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:18,
or amino acids 20-137 of SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the
antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a polypeptide chain
that is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:6, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:18, or amino acids
20-137 of SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the antibody or
antigen-binding fragment comprises a polypeptide chain that is at
least 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ
ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:18, or amino acids 20-137 of SEQ
ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the polypeptide does not have the
amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of antibody
1F6 or 2F2.
[0120] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding
fragment comprises a polypeptide chain that is at least 80%
identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. In some
embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a
polypeptide chain that is at least 85% identical to the amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. In some embodiments, the antibody or
antigen-binding fragment comprises a polypeptide chain that is at
least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. In
some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment
comprises a polypeptide chain that is at least 95% identical to the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. In some embodiments, the
antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a polypeptide chain
that is at least 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:24. In some embodiments, the polypeptide does not have the amino
acid sequence of the light chain variable region of antibody 1F6 or
2F2.
[0121] In some embodiments, the anti-CD70 binding agent competes
with monoclonal antibody 1F6 or 2F2 for binding to human CD70. In
some embodiments, the CD70 binding agent does not induce an
agonistic or antagonistic signal when binding to CD70 (e.g., does
not stimulate proliferation). In some embodiments, the CD70 binding
agent blocks binding of CD27 to CD70 by at least 20%, at least 30%,
at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60, at least 70%, at least 80%
or at least 90%.
[0122] The CD70-binding agent can optionally include an antibody
effector domain that mediates or stimulates an ADCC, ADCP and/or
CDC response against a CD70-expressing target cell. The effector
domain(s) can be, for example, an Fc domain or domains of an Ig
molecule. Such a CD70-binding agent can exert a cytotoxic or
cytostatic effect on CD70-expressing cancer cells, or exert a
cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory effect on activated
lymphocytes or dendritic cells, for example, in the treatment of a
CD70-expressing cancer or an immunological disorder, respectively.
Typically, the CD70-binding agent recruits and/or activates
cytotoxic white blood cells (e.g., natural killer (NK) cells,
phagocytotic cells (e.g., macrophages), and/or serum complement
components).
[0123] The anti-CD70 antibody can be a humanized antibody, a single
chain antibody, an scFv, a diabody, an Fab, a minibody, an scFv-Fc,
an Fv, or the like. In some embodiments, a CD70 antigen-binding
region can be joined to an effector domain or domains such as, for
example, the hinge-C.sub.H2-C.sub.H3 domains of an immunoglobulin,
or a portion or fragment of an effector domain(s) having effector
function. Antigen-binding antibody fragments, including
single-chain antibodies, can comprise, for example, the variable
region(s) in combination with the entirety or a portion of an
effector domain (e.g., a C.sub.H2 and/or C.sub.H3 domain alone or
in combination with a C.sub.H1, hinge and/or C.sub.L domain). Also,
antigen-binding fragments can comprise any combination of effector
domains. In some embodiments, the anti-CD70 antibody can be a
single chain antibody comprising a CD70-binding variable region
joined to hinge-C.sub.H2-C.sub.H3 domains.
[0124] The effector domains of the anti-CD70 antibody can be from
any suitable human immunoglobulin isotype. For example, the ability
of human immunoglobulin to mediate CDC and ADCC/ADCP is generally
in the order of IgM.apprxeq.IgG1.apprxeq.IgG3>IgG2>IgG4 and
IgG1.apprxeq.IgG3>IgG2/IgM/IgG4, respectively. A CD70-binding
polypeptide can be expressed as a recombinant fusion protein
comprising of the appropriate constant domains to yield the desired
effector function(s). Upon binding to target cells, the anti-CD70
antibodies or derivatives can trigger in vitro and in vivo target
cell destruction through an antibody effector function, such as
ADCC, CDC, and ADCP.
[0125] The CD70-binding agent optionally can be conjugated to a
therapeutic agent, such as a cytotoxic, cytostatic or
immunomodulatory agent. Suitable therapeutic agents are described
herein.
[0126] In some embodiments, an anti-CD70 antibody can be chimeric,
comprising a human or non-human Fc region or portion thereof. For
example, the antibody can include a Fc domain or portion of
non-human origin, e.g., rodent (e.g., mouse or rat), donkey, sheep,
rabbit, goat, guinea pig, camelid, horse, chicken or monkey (e.g.,
macaque, rhesus or the like).
[0127] An anti-CD70 binding agent, such as an antibody, can be
monospecific, bispecific, trispecific, or of greater
multispecificity. Multispecific antibodies may be specific for
different epitopes of CD70 and/or may be specific for both CD70 as
well as for a heterologous protein. (See, e.g., PCT Publications WO
93/17715, WO 92/08802, WO 91/00360, and WO 92/05793; Tuft et al.,
1991, J. Immunol. 147:60-69; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,474,893; 4,714,681;
4,925,648; 5,573,920; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,819; Kostelny et al.,
1992, J. Immunol. 148:1547-1553.) Multispecific antibodies,
including bispecific and trispecific antibodies, useful for
practicing the methods described herein are antibodies that
immunospecifically bind to both CD70 (including but not limited to
antibodies that have the CDRs of the monoclonal antibodies 2F2 and
1F6) and a second cell surface receptor or receptor complex that
mediates ADCC, ADCP, and/or CDC, such as CD16/Fc.gamma.RIII,
CD64/Fc.gamma.RI, killer inhibitory or activating receptors, or the
complement control protein CD59. In some embodiments, the binding
of the portion of the multispecific antibody to the second cell
surface molecule or receptor complex may enhance the effector
functions of the anti-CD70 antibody or other CD70 binding
agent.
[0128] Anti-CD70 antibodies and derivatives thereof and other
binding agents may also be described or specified in terms of their
binding affinity to CD70. Typical binding affinities include those
with a dissociation constant or Kd less than 5.times.10.sup.-2M,
10.sup.-2M, 5.times.10.sup.-3 M, 10.sup.-3 M, 5.times.10.sup.-4 M,
10.sup.-4 M, 5.times.10.sup.-5M, 10.sup.-5M, 5.times.10.sup.-6 M,
10.sup.-6M, 5.times.10.sup.-7M, 10.sup.-7 M, 5.times.10.sup.-8 M,
10.sup.-8M, 5.times.10.sup.-9 M, 10.sup.-9 M, 5.times.10.sup.-10 M,
10.sup.-10 M, 5.times.10.sup.-11M, 10.sup.-11M, 5.times.10.sup.-12
M, 10.sup.-12 M, 5.times..sup.-13 M, 10.sup.-13 M,
5.times.10.sup.-14 M, 10.sup.-14 M, 5.times.10.sup.-15 M, or
10.sup.-15 M.
[0129] The antibodies can be generated by methods known in the art.
For example, monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using a wide
variety of techniques including, e.g., the use of hybridoma,
recombinant, and phage display technologies, or a combination
thereof. Hybridoma techniques are generally discussed in, for
example, Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd ed., 1988); and Hammerling et
al., In Monoclonal Antibodies and T-Cell Hybridomas, pp. 563-681
(Elsevier, N.Y., 1981). Examples of phage display methods that can
be used to make the anti-CD70 antibodies include, e.g., those
disclosed in Hoogenboom and Winter, 1991, J. Mol. Biol. 227:381;
Marks et al., 1991, J. Mol. Biol. 222:581; Quan and Carter, 2002,
The rise of monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics in Anti-IgE and
Allergic Disease, Jardieu and Fick Jr., eds., Marcel Dekker, New
York, N.Y., Chapter 20, pp. 427-469; Brinkman et al., 1995, J.
Immunol. Methods 182:41-50; Ames et al., 1995, J. Immunol. Methods
184:177-186; Kettleborough et al., 1994, Eur. J. Immunol.
24:952-958; Persic et al., 1997, Gene 187:9-18; Burton et al.,
1994, Advances in Immunology 57:191-280; PCT Application No.
PCT/GB91/01134; PCT Publications WO 90/02809, WO 91/10737, WO
92/01047, WO 92/18619, WO 93/11236, WO 95/15982, WO 95/20401, and
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,426; 5,223,409; 5,403,484; 5,580,717;
5,427,908; 5,750,753; 5,821,047; 5,571,698; 5,427,908; 5,516,637;
5,780,225; 5,658,727; 5,733,743 and 5,969,108 (the disclosures of
which are incorporated by reference herein).
[0130] Examples of techniques that can be used to produce
single-chain antibodies include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,946,778 and 5,258,498; Huston et al., 1991, Methods in Enzymology
203:46-88; Shu et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
90:7995-7999; and Skerra et al., 1988, Science 240:1038-1040.
[0131] Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the
art. Traditional production of full-length bispecific antibodies is
based on the coexpression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light
chain pairs, where the two chains have different specificities
(see, e.g., Milstein et al., 1983, Nature 305:537-39). Because of
the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains,
these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of 10
different antibody molecules, of which some have the correct
bispecific structure. Similar procedures are disclosed in
International Publication No. WO 93/08829, and in Traunecker et
al., 1991, EMBO J. 10:3655-59.
[0132] According to a different approach, antibody variable domains
with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining
sites) are fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The
fusion typically is with an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant
domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, C.sub.H2, and
C.sub.H3 regions. In some embodiments, the fusion includes a first
heavy-chain constant region (C.sub.H1) containing the site
necessary for light chain binding, present in at least one of the
fusions. Nucleic acids with sequences encoding the immunoglobulin
heavy chain fusions and, if desired, the immunoglobulin light
chain, are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are
co-transfected into a suitable host organism. This provides for
great flexibility in adjusting the mutual proportions of the three
polypeptide fragments in embodiments when unequal ratios of the
three polypeptide chains used in the construction provide the
optimum yields. It is, however, possible to insert the coding
sequences for two or all three polypeptide chains in one expression
vector when the expression of at least two polypeptide chains in
equal ratios results in high yields or when the ratios are of no
particular significance.
[0133] In an embodiment of this approach, the bispecific antibodies
have a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain with a first binding
specificity in one arm, and a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy
chain-light chain pair (providing a second binding specificity) in
the other arm. This asymmetric structure facilitates the separation
of the desired bispecific compound from unwanted immunoglobulin
chain combinations, as the presence of an immunoglobulin light
chain in only one half of the bispecific molecule provides for a
facile way of separation (see, e.g., International Publication No.
WO 94/04690, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety).
[0134] For further discussion of bispecific antibodies see, for
example, Suresh et al., 1986, Methods in Enzymology 121:210;
Rodrigues et al., 1993, J. Immunology 151:6954-61; Carter et al.,
1992, Bio/Technology 10:163-67; Carter et al., 1995, J.
Hematotherapy 4:463-70; Merchant et al., 1998, Nature Biotechnology
16:677-81. Using such techniques, bispecific antibodies can be
prepared for use in the treatment or prevention of disease as
defined herein.
[0135] Bifunctional antibodies are also described in European
Patent Publication No. EPA 0 105 360. As disclosed in this
reference, hybrid or bifunctional antibodies can be derived either
biologically, i.e., by cell fusion techniques, or chemically,
especially with cross-linking agents or disulfide-bridge forming
reagents, and may comprise whole antibodies or fragments thereof.
Methods for obtaining such hybrid antibodies are disclosed for
example in International Publication WO 83/03679 and European
Patent Publication No. EPA 0 217 577, both of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0136] In some embodiments, framework residues in the human
framework regions will be substituted with the corresponding
residue from the CDR donor antibody to alter, preferably improve,
antigen binding. These framework substitutions are identified by
methods well known in the art, e.g., by modeling of the
interactions of the CDR and framework residues to identify
framework residues important for antigen binding and sequence
comparison to identify unusual framework residues at particular
positions. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089; Riechmann et al.,
1988, Nature 332:323.) Antibodies can be humanized using a variety
of techniques known in the art including, for example, CDR-grafting
(see, e.g., EP 0 239 400; PCT Publication WO 91/09967; U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,225,539; 5,530,101; and 5,585,089), veneering or resurfacing
(see, e.g., EP 0 592 106; EP 0 519 596; Padlan, 1991, Molecular
Immunology 28(4/5):489-498; Studnicka et al., 1994, Protein
Engineering 7(6):805-814; Roguska et al., 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 91:969-973), and chain shuffling (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
5,565,332) (all of these references are incorporated by reference
herein).
[0137] Humanized monoclonal antibodies can be produced by
recombinant DNA techniques known in the art, for example using
methods described in International Publication No. WO 87/02671;
European Patent Publication No. 0 184 187; European Patent
Publication No. 0 171 496; European Patent Publication No. 0 173
494; International Publication No. WO 86/01533; U.S. Pat. No.
4,816,567; European Patent Publication No. 0 012 023; Berter et
al., 1988, Science 240:1041-43; Liu et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 84:3439-43; Liu et al., 1987, J. Immunol. 139:3521-26; Sun
et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:214-18; Nishimura et
al., 1987, Cancer. Res. 47:999-1005; Wood et al., 1985, Nature
314:446-449; Shaw et al., 1988, J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 80:1553-59;
Morrison, 1985, Science 229:1202-07; Oi et al., 1986, BioTechniques
4:214; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539; Jones et al., 1986, Nature
321:552-25; Verhoeyan et al., 1988, Science 239:1534; and Beidler
et al., 1988, J. Immunol. 141:4053-60; each of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0138] As set forth supra, a CD70 binding agent can be a derivative
of an anti-CD70 antibody. Generally, an anti-CD70 antibody
derivative comprises an anti-CD70 antibody (including e.g., an
antigen-binding fragment or conservatively substituted
polypeptides) and at least one polypeptide region or other moiety
heterologous to the anti-CD70 antibody. For example, an anti-CD70
antibody can be modified, e.g., by the covalent attachment of any
type of molecule. Typical modifications include, e.g.,
glycosylation, acetylation, pegylation, phosphorylation, amidation,
derivatization by known protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic
cleavage, linkage to a cellular ligand (e.g., an albumin-binding
molecule) or other protein, and the like. Any of numerous chemical
modifications may be carried out by known techniques, including,
but not limited to specific chemical cleavage, acetylation,
formylation, metabolic synthesis of tunicamycin, etc.
[0139] In some embodiments, the covalent attachment does not
interfere with effector function, e.g., prevent the antibody
derivative from specifically binding to CD70 via the
antigen-binding region or region derived therefrom, or the effector
domains(s) from specifically binding Fc receptor.
[0140] In some embodiments, the antibody derivative is a multimer,
such as, for example, a dimer, comprising one or more monomers,
where each monomer includes (i) an antigen-binding region of an
anti-CD70 antibody, or a polypeptide region derived therefrom (such
as, e.g., by conservative substitution of one or more amino acids),
and (ii) a multimerizing (e.g., dimerizing) polypeptide region,
such that the antibody derivative forms multimers (e.g.,
homodimers) that specifically bind to CD70. In typical embodiments,
an antigen-binding region of an anti-CD70 antibody, or a
polypeptide region derived therefrom, is recombinantly or
chemically fused with a heterologous protein, wherein the
heterologous protein comprises a dimerization or multimerization
domain. Prior to administration of the antibody derivative to a
subject for the purpose of treating or preventing immunological
disorders or CD70-expressing cancers, the derivative is subjected
to conditions that allow formation of a homodimer or heterodimer. A
heterodimer, as used herein, may comprise identical dimerization
domains but different CD70 antigen-binding regions, identical CD70
antigen-binding regions but different dimerization domains, or
different CD70 antigen-binding regions and dimerization
domains.
[0141] Typical dimerization domains are those that originate from
transcription factors. In one embodiment, the dimerization domain
is that of a basic region leucine zipper ("bZIP") (see Vinson et
al., 1989, Science 246:911-916). Useful leucine zipper domains
include, for example, those of the yeast transcription factor GCN4,
the mammalian transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein
C/EBP, and the nuclear transform in oncogene products, Fos and Jun.
(See, e.g., Landschultz et al., 1988, Science 240:1759-64;
Baxevanis and Vinson, 1993, Curr. Op. Gen. Devel. 3:278-285; O'Shea
et al., 1989, Science 243:538-542.) In another embodiment, the
dimerization domain is that of a basic-region helix-loop-helix
("bHLH") protein. (See, e.g., Murre et al., 1989, Cell 56:777-783.
See also Davis et al., 1990, Cell 60:733-746; Voronova and
Baltimore, 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:4722-26.)
Particularly useful hHLH proteins are myc, max, and mac.
[0142] In yet other embodiments, the dimerization domain is an
immunoglobulin constant region such as, for example, a heavy chain
constant region or a domain thereof (e.g., a C.sub.H1 domain, a
C.sub.H2 domain, and/or a C.sub.H3 domain). (See, e.g., U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,155,027; 5,336,603; 5,359,046; and 5,349,053; EP 0 367 166;
and WO 96/04388.)
[0143] Heterodimers are known to form between Fos and Jun (Bohmann
et al., 1987, Science 238:1386-1392), among members of the ATF/CREB
family (Hai et al., 1989, Genes Dev. 3:2083-2090), among members of
the C/EBP family (Cao et al., 1991, Genes Dev. 5:1538-52; Williams
et al., 1991, Genes Dev. 5:1553-67; Roman et al., 1990, Genes Dev.
4:1404-15), and between members of the ATF/CREB and Fos/Jun
families (Hai and Curran, 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
88:3720-24). Therefore, when a CD70-binding protein is administered
to a subject as a heterodimer comprising different dimerization
domains, any combination of the foregoing may be used.
[0144] In other embodiments, an anti-CD70 antibody derivative is an
anti-CD70 antibody conjugated to a second antibody (an "antibody
heteroconjugate") (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980).
Heteroconjugates useful for practicing the present methods comprise
an antibody that binds to CD70 (e.g., an antibody that has the CDRs
and/or heavy chains of the monoclonal antibodies 2F2 or 1F6) and an
antibody that binds to a surface receptor or receptor complex that
mediates ADCC, phagocytosis, and/or CDC, such as CD16/FcgRIII,
CD64/FcgRI, killer cell activating or inhibitory receptors, or the
complement control protein CD59. In a typical embodiment, the
binding of the portion of the multispecific antibody to the second
cell surface molecule or receptor complex enhances the effector
functions of an anti-CD70 antibody. In other embodiments, the
antibody can be a therapeutic agent. Suitable antibody therapeutic
agents are described herein.
[0145] In some embodiments, the anti-CD70 antibody or derivative
thereof competitively inhibits binding of mAb 1F6 or 2F2 to CD70,
as determined by any method known in the art for determining
competitive binding (such as e.g., the immunoassays described
herein). In typical embodiments, the antibody competitively
inhibits binding of 1F6 or 2F2 to CD70 by at least 50%, at least
60%, at least 70%, or at least 75%. In other embodiments, the
antibody competitively inhibits binding of 1F6 or 2F2 to CD70 by at
least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%.
[0146] Antibodies can be assayed for specific binding to CD70 by
any of various known methods. Immunoassays which can be used
include, for example, competitive and non-competitive assay systems
using techniques such as Western blots, radioimmunoassays, ELISA
(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), "sandwich" immunoassays,
immunoprecipitation assays, precipitin reactions, gel diffusion
precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion assays, agglutination assays,
complement-fixation assays, immunoradiometric assays, fluorescent
immunoassays, and protein A immunoassays. Such assays are routine
and well-known in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel et al., eds., Short
Protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New
York, 4th ed. 1999); Harlow and Lane, Using Antibodies: A
Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring
Harbor, N.Y., 1999.)
[0147] Further, the binding affinity of an antibody to CD70 and the
off-rate of an antibody CD70 interaction can be determined by
competitive binding assays. One example of a competitive binding
assay is a radioimmunoassay comprising the incubation of labeled
CD70 (e.g., .sup.3H or .sup.125I) with the antibody of interest in
the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled CD70, and the
detection of the antibody bound to the labeled CD70. The affinity
of the antibody for CD70 and the binding off-rates can then be
determined from the data by Scatchard plot analysis. Competition
with a second antibody (such as e.g., mAb 1F6 or 2F2) can also be
determined using radioimmunoassays. In this case, CD70 is incubated
with the antibody of interest conjugated to a labeled compound
(e.g., .sup.3H or .sup.125I) in the presence of increasing amounts
of an unlabeled second antibody. Alternatively, the binding
affinity of an antibody to CD70 and the on- and off-rates of an
antibody-CD70 interaction can be determined by surface plasmon
resonance. In some embodiments, the anti-CD70 antibodies or
derivatives thereof can be targeted to and accumulate on the
membrane of a CD70-expressing cell.
[0148] Anti-CD70 antibodies and derivatives thereof can be produced
by methods known in the art for the synthesis of proteins,
typically, e.g., by recombinant expression techniques. Recombinant
expression of an antibody or derivative thereof that binds to CD70
typically includes construction of an expression vector containing
a nucleic acid that encodes the antibody or derivative thereof. A
vector for the production of the protein molecule may be produced
by recombinant DNA technology using techniques known in the art.
Standard techniques such as, for example, those described in
Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 3rd ed.,
2001); Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual
(Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 2nd
ed., 1989); Short Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al.,
John Wiley and Sons, New York, 4th ed., 1999); and Glick and
Pasternak, Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of
Recombinant DNA (ASM Press, Washington, D.C., 2nd ed., 1998) can be
used for recombinant nucleic acid methods, nucleic acid synthesis,
cell culture, transgene incorporation, and recombinant protein
expression.
[0149] For example, for recombinant expression of an anti-CD70
antibody, an expression vector may encode a heavy or light chain
thereof, or a heavy or light chain variable domain, operably linked
to a promoter. An expression vector may include, for example, the
nucleotide sequence encoding the constant region of the antibody
molecule (see, e.g., PCT Publication WO 86/05807; PCT Publication
WO 89/01036; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,464), and the variable domain
of the antibody may be cloned into such a vector for expression of
the entire heavy or light chain. The expression vector is
transferred to a host cell by conventional techniques, and the
transfected cells are then cultured by conventional techniques to
produce the anti-CD70 antibody. In typical embodiments for the
expression of double-chained antibodies, vectors encoding both the
heavy and light chains can be co-expressed in the host cell for
expression of the entire immunoglobulin molecule.
[0150] A variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic host-expression
vector systems can be utilized to express an anti-CD70 antibody or
derivative thereof. Typically, eukaryotic cells, particularly for
whole recombinant anti-CD70 antibody molecules, are used for the
expression of the recombinant protein. For example, mammalian cells
such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO), in conjunction with a
vector such as the major intermediate early gene promoter element
from human cytomegalovirus, is an effective expression system for
the production of anti-CD70 antibodies and derivatives thereof
(see, e.g., Foecking et al., 1986, Gene 45:101; Cockett et al.,
1990, Bio/Technology 8:2).
[0151] Other host-expression systems include, for example,
plasmid-based expression systems in bacterial cells (see, e.g.,
Ruther et al., 1983, EMBO 1,2:1791; Inouye and Inouye, 1985,
Nucleic Acids Res. 13:3101-3109; Van Heeke and Schuster, 1989, J.
Biol. Chem. 24:5503-5509); insect systems such as, e.g., the use of
Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV)
expression vector in Spodoptera frugiperda cells; and viral-based
expression systems in mammalian cells, such as, e.g.,
adenoviral-based systems (see, e.g., Logan and Shenk, 1984, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:355-359; Bittner et al., 1987, Methods in
Enzymol. 153:51-544).
[0152] In addition, a host cell strain can be chosen that modulates
the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes
the gene product in the specific fashion desired. Appropriate cell
lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the correct
modification and processing (e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation,
and cleavage) of the protein expressed. To this end, eukaryotic
host cells which possess the cellular machinery for proper
processing of the primary transcript and gene product can be used.
Such mammalian host cells include, for example, CHO, VERO, BHK,
HeLa, COS, MDCK, 293, 3T3, and W138.
[0153] A stable expression system is typically used for long-term,
high-yield production of recombinant anti-CD70 antibody or
derivative thereof or other CD70 binding agent. For example, cell
lines that stably express the anti-CD70 antibody or derivative
thereof can be engineered by transformation of host cells with DNA
controlled by appropriate expression control elements (e.g.,
promoter and enhancer sequences, transcription terminators,
polyadenylation sites) and a selectable marker, followed by growth
of the transformed cells in a selective media. The selectable
marker confers resistance to the selection and allows cells to
stably integrate the DNA into their chromosomes and grow to form
foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into cell lines. A
number of selection systems can be used, including, for example,
the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, hypoxanthineguanine
phosphoribosyltransferase, and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase
genes, which can be employed in tk.sup.-, hgprt.sup.- or aprt.sup.-
cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite resistance can be used as
the basis of selection for the following genes: dhfr, which confers
resistance to methotrexate; gpt, which confers resistance to
mycophenolic acid; neo, which confers resistance to the
aminoglycoside G-418; and hygro, which confers resistance to
hygromycin. Methods commonly known in the art of recombinant DNA
technology can be routinely applied to select the desired
recombinant clone, and such methods are described, for example, in
Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al. eds., John
Wiley and Sons, N.Y., 1993); Kriegler, Gene Transfer and
Expression, A Laboratory Manual (Stockton Press, N.Y., 1990);
Current Protocols in Human Genetics (Dracopoli et al. eds., John
Wiley and Sons, N.Y., 1994, Chapters 12 and 13); and
Colberre-Garapin et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol. 150:1.
[0154] The expression levels of an antibody or derivative can be
increased by vector amplification. (See generally, e.g., Bebbington
and Hentschel, The Use of Vectors Based on Gene Amplification for
the Expression of Cloned Genes in Mammalian Cells in DNA Cloning,
Vol. 3 (Academic Press, New York, 1987).) When a marker in the
vector system expressing an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative
thereof is amplifiable, an increase in the level of inhibitor
present in host cell culture media will select host cells that have
increased copy number of a marker gene conferring resistance to the
inhibitor. The copy number of an associated antibody gene will also
be increased, thereby increasing expression of the antibody or
derivative thereof (see Crouse et al., 1983, Mol. Cell. Biol.
3:257).
[0155] Where the anti-CD70 antibody comprises both a heavy and a
light chain or derivatives thereof, the host cell may be
co-transfected with two expression vectors, the first vector
encoding the heavy chain protein and the second vector encoding the
light chain protein. The two vectors may contain identical
selectable markers which enable equal expression of heavy and light
chain proteins. Alternatively, a single vector may be used which
encodes, and is capable of expressing, both heavy and light chain
proteins. In such situations, the light chain is typically placed
before the heavy chain to avoid an excess of toxic free heavy chain
(see Proudfoot, 1986, Nature 322:52; Kohler, 1980, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 77:2197). The coding sequences for the heavy and
light chains may comprise cDNA or genomic DNA.
[0156] Once an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative thereof has been
produced (e.g., by an animal, chemical synthesis, or recombinant
expression), it can be purified by any suitable method for
purification of proteins, including, for example, by chromatography
(e.g., ion exchange or affinity chromatography (such as, for
example, Protein A chromatography for purification of antibodies
having an intact Fc region)), centrifugation, differential
solubility, or by any other standard technique for the purification
of proteins. An anti-CD70 antibody or derivative thereof can, for
example, be fused to a marker sequence, such as a peptide, to
facilitate purification by affinity chromatography. Suitable marker
amino acid sequences include, e.g., a hexa-histidine peptide, such
as the tag provided in a pQE vector (QIAGEN, Inc., Chatsworth,
Calif., 91311), and the "HA" tag, which corresponds to an epitope
derived from the influenza hemagglutinin protein (Wilson et al.,
1984, Cell 37:767), and the "flag" tag.
[0157] Once an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative thereof is
produced, its ability to exert a cytostatic or cytotoxic effect on
CD70-expressing cancer cells or an immunomodulatory effect on a
CD70-expressing immune cell is determined by the methods described
infra or as known in the art.
[0158] To minimize activity of the anti-CD70 antibody outside the
activated immune cells or CD70-expressing cancer cells, an antibody
that specifically binds to cell membrane-bound CD70, but not to
soluble CD70, can be used, so that the anti-CD70 antibody is
concentrated at the cell surface of the activated immune cell or
CD70-expressing cancer cell.
[0159] Typically, the anti-CD70 antibody or derivative is
substantially purified (e.g., substantially free from substances
that limit its effect or produce undesired side-effects). In some
embodiments, the anti-CD70 antibody or derivative is at least about
40% pure, at least about 50% pure, or at least about 60% pure. In
some embodiments, the anti-CD70 antibody or derivative is at least
about 60-65%, 65-70%, 70-75%, 75-80%, 80-85%, 85-90%, 90-95%, or
95-98% pure. In some embodiments, the anti-CD70 antibody or
derivative is approximately 99% pure.
III. Other CD70-Binding Agents
[0160] Further CD70-binding agents include fusion proteins (i.e.,
proteins that are recombinantly fused or chemically conjugated,
including both covalent and non-covalent conjugation) to
heterologous proteins (of typically at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,
60, 70, 80, 90 or at least 100 amino acids). Such CD70-binding
agents can include a portion that binds to CD70 and an
immunoglobulin effector domain or a functional equivalent thereof.
As used herein, a functional equivalent of immunoglobulin effector
domain binds to an Fc receptor on an immune cell with phagocytic or
lytic activity or by binding of an Fc effector domain(s) to
components of the complement system. The fusion protein does not
necessarily need to be direct, but may occur through linker
sequences.
[0161] For example, a CD70-binding agent can be produced
recombinantly by fusing the coding region of one or more of the
CDRs or the variable region of an anti-CD70 antibody in frame with
a sequence coding for a heterologous protein. The heterologous
protein can include, for example, an effector domain, a functional
equivalent thereof or other functional domain to provide one or
more of the following characteristics: promote stable expression;
provide a means of facilitating high yield recombinant expression;
provide a cytostatic, cytotoxic or immunomodulatory activity;
and/or provide a multimerization domain.
[0162] In some embodiments, the CD70-binding agent can include one
or more CDRs from an antibody that binds to CD70 and depletes or
inhibits the proliferation of CD70-expressing cells alone, without
conjugation to a cytotoxic agent.
IV. Methods to Improve Effector Functions of Anti-CD70-Targeting
Agents
[0163] In some embodiments, the effector function of a CD70-binding
agent can be augmented by improving its effector functions using
one or more antibody engineering approaches known in the art.
Illustrative, non-limiting examples for such approaches are
provided below.
[0164] ADCC and ADCP are mediated through the interaction of
cell-bound antibodies with Fc.gamma. receptors (Fc.gamma.R)
expressed on effector cells. Both the glycosylation status and
primary amino acid sequence of the IgG Fc region have functional
effects on the Fc.gamma.-Fc.gamma.R interaction. A stronger
Fc.gamma.-Fc.gamma.R interaction is associated with better target
cell killing by effector cells.
[0165] Oligosaccharides covalently attached to the conserved Asn297
are involved in the Fc region of an IgG to bind Fc.gamma.R (Lund et
al., 1996, J. Immunol. 157:4963-69; Wright and Morrison, 1997,
Trends Biotechnol. 15:26-31). Engineering of this glycoform on IgG
can significantly improve IgG-mediated ADCC. Addition of bisecting
N-acetylglucosamine modifications (Umana et al., 1999, Nat.
Biotechnol. 17:176-180; Davies et al., 2001, Biotech. Bioeng.
74:288-94) to this glycoform or removal of fucose (Shields et al.,
2002, J. Biol. Chem. 277:26733-40; Shinkawa et al., 2003, J. Biol.
Chem. 278:6591-604; Niwa et al., 2004, Cancer Res. 64:2127-33) from
this glycoform are two examples of IgG Fc engineering that improves
the binding between IgG Fc and Fc.gamma.R, thereby enhancing
Ig-mediated ADCC activity.
[0166] A systemic substitution of solvent-exposed amino acids of
human IgG1 Fc region has generated IgG variants with altered
Fc.gamma.R binding affinities (Shields et al., 2001, J. Biol. Chem.
276:6591-604). When compared to parental IgG1, a subset of these
variants involving substitutions at Thr256/Ser298, Ser298/Glu333,
Ser298/Lys334, or Ser298/Glu333/Lys334 to Ala demonstrate increased
in both binding affinity toward Fc.gamma.R and ADCC activity
(Shields et al., 2001, J. Biol. Chem. 276:6591-604; Okazaki et al.,
2004, J. Mol. Biol. 336:1239-49).
[0167] Antibody-mediated CDC begins with the binding of C1q to cell
bound IgG molecules. Specific amino acid residues on human IgG1
responsible for C1q binding and species-specific differences of C1q
binding have been reported (Idusogie et al., 2000, J. Immunol.
164:4178-4184). Complement fixation activity of antibodies have
been improved by substitutions at Lys326 and Glu333; for example,
such substitutions can improve both C1q binding and CDC activity of
the human IgG1 antibody rituximab (Idusogie et al., 2001, J.
Immunol. 166:2571-2575). The same substitutions on a human IgG2
backbone can convert an antibody isotype that binds poorly to C1q
and is severely deficient in complement activation activity to one
that can both bind C1q and mediate CDC (Idusogie et al., 2001, J.
Immunol. 166:2571-75). Several other methods have also been applied
to improve complement fixation activity of antibodies. For example,
the grafting of an 18-amino acid carboxyl-terminal tail piece of
IgM to the carboxyl-termini of IgG greatly enhances their CDC
activity. This is observed even with IgG4, which normally has no
detectable CDC activity (Smith et al., 1995, J. Immunol.
154:2226-36). Also, substituting Ser444 located close to the
carboxy-terminal of IgG1 heavy chain with Cys induced tail-to-tail
dimerization of IgG1 with a 200-fold increase of CDC activity over
monomeric IgG1 (Shopes et al., 1992, J. Immunol. 148:2918-22). In
addition, a bispecific diabody construct with specificity for C1q
also confers CDC activity (Kontermann et al., 1997, Nat. Biotech.
15:629-31).
[0168] The in vivo half-life of an antibody can also impact on its
effector functions. In some embodiments, it is desirable to
increase or decrease the half-life of an antibody to modify its
therapeutic activities. FcRn is a receptor that is structurally
similar to MHC Class I antigen that non-covalently associates with
.beta.2-microglobulin. FcRn regulates the catabolism of IgGs and
their transcytosis across tissues (Ghetie and Ward, 2000, Annu.
Rev. Immunol. 18:739-766; Ghetie and Ward, 2002, Immunol. Res.
25:97-113). The IgG-FcRn interaction takes place at pH 6.0 (pH of
intracellular vesicles) but not at pH 7.4 (pH of blood); this
interaction enables IgGs to be recycled back to the circulation
(Ghetie and Ward, 2000, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 18:739-766; Ghetie and
Ward, 2002, Immunol. Res. 25:97-113). The region on human IgG.sub.1
involved in FcRn binding has been mapped (Shields et al., 2001, J.
Biol. Chem. 276:6591-604). Alanine substitutions at positions
Pro238, Thr256, Thr307, Gln311, Asp312, Glu380, Glu382, or Asn434
of human IgG.sub.1 enhance FcRn binding (Shields et al., 2001, J.
Biol. Chem. 276:6591-604). IgG.sub.1 molecules harboring these
substitutions are expected to have longer serum half-lives.
Consequently, these modified IgG.sub.1 molecules may be able to
carry out their effector functions, and hence exert their
therapeutic efficacies, over a longer period of time compared to
unmodified IgG.sub.1.
V. Assays for Cytotoxic, Cytostatic, and Immunomodulatory
Activities
[0169] Methods of determining whether an antibody mediates effector
function against a target cell are known. Illustrative examples of
such methods are described infra.
[0170] For determining whether an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative
mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against activated
immune cells or CD70-expressing cancer cells, an assay that
measures target cell death in the presence of antibody and effector
immune cells may be used. An assay used to measure this type of
cytotoxicity can be based on determination of .sup.51Cr release
from metabolically-labeled targets cells after incubation in the
presence of effector cells and target-specific antibody (see, e.g.,
Perussia and Loza, 2000, Methods in Molecular Biology 121:179-92;
and ".sup.51Cr Release Assay of Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated
Cytotoxicity (ADCC)" in Current Potocols in Immunology, Coligan et
al. eds., Wileyand Sons, 1993). For example, activated immune cells
(e.g., activated lymphocytes) or CD70-expressing cancer cells
labeled with Na.sub.2.sup.51CrO.sub.4 and plated at a density of
5,000 cells per well of a 96-well plate can be treated with varying
concentrations of anti-CD70 antibody for 30 minutes then mixed with
normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for 4 hours.
The membrane disruption that accompanies target cell death releases
.sup.51Cr into the culture supernatant which may be collected and
assessed for radioactivity as a measure of cytotoxic activity.
Other assays to measure ADCC may involve nonradioactive labels or
be based on induced release of specific enzymes. For example, a
non-radioactive assay based on time-resolved fluorometry is
commercially available (Delphia, Perkin Elmer). This assay is based
on loading target cells with an acetoxymethyl ester of fluorescence
enhancing ligand (BATDA) that penetrates the cell membrane then
hydrolyses to form a membrane impermeable hydrophilic ligand (TDA).
When mixed with target specific antibody and PBMC effector cells,
TDA is released from lysed cells and is available to form a highly
fluorescent chelate when mixed with Europium. The signal, measured
with a time-resolved fluorometer, correlates with the amount of
cell lysis.
[0171] To determine whether an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative
mediates antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis against activated
immune cells or CD70-expressing cancer cells, an assay that
measures target cell internalization by effector immune cells
(e.g., fresh cultured macrophages or established macrophage-like
cell line) may be used (see, e.g., Munn and Cheung, 1990, J. Exp.
Med. 172:231-37; Keler et al., 2000, J. Immunol. 164:5746-52;
Akewanlop et al., 2001, Cancer Res. 61:4061-65). For example,
target cells may be labeled with a lipophilic membrane dye such as
PKH67 (Sigma), coated with target-specific antibody, and mixed with
effector immune cells for 4-24 hours. The effector cells may then
be identified by counterstaining with a fluorochrome-labeled
antibody specific for a phagocytic cell surface marker (e.g., CD14)
and the cells analyzed by two-color flow cytometry or fluoresence
microscopy. Dual-positive cells represent effector cells that have
internalized target cells. For these assays, effector cells may be
monocytes derived from PBMC that have been differentiated into
macrophages by culture for 5-10 days with M-CSF or GM-CSF (see,
e.g., Munn and Cheung, supra). Human macrophage-like cell lines
U937 (Larrick et al., 1980, J. Immunology 125:6-12) or THP-1
(Tsuchiya et al., 1980, Int. J. Cancer 26:171-76) which are
available from ATCC may be used as an alternative phagocytic cell
source.
[0172] Methods of determining whether an antibody mediates
complement-dependent cytotoxicity upon binding to target cells are
also known. The same methods can be applied to determine whether a
CD70-binding agent mediates CDC on activated immune cells or
CD70-expressing cancer cells. Illustrative examples of such methods
are described infra.
[0173] The source of active complement can either be normal human
serum or purified from laboratory animal including rabbits. In a
standard assay, a CD70-binding agent is incubated with
CD70-expressing activated immune cells (e.g., activated
lymphocytes) or CD70-expressing cancer cells in the presence of
complement. The ability of such CD70-binding agent to mediate cell
lysis can be determined by several readouts. In one example, a
Na.sup.51CrO.sub.4 release assay is used. In this assay, target
cells are labeled with Na.sup.51CrO.sub.4. Unincorporated
Na.sup.51CrO.sub.4 is washed off and cells are plated at a suitable
density, typically between 5,000 to 50,000 cells/well, in a 96-well
plate. Incubation with the CD70-binding agent in the presence of
normal serum or purified complement typically last for 2-6 hours at
37.degree. C. in a 5% CO.sub.2 atmosphere. Released radioactivity,
indicating cell lysis, is determined in an aliquot of the culture
supernatant by gamma ray counting. Maximum cell lysis is determined
by releasing incorporated Na.sup.51CrO.sub.4 by detergent (0.5-1%
NP-40 or Triton X-100) treatment. Spontaneous background cell lysis
is determined in wells where only complement is present without any
CD70-binding agents. Percentage cell lysis is calculated as
(CD70-binding agent-induced lysis-spontaneous lysis)/maximum cell
lysis. The second readout is a reduction of metabolic dyes, e.g.,
Alamar Blue, by viable cells. In this assay, target cells are
incubated with CD70-binding agent with complement and incubated as
described above. At the end of incubation, 1/10 volume of Alamar
Blue (Biosource International, Camarillo, Calif.) is added.
Incubation is continued for up to 16 hours at 37.degree. C. in a 5%
CO.sub.2 atmosphere. Reduction of Alamar Blue as an indication of
metabolically active viable cells is determined by fluorometric
analysis with excitation at 530 nm and emission at 590 nm. The
third readout is cellular membrane permeability to propidium iodide
(PI). Formation of pores in the plasma membrane as a result of
complement activation facilitates entry of PI into cells where it
will diffuse into the nuclei and bind DNA. Upon binding to DNA, PI
fluorescence in the 600 nm significantly increases. Treatment of
target cells with CD70-binding agent and complement is carried out
as described above. At end of incubation, PI is added to a final
concentration of 5 .mu.g/ml. The cell suspension is then examined
by flow cytometry using a 488 nm argon laser for excitation. Lysed
cells are detected by fluorescence emission at 600 nm.
VI. Animal Models of Immunological Disorders or CD70-Expressing
Cancers
[0174] The anti-CD70 binding agents, e.g., antibodies or
derivatives, can be tested or validated in animal models of
immunological disorders or CD70-expressing cancers. A number of
established animal models of immunological disorders or
CD70-expressing cancers are known to the skilled artisan, any of
which can be used to assay the efficacy of the anti-CD70 antibody
or derivative. Non-limiting examples of such models are described
infra.
[0175] Examples for animal models of systemic and organ-specific
autoimmune diseases including diabetes, lupus, systemic sclerosis,
Sjogren's Syndrome, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
(multiple sclerosis), thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis, arthritis,
uveitis, and inflammatory bowel disease have been described by
Bigazzi, "Animal Models of Autoimmunity: Spontaneous and Induced,"
in The Autoimmune Diseases (Rose and Mackay eds., Academic Press,
1998) and in "Animal Models for Autoimmune and Inflammatory
Disease," in Current Protocols in Immunology (Coligan et al. eds.,
Wiley and Sons, 1997).
[0176] Allergic conditions, e.g., asthma and dermatitis, can also
be modeled in rodents. Airway hypersensitivity can be induced in
mice by ovalbumin (Tomkinson et al., 2001, J. Immunol.
166:5792-800) or Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen (Tesciuba et al.,
2001, J. Immunol. 167:1996-2003). The Nc/Nga strain of mice show
marked increase in serum IgE and spontaneously develop atopic
dermatitis-like leisons (Vestergaard et al., 2000, Mol. Med. Today
6:209-10; Watanabe et al., 1997, Int. Immunol. 9:461-66; Saskawa et
al., 2001, Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. 126:239-47).
[0177] Injection of immuno-competent donor lymphocytes into a
lethally irradiated histo-incompatible host is a classical approach
to induce GVHD in mice. Alternatively, the parent B6D2F1 murine
model provides a system to induce both acute and chronic GVHD. In
this model the B6D2F1 mice are F1 progeny from a cross between the
parental strains of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice. Transfer of DBA/2
lymphoid cells into non-irradiated B6D2F1 mice causes chronic GVHD,
whereas transfer of C57BL/6, C57BL/10 or B10.D2 lymphoid cells
causes acute GVHD (Slayback et al., 2000, Bone Marrow Transpl.
26:931-938; Kataoka et al., 2001, Immunology 103:310-318).
[0178] Additionally, both human hematopoietic stem cells and mature
peripheral blood lymphoid cells can be engrafted into SCID mice,
and these human lympho-hematopoietic cells remain functional in the
SCID mice (McCune et al., 1988, Science 241:1632-1639; Kamel-Reid
and Dick, 1988, Science 242:1706-1709; Mosier et al., 1988, Nature
335:256-259). This has provided a small animal model system for the
direct testing of potential therapeutic agents on human lymphoid
cells. (See, e.g., Tournoy et al., 2001, J. Immunol.
166:6982-6991).
[0179] Moreover, small animal models to examine the in vivo
efficacies of the anti-CD70 antibodies or derivatives can be
created by implanting CD70-expressing human tumor cell lines into
appropriate immunodeficient rodent strains, e.g., athymic nude mice
or SCID mice. Examples of CD70-expressing human lymphoma cell lines
include, for example, Daudi (Ghetie et al., 1994, Blood 83:1329-36;
Ghetie et al., 1990, Int. J. Cancer 15:481-85; de Mont et al.,
2001, Cancer Res. 61:7654-59), HS-Sultan (Cattan and Maung, 1996,
Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 38:548-52; Caftan and Douglas, 1994,
Leuk. Res. 18:513-22), Raji (Ochakovskaya et al., 2001, Clin.
Cancer Res. 7:1505-10; Breisto et al., 1999, Cancer Res.
59:2944-49), and CA46 (Kreitman et al., 1999, Int. J. Cancer
81:148-55). Non-limiting example of a CD70-expressing Hodgkin's
lymphoma line is L428 (Drexler, 1993, Leuk. Lymphoma 9:1-25; Dewan
et al., 2005, Cancer Sci. 96:466-473). Non-limiting examples of
CD70 expressing human renal cell carcinoma cell lines include 786-O
(Ananth et al., 1999, Cancer Res. 59:2210-16; Datta et al., 2001,
Cancer Res. 61:1768-75), ACHN (Hara et al., 2001, J. Urol.
166:2491-94; Miyake et al., 2002, J. Urol. 167:2203-08), Caki-1
(Prewett et al., 1998, Clin. Cancer Res. 4:2957-66; Shi and
Siemann, 2002, Br. J. Cancer 87:119-26), and Caki-2 (Zellweger et
al., 2001, Neoplasia 3:360-67). Non-limiting examples of
CD70-expressing nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines include C15 and
C17 (Busson et al., 1988, Int. J. Cancer 42:599-606; Bernheim et
al., 1993, Cancer Genet. Cytogenet. 66:11-5). Non-limiting examples
of CD70-expressing human glioma cell lines include U373 (Palma et
al., 2000, Br. J. Cancer 82:480-7) and U87MG (Johns et al., 2002,
Int. J. Cancer 98:398-408). Non-limiting examples of multiple
myeloma cell lines include MM.1S (Greenstein et al., 2003,
Experimental Hematology 31:271-282) and L363 (Diehl et al., 1978,
Blut 36:331-338). (See also Drexler and Matsuo, 2000, Leukemia
Research 24:681-703). These tumor cell lines can be established in
immunodeficient rodent hosts either as solid tumor by subcutaneous
injections or as disseminated tumors by intravenous injections.
Once established within a host, these tumor models can be applied
to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies of the anti-CD70 antibody or
derivatives as described herein on modulating in vivo tumor
growth.
VII. CD70-Associated Disorders
[0180] The anti-CD70 binding agents (e.g., antibodies and
derivatives) as described herein are useful for treating or
preventing a CD70-expressing cancer or an immunological disorder
characterized by expression of CD70 by inappropriate activation of
immune cells (e.g., lymphocytes or dendritic cells). Such
expression of CD70 can be due to, for example, increased CD70
protein levels on the cells surface and/or altered antigenicity of
the expressed CD70. Treatment or prevention of the immunological
disorder, according to the methods described herein, is achieved by
administering to a subject in need of such treatment or prevention
an effective amount of the anti-CD70 antibody or derivative,
whereby the antibody or derivative (i) binds to activated immune
cells that express CD70 and that are associated with the disease
state and (ii) exerts a cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory
effect on the activated immune cells. In some embodiments, the
cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory is exerted without
conjugation to a cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory agent.
In some embodiments, the cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory
is exerted by conjugation to a cytotoxic, cytostatic, or
immunomodulatory agent.
[0181] Immunological diseases that are characterized by
inappropriate activation of immune cells and that can be treated or
prevented by the methods described herein can be classified, for
example, by the type(s) of hypersensitivity reaction(s) that
underlie the disorder. These reactions are typically classified
into four types: anaphylactic reactions, cytotoxic (cytolytic)
reactions, immune complex reactions, or cell-mediated immunity
(CMI) reactions (also referred to as delayed-type hypersensitivity
(DTH) reactions). (See, e.g., Fundamental Immunology (William E.
Paul ed., Raven Press, N.Y., 3rd ed. 1993).)
[0182] Specific examples of such immunological diseases include the
following: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune
demyelinative diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, allergic
encephalomyelitis), endocrine ophthalmopathy, uveoretinitis,
systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, Grave's disease,
glomerulonephritis, autoimmune hepatological disorder, inflammatory
bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease), anaphylaxis, allergic
reaction, Sjogren's syndrome, type I diabetes mellitus, primary
biliary cirrhosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, fibromyalgia,
polymyositis, dermatomyositis, multiple endocrine failure,
Schmidt's syndrome, autoimmune uveitis, Addison's disease,
adrenalitis, thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmune
thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, gastric atrophy, chronic
hepatitis, lupoid hepatitis, atherosclerosis, subacute cutaneous
lupus erythematosus, hypoparathyroidism, Dressler's syndrome,
autoimmune thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,
hemolytic anemia, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus, dermatitis
herpetiformis, alopecia arcata, pemphigoid, scleroderma,
progressive systemic sclerosis, CREST syndrome (calcinosis,
Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and
telangiectasia), male and female autoimmune infertility, ankylosing
spondolytis, ulcerative colitis, mixed connective tissue disease,
polyarteritis nedosa, systemic necrotizing vasculitis, atopic
dermatitis, atopic rhinitis, Goodpasture's syndrome, Chagas'
disease, sarcoidosis, rheumatic fever, asthma, recurrent abortion,
anti-phospholipid syndrome, farmer's lung, erythema multiforme,
post cardiotomy syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, autoimmune chronic
active hepatitis, bird-fancier's lung, toxic epidermal necrolysis,
Alport's syndrome, alveolitis, allergic alveolitis, fibrosing
alveolitis, interstitial lung disease, erythema nodosum, pyoderma
gangrenosum, transfusion reaction, Takayasu's arteritis,
polymyalgia rheumatica, temporal arteritis, schistosomiasis, giant
cell arteritis, ascariasis, aspergillosis, Sampter's syndrome,
eczema, lymphomatoid granulomatosis, Behcet's disease, Caplan's
syndrome, Kawasaki's disease, dengue, encephalomyelitis,
endocarditis, endomyocardial fibrosis, endophthalmitis, erythema
elevatum et diutinum, psoriasis, erythroblastosis fetalis,
eosinophilic faciitis, Shulman's syndrome, Felty's syndrome,
filariasis, cyclitis, chronic cyclitis, heterochronic cyclitis,
Fuch's cyclitis, IgA nephropathy, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, graft
versus host disease, transplantation rejection, cardiomyopathy,
Eaton-Lambert syndrome, relapsing polychondritis, cryoglobulinemia,
Waldenstrom's macroglobulemia, Evan's syndrome, and autoimmune
gonadal failure.
[0183] Accordingly, the methods described herein encompass
treatment of disorders of B lymphocytes (e.g., systemic lupus
erythematosus, Goodpasture's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and
type I diabetes), Th.sub.1-lymphocytes (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Sjorgren's syndrome, Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, Grave's disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, Wegener's
granulomatosis, tuberculosis, or graft versus host disease), or
Th.sub.2-lymphocytes (e.g., atopic dermatitis, systemic lupus
erythematosus, atopic asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic
rhinitis, Omenn's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, or chronic graft
versus host disease). Generally, disorders involving dendritic
cells involve disorders of Th.sub.1-lymphocytes or
Th.sub.2-lymphocytes.
[0184] In some embodiments, the immunological disorder is a T
cell-mediated immunological disorder, such as a T cell disorder in
which activated T cells associated with the disorder express CD70.
Anti-CD70 binding agents (e.g., antibodies or derivatives) can be
administered to deplete such CD70-expressing activated T cells. In
a specific embodiment, administration of anti-CD70 antibodies or
derivatives can deplete CD70-expressing activated T cells, while
resting T cells are not substantially depleted by the anti-CD70 or
derivative. In this context, "not substantially depleted" means
that less than about 60%, or less than about 70% or less than about
80% of resting T cells are not depleted.
[0185] The anti-CD70 binding agents (e.g., antibodies and
derivatives) are also useful for treating or preventing a
CD70-expressing cancer. Treatment or prevention of a
CD70-expressing cancer, according to the methods described herein,
is achieved by administering to a subject in need of such treatment
or prevention an effective amount of the anti-CD70 antibody or
derivative, whereby the antibody or derivative (i) binds to
CD70-expressing cancer cells and (ii) exerts a cytotoxic or
cytostatic effect to deplete or inhibit the proliferation of the
CD70-expressing cancer cells. In some embodiments, the cytotoxic,
cytostatic, or immunomodulatory is exerted without conjugation to a
cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory agent. In some
embodiments, the cytotoxic, cytostatic, or immunomodulatory is
exerted by conjugation to a cytotoxic, cytostatic, or
immunomodulatory agent.
[0186] CD70-expressing cancers that can be treated or prevented by
the methods described herein include, for example, different
subtypes of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (indolent NHLs, follicular NHLs,
small lymphocytic lymphomas, lymphoplasmacytic NHLs, or marginal
zone NHLs); Hodgkin's disease (e.g., Reed-Sternberg cells); cancers
of the B-cell lineage, including, e.g., diffuse large B-cell
lymphomas, follicular lymphomas, Burkitt's lymphoma, mantle cell
lymphomas, B-cell lymphocytic leukemias (e.g., acute lymphocytic
leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia); Epstein Barr Virus
positive B cell lymphomas; renal cell carcinomas (e.g., clear cell
and papillary); nasopharyngeal carcinomas; thymic carcinomas;
gliomas; glioblastomas; neuroblastomas; astrocytomas; meningiomas;
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia; multiple myelomas; and colon,
stomach, and rectal carcinomas. The cancer can be, for example,
newly diagnosed, pre-treated or refractory or relapsed. In some
embodiments, a CD70-expressing cancer has at least about 15,000, at
least about 10,000 or at least about 5,000 CD70 molecules/cell.
VIII. Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Anti-CD70 Antibodies
and Derivatives and Administration Thereof
[0187] A composition comprising a CD70 binding agent (e.g., an
anti-CD70 antibody or derivative) can be administered to a subject
having or at risk of having an immunological disorder or a
CD70-expressing cancer. The invention further provides for the use
of a CD70 binding agent (e.g., an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative)
in the manufacture of a medicament for prevention or treatment of a
CD70 expressing cancer or immunological disorder. The term
"subject" as used herein means any mammalian patient to which a
CD70-binding agent can be administered, including, e.g., humans and
non-human mammals, such as primates, rodents, and dogs. Subjects
specifically intended for treatment using the methods described
herein include humans. The antibodies or derivatives can be
administered either alone or in combination with other compositions
in the prevention or treatment of the immunological disorder or
CD70-expressing cancer.
[0188] Various delivery systems are known and can be used to
administer the CD70 binding agent. Methods of introduction include
but are not limited to intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal,
intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, epidural, and oral routes.
The CD70 binding agent can be administered, for example by infusion
or bolus injection (e.g., intravenous or subcutaneous), by
absorption through epithelial or mucocutaneous linings (e.g., oral
mucosa, rectal and intestinal mucosa, and the like) and can be
administered together with other biologically active agents such as
chemotherapeutic agents. Administration can be systemic or
local.
[0189] In specific embodiments, the CD70 binding agent composition
is administered by injection, by means of a catheter, by means of a
suppository, or by means of an implant, the implant being of a
porous, non-porous, or gelatinous material, including a membrane,
such as a sialastic membrane, or a fiber. Typically, when
administering the composition, materials to which the anti-CD70
binding agent does not absorb are used.
[0190] In other embodiments, the anti-CD70 binding agent is
delivered in a controlled release system. In one embodiment, a pump
may be used (see Langer, 1990, Science 249:1527-1533; Sefton, 1989,
CRC Crit. Ref. Biomed. Eng. 14:201; Buchwald et al., 1980, Surgery
88:507; Saudek et al., 1989, N. Engl. J. Med. 321:574). In another
embodiment, polymeric materials can be used. (See Medical
Applications of Controlled Release (Langer and Wise eds., CRC
Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1974); Controlled Drug Bioavailability,
Drug Product Design and Performance (Smolen and Ball eds., Wiley,
New York, 1984); Ranger and Peppas, 1983, Macromol. Sci. Rev.
Macromol. Chem. 23:61. See also Levy et al., 1985, Science 228:190;
During et al., 1989, Ann. Neurol. 25:351; Howard et al., 1989, J.
Neurosurg. 71:105.) Other controlled release systems are discussed,
for example, in Langer, supra.
[0191] A CD70 binding agent (e.g., an anti-CD70 antibody or
derivative) can be administered as pharmaceutical compositions
comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the binding agent
and one or more pharmaceutically compatible ingredients. For
example, the pharmaceutical composition typically includes one or
more pharmaceutical carriers (e.g., sterile liquids, such as water
and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or
synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil,
sesame oil and the like). Water is a more typical carrier when the
pharmaceutical composition is administered intravenously. Saline
solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also be
employed as liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions.
Suitable pharmaceutical excipients include, for example, starch,
glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk,
silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium
chloride, dried skim milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water,
ethanol, and the like. The composition, if desired, can also
contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH
buffering agents. These compositions can take the form of
solutions, suspensions, emulsion, tablets, pills, capsules,
powders, sustained-release formulations and the like. The
composition can be formulated as a suppository, with traditional
binders and carriers such as triglycerides. Oral formulations can
include standard carriers such as pharmaceutical grades of
mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine,
cellulose, magnesium carbonate, etc. Examples of suitable
pharmaceutical carriers are described in "Remington's
Pharmaceutical Sciences" by E. W. Martin. Such compositions will
contain a therapeutically effective amount of the protein,
typically in purified form, together with a suitable amount of
carrier so as to provide the form for proper administration to the
patient. The formulations correspond to the mode of
administration.
[0192] In typical embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is
formulated in accordance with routine procedures as a
pharmaceutical composition adapted for intravenous administration
to human beings. Typically, compositions for intravenous
administration are solutions in sterile isotonic aqueous buffer.
Where necessary, the pharmaceutical can also include a solubilizing
agent and a local anesthetic such as lignocaine to ease pain at the
site of the injection. Generally, the ingredients are supplied
either separately or mixed together in unit dosage form, for
example, as a dry lyophilized powder or water free concentrate in a
hermetically sealed container such as an ampoule or sachette
indicating the quantity of active agent. Where the pharmaceutical
is to be administered by infusion, it can be dispensed with an
infusion bottle containing sterile pharmaceutical grade water or
saline. Where the pharmaceutical is administered by injection, an
ampoule of sterile water for injection or saline can be provided so
that the ingredients can be mixed prior to administration.
[0193] Further, the pharmaceutical composition can be provided as a
pharmaceutical kit comprising (a) a container containing a CD70
binding agent (e.g., an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative) in
lyophilized form and (b) a second container containing a
pharmaceutically acceptable diluent (e.g., sterile water) for
injection. The pharmaceutically acceptable diluent can be used for
reconstitution or dilution of the lyophilized anti-CD70 antibody or
derivative. Optionally associated with such container(s) can be a
notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating
the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological
products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of
manufacture, use or sale for human administration.
[0194] The amount of the CD70 binding agent (e.g., anti-CD70
antibody or derivative) that is effective in the treatment or
prevention of an immunological disorder or CD70-expressing cancer
can be determined by standard clinical techniques. In addition, in
vitro assays may optionally be employed to help identify optimal
dosage ranges. The precise dose to be employed in the formulation
will also depend on the route of administration, and the stage of
immunological disorder or CD70-expressing cancer, and should be
decided according to the judgment of the practitioner and each
patient's circumstances. Effective doses may be extrapolated from
dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test
systems.
[0195] For example, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of the
anti-CD70 antibody or derivative can be determined in cell cultures
or experimental animals by standard pharmaceutical procedures for
determining the LD.sub.50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the
population) and the ED.sub.50 (the dose therapeutically effective
in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and
therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be
expressed as the ratio LD.sub.50/ED.sub.50. A CD70-binding agent
(e.g., an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative) that exhibits a large
therapeutic index is preferred. Where a CD70-binding agent exhibits
toxic side effects, a delivery system that targets the CD70-binding
agent to the site of affected tissue can be used to minimize
potential damage non-CD70-expressing cells and, thereby, reduce
side effects.
[0196] The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal
studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in
humans. The dosage of the CD70 binding agent typically lies within
a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED.sub.50
with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range
depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of
administration utilized. For a CD70 binding agent used in the
method, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated
initially from cell culture assays. A dose can be formulated in
animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range
that includes the IC.sub.50 (i.e., the concentration of the test
compound that achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as
determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more
accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma can
be measured, for example, by high performance liquid
chromatography.
[0197] Generally, the dosage of an anti-CD70 antibody or derivative
administered to a patient with an immunological disorder or
CD70-expressing cancer is about 0.1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of the
subject's body weight. More typically, the dosage administered to a
subject is 0.1 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg of the subject's body weight, even
more typically 1 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg to
15 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg to 12 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg, or 1 mg/kg to
7.5 mg/kg of the subject's body weight. Generally, human antibodies
have a longer half-life within the human body than antibodies from
other species due to the immune response to the foreign proteins.
Thus, lower dosages of anti-CD70 antibody or derivative comprising
humanized or chimeric antibodies and less frequent administration
is often possible.
[0198] A dose of an anti-CD70 binding agent can be administered,
for example, daily, once per week (weekly), twice per week, thrice
per week, four times per week, five times per week, biweekly,
monthly or otherwise as needed.
[0199] In some embodiments, the dosage of an anti-CD70 binding
agent corresponds to a sub-optimal dosage (i.e., below the
EC.sub.50 for the anti-CD70 binding agent (e.g., an antibody drug
conjugate). For example, the dosage of an anti-CD70 binding agent
can comprise a dosage selected from the lowest 25%, lowest 15%,
lowest 10% or lowest 5% of the therapeutic window. As used herein,
the term "therapeutic window" refers to the range of dosage of a
drug or of its concentration in a bodily system that provides safe
and effective therapy.
[0200] In some embodiments, the dosage of an anti-CD70 binding
agent (e.g., an antibody drug conjugate) is from about 0.05 mg/kg
to about 1 mg/kg, or about 0.1 mg/kg to about 0.9 mg/kg, or about
0.15 to about 0.75 mg/kg of the subject's body weight. Such a
dosage can be administered from 1 to about 15 times per week. Each
dose can be the same or different. For example, a dosage of about
0.15 mg/kg of an anti-CD70 binding agent can be administered from 1
to 10 times per four day, five day, six day or seven day
period.
[0201] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions
comprising the CD70 binding agent can further comprise a
therapeutic agent (e.g., a non-conjugated cytotoxic or
immunomodulatory agent such as, for example, any of those described
herein). The anti-CD70 binding agent also can be co-administered in
combination with one or more therapeutic agents for the treatment
or prevention of immunological disorders or CD70-expressing
cancers. For example, combination therapy can include a therapeutic
agent (e.g., a cytostatic, cytotoxic, or immunomodulatory agent,
such as an unconjugated cytostatic, cytotoxic, or immunomodulatory
agent such as those conventionally used for the treatment of
cancers or immunological disorders). Combination therapy can also
include, e.g., administration of an agent that targets a receptor
or receptor complex other than CD70 on the surface of activated
lymphocytes, dendritic cells or CD70-expressing cancer cells. An
example of such an agent includes a second, non-CD70 antibody that
binds to a molecule at the surface of an activated lymphocyte,
dendritic cell or CD70-expressing cancer cell. Another example
includes a ligand that targets such a receptor or receptor complex.
Typically, such an antibody or ligand binds to a cell surface
receptor on activated lymphocytes, dendritic cell or
CD70-expressing cancer cell and enhances the cytotoxic or
cytostatic effect of the anti-CD70 antibody by delivering a
cytostatic or cytotoxic signal to the activated lymphocyte,
dendritic cell or CD70-expressing cancer cell. Such combinatorial
administration can have an additive or synergistic effect on
disease parameters (e.g., severity of a symptom, the number of
symptoms, or frequency of relapse).
?? SEQ Paragraph \# "[0000] " \* MERGEFORMAT \* MERGEFORMAT [0200]
embodiment, an anti-CD70 binding agent is administered concurrently
with a therapeutic agent. In another specific embodiment, the
therapeutic agent is administered prior or subsequent to
administration of the anti-CD70 antibody or derivative, by at least
an hour and up to several months, for example at least an hour,
five hours, 12 hours, a day, a week, a month, or three months,
prior or subsequent to administration of the anti-CD70 antibody or
derivative. In some embodiments, the subject is monitored following
administration of the anti-CD70 binding agent, and optionally the
therapeutic agent.
[0202] The therapeutic agent can be, for example, any agent that
exerts a therapeutic effect on cancer cells or activated immune
cells. Typically, the therapeutic agent is a cytotoxic or
immunomodulatory agent. Such combinatorial administration can have
an additive or synergistic effect on disease parameters (e.g.,
severity of a symptom, the number of symptoms, or frequency of
relapse).
[0203] Useful classes of cytotoxic or immunomodulatory agents
include, for example, antitubulin agents, auristatins, DNA minor
groove binders, DNA replication inhibitors, alkylating agents
(e.g., platinum complexes such as cis-platin, mono(platinum),
bis(platinum) and tri-nuclear platinum complexes and carboplatin),
anthracyclines, antibiotics, antifolates, antimetabolites,
chemotherapy sensitizers, duocarmycins, etoposides, fluorinated
pyrimidines, ionophores, lexitropsins, nitrosoureas, platinols,
pre-forming compounds, purine antimetabolites, puromycins,
radiation sensitizers, steroids, taxanes, topoisomerase inhibitors,
vinca alkaloids, and the like.
[0204] Individual cytotoxic or immunomodulatory agents include, for
example, an androgen, anthramycin (AMC), asparaginase,
5-azacytidine, azathioprine, bleomycin, busulfan, buthionine
sulfoximine, camptothecin, carboplatin, carmustine (BSNU), CC-1065,
chlorambucil, cisplatin, colchicine, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine,
cytidine arabinoside, cytochalasin B, dacarbazine, dactinomycin
(actinomycin), daunorubicin, decarbazine, docetaxel, doxorubicin,
an estrogen, 5-fluordeoxyuridine, 5-fluorouracil, gramicidin D,
hydroxyurea, idarubicin, ifosfamide, irinotecan, lomustine (CCNU),
mechlorethamine, melphalan, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate,
mithramycin, mitomycin C, mitoxantrone, nitroimidazole, paclitaxel,
plicamycin, procarbizine, rapamycin (Sirolimus), streptozotocin,
tenoposide, 6-thioguanine, thioTEPA, topotecan, vinblastine,
vincristine, vinorelbine, VP-16 and VM-26.
[0205] In some typical embodiments, the therapeutic agent is a
cytotoxic agent. Suitable cytotoxic agents include, for example,
dolastatins (e.g., auristatin E, AFP, MMAF, MMAE), DNA minor groove
binders (e.g., enediynes and lexitropsins), duocarmycins, taxanes
(e.g., paclitaxel and docetaxel), puromycins, vinca alkaloids,
CC-1065, SN-38, topotecan, morpholino-doxorubicin, rhizoxin,
cyanomorpholino-doxorubicin, echinomycin, combretastatin,
netropsin, epothilone A and B, estramustine, cryptophysins,
cemadotin, maytansinoids, discodermolide, eleutherobin, and
mitoxantrone.
[0206] In some embodiments, the cytotoxic agent is a conventional
chemotherapeutic such as, for example, doxorubicin, paclitaxel,
melphalan, vinca alkaloids, methotrexate, mitomycin C or etoposide.
In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent can be a combined
therapy, such as CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Prednisolone
and Vincristine), CHOP-R (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin
Vincristine, Prednisolone, and rituximab) or ABVD (Doxorubicin,
Bleomycin, Vinblastine and Dacarbazine). Agents such as CC-1065
analogues, calicheamicin, maytansine, analogues of dolastatin 10,
rhizoxin, and palytoxin can be linked to the anti-CD70 antibodies
or derivatives thereof.
[0207] In specific embodiments, the cytotoxic or cytostatic agent
is auristatin E (also known in the art as dolastatin-10) or a
derivative thereof. Typically, the auristatin E derivative is,
e.g., an ester formed between auristatin E and a keto acid. For
example, auristatin E can be reacted with paraacetyl benzoic acid
or benzoylvaleric acid to produce AEB and AEVB, respectively. Other
typical auristatin derivatives include AFP, MMAF, and MMAE. The
synthesis and structure of auristatin E and its derivatives are
described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20030083263
and 20050009751), International Patent Application No.
PCT/US03/24209, International Patent Application No.
PCT/US02/13435, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,323,315; 6,239,104; 6,034,065;
5,780,588; 5,665,860; 5,663,149; 5,635,483; 5,599,902; 5,554,725;
5,530,097; 5,521,284; 5,504,191; 5,410,024; 5,138,036; 5,076,973;
4,986,988; 4,978,744; 4,879,278; 4,816,444; and 4,486,414.
[0208] In specific embodiments, the cytotoxic agent is a DNA minor
groove binding agent. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,237.) For
example, in some embodiments, the minor groove binding agent is a
CBI compound. In other embodiments, the minor groove binding agent
is an enediyne (e.g., calicheamicin).
[0209] Examples of anti-tubulin agents include, but are not limited
to, taxanes (e.g., Taxol.RTM. (paclitaxel), Taxotere.RTM.
(docetaxel)), T67 (Tularik), vinca alkyloids (e.g., vincristine,
vinblastine, vindesine, and vinorelbine), and dolastatins (e.g.,
auristatin E, AFP, MMAF, MMAE, AEB, AEVB). Other antitubulin agents
include, for example, baccatin derivatives, taxane analogs (e.g.,
epothilone A and B), nocodazole, colchicine and colcimid,
estramustine, cryptophysins, cemadotin, maytansinoids,
combretastatins, discodermolide, and eleutherobin.
[0210] In some embodiments, the cytotoxic agent is a maytansinoid,
another group of anti-tubulin agents. For example, in specific
embodiments, the maytansinoid is maytansine or DM-1 (ImmunoGen,
Inc.; see also Chari et al., 1992, Cancer Res. 52:127-131).
[0211] In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is not a
radioisotope. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is not
ricin or saporin.
[0212] In certain embodiments, the therapeutic agent is an
anti-VEGF agent, such as AVASTIN (bevacizumab) or NEXAVAR
(Sorafenib); a PDGF blocker, such as SUTENT (sunitinib malate); or
a kinase inhibitor, such as NEXAVAR (sorafenib tosylateor).
[0213] In some embodiments, the cytotoxic or immunomodulatory agent
is an antimetabolite. The antimetabolite can be, for example, a
purine antagonist (e.g., azothioprine or mycophenolate mofetil), a
dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor (e.g., methotrexate), acyclovir,
gangcyclovir, zidovudine, vidarabine, ribavarin, azidothymidine,
cytidine arabinoside, amantadine, dideoxyuridine, iododeoxyuridine,
poscarnet, or trifluridine.
[0214] In other embodiments, the cytotoxic or immunomodulatory
agent is tacrolimus, cyclosporine or rapamycin. In further
embodiments, the cytoxic agent is aldesleukin, alemtuzumab,
alitretinoin, allopurinol, altretamine, amifostine, anastrozole,
arsenic trioxide, bexarotene, bexarotene, calusterone,
capecitabine, celecoxib, cladribine, Darbepoetin alfa, Denileukin
diftitox, dexrazoxane, dromostanolone propionate, epirubicin,
Epoetin alfa, estramustine, exemestane, Filgrastim, floxuridine,
fludarabine, fulvestrant, gemcitabine, gemtuzumab ozogamicin,
goserelin, idarubicin, ifosfamide, imatinib mesylate, Interferon
alfa-2a, irinotecan, letrozole, leucovorin, levamisole,
meclorethamine or nitrogen mustard, megestrol, mesna, methotrexate,
methoxsalen, mitomycin C, mitotane, nandrolone phenpropionate,
oprelvekin, oxaliplatin, pamidronate, pegademase, pegaspargase,
pegfilgrastim, pentostatin, pipobroman, plicamycin, porfimer
sodium, procarbazine, quinacrine, rasburicase, Sargramostim,
streptozocin, tamoxifen, temozolomide, teniposide, testolactone,
thioguanine, toremifene, Tositumomab, Trastuzumab, tretinoin,
uracil mustard, valrubicin, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine
or zoledronate.
[0215] In additional embodiments, the therapeutic agent is an
antibody, such as a humanized anti HER2 monoclonal antibody,
RITUXAN (rituximab; Genentech; a chimeric anti CD20 monoclonal
antibody); OVAREX (AltaRex Corporation, MA); PANOREX (Glaxo
Wellcome, NC; a murine IgG2a antibody); Cetuximab Erbitux (Imclone
Systems Inc., NY; an anti-EGFR IgG chimeric antibody); Vitaxin
(MedImmune, Inc., MD; Campath I/H (Leukosite, MA; a humanized IgG1
antibody); Smart MI95 (Protein Design Labs, Inc., CA; a humanized
anti-CD33 IgG antibody); LymphoCide (Immunomedics, Inc., NJ; a
humanized anti-CD22 IgG antibody); Smart ID10 (Protein Design Labs,
Inc., CA; a humanized anti-HLA-DR antibody); Oncolym (Techniclone,
Inc., CA; a radiolabeled murine anti-HLA-Dr10 antibody); Allomune
(BioTransplant, CA; a humanized anti-CD2 mAb); Avastin (Genentech,
Inc., CA; an anti-VEGF humanized antibody); Epratuzamab
(Immunomedics, Inc., NJ and Amgen, CA; an anti-CD22 antibody);
CEAcide (Immunomedics, NJ; a humanized anti-CEA antibody); or an
anti-CD40 antibody (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,838,261).
[0216] Other suitable antibodies include, but are not limited to,
antibodies against the following antigens: CA125, CA15-3, CA19-9,
L6, Lewis Y, Lewis X, alpha fetoprotein, CA 242, placental alkaline
phosphatase, prostate specific membrane antigen, prostatic acid
phosphatase, epidermal growth factor, MAGE-1, MAGE-2, MAGE-3,
MAGE-4, anti-transferrin receptor, p97, MUC1-KLH, CEA, gp100,
MART1, Prostate Specific Antigen, IL-2 receptor, CD20, CD52, CD30,
CD33, CD22, human chorionic gonadotropin, CD38, CD40, mucin, P21,
MPG, and Neu oncogene product.
[0217] In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is an
immunomodulatory agent. The immunomodulatory agent can be, for
example, gancyclovir, etanercept, tacrolimus, cyclosporine,
rapamycin, REVLIMID (lenalidomide), cyclophosphamide, azathioprine,
mycophenolate mofetil or methotrexate. Alternatively, the
immunomodulatory agent can be, for example, a glucocorticoid (e.g.,
cortisol or aldosterone) or a glucocorticoid analogue (e.g.,
prednisone or dexamethasone).
[0218] In some typical embodiments, the immunomodulatory agent is
an anti-inflammatory agent, such as arylcarboxylic derivatives,
pyrazole-containing derivatives, oxicam derivatives and nicotinic
acid derivatives. Classes of anti-inflammatory agents include, for
example, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, and
leukotriene receptor antagonists. In some embodiments, the
immodulatory agent is a cytokine, such as G-CSF, GM-CSF or
IL-2.
[0219] Suitable cyclooxygenase inhibitors include meclofenamic
acid, mefenamic acid, carprofen, diclofenac, diflunisal, fenbufen,
fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, nabumetone,
naproxen, sulindac, tenoxicam, tolmetin, and acetylsalicylic
acid.
[0220] Suitable lipoxygenase inhibitors include redox inhibitors
(e.g., catechol butane derivatives, nordihydroguaiaretic acid
(NDGA), masoprocol, phenidone, lanopalen, indazolinones,
naphazatrom, benzofuranol, alkylhydroxylamine), and non-redox
inhibitors (e.g., hydroxythiazoles, methoxyalkylthiazoles,
benzopyrans and derivatives thereof, methoxytetrahydropyran,
boswellic acids and acetylated derivatives of boswellic acids, and
quinolinemethoxyphenylacetic acids substituted with cycloalkyl
radicals), and precursors of redox inhibitors.
[0221] Other suitable lipoxygenase inhibitors include antioxidants
(e.g., phenols, propyl gallate, flavonoids and/or naturally
occurring substrates containing flavonoids, hydroxylated
derivatives of the flavones, flavonol, dihydroquercetin, luteolin,
galangin, orobol, derivatives of chalcone,
4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone, ortho-aminophenols, N-hydroxyureas,
benzofuranols, ebselen and species that increase the activity of
the reducing selenoenzymes), iron chelating agents (e.g.,
hydroxamic acids and derivatives thereof, N-hydroxyureas,
2-benzyl-1-naphthol, catechols, hydroxylamines, carnosol trolox C,
catechol, naphthol, sulfasalazine, zyleuton, 5-hydroxyanthranilic
acid and 4-(omega-arylalkyl)phenylalkanoic acids),
imidazole-containing compounds (e.g., ketoconazole and
itraconazole), phenothiazines, and benzopyran derivatives.
[0222] Yet other suitable lipoxygenase inhibitors include
inhibitors of eicosanoids (e.g., octadecatetraenoic,
eicosatetraenoic, docosapentaenoic, eicosahexaenoic and
docosahexaenoic acids and esters thereof, PGE1 (prostaglandin E1),
PGA2 (prostaglandin A2), viprostol, 15-monohydroxyeicosatetraenoic,
15-monohydroxy-eicosatrienoic and 15-monohydroxyeicosapentaenoic
acids, and leukotrienes B5, C5 and D5), compounds interfering with
calcium flows, phenothiazines, diphenylbutylamines, verapamil,
fuscoside, curcumin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid,
5,8,11,14-eicosatetrayenoic acid (ETYA), hydroxyphenylretinamide,
Ionapalen, esculin, diethylcarbamazine, phenantroline, baicalein,
proxicromil, thioethers, diallyl sulfide and di-(1-propenyl)
sulfide.
[0223] Leukotriene receptor antagonists include calcitriol,
ontazolast, Bayer Bay-x-1005, Ciba-Geigy CGS-25019C, ebselen, Leo
Denmark ETH-615, Lilly LY-293111, Ono ONO-4057, Terumo TMK-688,
Boehringer Ingleheim BI-RM-270, Lilly LY 213024, Lilly LY 264086,
Lilly LY 292728, Ono ONO LB457, Pfizer 105696, Perdue Frederick PF
10042, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer RP 66153, SmithKline Beecham SB-201146,
SmithKline Beecham SB-201993, SmithKline Beecham SB-209247, Searle
SC-53228, Sumitamo SM 15178, American Home Products Way 121006,
Bayer Bay-o-8276, Warner-Lambert CI-987, Warner-Lambert
CI-987BPC-15LY 223982, Lilly LY 233569, Lilly LY-255283, MacroNex
MNX-160, Merck and Co. MK-591, Merck and Co. MK-886, Ono
ONO-LB-448, Purdue Frederick PF-5901, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer RG 14893,
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer RP 66364, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer RP 69698,
Shionoogi S-2474, Searle SC-41930, Searle SC-50505, Searle
SC-51146, Searle SC-52798, SmithKline Beecham SKandF-104493, Leo
Denmark SR-2566, Tanabe T-757 and Teijin TEI-1338.
[0224] The invention is further described in the following
examples, which are in not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. Cell lines described in the following examples were
maintained in culture according to the conditions specified by the
American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) or Deutsche Sammlung von
Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
(DMSZ), or as otherwise known. Cell culture reagents were obtained
from Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, Calif.
Example 1: Production of Humanized Anti-CD70 Antibody Variants
[0225] The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the heavy and
light variable regions of antiCD70 murine monoclonal antibody, 1F6,
and a chimeric variant of 1F6, c1F6, are set forth as SEQ ID NOS:1,
2, 21 and 22, respectively. (See also U.S. Patent Application No.
60/645,355, filed Jan. 19, 2005). Human acceptor sequences for
humanization of c1F6 were chosen from human germline exon V.sub.H,
J.sub.H, V.kappa. and J.kappa. sequences. Acceptor sequences for
c1F6 V.sub.H domain humanization were chosen from germline V.sub.H
exons V.sub.H1-18 (Matsuda et al., 1993, Nature Genetics 3:88-94)
or V.sub.H1-2 (Shin et al., 1991, EMBO J. 10:3641-3645) and J.sub.H
exon J.sub.H-6 (Manila et al., 1995, Eur. J. Immunol.
25:2578-2582). Germline V.kappa. exon B3 (Cox et al., 1994, Eur. J.
Immunol. 24:827-836) and J.kappa. exon J.kappa.-1 (Hieter et al.,
1982, J. Biol. Chem. 257:1516-1522) were chosen as acceptor
sequences for c1F6 V.sub.L domain humanization. 1F6 murine CDRs,
determined according to the Kabat definition, were grafted onto the
chosen human germline template. Briefly, synthetic overlapping
oligonucleotides spanning the humanized V.sub.H or V.sub.L domain
were generated and PCR overlap extension was used to assemble each
domain. Restriction sites incorporated into the PCR product were
used to directionally clone the V.sub.H and V.sub.L domain into a
pCMV expression vector in frame with human IgG1 constant domains or
Kappa constant domain, respectively.
[0226] Several framework positions were chosen for reintroduction
of mouse donor residues. These were positions H46, H67, H68, H69,
H70, H71, H80, H81, H82, H82A and H91 in the V.sub.H domain,
according to the Kabat numbering convention. No framework positions
were altered in the V.sub.L domain, although mouse CDR1 residues at
positions L25 and L33 were chosen for introduction of the human
acceptor residue for that position.
[0227] Several variants of humanized 1F6 were generated by
incorporating different combinations of mouse framework donor
residues in the V.sub.H domain or human CDR residues in the V.sub.L
domain. These variants are summarized in Tables 2 and 3 below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 V.sub.H VH exon acceptor variant sequence
donor framework residues hV.sub.H A VH1-18 H71, H91 hV.sub.H B
VH1-18 H71 hV.sub.H C VH1-18 H91 hV.sub.H D VH1-18 none hV.sub.H E
VH1-2 none hV.sub.H F VH1-18 H67, H68, H69, H70, H71 hV.sub.H G
VH1-18 H80, H81, H82, H82A hV.sub.H H VH1-18 H67, H68, H69, H70,
H71, H80, H81, H82, H82A hV.sub.H I VH1-18 H46, H71, H91 hV.sub.H J
VH1-2 H46 hV.sub.H K VH1-2 H71 hV.sub.H L VH1-2 H46, H71 hV.sub.H M
VH1-18 H46, H67, H68, H69, H70, H71 hV.sub.H N VH1-18 H69, H70,
H71, H80
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 V.sub.L variant Acceptor CDR residue
hV.sub.L A none hV.sub.L B L25 hV.sub.L C L33 hV.sub.L D L25,
L33
[0228] The differences between some of the humanized variants with
the murine and human V.sub.H sequences are illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2. An alignment of humanized 1F6 V.sub.H variants hV.sub.HE amd
hV.sub.HJ with 1F6 mV.sub.H and human germline V.sub.H exon
V.sub.H1-2 and J.sub.H exon JH6 is shown in FIG. 1. An alignment of
humanized 1F6 V.sub.H variants hV.sub.HH and hV.sub.HM with 1F6
mV.sub.H and human germline V.sub.H exon V.sub.H1-18 and J.sub.H
exon JH6 is shown in FIG. 2. An alignment of humanized 1F6 V.sub.L
variant hV.sub.LA with 1F6 mV.sub.L and human germline
V.sub..kappa. exon B3 and J.sub..kappa. exon J.kappa.-1 is shown in
FIG. 3.
Example 2: Binding Affinities of Humanized 1F6 Variants
[0229] Humanized 1F6 variants HDLA (hV.sub.HD and hV.sub.LA), HHLA
(hV.sub.HH and hV.sub.LA), and HJLA (hV.sub.HJ and hV.sub.LA), were
selected for binding affinity analysis. One mg of each humanized
antibody and c1F6 were transiently expressed in 293 cells and
labeled with europium using the Eu-N1 iodoacetamido chelate (Perkin
Elmer). Saturation binding to a panel of CD70 positive cell lines
was assessed for each labeled antibody. The cell lines selected
were ACHN, Caki-2, Caki-1, and 786-O with antigen copies/cell
determined by quantitative flow cytometry (or fluorescence
activated cell sorting, i.e., FACS) of 30,000, 99,000, 235,000, and
252,000 respectively.
[0230] Europium-labeled antibodies were incubated with cells for 1
hour at 4.degree. C. over a range of concentrations in 96 well
plates. Following incubation europium was released by resuspension
of the cells in Enhancement Buffer (Perkin Elmer). Fluorescence was
read in a Fusion HT plate reader using a top detector format and
excitation of 335 nm and emission of 620 nm. Data was fit to a one
binding site hyperbola using GraphPad Prism 4. The results are
shown below in Table 4.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Cell Apparent binding affinity K.sub.D (nM)
line Antigen/cell c1F6 h1F6 HDLA h1F6 HHLA h1F6 HJLA ACHN 30,000
0.30 1.44 0.29 0.68 Caki-1 235,000 1.28 1.29 1.22 1.36 Caki-2
99,000 0.26 0.86 0.15 0.37 786-O 252,000 0.56 0.55 0.28 0.46
[0231] The K.sub.D values for the humanized variants are very
similar to c1F6 on all of the cell lines tested, confirming that
the humanization process did not significantly reduce antigen
binding activity.
Example 3: ADCC Activity of Humanized 1F6
[0232] The ability of humanized 1F6 antibody variants to mediate
ADCC against the CD70.sup.+ cell lines WIL2-S, 786-O and 769-P was
measured using a standard .sup.51Cr release assay. The HHLA, HJLA
and HELA variants of humanized 1F6 lysed WIL-2S target cells
equivalently and in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, tumor
cells treated with CD70-binding murine 1F6 (m1F6) or non-binding
control human Ig (hIg) were not killed (FIG. 4A). Similarly,
humanized 1F6 mediated the lysis of two renal cell carcinoma
targets in a manner comparable to chimeric 1F6 (FIG. 4B).
Example 4: CDC Activity of Humanized 1F6
[0233] The ability of humanized 1F6 to mediate CDC was examined
using a multiple myeloma cell line (LP-1) and two lymphoma cell
lines (MHH PreB-1 and WIL2-S). Target cells were treated with
graded doses of chimeric 1F6, humanized 1F6 HJLA or a non-binding
human Ig control in the presence of normal human serum. After
incubation at 37.degree. C. for 2 hours, lysed cells were
identified by flow cytometry after the addition of propidium iodide
(5 .mu.g/mL). Cells stained with propidium iodide were considered
to have lost plasma membrane integrity as a result of
antibody-mediated complement activation and formation of the
membrane attack complex. Using this assay, chimeric 1F6 and
humanized 1F6 mediated dose-dependent lysis of each target in an
equivalent manner (FIG. 5).
Example 5: ADCP Activity of Humanized 1F6
[0234] The ability of humanized 1F6 to mediate phagocytosis was
examined using the CD70.sup.+ renal cell carcinoma line 786-O
pre-labeled with a red fluorescent membrane dye. Target cells were
treated with graded doses of chimeric 1F6, humanized 1F6 HJLA or a
non-binding human Ig control and were then mixed with macrophages
generated from adherent peripheral blood monocytes cultured in
GM-CSF. After incubation at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour, the
macrophages were detected with a green fluorescent antibody to the
macrophage cell surface marker CD11b. Macrophages that had
phagocytosed tumor cells were identified by dual red and green
fluorescence as detected by flow cytometry. The presence of tumor
cells within macrophages in the dual-positive population was
confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. As shown in FIG. 6, chimeric
and humanized 1F6 facilitated phagocytosis of target cells in an
antibody-dose dependent fashion and to an equivalent degree. In
contrast, target cells incubated with a non-binding control
antibody were minimally engulfed by macrophages.
Example 6: In Vitro Cytotoxicity Activity of Humanized 1F6 Variant
Drug Conjugates
[0235] Humanized 1F6 variants HELA (hV.sub.HE and hV.sub.LA),
HUILA, HJLA, and HMLA (hV.sub.HM and hV.sub.LA), and c1F6 were
transiently expressed in 293 cells and conjugated to vcMMAF
(described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/983,340; published as U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2005-0238649, Oct. 27, 2005) at a loading level of
an average of eight drug units per antibody. The resulting
conjugates, h1F6 HELA-F8, h1F6 HHLA-F8, h1F6 HJLA-F8, h1F6 HMLA-F8,
and c1F6-F8 were tested for cytotoxicity against two CD70
expressing cell lines, 786-O and Caki-1. The conjugates were
incubated with the cells for 92 hours, followed by addition of 50
.mu.M resazurin. After a 4 hour incubation period, dye reduction
was measured using a Fusion HT fluorescent plate reader (Packard
Instruments, Meriden, Conn.). The results of triplicate sampling
are shown below in Table 5. The IC.sub.50 values of all four
humanized variants are active within two-fold of c1F6 on both cell
lines tested with a potency ranking of c1F6-F8>h1F6
HHLA-F8>h1F6 HMLA-F8>h1F6 HJLA-F8>h1F6 HELA-F8.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 No. of h1F6 - mouse FR Caki-1 786-O vcMMAF
residues IC50 [ng/ml] IC50 [ng/ml] h1F6 0 3.4 5.2 HELA-F8 (mean =
2.87, n = 3) (mean = 3.9, n = 3) h1F6 9 1.4 2.3 HHLA-F8 (mean =
1.87, n = 3) (mean = 1.93, n = 3) h1F6 1 2.2 3.4 HJLA-F8 (mean =
2.3, n = 3) (mean = 3.03, n = 3) h1F6 6 1.8 2.8 HMLA-F8 (mean =
2.07, n = 3) (mean = 2.03, n = 3) c1F6(293)- 0 1.8 2.4 F8 (mean =
2.17, n = 3) (mean = 1.45, n = 3)
Example 7: In Vivo Screening of Humanized 1F6 Drug Conjugates
[0236] Humanized 1F6 variants HDLA, HHLA, HJLA, and HELA, were
transiently expressed in 293 cells and conjugated to mcMMAF
(described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/983,340; published as U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2005-0238649, Oct. 27, 2005) at a loading level of
eight drug units per antibody. An efficacy study of a single dose
at 3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg was performed in a 786-O renal cell
carcinoma solid tumor model in nude mice. Tumor volume was measured
regularly for 80 days post-tumor implant. The results indicate that
tumor volume was greatly reduced in all treated mice in comparison
to untreated mice, and all humanized 1F6 variants conjugated to
mcMMAF were comparable in efficacy to c1F6mcMMAF.
Example 8: In Vivo Activity of Humanized 1F6 in SCID Mouse
Xenograft Models of Disseminated Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma
[0237] The in vivo antitumor activity of humanized 1F6 (HJLA) was
examined in disseminated lymphoma and multiple myeloma xenograft
mouse models. To establish disseminated disease, 1.times.10.sup.6
Raji or 1.times.10.sup.7 MM1.S or L363 cells were injected into the
lateral tail vein of C.B.-17 SCID mice. Mice were dosed with
humanized 1F6 (HJLA) or control non-binding antibody by
intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection every four days for a total of six
doses (Raji) or by intravenous injection into the lateral tail vein
once weekly for a total of four weeks (MM.1S and L363) starting one
day after cell implant. Disease requiring euthanasia was manifested
by hunched posture and lack of grooming, weight loss, cranial
swelling and hind limb paralysis, or, in L363-bearing mice, the
development of palpable lymphoid tissue-associated tumors.
[0238] The results show that, in each tumor model (FIGS. 7A, 7B and
7C), survival of mice treated with humanized 1F6 was significantly
prolonged compared to that of untreated mice or mice receiving
non-binding control antibody. The effect of humanized 1F6 treatment
was further evaluated in multiple myeloma xenografts (L363 and
MM.1S cells) by measuring the level of tumor-derived monoclonal
protein (.lamda. light chain) in the sera of individual mice. As
shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C (right panels), circulating .lamda. light
chain concentrations were significantly lower in mice treated with
humanized 1F6 as compared to untreated mice. Mean serum levels of
.lamda. light chain in L363-bearing mice treated with humanized 1F6
were 0.006 .mu.g/mL compared to 0.10 .mu.g/mL in sera of untreated
mice. Similarly, .lamda. light chain levels in humanized
1F6-treated MM.1S-bearing mice were 0.03 .mu.g/mL compared to 1.25
.mu.g/mL in untreated mice. These results were consistent with the
increased survival rates of the mice (FIGS. 7B and 7C, right
panels).
Example 9: In Vitro Deletion of CD70.sup.+ Antigen-Specific T Cells
by Humanized 1F6 Antibody
[0239] To test the ability of humanized 1F6 antibody to deplete
antigen-specific activated T cells, PBMC from a normal donor
expressing HLA-A0201 were stimulated with the M1 peptide in the
presence or absence of varying concentrations of humanized
anti-CD70 antibody. Humanized 1F6 antibody (HJLA) was prepared as
described above. PBMC were seeded in a 24-well plate at a
concentration of 0.5.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml with 5 .mu.g/ml M1
peptide in 2 ml of medium supplemented with IL-2 and IL-15. On day
5, half of the culture supernatant was replaced with fresh
cytokine-containing medium. On day 9, the percentage of
antigen-reactive cells (the CD8.sup.+/V.beta.17.sup.+ population)
was determined by flow cytometric analysis of cells stained with
FITC-conjugated anti-V.beta.17- and PE-Cy5-conjugated anti-CD8
antibodies.
[0240] FIG. 8A shows that antigen-specific
CD8.sup.+/V.beta.17.sup.+ cells expanded to comprise 33% of all
viable cells within the culture in the absence of antibody. In
contrast, addition of humanized 1F6 to the cultures on day 0
significantly limited expansion of the antigen-reactive population
in an antibody-dose dependent manner. These results show that
humanized 1F6 selectively targets and prevents the expansion of
antigen-activated T cells.
[0241] In a second study (FIG. 8B), M1-peptide stimulated cultures
were untreated or treated with humanized 1F6 in the absence or
presence of antibody that specifically blocks Fc.gamma.RIII (CD16).
In untreated cultures, the antigen-specific CD8+V.beta.17.sup.+
population expanded to comprise 39% of all viable cells within the
culture. Addition of humanized 1F6 significantly diminished
expansion of the reactive population. This activity was largely
reversed when Fc.gamma.RIII receptors were blocked with anti-CD16
specific antibody, indicating that deletion of peptide-reactive
cells was mediated via humanized 1F6 interaction with
FcgRIII-bearing effector cells.
Example 10: Anti-CD70 Antibody Does Not Affect Antigen-Negative
Bystander Cells
[0242] To determine the effect of 1F6-mediated depletion on
antigen-negative bystander T cells, the TCR V.beta. family
representation of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes was examined in
M1-activated cultures that were untreated or treated with a
chimeric variant of 1F6 (c1F6) (human IgG1 isotype) and compared to
resting, non-antigen stimulated PBMC. Chimeric and humanized 1F6
variants are comparable in binding affinity, capacity to mediate
effector functions, and ability to deplete activated CD8+ T cell
subsets.
[0243] As shown in FIG. 9, stimulation of HLA-A0201.sup.+ PBMC with
M1 peptide caused the expansion of CD8.sup.+ cells bearing the
V.beta.17 TCR approximately 30-fold, whereas all other V.beta. TCR
families tested in CD8.sup.+ cells and all families tested in the
CD4 cell population demonstrated minimal change. In the control
population, cell expansion was limited to the
V.beta.17.sup.+CD8.sup.+ T cell subset, which increased from <1%
of CD8.sup.+ cells to 27%; this observation confirms the
specificity of the M1-peptide immune response. Unlike T cells
stimulated in the absence of CD 70-specific antibody, expansion of
M1-peptide specific CD8.sup.+ cells was prevented by the addition
of c1F6 antibody to the culture. In the presence of c1F6 antibody,
the percent V.beta.17.sup.+CD8.sup.+ cells was comparable to that
of resting, non-peptide stimulated cells. Treatment with c1F6
antibody did not significantly perturb the relative representations
of other CD8.sup.+ or CD4.sup.+ V.beta. TCR families; no group was
observed to be eliminated. These data demonstrate that exposure to
c1F6 antibody selectively depletes CD70.sup.+ activated T cells
without causing detectable collateral damage to bystander T cell
populations.
Example 11: Mouse Xenograft Model of Renal Cell Carcinoma
[0244] A 786-O subcutaneous xenograft model was used to evaluate
antitumor activity of anti-CD70 ADCs administered at different
dosages and schedules. Subcutaneous 786-O tumors were initiated in
nude mice by implanting tumor fragments (N=5 or 6/group) of
approximated 30 mm.sup.3. Tumor growth was allowed to establish and
treatment began when average tumor size was approximately 100
mm.sup.3. Tumor dimensions were determined by caliper measurements
to monitor growth. Tumor size was calculated using the formula of
(length.times.width.sup.2)/2. In the absence of any treatment, mean
tumor volume increased to approximately 600 mm.sup.3 within 40 to
50 days after tumor implantation (see FIG. 10A). A dose-dependent
effect in tumor growth suppression was observed in mice which
received either humanized 1F6-mcMMAF4 (HJLA with a loading level of
an average of four drug units per antibody) or humanized
1F6-vcMMAF4 (HJLA with a loading level of an average of four drug
units per antibody). Detectable delay in tumor growth was observed
even at 0.5 and 0.17 mg/kg of h1F6-mcMMAF4 and h1F6-vcMMAF4,
respectively.
[0245] Tumor growth was also assessed by time needed for tumors to
quadruple in size (see FIG. 10B). Treatment with either
h1F6-mcMMAF4 or h1F6-vcMMAF4 at 0.17 mg/kg significantly delayed
the growth of tumors. This delay was observed when the ADCs were
given on a q4d.times.4 or q4d.times.10 schedule. However,
additional administrations as exemplified by the q4d.times.10
schedule appeared to have a stronger growth inhibitory activity
compared to the q4d.times.4 schedule.
Example 12: Expression of CD70 on Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines
[0246] Cell surface CD70 expression was evaluated in a panel of
multiple myeloma cell lines (Table 6). Copy number of CD70
molecules expressed by each cell line was determined by
quantitative flow cytometry using the QIFIKit.RTM. (Dako,
Carpinteria, Calif.). Response of these cells to anti-CD70
ADC-mediated cytotoxicity was determined. In this model, the
activity of chimeric anti-CD70 ADCs is a proxy for activity of
human anti-CD70 ADCs. Both chimeric 1F6(c1F6)-vcMMAF4 and
c1F6-mcMMAF4 were cytotoxic against CD70-expressing multiple
myeloma cells. The ICso values obtained with c1F6-vcMMAF4 ranged
from 1.2-160 ng/mL while that obtained with c1F6-mcMMAF4 ranged
from 1.7-500 ng/mL.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Cytotoxic Activity of Chimeric Anti-CD70
ADCs against Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines IC.sub.50 (ng/mL) CD70
copies/cell c1F6-vcMMAF4 c1F6-mcMMAF4 MM.1S 14,000 20 22 MM.1R
25,000 13 20 AMO-1 92,000 16 38 JJN-3 19,000 46 61 L363 13,000 78
210 LB 45,000 80 500 U266 155,000 1.2 1.7 LP-1 34,000 160 155
MOLP-8 9,000 73 33
Example 13: Mouse Xenograft Models of Multiple Myeloma
[0247] The in vivo activity of anti-CD70 ADCs in xenograft models
of multiple myeloma was further examined. Human multiple myeloma
cell lines MM-1S (FIGS. 11A & 11B) or L363 (FIGS. 12A &
12B) were resuspended in RPMI-1640 medium at the concentration of
10.times.10.sup.6 cells/300 .mu.L. To establish tumors 3004 of cell
suspension were injected intravenously through the tail veins of
SCID mice. In the MM-1S model, untreated mice succumbed to the
injected tumor cells and manifested symptoms around 40 days post
tumor implant including hind limb paralysis, hunched posture,
cranial swelling, and/or scruffy coat. Mice were euthanized when
they demonstrated one or more of these symptoms. Both
h1F6(HJLA)-vcMMAF4 and h1F6(HJLA)-mcMMAF4 provided significant
survival benefits to tumor bearing mice compared to control
non-binding IgG-vcMMAF4 and IgG-mcMMAF4 (see FIG. 11A). Tumor
burden in the MM-1S model was also assessed by enumerating the
number of bone marrow cells expressing human CD138, a plasma cell
marker expressed by the MM-1S cells. Bone marrow cells were
recovered from mice that were euthanized due to manifestation of
symptom or at the end of the experiment on day 122, and the number
of CD138-expressing MM-1S cells was determined by flow cytometry.
Compared to untreated mice, both control IgG-vcMMAF4 and
IgG-mcMMAF4 did not significantly reduce the number of
CD138-expressing cells in the bone marrow. On the other hand,
h1F6-vcMMAF4 and h1F6-mcMMAF4 significantly reduce tumor burden as
demonstrated by much lower number of bone marrow CD138-expressing
cells compared to the control ADCs (see FIG. 11B).
[0248] In the L363 model, disseminated tumor masses develop at
multiple locations in mice receiving no treatment, and tumor masses
became palpable around 40 days after tumor injection, at which
tumor bearing mice would be euthanized. Similar to the MM-1S model,
control IgG-vcMMAF4 provided no survival advantage, whereas
h1F6-vcMMAF4 significantly prolonged survival (see FIG. 12A). Since
L363 cells secrete immunoglobulin lambda light chain (.lamda. LC),
tumor burden can be determined by monitoring the level of human
.lamda. LC in the plasma of tumor bearing mice. An ELISA was used
to detect secreted .lamda. LC. Ninety six-well flat-bottom Immuno
plates (Nunc Maxisorp, #442404, Nalge Nunc International,
Rochester, N.Y.) was coated with 1004/well of goat anti-human Ig
(Southern Biotech #2010-01, Birmingham, Ala.) at 2 .mu.g/mL in 0.1M
sodium carbonate/bicarbonate overnight at 4.degree. C. Wells were
washed 5.times. with 1.times.PBST (PBS, 0.05% Tween-20), and
blocked with 200 .mu.L/well of 1% BSA/PBST (0.05% Tween-20) for 1
hour at room temperature. After 5 washes with 1.times.PBST,
serially diluted human .lamda. LC-containing mouse serum samples
were added. Purified human .lamda. LC (Bethyl labs, #P80-127,
Montgomery, Tex.) was used as the standard. After one hour of
incubation at room temperature, wells were washed 5 times with
1.times.PBST. HRP-goat anti-human lambda chain specific
F(ab').sub.2 (Southern Biotech #2072-05) at 1:4000 dilution in 1%
BSA/PBST was added. After an additional one hour incubation at room
temperature, wells were washed 5 times with 1.times.PBST. TMB
substrate 100 .mu.L/well (Sigma, #T8665, St. Louis, Mo.) was used
to detect captured .lamda. LC. FIG. 12B shows the results at forty
days after L363 cell implant serum. .lamda. LC levels were
comparable between the untreated mice and the IgG-vcMMAF4-treated
mice. In contrast, serum .lamda. LC levels in the
h1F6-vcMMAF4-treated mice were significantly lower, confirming the
ability of anti-CD70 ADC to reduce tumor burden in mice bearing
multiple myeloma xenografts.
Example 14: Expression of CD70 on Hodgkin's and Glioblastoma Cell
Lines
[0249] Cell surface CD70 expression was also evaluated in panels of
Hodgkin's disease (Table 7) and glioblastoma cell lines (Table 8).
The copy number of CD70 molecules expressed by each cell line was
determined by quantitative flow cytometry using the QIFIKit.RTM.
(Dako, Carpinteria, Calif.). The response of these cells to
chimeric anti-CD70 ADC-mediated cytotoxicity was determined. In
this model, the activity of chimeric anti-CD70 ADCs is a proxy for
activity of human anti-CD70 ADCs. Both chimeric 1F6(c1F6)-vcMMAF4
and c1F6-mcMMAF4 were cytotoxic against these CD70-expressing cell
lines. In the Hodgkin's disease panel, the IC.sub.50 values
obtained with c1F6-vcMMAF4 ranged from 0.41-42 ng/mL while that
obtained with c1F6-mcMMAF4 ranged from 5.2-310 ng/mL (Table 7). In
the glioblastoma panel, the IC.sub.50 values obtained with
h1F6-vcMMAF4 ranged from 2.3-27 ng/mL while that obtained with
h1F6-mcMMAF4 ranged from 15-110 ng/mL (Table 8).
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Cytotoxic Activity of Anti-CD70 ADCs against
Hodgkin's Disease Cell Lines IC.sub.50 (ng/mL) CD70 copies/cell
c1F6-vcMMAF4 c1F6-mcMMAF4 RPMI-6666 21,000 42 230 Hs445 64,000 7.3
310 L428 105,000 1.4 35 KMH2 160,000 0.41 5.2 SUP-HD-1 221,000 6.3
53
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Cytotoxic Activity of Chimeric Anti-CD70
ADCs against Glioblastoma Cell Lines IC.sub.50 (ng/mL) CD70
copies/cell h1F6-vcMMAF4 h1F6-mcMMAF4 U251 117,000 5.3 15 SNB-19
90,000 12 27 U373MG 70,000 16 35 GMS-10 64,000 27 110 DBTRG-05MG
59,000 2.3 20
[0250] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the
specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various
modifications of the invention in addition to those described
herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications
are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
[0251] Various references, including patent applications, patents,
and scientific publications, are cited herein, the disclosures of
each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Sequence CWU 1
1
331411DNAMus musculus 1atggcttggg tgtggacctt gctattcctg atggcagctg
cccaaagtgc ccaagcacag 60atccagttgg tgcagtctgg acctgaggtg aagaagcctg
gagagacagt caagatctcc 120tgcaaggctt ctgggtatac cttcacaaac
tatggaatga actgggtgaa gcaggctcca 180ggaaagggtt taaagtggat
gggctggata aacacctaca ctggagagcc aacatatgct 240gatgccttca
agggacggtt tgccttctct ttggaaacct ctgccagcac tgcctatttg
300cagatcaaca acctcaaaaa tgaggacacg gctacatatt tctgtgcaag
agactacggc 360gactatggta tggactactg gggtcaagga acctcagtca
ccgtctcctc a 4112137PRTMus musculus 2Met Ala Trp Val Trp Thr Leu
Leu Phe Leu Met Ala Ala Ala Gln Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala Gly Ala Gln Ile
Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Pro Glu Val Lys Lys 20 25 30 Pro Gly Glu
Thr Val Lys Ile Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe 35 40 45 Thr
Asn Tyr Gly Met Asn Trp Val Lys Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu 50 55
60 Lys Trp Met Gly Trp Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala
65 70 75 80 Asp Ala Phe Lys Gly Arg Phe Ala Phe Ser Leu Glu Thr Ser
Ala Ser 85 90 95 Thr Ala Tyr Leu Gln Ile Asn Asn Leu Lys Asn Glu
Asp Thr Ala Thr 100 105 110 Tyr Phe Cys Ala Arg Asp Tyr Gly Asp Tyr
Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115 120 125 Gln Gly Thr Ser Val Thr Val Ser
Ser 130 135 31404DNAArtificialmurine CDR, human FR in HV Domain
3atggcttggg tgtggacctt gctattcctg atggcagctg cccaaagtgc ccaagcacag
60gttcagctgg tgcagtctgg agctgaggtg aagaagcctg gggcctcagt gaaggtctcc
120tgcaaggctt ctggttacac ctttaccaac tatggaatga actgggtgcg
acaggcccct 180ggacaagggc ttgagtggat gggatggatc aacacctaca
ctggagagcc aacatatgct 240gatgccttca agggcagagt caccatgacc
acagacacat ccacgagcac agcctacatg 300gagctgagga gcctgagatc
tgacgacacg gccgtgtatt actgtgcgag agactacggc 360gactatggta
tggactactg gggtcaagga accaccgtca ccgtctcctc agctagcacc
420aagggcccat cggtcttccc cctggcaccc tcctccaaga gcacctctgg
gggcacagcg 480gccctgggct gcctggtcaa ggactacttc cccgaaccgg
tgacggtgtc gtggaactca 540ggcgccctga ccagcggcgt gcacaccttc
ccggctgtcc tacagtcctc aggactctac 600tccctcagca gcgtggtgac
cgtgccctcc agcagcttgg gcacccagac ctacatctgc 660aacgtgaatc
acaagcccag caacaccaag gtggacaaga aagttgagcc caaatcttgt
720gacaaaactc acacatgccc accgtgccca gcacctgaac tcctgggggg
accgtcagtc 780ttcctcttcc ccccaaaacc caaggacacc ctcatgatct
cccggacccc tgaggtcaca 840tgcgtggtgg tggacgtgag ccacgaagac
cctgaggtca agttcaactg gtacgtggac 900ggcgtggagg tgcataatgc
caagacaaag ccgcgggagg agcagtacaa cagcacgtac 960cgtgtggtca
gcgtcctcac cgtcctgcac caggactggc tgaatggcaa ggagtacaag
1020tgcaaggtct ccaacaaagc cctcccagcc cccatcgaga aaaccatctc
caaagccaaa 1080gggcagcccc gagaaccaca ggtgtacacc ctgcccccat
cccgggatga gctgaccaag 1140aaccaggtca gcctgacctg cctggtcaaa
ggcttctatc ccagcgacat cgccgtggag 1200tgggagagca atgggcagcc
ggagaacaac tacaagacca cgcctcccgt gctggactcc 1260gacggctcct
tcttcctcta cagcaagctc accgtggaca agagcaggtg gcagcagggg
1320aacgtcttct catgctccgt gatgcatgag gctctgcaca accactacac
gcagaagagc 1380ctctccctgt ctccgggtaa atga
14044467PRTArtificialmurine CDR, human FR in HV Domain 4Met Ala Trp
Val Trp Thr Leu Leu Phe Leu Met Ala Ala Ala Gln Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala
Gln Ala Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys 20 25
30 Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe
35 40 45 Thr Asn Tyr Gly Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln
Gly Leu 50 55 60 Glu Trp Met Gly Trp Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu
Pro Thr Tyr Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Ala Phe Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr
Thr Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser 85 90 95 Thr Ala Tyr Met Glu Leu Arg Ser
Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val 100 105 110 Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg Asp
Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115 120 125 Gln Gly Thr Thr
Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser 130 135 140 Val Phe
Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala 145 150 155
160 Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val
165 170 175 Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe
Pro Ala 180 185 190 Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser
Val Val Thr Val 195 200 205 Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr
Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His 210 215 220 Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp
Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys 225 230 235 240 Asp Lys Thr His Thr
Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 245 250 255 Gly Pro Ser
Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 260 265 270 Ile
Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 275 280
285 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val
290 295 300 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser
Thr Tyr 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln
Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 325 330 335 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn
Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 340 345 350 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala
Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 355 360 365 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro
Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 370 375 380 Leu Thr Cys
Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 385 390 395 400
Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 405
410 415 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr
Val 420 425 430 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys
Ser Val Met 435 440 445 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys
Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 450 455 460 Pro Gly Lys 465
5354DNAArtificialmurine CDR, human FR 5caggttcagc tggtgcagtc
tggagctgag gtgaagaagc ctggggcctc agtgaaggtc 60tcctgcaagg cttctggtta
cacctttacc aactatggaa tgaactgggt gcgacaggcc 120cctggacaag
ggcttgagtg gatgggatgg atcaacacct acactggaga gccaacatat
180gctgatgcct tcaagggcag agtcaccatg accagagaca catccatcag
cacagcctac 240atggagctga gcaggctgag atctgacgac acggccgtgt
attactgtgc gagagactac 300ggcgactatg gtatggacta ctggggtcaa
ggaaccaccg tcaccgtctc ctca 3546118PRTArtificialmurine CDR, human FR
6Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1
5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Asn
Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu
Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Trp Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu Pro Thr
Tyr Ala Asp Ala Phe 50 55 60 Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr Arg Asp
Thr Ser Ile Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Arg Leu Arg
Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Asp Tyr Gly
Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr 100 105 110 Thr Val Thr
Val Ser Ser 115 71404DNAArtificialmurine CDR, human FR in HV Domain
7atggcttggg tgtggacctt gctattcctg atggcagctg cccaaagtgc ccaagcacag
60gttcagctgg tgcagtctgg agctgaggtg aagaagcctg gggcctcagt gaaggtctcc
120tgcaaggctt ctggttacac ctttaccaac tatggaatga actgggtgcg
acaggcccct 180ggacaagggc ttgagtggat gggatggatc aacacctaca
ctggagagcc aacatatgct 240gatgccttca agggcagagt caccatgacc
agagacacat ccatcagcac agcctacatg 300gagctgagca ggctgagatc
tgacgacacg gccgtgtatt actgtgcgag agactacggc 360gactatggta
tggactactg gggtcaagga accaccgtca ccgtctcctc agctagcacc
420aagggcccat cggtcttccc cctggcaccc tcctccaaga gcacctctgg
gggcacagcg 480gccctgggct gcctggtcaa ggactacttc cccgaaccgg
tgacggtgtc gtggaactca 540ggcgccctga ccagcggcgt gcacaccttc
ccggctgtcc tacagtcctc aggactctac 600tccctcagca gcgtggtgac
cgtgccctcc agcagcttgg gcacccagac ctacatctgc 660aacgtgaatc
acaagcccag caacaccaag gtggacaaga aagttgagcc caaatcttgt
720gacaaaactc acacatgccc accgtgccca gcacctgaac tcctgggggg
accgtcagtc 780ttcctcttcc ccccaaaacc caaggacacc ctcatgatct
cccggacccc tgaggtcaca 840tgcgtggtgg tggacgtgag ccacgaagac
cctgaggtca agttcaactg gtacgtggac 900ggcgtggagg tgcataatgc
caagacaaag ccgcgggagg agcagtacaa cagcacgtac 960cgtgtggtca
gcgtcctcac cgtcctgcac caggactggc tgaatggcaa ggagtacaag
1020tgcaaggtct ccaacaaagc cctcccagcc cccatcgaga aaaccatctc
caaagccaaa 1080gggcagcccc gagaaccaca ggtgtacacc ctgcccccat
cccgggatga gctgaccaag 1140aaccaggtca gcctgacctg cctggtcaaa
ggcttctatc ccagcgacat cgccgtggag 1200tgggagagca atgggcagcc
ggagaacaac tacaagacca cgcctcccgt gctggactcc 1260gacggctcct
tcttcctcta cagcaagctc accgtggaca agagcaggtg gcagcagggg
1320aacgtcttct catgctccgt gatgcatgag gctctgcaca accactacac
gcagaagagc 1380ctctccctgt ctccgggtaa atga
14048467PRTArtificialmurine CDR, human FR in HV Domain 8Met Ala Trp
Val Trp Thr Leu Leu Phe Leu Met Ala Ala Ala Gln Ser 1 5 10 15 Ala
Gln Ala Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys 20 25
30 Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe
35 40 45 Thr Asn Tyr Gly Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln
Gly Leu 50 55 60 Glu Trp Met Gly Trp Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu
Pro Thr Tyr Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Ala Phe Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr
Arg Asp Thr Ser Ile Ser 85 90 95 Thr Ala Tyr Met Glu Leu Ser Arg
Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val 100 105 110 Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg Asp
Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115 120 125 Gln Gly Thr Thr
Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser 130 135 140 Val Phe
Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala 145 150 155
160 Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val
165 170 175 Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe
Pro Ala 180 185 190 Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser
Val Val Thr Val 195 200 205 Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr
Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His 210 215 220 Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp
Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys 225 230 235 240 Asp Lys Thr His Thr
Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 245 250 255 Gly Pro Ser
Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 260 265 270 Ile
Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His 275 280
285 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val
290 295 300 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser
Thr Tyr 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln
Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 325 330 335 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn
Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 340 345 350 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala
Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 355 360 365 Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro
Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 370 375 380 Leu Thr Cys
Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 385 390 395 400
Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro 405
410 415 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr
Val 420 425 430 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys
Ser Val Met 435 440 445 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys
Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 450 455 460 Pro Gly Lys 465
9354DNAArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR
9caggttcagc tggtgcagtc tggagctgag gtgaagaagc ctggggcctc agtgaaggtc
60tcctgcaagg cttctggtta cacctttacc aactatggaa tgaactgggt gcgacaggcc
120cctggacaag ggcttgagtg gatgggatgg atcaacacct acactggaga
gccaacatat 180gctgatgcct tcaagggcag atttgccttc tctttggaca
catccacgag cacagcctac 240ttgcagatca acagcctgag atctgacgac
acggccgtgt attactgtgc gagagactac 300ggcgactatg gtatggacta
ctggggtcaa ggaaccaccg tcaccgtctc ctca 35410118PRTArtificialmurine
CDR, murine residues in human FR 10Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly
Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Met Asn Trp
Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Trp
Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala Asp Ala Phe 50 55 60
Lys Gly Arg Phe Ala Phe Ser Leu Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65
70 75 80 Leu Gln Ile Asn Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr
Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Asp Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp
Gly Gln Gly Thr 100 105 110 Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
111404DNAArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR
11atggcttggg tgtggacctt gctattcctg atggcagctg cccaaagtgc ccaagcacag
60gttcagctgg tgcagtctgg agctgaggtg aagaagcctg gggcctcagt gaaggtctcc
120tgcaaggctt ctggttacac ctttaccaac tatggaatga actgggtgcg
acaggcccct 180ggacaagggc ttgagtggat gggatggatc aacacctaca
ctggagagcc aacatatgct 240gatgccttca agggcagatt tgccttctct
ttggacacat ccacgagcac agcctacttg 300cagatcaaca gcctgagatc
tgacgacacg gccgtgtatt actgtgcgag agactacggc 360gactatggta
tggactactg gggtcaagga accaccgtca ccgtctcctc agctagcacc
420aagggcccat cggtcttccc cctggcaccc tcctccaaga gcacctctgg
gggcacagcg 480gccctgggct gcctggtcaa ggactacttc cccgaaccgg
tgacggtgtc gtggaactca 540ggcgccctga ccagcggcgt gcacaccttc
ccggctgtcc tacagtcctc aggactctac 600tccctcagca gcgtggtgac
cgtgccctcc agcagcttgg gcacccagac ctacatctgc 660aacgtgaatc
acaagcccag caacaccaag gtggacaaga aagttgagcc caaatcttgt
720gacaaaactc acacatgccc accgtgccca gcacctgaac tcctgggggg
accgtcagtc 780ttcctcttcc ccccaaaacc caaggacacc ctcatgatct
cccggacccc tgaggtcaca 840tgcgtggtgg tggacgtgag ccacgaagac
cctgaggtca agttcaactg gtacgtggac 900ggcgtggagg tgcataatgc
caagacaaag ccgcgggagg agcagtacaa cagcacgtac 960cgtgtggtca
gcgtcctcac cgtcctgcac caggactggc tgaatggcaa ggagtacaag
1020tgcaaggtct ccaacaaagc cctcccagcc cccatcgaga aaaccatctc
caaagccaaa 1080gggcagcccc gagaaccaca ggtgtacacc ctgcccccat
cccgggatga gctgaccaag 1140aaccaggtca gcctgacctg cctggtcaaa
ggcttctatc ccagcgacat cgccgtggag 1200tgggagagca atgggcagcc
ggagaacaac tacaagacca cgcctcccgt gctggactcc 1260gacggctcct
tcttcctcta cagcaagctc accgtggaca agagcaggtg gcagcagggg
1320aacgtcttct catgctccgt gatgcatgag gctctgcaca accactacac
gcagaagagc 1380ctctccctgt ctccgggtaa atga
140412467PRTArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR 12Met
Ala Trp Val Trp Thr Leu Leu Phe Leu Met Ala Ala Ala Gln Ser 1 5 10
15 Ala Gln Ala Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys
20 25 30 Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Phe 35 40 45 Thr Asn Tyr Gly Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro
Gly Gln Gly Leu 50 55 60 Glu Trp Met Gly Trp Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr
Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Ala Phe Lys Gly Arg Phe
Ala Phe Ser Leu Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser 85 90 95 Thr Ala Tyr Leu Gln
Ile Asn Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val 100 105 110 Tyr Tyr Cys
Ala Arg Asp Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115 120 125 Gln
Gly Thr Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser 130 135
140 Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala
145 150 155 160 Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro
Val Thr Val 165 170 175 Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val
His Thr Phe Pro Ala 180 185 190 Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser
Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val 195 200 205 Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr
Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His 210 215 220 Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr
Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys 225 230 235 240 Asp Lys
Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 245 250 255
Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 260
265 270 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser
His 275 280 285 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly
Val Glu Val 290 295 300 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln
Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val
Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 325 330 335 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys
Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 340 345 350 Glu Lys Thr Ile
Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 355 360 365 Tyr Thr
Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 370 375 380
Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 385
390 395 400 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr
Pro Pro 405 410 415 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser
Lys Leu Thr Val 420 425 430 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val
Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met 435 440 445 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr
Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 450 455 460 Pro Gly Lys 465
13354DNAArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR
13caggttcagc tggtgcagtc tggagctgag gtgaagaagc ctggggcctc agtgaaggtc
60tcctgcaagg cttctggtta cacctttacc aactatggaa tgaactgggt gcgacaggcc
120cctggacaag ggcttaagtg gatgggatgg atcaacacct acactggaga
gccaacatat 180gctgatgcct tcaagggcag agtcaccatg accagagaca
catccatcag cacagcctac 240atggagctga gcaggctgag atctgacgac
acggccgtgt attactgtgc gagagactac 300ggcgactatg gtatggacta
ctggggtcaa ggaaccaccg tcaccgtctc ctca 35414118PRTArtificialmurine
CDR, murine residues in human FR 14Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly
Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Met Asn Trp
Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Lys Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Trp
Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala Asp Ala Phe 50 55 60
Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Ile Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65
70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Ser Arg Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr
Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Asp Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp
Gly Gln Gly Thr 100 105 110 Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
151404DNAArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR
15atggcttggg tgtggacctt gctattcctg atggcagctg cccaaagtgc ccaagcacag
60gttcagctgg tgcagtctgg agctgaggtg aagaagcctg gggcctcagt gaaggtctcc
120tgcaaggctt ctggttacac ctttaccaac tatggaatga actgggtgcg
acaggcccct 180ggacaagggc ttaagtggat gggatggatc aacacctaca
ctggagagcc aacatatgct 240gatgccttca agggcagagt caccatgacc
agagacacat ccatcagcac agcctacatg 300gagctgagca ggctgagatc
tgacgacacg gccgtgtatt actgtgcgag agactacggc 360gactatggta
tggactactg gggtcaagga accaccgtca ccgtctcctc agctagcacc
420aagggcccat cggtcttccc cctggcaccc tcctccaaga gcacctctgg
gggcacagcg 480gccctgggct gcctggtcaa ggactacttc cccgaaccgg
tgacggtgtc gtggaactca 540ggcgccctga ccagcggcgt gcacaccttc
ccggctgtcc tacagtcctc aggactctac 600tccctcagca gcgtggtgac
cgtgccctcc agcagcttgg gcacccagac ctacatctgc 660aacgtgaatc
acaagcccag caacaccaag gtggacaaga aagttgagcc caaatcttgt
720gacaaaactc acacatgccc accgtgccca gcacctgaac tcctgggggg
accgtcagtc 780ttcctcttcc ccccaaaacc caaggacacc ctcatgatct
cccggacccc tgaggtcaca 840tgcgtggtgg tggacgtgag ccacgaagac
cctgaggtca agttcaactg gtacgtggac 900ggcgtggagg tgcataatgc
caagacaaag ccgcgggagg agcagtacaa cagcacgtac 960cgtgtggtca
gcgtcctcac cgtcctgcac caggactggc tgaatggcaa ggagtacaag
1020tgcaaggtct ccaacaaagc cctcccagcc cccatcgaga aaaccatctc
caaagccaaa 1080gggcagcccc gagaaccaca ggtgtacacc ctgcccccat
cccgggatga gctgaccaag 1140aaccaggtca gcctgacctg cctggtcaaa
ggcttctatc ccagcgacat cgccgtggag 1200tgggagagca atgggcagcc
ggagaacaac tacaagacca cgcctcccgt gctggactcc 1260gacggctcct
tcttcctcta cagcaagctc accgtggaca agagcaggtg gcagcagggg
1320aacgtcttct catgctccgt gatgcatgag gctctgcaca accactacac
gcagaagagc 1380ctctccctgt ctccgggtaa atga
140416467PRTArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR 16Met
Ala Trp Val Trp Thr Leu Leu Phe Leu Met Ala Ala Ala Gln Ser 1 5 10
15 Ala Gln Ala Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys
20 25 30 Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Phe 35 40 45 Thr Asn Tyr Gly Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro
Gly Gln Gly Leu 50 55 60 Lys Trp Met Gly Trp Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr
Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Ala Phe Lys Gly Arg Val Thr
Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Ile Ser 85 90 95 Thr Ala Tyr Met Glu Leu
Ser Arg Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val 100 105 110 Tyr Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Asp Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115 120 125 Gln Gly
Thr Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser 130 135 140
Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala 145
150 155 160 Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val
Thr Val 165 170 175 Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His
Thr Phe Pro Ala 180 185 190 Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu
Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val 195 200 205 Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln
Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His 210 215 220 Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys
Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys 225 230 235 240 Asp Lys Thr
His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 245 250 255 Gly
Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 260 265
270 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His
275 280 285 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val
Glu Val 290 295 300 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr
Asn Ser Thr Tyr 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu
His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 325 330 335 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val
Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 340 345 350 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser
Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 355 360 365 Tyr Thr Leu
Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 370 375 380 Leu
Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 385 390
395 400 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro
Pro 405 410 415 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys
Leu Thr Val 420 425 430 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe
Ser Cys Ser Val Met 435 440 445 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr
Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 450 455 460 Pro Gly Lys 465
17354DNAArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR
17caggttcagc tggtgcagtc tggagctgag gtgaagaagc ctggggcctc agtgaaggtc
60tcctgcaagg cttctggtta cacctttacc aactatggaa tgaactgggt gcgacaggcc
120cctggacaag ggcttaagtg gatgggatgg atcaacacct acactggaga
gccaacatat 180gctgatgcct tcaagggcag atttgccttc tctttggaca
catccacgag cacagcctac 240atggagctga ggagcctgag atctgacgac
acggccgtgt attactgtgc gagagactac 300ggcgactatg gtatggacta
ctggggtcaa ggaaccaccg tcaccgtctc ctca 35418118PRTArtificialmurine
CDR, murine residues in human FR 18Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly
Ala Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Met Asn Trp
Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Lys Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Trp
Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala Asp Ala Phe 50 55 60
Lys Gly Arg Phe Ala Phe Ser Leu Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65
70 75 80 Met Glu Leu Arg Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr
Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Asp Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp
Gly Gln Gly Thr 100 105 110 Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
191404DNAArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR
19atggcttggg tgtggacctt gctattcctg atggcagctg cccaaagtgc ccaagcacag
60gttcagctgg tgcagtctgg agctgaggtg aagaagcctg gggcctcagt gaaggtctcc
120tgcaaggctt ctggttacac ctttaccaac tatggaatga actgggtgcg
acaggcccct 180ggacaagggc ttaagtggat gggatggatc aacacctaca
ctggagagcc aacatatgct 240gatgccttca agggcagatt tgccttctct
ttggacacat ccacgagcac agcctacatg 300gagctgagga gcctgagatc
tgacgacacg gccgtgtatt actgtgcgag agactacggc 360gactatggta
tggactactg gggtcaagga accaccgtca ccgtctcctc agctagcacc
420aagggcccat cggtcttccc cctggcaccc tcctccaaga gcacctctgg
gggcacagcg 480gccctgggct gcctggtcaa ggactacttc cccgaaccgg
tgacggtgtc gtggaactca 540ggcgccctga ccagcggcgt gcacaccttc
ccggctgtcc tacagtcctc aggactctac 600tccctcagca gcgtggtgac
cgtgccctcc agcagcttgg gcacccagac ctacatctgc 660aacgtgaatc
acaagcccag caacaccaag gtggacaaga aagttgagcc caaatcttgt
720gacaaaactc acacatgccc accgtgccca gcacctgaac tcctgggggg
accgtcagtc 780ttcctcttcc ccccaaaacc caaggacacc ctcatgatct
cccggacccc tgaggtcaca 840tgcgtggtgg tggacgtgag ccacgaagac
cctgaggtca agttcaactg gtacgtggac 900ggcgtggagg tgcataatgc
caagacaaag ccgcgggagg agcagtacaa cagcacgtac 960cgtgtggtca
gcgtcctcac cgtcctgcac caggactggc tgaatggcaa ggagtacaag
1020tgcaaggtct ccaacaaagc cctcccagcc cccatcgaga aaaccatctc
caaagccaaa 1080gggcagcccc gagaaccaca ggtgtacacc ctgcccccat
cccgggatga gctgaccaag 1140aaccaggtca gcctgacctg cctggtcaaa
ggcttctatc ccagcgacat cgccgtggag 1200tgggagagca atgggcagcc
ggagaacaac tacaagacca cgcctcccgt gctggactcc 1260gacggctcct
tcttcctcta cagcaagctc accgtggaca agagcaggtg gcagcagggg
1320aacgtcttct catgctccgt gatgcatgag gctctgcaca accactacac
gcagaagagc 1380ctctccctgt ctccgggtaa atga
140420467PRTArtificialmurine CDR, murine residues in human FR 20Met
Ala Trp Val Trp Thr Leu Leu Phe Leu Met Ala Ala Ala Gln Ser 1 5 10
15 Ala Gln Ala Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys
20 25 30 Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Phe 35 40 45 Thr Asn Tyr Gly Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro
Gly Gln Gly Leu 50 55 60 Lys Trp Met Gly Trp Ile Asn Thr Tyr Thr
Gly Glu Pro Thr Tyr Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Ala Phe Lys Gly Arg Phe Ala
Phe Ser Leu Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser 85 90 95 Thr Ala Tyr Met Glu Leu
Arg Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val 100 105 110 Tyr Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Asp Tyr Gly Asp Tyr Gly Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115 120 125 Gln Gly
Thr Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser 130 135 140
Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala 145
150 155 160 Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val
Thr Val 165 170 175 Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His
Thr Phe Pro Ala 180 185 190 Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu
Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val 195 200 205 Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln
Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His 210 215 220 Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys
Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys 225 230 235 240 Asp Lys Thr
His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly 245 250 255 Gly
Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met 260 265
270 Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His
275 280 285 Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val
Glu Val 290 295 300 His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr
Asn Ser Thr Tyr 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu
His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly 325 330 335 Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val
Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile 340 345 350 Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser
Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val 355 360 365 Tyr Thr Leu
Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser 370 375 380 Leu
Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu 385 390
395 400 Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro
Pro 405 410 415 Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys
Leu Thr Val 420 425 430 Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe
Ser Cys Ser Val Met 435 440 445 His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr
Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser 450 455 460 Pro Gly Lys 465 21396DNAMus
musculus 21atggagacag acacactcct gttatgggta ctgctgctct gggttccagg
ttccactggt 60gacattgtgc tgacacagtc tcctgcttcc ttagctgtat ctctggggca
gagggccacc 120atctcatgca gggccagcaa aagtgtcagt acatctggct
atagttttat gcactggtat 180caacagaaac caggacagcc acccaaactc
ctcatctatc ttgcatccaa cctagaatct 240ggggtccctg ccaggttcag
tggcagtggg tctgggacag acttcaccct caacatccat 300cctgtggagg
aggaggatgc tgcaacctat tactgtcagc acagtaggga ggttccgtgg
360acgttcggtg gaggcaccaa gctggaaatc aaacgg 39622132PRTMus musculus
22Met Glu Thr Asp Thr Leu Leu Leu Trp Val Leu Leu Leu Trp Val Pro 1
5 10 15 Gly Ser Thr Gly Asp Ile Val Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ala Ser Leu
Ala 20 25 30 Val Ser Leu Gly Gln Arg Ala Thr Ile Ser Cys Arg Ala
Ser Lys Ser 35 40 45 Val Ser Thr Ser
Gly Tyr Ser Phe Met His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro 50 55 60 Gly Gln
Pro Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Leu Ala Ser Asn Leu Glu Ser 65 70 75 80
Gly Val Pro Ala Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr 85
90 95 Leu Asn Ile His Pro Val Glu Glu Glu Asp Ala Ala Thr Tyr Tyr
Cys 100 105 110 Gln His Ser Arg Glu Val Pro Trp Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly
Thr Lys Leu 115 120 125 Glu Ile Lys Arg 130
23336DNAArtificialmurine CDR, human FR 23gacatcgtga tgacccagtc
tccagactcc ctggctgtgt ctctgggcga gagggccacc 60atcaactgca gggccagcaa
aagtgtcagt acatctggct atagttttat gcactggtac 120cagcagaaac
caggacagcc tcctaagctg ctcatttacc ttgcatccaa cctagaatcc
180ggggtccctg accgattcag tggcagcggg tctgggacag atttcactct
caccatcagc 240agcctgcagg ctgaagatgt ggcagtttat tactgtcagc
acagtaggga ggttccgtgg 300acgttcggtc agggcaccaa ggtggaaatc aaacgt
33624112PRTArtificialmurine CDR, human FR 24Asp Ile Val Met Thr Gln
Ser Pro Asp Ser Leu Ala Val Ser Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Arg Ala Thr
Ile Asn Cys Arg Ala Ser Lys Ser Val Ser Thr Ser 20 25 30 Gly Tyr
Ser Phe Met His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Pro Pro 35 40 45
Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Leu Ala Ser Asn Leu Glu Ser Gly Val Pro Asp 50
55 60 Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile
Ser 65 70 75 80 Ser Leu Gln Ala Glu Asp Val Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Gln
His Ser Arg 85 90 95 Glu Val Pro Trp Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys
Val Glu Ile Lys Arg 100 105 110 25717DNAArtificialmurine CDR, human
FR 25atggagacag acacactcct gttatgggta ctgctgctct gggttccagg
ttccactggt 60gacatcgtga tgacccagtc tccagactcc ctggctgtgt ctctgggcga
gagggccacc 120atcaactgca gggccagcaa aagtgtcagt acatctggct
atagttttat gcactggtac 180cagcagaaac caggacagcc tcctaagctg
ctcatttacc ttgcatccaa cctagaatcc 240ggggtccctg accgattcag
tggcagcggg tctgggacag atttcactct caccatcagc 300agcctgcagg
ctgaagatgt ggcagtttat tactgtcagc acagtaggga ggttccgtgg
360acgttcggtc agggcaccaa ggtggaaatc aaacgtacgg tggctgcacc
atctgtcttc 420atcttcccgc catctgatga gcagttgaaa tctggaactg
cctctgttgt gtgcctgctg 480aataacttct atcccagaga ggccaaagta
cagtggaagg tggataacgc cctccaatcg 540ggtaactccc aggagagtgt
cacagagcag gacagcaagg acagcaccta cagcctcagc 600agcaccctga
cgctgagcaa agcagactac gagaaacaca aagtctacgc ctgcgaagtc
660acccatcagg gcctgagctc gcccgtcaca aagagcttca acaggggaga gtgttag
71726238PRTArtificialmurine CDR, human FR 26Met Glu Thr Asp Thr Leu
Leu Leu Trp Val Leu Leu Leu Trp Val Pro 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Thr Gly
Asp Ile Val Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Asp Ser Leu Ala 20 25 30 Val Ser
Leu Gly Glu Arg Ala Thr Ile Asn Cys Arg Ala Ser Lys Ser 35 40 45
Val Ser Thr Ser Gly Tyr Ser Phe Met His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro 50
55 60 Gly Gln Pro Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Leu Ala Ser Asn Leu Glu
Ser 65 70 75 80 Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr
Asp Phe Thr 85 90 95 Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Ala Glu Asp Val
Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 100 105 110 Gln His Ser Arg Glu Val Pro Trp Thr
Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val 115 120 125 Glu Ile Lys Arg Thr Val Ala
Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro 130 135 140 Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu
Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu Leu 145 150 155 160 Asn Asn
Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn 165 170 175
Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser 180
185 190 Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys
Ala 195 200 205 Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr
His Gln Gly 210 215 220 Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg
Gly Glu Cys 225 230 235 27411DNAMus musculus 27atggaatgga
cctgggtctt tctcttcctc ctgccagtaa ctgcagatgt ccaatcccag 60gttcagctgc
aacagtctgg aactgagctg atgacgcctg gggcctcagt gacgatgtcc
120tgcaagactt ctggctacac attcagtacc tactggatag agtgggtaaa
acagaggcct 180ggacatggcc ttgagtggat tggagaaatt ttacctggaa
gtggttatac tgactacaat 240gagaagttca aggccaaggc cacattcact
gcagatacat cctccaacac agcctacatg 300caactcagca gcctggcatc
tgaggactct gccgtctatt actgtgcaag atgggatagg 360ctctatgcta
tggactactg gggtcaagga acctcagtca ccgtctcctc a 41128137PRTMus
musculus 28Met Glu Trp Thr Trp Val Phe Leu Phe Leu Leu Ser Val Thr
Ala Asp 1 5 10 15 Val Gln Ser Gln Val Gln Leu Gln Gln Ser Gly Thr
Glu Leu Met Thr 20 25 30 Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Thr Met Ser Cys Lys
Thr Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe 35 40 45 Ser Thr Tyr Trp Ile Glu Trp Val
Lys Gln Arg Pro Gly His Gly Leu 50 55 60 Glu Trp Ile Gly Glu Ile
Leu Gly Pro Ser Gly Tyr Thr Asp Tyr Asn 65 70 75 80 Glu Lys Phe Lys
Ala Lys Ala Thr Phe Thr Ala Asp Thr Ser Ser Asn 85 90 95 Thr Ala
Tyr Met Gln Leu Ser Ser Leu Ala Ser Glu Asp Ser Ala Val 100 105 110
Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg Trp Asp Arg Leu Tyr Ala Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly 115
120 125 Gly Gly Thr Ser Val Thr Val Ser Ser 130 135 29396DNAMus
musculus 29atggagacag acacactcct gttatgggta ctgctgctct gggttccagg
ttccactggt 60gacattgtgc tgacacagtc tcctgcttcc ttaactgtat ctctggggca
gaagaccacc 120atctcatgca gggccagcaa gagtgtcagt acatctggct
atagttttat gcactggtac 180caactgaaac caggacagtc acccaaactc
ctcatctatc ttgcgtccaa cctaccatct 240ggggtccctg ccaggttcag
tggcagtggg tctgggacag acttcaccct caaaatccat 300cctgtggagg
aggaggatgc tgcaacctat tactgtcagc acagtaggga gattccgtac
360acgttcggag gggggaccaa gctggaaata acacgg 39630132PRTMus musculus
30Met Glu Thr Asp Thr Leu Leu Leu Trp Val Leu Leu Leu Trp Val Pro 1
5 10 15 Gly Ser Thr Gly Asp Ile Val Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ala Ser Leu
Thr 20 25 30 Val Ser Leu Gly Gln Lys Thr Thr Ile Ser Cys Arg Ala
Ser Lys Ser 35 40 45 Val Ser Thr Ser Gly Tyr Ser Phe Met His Trp
Tyr Gln Leu Lys Pro 50 55 60 Gly Gln Ser Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr
Leu Ala Ser Asp Leu Pro Ser 65 70 75 80 Gly Val Pro Ala Arg Phe Ser
Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr 85 90 95 Leu Lys Ile His Pro
Val Glu Glu Glu Asp Ala Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys 100 105 110 Gln His Ser
Arg Glu Ile Pro Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu 115 120 125 Glu
Ile Thr Arg 130 31118PRTArtificialhuman germline VH exon VH1-2 and
JH exon JH6 31Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Lys Lys
Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Phe Thr Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Tyr Met His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro
Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Trp Ile Asn Pro Asn Ser
Gly Gly Thr Asn Tyr Ala Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Val Thr
Met Thr Arg Asp Thr Ser Ile Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Glu Leu
Ser Arg Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala
Arg Tyr Tyr Tyr Tyr Tyr Gly Met Asp Val Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr 100 105
110 Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115 32118PRTArtificialhuman germline VH
exon VH1-18 and JH exon JH6 32Gln Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala
Glu Val Lys Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Val Ser Cys Lys
Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Ile Ser Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Met 35 40 45 Gly Trp Ile
Ser Ala Tyr Asn Gly Asn Thr Asn Tyr Ala Gln Lys Leu 50 55 60 Gln
Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr Thr Asp Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65 70
75 80 Met Glu Leu Arg Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr
Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Tyr Tyr Tyr Tyr Tyr Gly Met Asp Val Trp Gly
Gln Gly Thr 100 105 110 Thr Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115
33113PRTArtificialhuman germline VL exon B3 and JL exon JK-1 33Asp
Ile Val Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Asp Ser Leu Ala Val Ser Leu Gly 1 5 10
15 Glu Arg Ala Thr Ile Asn Cys Lys Ser Ser Gln Ser Val Leu Tyr Ser
20 25 30 Ser Asn Asn Lys Asn Tyr Leu Ala Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro
Gly Gln 35 40 45 Pro Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Trp Ala Ser Thr Arg
Glu Ser Gly Val 50 55 60 Pro Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly
Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Ala Glu Asp
Val Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln 85 90 95 Tyr Tyr Ser Thr Pro Trp
Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile 100 105 110 Lys
* * * * *