AU2022253906A1

AU2022253906A1 - Dosing of bispecific t cell engager

Info

Publication number: AU2022253906A1
Application number: AU2022253906A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Victoria Smith
Original assignee: Anji Bruno LLC
Current assignee: Anji Bruno LLC
Priority date: 2021-04-09
Filing date: 2022-04-08
Publication date: 2023-10-26
Also published as: EP4319815A1; JP2024513915A; CN117425492A; WO2022217082A1; IL307476A; CA3214753A1; TW202304512A

Abstract

Methods for reducing myeloid-derived suppressor cells and activating T cells in a patient and for treating a patient suffering from a solid tumor are described. The methods entail administering a CD3/CD33 T cell engager.

Description

DOSING OF BISPECIFIC T CELL ENGAGER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. Provisional Application No.: 63/173,224, filed April 9, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

T cell engagers, a particular class of bispecific antibody, mediate binding between a target cell and a T cell resulting in T cell-directed lysis and T cell activation, differentiation, and proliferation. While T cell engagers have demonstrated impressive potency and anti-tumor activity in some settings, a barrier to broader therapeutic success in many cases is undesirable activity against normal cells expressing the target of interest. This “on target, off tumor” toxicity can be significant, and has been reported widely for engineered T cell engagers.

Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) act locally and systemically to impair anti tumor immunity, inhibiting effector T cell responses, promoting formation of immune suppressive regulatory T cells, inhibiting the maturation of dendritic cells and antigen presentation, and promoting formation of metastases. MDSC elicit a range of suppressive functions that inhibit normal T cell responses as well as causing unresponsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade. A dominant function of MDSC is the suppression of T cell activity in a variety of manners that are pathology and context dependent. The presence of MDSC is thought to be associated with poor outcomes and lack of response to certain therapies, e.g., therapies that activate T cells and therapies involving the use of a checkpoint inhibitor.

Some T cell activating therapies (e.g., immunotherapies such as T cell engagers and CAR T cell therapies) are associated with cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The occurrence of CRS can limit the utility of some immunotherapies. T cell activation drives myeloid cell activation and the production of various cytokine and chemokines, including IL-6. In some cases, the level of the cytokines and chemokines is pathologic. MDSC are among the myeloid cells that are major producers of IL-6. SUMMARY

Described herein are methods for using AMV564, a bispecific, bivalent molecule that binds to CD3 and CD33. AMV564 is homodimeric protein (i.e., a homodimer of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1) having four single-chain variable fragment (scFv) binding sites, two that bind CD33 and two that bind CD3. A bivalent design can, in theory, restore selectivity to a T cell engager, directing preferential binding to regions of high local target density, such as found at sites of active signaling or associated with high receptor density or expression. Despite the fact that AMV564 binds CD33, which is broadly expressed across the myeloid lineage, it can be dosed in a manner that that provides a desirable therapeutic index, with selective binding of MDSC. Importantly, AMV564 has been found to be selective over a wide dose range. Without being bound by any particular theory, this may be due to some combination of: bivalency, the affinity of the scFv, and the geometry of the homodimer. For example, again without being bound by any particular theory, the structure of AMV564 may allow it to bind clusters of dimerized CD33.

AMV564 has dual activity: it induces T cell mediated killing of MDSC and drives T cell activation, promoting favorable polarization (e.g., Thl CD4 T cells and effector CD8 T cells). AMV564 has an EC50 for MDSC that is less than about 3 pM. Dosed appropriately, AMV564 largely spares neutrophils, monocytes and many differentiated myeloid cells while directing killing of MDSC, thereby inhibiting MDSC-driven suppressive pathways.

AMV564 is useful for reducing MDSC and can be used to reduce systemic immune suppression, for example, in solid tumor patients. AMV564 can also be used in conjunction with various immunotherapies to both control CRS and to reduce immune suppression.

Peripheral MDSC may play important roles in T cell suppression and T cell trafficking to tumor sites, a potentially rate-limiting factor for T cell activation-based therapies. For example, a 15 pg dose of AMV564 can, in some circumstances, achieve significant depletion of MDSC populations. As MDSC are recruited from the bone marrow, peripheral depletion may enable sufficient control to benefit anti-tumor immunity over a dosing timeframe that exceeds the limited longevity of tissue-resident MDSC. However, distribution of AMV564 in the tumor microenvironment could target MDSC at tumor sites while promoting expansion of local T cells. Moreover, AMV564 delivery or entry into draining lymph nodes in addition to the periphery, for example, doses of up to 50, 75 and 100 pg by CIV route, could achieve de-repression of anti- tumor T cells and restore antigen presentation and immune homeostasis. Subcutaneous delivery of AMV564, for example at doses of 5, 15, or 50 pg, provides a direct mechanism of initial distribution in the lymphatic system, including tumor draining lymph nodes. With subcutaneous administration AMV564 is effective at lower doses, likely due to the access to the lymph system.

AMV564 can both relieve immune suppression and activate T cell effector function in cancer patients. AMV564 can do so by relieving immunosuppression via targeted depletion of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and by directly activating/repolarizing T cells and improved T effector function.

Importantly, subcutaneous administration of AMV564 facilitates immune activation by targeting the lymphatic system.

Described herein is a method for reducing myeloid-derived suppressor cells and activating T cells in a patient (e.g., a patient undergoing immune therapy) the method comprising administering AMV564 (a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1) to the patient. In various embodiments: AMV564 is administered by subcutaneous injection; the dose of AMV564 injected is 5 - 150 pg (micrograms); the AMV564 is administered on a least 7 days (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 days) over a 14 day period; the AMV564 is administered daily (e.g., at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, pg/dose) subcutaneously; the AMV6564 is administered on 10 days over a 14 day period; the AMV6564 is administered on 5 consecutive days on two occasions over a 14 day period; the AMV6564 is administered on 5 consecutive days, is not administered on the following two days and is administered on the following 5 consecutive days; the AMV564 is administered over a 21 day cycle in which AMV564 is administered on at least 7 days over a 14 day period and is not administered over the subsequent 7 day period; the 21 day cycle is repeated at least two times; AMV564 is administered on at least 10 days over a 14 day period with administration on 5 consecutive days followed by 2 days of no administration followed by administration on 5 consecutive days; the dose of AMV564 administered is 5, 10,

15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 pg on each day when administered; the patient is being treated with a therapy that activates T cells (e.g., the therapy is a CAR T cell therapy; the therapy is a CTL therapy; the therapy is an antibody therapy; the therapy is treatment with a T cell engager that comprises a CD3 binding domain and activates T cells); the patient is suffering from or being treated for being treated for a leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome); the patient is suffering or being treated for a solid tumor; the solid tumor is selected from the group consisting of: pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, urothelial cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, rectal cancer, penile cancer, endometrial cancer, small bowel cancer, cancer of the appendix; the administration of AMV564 achieves a steady-state exposure of 0.1 - 5 pM (e.g., 0.1, 0.2. 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 pm) AMV564.

Also described is a method for treating a solid tumor in a patient, the method comprising administering AMV564 a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1) to the patient. In various embodiments: AMV564 is administered by subcutaneous injection; the dose of AMV564 injected is 5 - 150 pg (meg or micrograms); the AMV564 is administered on a least 7 days (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 days) over a 14 day period; the AMV564 is administered daily (e.g., at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 pg/dose) subcutaneously; the AMV6564 is administered on 10 days over a 14 day period; the AMV6564 is administered on 5 consecutive days on two occasions over a 14 day period; the AMV6564 is administered on 5 consecutive days, is not administered on the following two days and is administered on the following 5 consecutive days; the AMV564 is administered over a 21 day cycle in which AMV564 is administered on at least 7 days over a 14 day period and is not administered over the subsequent 7 day period; the 21 day cycle is repeated at least two times; AMV564 is administered on at least 10 days over a 14 day period with administration on 5 consecutive days followed by 2 days of no administration followed by administration on 5 consecutive days; the dose of AMV564 administered is 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 pg on each day when administered; the patient is being treated with a therapy that activates T cells (e.g., the therapy is a CAR T cell therapy; the therapy is a CTL therapy; the therapy is an antibody therapy; the therapy is treatment with a T cell engager that comprises a CD3 binding domain and activates T cells); the patient is suffering from or being treated for being treated for a leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome); the patient is suffering or being treated for a solid tumor; the solid tumor is selected from the group consisting of: pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, urothelial cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, rectal cancer, penile cancer, endometrial cancer, small bowel cancer, cancer of the appendix; the administration of AMV564 achieves a steady-state exposure of 0.1 - 5 pM AMV564; the solid tumor is selected from the group consisting of: Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (e.g., metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, III NSCLC, metastatic NSCLC expressing PD-L1), melanoma, Merkel cell, Microsatellite Instability -High Cancer (e.g., unresectable or metastatic, microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient); the patient has progressed on checkpoint blockade; the administration of AMV564 achieves a steady-state exposure of 0.1 - 5 pM AMV564; the method comprises administering 5 - 50 m g AMV564 by continuous intravenous infusion.

Also descried is a method for treating AML by administering AMV564 to reach a steady- state exposure of 30 - 70 pM AMV564.

CD33, also known as Siglec-3, is transmembrane protein is expressed on cells of myeloid lineage. CD33 has long been regarded as an appealing target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), due to both high prevalence and high expression on leukemic blasts. The function of CD33 is not well understood, but activation of CD33 signaling on early lineage myeloid cells, such as immune-suppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), has been shown to result in expansion of MDSC and production of suppressive cytokines and factors. CD33 expression is used as one component of cell surface marker sets to identify these immune-suppressive monocytic and granulocytic cells (for example, by use of flow cytometry for cellular immune phenotyping). It is unclear what role, if any, that CD33 plays on more differentiated myeloid lineage cells such as mature monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells. Indeed, knockout of CD33 in human cells using CRISPR technology has demonstrated that CD33 is not required for lineage differentiation, but it nonetheless continues to be expressed at varying levels on most of these cells, rendering it as a challenging target for a non-selective T cell engager, with respect to both safety and efficacy.

T cell engagers function by acting as a bridge between an antigen on a target cell and different antigen on a T cell, forming a ternary complex between the drug and two different cell types, thereby mimicking the formation of a natural T cell-target cell synapse that is generated in the course of an adaptive immune response. It is thought that between 10 - 100 molecules of drug must be appropriately bound in order to activate T cell killing, and T cells must be available also. This active state thus brings additional considerations for receptor occupancy and dosing beyond a standard model of, for example, inhibiting a ligand or receptor via biologic drug binding, where dosing strategies aim for maximum target coverage until unacceptable toxicity is reached. There are yet more factors to consider for T cell engagers that target a broadly expressed antigen, such as CD33. Apart from the potential safety risks associated with broad depletion of the myeloid lineage cells (which confer valuable protection against infection), this cellular population can be very large (e.g., there are up to 100 billion neutrophils generated daily in a human body) and efficacy could thus be compromised due to insufficiently suitable drug distribution and an inadequate supply of T cells to accomplish killing. The targeting of other populations of cells such as leukemic blasts or the even rarer immune-suppressive MDSC could thus be hampered by a broad distribution of drug across CD33 -positive normal myeloid cells and the need for sufficient associated T cells to achieve killing. For these reasons, determining the appropriate dose, dose schedule, and routed of administration for a T cell engager is unusually challenging, far more so than for monovalent, monospecific agents.

Binding properties of AMV564 and dose selection

The bivalent design of AMV564 is reflected in its physical properties. AMV564 is very potent and demonstrates cellular killing at low receptor occupancy, with elimination of CD33 target cells demonstrated ex vivo or in vitro with picomolar or sub-picomolar EC50 values. AMV564 is a potent agonist, which can elicit biological activity at low receptor occupancy or low target binding levels. Binding studies using flow cytometry show that there is no binding of neutrophils, polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, or monocytes at 1 or 10 pM AMV564 as compared to MDSC and leukemic blast cell line KG1, which are both potently bound at 1 and 10 pM (FIGs. 1F-1G). At concentrations of 1 and 10 pM, AMV564 appears to be highly selective for MDSC as compared to other abundant CD33 expressing cells.

Thus, an optimal therapeutic window for both safety and anti -tumor (e.g., leukemic blasts) and/or anti-suppressor (MDSC) cell activity might be obtained when engagement of target cells by AMV564 is sufficient for activity, but binding of other myeloid cells is minimal. Apart from safety considerations, excessive engagement of the large population of cells encompassing the normal myeloid lineage could result in reduction in efficacy due to suboptimal drug distribution and inadequate available T cells to achieve formation of the necessary ternary complexes that mimic a natural T cell synapse to facilitate cell killing.

Depletion of MDSC and dose selection

Overcoming the suppressive tumor microenvironment is a major challenge in immune therapy. The critical cellular effectors of the suppressive tumor microenvironment are MDSC, which are associated with immune dysfunction, repression of anti-tumor immunity and poor response to immunotherapy. MDSC suppress T cell and NK cell responses via a variety of cytokines, active species and pathways. In addition, they repress effective antigen presentation by dendritic cells in tumor draining lymph nodes. In another aspect of this disclosure, AMV564 depletes MDSC in the periphery and bone marrow of AML patients at low doses. The rapid decline observed at low, lead-in doses of AMV546 indicates potent binding and depletion of both monocytic and granulocytic MDSC populations. MDSC are rare in the periphery of a healthy adult and become significantly elevated in cancer patients. However, they are nonetheless relatively rare cells as compared to the mature myeloid lineage in general, and the efficacy of their depletion and control could be reduced at higher doses when overall receptor occupancy is unfavorable for selectivity for a bivalent T cell engager such as AMV564.

In solid tumor patients, administration of AMV564 at doses of 5-50 pg generating approximate steady state exposures ranging from 0.1 - 5 pM, can be effective in depleting MDSC and promoting a favorable CD4 and CD8 T cell activation profile and cytokine milieu to promote restoration of anti-tumor immunity. Higher doses of 50-75 pg or 75 - 150 pg would also yield exposures that remain within the selective range for MDSC depletion.

Circulating MDSC are a pharmacodynamic biomarker of AMV564 and T cell responses. As MDSC are known to be induced by T cell activation, they are induced as a consequence of the T cell activation stimulated by AMV564. The MDSC reflect engagement of AMV564 with target cells (MDSC) and depletion of such cells, and in relationship to dose for a bivalent, bispecific T cell engager such as AMV564, they reflect effective dosing within the optimal therapeutic index of the drug, to enable effective depletion of these comparatively rare cells as compared to the rest of the CD33 positive myeloid lineage.

Because AMV564 depletes MDSC, treatment with AMV564, for example, under the dosing regimens described herein, can be useful for depleting MDSC in a variety of contexts.

For example, AMV564 can be used to deplete MDSC in patients being treated with a therapy that activates T cells or involves administration of activated T cells.

Management of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS)

CRS, while not fully understood, appears to be related to T cell activation and subsequent activation of macrophages and other myeloid cells to generate and secrete IL-6, IL-1B and other cytokines. CRS is commonly associated with T cell engaging therapies such as T cell engaging bispecific antibodies and CAR-T therapy. CRS is most apparent at initiation of dosing. As shown below, administration of AMV564 by subcutaneous route in solid tumor patients at doses, for example, of 15 - 50 m g results in robust T cell activation as assessed by various metrics including up to 10 - 40X increases from baseline in detectable peripheral Interferon gamma (IF Ng ) in the first cycle of dosing. However, the increase in IL-6 is comparatively modest (the two cytokines are around 1 : 1 or favor higher IFNy) (see FIGs. 7A-7E) and IL-1B is not detected at significant levels. This favorable profile is consistent with the absence of CRS observed in patients in this clinical study. This favorable profile of demonstrably strong T cell activation with lack of CRS could reflect a combination of features including the depletion of MDSC (which can produce inflammatory cytokines), bivalent T cell engagement by AMV564 (which may more closely resemble a more native T cell receptor engagement) and the lymphatic delivery and distribution kinetics associated with subcutaneous injection of AMV564. AMV564 has a favorable therapeutic index that is amenable to chronic dosing, these properties should also assist in the mitigation of CRS after lead in dosing to target dose is completed.

Combination Therapies

Effective treatment of tumorigenesis is often achieved via combination therapy. The functional therapeutic index of AMV564, with a dosage range that maximizes both efficacy and safety (notably lack of significant depletion of normal myeloid cells) positions it well for combination therapy approaches. Combination strategies include but are not limited to, in solid tumors, checkpoint blockade (PD-1 or PDL-1 blocking agents), T cell activators and expanders such as cytokines IL-2, IL-10, and IL-15, dual targeting agents such as those targeting checkpoints (e.g., PD-1 or PDL-1) and immune repression (e.g., TGFP), CAR therapies (expressed in T cells or NK cells), NK activating therapies, or standard of care chemotherapies.

In AML and MDS, the previously listed therapies could also be used in combination, along with other established agents in AML such as hypomethylating agents (e.g., azacytidine, decitabine), differentiation agents (e.g., targeting IDH1/2), targeted agents (e.g., against FLT3), agents targeting anti-apoptotic proteins such as BCL2 (e.g., venetoclax), BCL-XL, or MCL1, or lenalidomide. AMV564 can be used alone or in combination to treat melanoma (e.g., patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection); non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (e.g., metastatic non-squamous NSCLC, III NSCLC, metastatic NSCLC expressing PD-L1); head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC); classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL); primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL); urothelial carcinoma (e.g., locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma expressing PD-L1); microsatellite instability-high cancer (e.g., unresectable or metastatic, microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient; solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment; breast cancer, uterine cancer, gastric cancer (e.g., recurrent locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma expressing PD-L1); cervical cancer; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC); and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGs. 1A-1G present data showing that AMV264 depletes MDSC and activates T cells ex vivo and that AMD564 binds MSC and KG-1 cells at 1 and 10 pm, but does not bind monocytes at these concentrations. FIG. 1 A shows that treatment of PBMC with CD33 ligand S100A9 results in expansion of MDSC and an increase in CD33 expression. FIGS IB- IE show that exposure to AMV564 negates reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in response to S100A9 stimulation of PBMC to expand MDSC (FIG. IB), causes selective depletion of MDSC (FIG. 1C), and increases in CD8 T cell (FIG. ID) and CD4 T cell (FIG. IE) numbers and activation state (as assessed by IFNy positive fraction).

FIGs. 2A-2F shows that AMV564 treatment leads to depletion of peripheral blood and bone marrow MDSC and AML blasts with no decrease in neutrophils. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show MDSC depletion in peripheral blood. FIG. 2C shows MDSC depletion in bone marrow. FIGs. 2E-2G show the impact of AMV564 treatment on peripheral blood T cells (FIG. 2E), peripheral blood neutrophils FIG. 2F, and peripheral blood blasts (FIG. 2G). The lighter bar indicates the days of the lead in dose and the darker bar indicates the days of the target dose.

FIGs. 3A-3C present data showing the impact of AMV564 on peripheral blood MDSC, bone marrow MDSC, peripheral blood T cells. FIG. 3 A shows the impact of AM564 on the percentage of CD45+ cells in peripheral blood MDSC. FIG. 3B shows the impact of AM564 on the percentage of CD45+ cells in bone marrow MDSC. FIG. 3C shows the impact of AM564 on the percentage of CD45+ cells in peripheral blood T cells. The lighter bar indicates the days of the lead in dose and the darker bar indicates the days of the target dose.

FIGs. 4A-4D present data showing that AMV564 is a selective and potent conditional agonist. The single open circles and triangles show the result of a CD3/CD28 stimulation in the absence of AMV564. FIG. 4A shows that AMV564 induces potent dose-dependent cell death of KG1, at a maximum level similar to a CD3-CD28 stimulation (FIG. 4A). FIG. 4B shows an increase in daughter cells, reflective of T cell proliferation at levels equivalent to or exceeding the CD3-CD28 reference stimulation. FIG. 4C shows that there is no evidence of AMV564 promoting significant cell death for autologous monocytes or neutrophils. FIG. 4D shows that there was no evidence of any induction of T cell proliferation with these cell populations, unlike general T cell stimulation using CD3-CD28.

FIGs. 5A-5E present data showing the MDSC control is associated with Treg control in solid tumor patients. FIGS. 5A-5D show that M-MDSC and G-MDSC are controlled in patients with solid tumors and treated with AMV564 (FIG. 5 A: ovarian - 15 pg AMV564; FIG. 5B: cutaneous 50 pg AMV564; FIG. 5C: small bowel- 15 pg AMV564; FIG. 5D: gastroesophageal junction - 15 pg AMV564) that were treated with AMV564 (once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle). The filled squared are G-MDSC and the filled circles are M-MDSC. FIG. 5E depicts the change in Treg from baseline (B) through two cycles (Cl and C2) of therapy. The bars of the axis indicate AMV564 dosing days.

FIGs. 6A-6G present data showing that CD8:Treg ratio improves on AMV564 therapy in solid tumor patients. Specifically, FIGs. 6A-6G show that an increase in the CD8/Treg ratio was observed for most solid tumor patients on AMV564 therapy (once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle (FIG. 6A: Small Bowel - Stable Disease (15 pg dosage); FIG. 6B: Ovarian - Complete Response (15 pg dosage); FIG. 6C: GE Junction - Progressive Disease (15 pg dosage); FIG. 6D: Endometrial - Stable Disease (50 pg dosage); FIG. 6E: Colorectal - Progressive Disease (50 pg dosage); FIG. 6F: Cutaneous - Stable Disease (50 pg dosage); FIG. 6G: Appendiceal- Stable Disease (50 pg dosage)). The dotted line indicates the baseline ratio; bars along the x-axis indicate dosing days and the broad bar indicates the ratio for healthy controls whose peripheral blood samples were processed in the same flow based assay. FIGs. 7A-7E present data showing that AMV564 promotes favorable CD4 and CD8 T cell polarization in an ovarian cancer patient administered 15 pg AMV564 (once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle).. FIG. 7A shows the CD8/Treg ratio over 150 days. FIG. 7B shows maintained or increased effector CD8 (TBX21 and/or granzyme B positive) and dynamic modulation of PD1 positive CD8 fraction. FIG. 7C shows dynamic increases in TBX21 -positive CD4 T helper cells. FIG. 7D shows ongoing increase in T cells. FIG. 7E shows an increase in the percentage of CD8 T cells. The dotted line indicates the baseline ratio; bars along the x-axis indicate dosing days and the broad bar indicates the ratio for healthy controls.

FIGs. 8A-8F show IFNy Cycle 1, IFNy Cycle 2, IL-6 Cycle 1 and IL-6 Cycle 2 levels in six solid tumor patients treated with AMV564 (Patient 1 (FIG. 8A); Patient 2 (FIG. 8B); Patient 3 (FIG. 8C); Patient 11 (FIG. 8D); Patient 9 (FIG. 8E); Patient 14 (FIG. 8F - cycle 1 only)).

FIGs. 9A-9D show the results of M-MDSC and G-MDSC measurements in four solid tumor patients treated with AMV564 in combination pembrolizumab. FIGs. 9A and 9B show the results observed for solid tumor patients treated with AMV564 once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12, respectively, of a 21-day cycle with 5 pg/day in combination pembrolizumab administered intravenously at 200 mg every 3 week (Q3W). FIGs. 9C and 9D show the results observed for solid tumor patients treated with AMV564 once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12, respectively, of a 21-day cycle with 15 pg/day in combination pembrolizumab administered intravenously at 200 mg every 3 week (Q3W). The filled squares are G-MDSC, and the filled circles are M-MDSC. The bars of the axis indicate AMV564 dosing days.

FIGs. 10A-10D show the impact of AMV564 in combination pembrolizumab on T-Bet and granzyme B positive CD8 cells and CD8/Treg ratio in two solid tumor patients. FIG. 10A and FIG. IOC show results for patient 15 treated with AMV564 (15 pg once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12, respectively, of a 21 -day cycle in combination pembrolizumab (administered intravenously at 200 mg Q3W). FIG. 10B and FIG. 10D show results for patient 16 treated with AMV564 (15 pg once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21 -day cycle in combination pembrolizumab (administered intravenously at 200 mg Q3W). The dotted line indicates the baseline ratio; bars along the x-axis indicate AMV564 dosing days and the broad bar indicates the ratio for healthy controls. FIGs. 11A-11B show the impact of AMV564 in combination with pembrolizumab treatment on CD8 cell proliferation and activation in two solid tumor patients. FIG. 11 A and FIG. 1 IB show data observed for patient 15 (FIG. 11A) and patient 16 (FIG. 1 IB) treated with AMV564 (15 pg once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle in combination with pembrolizumab (administered intravenously at 200 mg Q3W).

FIGs. 12A-12B show the impact of AMV564 on the level of M-MDSC cells and G- MDSC cells over the course of 5 treatment cycles (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01). FIG. 12A shows the effect of treating solid tumor patients with 15 or 50 pg of subcutaneously administered AMV564 on M-MDSC levels. FIG. 12B shows the effect of treating solid tumor patients with 15 or 50 pg of subcutaneously administered AMV564 on G-MDSC levels.

FIGs. 13A-13B show the impact of AMV564, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, on granzyme B and TBX21 co-expression on CD 8+ T cells (FIG. 13 A) and the frequency of granzyme B+ CD8+ cells (FIG. 13).

FIGs. 14A-14B show the impact of AMV564, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, on the level of IFNy and IL-6. FIG. 14A shows IFNy and IL-61evles observed in solid tumor patients treated with 15 or 50 pg AMV564 alone or in combination with pembrolizumab (n=l 1 monotherapy, n=4 combination). FIG. 14B shows that AMV564 exhibited a favorable, approximately 1 : 1 ratio in IFNy to IL-6, relative to other T cell engagers.

FIGs. 15A-15C show the impact of AMV564, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, on the level of various cytokines in patients and in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay. FIG. 15A shows the impact of AMV564, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, on the levels of TNFa, IL-Ib, and IL-10 in patients. FIG. 15B shows the impact of AMV564, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, on the levels of IP-10 (CXCL10). FIG. 15C shows the results of a cytotoxicity assay of AMV564 performed using KG-1 cells as the target cell.

FIGs. 16A-16C show the impact of AMV564, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, on the T cell repertoire in three different patients. FIG. 16A shows the expansion of the T cell repertoire in a patient with cancer in the small intestine. FIG. 16B shows the expansion of the T cell repertoire in a patient having penile squamous cell cancer. FIG. 16C shows the expansion of the T cell repertoire in a patient having pancreatic cancer. The orange circles indicate clones that were significantly expanded or were undetectable a baseline. FIGs. 17A-17C show the impact of AMV564 on CD8 and CD8 memory cells and T cell rearrangement of an ovarian cancer patient that was confirmed RECIST CR. FIG. 17A shows an increase, over the course of treatment, in CD 8 cells in an ovarian cancer patient treated with 15 pg AMV564. FIG. 17B shows an increase, over the course of treatment, in CD8 memory cells in the ovarian cancer patient treated with 15 pg AMV564. FIG. 17C shows tracking of specific T cell rearrangements across treatment time points in the ovarian cancer patient

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

AMV564

AMV564 is a homodimer of SEQ ID NO: 1. AMV564 is described in US 9212225 (Diabody 16; SEQ ID NO: 113 without the 6 His tag at the amino terminus) and WO 2016/196230 (SEQ ID NO: 139). A pharmaceutical composition of AMV564 comprises a homodimer of polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

AMV564

DIQMTQSPSS LSASVGDRVT ITCRSSTGAV TTSNYANWVQ QKPGKAPKAL IGGTNKRAPG VPSRFSGSLI GDKATLTISS LQPEDFATYY CALWYSNLWV FGQGTKVEIK GGSGGSQVQL VQSGAEVKKP GASVKVSCKA SGYTFTSYDI NWVRQAPGQG LEWMGWMNPN SGNTGFAQKF QGRVTMTRDT STSTVYMELS SLRSEDTAVY YCARDRANTD YSLGMDVWGQ GTLVTVSSGG SGQSVLTQPP SASGTPGQRV TISCSGSRSN IGSNTVNWYQ QLPGTAPKLL IYGNNQRPSG VPDRFSGSKS GTSASLAISG LQSEDEADYY CATWDDSLIG WVFGGGTKLT VLGGSGGSEV QLVESGGGLV QPGGSLRLSC AASGFTFSTY AMNWVRQAPG KGLEWVGRIR SKYNNYATYY ADSVKDRFTI SRDDSKNSLY LQMNSLKTED TAVYYCARHG NFGNSYVSYF AYWGQGTLVT VSS (SEQ ID NO: 1)

Example 1: AMV564 Depletes MDSC and Activates T Cells ex vivo

In this study, it was found that AMV564 treatment of primary cells (PBMC, MDS bone marrow, tumor PBMC) ex vivo both depletes MDSC and actives T cells. FIG. 1 A shows that treatment of PBMC with CD33 ligand S100A9 results in expansion of MDSC and an increase in CD33 expression. Exposure to AMV564 negates reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in response to S100A9 stimulation of PBMC to expand MDSC (FIG. IB), causes selective depletion of MDSC (FIG. 1C), and increases in CD8 T cell (FIG. ID) and CD4 T cell (FIG. IE) numbers and activation state (as assessed by IFNy positive fraction). Thus, treatment ex vivo of patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) resulted in selective depletion of MDSCs (p < 0.01) and a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species. AMV564 induced a significant increase in activated T cells only in the presence of CD33+ target cells, with > 2-fold increase in the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The increase in proliferation was dose-dependent and accompanied by a significant increase in IFNy production.

AMV564 binds to MDSC (and leukemic blast line KG1) at 1 and 10 pM (FIG. IF). However, at these concentrations, there is essentially no evidence of binding to monocytes, neutrophils and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). These concentrations are within the range of exposure observed for dosing of AMV564 by subcutaneous route at doses of 5 - 15 - 50 pg (about 0.1 - 5 pM). As shown in FIG. lG.

Example 2: AMV564 Depletes MDSC and Activates T Cells in Patients

In this clinical study, it was found that AMV564 treatment leads to depletion of peripheral blood MDSC and bone marrow MDSC and the AML blasts with no decrease in neutrophils (FIGs. 2A-2F). Rapid depletion of both monocytic and granulocytic MDSCs is apparent with little or no impact on circulating neutrophil or monocytes populations. Evidence of early T cell activation is apparent with rapid re-distribution/margination of T cells (this apparent transient lymphopenia is a consequence of T cell activation and migration to lymph nodes and tissues). In FIGs. 2A-2F, the period of lead-in AMV564 dosing (15 pg; 3 days) is indicated by the lighter colored bar and the target AMV564 dosing (100 pg) is indicated by the darker colored bar). In MDSC, depletion was observed in peripheral blood (FIGs. 2A and 2B) and bone marrow (FIG. 2C). FIGs. 2D-2E, respectively, show the impact of AMV564 treatment on peripheral blood T cells, peripheral blood neutrophils, and peripheral blood blasts.

Example 3: AMV564 Depletes MDSC in solid tumor patients

An initial increase in peripheral blood MDSC in response to T cell activation was observed in lead in dosing (Days 1-3 in some patients) (FIGs. 3A-C). A rapid redistribution/margination of peripheral blood T cells, consistent with T cell activation, was also observed as T cells transmigrate to lymph nodes and tissues (FIG. 3C). However, at the target dose, peripheral MDSC were controlled. Bone marrow MDSC were also substantially decreased when assessed at day 15 relative to baseline. However, both bone marrow and peripheral blood MDSC rebounded once AMV564 treatment was stopped.

Example 4: AMV564 is a Selective and Potent Conditional Agonist

Primary human T cells and KG-1 cells were exposed to AMV564. Target-dependent cytotoxicity (FIG. 4A), target dependent T cell proliferation (FIG. 4B), viability of differentiated monocytes and neutrophils (FIG. 4C), viability of differentiated monocytes and neutrophils (FIG. 4D) were measured, all with CD3/CD28 used as reference T cell stimulation. As KG1 expresses CD33 and AMV564 shows similar binding to KG1 as it does to MDSC, KG1 was used as a surrogate for MDSC in these assays. AMV564 induced potent dose-dependent cell death of KG1, at a maximum level similar to a CD3-CD28 stimulation (FIG. 4A). This was accompanied by an increase in daughter cells, reflective of T cell proliferation at levels equivalent to or exceeding the CD3-CD28 reference stimulation(FIG. 4B). However, there was no evidence of AMV564 promoting significant cell death for autologous monocytes or neutrophils (FIG. 4C), and similarly, no evidence of any induction of T cell proliferation with these cell populations (FIG. 4D), unlike general T cell stimulation using CD3-CD28.

Example 5: Phase 1 Clinical Study of AMV564 in Patients with Solid Tumors

This study enrolled adult patients having non-resectable, advanced metastatic solid tumors that were recurrent and progressing since the last anti-tumor therapy and for which no recognized standard therapy exists. The patients had ECOG performance status of < 2 and adequate organ function. Patient were treated with AMV564 alone (15, 50, or 75 pg/day) or AMV564 (5, 15, or 50 pg/day) in combination Pembrolizumab administered intravenously at 200 mg every 3 week (Q3W). In both cases, AMV564 was administered once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle. AMV564 was well tolerated and pharmacodynamic analyses showed evidence of relief of immune suppression (decreased MDSC and Treg) and promotion of effector CD8 and Thl CD4 responses in this Phase 1 population of heterogeneous cancer patients previously treated with other therapies.

In general, patients treated with AMV564 exhibited a cytokine profile consistent with activation of T cells including CD4 Thl helper cells, antigen presenting cells, and improved T cell trafficking to tissues such as tumor tissues (increase in IFNy, IL-15, IL-18, soluble granzyme B and CXCL10). While strong T cell activation was observed, there were no episodes of cytokine release syndrome.

Example 6: MDSC Control is Associated with Treg Control in Solid Tumor Patients

M-MDSC and G-MDSC are controlled in patients with solid tumors and treated with AMV564 (FIG. 5A: ovarian - 15 m g AMV564; FIG 5B: cutaneous 50 m g AMV564; FIG 5C: small bowel- 15 pg AMV564; FIG. 5D: gastroesophageal junction - 15 pg AMV564) that were treated with AMV564 (once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21- day cycle). FIG. 5E depicts the change in Treg from baseline (B) through two cycles (Cl and C2) of therapy.

Example 7: CD8:Treg Ratio Improves on AMV564 Therapy in Solid Tumor Patients

FIGs. 6A-6G show that an increase in the CD8/Treg ratio was observed for mostsubjectssolid tumor patients were on AMV564 therapy (once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle (FIG. 6A: Small Bowel - Stable Disease (15 pg dosage); FIG. 6B: Ovarian - Complete Response (15 pg dosage); FIG. 6C: GE Junction - Progressive Disease (15 pg dosage); FIG. 6D: Endometrial - Stable Disease (50 pg dosage); FIG. 6E: Colorectal - Progressive Disease (50 pg dosage); FIG. 6F: Cutaneous - Stable Disease (50 pg dosage); FIG. 6G: Appendiceal- Stable Disease (50 pg dosage)).

Example 8: AMV564 Promotes Favorable CD4 and CD8 T Cell Polarization in an Ovarian Cancer Patient

An ovarian cancer patient who had previously undergone multiple lines of platinum- based chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, pembrolizumab (best response stable disease, completed 6 months prior to study start), and therapy with niraparib and letrozole, was treated with 15 pg AMV564 (once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle). This patient exhibited an ongoing increase in CD8/Treg, increase in % CD8, maintained or increased effector CD8 (TBX21 and/or granzyme B positive) and memory CD8 cells, a dynamic increases in TBX21 -positive CD4 T helper cells and dynamic modulation of PD1 positive CD8 fraction but without substantial overall increase as shown in FIGs. 7A-7E. This patient progressed from stable disease, to partial response to complete response as assessed by CT scans at 6-8 week intervals.

Example 9: Patients Treated with AMV564 Exhibit Signs of T Cell Activation without CRS

FIGs. 8A-8F (Patients 1, 2, 3, 11, 9 and 14, respectively) show the results of IFNy and IL-6 measurements in six solid tumor patients treated with AMV564 (once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle). As can be seen there is clear evidence of systemic IFNy production without excessive IL-6 production (ratio of IFNy : IL-6 was about 1 : 1 or better for most patients).

Over 5 cycles of treatment, a solid tumor patient (data not shown) exhibited increases in IFNy, TNFa and IL18 and other factors at later time points (e.g., end of cycle 2 and cycles 3, 4) consistent with MHC class I upregulation, dendritic cell activation and T cell trafficking (decrease in MDSC-inducing factor G-CSF). This same patient entered the study with poor CD8/Treg at baseline. Improvement was observed throughout treatment, particularly around cycle 3, where increases in CD8 T cell proliferation and activation (Ki67 and CD38 fractions) were observed, consistent with improvement in CD8 effector function (T-bet and granzyme B positive fractions). This mirrors timing of observations for increases in cytokines and factors consistent with improved dendritic cell activation and Thl response, suggesting that AMV564 was, over time, driving a more favorable immune polarization even in this late-stage patient.

Example 10: Treatment with AMV564 and Pembrolizumab

FIGs. 9A-9D show the results of M-MDSC and G-MDSC measurements in four solid tumor patients treated with AMV564 once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21 -day cycle (5 pg/day (FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B) or 15 pg/day (FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D)) in combination pembrolizumab administered intravenously at 200 mg every 3 week (Q3W). The AMV564 administration days are indicated by a bar along the x-axis and the pembrolizumab treatment days are indicated with an asterisk. As can be seen, very good MDSC control was observed.

FIGs. 10A-10D shows data from two patients (FIG. 10A and FIG. IOC: Patient 15; FIG. 10B and FIG. 10D: Patient 16) treated with AMV564 (15 pg once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21 -day cycle in combination pembrolizumab (administered intravenously at 200 mg Q3W). This data shows evidence of a substantial increase in CD8 effector cell fraction in cycles 1 - 2 and a substantial increase in CD8/Treg ratio. The data also show expansion of T-Bet and granzyme B positive CD8 cells. These effects were not apparent in 5 pg AMV564 combination cohort in this study.

FIGs. 11 A-l IB shows CD8 T cell proliferation data from two patients (FIG. 11 A: Patient 15; FIG. 1 IB: Patient 16) treated with AMV564 (15 pg once a day by subcutaneous injection on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 21-day cycle in combination pembrolizumab (administered intravenously at 200 mg Q3W). This data shows evidence of significant increase in CD8 proliferation (assessed by CD8 Ki67) and activation (assessed by CD 8 CD38). The substantial and rapid increases in 2 of 3 patients dosed in combination, from a poor baseline level, suggests potential combination benefit of AMV564 and pembrolizumab.

Example 11: AMV564 Selectively Targets M-MDSC and G-MDSC for Depletion and Activates T cells in Patients with Solid Tumors

M-MDSC and G-MDSC were measured in solid tumor patients treated with 15 or 50 pg of subcutaneously administered AMV564. As can be seen in FIGs. 12A-12B, treatment was associated with a decline in both MDSC sub-types. This is significant because elevated M- MDSC often correlate with lower levels of peripheral T cells.

Treatment of solid tumor patients with AMV564 (alone or in combination with pembrolizumab) resulted in increased granzyme B and TBX21 (T-bet) co-expression on CD8+ T cells (FIG. 13 A). In addition, the frequency of granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells increased significantly between the first and second cycles in patients on therapy (FIG. 13B)

Example 12: AMV564 Induces a Regulated Immune response

Solid tumor patients treated with 15 or 50 pg AMV564 alone or in combination with Pembrolizumab (n=l 1 monotherapy, n=4 combination) exhibited a favorable, approximately 1 : 1 ratio in IFNy to IL-6 (FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B). In many cases, treatment with other T cell engagers results in a ratio between 0.1 and 0.01.

The level of IL-6, IL-Ib, IL-10 and TNFa, all of which are myeloid-derived cytokines, remained low in solid tumor patients treated with AMV564 (FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and data not shown). In contrast, the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which promote Thl polarization, macrophage activation and T cell trafficking to tumors were elevated in these patients (FIG. 15 A, FIG. 15B and data not shown).

An in vitro cytotoxicity assay using KG-1 cells as the target cell demonstrated that AMV564 is associated with a favorable IFNy to IL-6 ratio across a wide range of AMV564 ratios (FIG. 15C).

Example 13: AMV564 Expands the Peripheral T Cell Repertoire

The T cell repertoire of three patients (cancer of the small intestine, penile squamous cell carcinoma and pancreatic cancer) was assessed via deep sequencing of TCRP CDR3 at different cycles of therapy (Cycle 1, Day 1 as compared to Cycle 2, Day 1). The clones that expanded, restricted or were de novo generated while on treatment were evaluated in order to correlate the effect of treatment on TCR repertoire and disease evolution. As can be seen in FIGs. 16A-16C, significant expansion of the T cell repertoire was apparent after only one cycle of therapy (p = 0.008). About 30 - more than 300 differentially-detected T cell clones were observed per patient, including some that were undetectable or very rare at baseline.

Example 14: T cell Repertoire Expansion in an Ovarian Cancer Patient was Associated with Increased CD8 Memory Cells.

An ovarian cancer patient that was treated with 15 pg AMV564 and was confirmed RECIST CR, exhibited an increase in CD8 cells (FIG. 17A) and CD8 memory cells (FIG. 17B) over the course of treatment.

Tracking of specific T cell rearrangements across treatment time points showed that several clones expanded and eventually dominated the repertoire for this patient (FIG. 17C).

Two of the eight most expanded T cell clones matched CDR3 sequences consistent with T cells targeting SLC3A2 neoantigen, which is upregulated in some cancers and is often associated with poor prognosis (FIG. 17C).

Incorporation by Reference

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In case of conflict, the present application, including any definitions herein, will control.

Equivalents

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A method for treating a patient suffering from a solid tumor, the method comprising administering an immunotherapy and AMV564 to the patient, wherein AMV564 is administered before, after or together with the immunotherapy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein AMV564 is administered by subcutaneous injection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the AMV564 is administered within 4 - 6 weeks after the administration of the immunotherapy.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the AMV564 is administered on a least 7 days over a 14 day period.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the AMV6564 is administered on 10 days over a 14 day period.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the AMV6564 is administered on 5 consecutive days on two occasions over a 14 day period.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the AMV6564 is administered on 5 consecutive days, is not administered on the following two days and is administered on the following 5 consecutive days.

8. The method of any of claims 4-7, wherein the AMV564 is administered over a 21 day cycle in which AMV564 is administered on at least 7 days over a 14 day period and is not administered over the subsequent 7 day period.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the 21 day cycle is repeated at least two times.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein AMV564 is administered on at least 10 days over a 14 day period with administration on 5 consecutive days followed by 2 days of no administration followed by administration on 5 consecutive days.

11. The method of any of claims 1-10, wherein the dose of AMV564 administered is 5, 10,

15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 pg on each day when administered.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein AMV564 is administered at 15 mg/day on 5 days during the first week of therapy and then at 50 pg once per week thereafter.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein AMV564 is administered at 5 - 50 pg once per week.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein AMV564 is administered at 15 pg/day on 5 days during the first week of therapy and then at 15 pg once per week thereafter.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein AMV564 is administered at 15 pg/day on 5 days during the first week of therapy and then at between 15 pg and 50 pg once per week thereafter.

16. The method of any of claims 1-15, wherein the immunotherapy is a CR T cell therapy, a CTL therapy, and an antibody therapy.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid tumor is selected from breast pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, urothelial cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, rectal cancer, penile cancer, endometrial cancer, small bowel cancer, cancer of the appendix.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the administration of AMV564 achieves a steady-state exposure of 0.1 - 5 pM AMV564.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the administration of AMV564 achieves a steady-state exposure of 0.5 - 3 pM AMV564.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the administration of AMV564 achieves a steady-state exposure of 1 - 5 pM AMV564.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunotherapy is an anti-PD-Ll antibody or an anti- PD-1 antibody.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the anti -PD- 1 antibody is nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or cemiplimab.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the anti-PD-Ll antibody is atezolizumab, avelumab, or durvalumab.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunotherapy is a CAR T cell therapy and AMV564 is administered 1-5 days, 5-10 days or 5-14 days after administration of the CAR T cell therapy.

25. A method for treating cancer in a patient, the method comprising administering AMV564 to the patient, wherein the cancer does not express CD33.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein AMV564 is administered by subcutaneous injection.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein AMV564 is administered at 15 pg/day on 5 days during the first week of therapy and then at 50 pg once per week thereafter.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein AMV564 is administered at 50 pg once per week.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein AMV564 is administered at 15 pg/day on 5 days during the first week of therapy and then at 15 pg once per week thereafter.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein AMV564 is administered at 15 pg/day on 5 days during the first week of therapy and then at between 15 pg and 50 pg once per week thereafter.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the dose of AMV564 injected is 5 - 50 pg.

32. The method of any one of claims 25-31, wherein the solid tumor is selected from pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, urothelial cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, rectal cancer, penile cancer, endometrial cancer, small bowel cancer, and cancer of the appendix.

33. The method of any one of claims 25-31, wherein the solid tumor is selected from small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (e.g., metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, III NSCLC, metastatic NSCLC expressing PD-L1), melanoma, Merkel cell, microsatellite instability-high cancer (e.g., unresectable or metastatic, microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient); patients who have progressed on checkpoint blockade.

34. The method of any one of claims 1-31, wherein the patient has a cancer selected from melanoma (e.g., patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection); non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (e.g., metastatic non-squamous NSCLC, III NSCLC, metastatic NSCLC expressing PD-L1); head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer (HNSCC); Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL); Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma (PMBCL); urothelial Carcinoma (e.g., locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma expressing PD-L1); Microsatellite Instability-High Cancer (e.g., unresectable or metastatic, microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient; solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment; Gastric Cancer (e.g., recurrent locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma expressing PD-L1); Cervical Cancer; Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC); Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC); and Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC).

35. A method for expanding a T cell, the method comprising culturing the T cell in the presence of AMV564.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the T cell expresses a chimeric antigen receptor.

37. The method of claim 35 or 36, wherein the culturing lasts at least 5 days.

38. A method for expanding an NK cell, the method comprising culturing the NK cell in the presence of AMV564.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the NK cell expresses a chimeric antigen receptor.

40. The method of claim 38 or 39, wherein the culturing lasts at least 5 days.

41. A method for expanding a cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL), the method comprising culturing the CTL in the presence of AMV564.