US20140154255A1 - Anti-vegf antibodies and their uses - Google Patents

Anti-vegf antibodies and their uses Download PDF

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US20140154255A1
US20140154255A1 US14/090,361 US201314090361A US2014154255A1 US 20140154255 A1 US20140154255 A1 US 20140154255A1 US 201314090361 A US201314090361 A US 201314090361A US 2014154255 A1 US2014154255 A1 US 2014154255A1
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Yoshiko Akamatsu
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AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc
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Definitions

  • the present invention relates to anti-VEGF antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions comprising anti-VEGF antibodies, and therapeutic uses of such antibodies.
  • Angiogenesis has emerged as attractive therapeutic target due to its implication in a variety of pathological conditions, including tumor growth, proliferative retinopathies, age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and psoriasis (Folkman et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267:10931-10934).
  • the first indication of specific molecular angiogenic factors was based on the observation of the strong neovascular response induced by transplanted tumors. It is now known that angiogenesis is essential for the growth of most primary tumors and their subsequent metastasis.
  • TGF transforming growth factor
  • HGF hepatocyte growth factor
  • IL interleukin
  • VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor
  • VEGFA vascular endothelial growth factor
  • VEGF proteins are important signaling proteins involved in both normal embryonic vasculogenesis (the de novo formation of the embryonic circulatory system) and abnormal angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature) (Ferrara et al., 1996, Nature 380:439-442; Dvorak et al., 1995, Am. J. Pathol. 146:1029-1039).
  • VEGF is associated with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, interocular neovascular syndromes, inflammation and brain edema, and pathology of the female reproductive tract (Ferrara et al., 2003, Nature Medicine 9:669-676).
  • VEGF mRNA is over-expressed in many human tumors, including those of the lung, breast, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, pancreas, and ovary (Berkman et al., 1993, J. Clin. Invest. 91:153-159). Increases in VEGF in the aqueous and vitreous humor of the eyes have been associated with various retinopathies (Aiello et al., 1994, N. Engl. J. Med. 331:1480-1487). Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss in the elderly is due to neovascularization and vascular leakage. The localization of VEGF in the choroidal neovascular membranes in patients affected by AMD has been shown (Lopez et al., 1996, Invest. Ophtalmo. Vis. Sci. 37:855-868).
  • the VEGF gene family includes the prototypical member VEGFA, as well as VEGFB, VEGFC, VEGFD, and placental growth factor (PLGF).
  • the human VEGFA gene is organized as eight exons separated by seven introns. At least six different isoforms of VEGF exist, VEGF 121 , VEGF 145 , VEGF 162 , VEGF 165 , VEGF 165b , VEGF 183 , VEGF 189 , and VEGF 206 , where the subscripts refer to the number of amino acids remaining after signal cleavage.
  • VEGF Native VEGF is a 45 kDa homodimeric heparin-binding glycoprotein (Ferrara et al., 2003, Nature Medicine 9:669-676).
  • VEGF (specifically VEGFA) binds to two related receptor tyrosine kinases, VEGFR-1 (also referred to as Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (also referred to as Flk-1 or kinase domain region (KDR) or CD309). Each receptor has seven extracellular and one transmembrane region.
  • VEGF also binds to the neuropilins NRP1 (also referred to as vascular endothelial cell growth factor 165 receptor (VEGF165R) or CD304) and NRP2 also referred to as vascular endothelial cell growth factor 165 receptor 2 (VEGF165R2)).
  • NRP1 also referred to as vascular endothelial cell growth factor 165 receptor (VEGF165R) or CD304
  • VEGF165R2 also referred to as vascular endothelial cell growth factor 165 receptor 2 (VEGF165R2)
  • VEGF provides an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Indeed, a variety of therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking VEGF or its receptor signaling system are currently being developed for the treatment of neoplastic diseases.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab also referred to as rhuMAb VEGF or Avastin®, is a recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody created and marketed by Genentech (Presta et al., 1997, Cancer Res. 57:4593-4599).
  • bevacizumab In order to construct bevacizumab the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of the murine anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody A.4.6.1 were grafted onto human frameworks and an IgG constant region. Additional mutations outside the CDRs were then introduced into the molecule to improve binding, affording an antibody in which ⁇ 93% of the amino acid sequence is derived from human IgG 1 and ⁇ 7% of the sequence is derived from the murine antibody A.4.6.1. Bevacizumab has a molecular mass of about 149,000 Daltons and is glycosylated.
  • Ranibizumab is an affinity maturated Fab fragment derived from bevacizumab. Ranibizumab has a higher affinity for VEGF and also is smaller in size, allowing it to better penetrate the retina, and thus treat the ocular neovascularization associated with AMD (Lien and Lowman, In: Chemajovsky, 2008, Therapeutic Antibodies. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 181, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 131-150). Ranibizumab was developed and is marketed by Genentech under the trade name Lucentis®.
  • Avastin® Treatment of cancer patients with a regimen that includes Avastin® can result in side effects including hypertension, proteinuria, thromboembolic events, bleeding and cardiac toxicity (Blowers & Hall, 2009, Br. J. Nurs. 18(6):351-6, 358). Also, despite being a humanized antibody, bevacizumab can elicit an immune response when administered to humans. Such an immune response may result in an immune complex-mediated clearance of the antibodies or fragments from the circulation, and make repeated administration unsuitable for therapy, thereby reducing the therapeutic benefit to the patient and limiting the re-administration of the antibody.
  • the present disclosure relates to variants of the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab with reduced immunogenicity and/or improved affinity towards VEGF as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • Bevacizumab has three heavy chain CDRs, referred to herein (in amino- to carboxy-terminal order) as CDR-H1, CDR-H2, and CDR-H3, and three light chain CDRs, referred to herein (in amino- to carboxy-terminal order) as CDR-L1, CDR-L2, and CDR-L3.
  • the sequences of the bevacizumab CDRs are shown in FIGS.
  • ranibizumab A related antibody, ranibizumab, was generated by affinity maturation of bevacizumab.
  • Ranibizumab has identical CDR-L1, CDR-L2, CDR-L3 and CDR-H2 sequences to bevacizumab, but varies in its CDR-H1 and CDR-H3 sequences from those of bevacizumab.
  • the heavy and light chain sequences of ranibizumab are shown in FIG. 1C , and the CDRs are set forth in FIG. 1D .
  • the antibodies of the disclosure generally have at least one amino acid substitution in at least one heavy chain CDR as compared to bevacizumab and ranibizumab.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies include at least one substitution as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab selected from T30K in CDR-H1; T30N in CDR-H1; N31H in CDR-H1; N31L in CDR-H1; N31W in CDR-H1; N31Y in CDR-H1; H97F in CDR-H3; S100aQ in CDR-H3; and S100aT in CDR-H3.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies include one or more additional mutations or combinations of mutations selected from one or more of Tables 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12-1 to 12-9, 13-16, and 21-22.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies include at least one substitution as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab selected from N31F in CDR-H1; K64S in CDR-H2; K64Q in CDR-H2; Y53F in CDR-H2; H97E in CDR-H3; H97D in CDR-H3; H97P in CDR-H3; Y98F in CDR-H3; Y99E in CDR-H3; Y99D in CDR-H3; S100aG in CDR-H3, and T51A in CDR-L2.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies include at least one substitution selected from Tables 8 and 9.
  • Additional mutations that can be incorporated into the improved affinity variant antibodies can be candidate deimmunizing substitutions, such as those described in Table 6, as well as other mutations, e.g., substitutions, that do not destroy the ability of the antibodies to bind to VEGF, including but not limited to the mutations described in Tables 10 and 11, or known mutations, such as the mutations described in Tables 12-1 to 12-9 and 13.
  • Yet further mutations that can be incorporated include but are not limited to the mutations described in Tables 14-16 and 21-22.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure include a combination of substitutions selected from Table 7, and optionally one or more additional mutations, e.g., candidate deimmunizing substitutions, such as those described in Table 6, as well as other mutations, e.g., substitutions, that do not destroy the ability of the antibodies to bind to VEGF, including but not limited to the mutations described in Tables 10 and 11, or known mutations, such as the mutations described in Tables 12-1 to 12-9 and 13.
  • additional mutations e.g., candidate deimmunizing substitutions, such as those described in Table 6, as well as other mutations, e.g., substitutions, that do not destroy the ability of the antibodies to bind to VEGF, including but not limited to the mutations described in Tables 10 and 11, or known mutations, such as the mutations described in Tables 12-1 to 12-9 and 13.
  • Yet further mutations that can be incorporated into the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure include but are not limited to the mutations described in Tables 14-16 and 21-22
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure include one or more of the following CDR substitutions: K64S (CDR-H2), K64Q (CDR-H2), Y53F and K64Q (CDR-H2), H97E and Y98F (CDR-H3), or T51A (CDR-L2).
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies can also optionally include one or more additional mutations or combinations of mutations selected from one or more of Tables 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12-1 to 12-9, or 13-16 and 21-22.
  • CDR substitutions can include N31F (CDR-H1), H97E (CDR-H3), H97D (CDR-H3), H97P (CDR-H3), Y99E (CDR-H3), Y99D (CDR-H3), S100aG (CDR-H3) wherein position 3 in CDR-H3 optionally is not tyrosine, T28P, N31F, N31G and N31M (CDR-H1), H97A, H97Q, H97S, H97T, S100aD, S100aE, and S100Av (CDR-H3), T30W, T30R or T30Q (CDR-H1), Y53F, T58F, A61G, A61K, A61R, A61H, A61Y, K64G, K64E, R65L, R65T, R65A, R65E, and R65D (CDR-H2), and Y98F and Y100eF (CDR
  • substitutions can include heavy chain CDR substitutions including a combination of substitutions selected from: (a) N31F in CDR-H1, H97D in CDR-H3, Y99D in CDR-H3, and S100aG in CDR-H3; (b) N31F in CDR-H1, H97P in CDR-H3, Y99D in CDR-H3, and S100aG in CDR-H3; (c) N31F in CDR-H1, H97P in CDR-H3, and Y99E in CDR-H3; (d) N31F in CDR-H1, H97E in CDR-H3, and Y99E in CDR-H3; (e) N31F in CDR-H1, H97D in CDR-H3, and Y99E in CDR-H3; (f) N31F in CDR-H1, H97E in CDR-H3, Y99D in CDR-H3, and S100aG in CDR-H3; (g) N31F
  • Still further heavy chain substitutions can include at least one substitution selected from A61F in CDR-H2, A61E in CDR-H2, A61D in CDR-H2, D62L in CDR-H2, D62G in CDR-H2, D62Q in CDR-H2, D62T in CDR-H2, D62K in CDR-H2, D62R in CDR-H2, D62E in CDR-H2, D62H in CDR-H2, K64S in CDR-H2, K64V in CDR-H2, K64Q in CDR-H2, R65V in CDR-H2, R65F in CDR-H2, R65H in CDR-H2, R65N in CDR-H2, R65S in CDR-H2, R65Q in CDR-H2, R65K in CDR-H2, R65I in CDR-H2, and Y98H in CDR-H3.
  • one or more additional mutations or combinations of mutations can be included as selected from one or more of Tables 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • the antibodies of the disclosure have VH and VL sequences having at least 80% sequence identity (and in certain embodiments, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity) to the VH and VL sequences of bevacizumab or ranibizumab, and include at least one amino acid substitution in at least one CDR as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the antibodies of the disclosure have VH and VL sequences having at least 80% sequence identity (and in certain embodiments, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity) to the VH and VL sequences of bevacizumab or ranibizumab, and include at least one amino acid substitution in at least one framework region as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the percentage sequence identity for the heavy chain and the light chain compared to the VH and VL sequences of bevacizumab or ranibizumab is independently selected from at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% sequence identity, or at least 99% sequence identity.
  • the antibodies of the disclosure have VH and/or VL sequences having at least 95%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity to the VH and/or VL sequences of bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the antibodies of the disclosure have up to 17 amino acid substitutions in their CDRs as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • Variant antibodies with 17 amino acid substitutions that maintain their target binding capability have been generated by Bostrom et al., 2009, Science 323:1610-14.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure has, independently:
  • any individual mutation does not decrease affinity by greater than twofold and preferably maintains or improves affinity as compared to the corresponding amino acid of bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody is a dual-variable-domain (“DVD”) immunoglobulin (“DVD-Ig”), comprising a VEGF binding portion and a second target binding portion (which can be VEGF or a different target).
  • DVD-Ig has affinity for VEGF and DLL4.
  • One exemplary anti-VEGF DVD-Ig into which the amino acid substitutions disclosed herein can be introduced is an immunoglobulin having a heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 413 and a light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 414.
  • Another exemplary anti-VEGF DVD-Ig into which the amino acid substitutions disclosed herein can be introduced is an immunoglobulin having a heavy chain of SEQ ID NO: 415 and a light chain of SEQ ID NO: 416.
  • the present disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising modified anti-VEGF antibodies.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions have increased affinity to VEGF and/or reduced immunogenicity as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • Nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure are provided herein, as are vectors comprising the nucleic acids. Additionally, prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells transformed with a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an anti-VEGF antibody are provided herein, as well as eukaryotic (such as mammalian) host cells engineered to express the nucleotide sequences. Methods of producing anti-VEGF antibodies by culturing host cells are also provided.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure are useful in the treatment of cancers (e.g., colon carcinoma, rectal carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer), retinal diseases (e.g., age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”)), and immune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
  • cancers e.g., colon carcinoma, rectal carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer
  • retinal diseases e.g., age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”)
  • AMD age-related macular degeneration
  • immune disorders e.g., rheumatoid arthritis
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be used in reduced dosages as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab, e.g., at least 10%, 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% lower dosages.
  • Table 1 shows the numbering of the amino acids in the heavy chain CDRs of bevacizumab.
  • CDRs 1-3 are disclosed as SEQ ID NOS:3-5, respectively.
  • Table 2 shows the numbering of the amino acids in the light chain CDRs of bevacizumab.
  • CDRs 1-3 are disclosed as SEQ ID NOS:6-8, respectively.
  • Table 3 shows bevacizumab VL peptides that were tested for immunogenicity.
  • Table 4 shows bevacizumab VH peptides that were tested for immunogenicity.
  • Table 5 shows identified CD4 + T cell epitope regions in bevacizumab. CDR regions are underlined.
  • Table 6 shows candidate mutations in CDR-H2 and CDR-H3 for lowering immunogenicity of bevacizumab.
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 6 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab heavy chain.
  • Table 7 shows heavy chain CDR amino acid substitutions in bevacizumab resulting improved K D as analyzed by surface plasmon resonance.
  • ⁇ k on refers to fold improvement in k on (mutant/WT).
  • ⁇ k off refers to fold improvement in k off (WT/mutant).
  • ⁇ K D refers to the improvement in the K D in the mutant relative to wild type.
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 7 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab heavy chain.
  • Table 8 shows mutations in the bevacizumab heavy chain CDRs that preliminary binding studies indicate increase the affinity towards VEGF (data not shown).
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 8 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab heavy chain.
  • Table 9 shows mutations in the bevacizumab heavy chain CDRs that preliminary studies indicate increase the affinity towards VEGF (data not shown).
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 9 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab heavy chain.
  • Table 10 shows mutations in the bevacizumab heavy chain CDRs that do not impact binding and can be incorporated into the antibodies of the disclosure.
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 10 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab heavy chain.
  • Table 11 shows mutations in the bevacizumab light chain CDRs that do not impact binding and can be incorporated into the antibodies of the disclosure.
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 11 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab light chain.
  • Tables 12-1 to 12-9 show known mutations in bevacizumab heavy chain CDRs that can be incorporated into the antibodies of the disclosure.
  • Each row in Tables 12-1 to 12-9 includes a distinct known variant.
  • the known CDR sequences are shaded.
  • the sequence identifiers for each variant identified in Tables 12-1 to 12-9 are set forth in Tables 20-1 to 20-9, respectively.
  • the CDR-H1 column provides a partial sequence of CDR-H1.
  • the final asparagine of CDR-H1 is not shown. This partial sequence corresponds to SEQ ID NO:411.
  • known mutations in CDR-H1 are shown in the context of this partial sequence, it is noted that the mutations exist in the context of the full length CDR.
  • Table 13 shows known mutations in bevacizumab light chain CDRs that can be incorporated into the antibodies of the disclosure. Each row in Table 13 includes a distinct known variant. For each variant, the known CDR sequences are shaded. The sequence identifiers for each variant identified in Table 13 is set forth in Table 20-10.
  • Table 14 shows bevacizumab CDR2VH peptides that were tested for immunogenicity, wherein residues unchanged from SEQ ID NO:62 are indicated by a blank box. CD4+ T cell assay results are also provided.
  • Table 15 shows bevacizumab CDR3VH peptides that were tested for immunogenicity, wherein residues unchanged from SEQ ID NO:74 are indicated by a blank box. CD4+ T cell assay results are also provided.
  • Table 16 shows bevacizumab CDR2VL peptides that were tested for immunogenicity, wherein residues unchanged from SEQ ID NO:25 are indicated by a blank box. CD4+ T cell assay results are also provided.
  • Table 17 shows selected epitope modifications for the three CD4+ T cell epitopes in bevacizumab.
  • Table 18 shows single variable region mutants and their associated mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) score.
  • Table 19 shows combined variable region mutants and their associated EC 50 .
  • Tables 20-1 to 20-10 show the SEQ ID NOS, where known, corresponding to the CDRs of the bevacizumab variants listed in Tables 12-1 to 12-9 and Table 13, respectively.
  • N/A indicates an unknown CDR sequence.
  • Table 21 shows affinity data for anti-VEGF IgG, SS DLL4-VEGF DVD immunoglobulin, and SL DLL4-VEGF DVD immunoglobulin, each comprising mutant bevacizumab heavy chain CDRs.
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 21 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab heavy chain.
  • Table 22 shows mutations in bevacizumab CDR-H1, CDR-H2 and CDR-H3 resulting in similar or reduced VEGF affinity in a SS DLL4-VEGF DVD-Ig as compared to a SS DLL4-VEGF DVD-Ig without the mutation.
  • the numbering of the amino acids in Table 22 corresponds to Kabat numbering in the bevacizumab heavy chain.
  • Table 23 shows exemplary heavy and light chain anti-VEGF DVD-Ig variable regions (SEQ ID NOs: 413 and 414, respectively) and exemplary anti-VEGF DVD-Ig heavy and light chains (SEQ ID NOs: 415 and 416, respectively) into which the amino acid substitutions disclosed herein can be introduced.
  • CDRs are shown in bold, linker sequences are shown underlined, and constant regions are shown in italics.
  • FIGS. 1A-1D show the amino acid sequences of the bevacizumab heavy and light chain variable regions, SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2, respectively, with CDR regions in bold, underlined text.
  • FIG. 1B shows the CDR sequences and corresponding sequence identifiers of bevacizumab.
  • FIG. 1C shows the amino acid sequences of the ranibizumab heavy and light chains, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10, respectively, with CDR regions in bold, underlined text.
  • FIG. 1D shows the CDR sequences and corresponding sequence identifiers of ranibizumab.
  • FIGS. 2A-2B show bevacizumab VL peptide responses.
  • FIG. 2B shows the average stimulation index for all 99 donors for each peptide plus or minus standard error.
  • FIGS. 3A-3B show bevacizumab VH peptide responses.
  • FIG. 3B shows the average stimulation index for all 99 donors for each peptide plus or minus standard error.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C show CD4+ T cell responses to mutant bevacizumab epitope peptides. Average responses to the unmodified parent epitope sequences are indicated with open marks. Large circles indicate selected changes referred to in Table 17.
  • FIG. 4A is directed to VH CDR2 peptides;
  • FIG. 4B is directed to VH CDR3 peptides; and
  • FIG. 4C is directed to VL CDR2 peptides.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic of an exemplary DLL4-VEGF DVD-Ig in which the anti-DLL4 variable domain is on the outside and the anti-VEGF variable domain is on the inside of the molecule.
  • antibody refers to an immunoglobulin molecule that specifically binds to, or is immunologically reactive with, a particular antigen, and includes polyclonal, monoclonal, genetically engineered and otherwise modified forms of antibodies, including but not limited to chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, heteroconjugate antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies, diabodies, triabodies, and tetrabodies), and antigen binding fragments of antibodies, including e.g., Fab′, F(ab′) 2 , Fab, Fv, rIgG, and scFv fragments.
  • mAb monoclonal antibody
  • mAb monoclonal antibody
  • Fab and F(ab′) 2 fragments lack the Fc fragment of intact antibody, clear more rapidly from the circulation of the animal, and may have less non-specific tissue binding than an intact antibody (Wahl et al., 1983, J. Nucl. Med. 24:316).
  • scFv refers to a single chain Fv antibody in which the variable domains of the heavy chain and the light chain from a traditional antibody have been joined to form one chain.
  • references to “VH” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain of an antibody, including the heavy chain of an Fv, scFv, or Fab.
  • References to “VL” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin light chain, including the light chain of an Fv, scFv, dsFv or Fab.
  • Antibodies (Abs) and immunoglobulins (Igs) are glycoproteins having the same structural characteristics. While antibodies exhibit binding specificity to a specific target, immunoglobulins include both antibodies and other antibody-like molecules which lack target specificity.
  • Native antibodies and immunoglobulins are usually heterotetrameric glycoproteins of about 150,000 Daltons, composed of two identical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains. Each heavy chain has at the amino terminus a variable domain (VH) followed by a number of constant domains. Each light chain has a variable domain at the amino terminus (VL) and a constant domain at the carboxy terminus.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure bind to human VEGF and inhibit VEGF receptor activity in a cell.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure contain complementarity determining regions (CDRs) that are related in sequence to the CDRs of the antibody bevacizumab (also known as Avastin®) and/or ranibizumab (also known as Lucentis®).
  • CDRs complementarity determining regions
  • CDRs are also known as hypervariable regions both in the light chain and the heavy chain variable domains.
  • the more highly conserved portions of variable domains are called the framework (FR).
  • FR framework
  • the amino acid position/boundary delineating a hypervariable region of an antibody can vary, depending on the context and the various definitions known in the art.
  • Some positions within a variable domain may be viewed as hybrid hypervariable positions in that these positions can be deemed to be within a hypervariable region under one set of criteria while being deemed to be outside a hypervariable region under a different set of criteria.
  • One or more of these positions can also be found in extended hypervariable regions.
  • the disclosure provides antibodies comprising modifications in these hybrid hypervariable positions.
  • variable domains of native heavy and light chains each comprise four FR regions, largely by adopting a ⁇ -sheet configuration, connected by three CDRs, which form loops connecting, and in some cases forming part of, the ⁇ -sheet structure.
  • the CDRs in each chain are held together in close proximity by the FR regions in the order FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4 and, with the CDRs from the other chain, contribute to the formation of the target binding site of antibodies (see Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest (National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Md. 1987).
  • numbering of immunoglobulin amino acid residues is done according to the immunoglobulin amino acid residue numbering system of Kabat et al., unless otherwise indicated.
  • sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions of bevacizumab are represented by SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2, respectively.
  • the sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions are also depicted in FIG. 1A .
  • the sequences of the CDRs of bevacizumab, and their corresponding identifiers, are presented in FIG. 1B . Any nucleotide sequences encoding SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2 can be used in the compositions and methods of the present disclosure.
  • sequences of the heavy and light chains of ranibizumab are represented by SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10, respectively.
  • the sequences of the heavy and light chains are also depicted in FIG. 1C .
  • the sequences of the CDRs of ranibizumab, and their corresponding identifiers, are presented in FIG. 1D . Any nucleotide sequences encoding SEQ ID NO:9 or SEQ ID NO:10 can be used in the compositions and methods of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure further provides anti-VEGF antibody fragments comprising CDR sequences that are related to the CDR sequences of bevacizumab and ranibizumab.
  • antibody fragment refers to a portion of a full-length antibody, generally the target binding or variable region. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2 and Fv fragments.
  • An “Fv” fragment is the minimum antibody fragment which contains a complete target recognition and binding site. This region consists of a dimer of one heavy and one light chain variable domain in a tight, non-covalent association (VH-VL dimer). It is in this configuration that the three CDRs of each variable domain interact to define a target binding site on the surface of the VH-VL dimer.
  • Single-chain Fv or “scFv” antibody fragments comprise the VH and VL domains of an antibody in a single polypeptide chain.
  • the Fv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the VH and VL domain which enables the scFv to form the desired structure for target binding.
  • Single domain antibodies are composed of a single VH or VL domains which exhibit sufficient affinity to the target.
  • the single domain antibody is a camelid antibody (see, e.g., Riechmann, 1999, Journal of Immunological Methods 231:25-38).
  • the Fab fragment contains the constant domain of the light chain and the first constant domain (CHO of the heavy chain.
  • Fab′ fragments differ from Fab fragments by the addition of a few residues at the carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain CH 1 domain including one or more cysteines from the antibody hinge region.
  • F(ab′) fragments are produced by cleavage of the disulfide bond at the hinge cysteines of the F(ab′) 2 pepsin digestion product. Additional chemical couplings of antibody fragments are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure are monoclonal antibodies.
  • the term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein is not limited to antibodies produced through hybridoma technology.
  • the term “monoclonal antibody” refers to an antibody that is derived from a single clone, including any eukaryotic, prokaryotic, or phage clone, and not the method by which it is produced.
  • Monoclonal antibodies useful in connection with the present disclosure can be prepared using a wide variety of techniques known in the art including the use of hybridoma, recombinant, and phage display technologies, or a combination thereof.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure include chimeric, primatized, humanized, or human antibodies.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be chimeric antibodies.
  • the term “chimeric” antibody as used herein refers to an antibody having variable sequences derived from a non-human immunoglobulin, such as rat or mouse antibody, and human immunoglobulin constant regions, typically chosen from a human immunoglobulin template. Methods for producing chimeric antibodies are known in the art. See, e.g., Morrison, 1985, Science 229(4719):1202-7; Oi et al., 1986, BioTechniques 4:214-221; Gillies et al., 1985, J. Immunol. Methods 125:191-202; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,807,715; 4,816,567; and 4,816397, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be humanized.
  • “Humanized” forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2 or other target-binding subdomains of antibodies) which contain minimal sequences derived from non-human immunoglobulin.
  • 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 FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence.
  • the humanized antibody can also comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence.
  • Fc immunoglobulin constant region
  • Methods of antibody humanization are known in the art. See, e.g., Riechmann et al., 1988, Nature 332:323-7; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,101; 5,585,089; 5,693,761; 5,693,762; and 6,180,370 to Queen et al.; EP239400; PCT publication WO 91/09967; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539; EP592106; EP519596; Padlan, 1991, Mol.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be human antibodies. Completely “human” anti-VEGF antibodies can be desirable for therapeutic treatment of human patients.
  • “human antibodies” include antibodies having the amino acid sequence of a human immunoglobulin and include antibodies isolated from human immunoglobulin libraries or from animals transgenic for one or more human immunoglobulin and that do not express endogenous immunoglobulins. Human antibodies can be made by a variety of methods known in the art including phage display methods using antibody libraries derived from human immunoglobulin sequences. See U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • Completely human antibodies that recognize a selected epitope can be generated using a technique referred to as “guided selection.”
  • a selected non-human monoclonal antibody e.g., a mouse antibody
  • is used to guide the selection of a completely human antibody recognizing the same epitope Jespers et al., 1988, Biotechnology 12:899-903.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be primatized.
  • the term “primatized antibody” refers to an antibody comprising monkey variable regions and human constant regions. Methods for producing primatized antibodies are known in the art. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,658,570; 5,681,722; and 5,693,780, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be bispecific antibodies.
  • Bispecific antibodies are monoclonal, often human or humanized, antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different antigens.
  • one of the binding specificities can be directed towards VEGF, the other can be for any other antigen, e.g., for a cell-surface protein, receptor, receptor subunit, tissue-specific antigen, virally derived protein, virally encoded envelope protein, bacterially derived protein, or bacterial surface protein, etc.
  • an antibody of the disclosure is a bispecific antibody with binding specificites for both VEGF and CD3.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be dual variable domain (“DVD”) immunoglobulins (“DVD-Ig”) (see, Gu & Ghayur, 2012, Methods in Enzymology 502:25-41, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).
  • DVD-Ig combines the target-binding variable domains of two monoclonal antibodies via linkers to create a tetravalent, dual-targeting single agent.
  • Suitable linkers for use in the light chains of the DVDs of the present disclosure include those identified on Table 2.1 on page 30 of Gu & Ghayur, 2012, Methods in Enzymology 502:25-41, incorporated by reference herein: the short ⁇ chain linkers ADAAP (SEQ ID NO: 417) (murine) and TVAAP (SEQ ID NO: 418) (human); the long ⁇ chain linkers ADAAPTVSIFP (SEQ ID NO: 419) (murine) and TVAAPSVFIFPP (SEQ ID NO: 420) (human); the short ⁇ chain linker QPKAAP (SEQ ID NO: 421) (human); the long ⁇ chain linker QPKAAPSVTLFPP (SEQ ID NO: 422) (human); the GS-short linker GGSGG (SEQ ID NO: 423), the GS-medium linker GGSGGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 424), and the GS-long linker GGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 425) (all
  • Suitable linkers for use in the heavy chains of the DVDs of the present disclosure include those identified on Table 2.1 on page 30 of Gu & Ghayur, 2012, Methods in Enzymology 502:25-41, incorporated by reference herein: the short linkers AKTTAP (SEQ ID NO: 426) (murine) and ASTKGP (SEQ ID NO: 427) (human); the long linkers AKTTAPSVYPLAP (SEQ ID NO: 428) (murine) and ASTKGPSVFPLAP (SEQ ID NO: 429) (human); the GS-short linker GGGGSG (SEQ ID NO: 430), the GS-medium linker GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 431), and the GS-long linker GGGGSGGGGSGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 432) (all GS linkers are murine and human).
  • Preferably human linkers are used for human or humanized DVD-Igs.
  • the DVD-Ig is directed towards VEGF and a second target.
  • the second target is DLL4.
  • the anti-VEGF component includes CDRs with one or more substitutions disclosed herein as compared to the CDRs of bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • Anti-DLL4 antibodies and antibody fragments useful in designing a DVD-Ig of the disclosure are described in Chen et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0217237, published Sep. 8, 2011 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).
  • the second target is EGFR, HER2, ErbB3, or any other target described in Tariq et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0044980, published Feb. 24, 2011 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).
  • Target binding domains of DVD immunoglobulins are typically arranged in tandem, with one variable domain stacked on top of another to form inner and outer Fv domains.
  • the VEGF targeting variable domains can be arranged as inner or outer Fv domains of a DVD-Ig.
  • the DVD-Ig has VEGF targeting variable domains arranged as inner Fv domains and DLL4 targeting variable domains arranged as outer Fv domains.
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a DVD-Ig of the disclosure having VEGF targeting inner Fv domains and DLL4 targeting outer Fv domains.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure include derivatized antibodies.
  • derivatized antibodies are typically modified by glycosylation, acetylation, pegylation, phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization by known protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, linkage to a cellular ligand or other protein (see Section 5.6 for a discussion of antibody conjugates), etc. Any of numerous chemical modifications can be carried out by known techniques, including, but not limited to, specific chemical cleavage, acetylation, formylation, metabolic synthesis of tunicamycin, etc. Additionally, the derivative can contain one or more non-natural amino acids, e.g., using ambrx technology (see, e.g., Wolfson, 2006, Chem. Biol. 13(10):1011-2).
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof can be antibodies or antibody fragments whose sequence has been modified to alter at least one constant region-mediated biological effector function relative to the corresponding wild type sequence.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure can be modified to reduce at least one constant region-mediated biological effector function relative to an unmodified antibody, e.g., reduced binding to the Fc receptor (Fc ⁇ R).
  • Fc ⁇ R binding can be reduced by mutating the immunoglobulin constant region segment of the antibody at particular regions necessary for Fc ⁇ R interactions (see e.g., Canfield and Morrison, 1991, J. Exp. Med. 173:1483-1491; and Lund et al., 1991, J. Immunol. 147:2657-2662).
  • Reduction in Fc ⁇ R binding ability of the antibody can also reduce other effector functions which rely on Fc ⁇ R interactions, such as opsonization, phagocytosis and antigen-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (“ADCC”).
  • ADCC antigen-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure can be modified to acquire or improve at least one constant region-mediated biological effector function relative to an unmodified antibody, e.g., to enhance Fc ⁇ R interactions (see, e.g., US 2006/0134709).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure can have a constant region that binds Fc ⁇ RIIA, Fc ⁇ RIIB and/or Fc ⁇ RIIIA with greater affinity than the corresponding wild type constant region.
  • antibodies of the disclosure can have alterations in biological activity that result in increased or decreased opsonization, phagocytosis, or ADCC. Such alterations are known in the art. For example, modifications in antibodies that reduce ADCC activity are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,597.
  • An exemplary ADCC lowering variant corresponds to “mutant 3” shown in FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,597, in which residue 236 is deleted and residues 234, 235 and 237 (using EU numbering) are substituted with alanines.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure have low levels of or lack fucose.
  • Antibodies lacking fucose have been correlated with enhanced ADCC (activity, especially at low doses of antibody. See Shields et al., 2002, J. Biol. Chem. 277:26733-26740; Shinkawa et al., 2003, J. Biol. Chem. 278:3466-73.
  • Methods of preparing fucose-less antibodies include growth in rat myeloma YB2/0 cells (ATCC CRL 1662).
  • YB2/0 cells express low levels of FUT8 mRNA, which encodes ⁇ -1,6-fucosyltransferase, an enzyme necessary for fucosylation of polypeptides.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof can be antibodies or antibody fragments that have been modified to increase or reduce their binding affinities to the fetal Fc receptor, FcRn, for example by mutating the immunoglobulin constant region segment at particular regions involved in FcRn interactions (see, e.g., WO 2005/123780).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the IgG class is mutated such that at least one of amino acid residues 250, 314, and 428 of the heavy chain constant region is substituted alone, or in any combinations thereof, such as at positions 250 and 428, or at positions 250 and 314, or at positions 314 and 428, or at positions 250, 314, and 428, with positions 250 and 428 a specific combination.
  • the substituting amino acid residue can be any amino acid residue other than threonine, including, but not limited to, alanine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, leucine, methionine, asparagine, proline, glutamine, arginine, serine, valine, tryptophan, or tyrosine.
  • the substituting amino acid residue can be any amino acid residue other than leucine, including, but not limited to, alanine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, asparagine, proline, glutamine, arginine, serine, threonine, valine, tryptophan, or tyrosine.
  • the substituting amino acid residues can be any amino acid residue other than methionine, including, but not limited to, alanine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, leucine, asparagine, proline, glutamine, arginine, serine, threonine, valine, tryptophan, or tyrosine.
  • Specific combinations of suitable amino acid substitutions are identified in Table 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,217,797, which table is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such mutations increase the antibody's binding to FcRn, which protects the antibody from degradation and increases its half-life.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody has one or more amino acids inserted into one or more of its hypervariable regions, for example as described in Jung and Plückthun, 1997, Protein Engineering 10(9):959-966; Yazaki et al., 2004, Protein Eng Des. Sel. 17(5):481-9. Epub 2004 Aug. 17; and US 2007/0280931.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof can be antibodies or antibody fragments that have been modified for increased expression in heterologous hosts. In certain embodiments, the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof can be antibodies or antibody fragments that have been modified for increased expression in and/or secretion from heterologous host cells. In some embodiments, the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof are modified for increased expression in bacteria, such as E. coli . In other embodiments, the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof are modified for increased expression in yeast (Kieke et al., 1999, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 96:5651-5656). In still other embodiments, the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof are modified for increased expression in insect cells. In additional embodiments, the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof are modified for increased expression in mammalian cells, such as CHO cells.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments thereof can be antibodies or antibody fragments that have been modified to increase stability of the antibodies during production.
  • the antibodies or fragments thereof can be modified to replace one or more amino acids such as asparagine or glutamine that are susceptible to nonenzymatic deamidation with amino acids that do not undergo deamidation (Huang et al., 2005, Anal. Chem. 77:1432-1439).
  • the antibodies or fragments thereof can be modified to replace one or more amino acids that is susceptible to oxidation, such as methionine, cysteine or tryptophan, with an amino acid that does not readily undergo oxidation.
  • the antibodies or fragments thereof can be modified to replace one or more amino acids that is susceptible to cyclization, such as asparagine or glutamic acid, with an amino acid that does not readily undergo cyclization.
  • the present disclosure encompasses nucleic acid molecules and host cells encoding the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure.
  • An anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure can be prepared by recombinant expression of immunoglobulin light and heavy chain genes in a host cell.
  • a host cell is transfected with one or more recombinant expression vectors carrying DNA fragments encoding the immunoglobulin light and heavy chains of the antibody such that the light and heavy chains are expressed in the host cell and, optionally, secreted into the medium in which the host cells are cultured, from which medium the antibodies can be recovered.
  • Standard recombinant DNA methodologies are used to obtain antibody heavy and light chain genes, incorporate these genes into recombinant expression vectors and introduce the vectors into host cells, such as those described in Molecular Cloning; A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition (Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis (eds), Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel, F. M. et al., eds., Greene Publishing Associates, 1989) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies are similar to bevacizumab or ranibizumab but for changes in one or more CDRs. In another embodiment, the anti-VEGF antibodies are similar to bevacizumab or ranibizumab but for changes in one or more framework regions. In yet another embodiment, the anti-VEGF antibodies are similar to bevacizumab or ranibizumab but for changes in one or more CDRs and in one or more framework regions. Such antibodies are referred to herein collectively as having “bevacizumab-related” or “ranibizumab-related” sequences and are sometimes referenced simply as anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure.
  • DNA fragments encoding the light and heavy chain variable regions are first obtained. These DNAs can be obtained by amplification and modification of germline DNA or cDNA encoding light and heavy chain variable sequences, for example using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • Germline DNA sequences for human heavy and light chain variable region genes are known in the art (see, e.g., the “VBASE” human germline sequence database; see also Kabat, E. A. et al., 1991, Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242; Tomlinson et al., 1992, J. Mol. Biol.
  • a DNA fragment encoding the heavy or light chain variable region of bevacizumab or ranibizumab can be synthesized and used as a template for mutagenesis to generate a variant as described herein using routine mutagenesis techniques; alternatively, a DNA fragment encoding the variant can be directly synthesized.
  • DNA fragments encoding anti-VEGF VH and VL segments are obtained, these DNA fragments can be further manipulated by standard recombinant DNA techniques, for example to convert the variable region genes to full-length antibody chain genes, to Fab fragment genes or to a scFv gene.
  • a VL- or VH-encoding DNA fragment is operatively linked to another DNA fragment encoding another protein, such as an antibody constant region or a flexible linker.
  • the term “operatively linked,” as used in this context, is intended to mean that the two DNA fragments are joined such that the amino acid sequences encoded by the two DNA fragments remain in-frame.
  • the isolated DNA encoding the VH region can be converted to a full-length heavy chain gene by operatively linking the VH-encoding DNA to another DNA molecule encoding heavy chain constant regions (CH 1 , CH 2 , CH 3 and, optionally, CH 4 ).
  • heavy chain constant regions CH 1 , CH 2 , CH 3 and, optionally, CH 4 .
  • the sequences of human heavy chain constant region genes are known in the art (see, e.g., Kabat, E. A. et al., 1991, Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242) and DNA fragments encompassing these regions can be obtained by standard PCR amplification.
  • the heavy chain constant region can be an IgG 1 , IgG 2 , IgG 3 , IgG 4 , IgA, IgE, IgM or IgD constant region, but in certain embodiments is an IgG 1 or IgG 4 constant region.
  • the VH-encoding DNA can be operatively linked to another DNA molecule encoding only the heavy chain CH 1 constant region.
  • the isolated DNA encoding the VL region can be converted to a full-length light chain gene (as well as a Fab light chain gene) by operatively linking the VL-encoding DNA to another DNA molecule encoding the light chain constant region, CL.
  • the sequences of human light chain constant region genes are known in the art (see, e.g., Kabat, E. A. et al., 1991, Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242)) and DNA fragments encompassing these regions can be obtained by standard PCR amplification.
  • the light chain constant region can be a kappa or lambda constant region, but in certain embodiments is a kappa constant region.
  • the VH- and VL-encoding DNA fragments are operatively linked to another fragment encoding a flexible linker, e.g., encoding the amino acid sequence (Gly 4 ⁇ Ser) 3 (SEQ ID NO: 412), such that the VH and VL sequences can be expressed as a contiguous single-chain protein, with the VL and VH regions joined by the flexible linker (see, e.g., Bird et al., 1988, Science 242:423-426; Huston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; McCafferty et al., 1990, Nature 348:552-554).
  • a flexible linker e.g., encoding the amino acid sequence (Gly 4 ⁇ Ser) 3 (SEQ ID NO: 4
  • DNAs encoding partial or full-length light and heavy chains, obtained as described above, are inserted into expression vectors such that the genes are operatively linked to transcriptional and translational control sequences.
  • operatively linked is intended to mean that an antibody gene is ligated into a vector such that transcriptional and translational control sequences within the vector serve their intended function of regulating the transcription and translation of the antibody gene.
  • the expression vector and expression control sequences are chosen to be compatible with the expression host cell used.
  • the antibody light chain gene and the antibody heavy chain gene can be inserted into separate vectors or, more typically, both genes are inserted into the same expression vector.
  • the antibody genes are inserted into the expression vector by standard methods (e.g., ligation of complementary restriction sites on the antibody gene fragment and vector, or blunt end ligation if no restriction sites are present).
  • the expression vector can already carry antibody constant region sequences.
  • one approach to converting the anti-VEGF VH and VL sequences to full-length antibody genes is to insert them into expression vectors already encoding heavy chain constant and light chain constant regions, respectively, such that the VH segment is operatively linked to the CH segment(s) within the vector and the VL segment is operatively linked to the CL segment within the vector.
  • the recombinant expression vector can encode a signal peptide that facilitates secretion of the antibody chain from a host cell.
  • the antibody chain gene can be cloned into the vector such that the signal peptide is linked in-frame to the amino terminus of the antibody chain gene.
  • the signal peptide can be an immunoglobulin signal peptide or a heterologous signal peptide (i.e., a signal peptide from a non-immunoglobulin protein).
  • the recombinant expression vectors of the disclosure carry regulatory sequences that control the expression of the antibody chain genes in a host cell.
  • the term “regulatory sequence” is intended to include promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals) that control the transcription or translation of the antibody chain genes.
  • Such regulatory sequences are described, for example, in Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185 (Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., 1990). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector, including the selection of regulatory sequences may depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired, etc.
  • Suitable regulatory sequences for mammalian host cell expression include viral elements that direct high levels of protein expression in mammalian cells, such as promoters and/or enhancers derived from cytomegalovirus (CMV) (such as the CMV promoter/enhancer), Simian Virus 40 (SV40) (such as the SV40 promoter/enhancer), adenovirus, (e.g., the adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP)) and polyoma.
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • SV40 Simian Virus 40
  • AdMLP adenovirus major late promoter
  • the recombinant expression vectors of the disclosure can carry additional sequences, such as sequences that regulate replication of the vector in host cells (e.g., origins of replication) and selectable marker genes.
  • the selectable marker gene facilitates selection of host cells into which the vector has been introduced (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,399,216, 4,634,665 and 5,179,017, all by Axel et al.).
  • the selectable marker gene confers resistance to drugs, such as G418, puromycin, blasticidin, hygromycin or methotrexate, on a host cell into which the vector has been introduced.
  • Suitable selectable marker genes include the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene (for use in DHFR ⁇ host cells with methotrexate selection/amplification) and the neo gene (for G418 selection).
  • DHFR dihydrofolate reductase
  • neo gene for G418 selection.
  • the expression vector(s) encoding the heavy and light chains is transfected into a host cell by standard techniques.
  • the various forms of the term “transfection” are intended to encompass a wide variety of techniques commonly used for the introduction of exogenous DNA into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell, e.g., electroporation, lipofection, calcium-phosphate precipitation, DEAE-dextran transfection and the like.
  • eukaryotic cells e.g., mammalian host cells
  • expression of antibodies is performed in eukaryotic cells, e.g., mammalian host cells, for optimal secretion of a properly folded and immunologically active antibody.
  • eukaryotic cells e.g., mammalian host cells
  • Exemplary mammalian host cells for expressing the recombinant antibodies of the disclosure include Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO cells) (including DHFR-CHO cells, described in Urlaub and Chasin, 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216-4220, used with a DHFR selectable marker, e.g., as described in Kaufman and Sharp, 1982, Mol. Biol.
  • the antibodies are produced by culturing the host cells for a period of time sufficient to allow for expression of the antibody in the host cells or secretion of the antibody into the culture medium in which the host cells are grown. Antibodies can be recovered from the culture medium using standard protein purification methods. Host cells can also be used to produce portions of intact antibodies, such as Fab fragments or scFv molecules. It is understood that variations on the above procedure are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it can be desirable to transfect a host cell with DNA encoding either the light chain or the heavy chain (but not both) of an anti-VEGF antibody of this disclosure.
  • Recombinant DNA technology can also be used to remove some or all of the DNA encoding either or both of the light and heavy chains that is not necessary for binding to VEGF.
  • the molecules expressed from such truncated DNA molecules are also encompassed by the antibodies of the disclosure.
  • bifunctional antibodies can be produced in which one heavy and one light chain are an antibody of the disclosure and the other heavy and light chain are specific for an antigen other than VEGF by crosslinking an antibody of the disclosure to a second antibody by standard chemical crosslinking methods.
  • Bifunctional antibodies can also be made by expressing a nucleic acid engineered to encode a bifunctional antibody.
  • dual specific antibodies i.e., antibodies that bind VEGF and an unrelated antigen using the same binding site
  • dual specific antibodies can be produced by mutating amino acid residues in the light chain and/or heavy chain CDRs.
  • dual specific antibodies that bind two antigens such as HER2 and VEGF
  • dual functional antibodies can be made by expressing a nucleic acid engineered to encode a dual specific antibody.
  • the host cell can be co-transfected with two expression vectors of the disclosure, the first vector encoding a heavy chain derived polypeptide and the second vector encoding a light chain derived polypeptide.
  • the two vectors each contain a separate selectable marker.
  • a single vector can be used which encodes both heavy and light chain polypeptides.
  • nucleic acid encoding one or more portions of an anti-VEGF antibody is generated, further alterations or mutations can be introduced into the coding sequence, for example to generate nucleic acids encoding antibodies with different CDR sequences, antibodies with reduced affinity to the Fc receptor, or antibodies of different subclasses.
  • anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can also be produced by chemical synthesis (e.g., by the methods described in Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2n d ed., 1984 The Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.). Variant antibodies can also be generated using a cell-free platform (see, e.g., Chu et al., 2001, Biochemia No. 2 (Roche Molecular Biologicals)).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure can be purified by any method known in the art for purification of an immunoglobulin molecule, for example, by chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity, particularly by affinity for VEGF after Protein A or Protein G selection, and sizing column chromatography), centrifugation, differential solubility, or by any other standard technique for the purification of proteins.
  • chromatography e.g., ion exchange, affinity, particularly by affinity for VEGF after Protein A or Protein G selection, and sizing column chromatography
  • centrifugation e.g., centrifugation, differential solubility, or by any other standard technique for the purification of proteins.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the present disclosure or fragments thereof can be fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences described herein or otherwise known in the art to facilitate purification.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody can, if desired, be further purified, e.g., by high performance liquid chromatography (See, e.g., Fisher, Laboratory Techniques In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology (Work and Burdon, eds., Elsevier, 1980), or by gel filtration chromatography on a SuperdexTM 75 column (Pharmacia Biotech AB, Uppsala, Sweden).
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure have certain biological activities, such as competing with bevacizumab or ranibizumab for binding to VEGF or neutralizing VEGF activity.
  • anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure compete with bevacizumab or ranibizumab for binding to VEGF.
  • the ability to compete for binding to VEGF can be tested using a competition assay.
  • VEGF is adhered onto a solid surface, e.g., a microwell plate, by contacting the plate with a solution of VEGF (e.g., at a concentration of 1 ⁇ g/mL in PBS over night at 4° C.). The plate is washed (e.g., 0.1% Tween 20 in PBS) and blocked (e.g., in Superblock, Thermo Scientific, Rockford, Ill.).
  • ELISA buffer e.g., 1% BSA and 0.1% Tween 20 in PBS
  • the plate is washed, 1 ⁇ g/mL HRP-conjugated Streptavidin diluted in ELISA buffer is added to each well and the plates incubated for 1 hour. Plates are washed and bound antibodies were detected by addition of substrate (e.g., TMB, Biofx Laboratories Inc., Owings Mills, Md.). The reaction is terminated by addition of stop buffer (e.g., Bio FX Stop Reagents, Biofx Laboratories Inc., Owings Mills, Md.) and the absorbance is measured at 650 nm using microplate reader (e.g., VERSAmax, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.).
  • substrate e.g., TMB, Biofx Laboratories Inc., Owings Mills, Md.
  • stop buffer e.g., Bio FX Stop Reagents, Biofx Laboratories Inc., Owings Mills, Md.
  • the absorbance is measured at 650 nm using
  • Variations on this competition assay can also be used to test competition between an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure and bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody is used as a reference antibody and bevacizumab or ranibizumab is used as a test antibody.
  • membrane-bound VEGF expressed on the surfaces of cell (for example mammalian cells) in culture can be used.
  • Other formats for competition assays are known in the art and can be employed.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure reduces the binding of labeled bevacizumab or ranibizumab by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, by at least 95%, by at least 99% or by a percentage ranging between any of the foregoing values (e.g., an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure reduces the binding of labeled bevacizumab or ranibizumab by 50% to 70%) when the anti-VEGF antibody is used at a concentration of 0.08 ⁇ g/mL, 0.4 ⁇ g/mL, 2 ⁇ g/mL, 10 ⁇ g/mL, 50 ⁇ g/mL, 100 ⁇ g/mL or at a concentration ranging between any of the foregoing values (e.g., at a concentration ranging from 2 ⁇ g/mL to 10 ⁇ g/mL).
  • bevacizumab or ranibizumab reduces the binding of a labeled anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, or by a percentage ranging between any of the foregoing values (e.g., bevacizumab or ranibizumab reduces the binding of a labeled an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure by 50% to 70%) when bevacizumab or ranibizumab is used at a concentration of 0.4 ⁇ g/mL, 2 ⁇ g/mL, 10 ⁇ g/mL, 50 ⁇ g/mL, 250 ⁇ g/mL or at a concentration ranging between any of the foregoing values (e.g., at a concentration ranging from 2 ⁇ g/mL to 10 mg/mL).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure inhibits (or neutralizes) VEGF activity in a range of in vitro assays, such as cell proliferation or cell migration.
  • the VEGF activity assayed is induction of endothelial cell (“EC”) proliferation (see, e.g., protocol of Qin et al., 2006, J. Biol. Chem. 281:32550-32558).
  • the VEGF activity assayed is induction of EC migration (see, e.g., the in vitro scratch assay protocol described of Liang et al., 2007, Nat. Protoc. 2:329-333).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody is tested for the ability to reverse proliferation and cell migration stimulated by VEGF and delocalization of tight junction proteins induced by VEGF 165 in immortalized bovine retinal endothelial cells (Deissler et al., 2008, British Journal of Ophthalmology 92:839-843).
  • the neutralization of VEGF activity is assayed using a reporter assay (see, e.g., Yohno et al., 2003, Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 26(4):417-20 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,323).
  • VEGF neutralization assays are known in the art and can be employed.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure neutralizes VEGF by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, or by a percentage ranging between any of the foregoing values (e.g., an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure neutralizes VEGF activity by 50% to 70%) when the anti-VEGF antibody is used at a concentration of 2 ng/mL, 5 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, 20 ng/mL, 0.1 ⁇ g/mL, 0.2 ⁇ g/mL, 1 ⁇ g/mL, 2 ⁇ g/mL, 5 ⁇ g/mL, 10 ⁇ g/mL, 20 ⁇ g/mL, or at a concentration ranging between any of the foregoing values (e.g., at a concentration ranging from 1 ⁇ g/mL to 5 ⁇ g/mL).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is at least 0.7-fold as effective, 0.8-fold as effective, at least 0.9-fold as effective, at least 1-fold as effective, at least 1.1-fold as effective, at least 1.25-fold as effective, at least 1.5-fold as effective, at least 2-fold as effective, at least 5-fold as effective, at least 10-fold as effective, at least 20-fold as effective, at least 50-fold as effective, at least 100-fold as effective, at least 200-fold as effective, at least 500-fold as effective, at least 1000-fold as effective as bevacizumab or ranibizumab at neutralizing VEGF, or having an effectiveness at neutralizing VEGF relative to bevacizumab or ranibizumab ranging between any pair of the foregoing values (e.g., 0.9-fold to 5-fold as effective as bevacizumab or ranibizumab or 2-fold to 50-fold as effective as bevacizumab or ranibizumab in neutralizing VEGF).
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure have a high binding affinity for VEGF.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the present disclosure have specific association rate constants (k on or k a values), dissociation rate constants (k off or k d values), affinity constants (K A values), dissociation constants (K D values) and/or IC 50 values.
  • binding constants for the interaction of the anti-VEGF antibodies with VEGF receptor can be determined using surface plasmon resonance, e.g., according to the method disclosed in Karlsson et al., 1991, J. Immunol. Methods 145:229-240. In certain aspects, such values are selected from the following embodiments.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF with a k off rate of 10 ⁇ 3 s ⁇ 1 or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 4 s ⁇ 1 or less, 10 ⁇ 4 s ⁇ 1 or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 5 s ⁇ 1 or less, 10 ⁇ 5 s ⁇ 1 or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 6 s ⁇ 1 or less, 10 ⁇ 6 s ⁇ 1 or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 s ⁇ 1 or less, 10 ⁇ 7 s ⁇ 1 or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 8 s ⁇ 1 or less, 10 ⁇ 8 s ⁇ 1 or less, or with a k off rate of any range between any pair of the foregoing values (e.g., 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 4 to 10 ⁇ 6 s ⁇ 1 , or 10 ⁇ 3 to 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 5 s ⁇ 1 ).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF with a K A (k on /k off ) of at least at least 10 8 M ⁇ 1 , at least 5 ⁇ 10 9 M ⁇ 1 , at least 10 10 M ⁇ 1 , at least 5 ⁇ 10 10 M ⁇ 1 , 10 11 M ⁇ 1 , at least 5 ⁇ 10 11 M ⁇ 1 , at least 10 12 M ⁇ 1 , at least 5 ⁇ 10 12 M ⁇ 1 at least 10 13 M ⁇ 1 , at least 5 ⁇ 10 13 M ⁇ 1 , at least 10 14 M ⁇ 1 , at least 5 ⁇ 10 14 M ⁇ 1 , at least 10 15 M ⁇ 1 or with a K A of any range between any pair of the foregoing values (e.g., from 5 ⁇ 10 9 M ⁇ 1 to 10 11 M ⁇ 1 , or from 10 M ⁇ 1 to 5 ⁇ 10 14 M ⁇ 1 ).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF with a K D (k off /k on ) of 10 ⁇ 8 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 9 M or less, 10 ⁇ 9 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 10 M or less, 10 ⁇ 10 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 11 M or less, 10 ⁇ 11 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 12 M or less, 10 ⁇ 12 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 13 M or less, 10 ⁇ 13 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 14 M or less, 10 ⁇ 14 M or less, 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 15 M or less, 10 ⁇ 15 M or less, or with a K D of any range between any pair of the foregoing values (e.g., 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 9 to 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 12 M, or from 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 11 M to 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 13 M).
  • the K D (k off /k on ) value is determined by assays well known in the art or described herein, e.g., ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), fluorescent polarization assay or any other biosensors such as BIAcore.
  • assays well known in the art or described herein, e.g., ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), fluorescent polarization assay or any other biosensors such as BIAcore.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF and inhibits the binding of VEGF to a VEGF receptor (Flt-1 or Flk-1) at an IC 50 value of less than 5 ⁇ 10 7 nM, less than 10 7 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 6 nM, less than 10 6 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 5 nM, less than 10 5 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 4 nM, less than 10 4 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 3 nM, less than 10 3 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 2 nM, less than 100 nM, less than 90 nM, less than 80 nM, less than 70 nM, less than 65 nM, less than 60 nM, less than 50 nM, less than 40 nM, less than 30 nM, less than 25 nM, less than 20 nM, less than 15 nM, less than 12 nM, less than 10 nM, less than 5
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF and neutralizes the activity VEGF in a bioassay (e.g., EC proliferation or migration) at an IC 50 value of less than 5 ⁇ 10 7 nM, less than 10 7 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 6 nM, less than 10 6 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 5 nM, less than 10 5 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 4 nM, less than 10 4 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 3 nM, less than 10 3 nM, less than 5 ⁇ 10 2 nM, less than 100 nM, less than 90 nM, less than 80 nM, less than 70 nM, less than 65 nM, less than 60 nM, less than 50 nM, less than 40 nM, less than 30 nM, less than 25 nM, less than 20 nM, less than 15 nM, less than 12 nM, less than 10 nM, less than
  • an anti-VEGF antibody binds to VEGF and inhibits the binding of VEGF to Flt-1, Flk-1 or both, or inhibits VEGF activity in a VEGF neutralization assay, at an IC 50 value of between approximately 1 pm and approximately 1 ⁇ M.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody binds to VEGF and inhibits the binding of VEGF to Flt-1, Flk-1 or both, or inhibits VEGF activity in a VEGF neutralization assay, at an IC 50 value of between 10 ⁇ M and 100 nM, between 100 ⁇ M and 10 nM, between 200 ⁇ M and 5 nM, between 300 ⁇ M and 4 nM, between 500 ⁇ M and 3 nM, between 750 ⁇ M and 2 nM, between 1 nM and 20 nM, between 500 ⁇ M and 40 nM, between 50 ⁇ M and 50 nM, between 250 ⁇ M and 100 nM, and between 100 nM and 1 ⁇ M, or with an IC 50 of any range between any pair of the foregoing values (e.g., 10 ⁇ M to 50 nM, or 750 ⁇ M to 2 nM).
  • the IC 50 is measured in the presence of VEGF at a concentration of 0.001 ⁇ M, 0.005 ⁇ M, 0.01 ⁇ M, 0.05 ⁇ M, 0.1 ⁇ M, 0.5 ⁇ M, 1 ⁇ M, 10 ⁇ M, 20 ⁇ M, 30 ⁇ M, 40 ⁇ M, 50 ⁇ M, 60 ⁇ M, 70 ⁇ M, 80 ⁇ M, 90 ⁇ M, 100 ⁇ M, 200 ⁇ M, 300 ⁇ M, 400 ⁇ M, 500 ⁇ M, 600 ⁇ M, 700 ⁇ M, 800 ⁇ M, 900 ⁇ M, 1000 ⁇ M or at a concentration of any range between any pair of the foregoing values (e.g., 0.01 to 50 ⁇ M, or 10 ⁇ M to 100 ⁇ M).
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF with a k on rate ranging from approximately 0.5 ⁇ to 1000 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, for example a k on of 0.5 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k on of 0.75 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k on of 0.9 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k on of 1 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k on of 1.1 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k on of 1.1 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k on of 1.1 ⁇ of the k on of bevacizumab or of ranibizum
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF with a k off rate ranging from 0.001 ⁇ to 3 ⁇ of the k off of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, for example a k off of 0.002 ⁇ of the k off of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k off of 0.005 ⁇ of the k off of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k off of 0.0075 ⁇ of the k off of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k off of 0.01 ⁇ of the k off of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k off of 0.025 ⁇ of the k off of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k off of 0.05 ⁇ of the k off of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a k off of 0.075 ⁇ of the k off of be
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF with a K A (k on /k off ) ranging from 0.25 ⁇ to 1000 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, for example a K A of 0.5 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K A of 0.75 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K A of 1 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K A of 2 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K A of 4 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K A of 10 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K A of 15 ⁇ of the K A of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K A of 20
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF a K D (k off /k on ) ranging from ranging from 0.001 ⁇ to 10 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, for example a K D of 0.001 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K D of 0.005 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K D of 0.01 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K D of 0.05 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K D of 0.075 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K D of 0.1 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, a K D of 0.2 ⁇ of the K D of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure binds to VEGF and inhibits the binding of VEGF to Flt-1, Flk-1 or both, or neutralize the activity of VEGF at an IC 50 value ranging from 0.001 ⁇ to 10 ⁇ of the IC 50 of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, for example an IC 50 of 0.001 ⁇ of the IC 50 of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, an IC 50 of 0.005 ⁇ of the IC 50 of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, an IC 50 of 0.01 ⁇ of the IC 50 of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, an IC 50 of 0.05 ⁇ of the IC 50 of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, an IC 50 of 0.075 ⁇ of the IC 50 of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab, an IC 50 of 0.1 ⁇ of the IC 50 of bevacizumab or of ranibizumab,
  • a single CDR substitution can result in the foregoing differences in IC 50 as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab, whereas an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure can comprise such substitution and up to 16 additional CDR substitutions as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the present disclosure provides anti-VEGF antibodies having reduced immunogenicity as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the present disclosure provides anti-VEGF antibodies having single or multiple amino acid substitutions in their CDRs and/or framework regions as compared to the CDRs of bevacizumab, wherein at least one substitution reduces the immunogenicity of the antibody as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab.
  • the reduced immunogenicity results from one or more amino acid substitutions that result in eliminating or mitigating one or more T cell epitopes.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure having reduced immunogenicity have comparable or improved biological activity as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab, e.g., affinity towards VEGF or neutralization of VEGF activity.
  • Such properties can be tested, for example, by the methods described in Section 6.3 above.
  • the immunogenicity of an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is reduced relative to bevacizumab or ranibizumab antibody.
  • Such antibodies generally have variant sequences relative to the heavy and/or light chain variable region in regions corresponding to SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:62 and/or SEQ ID NO:74.
  • the antibodies will generally have one, two or three amino acid substitutions in one, two or all three sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:62, and SEQ ID NO:74, although up to four or five substitutions in one, two or all three regions are contemplated herein.
  • a variant with “reduced immunogenicity” refers to an anti-VEGF antibody with a variant sequence in a region corresponding to SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:62, and/or SEQ ID NO:74 that elicits a reduced proliferative response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as compared to a peptide of SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:62, or SEQ ID NO:74, respectively.
  • An exemplary proliferation assay that can be used to evaluate the proliferative response is set forth in Section 7 below. The reduced proliferative response can be reflected in terms of the percentage of responders, the stimulation index, or both.
  • the variant sequence results in at least 25% fewer responders, in at least 30% fewer responders, in at least 35% fewer responders, in at least 40% fewer responders, in at least 45% fewer responders, in at least 50% fewer responders, in at least 60% fewer responders, in at least 65% fewer responders, in at least 70% fewer responders, in at least 75% fewer responders, in at least 80% fewer responders, in at least 85% fewer responders, in at least 90% fewer responders, in at least 95% fewer responders, 100% fewer responders, or a reduction in responders in a range between any of the foregoing values, e.g., 25%-75% fewer responders, 50%-90% fewer responders, 60%-100% fewer responders, 70%-90% fewer responders, or the like.
  • the variant sequence results in a stimulation index that is at least 5% less, at least 10% less, at least 15% less, at least 20% less, at least 25% less, at least 30% less, at least 35% less, or at least 40% less than the stimulation index elicited by a peptide of SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:62, or SEQ ID NO:74, respectively, or results in a stimulation index reduced by a range between any of the foregoing values as compared to a peptide of SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:62, or SEQ ID NO:74, e.g., 5%-20% less, 10%-30% less, 25%-35% less, 30%-40% less, or the like.
  • Exemplary embodiments of candidate anti-VEGF antibodies with reduced immunogenicity as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab comprise one or more of the CDR substitutions or combinations of substitutions set forth in Table 6.
  • anti-VEGF antibodies with reduced immunogenicity as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab comprise one or more additional substitutions, such as the CDR mutations in any of Tables 7-13, singly or in combination.
  • candidate anti-VEGF antibodies with reduced immunogenicity as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab comprise one or more of the CDR substitutions or combinations of substitutions set forth in Tables 14-16.
  • Some preferred embodiments of anti-VEGF antibodies with reduced immunogenicity as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab are provided in Table 19.
  • anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure include antibody conjugates that are modified, e.g., by the covalent attachment of any type of molecule to the antibody, such that covalent attachment does not interfere with binding to VEGF.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure can be conjugated to an effector moiety or a label.
  • effector moiety includes, for example, antineoplastic agents, drugs, toxins, biologically active proteins, for example enzymes, other antibody or antibody fragments, synthetic or naturally occurring polymers, nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA), radionuclides, particularly radioiodide, radioisotopes, chelated metals, nanoparticles and reporter groups such as fluorescent compounds or compounds which can be detected by NMR or ESR spectroscopy.
  • anti-VEGF antibodies can be conjugated to an effector moiety, such as a cytotoxic agent, a radionuclide or drug moiety to modify a given biological response.
  • the effector moiety can be a protein or polypeptide, such as, for example and without limitation, a toxin (such as abrin, ricin A, Pseudomonas exotoxin, or Diphtheria toxin), a signaling molecule (such as ⁇ -interferon, ⁇ -interferon, nerve growth factor, platelet derived growth factor or tissue plasminogen activator), a thrombotic agent or an anti-angiogenic agent (e.g., angiostatin or endostatin) or a biological response modifier such as a cytokine or growth factor (e.g., interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granul
  • the effector moieties can be cytotoxins or cytotoxic agents.
  • cytotoxins and cytotoxic agents include taxol, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicin, doxorubicin, daunorabicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, and puromycin and analogs or homologs thereof.
  • Effector moieties also include, but are not limited to, antimetabolites (e.g. methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine), alkylating agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU) and lomustine (CCNU), cyclothosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C5 and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP) cisplatin), anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin) and doxorubicin), antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly actinomycin), bleomycin, mithramycin, anthramycin (AMC), calicheamicins or duocar
  • effector moieties can include radionuclides such as, but not limited to, 111 In and 90 Y, Lu 177 , Bismuth 213 , Californium 252 , Iridium 192 and Tungsten 188 /Rhenium 188 and drugs such as, but not limited to, alkylphosphocholines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, taxoids and suramin.
  • radionuclides such as, but not limited to, 111 In and 90 Y, Lu 177 , Bismuth 213 , Californium 252 , Iridium 192 and Tungsten 188 /Rhenium 188 and drugs such as, but not limited to, alkylphosphocholines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, taxoids and suramin.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody or fragment thereof is fused via a covalent bond (e.g., a peptide bond), through the antibody's N-terminus or C-terminus or internally, to an amino acid sequence of another protein (or portion thereof; for example at least a 10, 20 or 50 amino acid portion of the protein).
  • the antibody, or fragment thereof can linked to the other protein at the N-terminus of the constant domain of the antibody.
  • Recombinant DNA procedures can be used to create such fusions, for example as described in WO 86/01533 and EP0392745.
  • the effector molecule can increase half-life in vivo, and/or enhance the delivery of an antibody across an epithelial barrier to the immune system. Examples of suitable effector molecules of this type include polymers, albumin, albumin binding proteins or albumin binding compounds such as those described in WO 2005/117984.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody is conjugated to a small molecule toxin.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is conjugated to a dolastatin or a dolostatin peptidic analogs or derivatives, e.g., an auristatin (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,635,483 and 5,780,588).
  • the dolastatin or auristatin drug moiety may be attached to the antibody through its N (amino) terminus, C (carboxyl) terminus or internally (WO 02/088172).
  • Exemplary auristatin embodiments include the N-terminus linked monomethylauristatin drug moieties DE and DF, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,298, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety (disclosing, e.g., linkers and methods of preparing monomethylvaline compounds such as MMAE and MMAF conjugated to linkers).
  • small molecule toxins include but are not limited to calicheamicin, maytansine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020), trichothene, and CC1065.
  • the antibody is conjugated to one or more maytansine molecules (e.g., about 1 to about 10 maytansine molecules per antibody molecule).
  • Maytansine may, for example, be converted to May-SS-Me which may be reduced to May-SH3 and reacted with an antibody (Chari et al., 1992, Cancer Research 52: 127-131) to generate a maytansinoid-antibody or maytansinoid-Fc fusion conjugate.
  • Structural analogues of calicheamicin that can also be used include but are not limited to ⁇ 1 1 , ⁇ 3 1 , N-acetyl- ⁇ 1 1 , PSAG, and ⁇ 1 1 , (Hinman et al., 1993, Cancer Research 53:3336-3342; Lode et al., 1998, Cancer Research 58:2925-2928; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,586; U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,374; U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,586; U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,001).
  • Antibodies of the disclosure can also be conjugated to liposomes for targeted delivery (See, e.g., Park et al., 1997, Adv. Pharmacol. 40:399-435; Marty & Schiller, 2004, Methods in Molecular Medicine 109:389-401).
  • antibodies of the present disclosure can be attached to poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) moieties.
  • the antibody is an antibody fragment and the PEG moieties can be attached through any available amino acid side-chain or terminal amino acid functional group located in the antibody fragment, for example any free amino, imino, thiol, hydroxyl or carboxyl group.
  • Such amino acids can occur naturally in the antibody fragment or can be engineered into the fragment using recombinant DNA methods. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,996. Multiple sites can be used to attach two or more PEG molecules.
  • PEG moieties can be covalently linked through a thiol group of at least one cysteine residue located in the antibody fragment. Where a thiol group is used as the point of attachment, appropriately activated effector moieties, for example thiol selective derivatives such as maleimides and cysteine derivatives, can be used.
  • PEG can be attached to a cysteine in the hinge region.
  • a PEG-modified Fab′ fragment has a maleimide group covalently linked to a single thiol group in a modified hinge region.
  • a lysine residue can be covalently linked to the maleimide group and to each of the amine groups on the lysine residue can be attached a methoxypoly(ethyleneglycol) polymer having a molecular weight of approximately 20,000 Da.
  • the total molecular weight of the PEG attached to the Fab′ fragment can therefore be approximately 40,000 Da.
  • label when used herein refers to a detectable compound or composition which can be conjugated directly or indirectly to an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure.
  • the label can itself be detectable (e.g., radioisotope labels or fluorescent labels) or, in the case of an enzymatic label, can catalyze chemical alteration of a substrate compound or composition which is detectable.
  • Useful fluorescent moieties include, but are not limited to, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, 5-dimethylamine-1-napthalenesulfonyl chloride, phycoerythrin and the like.
  • Useful enzymatic labels include, but are not limited to, alkaline phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase and the like.
  • suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin;
  • suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin;
  • an example of a luminescent material includes luminol;
  • examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin; and examples of suitable radioactive material include 125 I, 131 I, 111 In or 99 Tc.
  • the tissue or body fluid is peripheral blood, peripheral blood leukocytes, biopsy tissues such as lung or skin biopsies, and tissue.
  • cancers that are amenable to treatment by the antibodies of the disclosure include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, rectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), renal cell cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, soft-tissue sarcoma, kaposi's sarcoma, carcinoid carcinoma, head and neck cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and multiple myeloma.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure are used to treat colorectal cancer in a human patient.
  • a patient receives anti-VEGF therapy for a prolonged period of time, e.g., 6 months, 1 year or more.
  • the amount of anti-VEGF antibody administered to the patient is in certain embodiments a therapeutically effective amount.
  • a “therapeutically effective” amount of VEGF antibody can be administered as a single dose or over the course of a therapeutic regimen, e.g., over the course of a week, two weeks, three weeks, one month, three months, six months, one year, or longer. Exemplary therapeutic regimens are described in Section 5.11 below.
  • Therapeutic formulations of the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be prepared for storage as lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions by mixing the antibody having the desired degree of purity with optional pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers typically employed in the art (all of which are referred to herein as “carriers”), i.e., buffering agents, stabilizing agents, preservatives, isotonifiers, non-ionic detergents, antioxidants, and other miscellaneous additives. See, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th edition (Osol, ed. 1980). Such additives must be nontoxic to the recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed.
  • Additional miscellaneous excipients include bulking agents (e.g., starch), chelating agents (e.g., EDTA), antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, methionine, vitamin E), and cosolvents.
  • bulking agents e.g., starch
  • chelating agents e.g., EDTA
  • antioxidants e.g., ascorbic acid, methionine, vitamin E
  • cosolvents e.g., ascorbic acid, methionine, vitamin E
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure will be determined by the nature and extent of the condition being treated, the form, route and site of administration, and the age and condition of the particular subject being treated, and that a physician will ultimately determine appropriate dosages to be used. This dosage can be repeated as often as appropriate. If side effects develop the amount and/or frequency of the dosage can be altered or reduced, in accordance with normal clinical practice.
  • the combinatorial methods of the disclosure involve the administration of at least two agents to a patient, the first of which is an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure, and the second of which is a combination therapeutic agent.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody and the combination therapeutic agent can be administered simultaneously, sequentially or separately.
  • the combinatorial therapy methods of the present disclosure can result in a greater than additive effect, providing therapeutic benefits where neither the anti-VEGF antibody or combination therapeutic agent administered in an amount that is alone therapeutically effective.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure and combination therapeutic agent can be administered concurrently for a period of time, followed by a second period of time in which the administration of the anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure and the combination therapeutic agent is alternated.
  • VEGF antibody is co-administered with a growth inhibitory agent.
  • Suitable dosages for the growth inhibitory agent are those presently used and may be lowered due to the combined action (synergy) of the growth inhibitory agent and anti-VEGF antibody.
  • hormone therapy can be used in conjunction with anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure.
  • the hormone therapy includes one or more agents that inhibit estrogen and/or progesterone from promoting cancer cell growth, e.g., a selective estrogen-receptor modulator such as tamoxifen, an aromatase inhibitor such as anastrozole (Arimidex®) or letrozole (Femara), an aromatase inactivator such as exemestane (Aromasin®), or an agent that inhibits estrogen production such as goserelin (Zoladex).
  • the hormone therapy is one or more agents that inhibit production of hormones from the ovaries.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody can be used in conjunction with a small molecule protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor.
  • PTK protein tyrosine kinase
  • the PTK inhibitor is specific for a VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase.
  • the PTK inhibitor binds to more than one of the VEGF receptor family of tyrosine kinases (e.g., VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2).
  • protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors useful in the compositions and methods of the invention include PTK inhibitors that do not bind selectively to the VEGF family of receptor tyrosine kinases, but also bind to the tyrosine kinase domains of other families of proteins such as HER2, HER3, HER4, PDGFR, and/or Raf.
  • the tyrosine kinase is a receptor tyrosine kinase, i.e., is an intra-cellular domain of a larger protein that has an extra-cellular ligand binding domain and is activated by the binding of one or more ligands.
  • the protein tyrosine kinase is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase.
  • PTK inhibitors for use in the methods of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, gefitinib (ZD-1839, Iressa®), erlotinib (OSI-1774, TarcevaTM), canertinib (CI-1033), vandetanib (ZD6474, Zactima®), tyrphostin AG-825 (CAS 149092-50-2), lapatinib (GW-572016), sorafenib (BAY43-9006), AG-494 (CAS 133550-35-3), RG-13022 (CAS 149286-90-8), RG-14620 (CAS 136831-49-7), BIBW 2992 (Tovok), tyrphostin 9 (CAS 136831-49-7), tyrphostin 23 (CAS 118409-57-7), tyrphostin 25 (CAS 118409-58-8), tyrphostin 46 (CAS 122520-85-8), tyrphostin 47 (CAS
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is used in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. This combination is suitable for, inter alia, first- or second-line treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is used in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel. This combination is suitable for, inter alia, first-line treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is used in combination with paclitaxel. This combination is suitable for, inter alia, treatment of patients who have not received chemotherapy for metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer.
  • the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure can be used in combination with E10030, an anti-platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) pegylated aptamer; with ARC1905, a pegylated aptamer targeting the C5 component of the complement cascade; and volociximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the ⁇ 5 ⁇ 1 integrin transmembrane receptor; photodynamic therapy with Visudyne® (PDT); or Macugen®, an aptamer (pegaptanib sodium).
  • PDGF anti-platelet-derived growth factor
  • ARC1905 a pegylated aptamer targeting the C5 component of the complement cascade
  • volociximab a monoclonal antibody targeting the ⁇ 5 ⁇ 1 integrin transmembrane receptor
  • PTT photodynamic therapy with Visudyne®
  • Macugen® an aptamer (pegaptanib sodium).
  • the present disclosure provides therapeutic regimens involving the administration of the anti-VEGF antibodies of the disclosure.
  • the therapeutic regimen will vary depending on the patient's age, weight, and disease condition.
  • the therapeutic regimen can continue for 2 weeks to indefinitely. In specific embodiments, the therapeutic regimen is continued for 2 weeks to 6 months, from 3 months to 5 years, from 6 months to 1 or 2 years, from 8 months to 18 months, or the like.
  • the therapeutic regimen can be a non-variable dose regimen or a multiple-variable dose regimen.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody can be administered as a sterile, preservative-free solution for subcutaneous administration.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is administered intravenously at a dose of 0.5-15 mg/kg every 2 weeks with bolus-IFL (irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin regimen).
  • the dose is 1-4 mg/kg, 2-6 mg/kg, 0.5-3 mg/kg, 1-10 mg/kg, 3-4.8 mg/kg or 1-4.5 mg/kg every two weeks with bolus-IFL.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is administered intravenously at a dose of 1-30 mg/kg every 2 weeks with FOLFOX4 (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil regimen).
  • the dose is 2-9 mg/kg, 3-12 mg/kg, 1-7.5 mg/kg, 2-20 mg/kg, 6-9.75 mg/kg or 4-9.5 mg/kg every two weeks with FOLFOX4.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is administered intravenously at a dose of 2-40 mg/kg every three weeks with carboplatin/paclitaxel.
  • the dose is 5-14 mg/kg, 4-20 mg/kg, 10-17.5 mg/kg, 7-14 mg/kg, 10-30 mg/kg or 3-30 mg/kg every three weeks with carboplatin/paclitaxel.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is administered intravenously at a dose of 0.5-20 mg/kg every two weeks with paclitaxel.
  • the dose is 1-4 mg/kg, 2-6 mg/kg, 0.5-3 mg/kg, 1-10 mg/kg, 3-4.8 mg/kg or 1-4.5 mg/kg every two weeks with paclitaxel.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is administered intravenously at a dose of 0.5-20 mg/kg every two weeks as monotherapy.
  • the dose is 1-4 mg/kg, 2-6 mg/kg, 0.5-3 mg/kg, 1-10 mg/kg, 3-4.8 mg/kg or 1-4.5 mg/kg every two weeks as monotherapy.
  • an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure is administered at a dose of 0.1-1 mg by intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days).
  • the dose is 0.1-0.4 mg, 0.2-0.6 mg, 0.1-0.25 mg, 0.25-0.5 mg, 0.25-0.75 mg, or 0.3-0.45 mg by intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days).
  • a patient treated with an anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure has wet AMD.
  • a patient has dry AMD.
  • kits containing the anti-VEGF antibodies (including antibody conjugates) of the disclosure are pharmaceutical kits containing the anti-VEGF antibodies (including antibody conjugates) of the disclosure.
  • the pharmaceutical kit is a package comprising the anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure (e.g., either in lyophilized form or as an aqueous solution) and one or more of the following:
  • each unit dose of the anti-VEGF antibody is packaged separately, and a kit can contain one or more unit doses (e.g., two unit doses, three unit doses, four unit doses, five unit doses, eight unit doses, ten unit doses, or more).
  • the one or more unit doses are each housed in a syringe or pen.
  • the diagnostic kit is a package comprising the anti-VEGF antibody of the disclosure (e.g., either in lyophilized form or as an aqueous solution) and one or more reagents useful for performing a diagnostic assay.
  • the kit can include substrates and cofactors required by the enzyme (e.g., a substrate precursor which provides the detectable chromophore or fluorophore).
  • substrates and cofactors required by the enzyme e.g., a substrate precursor which provides the detectable chromophore or fluorophore.
  • other additives can be included, such as stabilizers, buffers (e.g., a block buffer or lysis buffer), and the like.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody included in a diagnostic kit is immobilized on a solid surface, or a solid surface (e.g., a slide) on which the antibody can be immobilized is included in the kit.
  • the relative amounts of the various reagents can be varied widely to provide for concentrations in solution of the reagents which substantially optimize the sensitivity of the assay.
  • the antibody and one or more reagents can be provided (individually or combined) as dry powders, usually lyophilized, including excipients which on dissolution will provide a reagent solution having the appropriate concentration.
  • Peptides were synthesized using a multi-pin format by Mimotopes (Adelaide, Australia). The sequences of the bevacizumab light and heavy chain V regions were synthesized as 15-mer peptides overlapping by 12 amino acids (Tables 3 and 4) for a total of 69 peptides. Peptides arrived lyophilized and were re-suspended in DMSO (Sigma-Aldrich) at approximately 1-2 mg/mL. Stock peptides were kept frozen at ⁇ 20° C.
  • T75 culture flasks (Costar) were seeded with 10 8 freshly isolated PBMC in a total volume of 30 mls AIM V media (Invitrogen). Excess PBMC were frozen at ⁇ 80° C. in 90% fetal calf serum (FCS), 10% DMSO at 5 ⁇ 10 7 cells/mL. T75 flasks were incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO 2 for 2 hours. Nonadherent cells were removed, and the adherent monolayer was washed with DPBS.
  • FCS fetal calf serum
  • AIM V media containing 800 units/mL of GM-CSF (R and D Systems) and 500 units/mL IL-4 (R and D Systems) was added. Flasks were incubated for 5 days. On day 5 IL-1 ⁇ (Endogen) and TNF ⁇ (Endogen) were added to 50 pg/mL and 0.2 ng/mL. Flasks were incubated two more days.
  • dendritic cells were collected by the addition of 3 mls of 100 mM EDTA containing 0.5 to 1.0 mg Mitomycin C (Sigma-Aldrich) for a final concentration of 10 mM EDTA and 16.5 to 33 ⁇ g/mL Mitomycin C. Flasks were incubated an additional hour at 37° C. and 5% CO 2 . Dendritic cells were collected, and washed in AIM V media 2-3 times.
  • Positive control wells contained DMSO at 0.25% and tetanus toxoid (List Biologicals or CalBioChem) at 1 ⁇ g/mL. Cultures were incubated for 5 days. On day 5, 0.25 ⁇ Ci per well of tritiated thymidine (Amersham or GE Healthcare) was added. Cultures were harvested on day 6 to filtermats using a Packard Filtermate Cell harvester. Scintillation counting was performed using a Wallac MicroBeta 1450 scintillation counter (Perkin Elmer).
  • Average background CPM values were calculated by averaging individual results from 6 to 12 replicates. The CPM values of the four positive control wells were averaged. Replicate or triplicate wells for each peptide were averaged. Stimulation index values for the positive control and the peptide wells were calculated by dividing the average experimental CPM values by the average control values. In order to be included in the dataset, a stimulation index of greater than 3.0 in the tetanus toxoid positive control wells was required. A response was noted for any peptide resulting in a stimulation index of 2.95 or greater. Peptides were tested using peripheral blood samples from a group of 99 donors. Responses to all peptides were compiled. For each peptide tested, the percentage of the donor set that responded with a stimulation index of 2.95 or greater was calculated. In addition, the average stimulation index for all donors was also calculated.
  • CD4 + T cell epitope peptides were identified by an analysis of the percent responses to the peptides within the set of 99 donors. The average percent response and standard deviation were calculated for all peptides tested describing the bevacizumab heavy chain and light chain V regions. A response rate greater than or equal to the average background response plus three standard deviations was considered a potential CD4 + T cell epitope.
  • 32 peptides were tested (Table 3) which resulted in an average background percent response of 2.1 ⁇ 2.7%. Three standard deviations above background was determined to be 10.2%.
  • One peptide at position 13 displayed this level of response in the bevacizumab light chain peptide dataset, with a response rate of 15.2% ( FIG. 2A ).
  • 37 peptides were tested (Table 4). The average background percent response was 2.8 ⁇ 3.1%. Three standard deviations above background was 12.1%.
  • a second peptide at position #30 in the heavy chain dataset achieved a response rate of 9.1%, and was considered an epitope due to an increased stimulation index (see below).
  • the average stimulation index was calculated for all peptides in the dataset.
  • Light chain peptide 13 had a high average stimulation index of 1.82 ⁇ 0.24 s.e.m. ( FIG. 2B ).
  • Heavy chain peptide #18 had an average stimulation index value of 2.16 ⁇ 0.35 s.e.m. ( FIG. 3B ).
  • the peptide at position #30 returned an average stimulation index of 1.45 ⁇ 0.18 s.e.m. ( FIG. 3B ) due to an elevated average stimulation index and an above average response rate.
  • the peptide at position #30 was included when determining CD4 + T cell epitope content of this antibody V region. All of these stimulation index values are significantly higher than the average stimulation index for all peptides in the two datasets (1.14 ⁇ 0.07 for all 69 heavy chain and light chain peptides).
  • Bevacizumab was subjected to mutational analysis (see Example 2 below). Based on antigen-binding studies performed in conjunction with the mutational analysis, a set of candidate amino acid substitutions within the CDR-H2 and CDR-H3 region were identified that did not significantly reduce the affinity of the antibody to VEGF (Table 6). These amino acid substitutions were tested singly and in combination to identify variants of bevacizumab with reduced immunogenicity as compared to the wild type antibody.
  • the bevacizumab antibody was subjected to comprehensive mutational analysis to identify mutants that had increased affinity to VEGF as compared to bevacizumab.
  • the increased affinity of candidate high affinity mutants to VEGF as compared to bevacizumab was analyzed by BIAcore to confirm their binding characteristics.
  • bevacizumab VH region constructs were cloned along with the unmodified VL region into a human IgG 1 -containing plasmid, expressed in 293T/17 cell lines by transient transfection, and antibodies purified by Protein A or Protein G affinity.
  • the affinity of the antibodies for VEGF was determined by using a BIAcore 2000 and 3000 surface plasmon resonance system (BIAcore, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.).
  • Polyclonal goat anti-human Fc antibody (Jackson Immunoresearch) was first immobilized to the biosensor surface using standard BIAcore amine coupling reagents (N-ethyl-N′-dimethylamino-propylcarbodiimide, EDC; N-hydroxysuccinimide, NHS; and ethanolamine HCl, pH 8.5), followed by the capture of anti-VEGF antibodies (bevacizumab and bevacizumab variants) on parallel surfaces at a low flow rate of 5 ⁇ L/min. RL was kept low to minimize avidity due to the dimeric nature of VEGF. No capture of the antibody was made on the reference surface to serve as a negative control.
  • VEGF was injected to all flow cells at a flow rate of 50 ⁇ L/min for two minutes to monitor association followed by a 25-minute flow of HBS-P running buffer (10 mM HEPES, 150 mM sodium chloride, 0.005% P-20, pH 7.4) to monitor the dissociation phase.
  • HBS-P running buffer 10 mM HEPES, 150 mM sodium chloride, 0.005% P-20, pH 7.4
  • VEGF in 6 different concentrations of VEGF ranging between 0 nM and 512 nM and at four-fold increments, was injected over the surface.
  • the surface was regenerated with 1.5% H 3 PO 4 at a flow rate of 100 ⁇ L/min in two brief pulses at the end of each cycle.
  • Binding data were fit to the 1:1 Langmuir model to extract binding constants from the BIAevaluate software. Double referencing was applied in each analysis to eliminate background responses from the reference surface and buffer only control. All the binding kinetics data were analyzed at least three separate determinations.
  • Results are displayed as absolute numbers and as fold improvement over wild-type. Almost all the variants listed have improved association (k on ) and dissociation (k off ) rates when compared to bevacizumab or wild-type (Table 7).
  • the final affinity values for the variants were in the 0.1 nM range and reach as low as 0.08 nM for the variant corresponding to SEQ ID NO:82. These values contrast to bevacizumab which has a measured affinity in these experiments of 1.9 nM.
  • Tables 8 and 9 show additional heavy chain variants that preliminary binding studies show have a greater affinity to VEGF than bevacizumab (data not shown).
  • Table 10 shows heavy chain variants that preliminary studies indicate have an affinity to VEGF similar to that of bevacizumab (data not shown).
  • Table 11 shows light chain variants that that preliminary studies indicate have an affinity to VEGF similar to that of bevacizumab (data not shown).
  • Variant peptides corresponding to the immunogenic regions of bevacizumab were generated (Tables 14-16). The variant peptides were selected on the basis of comprehensive mutational analysis described in Example 2, in which CDR modifications were identified that did not substantially reduce the binding affinity of bevacizumab to VEGF.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C show CD4+ T cell responses to mutant bevacizumab epitope peptides. Average responses to the unmodified parent epitope sequences are indicated with open marks. Large circles indicate selected peptides referred to in Table 17 (see below).
  • FIG. 4A shows VH CDR2 peptides;
  • FIG. 4B shows VH CDR3 peptides; and
  • FIG. 4C shows VL CDR2 peptides. Immunogenicity data for selected peptides are shown in Table 17.
  • the average percent response to the parent peptides in this study was 5.38% and 6.45%.
  • Three mutant peptides demonstrated a reduced overall response rate and average stimulation index as compared to the parent peptides.
  • the parent peptide response rates for the heavy chain variable region CDR3 epitope peptides in this study were 7.53% and 6.45%.
  • a single mutant peptide sequence was found that demonstrated reduced overall responses as compared to the parent peptide.
  • transiently transfected 293c18 cells expressing surface-bound forms of the bevacizumab variants were stained with Alexa647-conjugated rHuVEGF (Invitrogen Cat #PHG0143) at 3 nM and goat-anti-human-kappa-RPE (Southern Biotech Cat#2063-09) at a 1:400 dilution.
  • Data were gathered by way of flow cytometry using a DakoCytomation CyAn ADP flow cytometer and was analyzed using Treestar's FloJo analysis program.
  • the mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) measured in this work are set forth in Table 18.
  • DLL4-VEGF dual-variable-domain (“DVD”) immunoglobulins Igs.
  • a DVD-Ig immunoglobulin combines the target-binding variable domains of two monoclonal antibodies via linkers to create a tetravalent, dual-targeting single agent (see Gu & Ghayur, 2012, Methods in Enzymology 502:25-41).
  • the DLL4-VEGF DVD-Igs included the variable regions of the humanized anti-DLL4 antibody h1A11.1 (which has a heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:187 of U.S. App.
  • DLL4 is a delta-like ligand that is strongly expressed in tumor vessels and whose signaling via the Notch pathway is required for normal vascular development and tumor angiogenesis. Blockade of Dll4/Notch signaling was found to retard tumor growth by enhancing the chaotic, nonproductive vascular sprouting characteristic of tumor angiogenesis. See Lobov et al., 2007, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 104: 3219-3224.
  • the first “SL” version contained a short heavy chain linker (with the amino acid sequence ASTKGP (SEQ ID NO: 427)) separating the anti-DLL4 and bevaciziumab heavy chain variable regions and a long light chain linker (with the amino acid sequence TVAAPSVFFPP (SEQ ID NO: 433)) separating the anti-DLL4 and bevaciziumab light chain variable regions.
  • a short heavy chain linker with the amino acid sequence ASTKGP (SEQ ID NO: 427)
  • a long light chain linker with the amino acid sequence TVAAPSVFFPP (SEQ ID NO: 433)
  • the second “SS” version contained a short heavy chain linker (with the amino acid sequence ASTKGP (SEQ ID NO: 427)) separating the anti-DLL4 and bevaciziumab heavy chain variable regions and a short light chain linker (with the amino acid sequence TVAAP (SEQ ID NO: 418)) separating the anti-DLL4 and bevaciziumab light chain variable regions.
  • a short heavy chain linker with the amino acid sequence ASTKGP (SEQ ID NO: 427)
  • TVAAP SEQ ID NO: 418)
  • the DLL4-VEGF DVD-Igs were subjected to further mutational analysis to identify mutants that show increased affinity to VEGF.
  • Comprehensive mutational analysis focused on the bevacizumab V H was conducted at 2 different conditions: a “1-hour assay” involving 1 hour of binding of antibody to target follow by washing, and an “overnight assay” involving 1 hour of binding of antibody to labeled VEGF and overnight competition with excess unlabeled VEGF followed by washing.
  • the 1-hour assay is more likely to enrich for variants with faster association rate and the overnight assay is intended to enrich for those antibodies with slower dissociation rate since the binding has to survive over night in the presence of cold competitor.
  • the IgG library was screened again under the condition employed to enrich DVD-Ig with SL and SS linkers. Binding of bevacizumab and its variants containing the 4 amino acid substitutions employed in ranibizumab (T28D, N31H, H97Y and S100aT; see Chen, 1999, J. Mol. Biol. 293: 865-881) were not distinguished in 1-hour assay but were distinguished in the overnight assay (data not shown). Similarly, the overnight assay measures differences among variants with slower dissociation rates better than the standard 1-hour assay.
  • the binding was measured as 2.6 ⁇ over WT in the 1-hour assay but 9.3 ⁇ in the overnight assay.
  • an antibody with a slow dissociation rate such as bevacizumab
  • the 1-hour assay is too short for binding to reach equilibrium thus the results will be biased toward faster association rate.
  • the overnight incubation allows the binding of most variants to reach equilibrium, thus it should be close to actual binding affinity.
  • Bevacizumab variants in IgG format were also analysed by BIAcore in addition to the 1-hour and overnight assays.
  • Corresponding variants in DVD-Ig format were analyzed for binding kinetics by BIAcore only.
  • ELISA plates Nunc-Immuno MaxiSorp plates, Nalge Nunc, Rochester, N.Y. were coated overnight at 4° C. with unlabeled human VEGF at 1 ⁇ g/mL in 0.2 M sodium carbonate-bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.4, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). The plates were then blocked with SuperBlock Blocking Buffer (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) for 30 min and washed with Washing Buffer (PBS containing 0.1% Tween 20). All the washing steps were performed for three times.
  • Bevacizumab variants diluted in 100 ⁇ l ELISA buffer (PBS containing 1% BSA and 0.1% Tween 20) at 2 ⁇ M were added to wells and incubated for 1 hr or overnight at 37° C. shaker. Each plate contained parental bevacizumab as a control to be used to normalize the binding improvement of each variant.
  • the plates were washed and 100 ⁇ L of goat anti-human kappa HRP-conjugated antibody (Southern Biotech, Birmingham, Ala.) diluted at 1:1000 in ELISA buffer was added to each well. After 30 minutes of incubation, plates were washed and bound antibodies were detected by addition of TMB 1 Component HRP Microwell substrate (BioFx #TMBW-1000-01).
  • the reaction was terminated by addition of 100 ⁇ L/well of 650 nM Stop Reagent for TMB Microwell substrate and the absorbance was measured at 650 nm using a VERSAmax microplate reader (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Data were fitted using nonlinear regression with the software GRAPHPAD PRISM (GraphPad, San Diego) and the fold improvement over WT was reported as EC 50 wild type/EC 50 mutant.
  • the binding kinetics and affinity of the antibodies for VEGF was determined by using a BIAcore T200 surface plasmon resonance system (BIAcore, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.). Coupling running buffer was HBS-EP+ running buffer (10 mM HEPES, 150 mM sodium chloride, 3 mM EDTA 0.05% P-20, pH 7.4); assay running buffer was HBS-EP+ with 300 mM sodium chloride and 0.1 mg/mL BSA (Sigma A7906).
  • Polyclonal goat anti-human Fc (Thermo Scientific prod#31125) was first immobilized to the biosensor surface in 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.5 using standard BIAcore amine coupling reagents (N-ethyl-N′-dimethylamino-propylcarbodiimide, EDC; N-hydroxysuccinimide, NHS; and ethanolamine HCl, pH 8.5).
  • EDC N-ethyl-N′-dimethylamino-propylcarbodiimide
  • NHS N-hydroxysuccinimide
  • ethanolamine HCl pH 8.5
  • binding a series of cycles were performed, each cycle consisted of 1) mAb capture, 2) Ag or buffer injection, 3) dissociation phase and 4) regeneration.
  • anti-VEGF antibodies were captured on parallel surfaces at a low flow rate of 10 ⁇ L/min.
  • VEGF or buffer only was injected to all flow cells at a flow rate of 80 ⁇ L/min for three minutes to monitor association followed by a 20-minute flow of assay rinning buffer at a flow rate of 80 ⁇ L/min to monitor dissociation.
  • VEGF injections were a 3-point, 9-fold concentration series from 900 nM to 11.11 nM, buffer only injections served for secondary referencing.
  • Binding data were fit to the 1:1 Langmuir model with mass transport term included using Biacore T200 Evaluation Software to determine the binding constants.
  • results for improved affinity variants are displayed in Table 21. Variants whose binding is similar to or lower than that of bevacizumab are identified in Table 22. Affinity improvement was calculated by K D wild type/K D mutant and EC 50 wild type/EC 50 mutant for BIAcore and ELISA, respectively. In addition to those already described in Example 2, a total of 22 variants with improved affinity by either ELISA or BIAcore in IgG format were identified. Interestingly, not all the properties of IgG variants are transferable to inner variable domain of DVD-Ig.
  • An anti-VEGF antibody or an anti-VEGF binding fragment of an antibody which comprises a VEGF heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs having amino acid sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NO:3 (CDR-H1), SEQ ID NO:4 (CDR-H2), and SEQ ID NO:5 (CDR-H3), and a VEGF light chain variable region comprising CDRs having amino acid sequences corresponding SEQ ID NO:6 (CDR-L1), SEQ ID NO:7 (CDR-L2) and SEQ ID NO:8, wherein CDR-H1 and/or CDR-H3 comprises one or more of the substitutions in Table 21, and optionally one or more mutations or combinations of mutations selected from one or more of Tables 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 12-1 to 12-9, 13-16, 21, or 22, wherein the six CDRs altogether have up to 17 amino acid substitutions as compared to CDR sequences of the antibody bevacizumab or the antibody ranibizumab.
  • anti-VEGF antibody or anti VEGF binding fragment of embodiment 1 which comprises one or more substitutions selected from T30K; T30N, N31H; N31L; N31W; N31Y; H97F; H97Y; S100aQ; and S100aT.
  • the anti-VEGF antibody or anti VEGF binding fragment of embodiment 1 which comprises one or more substitutions selected from T28G; T28R; T28Y; T30R; and S100aA.
  • anti-VEGF antibody or anti VEGF binding fragment of embodiment 1 which comprises one or more substitutions selected from N31F; N31H; and N31Y.
  • anti-VEGF antibody or anti VEGF binding fragment of embodiment 1 which comprises one or more substitutions selected T30N; N31F; N31H, N31W and N31Y; and S100aT.
  • VEGF heavy and light chain variable regions together form a VEGF binding portion and which further comprises a second binding portion, said second binding portion comprising second heavy chain and light chain variable regions which together bind to a second target.
  • a DVD-Ig comprising: (a) a VEGF binding portion comprising a VEGF heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs having amino acid sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NO:3 (CDR-H1), SEQ ID NO:4 (CDR-H2), and SEQ ID NO:5 (CDR-H3) and a VEGF light chain variable region comprising CDRs having amino acid sequences corresponding SEQ ID NO:6 (CDR-L1), SEQ ID NO:7 (CDR-L2) and SEQ ID NO:8, wherein CDRs of the VEGF binding portion include one or more substitutions as compared to bevacizumab or ranibizumab selected from N31F in CDR-H1; K64S in CDR-H2; K64Q in CDR-H2; Y53F in CDR-H2; H97E in CDR-H3; H97D in CDR-H3; H97P in CDR-H3; Y98F in CDR-H3;
  • VEGF and second heavy chain variable regions are connected via a short linker, optionally ASTKGP (SEQ ID NO:427) or GGGGSG (SEQ ID NO:430).
  • VEGF and second heavy chain variable regions are connected via a long linker, optionally ASTKGPSVFPLAP (SEQ ID NO:429) or GGGGSGGGGSGGGG (SEQ ID NO:432).
  • VEGF and second light chain variable regions are connected via a long linker, optionally TVAAPSVFIFPP (SEQ ID NO:420), QPKAAPSVTLFPP (SEQ ID NO:422), or GGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO:425).
  • a long linker optionally TVAAPSVFIFPP (SEQ ID NO:420), QPKAAPSVTLFPP (SEQ ID NO:422), or GGSGGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO:425).
  • CDR-H1 includes at least one substitution selected from T28P, N31F, N31G and N31M, and wherein CDR-H1 in said VEGF antibody does not consist of a CDR-H1 sequence set forth in Tables 12-1 to 12-9.
  • CDR-H3 includes at least one substitution selected from H97A, H97Q, H97S, H97T, S100aD, S100aE, and S100aV, and wherein CDR-H3 in said VEGF antibody does not consist of a CDR-H3 sequence set forth in Tables 12-1 to 12-9.
  • CDR-H2 includes at least one substitution selected from Y53F, T58F, A61G, A61K, A61R, A61H, A61Y, K64G, K64E, R65L, R65T, R65A, R65E, and R65D, and wherein CDR-H2 in said VEGF antibody does not consist of a CDR-H2 sequence set forth in Tables 12-1 to 12-9.
  • anti-VEGF antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment of any one of embodiments 1 to 50 which is a monoclonal antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment of a monoclonal antibody, respectively.
  • embodiment 53 which is an IgG1.
  • the antibody or binding fragment of embodiment 65 which has a 2- to 30-fold greater than the affinity of an antibody having a VH sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 and a VL sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:2.
  • invention 70 The antibody or binding fragment of embodiment 70 which is purified to at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% homogeneity.
  • the heavy chain includes at least one substitution selected from A61F in CDR-H2, A61E in CDR-H2, A61D in CDR-H2, D62L in CDR-H2, D62G in CDR-H2, D62Q in CDR-H2, D62T in CDR-H2, D62K in CDR-H2, D62R in CDR-H2, D62E in CDR-H2, D62H in CDR-H2, K64S in CDR-H2, K64V in CDR-H2, K64Q in CDR-H2, R65V in CDR-H2, R65F in CDR-H2, R65H in CDR-H2, R65N in CDR-H2, R65S in CDR-H2, R65Q in CDR-H2, R65K in CDR-H2, R65I in CDR-H2, and Y98H in CDR-H3.
  • An antibody-drug conjugate comprising an anti-VEGF antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment according to any one of embodiments 1 to 72.
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-VEGF antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment according to any one of embodiments 1 to 72 or an antibody-drug conjugate according to embodiment 73, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding anti-VEGF antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment of any one of embodiments 1 to 72.
  • a vector comprising the nucleic acid of embodiment 75.
  • a prokaryotic host cell transformed with a vector according to embodiment 76.
  • the eukaryotic host cell of embodiment 79 which is a mammalian host cell.
  • a method of producing anti-VEGF antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment comprising: (a) culturing the eukaryotic host cell of embodiment 79 or embodiment 80 and (b) recovering the anti-VEGF antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment antibody.
  • a method of treating cancer comprising administering to a human patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of anti-VEGF antibody or anti-VEGF binding fragment according to any one of embodiments 1 to 72, an antibody-drug conjugate according to embodiment 73, or a pharmaceutical composition according to embodiment 74.

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