Classifications

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  • A61K39/395—Antibodies; Immunoglobulins; Immune serum, e.g. antilymphocytic serum
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  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily
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• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
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  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2887—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against CD20
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2893—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against CD52
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2896—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against molecules with a "CD"-designation, not provided for elsewhere
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N5/00—Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor
  • C12N5/06—Animal cells or tissues; Human cells or tissues
  • C12N5/0602—Vertebrate cells
  • C12N5/0634—Cells from the blood or the immune system
  • C12N5/0646—Natural killers cells [NK], NKT cells
• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
  • G01N33/5005—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving human or animal cells
  • G01N33/5008—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving human or animal cells for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics
  • G01N33/5044—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving human or animal cells for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics involving specific cell types
  • G01N33/5047—Cells of the immune system
• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
  • G01N33/53—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor
  • G01N33/566—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor using specific carrier or receptor proteins as ligand binding reagents where possible specific carrier or receptor proteins are classified with their target compounds
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  • A61K35/00—Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
  • A61K35/12—Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells
  • A61K2035/124—Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells the cells being hematopoietic, bone marrow derived or blood cells
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
  • A61K2039/507—Comprising a combination of two or more separate antibodies
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
  • C07K2317/73—Inducing cell death, e.g. apoptosis, necrosis or inhibition of cell proliferation
  • C07K2317/732—Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity [ADCC]
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
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• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G01N2333/435—Assays involving biological materials from specific organisms or of a specific nature from animals; from humans
  • G01N2333/705—Assays involving receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • G01N2333/70503—Immunoglobulin superfamily, e.g. VCAMs, PECAM, LFA-3
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• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G01N2500/00—Screening for compounds of potential therapeutic value
  • G01N2500/04—Screening involving studying the effect of compounds C directly on molecule A (e.g. C are potential ligands for a receptor A, or potential substrates for an enzyme A)
• • G—PHYSICS
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  • G01N2500/00—Screening for compounds of potential therapeutic value
  • G01N2500/10—Screening for compounds of potential therapeutic value involving cells

Definitions

• the present invention relates, generally, to methods and compositions for increasing the efficiency of therapeutic antibodies. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of a therapeutic antibody in combination with a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of natural killer cells, thereby allowing a potentiation of natural killer cell cytotoxicity in mammalian subjects in order to enhance the efficiency ofthe treatment in human subjects, particularly through an increase ofthe ADCC mechanism.
• therapeutic antibodies developed to deplete target cells, particularly diseased cells such as virally-infected cells, tumor cells or other pathogenic cells.
• Such antibodies are typically monoclonal antibodies, of IgG species, typically with human IgGl or IgG3 Fc portions.
• These antibodies can be native or recombinant antibodies, and are often "humanized" mice antibodies (i.e. comprising functional domains from various species, typically an Fc portion of human or non human primate origin, and with a variable region or complementary determining region (CDR) of mouse origin).
• the monoclonal antibody can be fully human through immunization in transgenic mice having the human Ig locus, or obtained through cDNA libraries derived from human cells.
• rituximab (Mabthera ® , Rituxan ® ), which is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody made with human ⁇ l and K constant regions (therefore with human IgGl Fc portion) linked to murine variable domains conferring CD20 specificity.
• rituximab has considerably modified the therapeutical strategy against B lymphoproliferative malignancies, particularly non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL).
• humanized IgGl antibodies include alemtuzumab (Campath-1H ® ), which is used in the treatment of B cell malignancies, and trastuzumab (Herceptin ® ), which is used in the treatment of breast cancer. Additional examples of therapeutic antibodies under development are disclosed in the art. The mechanism of action of therapeutic antibodies is still a matter of debate. Injection of antibodies leads to depletion of cells bearing the antigen specifically recognized by the antibody. This depletion can be mediated through at least three mechanisms: antibody mediated cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement dependant lysis, and direct antitumor inhibition of tumor growth through signals given via the antigen targeted by the antibody.
• ADCC antibody mediated cellular cytotoxicity
• ADCC complement dependant lysis
• therapeutic antibodies can be limited by side effects caused by their administration. For example, side effects such as fever, headaches, nausea, hypotension, wheezing, rashes, infections, and numerous others can appear in patients, potentially limiting the possible amount or frequency with which the antibodies can be administered.
• the present invention discloses novel approaches to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies. Without being limited by the following theory, it is believed that the surprising results achieved using the present methods stem from their ability to enhance the ADCC mechanism in vivo, when therapeutic antibodies are injected. Indeed, the present invention provides novel compositions and methods that overcome the current difficulty related to the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies. It is shown in the present invention that NK cells from an individual can have poor therapeutic mAb (monoclonal antibody)-mediated ADCC because of a lack of activation of NK cells, e.g., by an inhibition of inhibitory receptors on NK cells.
• mAb monoclonal antibody
• an increase ofthe ADCC mechanism is achieved by the administration of compounds that block an inhibitory receptor, or stimulate an activating receptor, on natural killer cells, thereby promoting a potentiation of natural killer cell cytotoxicity in mammalian subjects.
• the compound is an antibody or a fragment thereof.
• Said antibodies or other compounds can react with an inhibitory receptor of NK cells, e,g,. Killer inhibitory receptor (KIR or NKG2A/C) molecules, or with activating receptors, e.g. NCRs such as NKp30, NKp44, or NKp46, on NK cells, thereby neutralizing the inhibition ofthe cells and increasing their ADCC activity.
• the invention discloses methods of treatments of a subject in which a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell, is co-administered with the therapeutic antibody to the subject.
• a compound preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell
• the inventors demonstrate here that the efficiency of a therapeutic antibody can be greatly enhanced by the co-administration, e.g., co-injection, of such a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that overcomes the inhibition of NK cells, e.g. by blocking the inhibitory receptor or stimulating an activating receptor of an NK cell.
• the invention also concerns pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutic antibody and a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell.
• the invention also concerns kits comprising a therapeutic antibody and a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell.
• the invention also concerns the use of a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks the inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell, for increasing the efficiency of a treatment with a therapeutic antibody, or for increasing ADCC in a subject submitted to a treatment with a therapeutic antibody.
• the invention also concerns the use of a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks the inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell, and of a therapeutic antibody for the preparation of a drug for treating a disease.
• the treatment ofthe disease requires the depletion ofthe targeted cells, preferably the diseased cells such as virally-infected cells, tumor cells or other pathogenic cells.
• the disease is a cancer, infectious or immune disease. More preferably, the disease is selected from the group consisting of a cancer, an auto-immune disease, an inflammatory disease, and a viral disease.
• the disease also concerns a graft rejection, more particularly allograft rejection, and graft versus host disease (GVHD).
• GVHD graft versus host disease
• the present invention also comprises a method for reducing the dosage of a therapeutic antibody, e.g. an antibody that is bound by an Fc ⁇ receptor, preferably CD 16 (Fc ⁇ RIIIa).
• a therapeutic antibody e.g. an antibody that is bound by an Fc ⁇ receptor, preferably CD 16 (Fc ⁇ RIIIa).
• Fc ⁇ RIIIa preferably CD 16
• co- administration of a therapeutic antibody and a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor on NK cells allows a lower dose ofthe therapeutic antibody to be used.
• Such antibodies can be used at a 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or lower dose than the recommended dose in the absence ofthe compound.
• the invention provides a method for detennining a therapeutically-effective, reduced dose of a therapeutic antibody, e.g., an antibody bound by CD 16, the method comprising i) co- incubating a first concentration ofthe therapeutic antibody with target cells and NK cells, and in the absence of a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor on NK cells; ii) co-incubating a second, lower concentration ofthe therapeutic antibody with target cells, with NK cells, and in the presence of a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor on NK cells; iii) determining if the depletion of target cells observed in step ii) is as great as the depletion observed in step i).
• a therapeutic antibody e.g., an antibody bound by CD 16
• the method comprising i) co- incubating a first concentration ofthe therapeutic antibody with target cells and NK cells, and in the absence of a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor on
• step ii) is as efficacious as step i)
• the relative concentrations ofthe compound and the therapeutic antibody can be varied, and depletion observed, in order to identify different conditions that would be suitable for use in a given patient, e.g., maximizing target cell depletion, lowered dose of therapeutic antibody, or lowered dose ofthe compound, depending on the particular needs ofthe patient.
• the present invention provides a method of treatment of a disease in a human subject in need thereof, comprising : a) administering to said subject a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell; and, b) administering to said subj ect a therapeutic antibody that can be bound by CD 16.
• the therapeutic antibody and compound are administered into the subject simultaneously.
• the compound is administered to the subject within one week, within 4 days, within 3 days or on the same day (e.g. within about 24 hours) ofthe administration ofthe therapeutic antibody.
• the disease is a cancer, infectious or immune disease.
• the method further comprising an additional step in which the activity or number of NK cells in the subject is assessed prior or subsequent to the administration ofthe compound.
• the additional step involves i) obtaining NK cells from the subject prior to the administration; ii) incubating the NK cells in the presence of one or more target cells that are recognized by the therapeutic antibody, in the presence or absence ofthe compound; and iii) assessing the effect ofthe compound on the ability ofthe NK cells to deplete the target cells; wherein a detection that the compound enhances the ability ofthe NK cells to deplete the target cells indicates that the compound is suitable for use in the method, and that the method is suitable for use with the subject.
• the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic antibody, e.g. that can be bound by CD 16, a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of NK cells, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic antibody, e.g. that can be bound by CD 16, a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of NK cells, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• the present invention provides a kit comprising a therapeutic antibody, e.g. that can be bound by CD 16, and one or more compounds that block an inhibitory receptor or stimulate an activating receptor of NK cells.
• the therapeutic antibody has a human IgGl or an IgG3 Fc portion.
• the compound is an antibody or a fragment thereof.
• the therapeutic antibody is a monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof.
• the therapeutic antibody is not conjugated with a radioactive or toxic moiety.
• the compound inhibits an inhibitory receptor of an NK cell.
• the compound stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell.
• the compound is a human, humanized or chimeric antibody, or a fragment thereof.
• the therapeutic antibodies or compounds can be antibody fragments or derivatives such as, inter alia, a Fab fragment, a Fab'2 fragment, a CDR and a ScFv.
• the therapeutic antibody is a human, humanized or chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof.
• the therapeutic antibody is rituximab or Campath.
• the antibody is rituximab, and said antibody is administered at a dosage of less than 375 mg/m 2 per week.
• the antibody is Campath, and the antibody is administered at a dosage of less than 90mg per week.
• the compound binds at least one of NKG2, KIR2DL or KIR3DL human receptors, and inhibits the related NKG2, KDR2DL- or KIR3DL-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the compound blocks an inhibitory receptor of an NK cell selected from the group consisting of KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2/3, KIR2DL4, KIR2DL5A, KIR2DL5B, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, LILRB1, NKG2A, NKG2C NKG2E and LILRB5.
• the compound binds a common determinant of KIR2DL human receptors and inhibits KIR2DL-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the compound binds a common determinant of KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, and KIR2DL3 human receptors and inhibits KIR2DL1-, KIR2DL2-, and KIR2DL3 -mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the compound inhibits the binding of a HLA-C allele molecule having a Lys residue at position 80 to a human KIR2DL1 receptor, and the binding of a HLA-C allele molecule having an Asn residue at position 80 to human KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 receptors.
• the compound binds to the same epitope as monoclonal antibody DF200 produced by hybridoma DF200.
• the compound competes with monoclonal antibody DF200 produced by hybridoma DF200 for binding to a KIR receptor at the surface of a human NK cell.
• the compound is monoclonal antibody DF200 produced by hybridoma DF200 or a fragment thereof.
• the compound binds to a receptor selected from the group consisting of NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, and NKG2D.
• the compound is derived from or competes with a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of AZ20, A76, Z25, Z231, and BAB281.
• the present invention provides a method of selecting a compound for administration in conjunction with a therapeutic antibody, said method comprising: i) providing a test compound that inhibits an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of NK cells; ii) incubating the therapeutic antibody with target cells specifically recognized by the therapeutic antibody in the presence of NK cells and in the presence or absence ofthe test compound; and iii) assessing the effect ofthe compound on the ability ofthe NK cells to deplete the target cells; wherein a detection that the compound enhances the ability ofthe NK cells to deplete the target cells indicates that the compound is suitable for use in the method.
• the compound enhances the ability ofthe therapeutic antibody to destroy the target cells by 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, or more.
• the compound is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antibody fragment, a monoclonal antibody, a fragment of a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, a chimeric antibody, and a human antibody.
• the target cells are cancer cells, virally infected cells, or cells underlying an autoimmune disorder.
• the therapeutic antibody is rituximab or CAMPATH.
• the present invention provides a method of increasing the efficiency of a treatment involving the administration of a therapeutic antibody that can be bound by CD 16 in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject prior to, simultaneously with, or after the administration of said therapeutic antibody, a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell.
• the compound increases the efficiency ofthe treatment by enhancing ADCC in said subject.
• FIG. 1 Monoclonal antibody DF200 binds a common determinant of various human KIR2DL receptors.
• FIG. 2 Reconstitution of lysis with anti-KIRJDL mAb (monoclonal antibody) on C1R Cw4 target at effector /target ratio of 4/1.
• Monoclonal antibody DF200 inhibits KIR2DL-mediated inhibition of KIR2DL1 positive NK cell cytotoxicity (reconstitute lysis) on Cw4 positive target cells .
• FIG. 3 Enhancement of ADCC mediated by Rituxan of an KIR2DL1 positive NK clone on a Cw4 positive EBN cell line by blocking KIR / HLA interaction.
• ⁇ K clone cytolysis bearing KIR2DL1 is tested against a Cw4 positive EBN transfonned (CD20 positive) target cell line at various effector/target ratio (from 1 to 4) in the presence of 5 ⁇ g/ml anti CD20 antibody (Rutixan) and 10 ⁇ g/ml EB6 antibody (anti KIR2DL1); Rituxan alone; EB6 alone; or without any antibody.
• ADCC is greatly enhanced in the presence of anti KIR2DL1 antibody (EB6).
• Figure 4 Enhancement of ADCC mediated by Campath of an KIR2DL1 positive ⁇ K clone on a Cw4 positive EBN cell line by blocking KIR / HLA interaction. ⁇ K clone cytolysis bearing
• KIR2DL1 is tested against a Cw4 positive EBN transformed (CD20 positive) target cell line in the presence of Campath and 100 ⁇ g/ml EB6 antibody (anti KIR2DL1); Campath alone; EB6 alone; or without any antibody. ADCC is greatly enhanced in the presence ofthe anti KIR2DL1 antibody (EB6).
• the present invention provides a method for increasing the efficiency of therapeutic antibodies.
• the invention more specifically discloses that the use of a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that potentiates ⁇ K cells, preferably by blocking an inhibitory receptor or activating an activating receptor of an ⁇ K cell, can significantly increase the efficiency of therapeutic antibodies.
• the inventors demonstrate that the efficiency of multiple therapeutic antibodies can be greatly enhanced by the co-administration of an antibody directed against a ⁇ K cell receptor; e.g., an inhibitory receptor.
• the invention concerns a method of treatment of a disease in a subject in need thereof comprising : a) administering to said subject a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of a NK cell; and,
• Said therapeutic antibody can be bound by CD16 of NK cells, preferably through its Fc region.
• said therapeutic antibody has a human IgGl or an IgG3 Fc portion, particularly a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof, further preferably a humanized, human or chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, for instance rituximab.
• compounds, preferably antibodies or a fragment thereof, that block the inhibitory receptor of a NK cell can be administered to the subject before, simultaneously with or, after the administration ofthe therapeutic antibody.
• the way of administration ofthe different antibodies depends on their bioavailability and phamacokinetics.
• the therapeutic antibody is administrated within a week to the administration ofthe compounds, preferably antibodies or a fragment thereof, that block the inhibitory receptor of aNK cell, more preferably within the 5 or 2 days period.
• the therapeutic antibody is administrated before or simultaneously with the compounds, preferably antibodies or a fragment thereof, that block the inhibitory receptor of a NK cell.
• the invention concerns a method of increasing ADCC in a subject receiving a therapeutic antibody treatment, said method comprising administering to said subject prior to, simultaneously or after the administration of said therapeutic antibody an amount sufficient to increase ADCC of a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks the inhibitory receptor of aNK cell,.
• Said therapeutic antibody can be bound by CD16 on NK cells, preferably through its Fc region.
• said therapeutic antibody has a human IgGl or an IgG3 Fc portion, particularly a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof, further preferably a human, humanized or chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, for instance rituximab.
• the invention concerns a method of increasing the efficiency of a therapeutic antibody treatment in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject prior to, simultaneously or after the administration of said therapeutic antibody an amount of a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks the inhibitory receptor of a NK cell, sufficient to increase the efficiency of said therapeutic antibody.
• Said therapeutic antibody can be bound by CD 16, preferably through its Fc region.
• said therapeutic antibody has a human IgGl or IgG3 Fc portion, particularly a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof, further preferably a human, humanized or chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, for instance rituximab.
• NK cells refers to a sub-population of lymphocytes that is involved in non- conventional immunity. NK cells can be identified by virtue of certain characteristics and biological properties, such as the expression of specific surface antigens including CD 16, CD56 and/or CD57, the absence ofthe alpha/beta or gamma/delta TCR complex on the cell surface, the ability to bind to and kill cells that fail to express "self MHC/HLA antigens by the activation of specific cytolytic enzymes, the ability to kill tumor cells or other diseased cells that express a ligand for NK activating receptors, and the ability to release protein molecules called cytokines that stimulate or inhibit the immune response. Any of these characteristics and activities can be used to identify NK cells, using methods well known in the art.
• antibody refers to polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Depending on the type of constant domain in the heavy chains, antibodies are assigned to one of five major classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. Several of these are further divided into subclasses or isotypes, such as IgGl, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and the like.
• An exemplary immunoglobulin (antibody) structural unit comprises a tetramer. Each tetramer is composed of two identical pairs of polypeptide chains, each pair having one "light" (about 25 kDa) and one "heavy" chain (about 50- 70 kDa).
• variable light chain V
• variable heavy chain N H
• alpha alpha
• delta delta
• epsilon gamma
• mu The subunit structures and three- dimensional configurations of different classes of immunoglobulins are well known.
• IgG and/or IgM are the preferred classes of antibodies employed in this invention, with IgG being particularly preferred, because they are the most common antibodies in the physiological situation, because they are most easily made in a laboratory setting, and because IgGs are specifically recognized by Fc gamma receptors.
• the antibody of this invention is a monoclonal antibody.
• Particularly preferred are humanized, chimeric, human, or otherwise-human-suitable antibodies.
• therapeutic antibody or antibodies designates more specifically any antibody that functions to deplete target cells in a patient.
• therapeutic antibodies specifically bind to antigens present on the surface ofthe target cells, e.g. tumor specific antigens present predominantly or exclusively on tumor cells.
• therapeutic antibodies include human Fc portions, or are capable of interacting with human Fc receptors.
• Therapeutic antibodies can target cells by any means, e.g. ADCC or otherwise, and can be "naked," i.e. with no conjugated moieties, or they can be conjugated with compounds such as radioactive labels or toxins.
• the term "specifically binds to” means that an antibody can bind preferably in a competitive binding assay to the binding partner, e.g. an activating NK receptor such as NKp30, NKp44, or NKp46, or a human Fc gamma receptor, as assessed using either recombinant forms ofthe proteins, epitopes therein, or native proteins present on the surface of isolated NK or relevant target cells.
• a competitive binding assay e.g. an activating NK receptor such as NKp30, NKp44, or NKp46, or a human Fc gamma receptor
• a “human-suitable” antibody refers to any antibody, derivatized antibody, or antibody fragment that can be safely used in humans for, e.g. the therapeutic methods described herein.
• Human- suitable antibodies include all types of humanized, chimeric, or fully human antibodies, or any antibodies in which at least a portion ofthe antibodies is derived from humans or otherwise modified so as to avoid the immune response that is provoked when native non-human antibodies are used.
• immunoglobulin any polypeptidic or peptidic fragment which is capable of eliciting an immune response such as(i) the generation of antibodies binding said fragment and/or binding any form ofthe molecule comprising said fragment, including the membrane-bound receptor and mutants derived therefrom, (ii) the stimulation of a T-cell response involving T-cells reacting to the bi-molecular complex comprising any MHC molecule and a peptide derived from said fragment, (iii) the binding of transfected vehicles such as bacteriophages or bacteria expressing genes encoding mammalian immunoglobulins.
• an immunogenic fragment also refers to any construction capable to elicit an immune response as defined above, such as a peptidic fragment conjugated to a carrier protein by covalent coupling, a chimeric recombinant polypeptide construct comprising said peptidic fragment in its amino acid sequence, and specifically includes cells transfected with a cDNA of which sequence comprises a portion encoding said fragment.
• a “humanized” antibody refers to an antibody in which the constant and variable framework region of one or more human immunoglobulins is fused with the binding region, e.g. the CDR, of an animal immunoglobulin.
• Such humanized antibodies are designed to maintain the binding specificity ofthe non-human antibody from which the binding regions are derived, but to avoid an immune reaction against the non-human antibody.
• a “chimeric antibody” is an antibody molecule in which (a) the constant region, or a portion thereof, is altered, replaced or exchanged so that the antigen binding site (variable region) is linked to a constant region of a different or altered class, effector function and/or species, or an entirely different molecule which confers new properties to the chimeric antibody, e.g., an enzyme, toxin, hormone, growth factor, drug, etc.; or (b) the variable region, or a portion thereof, is altered, replaced or exchanged with a variable region having a different or altered antigen specificity.
• the chimeric antibody nevertheless maintains the Fc region ofthe immunoglobulin, preferably a human Fc region, thereby allowing interactions with human Fc receptors on the surface of target cells.
• NK cells designate biologically active NK cells, more particularly NK cells having the capacity of lysing target cells.
• an "active" NK cell is able to kill cells that express an NK activating receptor-ligand and fails to express "self MHC/HLA antigens (KIR-incompatible cells).
• suitable target cells for use in redirected killing assays are P815 and K562 cells, but any of a number of cell types can be used and are well known in the art (see, e.g., Sivori et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med. 186: 1129-1136; Vital ⁇ et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med.
• cytokine e.g. IFN- ⁇ and TNF- ⁇
• NK cells refer particularly to NK cells in vivo that are not inhibited via stimulation of an inhibitory receptor, or in which such inhibition has been overcome, e.g., via stimulation of an activating receptor.
• activating NK receptor refers to any molecule on the surface of NK cells that, when stimulated, causes a measurable increase in any property or activity known in the art as associated with NK activity, such as cytokine (for example EFN- ⁇ and TNF- ⁇ ) production, increases in intracellular free calcium levels, the ability to target cells in a redirected killing assay as described, e.g. elsewhere in the present specification, or the ability to stimulate NK cell proliferation.
• cytokine for example EFN- ⁇ and TNF- ⁇
• activating KIR receptor includes but is not limited to NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, NKG2D, 1L-12R, IL-15R, IL-18R and IL-21R.
• activating NK receptor excludes the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R).
• IL-2R IL-2 receptor
• Methods of determining whether an NK cell is active or proliferating or not are described in more detail below and are well known to those of skill in the art.
• the term “inhibiting” or “inhibitory” NK receptor” refers to any molecule on the surface of NK cells that, when stimulated, causes a measurable decrease in any property or activity known in the art as associated with NK activity, such as cytokine (e.g. IFN- ⁇ and TNF- ⁇ ) production, increases in intracellular free calcium levels, or the ability to lyse target cells in a redirected killing assay as described, e.g. elsewhere in the present specification.
• cytokine e.g. IFN- ⁇ and TNF- ⁇
• Examples of such receptors include KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2/3, KIR2DL4, KIR2DL5A, KIR2DL5B, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, LILRBl, NKG2A, NKG2C NKG2E and LILRB5.
• the term "block an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell” refers to the ability of certain compounds, preferably antibodies, fragments or derivatives thereof, to preferably directly interact with at least one inhibitory or activating NK cell receptor, e.g., KIR, NKG2A/C, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46 and others listed herein, and either neutralizing inhibitory signals ofthe receptor (in the case of inhibitory receptors) or stimulate signaling from the receptor (in the case of activating receptors).
• inhibitory receptors preferably the compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, is able to block the interaction between HLA and the receptor.
• the antibodies may by polyclonal or, preferably, monoclonal. They may be produced by hybridomas or by recombinant cells engineered to express the desired variable and constant domains.
• the antibodies may be single chain antibodies or other antibody derivatives retaining the antigen specificity and the lower hinge region or a variant thereof such as a Fab fragment, a Fab '2 fragment, a CDR and a ScFv. These may be polyfunctional antibodies, recombinant antibodies, humanized antibodies, or variants thereof.
• a "common determinant” designates a determinant or epitope that is shared by several members of a group of related receptors, e.g., the human KIR2DL receptor group.
• the determinant or epitope may represent a peptide fragment or a conformational epitope shared by said members.
• the common determinant comprises an epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody DF200, NKVSF1 or EB6.
• the term antibody that "binds" a common determinant designates an antibody that binds said determinant with specificity and/or affinity, e.g., that essentially does not bind with high affinity or with specificity other unrelated motifs or determinant or structures at the surface of human NK cells. More particularly, the binding of a monoclonal antibody according to this invention to said determinant can be discriminated from the binding of said antibody to an other epitope or determinant.
• NK cell inhibitory receptors capable of binding to NK cell inhibitory receptors and prevent their stimulation are thus "neutralizing” or “inhibitory” compounds, preferably antibodies, in the sense that they block, at least partially, the inhibitory signaling pathway mediated by an NK cells inhibitory receptor, i.e. KIR or or NKG2A/C receptors. More importantly, this inhibitory activity can be displayed with respect to several types of KIR or NKG2A C receptors, so that these compounds, preferably antibodies, may be used in various subjects with high efficacy.
• NK cells inhibitory receptor i.e. KIR or or NKG2A/C receptors. More importantly, this inhibitory activity can be displayed with respect to several types of KIR or NKG2A C receptors, so that these compounds, preferably antibodies, may be used in various subjects with high efficacy.
• recombinant when used with reference, e.g., to a cell, or nucleic acid, protein, or vector, indicates that the cell, nucleic acid, protein or vector, has been modified by the introduction of a heterologous nucleic acid or protein or the alteration of a native nucleic acid or protein, or that the cell is derived from a cell so modified.
• recombinant cells express genes that are not found within the native (nonrecombinant) form of the cell or express native genes that are otherwise abnormally expressed, under expressed or not expressed at all.
• a subject or patient includes any mammalian subject or patient, more preferably a human subject or patient.
• the present invention deals with the use of NK cell potentiating compounds in conjunction with therapeutic antibodies.
• Any of a large variety of therapeutic antibodies can be used in the present invention.
• any therapeutic antibody whether "naked” or conjugated with a radiolabel, toxin, or other moiety, or whether full length or a fragment; or whether a true antibody or a modified derivative of an antibody, can be used.
• the methods are used to enhance the efficacy of therapies in which NK cell activity plays a role — not necessarily exclusive — in the efficacy of administered therapeutic antibodies, and also preferably the antibodies or fragments will naturally include, or will be modified to include, a human Fc region or other domain that allows specific recognition ofthe antibody by human Fc receptors, e.g. Fc gamma receptors.
• the present compounds can be used to enhance the ability of therapeutic antibodies to deplete target cells that express an antigen that is specifically recognized by the therapeutic antibodies. Accordingly, any disease or condition that is caused or exacerbated at least in part by cells that can be targeted by a therapeutic antibody can be treated using the herein-described methods.
• target cells include tumor cells, virus-infected cells, allogenic cells, pathological immunocompetent cells (e.g., B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, antigen-presenting cells, etc.) involved in allergies, autoimmune diseases, allogenic reactions, etc., or even healthy cells (e.g., endothelial cells in an anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategy). Most preferred target cells within the context of this invention are tumor cells and virus-infected cells.
• the therapeutic antibodies may, for instance, mediate a cytotoxic effect or cell lysis, particularly by antibody-dependent cell- mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).
• ADCC antibody-dependent cell- mediated cytotoxicity
• ADCC requires leukocyte receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc ⁇ R), whose function is to link the IgG-sensitized antigens to Fc ⁇ R-bearing cytotoxic cells and to trigger the cell activation machinery. Therefore, the therapeutic antibody is capable of forming an immune complex.
• an immune complex can be a tumor target covered by therapeutic antibodies. More particularly, the antibody can be bound by CD 16, preferably through its Fc region.
• Determining whether a therapeutic antibody binds an Fc ⁇ receptor such as CD 16 can be assessed by any suitable manner, for example by determining binding to a recombantly produced CD 16 polypeptide or fragment thereof, optionally immobilized on a support, or for example by determining binding ofthe therapeutic antibody to a cell which known or suspected to express CD 16.
• the therapeutic antibodies may by polyclonal or, preferably, monoclonal. They may be produced by hybridomas or by recombinant cells engineered to express the desired variable and constant domains.
• the antibodies may be single chain antibodies or other antibody derivatives retaining the antigen specificity and the lower hinge region or a variant thereof. These may be polyfunctional antibodies, recombinant antibodies, humanized antibodies, fragments or variants thereof. Said fragment or a derivative thereof is preferably selected from a Fab fragment, a Fab'2 fragment, a CDR and a ScFv.
• a fragment is an antigen-binding fragment.
• Therapeutic antibodies which comprise an antibody fragment may also include but are not limited to bispecific antibodies; one example a suitable bispecific antibody comprises an antigen binding region specific for CD 16 and an antigen binding region specific for a tumor antigen.
• Other antibody formats comprising fragments include recombinant bispecific antibody derivatives combining the binding regions of two different antibodies on a single polypeptide chain, also referred to as BiTETM (Kufer P, et al TRENDS in Biotechnology 2004; 22 (5): 238-244; and Baeuerle et al, Current Opinion in Molecular Therapeutics 2003; 5(4): 413-419, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Therapeutic antibodies are generally specific for surface antigens, e.g., membrane antigens. Most preferred therapeutic antibodies are specific for tumor antigens (e.g., molecules specifically expressed by tumor cells), such as CD20, CD52, ErbB2 (or HER2/Neu), CD33, CD22, CD25, MUC-1, CEA, KDR, ⁇ N ⁇ 3, etc., particularly lymphoma antigens (e.g., CD20).
• the therapeutic antibodies have preferably human or non human primate IgGl or IgG3 Fc portion, more preferably human IgGl. In one embodiment, the antibodies will include modifications in their Fc portion that enhances the interaction ofthe antibody with NK cells during ADCC.
• modified therapeutic antibodies generally comprise modifications preferably, in the Fc region that modify the binding affinity ofthe antibody to one or more Fc ⁇ R.
• Methods for modifying antibodies with modified binding to one or more Fc ⁇ R are known in the art, see, e.g., PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/016750 (International Application PCT/US2003/025399), WO 99/158572, WO 99/151642, WO 98/123289, WO 89/107142, WO 88/107089, and U.S. Patent Nos. 5,843,597 and 5,642,821, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
• Therapeutic antibodies identified herein such as D2E7 (Cambridge Antibody Technology Group, pic (Cambridge, UK)/BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany)) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, or
• Infliximab (Centocor, Inc., Malvera, PA; used to treat Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis), or the antibodies disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/US2003/025399 (which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) can be modified as taught in the above and below identified applications and used for the treatment of diseases for which such antibodies are typically used.
• the invention provides altered antibodies that have altered affinity, either higher or lower affinity, for an activating Fc ⁇ R, e.g., Fc ⁇ RIII.
• altered antibodies having higher affinity for Fc ⁇ R are provided.
• such modifications also have an altered Fc-mediated effector function.
• modification ofthe Fc region can comprise one or more alterations to the amino acids found in the antibody Fc region.
• Such alterations can result in an antibody with an altered antibody- mediated effector function, an altered binding to other Fc receptors (e.g., Fc activation receptors), an altered ADCC activity, an altered Clq binding activity, an altered complement dependent cytotoxicity activity, or any combination thereof.
• the antibody is specifically recognized by an Fc gamma receptor such as
• FCGR3A also called CD16, FCGR3, Immunoglobulin G Fc Receptor III; IGFR3, Receptor for Fc Fragment of IgG, Low Affinity Ilia,; see, e.g. OMIM 146740
• FCGR2A also called CD32, CDw32, Receptor for Fc Fragment of IgG, Low Affinity Ila, FCG2, Immunoglobulin G Fc Receptor II; see, e.g. OMIM 146790
• FCGR2B also called CD32, Receptor for Fc Fragment of IgG, Low Affinity lib
• FCGR2B FC-Gamma-RIIB; see, e.g.
• FCGIRA also called CD64; Receptor for Fc Fragment of IgG, High affinity la; IGFR1; see, e.g., OMIM 146760); FCGR1 fragment of IgG, High affinity Ic, Immunoglobulin G Fc receptor IC, IGFRC; see, e.g., OMIM 601503); or FCGRIB (also called CD64, Receptor for Fc Fragment of IgG, High affinity lb; Immunoglobulin G Fc Receptor IB,; IGFRB; see, e.g., OMIM 601502).
• therapeutic antibodies of this invention are rituximab, alemtuzumab and trastuzumab. Such antibodies may be used according to clinical protocols that have been authorized for use in human subjects. Additional specific examples of therapeutic antibodies include, for instance, epratuzumab, basiliximab, daclizumab, cetuximab, labetuzumab, sevirumab, tuvurimab, palivizumab, infliximab, omalizumab, efalizumab, natalizumab, clenoliximab, etc.
• the therapeutic antibody is an antibody other than rituximab or herceptin, or optionally other than an anti-CD20 or anti-HER2/neu antibody.
• preferred therapeutic antibodies for use in accordance with the invention include anti-ferritin antibodies (US Patent Publication no.
• anti- pl40 and anti-sc5 antibodies WO 02/50122
• anti-KIR (killer inhibitory receptor) antibodies The KIR receptors are described in Carrington and Norman, The KIR Gene Cluster, May 3, 2003, available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books), the disclosures of each ofthe above reference being incorporated herein by reference.
• Other examples of therapeutic antibodies are listed in the following table, any of which (and others) can be used in the present methods.
• any antibody that can deplete target cells preferably by ADCC, can benefit from the present methods, and that the following Table 1 is non exhaustive, neither with respect to the antibodies listed therein, nor with respect to the targets or indications of the antibodies that are listed.
• NK cell activity is regulated by a complex mechanism that involves both stimulating and inhibitory signals. Accordingly, effective NK cell-mediated therapy can be achieved both by a stimulation of these cells or a neutralization of inhibitory signals.
• any compound that has the effect of blocking, inhibiting, or otherwise downregulating an inhibitory receptor of an NK cell, or of activating, stimulating, or otherwise promoting the activity or expression of an activating receptor of an NK cell can be used. This includes compounds such as cytokines, as well as small molecules, polypeptides, and antibodies that can bind to NK cell receptors and directly inhibit or stimulate them. It will also be appreciated that the mechanism by which the receptors are blocked or stimulated is not critical to the advantages provided by the invention.
• the compounds can increase the expression of an activating receptor, or inhibit the expression of an inhibitory receptor, the compounds can prevent the interaction between a ligand and an inhibitory receptor or enhance the interaction between a ligand and an activating receptor, or the compounds can bind directly to the receptors and inhibit them (in the case of inhibitory receptors) or activate them (in the case of activating receptors).
• the critical parameter is the effect that the compounds have on the ability of therapeutic antibodies to deplete their target cells in vivo.
• NK cells are negatively regulated by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-specific inhibitory receptors (Karre et al., 1986; Ohlen et al, 1989; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference). These specific receptors bind to polymorphic determinants of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules or HLA and inhibit natural killer (NK) cell lysis.
• MHC major histocompatibility complex
• NK natural killer
• KIRs killer Ig-like receptors
• KIR2DL There are several groups of KIR receptors, including KIR2DL, KIR2DS, KIR3DL and KTR3DS.
• KIR receptors having two Ig domains identify HLA-C allotypes: KIR2DL2 (formerly designated p58J) or the closely related gene product KIR2DL3 recognizes an epitope shared by group 2 HLA-C allotypes (Cwl, 3, 7, and 8), whereas KIR2DL1 (p58.2) recognizes an epitope shared by the reciprocal group 1 HLA-C allotypes (Cw2, 4, 5, and 6).
• the recognition by KIR2DL1 is dictated by the presence of a Lys residue at position 80 of HLA-C alleles.
• KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 recognition is dictated by the presence of a Asn residue at position 80. Importantly the great majority of HLA-C alleles have either an Asn or a Lys residue at position 80.
• KIR3DL1 p70
• KIR3DL2 pi 40
• KIRs and other class-I inhibitory receptors may be co-expressed by NK cells, in any given individual's NK repertoire, there are cells that express a single KIR and thus, the corresponding NK cells are blocked only by cells expressing a specific class I allele group. Accordingly, as described infra, when inhibitory receptors are targeted, the present methods will often involve the administration of compounds that target multiple inhibitory receptors, thereby ensuring a broad-based effect that reaches a maximum range of NK cells.
• the compound blocks an inhibitory receptor of a NK cell, neutralizing the inhibitory signal of at least one inhibitory receptor selected from the group consisting of KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR2DL1, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, NKG2A and NKG2C. More preferably, the compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks the inhibitory receptor of a NK cell, is a compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that neutralizes the inhibitory signal of KIR2DL2, KIR2DL 3 and/or KIR2DL1.
• the invention also contemplates the use of a combination of several compounds, preferably antibodies or a fragment thereof, that block different inhibitory receptors of NK cells.
• compounds, preferably antibodies or a fragment thereof, that block inhibitory receptors of NK cells are specific of an inhibitory receptor selected from KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, NKG2A and NKG2C and are able to inhibit the related KIR- or NKG2A/C-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the compounds that block inhibitory receptors of NK cells can comprise an antibody having a specificity for KIR2DL1 and an other having a specificity for KIR2DL2 and/or KIR2DL3.
• the combination of compounds that block inhibitory receptors of NK cells is able to inhibit the KIR2DL1-, KIR2DL2-, and KIR2DL3- mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• a cocktail of one or more compounds targeting one or more inhibitory receptors, as well as one or more compounds targeting one or more activating receptors will be administered.
• monoclonal antibodies specific for KIR2DL1 have been shown to block the KIR2DL1 Cw4 (or the like) alleles (Moretta et al., 1993; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).
• monoclonal antibodies against KIR2DL2/3 have also been described that block the KIR2DL2/3 HLACw3 (or the like) alleles (Moretta et al., 1993).
• Anti NKG2A antibodies have been shown to block the inhibitory interaction between NKG2A and HLA-E.
• the antibody can be selected from the group consisting of GL183 (KIR2DL2, L3, available from Immunotech, France and Beckton Dickinson, USA); EB6 (KIRJDLl, available from Immunotech, France and Beckton Dickinson, USA); AZ138 (KIR3DL1, available from Moretta et al, Univ. Genova, Italy); Q66 (KIR3DL2, available from Immunotech, France) ; Z270 (NKG2A, available from Immunotech, France); P25 (NKG2A/C, available from Moretta et al, Univ. Genova, Italy); and DX9, Z27 (KIR3DL1, available from Immunotech, France and Beckton Dickinson, USA).
• GL183 KIR2DL2, L3, available from Immunotech, France and Beckton Dickinson, USA
• EB6 KIRJDLl, available from Immunotech, France and Beckton Dickinson, USA
• AZ138 KIR3DL1, available from Moretta e
• the invention uses monoclonal antibodies, as well as fragments and derivatives thereof, wherein said antibody, fragment or derivative cross reacts with several KIR or NKG2A/C receptors at the surface of NK cells and neutralizes their inhibitory signals.
• the invention uses a monoclonal antibody that binds a common determinant of human KIR2DL receptors and inhibit the corresponding inhibitory pathway.
• the invention uses a monoclonal antibody that binds KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL2/3 receptors at the surface of human NK cells and inhibits KIR2DL1- and KIR2DL2/3 -mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the antibody specifically inhibits binding of HLA-c molecules to KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL2/3 receptors. More preferably, the antibody facilitates NK cell activity in vivo.
• KIR2DL1 and KID2DL3 are sufficient for covering most ofthe HLA-C allotypes, respectively group 1 HLA-C allotypes and group 2 HLA-C allotypes
• such antibodies may be used to increase the efficiency of a therapeutic antibody in most human individuals, typically in about 90% of human individuals or more.
• any ofthe antibodies described in PCT Patent Application no. PCT/FR 04/01702 filed July 1, 2004, titled "Compositions and methods for regulating NK cell activity" can be used in accordance with the invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the antibody that blocks the inhibitory receptor of aNK cell is a monoclonal antibody, wherein said antibody binds a common detenninant of KIR2DL human receptors and inhibits KIR2DL-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the antibody more specifically binds to the same epitope as monoclonal antibody DF200 or NKVSFl produced by hybridoma DF200 and NKVSFl respectively and/or competes with monoclonal antibody DF200 or NKVSFl produced by hybridoma DF200 and NKVSFl respectively, for binding to a KIR receptor at the surface of a human NK cell.
• examples of antibodies, functional assays and assays to determine whether antibodies compete for binding with said antibodies are described in PCT Patent Application no. PCT/FR 04/01702.
• the monoclonal antibody is monoclonal antibody DF200 produced by hybridoma DF200.
• the monoclonal antibody is EB6, or the antibody binds to the same epitope as monoclonal antibody EB6, or competes for binding with monoclonal antibody EB6.
• the antibody is a fragment or derivative of either of antibodies DF200 or EB6.
• the hybridoma producing antibody DF200 has been deposited at the CNCM culture collection, as Identification no. "DF200", registration no. CNCM 1-3224, registered 10 June 2004, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, 25, Rue du Do Frankfurt Roux, F-75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
• NKVSFl is available from Serotec (Cergy Sainte-Christophe, France), Catalog ref no. MCA2243.
• the compound used to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies stimulates an activating receptor of aNK cell.
• Any activating receptor can be used, e.g. NKp30 (see, e.g., PCT WO 01/36630, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), NKp44 (see, e.g., Vitale et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med. 187:2065-2072, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), NKp46 (see, e.g., Sivori et al.
• NKG2D see, e.g., OMIM 602893
• IL-12R IL-15R
• IL-18R E -21R
• an activatory KIR receptor for example a KIR2DS4 receptor (Carrington and Norman, The KIR Gene Cluster, May 3, 2003, available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books), or any other receptor present on a substantial fraction of NK cells, and whose activation leads to the activation or proliferation ofthe cell, preferably even if the cell had previously been inhibited via an inhibitory receptor such as an inhibitory KIR receptor.
• the compound can be any molecular entity, including polypeptides, small molecules, and antibodies.
• exemplary compounds include any ligands, including natural, recombinant or synthetic ligands, which interact with activating receptors.
• a compound which stimulates an activating receptor of aNK cell may be a cytokine such as IL-12 which interacts with the IL-12 receptor (IL-12R), E -15 which interacts with the IL-15 receptor (IL-15R), IL-18 which interacts with the EL- 18 receptor (IL-18R), IL-21 which interacts with the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R).
• IL-12R IL-12 receptor
• E -15 which interacts with the IL-15 receptor
• IL-18R IL-18 which interacts with the EL- 18 receptor
• IL-21 which interacts with the IL-21 receptor
• a compound which stimulates an activating receptor of aNK cell is a compound other than BL-2.
• Other exemplary compounds which stimulate an activating receptor of a NK cell include antibodies which bind an NK cell receptor selected from the group consisting of NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, NKG2D, KIR2DS4 and other activatory KIR receptors.
• the activatory receptor is a Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor (NCR) found on NK cells, preferably the NCR selected from the group consisting of NKp30, NKp44 or NKp46, and the compound that stimulates an activating receptor is, binds to the same epitope as, or competes for binding with any ofthe monoclonal antibodies selected from the group consisting of AZ20, A76, Z25, Z231, and BAB281.
• NCR Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor
• NK cell receptors can be detected using any of a variety of standard methods.
• colorimetric ELISA-type assays can be used, as can immunoprecipitation and radioimmunoassays.
• Competition assays may be employed, e.g. to compare the binding of a test compound to a compound known to bind to an NK cell receptor, in which the control (e.g. BAB281, which specifically binds to NKp46) and test compounds are admixed (or pre-adsorbed) and applied to a sample containing the epitope- containing protein, e.g. NKp46 in the case of BAB281.
• Protocols based upon ELISAs, radioimmunoassays, Western blotting and the use of BIACORE are suitable for use in such simple competition studies and are well known in the art.
• Inhibition of KIR- or NKG2A/C-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity, or stimulation of NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, or NKG2D-mediated activation of NK cells can be assessed by various assays or tests, such as binding, cytotoxicity, or other molecular or cellular assays.
• inhibitory activity is illustrated by the capacity of said compound, preferably an antibody, to reconstitute the lysis of KIR or NKG2A C positive NK clones, respectively, on HLA-C or HLA-E positive targets.
• the compound, preferably an antibody is defined as inhibiting the binding of HLA-C molecules to KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 (or the closely related KIR2DL2) receptors, further preferably as its capacity to alter the binding of a HLA-C molecule selected from Cwl, Cw3, Cw7, and Cw8 (or of a HLA-c molecule having an Asn residue at position 80) to KIR2DL2/3; and the binding of a HLA-C molecule selected from Cw2, Cw4, Cw5 and Cw6 (or of a HLA-c molecule having a Lys residue at position 80) to KIR2DL1.
• the inhibitory or potentiating activity of a compound of this invention can be assessed in any of a number of ways, e.g. by its effect on intracellular free calcium as described, e.g., in Sivori et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med. 186:1129-1136, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
• NK cell activity can also be assessed using a cell based cytotoxicity assays, e.g., measuring chromium release, such as assessing the ability ofthe antibody to stimulate NK cells to kill target cells such as P815, K562 cells, or appropriate tumor cells as disclosed in Sivori et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med.
• the antibodies cause at least a 10% augmentation in NK cytotoxicity, preferably at least a 40% or 50% augmentation in NK cytotoxicity, or more preferably at least a 70% augmentation in NK cytotoxicity.
• NK cell activity can also be addressed using a cytokine-release assay, wherein NK cells are incubated with the antibody to stimulate the NK cells' cytokine production (for example TFN- ⁇ and TNF- ⁇ production).
• cytokine-release assay wherein NK cells are incubated with the antibody to stimulate the NK cells' cytokine production (for example TFN- ⁇ and TNF- ⁇ production).
• IFN- ⁇ production from PBMC is assessed by cell surface and intracytoplasmic staining and analysis by flow cytometry after 4 days in culture. Briefly, Brefeldin A (Sigma Aldrich) is added at a final concentration of 5 ⁇ g/ml for the last 4 hours of culture.
• GM-CSF and IFN- ⁇ production from polyclonal activated NK cells are measured in supernatants using ELISA (GM-CSF: DuoSet Elisa, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN; IFN- ⁇ : OptElA set, Pharmingen).
• the ability ofthe antibody to activate human NK cells is assessed, where an ability to activate human NK cells at least as well as non-human NK cells indicates that the compounds are suitable for use in the present invention.
• the ability ofthe compound to enhance the ability of therapeutic antibodies to direct the depletion of suitable target cells by NK cells in vitro or in vivo can be assessed.
• the compounds of this invention may exhibit partial inhibitory or stimulating activity, e.g., partially reduce the KIRJDL-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity, or partially activate an NK cell through any level of stimulation of NCRs or other receptors. Most preferred compounds are able to inhibit (or stimulate, in the case of activating receptors) at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, 40% or 50% or more ofthe activity ofthe NK cell, e.g. as measured in a cell toxicity assay, in comparison to cells in the absence ofthe compound.
• the compound can provide an increase of depletion of target cells by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, 1000%, or more relative to the depletion level in the absence ofthe compound.
• preferred compounds of this invention preferably antibodies, are able to induce the lysis of matched or HLA compatible or autologous target cell population, i.e., cell population that would not be effectively lysed by NK cells in the absence of said antibody. Accordingly, compounds of this invention may also be defined as facilitating NK cell activity in vivo.
• the invention also contemplates embodiments in which compounds that stimulate activating receptors, or, preferably, block the inhibitory receptor of a NK cell, are fragments of such a monoclonal antibody having substantially the same antigen specificity, including, without limitation, a Fab fragment, a Fab'2 fragment, a CDR and a ScFv.
• the monoclonal antibody may be humanized, human, or chimeric (e.g. a bispecific or functionalised antibody). While antibodies stimulating activating receptors can also be fragments, they are preferably full length. Derivatives, e.g. with modified sequences or with conjugated heterologous functional groups or other compounds, can be used for any ofthe antibodies described herein.
• the antibodies that block the inhibitory receptor or stimulate an activating receptor of an NK cell according to the invention may be produced by a variety of techniques known in the art. Typically, they are produced by immunization of a non-human animal with an immunogen comprising a KIR, NKG2A/C, NCR (e.g. NKp30, NKp44, NKp46), or NKG2D polypeptide, or immunogenic fragment of any ofthe polypeptides, and collection of spleen cells (to produce hybridomas by fusion with appropriate cell lines).
• an immunogen comprising a KIR, NKG2A/C, NCR (e.g. NKp30, NKp44, NKp46), or NKG2D polypeptide, or immunogenic fragment of any ofthe polypeptides, and collection of spleen cells (to produce hybridomas by fusion with appropriate cell lines).
• Preferred antibodies that block the inhibitory receptor or stimulate an activating receptor of a NK cell according to the invention are prepared by immunization with an immunogen comprising an activating or inhibiting NK cell receptor, e.g. a KIR2DL polypeptide, more preferably a human KIR2DL polypeptide.
• the KIR2DL polypeptide may comprise the full length sequence of a human KIR2DL polypeptide, or a fragment or derivative thereof, typically an immunogenic fragment, i.e., a portion ofthe polypeptide comprising an epitope, preferably a T or B cell epitope.
• Such fragments typically contain at least 7 consecutive amino acids ofthe mature polypeptide sequence, even more preferably at least 10 consecutive amino acids thereof.
• the immunogen comprises a wild-type human KIR2DL, NCR, or other polypeptide in a lipid membrane, typically at the surface of a cell.
• the immunogen comprises intact NK cells, particularly intact human NK cells, optionally treated or lysed.
• NK cell potentiating antibodies will have Fc regions altered so as to reduce their affinity for Fc receptors, thereby reducing the likelihood that NK cells bound by the antibodies will themselves be bound and lysed.
• Antibodies that block the KIR2DL receptors of NK cells can be produced by methods comprising: i) immunizing a non-human mammal with an immunogen comprising a KIR2DL polypeptide; ii) preparing monoclonal antibodies from said immunized animal, wherein said monoclonal antibodies bind said KIR2DL polypeptide; iii) selecting monoclonal antibodies from step ii) that cross react with at least two different serotypes of KIR2DL polypeptides; and iv) selecting monoclonal antibodies of (c) that inhibit KIR2DL-mediated inhibition of NK cells.
• the order of steps (iii) and (iv) can be changed.
• the method may further comprise additional steps of making fragments or derivatives ofthe monoclonal antibody, as disclosed below.
• the method comprises: i) selecting, from a library or repertoire, a monoclonal antibody or a fragment or derivative thereof that cross reacts with at least two different serotypes of KIR2DL polypeptides; and selecting an antibody from step i) that inhibits KIR2DL-mediated inhibition of NK cells.
• any of these methods can be used to select for any antibodies or anybody fragments that are specific for any group of (inhibitory or activating) NK cell receptors sharing one or more epitopes.
• similar methods can be used for the preparation of antibodies that block a KIR3DL or a or NKG2A/C receptor of NK cells, or stimulate an activating receptor of NK cells.
• the non-human animals used in these methods, or used in the production of any ofthe herein-described antibodies is a mammal, such as a rodent (e.g., mouse, rat, etc.), bovine, porcine, horse, rabbit, goat, sheep, etc.
• rodent e.g., mouse, rat, etc.
• bovine bovine
• porcine horse
• rabbit goat
• sheep etc.
• any ofthe herein-described antibodies can be genetically modified or engineered to be human-suitable, e.g. humanized, chimeric, or human antibodies.
• Methods for humanizing antibodies are well known in the art.
• a humanized antibody according to the present invention has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from the original antibody. These murine or other non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as "import" residues, which are typically taken from an "import” variable domain.
• Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers (Jones et al. (1986) Nature 321:522; Riechmann et al. (1988) Nature 332:323; Verhoeyen et al.
• humanized antibodies are chimeric antibodies (Cabilly et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from the original antibody.
• humanized antibodies according to this invention are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogous sites in the original antibody.
• Another method of making "humanized” monoclonal antibodies is to use a XenoMouse® (Abgenix, Fremont, CA) as the mouse used for immunization.
• a XenoMouse is a murine host that has had its immunoglobulin genes replaced by functional human immunoglobulin genes.
• antibodies produced by this mouse or in hybridomas made from the B cells of this mouse are already humanized.
• the XenoMouse is described in United States Patent No. 6,162,963, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.
• An analogous method can be achieved using a HuMAb-MouseTM (Medarex).
• Human antibodies may also be produced according to various other techniques, such as by using, for immunization, other transgenic animals that have been engineered to express a human antibody repertoire (Jakobovitz et al., Nature 362 (1993) 255), or by selection of ant body repertoires using phage display methods. Such techniques are known to the skilled person and can be implemented starting from monoclonal antibodies as disclosed in the present application.
• the antibodies ofthe present invention may also be derivatized to "chimeric" antibodies (immunoglobulins) in which a portion ofthe heavy and/or light chain is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in the original antibody, while the remainder ofthe chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (Cabilly et al., supra; Morrison et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81:6851).
• chimeric antibodies immunoglobulins
• the compound that blocks the inhibitory receptor of an NK cell or stimulates an activatory receptor of an NK cell is an antibody
• such antibody may by polyclonal or, preferably, monoclonal.
• the antibody may be produced by a hybridoma or by a recombinant cell engineered to express the desired variable and constant domains.
• the antibody may be a single chain antibody or other antibody derivative retaining the antigen specificity and the lower hinge region or a variant thereof.
• the antibody may be a polyfunctional antibody, recombinant antibody, humanized antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof. Said fragment or a derivative thereof is preferably selected from a Fab fragment, a Fab'2 fragment, a CDR and a ScFv.
• a fragment is an antigen-binding fragment.
• An antibody which comprise an antibody fragment may also include but are not limited to bispecific antibodies.
• a bispecific antibody comprising an antigen binding region specific for an activatory receptor and an antigen binding region specific for a tumor antigen (see PCT Publication no. WO 01/71005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference).
• the invention concerns a composition
• a composition comprising at least one compound, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks the inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell, and a therapeutic antibody, the use of said composition for increasing the efficiency ofthe therapeutic antibody, for increasing ADCC in a subject treated with a therapeutic antibody, or for treating a subject having a disease, more particularly a disease requiring the depletion ofthe targeted cells, preferably diseased cells such as virally-infected cells, tumor cells or other pathogenic cells.
• the disease is selected from the group consisting of a cancer, an auto- immune disease, an inflammatory disease, a viral disease.
• the disease also concerns a graft rejection, more particularly allograft rejection, and graft versus host disease (GVHD).
• GVHD graft versus host disease
• the treatment ofthe disease requires the depletion ofthe targeted cells, preferably the diseased cells such as virally-infected cells, tumor cells or other pathogenic cells.
• the disease is a cancer, infectious or immune disease. More preferably, the disease is selected from the group consisting of a cancer, an auto-immune disease, an inflammatory disease, a viral disease.
• the disease also concerns a graft rejection, more particularly allograft rejection, and graft versus host disease (GVHD).
• GVHD graft versus host disease
• Said diseases include neoplastic proliferation of hematopoietic cells.
• said diseases are selected from the group consisting of lymphoblastic leukemia, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, multiple myeloma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• Said diseases also include ENT cancers, colorectal cancers, breast cancer, epithelial cancer.
• Said diseases include CMV infection, and hepatitis B.
• Said diseases include Crohn disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis or diabetes. In particular, any disease listed in the table provided supra can be treated.
• Said therapeutic antibody can be bound by CD 16, preferably through its Fc region.
• said therapeutic antibody has a human IgGl or an IgG3 Fc portion, particularly a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof, further preferably a human, humanized or chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, for instance rituximab.
• Said compound preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks the inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of an NK cell binds at least one of KIR, NKG2A/C, NCR, or NKG2D human receptors, and either inhibits the related KIR2DL, KIR3DL and/or NKG2A/C- mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity, or stimulates the related NCR or NKG2D-mediated activation of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• a KIR2DL human receptor is used, e.g. a receptor selected from the group consisting of KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3 human receptors, or a KIR3DL human receptor is used, e.g.
• the NK-cell potentiating compound binds at least one of KIR2DL human receptors and inhibits the related KIRJDL-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the KIR2DL human receptor is selected from the group consisting of KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3 human receptors.
• the compound preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, binds a common determinant of KIR2DL human receptors and inhibits KIR2DL-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• said compound preferably an antibody, binds a common determinant of KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3 human receptors and inhibits KIR2DL1-, KIR2DL2-, KIR2DL3 -mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• said compound preferably an antibody, inhibits the binding of a HLA-C allele molecule having a Lys residue at position 80 to a human KIR2DL1 receptor, and the binding of a HLA-C allele molecule having an Asn residue at position 80 to human KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 receptors.
• this antibody binds to the same epitope as monoclonal antibody DF200 produced by hybridoma DF200.
• this antibody competes with monoclonal antibody DF200 produced by hybridoma DF200 for binding to a KIR receptor at the surface of a human NK cell.
• the antibody is monoclonal antibody DF200 produced by hybridoma DF200.
• the antibody is, competes with, or binds to the same epitope as monoclonal antibody EB6.
• composition according to the present invention can comprise a combination of several compounds, preferably antibodies or a fragment thereof, that block different inhibitory receptors of NK cells, and/or stimulate one or more activating receptors of NK cells.
• compounds, preferably antibodies or a fragment thereof, that block inhibitory receptors of NK cells are specific of an inhibitory receptor selected from KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, NKG2A and NKG2C, and are able to inhibit the related KIR- or NKG2A/C-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• the combination of "neutralizing" compounds is able to inhibit the KIR2DL1 -, KIR2DL2-, and KIR2DL3 -mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity.
• a maximum number of different inhibitory receptors will be blocked in a maximum number of patients.
• combinations of compounds that stimulate different activating compounds can be used, e.g. compounds that together lead to the activation of any combination of two or more receptors selected from the group consisting of NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, and NKG2D.
• combinations comprising one or more compounds that block an inhibitory receptor, and one or more compounds that stimulate an activating receptor, can be used.
• a sample of NK cells can be obtained from a patient prior to the application ofthe present methods, and the responsiveness ofthe NK cells to different combinations of compounds, e.g. in the presence of target cells and the therapeutic antibody, can be assessed.
• compositions of this invention may comprise any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, typically buffer, isotonic solutions, aqueous suspension, optionally supplemented with stabilizing agents, preservatives, etc.
• Typical formulations include a saline solution and, optionally, a protecting or stabilizing molecule, such as a high molecular weight protein (e.g., human serum albumin).
• Kits are also provided comprising any combination of one or more therapeutic antibodies, one or more NK cell potentiating compounds, and, preferably, instructions for their use.
• compounds preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that block an inhibitory receptor or stimulate an activating receptor of aNK cell and therapeutic antibodies are administered in an "efficient” or “therapeutically effective” amount.
• the efficient amount of therapeutic antibodies administered to the recipient can be between about 0J mg/kg and about 20 mg/kg.
• the efficient amount of antibody depends however ofthe form of the antibody (whole Ig, or fragments), affinity ofthe mAb and pharmacokinetics parameter that must be determined for each particular antibodies.
• the efficient amount of compounds, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that block the inhibitory receptor or stimulate an activating receptor of a NK cell administered to the recipient can be between about 0J mg/kg and about 20 mg/kg.
• the efficient amount of antibody depends however ofthe form ofthe antibody (whole Ig, or fragments), affinity ofthe mAb and pharmacokinetics parameters that must be determined for each particular antibodies.
• the use ofthe present compounds can allow therapeutic efficacy to be achieved with reduced doses of therapeutic antibodies.
• the use (e.g., dosage, administration regimen) of therapeutic antibodies can be limited by side effects, e.g., in the case of rituximab, fever, headaches, wheezing, drop in blood pressure, and others.
• a standard dose ofthe therapeutic antibodies will be administered in conjunction with the herein-described NK cell potentiating compounds (i.e., the recommended dose in the absence of any other compounds), thereby enhancing the efficacy ofthe standard dose in patients needing ever greater therapeutic efficacy, in other patients, e.g., those severely affected by side effects, the administration ofthe present compounds will allow therapeutic efficacy to be achieved at a reduced dose of therapeutic antibodies, thereby avoiding side effects.
• a skilled medical practitioner will be capable of determining the ideal dose and administrative regimen ofthe therapeutic antibody and the NK cell potentiating compound for a given patient, e.g. the therapeutic strategy that will be most appropriate in view ofthe particular needs and overall condition ofthe patient.
• a medical practitioner can gradually lower the amount ofthe therapeutic antibody given in conjunction with the administration of any ofthe present NK cell potentiating compounds; either in terms of dosage or frequency of administration, and monitor the efficacy of the therapeutic antibody; e.g. monitor NK cell activity; monitor the presence of target cells in the patient, monitor various clinical indications, or by any other means, and, in view ofthe results of the monitoring, adjust the relative concentrations or modes of administration ofthe therapeutic antibodies and/or NK potentiating compound to optimize therapeutic efficacy and limitation of side effects.
• NK cells will be obtained from the patient prior to the administration ofthe therapeutic antibody and NK cell potentiating compounds (and, if appropriate, during the treatment), and assessed to determine the ideal compound or suite of compounds to be used for maximum efficacy. For example, the identity ofthe inhibitory or activating receptors present on the NK cells can be determined, and compounds administered that specifically targeted the most prominent receptors. Alternatively, the obtained NK cells can be incubated with the therapeutic antibody and target cells, and the ability of one or more compounds to enhance target cell depletion can be assessed. Whichever one or more compounds is most effective at enhancing depletion in vitro can then be selected for use in the present treatment methods.
• Suitable doses ofthe compounds and/or therapeutic antibodies can also generally be determined in vitro or in animal models, e.g. in vitro by incubating various concentrations of a therapeutic antibody in the presence of target cells, NK cells (preferably human NK cells), optionally other immune cells, and varying concentrations of one or more NK cell potentiating compounds, and assessing the extent or rate of target cell depletion under the various conditions, using standard assays (e.g. as described in the examples section).
• NK cells preferably human NK cells
• varying concentrations of one or more NK cell potentiating compounds e.g. as described in the examples section.
• varying dosages ofthe therapeutic antibodies can be given to animal models for diseases treatable with the antibodies (e.g.
• an animal model for NHL in the case of rituximab along with varying dosages ofthe herein-described compounds, and the efficacy ofthe antibodies (e.g. as determined by any suitable clinical, cellular, or molecular assay or criterion) in treating the animals can be assessed.
• composition according to the present invention may be injected directly to a subject, typically by intra-venous, intra-peritoneal, intra-arterial, intra-muscular or transdermic route.
• a subject typically by intra-venous, intra-peritoneal, intra-arterial, intra-muscular or transdermic route.
• monoclonal antibodies have been shown to be efficient in clinical situations, such as Rituxan (Rituximab) or Xolair (Omalizumab), and similar administration regimens (i.e., formulations and/or doses and/or administration protocols) may be used with the composition of this invention.
• compositions of this invention may further comprise or may be used in combination with other active agents or therapeutic programs such as chemotherapy or other immunotherapies, either simultaneously or sequentially.
• the method ofthe invention further comprises one or several injections of two or more compounds that block an inhibitory receptor or stimulate an activating receptor of aNK cell.
• these two or more compounds can be used in combination. This can serve to cause an even greater augmentation of ADCC and efficacy of therapeutic antibodies, and/or can serve to reduce the dosage of a particular compound that block an inhibitory receptor or stimulate an activating receptor of a NK cell.
• compounds such as IL-2 are known to be toxic at increased doses.
• the invention therefore preferably provides a method of treatment of a disease in a subject in need thereof comprising : a) administering to said subject at least two compounds, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of a NK cell; and b) administering to said subject a therapeutic antibody.
• a preferred regimen is where said two compounds are (i) a first compound selected from the group consisting of an antibody which stimulates an NCR or NKG2D receptor or an activatory KIR receptor, and an antibody which blocks an inhibitory KIR receptor or NKG2A, and (ii) a second compound selected from the group consisting of IL-12, IL-15, DL-18 and IL-21.
• the invention therefore further provides a method of treatment of a disease in a subject in need thereof comprising : a) administering to said subject a compound according to the invention, preferably an antibody or a fragment thereof, that blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of a NK cell; and b) administering to said subject a therapeutic antibody; and (c) administering to said subject IL-2.
• IL2 is available from Research Diagnostics, NJ, RDI-202, or Chiron Corp. (Emeryville, CA).
• the cytokine can be administered according to any suitable administration regimen, and may be administered before, simultaneously and/or after administration ofthe compound which blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of aNK cell, and before, simultaneously and/or after administration of therapeutic antibody.
• the cytokine is administered daily for a period of 5-10 days, the cytokine(s) being first injected on the same day as the first injection ofthe compound which blocks an inhibitory receptor or stimulates an activating receptor of a NK cell.
• Said method preferably comprises one or two injections/day of cytokine(s) by subcutaneous route.
• the dosage of the cytokine will be chosen depending on the condition of the patient to be treated.
• a relatively low dose of cytokine can be used.
• an effective dose of a is typically lower than 1 million units/square meters/day of cytokine(s), when the cytokine-containing pharmaceutical composition is used for daily subcutaneous injection.
• IL-2 is injected subcutaneously at daily doses below 1 million units/m 2 for 5 to 10 days.
• the therapeutic antibodies and NK cell potentiating compounds can be coadministered, e.g., co-injected, or can be administered simultaneously but in different formulations, or can be independently administered, e.g. the compound is administered hours, days, or weeks before or after the administration ofthe compound.
• Example 1 Generation of a pan KIR2DL antibody.
• PBLs were derived from healthy donors by Ficoll Hypaque gradients and depletion of plastic adherent cells. To obtain enriched NK cells, PBLs were incubated with anti CD3 , anti CD4 and anti HLA-DR mAbs (30mns at 4°C), followed by goat anti mouse magnetic beads (Dynal) (30 mns at 4°C) and immunomagnetic selection by methods known in the art (Pende et al., 1999).
• CD3 minus, CD4 minus DR minus cells are cutivated on irradiated feeder cells and 100 U/ml Interleukin 2 (Proleukin, Chiron Corporation) and 1.5 ng/ml Phytohemagglutinin A (Gibco BRL) to obtain polyclonal NK cell populations.
• NK cell are cloned by limiting dilution and clones of NK cells are characterized by flow cytometry for expression of cell surface receptors.
• CPU, CN5 and CN505 are KIR2DL1 positive clones and are stained by EB6 or XA-141 antibodies.
• CN12 and CP502 are KIR2DL3 positive clones and are stained by GL183 antibody.
• mAbs used were produced in the laboratory JT3A (IgG2a, anti CD3), EB6 and GL183 (IgGl anti KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 respectively), XA-141 IgM anti KIR2DL1 (same specificity as compared to EB6, anti CD4 (HP2.6), anti DR (D1.12, IgG2a).
• JT3A, HP2.6, and DR1.12 commercially available mAbs ofthe same specificities can be used for example from Beckman coulter Inc, Fullerton, CA.
• EB6 and GL183 are commercially available in Beckman Coulter Inc , Fullerton, CA.
• XA-141 is not commercially available but EB6 can be used for control reconstitution of lysis as described in (Moretta et al., 1993).
• Cells were stained with the appropriate antibodies (30mns at 4°C) followed by PE or FITC conjugated polyclonal anti mouse antibodies (Southern Biotechnology Associates Inc). Samples were analysed by cytofluorometric analysis on a FACSAN apparatus (Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, CA).
• cytolytic activity of NK clones was assessed by a standard 4hr 5 ICr release assay.
• effector NK cells were tested on Cw3 or Cw4 positive cell lines known for their sensitivity to NK cell lysis. All the targets are used at 5000 cells per well in microtitration plate and the Effector on target ratio is indicated in the figures (usually 4 effectors per target cells).
• the cytolytic assay is performed with or without supernatant of indicated monoclonal antibodies at a '/> dilution. The procedure is essentially the same as described in (Moretta et al., 1993).
• mAbs have been generated by immunizing 5 week old Balb C mice with activated polyclonal or monoclonal NK cell lines as described in (Moretta et al., 1990; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). After different cell fusions, the mAbs were fist selected for their ability to cross react with EB6 and GL183 positive NK cell lines and clones. Positive monoclonal antibodies were further screened for their ability to reconstitute lysis by EB6 positive or GL183 positive NK clones of Cw4 or Cw3 positive targets respectively.
• DF200 mAb One ofthe monoclonal antibodies, the DF200 mAb, was found to react with various members of the KIR family including KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2/3. Regarding the staining of NK cells with DF200mAb both KIR2DL1+ and KIR2DL2/3+ cells were stained brightly (figure 1).
• NK clones expressing one or another (or even both) of these HLAclass I-specific inhibitory receptors were used as effectors cells against target cells expressing one or more HLA-C alleles.
• KIR2DL1+ NK clones displayed little if any cytolytic activity against target cells expressing HLA-Cw4
• KIRJDL3+ NK clones displayed little or no activity on Cw3 positive targets.
• NK clones became unable to recognize their HLA-C ligands and displayed strong cytolytic activity on Cw3 or Cw4 targets.
• the C1R cell line (CW4+ EBV cell line, ATCC n°CRL 1993) was not killed by KIR2DL1+ NK clones (CN5/CN505), but the inhibition could be efficiently reverted by the use of either DF200 or a conventional anti KIR2DL1 mAb.
• KIR 2DL1 and KIR 2DL3 recombinant proteins were produced in E. coli.
• cDNA encoding the entire extracellular domain of KIR 2DL1 and KIR 2DL3 were amplified by PCR from pCDM8 clone 47.11 vector (Biassoni et al, 1993; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) and RSVS(gpt)183 clone 6 vector (Wagtman et al, 1995; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) respectively, using the following primers: Sense: 5'-GGAATTCCAGGAGGAATTTAAAATGCATGAGGGAGTCCACAG-3' Anti-sense: 5'-CCCAAGCTTGGGTTATGTGACAGAAACAAGCAGTGG-3'
• Proteins were recovered from inclusion bodies under denaturing conditions (8 M urea). Refolding ofthe recombinant proteins was performed in Tris 20 mM, pH 7.8, NaCl 150 mM buffer containing L-arginine (400 mM, Sigma) and ⁇ -mercaptoethanol (1 mM), at RT, by decreasing the urea concentration in a six step dialysis (4, 3, 2, 1 0.5 and 0 M urea, respectively). Reduced and oxidized glutathion (5 mM and 0.5 mM respectively, Sigma) were added during the 0.5 and 0 M urea dialysis steps. Finally, the proteins were dialyzed extensively against Tris 10 mM, pH 7.5, NaCl 150 mM buffer. Soluble refolded proteins were concentrated and then purified on a Superdex 200 size-exclusion column (Pharmacia; AKTA system).
• Biacore analysis Surface plasmon resonance measurements were performed on a Biacore apparatus (Biacore). In all Biacore experiments HBS buffer supplemented with 0.05% surfactant P20 served as running buffer.
• the soluble analyte (40 ⁇ l at various concentrations) was injected at a flow rate of 20 ⁇ l/min in HBS buffer, on a dextran layers containing 500 or 540 reflectance units (RU), and 1000 or 700 RU of KIR 2DL1 and KIR 2DL3 respectively. Data are representative of 6 independent experiments.
• Example 2 Enhancement of ADCC by using a combination of Rituxan and anti KIR mAb.
• NK clones Blood mononuclear cells depleted of T cells by negative anti- CD3 immuno-magnetic selection (Miltenyi) are plated under limiting-dilution conditions, activated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (Biochrom KG, Berlin, Germany), and cultured with interleukin (IL)-2 (Chiron B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands) and irradiated feeder cells. Cloning efficiencies are equivalent in all donors and range between 1 in 5 and 1 in 10 plated NK cells.
• PHA phytohemagglutinin
• IL-2 interleukin-2
• Cloned NK cells are screened for alloreactivity by standard Cr release cytotoxicity against Epstein-Barr virus- transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines of known HLA type at an effector to target ratio of 10: 1. Clones exhibiting > 30% lysis were scored as alloreactive. As a rule, clones either exhibit ⁇ 5% or > 40% lysis.
• NK clone The cytolytic activity of NK clone is assessed by a standard 4hr 5 ICr release assay, in which effector NK cells were tested on Cw4 or Cw3 positive EBV cell lines (CD20 positive), known for their sensitivity to NK cell lysis. All the targets are used at 5000 cells per well in microtitration plate and the Effector (NK cell clone) on target ratio is indicated in the figure 3.
• the therapeutic chimeric anti CD20 rituximab (Rituxan, pie) is added at 5 ⁇ g/ml is added to the effector target mixture.
• the EB6 antibody anti KIR2DL1
• Example 3 Enhancement of ADCC mediated by Campath by a KIR2DL1 positive NK cell clone
• MHC major histocompatibility complex
• NK human natural killer cells.
• Anti-p58 antibodies reconstitute lysis of MHC class I-protected cells in NK clones displaying different specificities, j Exp Med 178, 597-604.
• NKp30 a novel triggering receptor involved in natural cytotoxicity mediated by human natural killer cells. J Exp Med 190, 1505-1516.

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