WO2018187215A1 - Bispecific 4-1bb agonist molecules - Google Patents

Bispecific 4-1bb agonist molecules Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018187215A1
WO2018187215A1 PCT/US2018/025700 US2018025700W WO2018187215A1 WO 2018187215 A1 WO2018187215 A1 WO 2018187215A1 US 2018025700 W US2018025700 W US 2018025700W WO 2018187215 A1 WO2018187215 A1 WO 2018187215A1
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bispecific molecule
cell
seq
moiety
antibody
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PCT/US2018/025700
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French (fr)
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Klaus Andreas RAUE
Eric M. Tam
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Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Publication of WO2018187215A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018187215A1/en

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
    • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IGs], 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
    • C07K16/2818—Immunoglobulins [IGs], 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 against CD28 or CD152
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
    • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
    • C07K16/2878—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the NGF-receptor/TNF-receptor superfamily, e.g. CD27, CD30, CD40, CD95
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/30—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency
    • C07K2317/31—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by aspects of specificity or valency multispecific
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/40—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by post-translational modification
    • C07K2317/41—Glycosylation, sialylation, or fucosylation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
    • C07K2317/52—Constant or Fc region; Isotype
    • C07K2317/526—CH3 domain
    • 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
    • C07K2317/71—Decreased effector function due to an Fc-modification
    • 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
    • C07K2317/75—Agonist effect on antigen
    • 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
    • C07K2317/76—Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide

Definitions

  • Targeted treatment of diseases that benefit from enhanced immune responses and T-cell response and compositions that comprise a 4-1 BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety (e.g. , a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule).
  • a 4-1 BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety (e.g. , a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule).
  • T-cells recognize peptide antigens in the context of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule complexes depending on the specificity of their T-cell antigen receptor (TCR).
  • MHC major histocompatibility complex
  • T-cells require an additional co-stimulatory signal to ensure full activation, clonal expansion and concomitant effector differentiation. This co-stimulatory signal can also be found at the interface of the antigen presenting cells (APC) and the T-cells and involve several members of TNF ligand/receptor superfamily.
  • APC antigen presenting cells
  • 4-1 BB also known as CD137 or "tumor necrosis factor superfamily, member 9" (TNFRSF9)
  • TNFRSF9 tumor necrosis factor superfamily, member 9
  • 4-1 BB signaling is critical for formation of immunological memory and T-cell proliferation.
  • 4-1 BB signaling induces maturation of dendritic cells and production of inflammatory cytokines.
  • the present invention provides such an improved strategy.
  • the present invention relates to compositions that include a 4-1 BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, an NK cell binding moiety or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety (e.g. , a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule) and method for the therapeutic use of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules.
  • the present disclosure provides 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules comprising a 4-1 BB agonist moiety; and a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, an NK cell binding moiety, or a granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety.
  • 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule is used interchangeably with the term "bispecific molecule”.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the T-cell binding moiety by a linker.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the NK cell binding moiety by a linker.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety by a linker.
  • the linker is a polypeptide linker that is 15-20 amino acid residues in length.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is an anti- 4-1 BB agonist antibody or a 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof, a 4-1 BBL moiety, or a 4-1 BB agonist aptamer.
  • the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises two or more 4-1 BBL domains where the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises intra-domain linkers connecting the two or more 4-1 BBL domains.
  • the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises three 4-1 BBL domains where the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises intra-domain linkers connecting the two or more 4-1 BBL domains.
  • intra-domain linkers are polypeptide linkers that are each 15- 20 amino acid residues in length.
  • the bispecific molecule comprising one or more 4-1 BB domains, each 4-1 BBL domain, independently, comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) residues 50-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; (b) residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; and (c) residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the bispecific molecule comprising one or more 4- 1 BB domains, each 4-1 BBL domain, independently, comprises an amino acid sequence identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) residues 50-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; (b) residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; and (c) residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the present disclosure also provides for bispecific molecule where the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety binds to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen CD8.
  • the CD8+ T- cell binding moiety binds to the human CD8+ T-cell surface antigen CD8 (SEQ I D NO:26).
  • the bispecific molecule comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the T-cell surface antigen or granzyme B-positive cell antigen is KI2L4, NKG2E, NKG2D, NKG2F, BTNL3, CD186, BTNL8, PD-1 , CD195, NKG2C, or LAG3.
  • the bispecific molecule comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the T-cell surface antigen or granzyme B-positive cell antigen is human KI2L4 (SEQ I D NO: 16), human NKG2E (SEQ I D NO: 17), human NKG2D (SEQ I D NO: 18), human NKG2F (SEQ I D NO: 19), human BTNL3 (SEQ I D NO:20), human CD186 (SEQ I D NO:21), human BTNL8 (SEQ I D NO:22), human PD-1 (SEQ I D NO:23), human CD195 (SEQ I D NO:24), human NKG2C (SEQ I D NO:25), or human LAG 3 (SEQ ID NO:44).
  • human KI2L4 SEQ I D NO: 16
  • human NKG2E SEQ I D NO: 17
  • human NKG2D SEQ I D NO: 18
  • human NKG2F SEQ I D NO: 19
  • human BTNL3 SEQ I D NO
  • the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the CD8+ T-cell cell binding moiety, the NK cell binding moiety, or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety, and the cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to the CD8+ cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, or an aptamer that binds to the antigen.
  • the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen is a receptor and the CD8+ cell binding moiety is a ligand of the receptor.
  • the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the NK cell surface antigen is a receptor and the NK cell binding moiety is a ligand of the receptor.
  • the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and a granzyme B-positive surface antigen is a receptor and the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is a ligand of the receptor.
  • the disclosure provides a method of activating a CD8 + T-cell, an NK cell, or granzyme B-positive cell comprising, contacting a CD8 + T-cell, an NK cell, or granzyme B-positive cell with an effective amount of a 4- 1 BB agonist bispecific molecule according to the disclosure.
  • the contacting is in vitro.
  • the contacting is in vivo.
  • the CD8 + T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell is a tumor-associated CD8 + T-cell.
  • the method is a method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a bispecific molecule according to the present disclosure.
  • the cancer is a solid tumor.
  • the 4-1 BB bispecific molecule is administered in combination with an additional antineoplastic agent.
  • compositions disclosed herein provide 4-1 BB agonists with increased specificity and selectivity, which can result in increased efficacy, decreased toxicity, and an increased therapeutic window.
  • Figure 1 A and 1 B are graphs showing the expression profile of 4-1 BB (figure 1 A), and the expression profile of PD-1 ( Figure 1 B).
  • Figure 2 is a bar graph showing the co-expression pattern of 4-1 BB and PD-1 on the different T-cell subtypes.
  • Figure 3 shows a prototype bispecific therapeutic consisting of a mouse PD-1 antibody (J43, Agata et al. , 1996, Int. Immunol., 8:765-772) fused to the N-terminus of mouse single chain 4-1 BBL fusion protein.
  • Figure 4A and 4B are figures showing that J43-sc4-1 BBL was purified to about 85% homogeneity as shown by SDS-PAGE ( Figure 4A) and analytical size exclusion
  • Figure 5 is a graph showing that J43-sc4-1 BBL can bind PD-1 and 4-1 BB
  • compositions comprising A or B
  • the method must comprise at least one of A and B but may also comprise both A and B.
  • a composition comprising "A, B, C or D” must comprise at least one of the group of A, B, C and D, but may also comprise all or any combination of A, B, C and D.
  • non-human animals includes all vertebrates, e.g. , mammals, such as non-human primates, (particularly higher primates and monkeys), sheep, dogs, rodents (e.g. mouse or rat), guinea pigs, goats, pigs, cats, rabbits, cows, and non- mammals such as chickens, amphibians, reptiles etc.
  • the subject is a human.
  • treatment includes therapeutic treatment and prophylactic treatment.
  • Therapeutic treatment is treatment of a subject that has signs or symptoms of the disease, condition or disorder to be treated.
  • Prophylactic treatments refers to treatment of a subject that is predisposed to the disease, condition or disorder that does not show overt signs of the disease, condition or disorder.
  • treatment may result in stasis of, partial or total alleviation, or reduction of signs or symptoms of illness, and specifically includes, without limitation, prolongation of survival and cure.
  • Peptide or “polypeptide” refers to any peptide comprising two or more amino acids joined by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds (e.g. , peptide isosteres). Peptides can contain amino acids other than the 20 naturally occurring nucleic acid encoded amino acids, and include amino acid sequences modified either by natural processes, such as post-translational processing, or by chemical modification techniques which are well known in the art.
  • Modifications can occur anywhere in a peptide, including the peptide backbone, the amino acid side-chains and the amino or carboxyl termini. It will be appreciated that the same type of modification can be present in the same or varying degrees at several sites in a given peptide.
  • polypeptides can contain many types of modifications.
  • Polypeptides can be branched as a result of ubiquitination, and they can be cyclic, with or without branching. Cyclic, branched and branched cyclic polypeptides can result from natural posttranslational processes or can be made by synthetic methods.
  • Modifications include acetylation, acylation, ADP- ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cystine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination.
  • isolated protein or "isolated polypeptide” (e.g. , an isolated antibody or isolated antigen binding fragment) is a protein or polypeptide that by virtue of its origin or source of derivation is not associated with naturally associated components that accompany it in its native state; is substantially free of other proteins from the same species; is expressed by a cell from a different species; or does not occur in nature.
  • a polypeptide that is chemically synthesized or synthesized in a cellular system different from the cell from which it naturally originates will be “isolated” from its naturally associated components.
  • a protein may also be rendered substantially free of naturally associated components by isolation, using protein purification techniques well known in the art.
  • variant as used herein is defined as a modified or altered form of a wildtype sequence, e.g. where one or more amino acids may be replaced by other amino acid(s) or non-amino acid(s) which do not substantially affect function.
  • the variant may contain an altered side chain for at least one amino acid residue.
  • antigen as used herein is defined as an entity that can stimulate the production of antibodies and specifically combine with them and/or an entity which elicits an immune system response.
  • a cell surface protein or a specific linear or non-linear portion thereof For example, a cell surface protein or a specific linear or non-linear portion thereof.
  • the term herein may be abbreviated to "Ag.”
  • an "effective amount" of an agent refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic or prophylactic result.
  • Binding affinity refers to intrinsic binding affinity which reflects a 1 : 1 interaction between members of a binding pair (e.g., antibody and antigen).
  • the affinity of a molecule X for its partner Y may generally be represented by the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD), a ratio of koff/kon, between the antibody and its antigen. KD and affinity are inversely related.
  • the KD value relates to the concentration of antibody (the amount of antibody needed for a particular experiment) and so the lower the KD value (lower concentration) and thus the higher the affinity of the antibody. Affinity may be measured by common methods known in the art, including those described herein. Specific, illustrative, and exemplary embodiments for measuring binding affinity may be measured by
  • RIA radioimmunoassays
  • SPR Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • the Kinetic Exclusion Assay is a general purpose immunoassay platform that is capable of measuring equilibrium dissociation constants, and association and dissociation rate constants for antigen/anti-body interactions.
  • the term "human” antibody refers to an antibody which possesses an amino acid sequence which corresponds to that of an antibody produced by a human and/or has been made using any technique for making human antibodies. This definition of a human antibody specifically excludes a humanized antibody comprising non-human antigen binding residues.
  • an "antigen binding antibody fragment” refers to a molecule other than an intact antibody that comprises a portion of an intact antibody that binds the antigen to which the intact antibody binds.
  • antibody fragments include but are not limited to Fv, Fab, Fab', Fd fragments, dAb fragments, Fab'-SH, F(ab')2; diabodies; triabodies; linear antibodies; single- chain antibody molecules (e.g., scFv); and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments, minimal recognition units consisting of the amino acid residues that mimic the hypervariable region of an antibody (e.g., an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR) such as a CDR3 peptide).
  • CDR complementarity determining region
  • An antigen-binding fragment of an antibody will typically comprise at least one variable domain.
  • the variable domain may be of any size or amino acid composition and will generally comprise at least one CDR which is adjacent to or in frame with one or more framework sequences.
  • the VH and VL domains may be situated relative to one another in any suitable arrangement.
  • the variable region may be dimeric and contain VH-VH, VH-VL or VL-VL dimers.
  • the antigen-binding fragment of an antibody may contain a monomeric VH or VL domain.
  • full length antibody “intact antibody,” and “whole antibody” are used herein interchangeably to refer to an antibody having a structure substantially similar to a native antibody structure or having heavy chains that contain an Fc region.
  • immune cell refers to cells that play a role in the immune response, including lymphocytes, such as B cells and T-cells; natural killer cells; myeloid cells, such as monocytes, macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells, basophils, and granulocytes.
  • An "immune response” refers to a biological response within a vertebrate against foreign agents, which response protects the organism against these agents and diseases caused by them.
  • An immune response is mediated by the action of a cell of the immune system
  • T lymphocyte for example, a T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, natural killer (NK) cell, macrophage, eosinophil, mast cell, dendritic cell or neutrophil
  • soluble macromolecules produced by any of these cells or the liver including antibodies, cytokines, and complement
  • An immune reaction includes, e.g. , activation or inhibition of a T-cell, e.g. , an effector T-cell or a Th cell, such as a CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell, or the inhibition of a Treg cell.
  • an “immunomodulator” or “immunoregulator” refers to an agent, e.g. , a component of a signaling pathway that may be involved in modulating, regulating, or modifying an immune response.
  • “Modulating,” “regulating,” or “modifying” an immune response refers to any alteration in a cell of the immune system or in the activity of such cell (e.g. , an effector T-cell).
  • modulation includes stimulation or suppression of the immune system which may be manifested by an increase or decrease in the number of various cell types, an increase or decrease in the activity of these cells, or any other changes which can occur within the immune system.
  • Both inhibitory and stimulatory immunomodulators have been identified, some of which may have enhanced function in a tumor microenvironment. In preferred embodiments, the
  • immunomodulator is located on the surface of a T-cell.
  • An "immunomodulatory target” or “immunoregulatory target” is an immunomodulator that is targeted for binding by, and whose activity is altered by the binding of, a substance, agent, moiety, compound or molecule.
  • Immunomodulatory targets include, for example, receptors on the surface of a cell
  • immunomodulatory receptors and receptor ligands
  • immunomodulatory ligands receptor ligands
  • T-cell-mediated response refers to a response mediated by T-cells, including effector T-cells (e.g. , CD8+ cells) and helper T-cells (e.g. , CD4+ cells).
  • T- cell mediated responses include, for example, T-cell cytotoxicity and proliferation.
  • cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response refers to an immune response induced by cytotoxic T-cells. CTL responses are mediated primarily by CD8+ T-cells.
  • inhibitor means to reduce by a measurable amount.
  • Inhibitors and “antagonists,” or “activators” and “agonists,” refer to inhibitory or activating molecules, respectively, e.g., for the activation of, e.g. , a ligand, receptor, cofactor, a gene, cell, tissue, or organ.
  • a modulator of, e.g. , a gene, a receptor, a ligand, or a cell is a molecule that alters an activity of the gene, receptor, ligand, or cell, where activity can be activated, inhibited, or altered in its regulatory properties.
  • the modulator may act alone, or it may use a cofactor, e.g. , a protein, metal ion, or small molecule.
  • Inhibitors are compounds that decrease, block, prevent, delay activation, inactivate, desensitize, or down regulate, e.g. , a gene, protein, ligand, receptor, or cell.
  • Activators are compounds that increase, activate, facilitate, enhance activation, sensitize, or up regulate, e.g. , a gene, protein, ligand, receptor, or cell.
  • An inhibitor may also be defined as a compound that reduces, blocks, or inactivates a constitutive activity.
  • An "agonist” is a compound that interacts with a target to cause or promote an increase in the activation of the target (e.g., a polypeptide which agonizes (promotes) 4-1 BB signaling to B and T-cells).
  • An "aptamer” is a single chain RNA or DNA oligonucleotide molecules, generally 15 to 60 bases in length with high affinity binding to a specific target molecule such as a protein, nucleic acid or small molecule compound. Aptamers are designed and selected in vitro, by an enrichment process to develop a unique structure. Aptamers are often identified by a technique called Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential selection (SELEX). Several aptamer selection kits are available commercially.
  • An "antagonist” is a compound that opposes the actions of an agonist.
  • An antagonist prevents, reduces, inhibits, or neutralizes the activity of an agonist.
  • An antagonist can also prevent, inhibit, or reduce constitutive activity of a target, e.g., a target receptor, even where there is no identified agonist.
  • 4-1 BB also known as CD137 or “tumor necrosis factor superfamily, member 9” (TNFRSF9)
  • TNFRSF9 tumor necrosis factor superfamily, member 9
  • This receptor contributes to the clonal expansion, survival, and development of T-cells. It can also induce proliferation in peripheral monocytes, enhance T-cell apoptosis induced by TCR/CD3 triggered activation, and regulate CD28 co-stimulation to promote Th1 cell responses. The expression of this receptor is induced by lymphocyte activation.
  • 4-1 BB was first identified in mice by a modified differential screening procedure (see Kwon BS, Weissman SM, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
  • An exemplary human 4-1 BB sequence is provided as SEQ ID NO:3. Residues 24-186 of SEQ ID NO:3 comprise an extracellular domain. Agonists of 4-1 BB are known, and include agonist antibodies against 4-1 BB, soluble 4-1 BB ligand molecules, and aptamers (see Bartkowiak and Curran, 2015, Front Oncol., 5: 117).
  • PBMC is an abbreviation for peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
  • a G 4 S linker is the peptide GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 12).
  • the present invention relates to bispecific molecule that comprise a 4-1 BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety (a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule).
  • a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule As used herein connected means the same as fused when used in reference to the fusion proteins of the invention.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety binds to a CD8 + T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface protein or other CD8 + T-cell surface molecule either of which may be referred to as a CD8 + T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen herein.
  • 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecules which are molecules that comprise a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and a CD8 + T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is an anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody, or a 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof, a 4-1 BBL moiety, or a 4-1 BB agonist aptamer.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is a 4-1 BBL moiety that comprises one 4-1 BBL domain (monomer). In another embodiment, the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is a 4-1 BBL moiety that comprises two 4-1 BBL domains (dimer). In another embodiment, the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is a 4-1 BBL moiety that comprises three 4-1 BBL domains (trimer). In one embodiment, the bispecific molecule comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety comprising a set of three human 4- 1 BBL domains to form a single-chain 4-1 BBL trimer.
  • the single-chain 4- 1 BBL trimer comprises, in amino- to carboxyl-terminal order, a first 4-1 BBL domain, an inter- domain linker, a second 4-1 BBL domain, a second inter-domain linker, and a third 4-1 BBL domain.
  • each inter-domain linker consists of 15-20 amino acids.
  • each of the two inter-domain 4-1 BBL monomer linkers comprises three G 4 S domains.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises full-length human 4-1 BBL (i.e. , amino acid residues 1-254 of SEQ I D NO:4).
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 30-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 30-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 50-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 50- 254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises or consists of a sequence at least 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to a sequence having an N-terminus at any one of amino acid residues 31-84 of SEQ I D NO:4 and a C terminus at any one of amino acid residues 234-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises no more than about 200 amino acid residues, preferably no more than about 150 amino acid residues, and more preferably no more than about 100 amino acid residues. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of no more than about 200 amino acid residues, preferably no more than about 150 amino acid residues, and more preferably no more than about 100 amino acid residues. [0065] In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:5 or a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:5. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises the amino acid sequence of 6 or a portion thereof.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:6. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:7 or a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:7.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is highly identical to any one of the sequences set forth herein. For example, in one
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequences at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to amino acid residues 1-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequences at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to amino acid residues 30-254, 50-254, 71-254, or 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequences at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to SEQ I D NO:5, 6, or 7.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to residues 30-254, 50-254, 71-254, or 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
  • the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ I D NO:5, 6, or 7.
  • the percentages for global identity are calculated using Needleman and Wunsch ((1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:444-453) algorithm using a Blossum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5.
  • Needleman and Wunsch ((1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:444-453) algorithm using a Blossum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5.
  • GAP program in the GCG software package.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is an anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody or 4-
  • the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , antibody. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG2 antibody. In still another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG3 antibody. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG4 antibody. In one embodiment the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an scFv. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an Fab.
  • the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an F(ab')2.
  • the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is a minibody.
  • the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is a triabody.
  • the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is a scFvFc.
  • the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an hclgG.
  • Antibodies e.g., agonist antibodies
  • 4-1 BB are known for example, urelumab (see e.g., US8137667), utomilumab (see e.g. , US20120237498), 4B4-1 (Biolegend, San Diego, CA), and antibodies disclosed in US20130149301 , US20160244528, US20160083474,
  • WO2007/035518 describes aptamers, for example M 12-22 (5"-GCACAGCAACACCACGACCCCCCCUAGGC UUCCGCCCGCG3'), that can stimulate 4-1 BB.
  • WO201 1/109642 describes 4-1 BB aptamers, for example,
  • WO2010/144295 describes aptamers specific to 4-1 BB and bi-specific aptamers. Also see Blind, M. , Molecular Therapy -Nucleic Acids (2015) 4.e223.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety. In one embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the T- cell binding moiety. In one embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the N-terminus of the T-cell binding moiety.
  • a 4-1 BB agonist moiety can be connected to the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety by a linker. Additionally, each 4-1 BBL domain of the 4-1 BBL agonist moiety can be separated by an inter-domain linker.
  • each linker or inter-domain linker comprises 5-25 amino acids. In one embodiment, the linker or inter-domain linker comprises 5-10, 5-15, 5-20, 5-25, 10-15, 10-20, 10-25, 15-20, 15-25, or 20-25 amino acids. In another embodiment, the linker or inter-domain linker comprises 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14,
  • the linker or inter-domain linker comprises 15-20 amino acids.
  • the linker or inter-domain linker comprises at least one, two, three or four G 4 S motifs.
  • a G 4 S motif comprises four glycine residues followed by one serine residue (i.e., amino acid sequence GGGGS).
  • the linker or inter-domain linker comprises three G 4 S motifs.
  • the CD8+ T- cell binding moiety binds to a CD8+ T-cell surface antigen
  • the NK cell binding moiety binds to an NK cell surface antigen
  • the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety binds to a granzyme
  • B-cell surface antigen e.g., an extracellular region of a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen.
  • the CD8+ e.g., an extracellular region of a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen.
  • T-cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to a CD8+ T-cell or antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • the NK cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to a NK cell surface antigen or an antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to a granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen or an antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • the antibody may be an lgG1 antibody.
  • the antibody is an lgG2 antibody.
  • the antibody is an lgG3 antibody.
  • the antibody is an lgG4 antibody.
  • antigen binding fragment include
  • the antigen binding fragment that binds to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an scFv.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, the NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is an Fab.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is an F(ab')2.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is an F(ab')2.
  • CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a minibody.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a triabody.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a minibody.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a scFvFc.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a minibody.
  • the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is an hclgG.
  • the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, NK cell binding moiety, or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to an antigen or an antigen binding fragment thereof as described herein, where the 4-1 BB agonist moiety comprises three 4-1 BBL domains and the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the Fc region of the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • the CD8+ T- cell binding moiety is an antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen or antigen binding fragment thereof that is agonistic.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the granzyme B- positive cell binding moiety is an antibody to LAG3 or an antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is antagonistic.
  • the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is a neutral activity antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is an antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, or antigen binding fragment thereof that is a ligand blocking antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • CD8+ T-cell binding moiety is an aptamer that binds to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen.
  • NK cell binding moiety is an aptamer that binds to an NK cell surface antigen.
  • granzyme B- positive cell binding moiety is an aptamer that binds to LAG3.
  • the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is a cell surface receptor.
  • the NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is a cell surface receptor.
  • CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is a cell surface receptor ligand.
  • the T-cell surface antigen is CD8.
  • the T-cell surface antigen is human CD8 (SEQ I D NO:26).
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen is KI2L4.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen is NKG2E.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is NKG2D.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is NKG2F.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is, BTNL3.
  • the CD8+ T- cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is CD186.
  • T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is BTNL8.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is PD-1.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is CD195.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is NKG2C.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is LAG3 (SEQ I D NO:44).
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human KI2L4 (SEQ I D NO: 16).
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2E (SEQ ID NO: 17). In still another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2D (SEQ I D NO: 18). In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2F (SEQ I D NO: 19). In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human BTNL3 (SEQ I D NO:20). In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human CD186 (SEQ I D NO:21 ).
  • the CD8+ T- cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human BTNL8 (SEQ I D NO:22). In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human PD-1 (SEQ I D NO:23). In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human CD195 (SEQ I D NO:24). In still another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2C (SEQ I D NO:25).
  • Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors are transmembrane glycoproteins expressed by natural killer cells and subsets of T cells. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants, gene name KI R2DL4 (SEQ I D NO:45).
  • An exemplary human KI2L4 sequence is provide as SEQ I D NO: 16. Residues 22-242 of SEQ I D NO: 16 comprise an extracellular domain, and residues 264-377 comprise a cytoplasmic domain.
  • An exemplary ligand of KI2L4 is the non-classical HLA class 1 gene HLA-G (SEQ I D NO:27; Carosella et al. , 2008, Blood, 1 1 1 : 4862-70). Residues 25-308 of SEQ I D NO:27 comprise an extracellular domain of HLA-G.
  • NKG2E gene name KLRC3 (SEQ I D NO:46), is a member of the NKG2 group of calcium-dependent (C-type) lectins, which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encode a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type II membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain.
  • the NKG2 gene family is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed on NK cells.
  • Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.
  • An exemplary human NKG2E sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO: 17.
  • Residues 94-240 of SEQ I D NO: 17 comprise an extracellular domain.
  • An exemplary ligand of NKG2E is the HLA class I histocompatibility antigen HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:28).
  • Residues 22-305 comprise an extracellular domain of HLA-E.
  • Natural variants of HLA-E include VAR_059510 (98N ⁇ K; Corresponds to variant dbSN P:rs1059510; VAR_004395 (104G ⁇ R in allele E*01 :02), VAR_016651 (128R ⁇ G in allele E*01 :03 and allele E*01 :04) and VAR_016652 (178R ⁇ G in allele E*01 :04).
  • NKG2D is a member of the NKG2 group of calcium-dependent (C-type) lectins, which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encode a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type I I membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain.
  • An exemplary human NKG2D sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO: 18. Residues 73-216 of SEQ I D NO: 18 comprise an extracellular domain.
  • Binding proteins of KLRK1 (SEQ ID NO:47) include allele N KG2-D*02 (72A ⁇ T).
  • N KG2D binds to a diverse family of ligands that include MHC class I chain-related A and B proteins and UL-16 binding proteins (Table 1), where ligand-receptor interactions can result in the activation of NK and T cells.
  • the surface expression of these ligands is important for the recognition of stressed cells by the immune system, and thus this protein and its ligands are therapeutic targets for the treatment of immune diseases and cancers. Examples of ligands for NKG2D are provided in Table 1.
  • NKG2F is a member of the NKG2 group of genes that are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells. These family members encode transmembrane proteins that are characterized by a type II membrane orientation (have an extracellular C-terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. This family member is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed in NK cells.
  • An exemplary human NKG2F sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO: 19. Residues 96-158 of SEQ I D NO: 19 comprise an extracellular domain.
  • BTNL3 butyrophilin like 3
  • CD186 C-X-C motif chemokine receptor type 6, CXCR6, SEQ I D NO:50
  • An exemplary CD186 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:21. Extracellular regions of CD186 include residues 1 -32, 90-103, 165- 187, and 260-275 of SEQ I D NO:21.
  • An exemplary ligand of CD186 is the chemokine CXCL16 (SEQ I D NO:37). Residues 30-205 comprise an extracellular domain of SEQ I D NO:37.
  • BTNL8 butyrophilin like 8 sequence is provided as SEQ ID NO:22.
  • Residues 18-238 of SEQ I D NO:22 comprise an extracellular domain.
  • Programmed cell death 1 is an immune checkpoint protein that is involved in downregulating the immune response by suppressing T cell activity.
  • An exemplary PD-1 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:23. Residues 21 -170 of SEQ I D NO:23 comprise an extracellular domain. Exemplary ligands of PD-1 include PD-L1 and PD-L2.
  • An exemplary PD- L1 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:38, and an exemplary PD-L2 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:39.
  • Residues 19-238 comprise of SEQ I D NO:38 comprise an extracellular domain.
  • Residues 20-220 comprise an extracellular domain of SEQ I D NO:39.
  • An exemplary PD-L2 fusion protein is AMP-224 (see e.g. , US9205148).
  • CD195 C-C motif chemokine receptor 5, CCR5, SEQ I D NO:53
  • CCR5 C-C motif chemokine receptor 5
  • SEQ I D NO:53 is a member of the beta chemokine receptor family, and is predicted to be a seven transmembrane protein similar to G protein-coupled receptors. This protein is expressed by T cells and macrophages, and is an important co-receptor for macrophage-tropic virus, including HIV, to enter host cells.
  • An exemplary CD195 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:24. Extracellular regions of CD195 include residues 1-30, 90-102, 167-198, and 261-277 of SEQ I D NO:24.
  • the ligands of this receptor include monocyte chemoattractant protein 2 (MCP-2) SEQ I D NO:40, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MI P-1 alpha) SEQ I D NO:41 , macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MI P-1 beta) SEQ ID NO:42 and regulated on activation normal T expressed and secreted protein (RANTES) SEQ ID NO:43.
  • MCP-2 monocyte chemoattractant protein 2
  • MI P-1 alpha macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha
  • MI P-1 beta macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta
  • RANTES regulated on activation normal T expressed and secreted protein
  • NKG2C (SEQ I D NO:25) is a member of the NKG2 group of calcium-dependent (C- type) lectins, which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encode a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type I I membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain.
  • the NKG2 gene family (gene name
  • KLRC2 SEQ I D NO:54
  • SEQ I D NO:54 is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed on NK cells.
  • Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.
  • An exemplary human NKG2C sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:25.
  • Residues 94-231 of SEQ I D NO:25 comprise an extracellular domain.
  • An exemplary ligand of NKG2E is the HLA class I histocompatibility antigen HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:28).
  • Residues 22-305 comprise an extracellular domain of HLA-E.
  • Natural variants of HLA-E include VAR_059510 (98N ⁇ K; Corresponds to variant dbSNP:rs1059510;
  • VAR_004395 (104G ⁇ R in allele E*01 :02), VAR_016651 (128R ⁇ G in allele E*01 :03 and allele E*01 :04) and VAR_016652 (178R ⁇ G in allele E*01 :04).
  • Lymphocyte-activation protein 3 belongs to the Ig superfamily and contains 4 extracellular Ig-like domains. LAG3 is an immune checkpoint receptor and binds to MHC class I I.
  • An exemplary LAG3 amino acid sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:44. Residues 29-450 of SEQ I D NO:44 comprise an extracellular domain, and residues 472-525 comprise a cytoplasmic domain.
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is a receptor ligand, e.g., an extracellular or secreted portion of a receptor ligand disclosed herein.
  • the receptor ligand is HLA-G (SEQ I D NO:27).
  • the receptor ligand is HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:28).
  • the receptor ligand is HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:29).
  • the receptor ligand is MICA (SEQ I D NO:29).
  • the receptor ligand is MICB (SEQ I D NO:30).
  • the receptor ligand is ULBP1 (SEQ I D NO:31 ). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP2 (SEQ I D NO:32). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP3 (SEQ ID NO:33). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP4 (SEQ I D NO:34). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP5 (SEQ I D NO:35). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is RAET1 L (SEQ I D NO:36). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is CXCL16 (SEQ I D NO:37). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is PD-L1 (SEQ I D NO:38).
  • the receptor ligand is PD-L2 (SEQ I D NO:39). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is MCP-2 (SEQ I D NO:40). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is MI P-1 alpha (SEQ I D NO:41). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is MI P-1 beta (SEQ I D NO:42). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is RANTES (SEQ I D NO:43).
  • the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is a receptor ligand, e.g. , an extracellular or secreted portion of a receptor ligand disclosed herein, that contains one or more mutations that abrogate agonist activity on its cognate receptor but do not significantly affect receptor binding.
  • One embodiment of the invention is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein.
  • Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T- cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-
  • BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein where the contacting is in vitro.
  • Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the contacting is in vivo.
  • a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the CD8+ T-cell is a tumor-associated CD8+ T-cell.
  • Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the CD8+ T-cell is a tumor-associated CD8+ T-cell and where the contacting is in vitro.
  • Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the CD8+ T-cell is a tumor- associated CD8+ T-cell and where the contacting is in vivo.
  • the present disclosure provides bispecific molecules where one portion of the molecule is a 4-1 BB agonist and the other portion binds to the extracellular portion of a CD8+ T- cell surface antigen, to the extracellular portion of the NK cell surface antigen, or to the extracellular portion of a granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen. In some instances both the
  • the bispecific molecule can comprise a number of options. Bispecific molecules included, but are not limited to, bispecific antibodies, bispecific antibody fragment, antibodies coupled to an aptamer, full length antibodies couple to an antibody fragment.
  • a bispecific IgG (BslgG) is a commonly used bispecific antibody (BsAb) format that is monovalent for one of two antigens.
  • Bispecific and multi-specific antibodies can also be made by appending either the amino or carboxy termini of either a light or heavy chain with additional antigen-binding molecules including, but not limited to, single domain antibodies
  • bispecific antibodies can also be bispecific antibody fragments. Many BsAb fragments are connected with short peptide linker sequences that can allow efficient expression of the BsAb in a single host cell. scFv fragments are commonly used fragments in generating BsAb molecules. An scFv is constructed by using short amino acid linkers to provide inter-chain pairing of VH and VL domains. Co-expression of two such scFv fragments can be used to form a bispecific fragment known as a diabody.
  • the bispecific T cell Engager (BiTE) is a type of tandem scFv in which the component scFv fragments are designed to bind CD3 on T cells and a surface antigen on tumor cells to redirect T cells to kill tumor cells.
  • Single domain antibody fragments (dAbs) can reduce molecular size.
  • bispecific molecule is a fusion protein in which antibody fragments are linked to other proteins such as a receptor ligand. Such bispecific molecules can improve the targeting of the bispecific molecule.
  • BsAbs and related molecules are currently in clinical development mainly for oncology, autoimmune or chronic inflammatory indications (reviewed in Spiess et al., 2015, Mol. Immunol. , 67:95-106).
  • Clinical stage BsAbs include Tiromab, BiTes, TandAbs, ImmTac, DAF, HAS-body, IgG-scFv, CrossMab, dock-and-lock, DVD-lg and nanobodies.
  • bispecific molecules include, but are not limited to, Catumaxomab (Removab) which targets CD3 and EpCAM, Ertumaxomab which binds to CD3 and HER2, Blinatumomab which binds to CD3 and CD19.
  • Solitomab which binds to CD3 and EpCAM, Medi 565 which binds to CD3 and CEA, Duligotuzumabe which binds to EGFR, HER3, GSK2434735 (GSK) which binds to I L-13, and I L-4.
  • Also provided are methods of treating a patient (e.g. , a human patient) having a disease (e.g., a cancer, infectious disease, inflammatory or autoimmune disorder) by a patient having a disease (e.g., a cancer, infectious disease, inflammatory or autoimmune disorder) by a disease e.g., a cancer, infectious disease, inflammatory or autoimmune disorder
  • the present invention is a method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule as disclosed herein.
  • the cancer is a solid tumor.
  • the method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule as disclosed herein, and further comprises administering an additional antineoplastic agent.
  • the term "inhibits growth" of a tumor includes any measurable decrease in the growth of a tumor, e.g., the inhibition of growth of a tumor by at least about 10%, for example, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 99%, or 100%.
  • Cancers can be cancers with solid tumors or blood malignancies (liquid tumors).
  • Non-limiting examples of cancers for treatment include lung cancer, renal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, lung carcinoma, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer, lymphoma, glioma, and colorectal cancer.
  • the methods described herein may also be used for treatment of metastatic cancers, unresectable and/or refractory cancers (e.g. , cancers refractory to previous immunotherapy), and recurrent cancers.
  • the disease is an autoimmune disease.
  • An "autoimmune disease” herein is a disease or disorder arising from and directed against an individual's own tissues or a co-segregate or manifestation thereof or resulting condition therefrom.
  • autoimmune diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to arthritis (e.g. , rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), inflammatory hyperproliferative skin diseases, psoriasis, dermatitis urticaria , multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory bowel disease (I BD), and juvenile onset (Type I) diabetes mellitus, .
  • the disease is an infectious disease.
  • the infectious disease relates to an agent selected from the group consisting of: a virus, a bacterium, a fungus, and a protozoan parasite.
  • infectious diseases include, but are not limited to human immunodeficiency viruses (GIV), hepatitis viruses class A, B and C, human cytomegalovirus, human papilloma viruses, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, sleeping sickness, malaria, herpes virus (e.g.
  • VZV HSV-1 , HAV-6, HSV-I I , and CMV, Epstein Barr virus
  • adenovirus adenovirus, influenza virus, flaviviruses, echovirus, rhinovirus, coxsackie virus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, mumps virus, rotavirus, measles virus, rubella virus, parvovirus, vaccinia virus, HTLV virus, dengue virus, papillomavirus, molluscum virus, poliovirus, rabies virus, JC virus and arboviral encephalitis virus.
  • pathogenic bacteria causing infections treatable by methods described herein include chlamydia, rickettsial bacteria, mycobacteria, staphylococci, streptococci, pneumonococci, meningococci and gonococci, klebsiella, proteus, serratia, pseudomonas, legionella, diphtheria, salmonella, bacilli, cholera, tetanus, botulism, anthrax, plague, leptospirosis, and Lymes disease bacteria.
  • Some examples of pathogenic fungi causing infections treatable by methods described herein include Candida (albicans, krusei, glabrata, tropicalis, etc.), Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus (fumigatus, niger, etc.), Genus Mucorales (mucor, absidia, rhizopus), Sporothrix schenkii, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum.
  • Candida albicans, krusei, glabrata, tropicalis, etc.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans Aspergillus (fumigatus, niger, etc.)
  • Genus Mucorales micor, absidia, rhizopus
  • Sporothrix schenkii Blastomyces dermatitidis
  • Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Coccidioides immitis
  • pathogenic parasites causing infections treatable by methods described herein include Entamoeba histolytica, Balantidium coli, Naegleriafowleri,
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety and/or the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety may be a humanized antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • Humanized antibodies are antibodies produced from non-human species whose protein sequences have been modified to increase their similarity to antibody variants produced naturally in humans. The process of "humanization” is usually applied to monoclonal antibodies developed for administration to humans (for example, antibodies developed as anticancer drugs). Humanization can be necessary when the process of developing a specific antibody involves generation in a non-human immune system (such as that in mice, rabbits, dogs or non-human primates).
  • the protein sequences of antibodies produced in this way are partially distinct from homologous antibodies occurring naturally in humans, and are therefore potentially immunogenic when administered to human. There are other types of antibodies developed.
  • the International Nonproprietary Names of humanized antibodies end in -zumab, as in omalizumab.
  • the humanization processes takes advantage of the fact that production of monoclonal antibodies can be accomplished using recombinant DNA to create constructs capable of expression in mammalian cell culture. That is, gene segments capable of producing antibodies are isolated and cloned into cells that can be grown in a bioreactor such that antibody proteins produced from the DNA of the cloned genes can be harvested in amounts necessary for therapeutic use.
  • the step involving recombinant DNA provides an intervention point that can be readily exploited to alter the protein sequence of the expressed antibody.
  • the alterations to antibody structure that are achieved in the humanization process are therefore all effectuated through techniques at the DNA level. Not all methods for deriving antibodies intended for human therapy require a humanization step (e.g. phage display) but essentially all are dependent on techniques that similarly allow the "insertion" or "swapping-out" of portions of the antibody molecule.
  • a strategy can be devised for inserting these sequences appropriately into a construct containing the DNA for a human antibody variant.
  • the strategy may also employ synthesis of linear DNA fragments based on the reading of CDR sequences.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist moiety and/or the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety may be a fully human antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • Fully human antibodies can be produced in a number of ways including production in transgenic animals, e.g., mice that have been engineered to express fully human antibodies in mice.
  • humanized transgenic mice are immunized with specific target immunogen(s). After immunization and enough time to allow the mice to make antibodies, mRNA and cDNA derived from PBMCs, splenocytes or bone marrow cells are collected. Next the cDNA of the human antibody can be PCR amplified and cloned into vectors for expression.
  • humanized transgenic mice are used to create antibodies as described above but the cDNA is cloned into phage display vectors to generate a phage display library which can be screened for human antibodies with high specificity and affinity.
  • Examples of such technology are XenomouseTM from Abgenix, Inc. (Fremont, Calif.) and HuMAb-Mouse®, Fully Human Antibody TechnologyTM (Creative Biolabs, Shirley NY) and TC MouseTM from Medarex, Inc. (Princeton, N.J.).
  • Methods for recombinant production are widely known in the state of the art and comprise protein expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with subsequent isolation of the antibody and usually purification to a pharmaceutically acceptable purity.
  • nucleic acids encoding the respective polypeptides are inserted into expression vectors by standard methods. Expression is performed in appropriate prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells (such as CHO cells, NSO cells, SP2/0 cells, HEK293 cells, COS cells, PER.C6 cells, yeast, or E.coli cells), and the binding protein is recovered from the cells (supernatant or cells after lysis).
  • the polypeptides may be suitably separated from the culture medium by conventional purification procedures. Purification can be performed in order to eliminate cellular components or other contaminants, e.g. other cellular nucleic acids or proteins, by standard techniques, including alkaline/SDS treatment, CsCI banding, column chromatography, agarose gel electrophoresis, and others well known in the art. See Ausubel, F., et al., ed. Current
  • ion exchange chromatography e.g. cation exchange (carboxylmethyl resins), anion exchange (amino ethyl resins) and mixed-mode exchange
  • thiophilic adsorption e.g. with beta-mercaptoethanol and other SH ligands
  • hydrophobic interaction or aromatic adsorption chromatography e.g. with phenyl-sepharose, aza-arenophilic resins, or m-aminophenylboronic acid
  • metal chelate affinity chromatography e.g.
  • DNA and RNA encoding the polypeptides are readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures.
  • linkers can be used in the bispecific molecules described herein.
  • Linker refers to one or more amino acids connecting two domains or regions together.
  • linker polypeptides are well known in the art (see e.g. , Holliger, P. , et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-6448; Poljak, R. J. , et al. (1994) Structure 2: 1 121-1 123). Additional linkers suitable for use can be found in the Registry of Standard Biological Parts at partsregistry.org/Protein_domains/Linker (see also, e.g.
  • a linker may be 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30- 40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-70, 70-80, 80-90 or at least 90-100 amino acids long.
  • Linkers also include non-polypeptide linkers.
  • Linkers can be comprised of nucleotides, or non-nucleotides.
  • Non-nucleotide linkers include, but are not limited to, abasic nucleotides polyethers, polyamines, polyamides, peptides, carbohydrates, lipids,
  • polyhydrocarbons or other polymeric compounds include, for example, polyethylene glycols such as those having between 2 and 100 ethylene glycol units.
  • linkers are particularly useful for linking aptamers that are linked to one or more other aptamers with similar or varying specificities.
  • Such linked aptamers e.g. dimers or trimers, may increase the affinities of the aptamers for their targets.
  • An aptamer 4-1 BB agonist moiety or CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety may be conjugated to a protein 4-1 BB agonist moiety or CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell binding moiety to create a bispecific molecule disclosed herein.
  • Exemplary methods of conjugating aptamers and other nucleic acids to proteins are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,910,297, 8,318,920, and 8,389,710.
  • compositions provided herein contain one or more of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules disclosed herein, formulated together with a carrier (e.g., a
  • pharmaceutically acceptable carrier includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible.
  • the carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof.
  • Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can be employed as liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such media and agents for
  • compositions are known in the art. Except insofar as any excipient, diluent or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds (e.g., additional anti-cancer agents) can also be incorporated into the compositions.
  • the carrier is suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, spinal or epidermal administration (e.g. , by injection or infusion).
  • the polypeptide may be coated in a material to protect them from the action of acids and other natural conditions that may inactivate proteins.
  • the polypeptide may be administered to a patient in an appropriate carrier, for example, in liposomes, or a diluent.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable diluents include saline and aqueous buffer solutions. Liposomes include water-in-oil-in-water
  • compositions can be administered by a variety of methods known in the art. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the route and/or mode of administration will vary depending upon the desired results.
  • an administration regimen maximizes the amount of therapeutic delivered to the patient consistent with an acceptable level of side effects. Accordingly, the amount of biologic delivered depends in part on the particular entity and the severity of the condition being treated.
  • an exemplary dose comprising the 4-
  • 1 BB agonist bispecific molecule to be administered to a patient in need thereof may include a single dose of about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg body weight, about 0.03 to about 50 mg/kg body weight, or about 0.05 to about 25 mg/kg body weight dosed, once or more times per day, and/or one or more times per week, for example, for one to four weeks, or one to eight weeks, or one to twelve weeks, one to fourteen weeks, or one to 26 weeks or more.
  • an exemplary dosing regimen may include administration of a maximal dose or dosing frequency that avoids significant undesirable side effects.
  • a total daily dose may be at least 0.05 ⁇ g/kg body weight, at least 0.2 ⁇ g/kg, at least 0.5 ⁇ g/kg, at least 1 ⁇ g/kg, at least 10 ⁇ g/kg, at least 100 ⁇ g/kg, at least 0.2 mg/kg, at least 0.5 mg/kg, at least 1.0 mg/kg, at least 2.0 mg/kg, or at least 10 mg/kg, or at least 25 mg/kg, or at least 50 mg/kg, or at least 75 mg/kg, or at least 100 mg/kg, or at least 200 mg/kg.
  • a therapeutically effective dose may also equate to a daily dose as provided herein.
  • the dose, frequency and the duration of the treatment may be adjusted accordingly, in view of proper medical standards known to those of skill in the art.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule of the disclosure may be administered as an initial dose of at least about 0.1 mg to about 800 mg, about 1 to about 500 mg, about 5 to about 300 mg, or about 10 to about 200 mg, to about 100 mg, or to about 50 mg.
  • the first dose may be an initial loading dose, to be followed subsequently by a plurality of maintenance doses
  • an exemplary loading dose may include 500 mg/kg, 450 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 350 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, or 0.05 mg/kg to be dosed on day 1 , or in the first week of a 1 , 2, 3, or 4 week cycle, and wherein the maintenance dose is 200 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 10 mg/
  • the initial dose may be followed by administration of a second or a plurality of subsequent doses of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof in an amount that may be approximately the same or less than that of the initial dose, wherein the subsequent doses are separated by at least 1 day to 3 days; at least one week, at least 2 weeks; at least 3 weeks; at least 4 weeks; at least 5 weeks; at least 6 weeks; at least 7 weeks; at least 8 weeks; at least 9 weeks; at least 10 weeks; at least 12 weeks; or at least 14 weeks, or doses of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules of the disclosure may be repeated and the administrations may be separated by at least 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 10 days, 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, 2 months, 75 days, 3 months, or at least 6 months.
  • compositions of the present disclosure may be by, e.g., topical or cutaneous application, injection or infusion by intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intracerebral, intramuscular, intraocular, intraarterial, intradermal,
  • the injectable preparations may include dosage forms for intravenous,
  • the polypeptides and compositions described herein can be administered alone or in combination, i.e., combined with other agents.
  • the combination therapy can include a polypeptide described herein with at least one additional therapeutic agent (e.g., an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) agent).
  • additional therapeutic agent e.g., an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) agent.
  • the polypeptides and compositions described herein can also be administered in conjunction with an anti-cancer treatment modality, such as radiation therapy and/or surgery.
  • Adjunctive or combined administration includes simultaneous administration of any of the polypeptides described herein and one or more agents in the same or different dosage form, or separate administration of the polypeptide and one or more agents (e.g., sequential administration). Such concurrent or sequential administration preferably results in both the polypeptide and the one or more agents being simultaneously present in treated patients.
  • anti-plastic agent refers to agents that have the functional property of inhibiting a development or progression of a neoplasm in a human, particularly a malignant (cancerous) lesion, such as a carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, or leukemia. Inhibition of metastasis is frequently a property of antineoplastic agents.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein are administered in combination with an additional antineoplastic agent. In another embodiment, no more than three antineoplastic agents are administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein. In another embodiment, no more than two other antineoplastic agents are administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein. In another embodiment, no more than one other antineoplastic agent is administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein. In another embodiment, no other antineoplastic agent is administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein.
  • the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein can be combined with a vaccination protocol.
  • Many experimental strategies for vaccination against tumors have been devised (see Rosenberg, S., 2000, Development of Cancer Vaccines, ASCO).
  • a vaccine is prepared using autologous or allogeneic tumor cells. These cellular vaccines have been shown to be most effective when the tumor cells are transduced to express GM-CSF. GM-CSF has been shown to be a potent activator of antigen presentation for tumor vaccination (Dranoff et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U.S.A. 90: 3539-43).
  • the bispecific molecules described herein can be used in combination (e.g. , simultaneously or separately) with an additional treatment, such as irradiation, chemotherapy (e.g. , using camptothecin (CPT-1 1), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, doxorubicin, irinotecan, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, cisplatin, paclitaxel, carboplatin-paclitaxel (Taxol), doxorubicin, 5-fu, or camptothecin + apo2l/TRAI L (a 6X combo)), one or more proteasome inhibitors (e.g.
  • Bcl-2 inhibitors e.g. , BH3I-2' (bcl-xl inhibitor), indoleamine dioxygenase-1 inhibitor (e.g. , I NCB24360, indoximod, NLG-919, or F001287), AT-101 (R-(-)-gossypol derivative), ABT-263 (small molecule), GX-15-070
  • Bcl-2 inhibitors e.g. , BH3I-2' (bcl-xl inhibitor)
  • indoleamine dioxygenase-1 inhibitor e.g. , I NCB24360, indoximod, NLG-919, or F001287
  • AT-101 R-(-)-gossypol derivative
  • ABT-263 small molecule
  • GX-15-070 GX-15-070
  • iAP inhibitor of apoptosis protein
  • smac7, smac4, small molecule smac mimetic, synthetic smac peptides see Fulda et al. , Nat Med 2002;8:808-15
  • ISIS23722 LY2181308
  • AEG- 35156 GEM-640
  • HDAC histone deacetylase inhibitors
  • anti-CD20 antibodies e.g.
  • angiogenesis inhibitors e.g., bevacizumab
  • anti-angiogenic agents targeting VEGF and VEGFR e.g. , Avastin
  • synthetic triterpenoids see Hyer et al., Cancer Research
  • c-FLI P cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein modulators
  • PPARv peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ⁇
  • 5809354 or 5569100 kinase inhibitors
  • kinase inhibitors e.g. , Sorafenib
  • Trastuzumab Cetuximab
  • Temsirolimus mTOR inhibitors such as rapamycin and temsirolimus
  • Bortezomib JAK2 inhibitors, HSP90 inhibitors
  • PI3K-AKT inhibitors Lenalildomide
  • ⁇ inhibitors IAP inhibitors and/or genotoxic drugs.
  • bispecific molecules described herein can further be used in combination with one or more anti-proliferative cytotoxic agents.
  • Classes of compounds that may be used as anti-proliferative cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Alkylating agents including, without limitation, nitrogen mustards, ethylenimine derivatives, alkyl sulfonates, nitrosoureas and triazenes: Uracil mustard, Chlormethine,
  • Cyclophosphamide (CYTOXANTM) fosfamide, Melphalan, Chlorambucil, Pipobroman,
  • Triethylenemelamine Triethylenethiophosphoramine, Busulfan, Carmustine, Lomustine, Streptozocin, dacarbazine, and Temozolomide.
  • Antimetabolites including, without limitation, folic acid antagonists, pyrimidine analogs, purine analogs and adenosine deaminase inhibitors: Methotrexate, 5-Fluorouracil, Floxuridine, Cytarabine, 6-Mercaptopurine, 6-Thioguanine, Fludarabine phosphate,
  • Suitable anti-proliferative agents for combining with the bispecific molecules described herein include without limitation, taxanes, paclitaxel (paclitaxel is commercially available as TAXOLTM), docetaxel, discodermolide (DDM), dictyostatin (DCT), Peloruside A, epothilones, epothilone A, epothilone B, epothilone C, epothilone D, epothilone E, epothilone F, furanoepothilone D, desoxyepothilone Bl, [17]-dehydrodesoxyepothilone B,
  • hormones and steroids include synthetic analogs, such as 17a-Ethinylestradiol, Diethylstilbestrol, Testosterone, Prednisone, Fluoxymesterone, Dromostanolone propionate, Testolactone, Megestrolacetate, Methylprednisolone, Methyl-testosterone, Prednisolone, Triamcinolone, Chlorotrianisene, Hydroxyprogesterone, Aminoglutethimide, Estramustine,
  • Medroxyprogesteroneacetate, Leuprolide, Flutamide, Toremifene, ZOLADEXTM can also be administered to the patient.
  • other agents used in the modulation of tumor growth or metastasis in a clinical setting such as antimimetics, can also be administered as desired.
  • chemotherapeutic agents are known to those skilled in the art. In addition, their administration is described in the standard literature. For example, the administration of many of the chemotherapeutic agents is described in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR), e.g. , 1996 edition (Medical Economics Company, Montvale, N.J. 07645-1742, USA); the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
  • PDR Physicians' Desk Reference
  • the chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiation therapy can be administered according to therapeutic protocols well known in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the administration of the chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiation therapy can be varied depending on the disease being treated and the known effects of the chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiation therapy on that disease. Also, in accordance with the knowledge of the skilled clinician, the therapeutic protocols (e.g. , dosage amounts and times of administration) can be varied in view of the observed effects of the administered therapeutic agents on the patient, and in view of the observed responses of the disease to the administered therapeutic agents.
  • the therapeutic protocols e.g. , dosage amounts and times of administration
  • kits containing the bispecific molecule compositions described herein and instructions for use typically include a packaged combination of reagents in predetermined amounts with instructions and a label indicating the intended use of the contents of the kit.
  • the term label or instruction includes any writing, or recorded material supplied on or with the kit, or which otherwise accompanies the kit at any time during its manufacture, transport, sale or use. It can be in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of the manufacture, use or sale for administration to a human or for veterinary use.
  • the label or instruction can also encompass advertising leaflets and brochures, packaging materials, and audio or video instructions.
  • the kit contains the bispecific molecule in suitable containers and instructions for administration in accordance with the treatment regimens described herein.
  • the kit further comprises an additional antineoplastic agent.
  • the bispecific molecules are provided in suitable containers as a dosage unit for administration. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, and test tubes. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic.
  • the bispecific molecules are provided in lyophilized form, and the kit may optionally contain a sterile and physiologically acceptable reconstitution medium such as water, saline, buffered saline, and the like. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use, for example, comprising administration schedules, to allow a practitioner (e.g., a physician, nurse, or patient) to administer the composition contained therein.
  • a sterile and physiologically acceptable reconstitution medium such as water, saline, buffered saline, and the like. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use, for example, comprising administration schedules, to allow a practitioner (e.g., a physician, nurse, or patient) to administer the composition
  • Anti-PD-1 antibodies are being developed and sold by a number of companies, these antibodies include, but are not limited to, nivolumab (see e.g. , US8008449; US20090217401 ), pembrolizumab (see e.g., US8354509; US20100266617), pidilizumab (see e.g. , US7332582; US20140302032), JS001 (see e.g. , US20160272708), MEDI0680 (see e.g. , US9205148), BGB- A317 (see e.g. , US8735553), MDX-1 105 (see e.g. , US20160067337), MGA012 (see e.g. , WO2017019846), TSR-042 (see e.g. , US20160075783), and antibodies disclosed in
  • Anti-NKG2D antibodies are also being developed, including but not limited to, those disclosed in WO2017024131 to Avidbiotics Corp, US9273136 to the NHS, NNC0142-0002 (see, US7879985), and those disclosed in WO2016134371 to Ohio State Innovation Foundation.
  • anti-CCR5 antibodies are being developed, these antibodies include, but are not limited to, antibodies disclosed in US7700302, HGS004 and HGS101 (see,
  • Anti-LAG3 antibodies are also being developed. These antibodies include, but are not limited to BMS-986016 (see, e.g. , US201 1019570 to Medarex and US20150307609 to Bristol Myers Squibb), GSK2831781 (see, e.g. , US20140286935and US20140286935 to GlaxoSmithKline), LAG525 (see, e.g. , US20100233183, US20150259420, and WO2017037203 to Immutep and Novartis), and variable regions of MGD013 (see, e.g, WO20152001 19).
  • BMS-986016 see, e.g. , US201 1019570 to Medarex and US20150307609 to Bristol Myers Squibb
  • GSK2831781 see, e.g. , US20140286935and US20140286935 to GlaxoSmithKline
  • LAG525 see, e.g.
  • Table 3 below provides the SEQ I D NOs for various polypeptides relating to the present invention.
  • CD186 MAEHDYHEDYGFSSFNDSSQEEHQDFLQFSKVFLPCMYLVVFVC 21
  • T-cells upregulated in the tumor context and expressed mostly on T-cells.
  • tumor suppressive T-cells such as CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells
  • tumor promoting T-cells such as regulatory T-cells (Treg). Therefore, we searched for secondary targets on those T-cells subpopulations that could direct a 4-1 BB agonistic molecule towards the desired T-cell subpopulations. In this case, we screened for targets that are selectively expressed on CD8+ T-cells in the tumor microenvironment.
  • KI2L4, NKG2E, NKG2D, NKG2F, BTNL3, CD186, BTNL8, PD-1 , CD195, NKG2C, CD8 and 4-1 BB have the NCBI protein accession numbers NP_002246.5, NP_031359.2, NP_031386.2, NP_038459.1 , NP_932079.1 , NP_006555.1 , NP_001035552.1 , NP_005009.2, NP_001093638.1 , NP_002251.2, NP_001 139345.1 , and NP_001552.2, respectively.
  • genes were identified that were expressed selectively in granzyme B-positive cells (e.g., cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells).
  • granzyme B-positive cells e.g., cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
  • NK natural killer
  • PD-1 (gene name PDCD1 , SEQ I D NO:52) was identified as a potential secondary target for a 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecule.
  • the expression profile of 4-1 BB is depicted in Fig. 1A, and the expression profile of PD-1 is depicted in Fig. 1 B.
  • PD-1 is predominantly expressed in the tumor microenvironment, and particularly selective on CD8+ T- cells.
  • Fig. 2 shows the co-expression pattern of 4-1 BB and PD-1 on the different T-cell subtypes.
  • a prototype bispecific therapeutic consisting of a mouse PD-1 antibody (J43, Agata et al., 1996, Int. Immunol. , 8:765-772) fused to the N-terminus of mouse single chain 4-1 BBL fusion protein ( Figure 3).
  • the heavy chain of J43 (anti-mouse PD-1) fused to mouse sc4-1 BBL (SEQ I D NO: 13) was codon optimized for HEK293 expression, synthesized and cloned into the vector pCEP4 (Genscript, NJ) using Kpnl and NotI sites to create the plasmid pCEP4/J43 HC- sc4-1 BBL.
  • Underlined sequence represents the leader peptide.
  • the light chain of J43 (anti-mouse PD-1) (SEQ I D NO: 14) was also codon optimized for HEK293 expression, synthesized and cloned into the vector pCEP4 (Genscript, NJ) using Kpnl and NotI sites to create the plasmid pCEP4/J43 LC. Underlined sequence represents the leader peptide.
  • a control molecule consisting of an effectorless mouse lgG2a Fc (D265A/N297A) fused to a three promoters of mouse 4-1 BBL (104-309) connected with glycine serine linkers (SEQ I D NO: 15) was synthesized and cloned vector pCEP4 (Genscript, NJ) using Kpnl and NotI sites to create the plasmid pCEP4/Fc-sc4-1 BBL. Underlined sequence represents the leader peptide.
  • Expi293F cells (ThermoFisher) were grown in Expi293 expression medium
  • ExpiFectamine 293 Transfection Enhancer 2 (Thermofisher) per milliliter of cell culture. Six days post transfection, cell cultures are centrifuged for 15 min at 5,000 x g to pellet the cells. The supernatant media are decanted from the cells and filtered using 0.2 ⁇ filter in preparation for purification.
  • SIMPLYBLUE SAFESTAI N (Invitrogen). Stained gels were scanned using a Gel Doc XR+ imaging system (Bio-Rad).
  • Bio-layer Interferometry For the sandwich assay, anti-Penta-His biosensors (Pall) were dipped into wells in the following order: 8.5 g/ ⁇ PD-1-His (R&D Systems), 50 g/ ⁇ J43- SC-41 BBL, 1 1 g/ ⁇ 4-1 BB (Aero Biosystems). The optical signal was measured using an Octet RED96 System (Pall).
  • anti- mouse Fc biosensors were first dipped into wells containing protein of interest (50 ⁇ g/ml) and then into wells containing multiple concentrations (20, 10, 5, 2.5 ⁇ 9/ ⁇ ) of either PD-1-His and 4-1 BB-His.
  • the dissociation constant was determined using Octet software (Pall).
  • J43-sc4-1 BBL was purified to about 85%
  • J43-sc4- 1 BBL can bind PD-1 and 4-1 BB simultaneously as demonstrated by sandwich assay using bio- layer interferometry (Figure 5).
  • Anti-PD-1 (J43) and anti-4-1 BB (3H3) were purchased from BioXCell. All other proteins were made as described in Example 1.
  • mice are randomized into 7 groups (10 mice each) followed by intraperitoneal injection with 200 ⁇ either PBS alone or PBS containing 10 mg/kg of the following: J43-sc4-1 BBL, Fc-sc4-1 BBL, 3H3, J43, combination of Fc-sc4-1 BBL and J43, and finally a combination of 3H3 with J43.
  • Mice are then dosed every second day for a total of 5 doses. Measurements for tumor volume are made 3 times per week and body weight once per week.

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Abstract

Disclosed are bispecific molecules that comprise a 4-1BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety and methods for using such bispecific molecules to treat 4-1BB-related disorders such as cancer.

Description

BISPECIFIC 4-1 BB AGONIST MOLECULES
PRIOIRTY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to United States Application Serial No. 62/480,904, filed April 3, 2017 and United States Application Serial No. 62/508,790, filed May 19, 2017. The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0002] This application incorporates by reference in its entirety the sequence listing entitled "239669-429088_Sequence_Listing_ST25.txt" created on March 29, 2018, at 6:57 pm, that is 165 KB, and filed electronically herewith.
FIELD
[0003] Targeted treatment of diseases, such as cancer, that benefit from enhanced immune responses and T-cell response and compositions that comprise a 4-1 BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety (e.g. , a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule).
BACKGROUND
[0004] During immune activation, T-cells recognize peptide antigens in the context of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule complexes depending on the specificity of their T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). In addition to antigen activation, T-cells require an additional co-stimulatory signal to ensure full activation, clonal expansion and concomitant effector differentiation. This co-stimulatory signal can also be found at the interface of the antigen presenting cells (APC) and the T-cells and involve several members of TNF ligand/receptor superfamily.
[0005] 4-1 BB (also known as CD137 or "tumor necrosis factor superfamily, member 9" (TNFRSF9)) is expressed on activated CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells, B cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells. 4-1 BB signaling is critical for formation of immunological memory and T-cell proliferation. In addition, 4-1 BB signaling induces maturation of dendritic cells and production of inflammatory cytokines.
[0006] Given the ongoing need for improved strategies for targeting diseases, such as cancer, and providing benefits from enhanced immune responses, in particular, T-cell responses, novel agents and methods that modulate 4-1 BB activity are highly desirable.
SUM MARY
[0007] The present invention provides such an improved strategy. The present invention relates to compositions that include a 4-1 BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, an NK cell binding moiety or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety (e.g. , a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule) and method for the therapeutic use of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules.
[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules comprising a 4-1 BB agonist moiety; and a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, an NK cell binding moiety, or a granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety. As used in the present disclosure, the term "4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule" is used interchangeably with the term "bispecific molecule". In some embodiments of the bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the T-cell binding moiety by a linker. In some embodiments of the bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the NK cell binding moiety by a linker. In some embodiments of the bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety by a linker. In some embodiments the linker is a polypeptide linker that is 15-20 amino acid residues in length.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present disclosure the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is an anti- 4-1 BB agonist antibody or a 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof, a 4-1 BBL moiety, or a 4-1 BB agonist aptamer.
[0010] In one embodiment, the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises two or more 4-1 BBL domains where the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises intra-domain linkers connecting the two or more 4-1 BBL domains.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises three 4-1 BBL domains where the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises intra-domain linkers connecting the two or more 4-1 BBL domains. In some embodiments intra-domain linkers are polypeptide linkers that are each 15- 20 amino acid residues in length.
[0012] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the bispecific molecule comprising one or more 4-1 BB domains, each 4-1 BBL domain, independently, comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) residues 50-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; (b) residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; and (c) residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
[0013] In another embodiment of the , the bispecific molecule comprising one or more 4- 1 BB domains, each 4-1 BBL domain, independently, comprises an amino acid sequence identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) residues 50-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; (b) residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4; and (c) residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
[0014] The present disclosure also provides for bispecific molecule where the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety binds to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen CD8. In one embodiment the CD8+ T- cell binding moiety binds to the human CD8+ T-cell surface antigen CD8 (SEQ I D NO:26). [0015] In some embodiments, the bispecific molecule comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the T-cell surface antigen or granzyme B-positive cell antigen is KI2L4, NKG2E, NKG2D, NKG2F, BTNL3, CD186, BTNL8, PD-1 , CD195, NKG2C, or LAG3.
[0016] In some embodiments of the bispecific molecule comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the T-cell surface antigen or granzyme B-positive cell antigen is human KI2L4 (SEQ I D NO: 16), human NKG2E (SEQ I D NO: 17), human NKG2D (SEQ I D NO: 18), human NKG2F (SEQ I D NO: 19), human BTNL3 (SEQ I D NO:20), human CD186 (SEQ I D NO:21), human BTNL8 (SEQ I D NO:22), human PD-1 (SEQ I D NO:23), human CD195 (SEQ I D NO:24), human NKG2C (SEQ I D NO:25), or human LAG 3 (SEQ ID NO:44).
[0017] In some embodiments the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the CD8+ T-cell cell binding moiety, the NK cell binding moiety, or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety, and the cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to the CD8+ cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, or an aptamer that binds to the antigen.
[0018] In another embodiment the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen is a receptor and the CD8+ cell binding moiety is a ligand of the receptor. In another embodiment the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and the NK cell surface antigen is a receptor and the NK cell binding moiety is a ligand of the receptor. In another embodiment the bispecific molecule of the present disclosure comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and a granzyme B-positive surface antigen is a receptor and the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is a ligand of the receptor. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the disclosure provides a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell, an NK cell, or granzyme B-positive cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell, an NK cell, or granzyme B-positive cell with an effective amount of a 4- 1 BB agonist bispecific molecule according to the disclosure. In some embodiments the contacting is in vitro. In some embodiments the contacting is in vivo. Preferably the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell is a tumor-associated CD8+ T-cell.
[0019] In some embodiments the method is a method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a bispecific molecule according to the present disclosure. In one embodiment the cancer is a solid tumor.
[0020] In some embodiments the 4-1 BB bispecific molecule is administered in combination with an additional antineoplastic agent.
[0021] The compositions disclosed herein provide 4-1 BB agonists with increased specificity and selectivity, which can result in increased efficacy, decreased toxicity, and an increased therapeutic window. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0022] Figure 1 A and 1 B are graphs showing the expression profile of 4-1 BB (figure 1 A), and the expression profile of PD-1 (Figure 1 B).
[0023] Figure 2 is a bar graph showing the co-expression pattern of 4-1 BB and PD-1 on the different T-cell subtypes.
[0024] Figure 3 shows a prototype bispecific therapeutic consisting of a mouse PD-1 antibody (J43, Agata et al. , 1996, Int. Immunol., 8:765-772) fused to the N-terminus of mouse single chain 4-1 BBL fusion protein.
[0025] Figure 4A and 4B are figures showing that J43-sc4-1 BBL was purified to about 85% homogeneity as shown by SDS-PAGE (Figure 4A) and analytical size exclusion
chromatography (Figure 4B).
[0026] Figure 5 is a graph showing that J43-sc4-1 BBL can bind PD-1 and 4-1 BB
simultaneously as demonstrated by sandwich assay using bio-layer interferometry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Definitions
[0028] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The use of "or" or "and" means "and/or" unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, use of the term "including" as well as other forms, such as "include", "includes", and "included", is not limiting.
[0029] The term "about" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration and the like, is encompasses variations of up to ± 10% from the specified value. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, etc., used herein are to be understood as being modified by the term "about".
[0030] The terms such as "comprises", "comprised", "comprising", "contains", "containing" and the like have the meaning attributed in United States patent law; these terms are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. Terms such as "consisting essentially of" and "consists essentially of" have the meaning attributed to them in United States patent law; these terms allow for the inclusion of additional ingredients or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim invention. The terms "consists of" and "consisting of" have the meaning ascribed to them in United States patent law; these terms are close ended.
[0031] The use of the conjunction "or" is used interchangeably with at "least one of". For example: where a composition comprises A or B, the method must comprise at least one of A and B but may also comprise both A and B. Likewise a composition comprising "A, B, C or D" must comprise at least one of the group of A, B, C and D, but may also comprise all or any combination of A, B, C and D.
[0032] The terms "subject" and "individual" and "patient" are used interchangeably herein, and refer to an animal, for example a mammal, for example, a human or non-human mammal, to whom treatment, including prophylactic treatment, with a pharmaceutical composition as disclosed herein, is provided. The term "non-human animals" includes all vertebrates, e.g. , mammals, such as non-human primates, (particularly higher primates and monkeys), sheep, dogs, rodents (e.g. mouse or rat), guinea pigs, goats, pigs, cats, rabbits, cows, and non- mammals such as chickens, amphibians, reptiles etc. Preferably the subject is a human.
[0033] The terms "treat," "treatment" and the like, include therapeutic treatment and prophylactic treatment. Therapeutic treatment is treatment of a subject that has signs or symptoms of the disease, condition or disorder to be treated. Prophylactic treatments refers to treatment of a subject that is predisposed to the disease, condition or disorder that does not show overt signs of the disease, condition or disorder. Thus, treatment may result in stasis of, partial or total alleviation, or reduction of signs or symptoms of illness, and specifically includes, without limitation, prolongation of survival and cure.
[0034] "Peptide" or "polypeptide" refers to any peptide comprising two or more amino acids joined by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds (e.g. , peptide isosteres). Peptides can contain amino acids other than the 20 naturally occurring nucleic acid encoded amino acids, and include amino acid sequences modified either by natural processes, such as post-translational processing, or by chemical modification techniques which are well known in the art.
Modifications can occur anywhere in a peptide, including the peptide backbone, the amino acid side-chains and the amino or carboxyl termini. It will be appreciated that the same type of modification can be present in the same or varying degrees at several sites in a given peptide.
Also, a given polypeptide can contain many types of modifications. Polypeptides can be branched as a result of ubiquitination, and they can be cyclic, with or without branching. Cyclic, branched and branched cyclic polypeptides can result from natural posttranslational processes or can be made by synthetic methods. Modifications include acetylation, acylation, ADP- ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cystine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination.
[0035] The term "isolated protein" or "isolated polypeptide" (e.g. , an isolated antibody or isolated antigen binding fragment) is a protein or polypeptide that by virtue of its origin or source of derivation is not associated with naturally associated components that accompany it in its native state; is substantially free of other proteins from the same species; is expressed by a cell from a different species; or does not occur in nature. Thus, a polypeptide that is chemically synthesized or synthesized in a cellular system different from the cell from which it naturally originates will be "isolated" from its naturally associated components. A protein may also be rendered substantially free of naturally associated components by isolation, using protein purification techniques well known in the art.
[0036] The term "variant" as used herein is defined as a modified or altered form of a wildtype sequence, e.g. where one or more amino acids may be replaced by other amino acid(s) or non-amino acid(s) which do not substantially affect function. In some embodiments, the variant may contain an altered side chain for at least one amino acid residue.
[0037] The term "antigen" as used herein is defined as an entity that can stimulate the production of antibodies and specifically combine with them and/or an entity which elicits an immune system response. For example, a cell surface protein or a specific linear or non-linear portion thereof. The term herein may be abbreviated to "Ag."
[0038] An "effective amount" of an agent, e.g. , a pharmaceutical formulation, refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic or prophylactic result.
[0039] "Affinity" refers to the strength of the sum total of noncovalent interactions between a single binding site of a molecule (e.g. , an antibody) and its binding partner (e.g., an antigen). Unless indicated otherwise, as used herein, "binding affinity" refers to intrinsic binding affinity which reflects a 1 : 1 interaction between members of a binding pair (e.g., antibody and antigen). The affinity of a molecule X for its partner Y may generally be represented by the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD), a ratio of koff/kon, between the antibody and its antigen. KD and affinity are inversely related. The KD value relates to the concentration of antibody (the amount of antibody needed for a particular experiment) and so the lower the KD value (lower concentration) and thus the higher the affinity of the antibody. Affinity may be measured by common methods known in the art, including those described herein. Specific, illustrative, and exemplary embodiments for measuring binding affinity may be measured by
radioimmunoassays (RIA), Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) on a BIAcore® instrument (GE Healthcare Europe GmbH, Glattbrugg, Switzerland) by capturing the antibody on a protein-A coupled CM5 research grade sensor chip (GE Healthcare Europe GmbH, Glattbrugg,
Switzerland; BR-1000-14) with a human soluble I L-33 polypeptide used as analyte. Other methods may include radioimmunoassays, and the Kinetic Exclusion Assay. The Kinetic Exclusion Assay is a general purpose immunoassay platform that is capable of measuring equilibrium dissociation constants, and association and dissociation rate constants for antigen/anti-body interactions. [0040] The term "human" antibody refers to an antibody which possesses an amino acid sequence which corresponds to that of an antibody produced by a human and/or has been made using any technique for making human antibodies. This definition of a human antibody specifically excludes a humanized antibody comprising non-human antigen binding residues.
[0041] An "antigen binding antibody fragment" refers to a molecule other than an intact antibody that comprises a portion of an intact antibody that binds the antigen to which the intact antibody binds. Examples of antibody fragments include but are not limited to Fv, Fab, Fab', Fd fragments, dAb fragments, Fab'-SH, F(ab')2; diabodies; triabodies; linear antibodies; single- chain antibody molecules (e.g., scFv); and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments, minimal recognition units consisting of the amino acid residues that mimic the hypervariable region of an antibody (e.g., an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR) such as a CDR3 peptide).
[0042] An antigen-binding fragment of an antibody will typically comprise at least one variable domain. The variable domain may be of any size or amino acid composition and will generally comprise at least one CDR which is adjacent to or in frame with one or more framework sequences. In antigen-binding fragments having a VH domain associated with a VL domain, the VH and VL domains may be situated relative to one another in any suitable arrangement. For example, the variable region may be dimeric and contain VH-VH, VH-VL or VL-VL dimers. Alternatively, the antigen-binding fragment of an antibody may contain a monomeric VH or VL domain.
[0043] The terms "full length antibody," "intact antibody," and "whole antibody" are used herein interchangeably to refer to an antibody having a structure substantially similar to a native antibody structure or having heavy chains that contain an Fc region.
[0044] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that starting materials, biological and chemical materials, biological and chemical reagents, synthetic methods, purification methods, analytical methods, assay methods, and biological methods other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue
experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods are intended to be included in this disclosure.
[0045] As used herein, the term "immune cell" refers to cells that play a role in the immune response, including lymphocytes, such as B cells and T-cells; natural killer cells; myeloid cells, such as monocytes, macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells, basophils, and granulocytes.
[0046] An "immune response" refers to a biological response within a vertebrate against foreign agents, which response protects the organism against these agents and diseases caused by them. An immune response is mediated by the action of a cell of the immune system
(for example, a T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, natural killer (NK) cell, macrophage, eosinophil, mast cell, dendritic cell or neutrophil) and soluble macromolecules produced by any of these cells or the liver (including antibodies, cytokines, and complement) that results in selective targeting, binding to, damage to, destruction of, and/or elimination from the vertebrate's body of invading pathogens, cells or tissues infected with pathogens, cancerous or other abnormal cells, or, in cases of autoimmunity or pathological inflammation, normal human cells or tissues. An immune reaction includes, e.g. , activation or inhibition of a T-cell, e.g. , an effector T-cell or a Th cell, such as a CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell, or the inhibition of a Treg cell.
[0047] An "immunomodulator" or "immunoregulator" refers to an agent, e.g. , a component of a signaling pathway that may be involved in modulating, regulating, or modifying an immune response. "Modulating," "regulating," or "modifying" an immune response refers to any alteration in a cell of the immune system or in the activity of such cell (e.g. , an effector T-cell). Such modulation includes stimulation or suppression of the immune system which may be manifested by an increase or decrease in the number of various cell types, an increase or decrease in the activity of these cells, or any other changes which can occur within the immune system. Both inhibitory and stimulatory immunomodulators have been identified, some of which may have enhanced function in a tumor microenvironment. In preferred embodiments, the
immunomodulator is located on the surface of a T-cell. An "immunomodulatory target" or "immunoregulatory target" is an immunomodulator that is targeted for binding by, and whose activity is altered by the binding of, a substance, agent, moiety, compound or molecule.
Immunomodulatory targets include, for example, receptors on the surface of a cell
("immunomodulatory receptors") and receptor ligands ("immunomodulatory ligands").
[0048] As used herein, the term "T-cell-mediated response" refers to a response mediated by T-cells, including effector T-cells (e.g. , CD8+ cells) and helper T-cells (e.g. , CD4+ cells). T- cell mediated responses include, for example, T-cell cytotoxicity and proliferation.
[0049] As used herein, the term "cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response" refers to an immune response induced by cytotoxic T-cells. CTL responses are mediated primarily by CD8+ T-cells.
[0050] The term "inhibit" or "inhibition" means to reduce by a measurable amount.
[0051] "Inhibitors" and "antagonists," or "activators" and "agonists," refer to inhibitory or activating molecules, respectively, e.g., for the activation of, e.g. , a ligand, receptor, cofactor, a gene, cell, tissue, or organ. A modulator of, e.g. , a gene, a receptor, a ligand, or a cell, is a molecule that alters an activity of the gene, receptor, ligand, or cell, where activity can be activated, inhibited, or altered in its regulatory properties. The modulator may act alone, or it may use a cofactor, e.g. , a protein, metal ion, or small molecule. Inhibitors are compounds that decrease, block, prevent, delay activation, inactivate, desensitize, or down regulate, e.g. , a gene, protein, ligand, receptor, or cell. Activators are compounds that increase, activate, facilitate, enhance activation, sensitize, or up regulate, e.g. , a gene, protein, ligand, receptor, or cell. An inhibitor may also be defined as a compound that reduces, blocks, or inactivates a constitutive activity.
[0052] An "agonist" is a compound that interacts with a target to cause or promote an increase in the activation of the target (e.g., a polypeptide which agonizes (promotes) 4-1 BB signaling to B and T-cells).
[0053] An "aptamer" is a single chain RNA or DNA oligonucleotide molecules, generally 15 to 60 bases in length with high affinity binding to a specific target molecule such as a protein, nucleic acid or small molecule compound. Aptamers are designed and selected in vitro, by an enrichment process to develop a unique structure. Aptamers are often identified by a technique called Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential selection (SELEX). Several aptamer selection kits are available commercially.
[0054] An "antagonist" is a compound that opposes the actions of an agonist. An antagonist prevents, reduces, inhibits, or neutralizes the activity of an agonist. An antagonist can also prevent, inhibit, or reduce constitutive activity of a target, e.g., a target receptor, even where there is no identified agonist.
[0055] "4-1 BB" (also known as CD137 or "tumor necrosis factor superfamily, member 9" (TNFRSF9)) is member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. This receptor contributes to the clonal expansion, survival, and development of T-cells. It can also induce proliferation in peripheral monocytes, enhance T-cell apoptosis induced by TCR/CD3 triggered activation, and regulate CD28 co-stimulation to promote Th1 cell responses. The expression of this receptor is induced by lymphocyte activation. 4-1 BB was first identified in mice by a modified differential screening procedure (see Kwon BS, Weissman SM, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989; 86: 1963-1967 and Kwon BS, et al., J. Immunol. 1994; 152:2256-2262). An exemplary human 4-1 BB sequence is provided as SEQ ID NO:3. Residues 24-186 of SEQ ID NO:3 comprise an extracellular domain. Agonists of 4-1 BB are known, and include agonist antibodies against 4-1 BB, soluble 4-1 BB ligand molecules, and aptamers (see Bartkowiak and Curran, 2015, Front Oncol., 5: 117).
[0056] PBMC is an abbreviation for peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
[0057] A G4S linker is the peptide GGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 12).
[0058] Additional Embodiments
[0059] The present invention relates to bispecific molecule that comprise a 4-1 BB agonist moiety connected to a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety (a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule). As used herein connected means the same as fused when used in reference to the fusion proteins of the invention. The CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety binds to a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface protein or other CD8+ T-cell surface molecule either of which may be referred to as a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen herein. [0060] Provided herein are 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecules which are molecules that comprise a 4-1 BB agonist moiety and a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety. In one embodiment of the bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is an anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody, or a 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof, a 4-1 BBL moiety, or a 4-1 BB agonist aptamer.
[0061] In one embodiment the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is a 4-1 BBL moiety that comprises one 4-1 BBL domain (monomer). In another embodiment, the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is a 4-1 BBL moiety that comprises two 4-1 BBL domains (dimer). In another embodiment, the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is a 4-1 BBL moiety that comprises three 4-1 BBL domains (trimer). In one embodiment, the bispecific molecule comprises a 4-1 BB agonist moiety comprising a set of three human 4- 1 BBL domains to form a single-chain 4-1 BBL trimer. In one embodiment, the single-chain 4- 1 BBL trimer comprises, in amino- to carboxyl-terminal order, a first 4-1 BBL domain, an inter- domain linker, a second 4-1 BBL domain, a second inter-domain linker, and a third 4-1 BBL domain. In another embodiment, each inter-domain linker consists of 15-20 amino acids. In another embodiment, each of the two inter-domain 4-1 BBL monomer linkers comprises three G4S domains.
[0062] In one embodiment the 4-1 BBL domain comprises full-length human 4-1 BBL (i.e. , amino acid residues 1-254 of SEQ I D NO:4). In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 30-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 30-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 50-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 50- 254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 71-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises amino acid residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of amino acid residues 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
[0063] In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises or consists of a sequence at least 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to a sequence having an N-terminus at any one of amino acid residues 31-84 of SEQ I D NO:4 and a C terminus at any one of amino acid residues 234-254 of SEQ I D NO:4.
[0064] In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises no more than about 200 amino acid residues, preferably no more than about 150 amino acid residues, and more preferably no more than about 100 amino acid residues. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of no more than about 200 amino acid residues, preferably no more than about 150 amino acid residues, and more preferably no more than about 100 amino acid residues. [0065] In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:5 or a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:5. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises the amino acid sequence of 6 or a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:6. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:7 or a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ I D NO:7.
[0066] In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is highly identical to any one of the sequences set forth herein. For example, in one
embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequences at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to amino acid residues 1-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequences at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to amino acid residues 30-254, 50-254, 71-254, or 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequences at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 91 %, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to SEQ I D NO:5, 6, or 7. In another embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to residues 30-254, 50-254, 71-254, or 85-254 of SEQ I D NO:4. In a particular embodiment, the 4-1 BBL domain comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ I D NO:5, 6, or 7.
[0067] Reference in the specification is made to percent identity between polypeptide or amino acid sequences. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences. Identity can be measured as "local identity" or "global identity". Local identity refers the degree of sequence relatedness between polypeptides as determined by the match between strings of such sequences. Global identity refers to the degree of sequence relatedness of a polypeptide compared to the full-length of a reference polypeptide. Unless specified otherwise, as used herein, identity means global identity. For the purposes of this disclosure and claims, the percentages for global identity are calculated using Needleman and Wunsch ((1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:444-453) algorithm using a Blossum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5. There are many publically available software programs that incorporate the Needleman and Wunsch algorithm, e.g. the GAP program in the GCG software package.
[0068] In one embodiment the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is an anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody or 4-
1 BB binding fragment thereof. In one embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , antibody. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG2 antibody. In still another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG3 antibody. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG4 antibody. In one embodiment the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an scFv. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an Fab. In still another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an F(ab')2. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is a minibody. In still another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is a triabody. In yet another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is a scFvFc. In another embodiment the anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof is an hclgG.
[0069] Antibodies (e.g., agonist antibodies) to 4-1 BB are known for example, urelumab (see e.g., US8137667), utomilumab (see e.g. , US20120237498), 4B4-1 (Biolegend, San Diego, CA), and antibodies disclosed in US20130149301 , US20160244528, US20160083474,
US20120076722, and US7829088.
[0070] Aptamers useful in the present disclosure are specific to 4-1 BB. WO2007/035518 describes aptamers, for example M 12-22 (5"-GCACAGCAACACCACGACCCCCCCUAGGC UUCCGCCCGCG3'), that can stimulate 4-1 BB. WO201 1/109642 describes 4-1 BB aptamers, for example,
5'CCTGCACCCAGTGTCCCCGACGGGGCCCTCTAGCCGTACTCTGTAATGGCGGAT
GCTGACGGAGAGGAGGACGG3'. WO2010/144295 describes aptamers specific to 4-1 BB and bi-specific aptamers. Also see Blind, M. , Molecular Therapy -Nucleic Acids (2015) 4.e223.
[0071] In any of the above embodiments of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety. In one embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the T- cell binding moiety. In one embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the N-terminus of the T-cell binding moiety.
[0072] A 4-1 BB agonist moiety can be connected to the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety by a linker. Additionally, each 4-1 BBL domain of the 4-1 BBL agonist moiety can be separated by an inter-domain linker. In certain embodiments, each linker or inter-domain linker comprises 5-25 amino acids. In one embodiment, the linker or inter-domain linker comprises 5-10, 5-15, 5-20, 5-25, 10-15, 10-20, 10-25, 15-20, 15-25, or 20-25 amino acids. In another embodiment, the linker or inter-domain linker comprises 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, or 25 amino acids. In a particular embodiment, the linker or inter-domain linker comprises 15-20 amino acids. In another embodiment, the linker or inter- domain linker comprises at least one, two, three or four G4S motifs. A G4S motif comprises four glycine residues followed by one serine residue (i.e., amino acid sequence GGGGS). In particular embodiments, the linker or inter-domain linker comprises three G4S motifs.
[0073] In any one of the embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the CD8+ T- cell binding moiety binds to a CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, the NK cell binding moiety binds to an NK cell surface antigen, or the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety binds to a granzyme
B-cell surface antigen, (e.g., an extracellular region of a CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen). In one of the embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the CD8+
T-cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to a CD8+ T-cell or antigen binding fragment thereof. In another embodiment the NK cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to a NK cell surface antigen or an antigen binding fragment thereof. In yet another embodiment the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to a granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen or an antigen binding fragment thereof. In any of the antibody embodiments of the invention the antibody may be an lgG1 antibody. In another embodiment the antibody is an lgG2 antibody. In still another embodiment the antibody is an lgG3 antibody. In yet another embodiment the antibody is an lgG4 antibody. Examples of antigen binding fragment include
Fv, Fab, Fab', Fd fragments, dAb fragments, Fab'-SH, F(ab')2; diabodies; triabodies; linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules. In one embodiment the antigen binding fragment that binds to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is an scFv. In another embodiment the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, the NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is an Fab. In still another embodiment the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is an F(ab')2. In another embodiment the antibody to the
CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a minibody. In still another embodiment the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a triabody. In yet another embodiment the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a minibody. In still another embodiment the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a scFvFc. In another embodiment the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is a minibody. In still another embodiment the antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody and the antigen binding fragment thereof is an hclgG.
[0074] In some embodiments of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, NK cell binding moiety, or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is an antibody that binds to an antigen or an antigen binding fragment thereof as described herein, where the 4-1 BB agonist moiety comprises three 4-1 BBL domains and the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the Fc region of the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
[0075] In one embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the CD8+ T- cell binding moiety is an antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen or antigen binding fragment thereof that is agonistic. In another embodiment the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the granzyme B- positive cell binding moiety is an antibody to LAG3 or an antigen binding fragment thereof. In some embodiments the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is antagonistic. In still other embodiment the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is a neutral activity antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof. In some embodiments the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is an antibody to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, or antigen binding fragment thereof that is a ligand blocking antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
[0076] In another embodiment of the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety is an aptamer that binds to the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen. In another embodiment of the NK cell binding moiety is an aptamer that binds to an NK cell surface antigen. In another embodiment of the granzyme B- positive cell binding moiety is an aptamer that binds to LAG3.
[0077] In some embodiments the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is a cell surface receptor. In some embodiments the
CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, NK cell surface antigen, or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen, is a cell surface receptor ligand. In one embodiment the T-cell surface antigen is CD8.
In a particular embodiment the T-cell surface antigen is human CD8 (SEQ I D NO:26). In another embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen is KI2L4. In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen is NKG2E. In still another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is NKG2D. In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is NKG2F. In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is, BTNL3. In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T- cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is CD186. In still another embodiment the CD8+
T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is BTNL8. In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is PD-1. In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is CD195. In still another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is NKG2C. In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is LAG3 (SEQ I D NO:44). In one embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human KI2L4 (SEQ I D NO: 16). In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2E (SEQ ID NO: 17). In still another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2D (SEQ I D NO: 18). In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2F (SEQ I D NO: 19). In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human BTNL3 (SEQ I D NO:20). In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human CD186 (SEQ I D NO:21 ). In still another embodiment the CD8+ T- cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human BTNL8 (SEQ I D NO:22). In another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human PD-1 (SEQ I D NO:23). In yet another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human CD195 (SEQ I D NO:24). In still another embodiment the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human NKG2C (SEQ I D NO:25).
[0078] Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KI Rs), including KI2L4, are transmembrane glycoproteins expressed by natural killer cells and subsets of T cells. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants, gene name KI R2DL4 (SEQ I D NO:45). An exemplary human KI2L4 sequence is provide as SEQ I D NO: 16. Residues 22-242 of SEQ I D NO: 16 comprise an extracellular domain, and residues 264-377 comprise a cytoplasmic domain. An exemplary ligand of KI2L4 is the non-classical HLA class 1 gene HLA-G (SEQ I D NO:27; Carosella et al. , 2008, Blood, 1 1 1 : 4862-70). Residues 25-308 of SEQ I D NO:27 comprise an extracellular domain of HLA-G.
[0079] NKG2E, gene name KLRC3 (SEQ I D NO:46), is a member of the NKG2 group of calcium-dependent (C-type) lectins, which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encode a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type II membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. The NKG2 gene family is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed on NK cells. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. An exemplary human NKG2E sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO: 17.
Residues 94-240 of SEQ I D NO: 17 comprise an extracellular domain. An exemplary ligand of NKG2E is the HLA class I histocompatibility antigen HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:28). Residues 22-305 comprise an extracellular domain of HLA-E. Natural variants of HLA-E include VAR_059510 (98N→ K; Corresponds to variant dbSN P:rs1059510; VAR_004395 (104G→ R in allele E*01 :02), VAR_016651 (128R→ G in allele E*01 :03 and allele E*01 :04) and VAR_016652 (178R→ G in allele E*01 :04).
[0080] NKG2D is a member of the NKG2 group of calcium-dependent (C-type) lectins, which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encode a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type I I membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. An exemplary human NKG2D sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO: 18. Residues 73-216 of SEQ I D NO: 18 comprise an extracellular domain. Binding proteins of KLRK1 (SEQ ID NO:47) include allele N KG2-D*02 (72A→ T). N KG2D binds to a diverse family of ligands that include MHC class I chain-related A and B proteins and UL-16 binding proteins (Table 1), where ligand-receptor interactions can result in the activation of NK and T cells. The surface expression of these ligands is important for the recognition of stressed cells by the immune system, and thus this protein and its ligands are therapeutic targets for the treatment of immune diseases and cancers. Examples of ligands for NKG2D are provided in Table 1.
[0081] Table 1. Exemplary NKG2D ligands
Figure imgf000017_0001
[0082] NKG2F is a member of the NKG2 group of genes that are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells. These family members encode transmembrane proteins that are characterized by a type II membrane orientation (have an extracellular C-terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. This family member is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed in NK cells. An exemplary human NKG2F sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO: 19. Residues 96-158 of SEQ I D NO: 19 comprise an extracellular domain.
[0083] An exemplary butyrophilin like 3 (BTNL3) sequence is provided as SEQ ID NO:20. Residues 18-237 of SEQ I D NO:20 comprise an extracellular domain.
[0084] CD186 (C-X-C motif chemokine receptor type 6, CXCR6, SEQ I D NO:50) is a seven- transmembrane G protein-coupled chemokine receptor. An exemplary CD186 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:21. Extracellular regions of CD186 include residues 1 -32, 90-103, 165- 187, and 260-275 of SEQ I D NO:21. An exemplary ligand of CD186 is the chemokine CXCL16 (SEQ I D NO:37). Residues 30-205 comprise an extracellular domain of SEQ I D NO:37.
[0085] An exemplary butyrophilin like 8 (BTNL8) sequence is provided as SEQ ID NO:22. Residues 18-238 of SEQ I D NO:22 comprise an extracellular domain.
[0086] Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint protein that is involved in downregulating the immune response by suppressing T cell activity. An exemplary PD-1 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:23. Residues 21 -170 of SEQ I D NO:23 comprise an extracellular domain. Exemplary ligands of PD-1 include PD-L1 and PD-L2. An exemplary PD- L1 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:38, and an exemplary PD-L2 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:39. Residues 19-238 comprise of SEQ I D NO:38 comprise an extracellular domain. Residues 20-220 comprise an extracellular domain of SEQ I D NO:39. An exemplary PD-L2 fusion protein is AMP-224 (see e.g. , US9205148).
[0087] CD195 (C-C motif chemokine receptor 5, CCR5, SEQ I D NO:53) is a member of the beta chemokine receptor family, and is predicted to be a seven transmembrane protein similar to G protein-coupled receptors. This protein is expressed by T cells and macrophages, and is an important co-receptor for macrophage-tropic virus, including HIV, to enter host cells. An exemplary CD195 sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:24. Extracellular regions of CD195 include residues 1-30, 90-102, 167-198, and 261-277 of SEQ I D NO:24. The ligands of this receptor include monocyte chemoattractant protein 2 (MCP-2) SEQ I D NO:40, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MI P-1 alpha) SEQ I D NO:41 , macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MI P-1 beta) SEQ ID NO:42 and regulated on activation normal T expressed and secreted protein (RANTES) SEQ ID NO:43. (Table 2)
[0088] Table 2. Exemplary CD195 ligands
Figure imgf000018_0001
[0089] NKG2C (SEQ I D NO:25) is a member of the NKG2 group of calcium-dependent (C- type) lectins, which are expressed primarily in natural killer (NK) cells and encode a family of transmembrane proteins characterized by a type I I membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus) and the presence of a C-type lectin domain. The NKG2 gene family (gene name
KLRC2, SEQ I D NO:54) is located within the NK complex, a region that contains several C-type lectin genes preferentially expressed on NK cells. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. An exemplary human NKG2C sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:25. Residues 94-231 of SEQ I D NO:25 comprise an extracellular domain. An exemplary ligand of NKG2E is the HLA class I histocompatibility antigen HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:28). Residues 22-305 comprise an extracellular domain of HLA-E. Natural variants of HLA-E include VAR_059510 (98N→ K; Corresponds to variant dbSNP:rs1059510;
VAR_004395 (104G→ R in allele E*01 :02), VAR_016651 (128R→ G in allele E*01 :03 and allele E*01 :04) and VAR_016652 (178R→ G in allele E*01 :04).
[0090] Lymphocyte-activation protein 3 (LAG3) belongs to the Ig superfamily and contains 4 extracellular Ig-like domains. LAG3 is an immune checkpoint receptor and binds to MHC class I I. An exemplary LAG3 amino acid sequence is provided as SEQ I D NO:44. Residues 29-450 of SEQ I D NO:44 comprise an extracellular domain, and residues 472-525 comprise a cytoplasmic domain.
[0091] In one of the embodiment of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is a receptor ligand, e.g., an extracellular or secreted portion of a receptor ligand disclosed herein. In one embodiment the receptor ligand is HLA-G (SEQ I D NO:27). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:28). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is HLA-E (SEQ I D NO:29). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is MICA (SEQ I D NO:29). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is MICB (SEQ I D NO:30). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP1 (SEQ I D NO:31 ). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP2 (SEQ I D NO:32). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP3 (SEQ ID NO:33). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP4 (SEQ I D NO:34). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is ULBP5 (SEQ I D NO:35). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is RAET1 L (SEQ I D NO:36). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is CXCL16 (SEQ I D NO:37). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is PD-L1 (SEQ I D NO:38). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is PD-L2 (SEQ I D NO:39). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is MCP-2 (SEQ I D NO:40). In yet another embodiment the receptor ligand is MI P-1 alpha (SEQ I D NO:41). In another embodiment the receptor ligand is MI P-1 beta (SEQ I D NO:42). In still another embodiment the receptor ligand is RANTES (SEQ I D NO:43). In some embodiments, the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety is a receptor ligand, e.g. , an extracellular or secreted portion of a receptor ligand disclosed herein, that contains one or more mutations that abrogate agonist activity on its cognate receptor but do not significantly affect receptor binding.
[0092] One embodiment of the invention is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein. Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T- cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-
1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the contacting is in vitro. Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the contacting is in vivo. In yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the CD8+ T-cell is a tumor-associated CD8+ T-cell. Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the CD8+ T-cell is a tumor-associated CD8+ T-cell and where the contacting is in vitro. Another embodiment is a method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, where the CD8+ T-cell is a tumor- associated CD8+ T-cell and where the contacting is in vivo.
[0093] The present disclosure provides bispecific molecules where one portion of the molecule is a 4-1 BB agonist and the other portion binds to the extracellular portion of a CD8+ T- cell surface antigen, to the extracellular portion of the NK cell surface antigen, or to the extracellular portion of a granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen. In some instances both the
CD8+ T-cell surface antigen and the granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen are the same. In some instances the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, the granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen and the NK cell surface antigen are the same. The bispecific molecule can comprise a number of options. Bispecific molecules included, but are not limited to, bispecific antibodies, bispecific antibody fragment, antibodies coupled to an aptamer, full length antibodies couple to an antibody fragment. A bispecific IgG (BslgG) is a commonly used bispecific antibody (BsAb) format that is monovalent for one of two antigens. Bispecific and multi-specific antibodies can also be made by appending either the amino or carboxy termini of either a light or heavy chain with additional antigen-binding molecules including, but not limited to, single domain antibodies
(unpaired VL or VH) paired antibody variable domains such as Fv or scFv. A potential advantage of BslgGs is that they can enable simultaneous binding of antigen to more than one variable domain and provide higher specific binding capacity. Bispecific antibodies can also be bispecific antibody fragments. Many BsAb fragments are connected with short peptide linker sequences that can allow efficient expression of the BsAb in a single host cell. scFv fragments are commonly used fragments in generating BsAb molecules. An scFv is constructed by using short amino acid linkers to provide inter-chain pairing of VH and VL domains. Co-expression of two such scFv fragments can be used to form a bispecific fragment known as a diabody. The bispecific T cell Engager (BiTE) is a type of tandem scFv in which the component scFv fragments are designed to bind CD3 on T cells and a surface antigen on tumor cells to redirect T cells to kill tumor cells. Single domain antibody fragments (dAbs) can reduce molecular size.
Another type of bispecific molecule is a fusion protein in which antibody fragments are linked to other proteins such as a receptor ligand. Such bispecific molecules can improve the targeting of the bispecific molecule. Around 30 different BsAbs and related molecules are currently in clinical development mainly for oncology, autoimmune or chronic inflammatory indications (reviewed in Spiess et al., 2015, Mol. Immunol. , 67:95-106). Clinical stage BsAbs include Tiromab, BiTes, TandAbs, ImmTac, DAF, HAS-body, IgG-scFv, CrossMab, dock-and-lock, DVD-lg and nanobodies. Examples of bispecific molecules include, but are not limited to, Catumaxomab (Removab) which targets CD3 and EpCAM, Ertumaxomab which binds to CD3 and HER2, Blinatumomab which binds to CD3 and CD19. Solitomab which binds to CD3 and EpCAM, Medi 565 which binds to CD3 and CEA, Duligotuzumabe which binds to EGFR, HER3, GSK2434735 (GSK) which binds to I L-13, and I L-4. , ALX-0061 (AbbVie, Ablynx) which binds to I L-6R and HAS, SAR156697 (Sanofi) which binds to I L-13 and I L-4, ALX-0761 (MerckSerono, Ablynx) which binds to 17/ F, HAS and RG6013/ACE910 (Chugai, Roche) which binds to Factor IXa and factor X.
[0094] Also provided are methods of treating a patient (e.g. , a human patient) having a disease (e.g., a cancer, infectious disease, inflammatory or autoimmune disorder) by
administering an effective amount of any embodiment of a 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule disclosed herein, thereby treating the disease. On embodiment of the present invention is a method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule as disclosed herein. In some embodiments the cancer is a solid tumor.
[0095] In some embodiments the method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule as disclosed herein, and further comprises administering an additional antineoplastic agent.
[0096] Further provided are methods for inhibiting growth of tumor cells in a subject comprising administering to the subject the polypeptides described herein, such that growth of the tumor is inhibited in the subject. As used herein, the term "inhibits growth" of a tumor includes any measurable decrease in the growth of a tumor, e.g., the inhibition of growth of a tumor by at least about 10%, for example, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 99%, or 100%.
[0097] Cancers can be cancers with solid tumors or blood malignancies (liquid tumors).
Non-limiting examples of cancers for treatment include lung cancer, renal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, lung carcinoma, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer, lymphoma, glioma, and colorectal cancer.
The methods described herein may also be used for treatment of metastatic cancers, unresectable and/or refractory cancers (e.g. , cancers refractory to previous immunotherapy), and recurrent cancers.
[0098] In another embodiment, the disease is an autoimmune disease. An "autoimmune disease" herein is a disease or disorder arising from and directed against an individual's own tissues or a co-segregate or manifestation thereof or resulting condition therefrom. Examples of autoimmune diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to arthritis (e.g. , rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), inflammatory hyperproliferative skin diseases, psoriasis, dermatitis urticaria , multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory bowel disease (I BD), and juvenile onset (Type I) diabetes mellitus, .
[0099] In another embodiment, the disease is an infectious disease. In one embodiment, the infectious disease relates to an agent selected from the group consisting of: a virus, a bacterium, a fungus, and a protozoan parasite. Exemplary infectious diseases include, but are not limited to human immunodeficiency viruses (GIV), hepatitis viruses class A, B and C, human cytomegalovirus, human papilloma viruses, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, sleeping sickness, malaria, herpes virus (e.g. , VZV, HSV-1 , HAV-6, HSV-I I , and CMV, Epstein Barr virus), adenovirus, influenza virus, flaviviruses, echovirus, rhinovirus, coxsackie virus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, mumps virus, rotavirus, measles virus, rubella virus, parvovirus, vaccinia virus, HTLV virus, dengue virus, papillomavirus, molluscum virus, poliovirus, rabies virus, JC virus and arboviral encephalitis virus.
[00100] Some examples of pathogenic bacteria causing infections treatable by methods described herein include chlamydia, rickettsial bacteria, mycobacteria, staphylococci, streptococci, pneumonococci, meningococci and gonococci, klebsiella, proteus, serratia, pseudomonas, legionella, diphtheria, salmonella, bacilli, cholera, tetanus, botulism, anthrax, plague, leptospirosis, and Lymes disease bacteria.
[00101] Some examples of pathogenic fungi causing infections treatable by methods described herein include Candida (albicans, krusei, glabrata, tropicalis, etc.), Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus (fumigatus, niger, etc.), Genus Mucorales (mucor, absidia, rhizopus), Sporothrix schenkii, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum.
[00102] Some examples of pathogenic parasites causing infections treatable by methods described herein include Entamoeba histolytica, Balantidium coli, Naegleriafowleri,
Acanthamoeba sp. , Giardia lambia, Cryptosporidium sp. , Pneumocystis carinii, Plasmodium vivax, Babesia microti, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, Toxoplasma gondii, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
[00103] In some embodiments of the 4-1 BB agonist moiety and/or the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety may be a humanized antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof. Humanized antibodies are antibodies produced from non-human species whose protein sequences have been modified to increase their similarity to antibody variants produced naturally in humans. The process of "humanization" is usually applied to monoclonal antibodies developed for administration to humans (for example, antibodies developed as anticancer drugs). Humanization can be necessary when the process of developing a specific antibody involves generation in a non-human immune system (such as that in mice, rabbits, dogs or non-human primates). The protein sequences of antibodies produced in this way are partially distinct from homologous antibodies occurring naturally in humans, and are therefore potentially immunogenic when administered to human. There are other types of antibodies developed. The International Nonproprietary Names of humanized antibodies end in -zumab, as in omalizumab.
[00104] The humanization processes takes advantage of the fact that production of monoclonal antibodies can be accomplished using recombinant DNA to create constructs capable of expression in mammalian cell culture. That is, gene segments capable of producing antibodies are isolated and cloned into cells that can be grown in a bioreactor such that antibody proteins produced from the DNA of the cloned genes can be harvested in amounts necessary for therapeutic use. The step involving recombinant DNA provides an intervention point that can be readily exploited to alter the protein sequence of the expressed antibody. The alterations to antibody structure that are achieved in the humanization process are therefore all effectuated through techniques at the DNA level. Not all methods for deriving antibodies intended for human therapy require a humanization step (e.g. phage display) but essentially all are dependent on techniques that similarly allow the "insertion" or "swapping-out" of portions of the antibody molecule.
[00105] Currently it is common to humanize a non-human antibody by insertion of relevant CDRs from antibodies created in a non-human animal into a human antibody "scaffold". "Direct" creation of a humanized antibody can be accomplished by inserting the appropriate CDR coding segments (responsible for the desired binding properties) into a human antibody "scaffold". This is achieved through recombinant DNA methods using an appropriate vector and expression in mammalian cells. That is, after an antibody is developed to have the desired properties in a mouse (or other non-human), the DNA coding for that antibody can be isolated, cloned into a vector and sequenced. The DNA sequence corresponding to the antibody CDRs can then be determined. Once the precise sequence of the desired CDRs are known, a strategy can be devised for inserting these sequences appropriately into a construct containing the DNA for a human antibody variant. The strategy may also employ synthesis of linear DNA fragments based on the reading of CDR sequences.
[00106] In some embodiments of the 4-1 BB agonist moiety and/or the CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety may be a fully human antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof. Fully human antibodies can be produced in a number of ways including production in transgenic animals, e.g., mice that have been engineered to express fully human antibodies in mice. For example, humanized transgenic mice are immunized with specific target immunogen(s). After immunization and enough time to allow the mice to make antibodies, mRNA and cDNA derived from PBMCs, splenocytes or bone marrow cells are collected. Next the cDNA of the human antibody can be PCR amplified and cloned into vectors for expression. Other systems for generating human antibodies is a combination of hybridoma technology and phage display. In this method, the humanized transgenic mice are used to create antibodies as described above but the cDNA is cloned into phage display vectors to generate a phage display library which can be screened for human antibodies with high specificity and affinity. . Examples of such technology are Xenomouse™ from Abgenix, Inc. (Fremont, Calif.) and HuMAb-Mouse®, Fully Human Antibody Technology™ (Creative Biolabs, Shirley NY) and TC Mouse™ from Medarex, Inc. (Princeton, N.J.).
[00107] Methods for Producing Bispecific molecules
[00108] Methods for recombinant production are widely known in the state of the art and comprise protein expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with subsequent isolation of the antibody and usually purification to a pharmaceutically acceptable purity. For the expression of the binding proteins in a host cell, nucleic acids encoding the respective polypeptides are inserted into expression vectors by standard methods. Expression is performed in appropriate prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells (such as CHO cells, NSO cells, SP2/0 cells, HEK293 cells, COS cells, PER.C6 cells, yeast, or E.coli cells), and the binding protein is recovered from the cells (supernatant or cells after lysis). General methods for recombinant production of antibodies are well-known in the state of the art and described, for example, in the review articles of Makrides, S.C., Protein Expr. Purif 17 183-202 (1999); Geisse, S., et al, Protein Expr. Purif. 8 271-282 (1996); Kaufman, R.J., Mol. Biotechnol. 16 151-161 (2000); Werner, R.G., Drug Res. 48 870-880 (1998).
[00109] The polypeptides may be suitably separated from the culture medium by conventional purification procedures. Purification can be performed in order to eliminate cellular components or other contaminants, e.g. other cellular nucleic acids or proteins, by standard techniques, including alkaline/SDS treatment, CsCI banding, column chromatography, agarose gel electrophoresis, and others well known in the art. See Ausubel, F., et al., ed. Current
Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing and Wiley Interscience, New York (1987).
Different methods are well established and widespread used for protein purification, such as affinity chromatography with microbial proteins (e.g. protein A or protein G affinity
chromatography), ion exchange chromatography (e.g. cation exchange (carboxylmethyl resins), anion exchange (amino ethyl resins) and mixed-mode exchange), thiophilic adsorption (e.g. with beta-mercaptoethanol and other SH ligands), hydrophobic interaction or aromatic adsorption chromatography (e.g. with phenyl-sepharose, aza-arenophilic resins, or m-aminophenylboronic acid), metal chelate affinity chromatography (e.g. with Ni(ll)- and Cu(ll)-affinity material), size exclusion chromatography, and electrophoretical methods (such as gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis) (Vijayalakshmi, M.A. Appl. Biochem. Biotech. 75 93-102 (1998)). DNA and RNA encoding the polypeptides are readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures.
[00110] Linkers
[00111] A variety of linkers can be used in the bispecific molecules described herein.
"Connected to" refers to direct or indirect linkage or connection of, in context, amino acids or nucleotides. "Linker" refers to one or more amino acids connecting two domains or regions together. Such linker polypeptides are well known in the art (see e.g. , Holliger, P. , et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-6448; Poljak, R. J. , et al. (1994) Structure 2: 1 121-1 123). Additional linkers suitable for use can be found in the Registry of Standard Biological Parts at partsregistry.org/Protein_domains/Linker (see also, e.g. , Crasto CJ and Feng JA. LI NKER: a program to generate linker sequences for fusion proteins. Protein Eng 2000 May; 13(5) 309-12 and George RA and Heringa J. An analysis of protein domain linkers: their classification and role in protein folding. Protein Eng 2002 Nov; 15(1 1) 871-9). A linker may be 1-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30- 40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-70, 70-80, 80-90 or at least 90-100 amino acids long.
[00112] Linkers also include non-polypeptide linkers. Linkers can be comprised of nucleotides, or non-nucleotides. Non-nucleotide linkers include, but are not limited to, abasic nucleotides polyethers, polyamines, polyamides, peptides, carbohydrates, lipids,
polyhydrocarbons or other polymeric compounds. Polymeric compounds include, for example, polyethylene glycols such as those having between 2 and 100 ethylene glycol units. Such linkers are particularly useful for linking aptamers that are linked to one or more other aptamers with similar or varying specificities. Such linked aptamers, e.g. dimers or trimers, may increase the affinities of the aptamers for their targets. (See Hasegawa, H. , et al., Sensors (Basel) 2008 Feb 8(2): 1090-1098.)
[00113] An aptamer 4-1 BB agonist moiety or CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety may be conjugated to a protein 4-1 BB agonist moiety or CD8+ T-cell or granzyme B- positive cell binding moiety to create a bispecific molecule disclosed herein. Exemplary methods of conjugating aptamers and other nucleic acids to proteins are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,910,297, 8,318,920, and 8,389,710.
[00114] Compositions
[00115] The compositions provided herein contain one or more of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules disclosed herein, formulated together with a carrier (e.g., a
"pharmaceutically acceptable carrier").
[00116] As used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof.
Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can be employed as liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such media and agents for
pharmaceutically active substances is known in the art. Except insofar as any excipient, diluent or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds (e.g., additional anti-cancer agents) can also be incorporated into the compositions.
[00117] In the context of treating a disease in a patient, preferably, the carrier is suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, spinal or epidermal administration (e.g. , by injection or infusion). Depending on the route of administration, the polypeptide may be coated in a material to protect them from the action of acids and other natural conditions that may inactivate proteins. For example, the polypeptide may be administered to a patient in an appropriate carrier, for example, in liposomes, or a diluent. Pharmaceutically acceptable diluents include saline and aqueous buffer solutions. Liposomes include water-in-oil-in-water
CGF emulsions, as well as conventional liposomes. The composition can be administered by a variety of methods known in the art. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the route and/or mode of administration will vary depending upon the desired results.
[00118] Selecting an administration regimen for a therapeutic depends on several factors, including the serum or tissue turnover rate of the entity, the level of symptoms, the
immunogenicity of the entity, and the accessibility of the target cells in the biological matrix, general health of the patient, the prior medical history of the patient, and the like. Preferably, an administration regimen maximizes the amount of therapeutic delivered to the patient consistent with an acceptable level of side effects. Accordingly, the amount of biologic delivered depends in part on the particular entity and the severity of the condition being treated.
[00119] By way of illustration only, and taking into consideration various factors for determining appropriate doses and dosing frequencies, an exemplary dose comprising the 4-
1 BB agonist bispecific molecule to be administered to a patient in need thereof may include a single dose of about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg body weight, about 0.03 to about 50 mg/kg body weight, or about 0.05 to about 25 mg/kg body weight dosed, once or more times per day, and/or one or more times per week, for example, for one to four weeks, or one to eight weeks, or one to twelve weeks, one to fourteen weeks, or one to 26 weeks or more. In some embodiments, the 4-
1 BB agonist bispecific molecule, may be administered for periods ranging from 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 26 weeks, 28 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months or indefinitely. In some embodiments, an exemplary dosing regimen may include administration of a maximal dose or dosing frequency that avoids significant undesirable side effects. In some embodiments, a total daily dose may be at least 0.05 μg/kg body weight, at least 0.2 μg/kg, at least 0.5 μg/kg, at least 1 μg/kg, at least 10 μg/kg, at least 100 μg/kg, at least 0.2 mg/kg, at least 0.5 mg/kg, at least 1.0 mg/kg, at least 2.0 mg/kg, or at least 10 mg/kg, or at least 25 mg/kg, or at least 50 mg/kg, or at least 75 mg/kg, or at least 100 mg/kg, or at least 200 mg/kg. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective dose may also equate to a daily dose as provided herein.
[00120] Depending on the severity of the condition, and the various factors discussed herein, the dose, frequency and the duration of the treatment may be adjusted accordingly, in view of proper medical standards known to those of skill in the art. In certain exemplary embodiments, the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecule of the disclosure may be administered as an initial dose of at least about 0.1 mg to about 800 mg, about 1 to about 500 mg, about 5 to about 300 mg, or about 10 to about 200 mg, to about 100 mg, or to about 50 mg. The first dose may be an initial loading dose, to be followed subsequently by a plurality of maintenance doses, for example, an exemplary loading dose may include 500 mg/kg, 450 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 350 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, or 0.05 mg/kg to be dosed on day 1 , or in the first week of a 1 , 2, 3, or 4 week cycle, and wherein the maintenance dose is 200 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, or 0.05 mg/kg dosed on the subsequent day or in the subsequent week or the next dosing period of the loading dose, the maintenance dose to be administered every day for 7-30 days or once per week, or once every two weeks, or once every three weeks, or once every four weeks. In certain exemplary embodiments, the initial dose may be followed by administration of a second or a plurality of subsequent doses of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof in an amount that may be approximately the same or less than that of the initial dose, wherein the subsequent doses are separated by at least 1 day to 3 days; at least one week, at least 2 weeks; at least 3 weeks; at least 4 weeks; at least 5 weeks; at least 6 weeks; at least 7 weeks; at least 8 weeks; at least 9 weeks; at least 10 weeks; at least 12 weeks; or at least 14 weeks, or doses of the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules of the disclosure may be repeated and the administrations may be separated by at least 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 10 days, 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, 2 months, 75 days, 3 months, or at least 6 months.
[00121] The route of administration of the compositions of the present disclosure may be by, e.g., topical or cutaneous application, injection or infusion by intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intracerebral, intramuscular, intraocular, intraarterial, intradermal,
intracerebrospinal, intralesional, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural and intrasternal injection and infusion, or by sustained release systems or an implant. The injectable preparations may include dosage forms for intravenous,
subcutaneous, intracutaneous and intramuscular injections, drip infusions, etc. Numerous reusable pen and autoinjector delivery devices have applications in the subcutaneous delivery of a pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure.
[00122] Combination Therapies
[00123] The polypeptides and compositions described herein can be administered alone or in combination, i.e., combined with other agents. For example, the combination therapy can include a polypeptide described herein with at least one additional therapeutic agent (e.g., an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) agent). The polypeptides and compositions described herein can also be administered in conjunction with an anti-cancer treatment modality, such as radiation therapy and/or surgery.
[00124] Adjunctive or combined administration (co-administration) includes simultaneous administration of any of the polypeptides described herein and one or more agents in the same or different dosage form, or separate administration of the polypeptide and one or more agents (e.g., sequential administration). Such concurrent or sequential administration preferably results in both the polypeptide and the one or more agents being simultaneously present in treated patients.
[00125] As used herein, "antineoplastic agent" refers to agents that have the functional property of inhibiting a development or progression of a neoplasm in a human, particularly a malignant (cancerous) lesion, such as a carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, or leukemia. Inhibition of metastasis is frequently a property of antineoplastic agents.
[00126] In one embodiment, the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein are administered in combination with an additional antineoplastic agent. In another embodiment, no more than three antineoplastic agents are administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein. In another embodiment, no more than two other antineoplastic agents are administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein. In another embodiment, no more than one other antineoplastic agent is administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein. In another embodiment, no other antineoplastic agent is administered in combination with the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein.
[00127] In another embodiment, the 4-1 BB agonist bispecific molecules described herein can be combined with a vaccination protocol. Many experimental strategies for vaccination against tumors have been devised (see Rosenberg, S., 2000, Development of Cancer Vaccines, ASCO
Educational Book Spring: 60-62; Logothetis, C, 2000, ASCO Educational Book Spring: 300-
302; Khayat, D. 2000, ASCO Educational Book Spring: 414-428; Foon, K. 2000, ASCO
Educational Book Spring: 730-738; see also Restifo, N. and Sznol, M., Cancer Vaccines, Ch. 61 , pp. 3023-3043 in DeVita et al. (eds.), 1997, Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, Fifth Edition). In one of these strategies, a vaccine is prepared using autologous or allogeneic tumor cells. These cellular vaccines have been shown to be most effective when the tumor cells are transduced to express GM-CSF. GM-CSF has been shown to be a potent activator of antigen presentation for tumor vaccination (Dranoff et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U.S.A. 90: 3539-43).
[00128] In another embodiment, the bispecific molecules described herein can be used in combination (e.g. , simultaneously or separately) with an additional treatment, such as irradiation, chemotherapy (e.g. , using camptothecin (CPT-1 1), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, doxorubicin, irinotecan, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, cisplatin, paclitaxel, carboplatin-paclitaxel (Taxol), doxorubicin, 5-fu, or camptothecin + apo2l/TRAI L (a 6X combo)), one or more proteasome inhibitors (e.g. , bortezomib or MG132), one or more Bcl-2 inhibitors (e.g. , BH3I-2' (bcl-xl inhibitor), indoleamine dioxygenase-1 inhibitor (e.g. , I NCB24360, indoximod, NLG-919, or F001287), AT-101 (R-(-)-gossypol derivative), ABT-263 (small molecule), GX-15-070
(obatoclax), or MCL-1 (myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein-1 ) antagonists), iAP (inhibitor of apoptosis protein) antagonists (e.g. , smac7, smac4, small molecule smac mimetic, synthetic smac peptides (see Fulda et al. , Nat Med 2002;8:808-15), ISIS23722 (LY2181308), or AEG- 35156 (GEM-640)), HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors, anti-CD20 antibodies (e.g. , rituximab), angiogenesis inhibitors (e.g., bevacizumab), anti-angiogenic agents targeting VEGF and VEGFR (e.g. , Avastin), synthetic triterpenoids (see Hyer et al., Cancer Research
2005;65:4799-808), c-FLI P (cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein) modulators (e.g., natural and synthetic ligands of PPARv (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ), 5809354 or 5569100), kinase inhibitors (e.g. , Sorafenib), Trastuzumab, Cetuximab, Temsirolimus, mTOR inhibitors such as rapamycin and temsirolimus, Bortezomib, JAK2 inhibitors, HSP90 inhibitors, PI3K-AKT inhibitors, Lenalildomide, ΰβΙΟβ inhibitors, IAP inhibitors and/or genotoxic drugs.
[00129] The bispecific molecules described herein can further be used in combination with one or more anti-proliferative cytotoxic agents. Classes of compounds that may be used as anti-proliferative cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, the following:
[00130] Alkylating agents (including, without limitation, nitrogen mustards, ethylenimine derivatives, alkyl sulfonates, nitrosoureas and triazenes): Uracil mustard, Chlormethine,
Cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN™) fosfamide, Melphalan, Chlorambucil, Pipobroman,
Triethylenemelamine, Triethylenethiophosphoramine, Busulfan, Carmustine, Lomustine, Streptozocin, Dacarbazine, and Temozolomide.
[00131] Antimetabolites (including, without limitation, folic acid antagonists, pyrimidine analogs, purine analogs and adenosine deaminase inhibitors): Methotrexate, 5-Fluorouracil, Floxuridine, Cytarabine, 6-Mercaptopurine, 6-Thioguanine, Fludarabine phosphate,
Pentostatine, and Gemcitabine. [00132] Suitable anti-proliferative agents for combining with the bispecific molecules described herein include without limitation, taxanes, paclitaxel (paclitaxel is commercially available as TAXOL™), docetaxel, discodermolide (DDM), dictyostatin (DCT), Peloruside A, epothilones, epothilone A, epothilone B, epothilone C, epothilone D, epothilone E, epothilone F, furanoepothilone D, desoxyepothilone Bl, [17]-dehydrodesoxyepothilone B,
[18]dehydrodesoxyepothilones B, C12, 13-cyclopropyl-epothilone A, C6-C8 bridged epothilone A, trans-9, 10-dehydroepothilone D, cis-9, 10-dehydroepothilone D, 16-desmethylepothilone B, epothilone B10, discoderomolide, patupilone (EPO-906), KOS-862, KOS-1584, ZK-EPO, ABJ- 789, XAA296A (Discodermolide), TZT-1027 (soblidotin), I LX-651 (tasidotin hydrochloride), Halichondrin B, Eribulin mesylate (E-7389), Hemiasterlin (HTI-286), E-7974, Cyrptophycins, LY- 355703, Maytansinoid immunoconjugates (DM-1 ), MKC-1 , ABT-751 , T1 -38067, T-900607, SB- 715992 (ispinesib), SB-743921 , MK-0731 , STA-5312, eleutherobin, 17beta-acetoxy-2-ethoxy-6- oxo-B-homo-estra-1 ,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol, cyclostreptin, isolaulimalide, laulimalide, 4-epi-7- dehydroxy-14, 16-didemethyl-(+)-discodermolides, and cryptothilone 1 , in addition to other microtubuline stabilizing agents known in the art.
[00133] In cases where it is desirable to render aberrantly proliferative cells quiescent in conjunction with or prior to treatment with the bispecific molecules described herein, hormones and steroids (including synthetic analogs), such as 17a-Ethinylestradiol, Diethylstilbestrol, Testosterone, Prednisone, Fluoxymesterone, Dromostanolone propionate, Testolactone, Megestrolacetate, Methylprednisolone, Methyl-testosterone, Prednisolone, Triamcinolone, Chlorotrianisene, Hydroxyprogesterone, Aminoglutethimide, Estramustine,
Medroxyprogesteroneacetate, Leuprolide, Flutamide, Toremifene, ZOLADEX™, can also be administered to the patient. When employing the methods or compositions described herein, other agents used in the modulation of tumor growth or metastasis in a clinical setting, such as antimimetics, can also be administered as desired.
[00134] Methods for the safe and effective administration of chemotherapeutic agents are known to those skilled in the art. In addition, their administration is described in the standard literature. For example, the administration of many of the chemotherapeutic agents is described in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR), e.g. , 1996 edition (Medical Economics Company, Montvale, N.J. 07645-1742, USA); the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
[00135] The chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiation therapy can be administered according to therapeutic protocols well known in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the administration of the chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiation therapy can be varied depending on the disease being treated and the known effects of the chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiation therapy on that disease. Also, in accordance with the knowledge of the skilled clinician, the therapeutic protocols (e.g. , dosage amounts and times of administration) can be varied in view of the observed effects of the administered therapeutic agents on the patient, and in view of the observed responses of the disease to the administered therapeutic agents.
[00136] Kits and Articles of Manufacture
[00137] Further provided are kits containing the bispecific molecule compositions described herein and instructions for use. Kits typically include a packaged combination of reagents in predetermined amounts with instructions and a label indicating the intended use of the contents of the kit. The term label or instruction includes any writing, or recorded material supplied on or with the kit, or which otherwise accompanies the kit at any time during its manufacture, transport, sale or use. It can be in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of the manufacture, use or sale for administration to a human or for veterinary use. The label or instruction can also encompass advertising leaflets and brochures, packaging materials, and audio or video instructions.
[00138] For example, in some embodiments, the kit contains the bispecific molecule in suitable containers and instructions for administration in accordance with the treatment regimens described herein. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises an additional antineoplastic agent. In some embodiments, the bispecific molecules are provided in suitable containers as a dosage unit for administration. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, and test tubes. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic.
[00139] In some embodiments, the bispecific molecules are provided in lyophilized form, and the kit may optionally contain a sterile and physiologically acceptable reconstitution medium such as water, saline, buffered saline, and the like. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use, for example, comprising administration schedules, to allow a practitioner (e.g., a physician, nurse, or patient) to administer the composition contained therein.
[00140] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although aspects of the present invention have been specifically disclosed by various embodiments which may include preferred embodiments, exemplary embodiments and optional features, modifications and variations of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of embodiments of the invention as described and as may be defined by the appended claims.
[00141] Anti-PD-1 antibodies are being developed and sold by a number of companies, these antibodies include, but are not limited to, nivolumab (see e.g. , US8008449; US20090217401 ), pembrolizumab (see e.g., US8354509; US20100266617), pidilizumab (see e.g. , US7332582; US20140302032), JS001 (see e.g. , US20160272708), MEDI0680 (see e.g. , US9205148), BGB- A317 (see e.g. , US8735553), MDX-1 105 (see e.g. , US20160067337), MGA012 (see e.g. , WO2017019846), TSR-042 (see e.g. , US20160075783), and antibodies disclosed in
WO2017040790, US8735553, US9102727, and US8993731.
[00142] Anti-NKG2D antibodies are also being developed, including but not limited to, those disclosed in WO2017024131 to Avidbiotics Corp, US9273136 to the NHS, NNC0142-0002 (see, US7879985), and those disclosed in WO2016134371 to Ohio State Innovation Foundation.
[00143] In addition, anti-CCR5 antibodies are being developed, these antibodies include, but are not limited to, antibodies disclosed in US7700302, HGS004 and HGS101 (see,
US6759519), Pro 140 (see, US20080107595), and antibodies disclosed in US20090028881 , WO2002020615, and WO2006103100.
[00144] Anti-LAG3 antibodies are also being developed. These antibodies include, but are not limited to BMS-986016 (see, e.g. , US201 1019570 to Medarex and US20150307609 to Bristol Myers Squibb), GSK2831781 (see, e.g. , US20140286935and US20140286935 to GlaxoSmithKline), LAG525 (see, e.g. , US20100233183, US20150259420, and WO2017037203 to Immutep and Novartis), and variable regions of MGD013 (see, e.g, WO20152001 19).
Additional non-limiting antibodies are disclosed in WO2016126858 to AnaptysBio,
WO2016200782 to MacroGenics, WO2016028672 to Merck & Co. , WO2017062888 to
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and US20170022273 to Sorrento Therapeutics.
[00145] Table 3 below provides the SEQ I D NOs for various polypeptides relating to the present invention.
Table 3
Figure imgf000032_0001
NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
NO:
AGHRLSVGLRAYLHGAQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPW E
Human 4-1 BB MGNSCY IVATLLLVL FER RSLQDPCSNCPAG FCDNNRNQI 3 (receptor) CSPCPPNSFSSAGGQRTCDICRQCKGVFRTRKECSSTSNAECDC
TPGFHCLGAGCSMCEQDCKQGQELTKKGCKDCCFGTFNDQKRGI CRPWTNCSLDGKSVLVNGTKERDVVCGPSPADLSPGASSVTPPA PAREPGHSPQI ISFFLAL STALLFLLFFLTLRFSVVKRGRKKL LYI FKQPFMRPVQTTQEEDGCSCRFPEEEEGGCEL
Human 4-1 BBL MEYASDASLDPEAPWPPAPRARACRVLPWALVAGLLLLLLLAAA 4 (ligand) CAVFLACPWAVSGARASPGSAASPRLREGPELSPDDPAGLLDLR
QGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPGLAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKE LVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGA AALALTVDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQGRLLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTEA RARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEIPAGLPSPRSE
Amino Acids 50-254 ACPWAVSGARASPGSAASPRLREGPELSPDDPAGLLDLRQGMFA 5 of Human 4-1 BBL QLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPGLAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKELVVAK
(ligand) AGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGAAALAL
VDLPPASSEAR SAFGFQGRLLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTEARARHA WQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEIPAGLPSPRSE
Amino Acids 71-254 REGPELSPDDPAGLLDLRQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPG 6 of Human 4-1 BBL LAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKELVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGS
(ligand) GSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGAAALALTVDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQGR
LLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTEARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEIPA GLPSPRSE
Amino Acids 85-254 LDLRQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPGLAGVSLTGGLSYKE 7 of Human 4-1 BBL DTKELVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRS
(ligand) AAGAAALAL VDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQGRLLHLSAGQRLGVHL
HTEARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEIPAGLPSPRSE
Human Fc-4-1 BBL EPKSSDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEV 8 polypeptide (human TCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVV lgG1 Fc and human SVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQ
41 BBL) VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNY
KT PPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNH YTQKSLSLSPGGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSSREGPELSPDDPAGLLDL RQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPGLAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTK ELVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRSAAG AAALAL VDLPPASSEAR SAFGFQGRLLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTE ARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRV PEIPAGLPSPRSEGGGGSGGGG SGGGGSREGPELSPDDPAGLLDLRQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLS WYSDPGLAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKELVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRV VAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGAAALAL VDLPPASSEARNSA FGFQGRLLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTEARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRV TPEIPAGLPSPRSEGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSREGPELSPDDPAGLL DLRQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPGLAGVSLTGGLSYKED TKELVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRSA AGAAALAL VDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQGRLLHLSAGQRLGVHLH TEARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEIPAGLPSPRSE
Mouse FC-4-1 BBL EPRGPTIKPCPPCKCPAPNLLGGPSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISLSPI 9 polypeptide VTCVVVAVSEDDPDVQISWFVNNVEVHTAQTQTHREDYASTLRV
(mouse lgG2a VSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNKDLPAPIERTISKPKGSVRAP
(D265A/N297A) Fc QVYVLPPPEEEMTKKQVTLTCMVTDFMPEDIYVEWTNNGKTELN NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
NO: and mouse 41 BBL) YK TEPVLDSDGSYFMYSKLRVEKKNWVERNSYSCSVVHEGLHN
HHTTKSFSRTPGGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSRTEPRPALTITTSPNLG TRENNADQV PVSHIGCPNTTQQGSPVFAKLLAK QASLCNTTL NWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKELVVDSPGLYYVFLELKLSP TFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDFDNLALTVELFPCSMENKL VDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLHGAQDAYRDWELSYPNTTS FGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSRTEPRPALTITTSPNL GTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQGSPVFAKLLAKNQASLCNTT LNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKELVVDSPGLYYVFLELKLS PTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDFDNLALTVELFPCSMENK LVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLHGAQDAYRDWELSYPNTT SFGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSRTEPRPALTITTSPN LGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQGSPVFAKLLAKNQASLCNT TLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKELVVDSPGLYYVFLELKL SPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDFDNLALTVELFPCSMEN KLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLHGAQDAYRDWELSYPNT TSFGLFLVKPDNPWE
Human single-chain REGPELSPDDPAGLLDLRQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPG 10 4-1 BBL polypeptide LAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKELVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGS
GSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGAAALALTVDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQGR LLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTEARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEIPA GLPSPRSEGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSREGPELSPDDPAGLLDLRQGM FAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSDPGLAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKELVV AKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGEGSGSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGAAAL ALTVDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQGRLLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTEARAR HAWQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEIPAGLPSPRSEGGGGSGGGGSGGG GSREGPELSPDDPAGLLDLRQGMFAQLVAQNVLLIDGPLSWYSD PGLAGVSLTGGLSYKEDTKELVVAKAGVYYVFFQLELRRVVAGE GSGSVSLALHLQPLRSAAGAAALALTVDLPPASSEARNSAFGFQ GRLLHLSAGQRLGVHLHTEARARHAWQLTQGATVLGLFRVTPEI PAGLPSPRSE
Mouse single-chain RTEPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQGSPV 11 4-1 BBL polypeptide FAKLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKELV
VDSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDFD NLALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLHG AQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGGSGGGG SRTEPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQGSP VFAKLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKEL VVDSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDF DNLALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLH GAQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGGSGGG GSRTEPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQGS PVFAKLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKE LVVDSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDD FDNLALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYL HGAQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWE
G4S motif (Linker) GGGGS 12 NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
NO:
The heavy chain of FGLSWLFLVAILKGVQCEVRLLESGGGLVKPEGSLKLSCVASGF 13 J43 TFSDYFMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVAHIYTKSYNYATYYSGSVKGRFT
(anti-mouse PD-1) ISRDDSRSMVYLQMNNLRTEDTATYYCTRDGSGYPSLDFWGQGT fused to mouse QVTVSAAKTTAPSVYPLAPVCGDTTGSSVTLGCLVKGYFPEPVT single chain 4-1 BBL LTWNSGSLSSGVHTFPAVLQSDLYTLSSSVTVTSSTWPSQSITC
NVAHPASSTKVDKKIEPRGPTIKPCPPCKCPAPNLLGGPSVFIF PPKIKDVLMISLSPIVTCVVVAVSEDDPDVQISWFVNNVEVHTA QTQTHREDYASTLRVVSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNNKDLPAP IERTISKPKGSVRAPQVYVLPPPEEEMTKKQVTLTCMVTDFMPE DIYVEWTNNGKTELNYKNTEPVLDSDGSYFMYSKLRVEKKNWVE RNSYSCSVVHEGLHNHHTTKSFSRTPGGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSRT EPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQGSPVFA KLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKELVVD SPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDFDNL ALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLHGAQ DAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSR TEPRPAL I SPNLG RENNADQV PVSHIGCPNTTQQGSPVF AKLLAK QASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKELVV DSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDFDN LALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLHGA QDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS RTEPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQGSPV FAKLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDKKELV VDSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQVDDFD NLALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRAYLHG AQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWE
The light chain of WRLWWLLLLLLLLWPMVWASYELTQPPSASVNVGETVKITCSGD 14 J43 (anti-mouse PD- QLPKYFADWFHQRSDQTILQVIYDDNKRPSGIPERISGSSSGTT
1) ATLTIRDVRAEDEGDYYCFSGYVDSDSKLYVFGSGTQLTVLGQP
KSSPSVTLFPPSSEELETNKATLVCTITDFYPGVVTVDWKVDGT PVTQGMETTQPSKQSNNKYMASSYLTLTARAWERHSSYSCQVTH EGHTVEKSLSRADCS
Mouse lgG2a Fc MAWRLWWLLLLLLLLWPMVWAEPRGPTIKPCPPCKCPAPNLLGG 15 (D265A/N297A) PSVFIFPPKIKDVLMISLSPIVTCVVVAVSEDDPDVQISWFVNN fused to a three VEVHTAQTQTHREDYASTLRVVSALPIQHQDWMSGKEFKCKVNN promoters of mouse KDLPAPIERTISKPKGSVRAPQVYVLPPPEEEMTKKQVTLTCMV
4-1 BBL (104-309) TDFMPEDIYVEWTNNGKTELNYKNTEPVLDSDGSYFMYSKLRVE connected with KKNWVERNSYSCSVVHEGLHNHHTTKSFSRTPGGGGGSGGGGSG glycine serine GGGSRTEPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQQ linkers GSPVFAKLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEEDK
KELVVDSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQV DDFDNLALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLRA YLHGAQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGGS GGGGSRTEPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTTQ QGSPVFAKLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEED KKELVVDSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKPQ VDDFDNLALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGLR AYLHGAQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWEGGGGSGGGG SGGGGSRTEPRPALTITTSPNLGTRENNADQVTPVSHIGCPNTT QQGSPVFAKLLAKNQASLCNTTLNWHSQDGAGSSYLSQGLRYEE DKKELVVDSPGLYYVFLELKLSPTFTNTGHKVQGWVSLVLQAKP QVDDFDNLALTVELFPCSMENKLVDRSWSQLLLLKAGHRLSVGL RAYLHGAQDAYRDWELSYPNTTSFGLFLVKPDNPWE NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
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KI2L4 MSMSPTVIILACLGFFLDQSVWAHVGGQDKPFCSAWPSAVVPQG 16
GHVTLRCHYRRGFNI FTLYKKDGVPVPELYNRI FWNSFLISPVT PAHAGTYRCRGFHPHSPTEWSAPSNPLVIMVTGLYEKPSLTARP GPTVRAGENVTLSCSSQSSFDIYHLSREGEAHELRLPAVPSING TFQADFPLGPATHGETYRCFGSFHGSPYEWSDPSDPLPVSVTGN PSSSWPSPTEPSFKTGIARHLHAVIRYSVAI ILF ILPFFLLHR WCSKKK AAVMNQEPAGHRTVNREDSDEQDPQEVTYAQLDHCIF TQRKITGPSQRSKRPSTDTSVCIELPNAEPRALSPAHEHHSQAL MGSSRETTALSQTQLASSNVPAAGI
NKG2E MSKQRG FSEVSLAQDPKWQQRKPKGNKSSISGTEQEI FQVELN 17
LQNASLNHQGIDKIYDCQGLLPPPEKLTAEVLGIICIVLMATVL KTIVLIPFLEQNNSSPNARTQKARHCGHCPEEWITYSNSCYYIG KERRTWEESLQACASK SSSLLCIDNEEEMKFLASILPSSWIGV FRNSSHHPWVTINGLAFKHEIKDSDHAERNCAMLHVRGLISDQC GSSRI IRRGFIMLTRLVLNS
NKG2D MGWIRGRRSRHSWEMSEFHNYNLDLKKSDFSTRWQKQRCPVVKS 18
KCRENASPFFFCCFIAVAMGIRFIIMVAIWSAVFLNSLFNQEVQ IPLTESYCGPCPKNWICYKNNCYQFFDESK WYESQASCMSQNA SLLKVYSKEDQDLLKLVKSYHWMGLVHIPTNGSWQWEDGSILSP NLL I IEMQKGDCALYASSFKGYIENCS PNTYICMQRTV
NKG2F MNKQRGTYSEVSLAQDPKRQQRKLKGNKISISGTKQEI FQVELN 19
LQNASSDHQGNDKTYHCKGLLPPPEKLTAEVLGIICIVLMATVL KTIVLIPCIGVLEQNNFSLNRRMQKARHCGHCPEEWITYSNSCY YIGKERRTWEERVCWPVLRRTLICFL
BTNL3 MAFVLILVLSFYELVSGQWQVTGPGKFVQALVGEDAVFSCSLFP 20
ETSAEAMEVRFFRNQFHAVVHLYRDGEDWESKQMPQYRGRTEFV KDSIAGGRVSLRLKNITPSDIGLYGCWFSSQIYDEEATWELRVA ALGSLPLISIVGYVDGGIQLLCLSSGWFPQPTAKWKGPQGQDLS SDSRANADGYSLYDVEISI IVQENAGSILCSIHLAEQSHEVESK VLIGE FFQPSPWRLASILLGLLCGALCGVVMGMI IVFFKSKGK IQAELDWRRKHGQAELRDARKHAVEVTLDPETAHPKLCVSDLKT VTHRKAPQEVPHSEKRFTRKSVVASQGFQAGKHYWEVDVGQNVG WYVGVCRDDVDRGKNNVTLSPNNGYWVLRLTTEHLYF FNPHFI SLPPSTPPTRVGVFLDYEGGTISFFNTNDQSLIYTLLTCQFEGL LRPYIQHAMYDEEKGTPIFICPVSWG
CD186 MAEHDYHEDYGFSSFNDSSQEEHQDFLQFSKVFLPCMYLVVFVC 21
GLVGNSLVLVISI FYHKLQSLTDVFLVNLPLADLVFVCTLPFWA YAGIHEWVFGQVMCKSLLGIYTINFYTSMLILTCITVDRFIVVV KA KAYNQQAKRMTWGKV SLLIWVISLLVSLPQI IYGNVFNLD KLICGYHDEAIS VVLATQMTLGFFLPLLTMIVCYSVI IKTLLH AGGFQKHRSLKII FLVMAVFLLTQMPFNLMKFIRSTHWEYYAMT SFHYTIMVTEAIAYLRACLNPVLYAFVSLKFRKNFWKLVKDIGC LPYLGVSHQWKSSEDNSKTFSASHNVEATSMFQL
BTNL8 MALMLSLVLSLLKLGSGQWQVFGPDKPVQALVGEDAAFSCFLSP 22
KTNAEAMEVRFFRGQFSSVVHLYRDGKDQPFMQMPQYQGRTKLV KDSIAEGRISLRLE I VLDAGLYGCRISSQSYYQKAIWELQVS ALGSVPLISITGYVDRDIQLLCQSSGWFPRPTAKWKGPQGQDLS TDSRTNRDMHGLFDVEISLTVQENAGSISCSMRHAHLSREVESR VQIGDTFFEPISWHLATKVLGILCCGLFFGIVGLKIFFSKFQWK IQAELDWRRKHGQAELRDARKHAVEVTLDPETAHPKLCVSDLKT VTHRKAPQEVPHSEKRFTRKSVVASQSFQAGKHYWEVDGGHNKR WRVGVCRDDVDRRKEYVTLSPDHGYWVLRLNGEHLYFTLNPRFI SVFPRTPPTKIGVFLDYECG ISFFNINDQSLIYTLTCRFEGLL NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
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RPYIEYPSYNEQNGTPIVICPVTQESEKEASWQRASAIPETSNS ESSSQATTPFLPRGEM
PD-1 MQIPQAPWPVVWAVLQLGWRPGWFLDSPDRPWNPPTFSPALLVV 23
TEGDNATFTCSFSNTSESFVLNWYRMSPSNQTDKLAAFPEDRSQ PGQDCRFRVTQLPNGRDFHMSVVRARRNDSGTYLCGAISLAPKA QIKESLRAELRVTERRAEVPTAHPSPSPRPAGQFQ LVVGVVGG LLGSLVLLVWVLAVICSRAARG IGARRTGQPLKEDPSAVPVFS VDYGELDFQWREKTPEPPVPCVPEQTEYATIVFPSGMGTSSPAR RGSADGPRSAQPLRPEDGHCSWPL
CD195 MDYQVSSPIYDINYYTSEPCQKINVKQIAARLLPPLYSLVFIFG 24
FVGNMLVILILINCKRLKSMTDIYLLNLAISDLFFLLTVPFWAH YAAAQWDFGNTMCQLLTGLYFIGFFSGIFFI ILLTIDRYLAVVH AVFALKARTV FGVVTSVITWVVAVFASLPGII FTRSQKEGLHY TCSSHFPYSQYQFWKNFQTLKIVILGLVLPLLVMVICYSGILKT LLRCRNEKKRHRAVRLI F IMIVYFLFWAPYNIVLLLN FQEFF GLNNCSSSNRLDQAMQVTETLGMTHCCINPI IYAFVGEKFRNYL LVFFQKHIAKRFCKCCSIFQQEAPERASSVYTRSTGEQEISVGL
NKG2C MSKQRG FSEVSLAQDPKRQQRKPKGNKSSISGTEQEI FQVELN 25
LQNPSLNHQGIDKIYDCQGLLPPPEKLTAEVLGIICIVLMATVL KTIVLIPFLEQNNSSPNTRTQKARHCGHCPEEWITYSNSCYYIG KERRTWEESLLACTSK SSLLSIDNEEEMKFLASILPSSWIGVF RNSSHHPWVTINGLAFKHKIKDSDNAELNCAVLQVNRLKSAQCG SSMIYHCKHKL
CD8 MALPVTALLLPLALLLHAARPSQFRVSPLDRTWNLGETVELKCQ 26
VLLSNP SGCSWLFQPRGAAASP FLLYLSQNKPKAAEGLDTQR FSGKRLGD FVLTLSDFRRENEGYYFCSALSNSIMYFSHFVPVF LPAKPTT PAPRPP PAP IASQPLSLRPEACRPAAGGAVH RG LDFACDIYIWAPLAGTCGVLLLSLVITLYCNHRNRRRVCKCPRP VVKSGDKPSLSARYV
Human HLA class I MVVMAPRTLFLLLSGALTLTETWAGSHSMRYFSAAVSRPGRGEP 27 histocompatibility RFIAMGYVDDTQFVRFDSDSACPRMEPRAPWVEQEGPEYWEEET antigen, alpha chain RNTKAHAQTDRMNLQTLRGYYNQSEASSHTLQWMIGCDLGSDGR
G (HLA-G) LLRGYEQYAYDGKDYLALNEDLRSWTAADTAAQISKRKCEAANV
AEQRRAYLEGTCVEWLHRYLENGKEMLQRADPPKTHVTHHPVFD
Ligand for KI2L4 YEATLRCWALGFYPAEI ILTWQRDGEDQTQDVELVETRPAGDGT
FQKWAAVVVPSGEEQRYTCHVQHEGLPEPLMLRWKQSSLP IPI
Accession No. MGIVAGLVVLAAVV GAAVAAVLWRKKSSD
P 17693
Human HLA class I MVDGTLLLLLSEALALTQTWAGSHSLKYFHTSVSRPGRGEPRFI 28 histocompatibility SVGYVDDTQFVRFDNDAASPRMVPRAPWMEQEGSEYWDRETRSA antigen, alpha chain RDTAQIFRVNLRTLRGYYNQSEAGSHTLQWMHGCELGPDRRFLR
E GYEQFAYDGKDYLTLNEDLRSWTAVDTAAQISEQKSNDASEAEH
(HLA-E) QRAYLEDTCVEWLHKYLEKGKETLLHLEPPKTHVTHHPISDHEA
TLRCWALGFYPAEITLTWQQDGEGHTQDTELVETRPAGDGTFQK
Ligand for NKG2E WAAVVVPSGEEQRYTCHVQHEGLPEPVTLRWKPASQPTIPIVGI
IAGLVLLGSVVSGAVVAAVIWRKKSSGGKGGSYSKAEWSDSAQG
Accession No. SESHSL
P 13747
Human MHC class I MGLGPVFLLLAGI FPFAPPGAAAEPHSLRYNLTVLSWDGSVQSG 29 polypeptide-related FLTEVHLDGQPFLRCDRQKCRAKPQGQWAEDVLGNKTWDRETRD sequence A LTGNGKDLRMTLAHIKDQKEGLHSLQEIRVCEIHEDNSTRSSQH
(MICA) FYYDGELFLSQNLETKEWTMPQSSRAQTLAMNVRNFLKEDAMKT
KTHYHAMHADCLQELRRYLKSGVVLRRTVPPMVNVTRSEASEGN NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
NO:
Ligand for NKG2D ITVTCRASGFYPWNITLSWRQDGVSLSHDTQQWGDVLPDGNGTY
QTWVATRICQGEEQRFTCYMEHSGNHSTHPVPSGKVLVLQSHWQ
Accession No. FHVSAVAAAAIFVI II FYVRCCKKK SAAEGPELVSLQVLDQH
NP 000238.1 PVGTSDHRDATQLGFQPLMSDLGSTGSTEGA
MHC class I MGLGRVLLFLAVAFPFAPPAAAAEPHSLRYNLMVLSQDGSVQSG 30 polypeptide-related FLAEGHLDGQPFLRYDRQKRRAKPQGQWAENVLGAKTWDTETED sequence B isoform LTENGQDLRRTLTHIKDQKGGLHSLQEIRVCEIHEDSSTRGSRH
1 FYYDGELFLSQNLETQESTVPQSSRAQTLAMNVTNFWKEDAMKT
(MICB) KTHYRAMQADCLQKLQRYLKSGVAIRRTVPPMVNVTCSEVSEGN
ITVTCRASSFYPRNITLTWRQDGVSLSHNTQQWGDVLPDGNGTY
Ligand for NKG2D QTWVATRIRQGEEQRFTCYMEHSGNHGTHPVPSGKALVLQSQRT
DFPYVSAAMPCFVII IILCVPCCKKKTSAAEGPELVSLQVLDQH
Accession No. PVGTGDHRDAAQLGFQPLMSATGSTGSTEGT
NP 005922.2
NKG2D ligand 1 MAAAASPAFLLCLPLLHLLSGWSRAGWVDTHCLCYDFI ITPKSR 31 isoform 1 precursor PEPQWCEVQGLVDERPFLHYDCVNHKAKAFASLGKKVNVTKTWE
(ULBP1) EQTETLRDVVDFLKGQLLDIQVENLIPIEPLTLQARMSCEHEAH
GHGRGSWQFLFNGQKFLLFDSNNRKWTALHPGAKKMTEKWEKNR
Ligand for NKG2D DVTMFFQKISLGDCKMWLEEFLMYWEQMLDPTKPPSLAPGTTQP
KAMATTLSPWSLLII FLCFILAGR
Accession No.
NP 079494.1
NKG2D ligand 2 MAAAAATKILLCLPLLLLLSGWSRAGRADPHSLCYDITVIPKFR 32 preproprotein PGPRWCAVQGQVDEKTFLHYDCGNKTVTPVSPLGKKLNVTTAWK
(ULBP-2) AQNPVLREVVDILTEQLRDIQLENYTPKEPLTLQARMSCEQKAE
GHSSGSWQFSFDGQI FLLFDSEKRMWTTVHPGARKMKEKWENDK
Ligand for NKG2D VVAMSFHYFSMGDCIGWLEDFLMGMDSTLEPSAGAPLAMSSGTT
QLRATATTLILCCLLIILPCFILPGI
Accession No.
NP 079493.1
NKG2D ligand 3 MAAAASPAILPRLAILPYLLFDWSGTGRADAHSLWYNFTI IHLP 33 (ULBP-3) RHGQQWCEVQSQVDQK FLSYDCGSDKVLSMGHLEEQLYATDAW
GKQLEMLREVGQRLRLELADTELEDFTPSGPLTLQVRMSCECEA
Ligand for NKG2D DGYIRGSWQFSFDGRKFLLFDSNNRKWTVVHAGARRMKEKWEKD
SGLTTFFKMVSMRDCKSWLRDFLMHRKKRLEPTAPPTMAPGLAQ
Accession No. PKAIATTLSPWSFLIILCFILPGI
NP 078794.1
HUMAN NKG2D MRRISLTSSPVRLLLFLLLLLIALEIMVGGHSLCFNFTIKSLSR 34 ligand 4 (ULBP-4) PGQPWCEAQVFLNK LFLQYNSDNNMVKPLGLLGKKVYATSTWG
ELTQTLGEVGRDLRMLLCDIKPQIKTSDPSTLQVEMFCQREAER
Ligand for NKG2D CTGASWQFATNGEKSLLFDAMNMTWTVINHEASKIKETWKKDRG
LEKYFRKLSKGDCDHWLREFLGHWEAMPEPTVSPVNASDIHWSS
Accession No. SSLPDRWIILGAFILLVLMGIVLICVWWQNGEWQAGLWPLRTS
NP 631904.1
Retinoic acid early MAAAASPAFLLRLPLLLLLSSWCRTGLADPHSLCYDITVIPKFR 35 transcript 1G protein PGPRWCAVQGQVDEKTFLHYDCGSKTVTPVSPLGKKLNVTTAWK preproprotein AQNPVLREVVDILTEQLLDIQLENYIPKEPLTLQARMSCEQKAE
(ULBP-5) GHGSGSWQLSFDGQI FLLFDSENRMWTTVHPGARKMKEKWENDK
DMTMSFHYISMGDCTGWLEDFLMGMDSTLEPSAGAPPTMSSGTA
Ligand for NKG2D QPRATATTLILCCLLIMCLLICSRHSLTQSHGHHPQSLQPPPHP
PLLHPTWLLRRVLWSDSYQIAKRPLSGGHVTRVTLPIIGDDSHS
Accession No. LPCPLALYTINNGAARYSEPLQVSIS
NP 001001788.2 NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
NO:
Retinoic acid early MAAAAIPALLLCLPLLFLLFGWSRARRDDPHSLCYDITVIPKFR 36 transcript 1 L protein PGPRWCAVQGQVDEKTFLHYDCGNKTVTPVSPLGKKLNVTMAWK precursor AQNPVLREVVDILTEQLLDIQLENYTPKEPLTLQARMSCEQKAE
(RAET1 L) GHSSGSWQFSIDGQTFLLFDSEKRMWTTVHPGARKMKEKWENDK
DVAMSFHYISMGDCIGWLEDFLMGMDSTLEPSAGAPLAMSSGTT
Ligand for NKG2D QLRATATTLILCCLLIILPCFILPGI
Accession No.
N P 570970.2
C-X-C motif MSGSQSEVAPSPQSPRSPEMGRDLRPGSRVLLLLLLLLLVYLTQ 37 chemokine 16 PGNGNEGSVTGSCYCGKRISSDSPPSVQFMNRLRKHLRAYHRCL precursor YYTRFQLLSWSVCGGNKDPWVQELMSCLDLKECGHAYSGIVAHQ
(CXCL16) KHLLPTSPPISQASEGASSDIHTPAQMLLSTLQSTQRPTLPVGS
LSSDKELTRPNETTIHTAGHSLAAGPEAGENQKQPEK AGPTAR
Ligand for CD186 SATVPVLCLLAI IFILTAALSYVLCKRRRGQSPQSSPDLPVHY
IPVAPDS T
Accession No.
N P 071342.2
PDL-L1 MRI FAVFIFMTYWHLLNAFTVTVPKDLYVVEYGSNM IECKFPV 38
EKQLDLAALIVYWEMEDK IIQFVHGEEDLKVQHSSYRQRARLL
Ligand for PD-1 KDQLSLGNAALQI DVKLQDAGVYRCMISYGGADYKRI VKVNA
PYNKINQRILVVDPVTSEHELTCQAEGYPKAEVIWTSSDHQVLS
Accession No. GKTTTTNSKREEKLFNVTSTLRINTTTNEIFYCTFRRLDPEENH
N P_054862.1 TAELVIPELPLAHPPNER HLVILGAILLCLGVAL FI FRLRKG
RMMDVKKCGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET
PD-L2 MIFLLLMLSLELQLHQIAALFTVTVPKELYI IEHGSNVTLECNF 39
DTGSHVNLGAITASLQKVENDTSPHRERATLLEEQLPLGKASFH
Ligand for PD-1 IPQVQVRDEGQYQCI IIYGVAWDYKYLTLKVKASYRKINTHILK
VPETDEVELTCQATGYPLAEVSWPNVSVPA TSHSRTPEGLYQV
Accession No. SVLRLKPPPGR FSCVFWN HVRELTLASIDLQSQMEPRTHPT
N P_079515.2 WLLHI FIPFCI IAFI FIATVIALRKQLCQKLYSSKDT KRPVTT
TKREVNSAI
Monocyte MKVSAALLCLLLMAATFSPQGLAQPDSVSIPITCCFNVINRKIP 40 chemoattractant IQRLESYTRITNIQCPKEAVI FKTKRGKEVCADPKERWVRDSMK protein 2 (MCP-2) HLDQIFQNLKP
Ligand for CD196
Accession No.
N P 005614.2
Macrophage MQVSTAALAVLLCTMALCNQFSASLAADTPTACCFSYTSRQIPQ 41 inflammatory protein NFIADYFE SSQCSKPGVI FLTKRSRQVCADPSEEWVQKYVSDL
1 alpha ELSA
(MI P-1 alpha)
Accession No.
N P 002974.1 NAME AMINO ACID SEOUENCE SEO ID
NO:
Macrophage MKLCVTVLSLLMLVAAFCSPALSAPMGSDPPTACCFSYTARKLP 42 inflammatory protein RNFVVDYYETSSLCSQPAVVFQTKRSKQVCADPSESWVQEYVYD
1 beta LELN
(MI P-1 beta)
Accession No.
N P_002975.1
Regulated on MKVSAAALAVILIATALCAPASASPYSSDTTPCCFAYIARPLPR 43 activation normal T AHIKEYFYTSGKCSNPAVVFVTRK RQVCA PEKKWVREYINSL
expressed and EMS
secreted protein
(RANTES)
Accession No.
N P 002976.2
Lymphocyte MWEAQFLGLLFLQPLWVAPVKPLQPGAEVPVVWAQEGAPAQLPC 44 activation gene 3
SPTIPLQDLSLLRRAGVTWQHQPDSGPPAAAPGHPLAPGPHPAA
protein
(LAG3) PSSWGPRPRRYTVLSVGPGGLRSGRLPLQPRVQLDERGRQRGDF
SLWLRPARRADAGEYRAAVHLRDRALSCRLRLRLGQASM ASPP
Accession No. GSLRASDWVILNCSFSRPDRPASVHWFRNRGQGRVPVRESPHHH
N P_002277.4 LAESFLFLPQVSPMDSGPWGCILTYRDGFNVSIMYNLTVLGLEP
PTPLTVYAGAGSRVGLPCRLPAGVGTRSFLTAKWTPPGGGPDLL VTGDNGDFTLRLEDVSQAQAGTYTCHIHLQEQQLNATVTLAI IT V PKSFGSPGSLGKLLCEV PVSGQERFVWSSLD PSQRSFSGP WLEAQEAQLLSQPWQCQLYQGERLLGAAVYFTELSSPGAQRSGR APGALPAGHLLLFLILGVLSLLLLVTGAFGFHLWRRQWRPRRFS ALEQGIHPPQAQSKIEELEQEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEQL
[00146] All references cited throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents; patent application publications; and nonpatent literature documents or other source material; are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference. Any sequence listing and sequence listing information is considered part of the disclosure herewith.
[00147] The following examples are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way as many variations and equivalents will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure.
EXAMPLES
[00148] Example 1.
[00149] Identification of secondary target for 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecules
[00150] We screened for potential secondary targets for 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecules using single-cell RNA sequencing data. We collected and investigated RNA-seq gene expression profiles of more than 1 1 ,000 single cells from three distinct primary human sources. Our approach resolves the tumor associated cell types with unprecedented precision that considers subtle differences in the gene expression state of these cells. To characterize cells associated with a tumor microenvironment we accessed data from 4645 tumor -derived cells from a dataset of 19 melanoma patient samples (Tirosh et al. 2016, Science 352(6282): 189-96). Single-cell melanoma data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO;
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gds) under accession number GSE72056 in a pre-processed format. To characterize the baseline of immune cells we accessed data from 4000 cells derived from peripheral blood of four healthy subjects (Zheng et al. 2016, Nature Communication, 10: 14049). Single-cell RNA-seq data of PBMCs from patient blood samples were downloaded from the 10x Genomics website (www.support.10xgenomics.com/single-cell/datasets; "4k 8k PBMCs from a Healthy Donor", "Frozen PBMCs (Donor A/B/C)"(Zheng et al. 2017, Nature Communications 8: 14049)) and 1 ,000 random cells were selected randomly for each donor to ensure similar size as for the melanoma and ascites data sets. In addition, we generated immune and tumor cells gene expression profiles of 31 14 cells from four ovarian cancer ascites samples.
[00151] To create a ranking, we divided cell types identified in the single-cell RNA
sequencing data into four groups: CD8+ T-cells, CD4+ T-cells, regulatory T-cells and all other cells. We also distinguished the source location of each cell into Melanoma and Other (including cells from PBMC and ovarian cancer ascites). 4-1 BB was observed to be selectively
upregulated in the tumor context and expressed mostly on T-cells. However, it was observed to be expressed not only on tumor suppressive T-cells such as CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, but also on tumor promoting T-cells such as regulatory T-cells (Treg). Therefore, we searched for secondary targets on those T-cells subpopulations that could direct a 4-1 BB agonistic molecule towards the desired T-cell subpopulations. In this case, we screened for targets that are selectively expressed on CD8+ T-cells in the tumor microenvironment.
[00152] We performed a systematic and unbiased search for secondary targets for 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecules. To this end, we calculated the log-10 ratio of mean expression of any gene on the subset of CD8+ T-cells in the tumor microenvironment vs all other cells in the single-cell RNA sequencing data. The resulting score ranks the possible secondary targets that would direct a bispecific 4-1 BB agonistic molecule towards CD8+ T-cells in the tumor microenvironment. The top-ranked hits that are cell surface exposed are shown in Table 4 below. As 4 -1 BB (and CD8) were identified in the search, secondary targets that provide additional specificity (have a higher score) are provided that can enrich for stimulation of 4-1 BB on CD8+ T-cells specifically in the tumor microenvironment. Table 4: Ranking of secondary targets for 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecules.
Figure imgf000042_0001
[00153] KI2L4, NKG2E, NKG2D, NKG2F, BTNL3, CD186, BTNL8, PD-1 , CD195, NKG2C, CD8 and 4-1 BB have the NCBI protein accession numbers NP_002246.5, NP_031359.2, NP_031386.2, NP_038459.1 , NP_932079.1 , NP_006555.1 , NP_001035552.1 , NP_005009.2, NP_001093638.1 , NP_002251.2, NP_001 139345.1 , and NP_001552.2, respectively.
[00154] In a separate query, genes were identified that were expressed selectively in granzyme B-positive cells (e.g., cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells). Several of the above genes were identified, and one additional gene: LAG3 (Accession numbers for the protein sequence: NCBI accession number: NP_002277.4, UniProt accession number: P18627).
[00155] PD-1 (gene name PDCD1 , SEQ I D NO:52) was identified as a potential secondary target for a 4-1 BB agonistic bispecific molecule. The expression profile of 4-1 BB is depicted in Fig. 1A, and the expression profile of PD-1 is depicted in Fig. 1 B. Like 4-1 BB, PD-1 is predominantly expressed in the tumor microenvironment, and particularly selective on CD8+ T- cells. Fig. 2 shows the co-expression pattern of 4-1 BB and PD-1 on the different T-cell subtypes.
[00156] EXAMPLE 2:
[00157] Development of an Anti-PD-1 lgG-sc4-1 BBL Fusion Protein [00158] Methods
[00159] A prototype bispecific therapeutic consisting of a mouse PD-1 antibody (J43, Agata et al., 1996, Int. Immunol. , 8:765-772) fused to the N-terminus of mouse single chain 4-1 BBL fusion protein (Figure 3). The heavy chain of J43 (anti-mouse PD-1) fused to mouse sc4-1 BBL (SEQ I D NO: 13) was codon optimized for HEK293 expression, synthesized and cloned into the vector pCEP4 (Genscript, NJ) using Kpnl and NotI sites to create the plasmid pCEP4/J43 HC- sc4-1 BBL. Underlined sequence represents the leader peptide.
[00160] The light chain of J43 (anti-mouse PD-1) (SEQ I D NO: 14) was also codon optimized for HEK293 expression, synthesized and cloned into the vector pCEP4 (Genscript, NJ) using Kpnl and NotI sites to create the plasmid pCEP4/J43 LC. Underlined sequence represents the leader peptide.
[00161] A control molecule consisting of an effectorless mouse lgG2a Fc (D265A/N297A) fused to a three promoters of mouse 4-1 BBL (104-309) connected with glycine serine linkers (SEQ I D NO: 15) was synthesized and cloned vector pCEP4 (Genscript, NJ) using Kpnl and NotI sites to create the plasmid pCEP4/Fc-sc4-1 BBL. Underlined sequence represents the leader peptide.
[00162] Protein Expression
[00163] Expi293F cells (ThermoFisher) were grown in Expi293 expression medium
(Thermofisher) as suspension cultures in flasks with rotation (125 rpm). Cells were co- transfected with a 0.5 μg of pCEP4/J43 HC-sc4-1 BBL and 0.5 μg of pCEP4/J43 LC (1 g of total DNA), or 1 μg of pCEP4/Fc-sc4-1 BBL and 2.7 μΙ of ExpiFectamine 293 reagent per milliliter of cell culture. Density of cells at time of transfection is 2.5 e6 cells/ml. Cells were fed the following day with 5 μΐ of ExpiFectamine 293 Transfection Enhancer 1 and 50 μΐ of
ExpiFectamine 293 Transfection Enhancer 2 (Thermofisher) per milliliter of cell culture. Six days post transfection, cell cultures are centrifuged for 15 min at 5,000 x g to pellet the cells. The supernatant media are decanted from the cells and filtered using 0.2 μηι filter in preparation for purification.
[00164] Protein Purification - Media containing the J43-sc4-1 BBL or Fc-sc4-1 BBL was loaded onto MABSELECT (GE Healthcare) resin using an AKTA Explorer (Amersham Biosciences). Following affinity capture, the resin is washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4 (Gibco) and eluted with 0.1 M glycine-HCI, pH 3.5 containing 150 mM NaCI. The acid eluate is rapidly neutralized using 1 : 100 volume of 1 M Tris base. Proteins are dialyzed into PBS, pH 7.4 overnight and aliquoted the next day for storage at -80 °C.
[00165] SDS-PAGE - Four micrograms of the purified protein were incubated in the presence or absence of 2-mercaptoethanol (1 % final) for 5 minutes at 70 °C. Samples were
electrophoresed on NUPAGE 4-12% Bis Tris Gel (Invitrogen) and visualized using
SIMPLYBLUE SAFESTAI N (Invitrogen). Stained gels were scanned using a Gel Doc XR+ imaging system (Bio-Rad).
[00166] Size Exclusion Chromatography - TSKGEL SuperSW3000 column (4.6 mm I D x 30 cm)(Tosoh Biosciences) was equilibrated with 400 mM NaCI04, 150 mM NaCI, pH 6.5 using a Agilent 1 100 HPLC (Agilent). Fifty micrograms of protein was injected at a flow rate of 0.35 ml/min and absorbance at 280 nm was recorded over a 20 minute period.
[00167] Bio-layer Interferometry - For the sandwich assay, anti-Penta-His biosensors (Pall) were dipped into wells in the following order: 8.5 g/μΙ PD-1-His (R&D Systems), 50 g/μΙ J43- SC-41 BBL, 1 1 g/μΙ 4-1 BB (Aero Biosystems). The optical signal was measured using an Octet RED96 System (Pall). For affinity determination of J43-sc4-1 BBL, J43, and Fc-sc4-1 BBL, anti- mouse Fc biosensors (Pall) were first dipped into wells containing protein of interest (50 μg/ml) and then into wells containing multiple concentrations (20, 10, 5, 2.5 μ9/μΙ) of either PD-1-His and 4-1 BB-His. The dissociation constant was determined using Octet software (Pall).
[00168] Results
[00169] As shown in Figure 4A and 4B, J43-sc4-1 BBL was purified to about 85%
homogeneity as shown by SDS-PAGE and analytical size exclusion chromatography. J43-sc4- 1 BBL can bind PD-1 and 4-1 BB simultaneously as demonstrated by sandwich assay using bio- layer interferometry (Figure 5).
[00170] EXAMPLE 3:
[00171] Efficacy of J43 lgG-sc4-1 BBL in a MC38 Syngeneic Model
[00172] Proteins and antibodies
[00173] Anti-PD-1 (J43) and anti-4-1 BB (3H3) were purchased from BioXCell. All other proteins were made as described in Example 1.
[00174] MC38 Efficacy Study
[00175] Seventy C57BL/6 female mice (Charles River Laboratories) at 6-8 weeks old and 18- 20 g body weight are each injected subcutaneously in the right flank with a suspension of MC38 cells (1 X106) in DMEM containing 10% serum (Life Technologies). Tumor measurements are made using a digital caliper and tumor volumes are calculated using the following equation: TT/6(L X WA2) with the "W" being the maximum width and the "L" being the maximum length. Once tumors are of sufficient size (50-100 mm3), mice are randomized into 7 groups (10 mice each) followed by intraperitoneal injection with 200 μΙ either PBS alone or PBS containing 10 mg/kg of the following: J43-sc4-1 BBL, Fc-sc4-1 BBL, 3H3, J43, combination of Fc-sc4-1 BBL and J43, and finally a combination of 3H3 with J43. Mice are then dosed every second day for a total of 5 doses. Measurements for tumor volume are made 3 times per week and body weight once per week.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A bispecific molecule comprising:
a 4-1 BB agonist moiety; and
(i) a CD8+ T-cell binding moiety;
(ii) an NK cell binding moiety;
(iii) a granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety; or
(iv) a cell binding moiety that binds to any combination of the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, the NK cell binding moiety, and the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety.
2. The bispecific molecule of claim 1 , wherein the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety.
3. The bispecific molecule of claim 1 , wherein the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the NK cell binding moiety.
4. The bispecific molecule of claim 1 , wherein the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety.
5. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the cell binding moiety by a linker.
6. The bispecific molecule of claim 5, wherein the linker is a polypeptide linker that is 15-20 amino acid residues in length.
7. The bispecific molecule of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the polypeptide linker comprises one or more G4S motifs.
8. The bispecific molecule of claim 7, wherein the polypeptide linker comprises three G4S motifs.
9. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is an anti-4-1 BB agonist antibody or a 4-1 BB binding fragment thereof, a 4-1 BBL moiety, or a 4-1 BB agonist aptamer.
10. The bispecific molecule of claim 9 wherein the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises two or more 4- 1 BBL domains.
1 1. The bispecific molecule of claim 10, wherein the 4-1 BBL moiety comprises intra-domain linkers connecting the two or more 4-1 BBL domains.
12. The bispecific molecule of claim 11 , wherein the intra-domain linkers are polypeptide linkers that are each 15-20 amino acid residues in length.
13. The bispecific molecule of claim 12, wherein the intra-domain linker comprises three G4S motifs.
14. The bispecific molecule of anyone of claims 10-13, wherein the 4-1 BBL agonist moiety comprises three 4-1 BBL domains.
15. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 9-14, wherein each 4-1 BBL domain, independently, comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of:
(a) residues 50-254 of SEQ ID NO:4;
(b) residues 71-254 of SEQ ID NO:4; and
(c) residues 85-254 of SEQ ID NO:4.
16. The bispecific molecule of claim 15, wherein each 4-1 BBL domain, independently, comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
(a) residues 50-254 of SEQ ID NO:4;
(b) residues 71-254 of SEQ ID NO:4; and
(c) residues 85-254 of SEQ ID NO:4.
17. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety binds to a CD8+ T-cell surface antigen, the NK cell binding moiety binds to an NK cell surface antigen, or the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety binds to a granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen.
18. The bispecific molecule of claim 17, wherein the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen is CD8.
19. The bispecific molecule of claim 18, wherein the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen is human CD8 (SEQ ID NO:26).
20. The bispecific molecule of claim 17, wherein the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen is KI2L4, NKG2E, NKG2D, NKG2F, BTNL3, CD186, BTNL8, PD-1 , CD195, or NKG2C.
21. The bispecific molecule of claim 20, wherein the CD8+ T-cell surface antigen is human KI2L4 (SEQ ID NO: 16), human NKG2E (SEQ ID NO: 17), human NKG2D (SEQ ID NO: 18), human NKG2F (SEQ ID NO: 19), human BTNL3 (SEQ ID NO:20), human CD186 (SEQ ID NO:21), human BTNL8 (SEQ ID NO:22), human PD-1 (SEQ ID NO:23), human CD195 (SEQ ID NO:24), or human NKG2C (SEQ ID NO:25).
22. The bispecific molecule of claim 17, wherein the granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is LAG 3.
23. The bispecific molecule of claim 23, wherein the granzyme B-positive cell surface antigen is human LAG 3 (SEQ ID NO:26).
24. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the cell surface antigen is a receptor.
25. The bispecific molecule of claim 17, wherein the cell surface antigen is a receptor and the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, the NK cell binding moiety, or the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety, binds to the receptor ligand.
26. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 17-22, wherein the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety, the NK cell binding moiety, or the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety, is an antibody that binds to the cell surface antigen or an antigen binding fragment thereof, or an aptamer that binds to the cell surface antigen.
27. The bispecific molecule of claim 26, wherein the CD8+ T-cell binding moiety the NK cell binding moiety, or the granzyme B-positive cell binding moiety, is an antibody that binds to the cell surface antigen or an cell surface antigen binding fragment thereof and the antibody is an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, or lgG4 antibody.
28. The bispecific molecule of claim 27, wherein the 4-1 BB agonist moiety comprises three 4-1 BBL domains and the 4-1 BB agonist moiety is connected to the C-terminus of the Fc region of the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
29. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 26-28, wherein the antigen binding fragment is a scFv, Fab, F(ab')2, minibody, triabody, scFvFc, or hclgG.
30. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 26-29, wherein the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is agonistic.
31. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 26-29, wherein the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is antagonistic.
32. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 26-29, wherein the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is a neutral activity antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
33. The bispecific molecule of any one of claims 26-29, wherein the antibody or the antigen binding fragment is a ligand blocking antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
34. A method of activating a CD8+ T-cell comprising, contacting a CD8+ T-cell with an effective amount of a bispecific molecule according to any one of claims 1-33.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the contacting is in vitro.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein the contacting is in vivo.
37. The method according to any one of claims 34-36, wherein the CD8+ T-cell is a tumor- associated CD8+ T-cell.
38. A method for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a bispecific molecule according to any one of claims 1-33.
39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the cancer is a solid tumor.
40. The method according to claim 38 or claim 39, further comprising administering an additional antineoplastic agent.
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