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  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/68—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. an Fc-fragment
  • A61K47/6835—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. an Fc-fragment the modifying agent being an antibody or an immunoglobulin bearing at least one antigen-binding site
  • A61K47/6849—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. an Fc-fragment the modifying agent being an antibody or an immunoglobulin bearing at least one antigen-binding site the antibody targeting a receptor, a cell surface antigen or a cell surface determinant
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  • C07K16/2803—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily
  • C07K16/2827—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the immunoglobulin superfamily against B7 molecules, e.g. CD80, CD86
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  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/21—Interferons [IFN]
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  • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
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  • C07K14/4701—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used
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  • C07K14/52—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
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  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
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  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
  • C07K14/7056—Lectin superfamily, e.g. CD23, CD72
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  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
  • C07K14/70596—Molecules with a "CD"-designation not provided for elsewhere
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  • C07K16/28—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
  • C07K16/2851—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants against the lectin superfamily, e.g. CD23, CD72
• • 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
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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  • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
  • C07K2317/20—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin
  • C07K2317/22—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin from camelids, e.g. camel, llama or dromedary
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  • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
  • C07K2317/569—Single domain, e.g. dAb, sdAb, VHH, VNAR or nanobody®
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  • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
  • C07K2319/30—Non-immunoglobulin-derived peptide or protein having an immunoglobulin constant or Fc region, or a fragment thereof, attached thereto

Definitions

• the present invention relates, in part to, chimeric protein complexes that include a fragment crystallizable domain (Fc), a Clec9A VHH as a targeting moiety, and a modified interferon a2 (IFNa2) as a signaling agent.
• Fc fragment crystallizable domain
• IFNa2 modified interferon a2
• Biologies with an effector function are a class of biologies that have many potential therapeutic applications.
• these biologies e.g., cytokines
• these biologies need be delivered to their target(s) inside a subject with high precision and in a regulated manner in order for them to be effective.
• engineering biological molecules that have high inherent safety profile, have the ability to reach their target inside the subject with high precision, and are able to function in a regulated fashion.
• a chimeric protein having a signaling agent (having an effector function, e.g., a cytokine), connected to a targeting element (having the ability to seek its target with high precision).
• the signaling agent can be a wild type signaling agent or a modified signaling agent (e.g. by mutation).
• the modified signaling agent is, generally, modified to cause an attenuation of the signaling agent’s activity (e.g., substantially reducing its ability to interact with/engage its receptor) in a manner such that the signaling agent’s effector function can be recovered upon binding of the targeting element to its target (e.g., antigen on target cell).
• chimeric proteins are amenable to therapeutic use only if certain conditions are met, e.g., the ability to be produced in a large scale, an in vivo half-life that ensures adequate time of exposure to the drug to elicit a therapeutically beneficial effect, a proper size to avoid rapid clearance or limited tissue penetrance and bio distribution, and other properties that ensure adequate solubility, stability and storage without significant loss of function.
• all, or substantially most, of the above properties should be achieved without a loss of the conditional targeting of the effector function and retention of conditional engagement of a modified signaling agent with its receptor.
• the present technology provides chimeric protein complexes that comprise biological therapeutic agents whose effector function can be delivered in a highly precise fashion to a target of choice, with limited or no cross reactivities, and with limited of no systemic adverse events, while also providing features that impart pharmaceutical properties enabling the production of therapeutic agents with, for example, desired in vivo exposure time (e.g . half-life), size (e.g . for biodistribution and clearance characteristics), as well as large scale production and/or purification for commercial production (e.g. having adequate solubility, stability and storage properties).
• desired in vivo exposure time e.g . half-life
• size e.g . for biodistribution and clearance characteristics
• large scale production and/or purification for commercial production e.g. having adequate solubility, stability and storage properties.
• the present invention relates to a heterodimeric protein complex and its individual polypeptide chain subunits (components), and where the protein complex includes a targeting moiety that specifically binds to C-type lectin domain family 9 member A (Clec9A), a modified human IFNa2, and a modified Fc domain.
• a targeting moiety that specifically binds to C-type lectin domain family 9 member A (Clec9A), a modified human IFNa2, and a modified Fc domain.
• the present invention is related to a chimeric protein complex comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that specifically binds to C-type lectin domain family 9 member A (Clec9A), (ii) a modified human IFNa2, and (iii) a modified Fc domain.
• the present invention relates to a chimeric protein complex
• the chimeric protein complex includes a targeting moiety that specifically binds to C-type lectin domain family 9 member A (Clec9A), a modified human IFNa2, and a modified Fc domain.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 -4 and 43 or at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 -4 and 43 or at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID Nos: 1 -4 and 43.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 -4 and 43, optionally with 0, or 1 , or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5 mutations.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4 and 43.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide incorporating a contiguous amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 -4 and 43 or at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4 and 43.
• the present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing a cancer, comprising administering an effective amount of the chimeric protein complex, as disclosed herein, to a patient in need thereof.
• Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chimeric protein complex, as disclosed herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• the present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing a cancer, comprising administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition as disclosed herein to a patient in need thereof.
• the present invention relates to a recombinant nucleic acid composition encoding one or more of the polypeptide chain subunits of chimeric protein complexes disclosed herein.
• the present invention relates to a host cell including a nucleic acid composition encoding one or more chimeric protein complexes disclosed herein.
• FIG. 1 shows various non-limiting illustrative schematics of the chimeric protein complexes of the present invention.
• each schematic is a composition of the present invention.
• IFN refers IFNa2, as described herein;
• VHH refers to anti-Clec9A VHH, as described herein;
• *“1” is an optional“linker” as described herein;
• the two long parallel rectangles with one having a protrusion and the other having an indentation are human Fc domains from lgG1 , with knob-in-hole mutations as described herein and, optionally, with effector knock out and/or stabilization mutations as also described herein.
• SEQ ID Nos are shown, these are illustrative only, e.g. they will change if alternative mutations besides R149A, as described herein, are used.
• FIG. 2 shows plasma concentrations of Fc-AFNs after intravenous administration in mouse. Average values of 3 individual samples per time point time (+SEM) are plotted.
• Figure 3 shows the plasma concentrations of a CLEC9A AFN (construct lacking Fc) after intravenous administration in mouse. Average values of 3 individual samples per time point time (+SEM) are plotted.
• Figure 4A-D show specific binding of CLEC9A-AFN Fc-construct to cells expressing human CLEC9A (HL116- hCLEC9a) compared to control cells (HL116 and HEK293T).
• Figure 5 shows tumor growth curves in humanized mice after treatment with buffer or four different CLEC9A-AFN Fc-constructs. Average values (in mm 3 ) of 5 animals per time point time (+SEM) are plotted.
• Figure 6 shows tumor growth curves in humanized mice after treatment with buffer or increasing doses of a single CLEC9A-AFN Fc-construct. Average values (in mm 3 ) of 5 animals per time point time (+SEM) are plotted.
• Figure 7 shows various bivalent orientations and/or configurations that are encompassed by the present invention.
• the second VHH moiety to achieve bivalency is shaded and forms together with the attached linker a N- or C- terminal extension of the SEQ ID mentioned in the figure.
• SEQ ID Nos are shown, these are illustrative only, e.g. they will change if alternative mutations besides R149A, as described herein, are used. Further, the VHHs may be identical. See Figure 1 description for clarification.
• Figure 8A shows results of pSTATI phosphorylation in Clec9A-/CD141 - and Clec9A+/CD141 + PBMC’s by IFNa2.
• Figure 8B shows results of pSTATI phosphorylation in Clec9A-/CD 141 - and Clec9A+/CD141 + PBMC’s by AFNs with the A145G or M 148A mutations.
• Figure 9 shows tumor growth curves in humanized mice after treatment with buffer or a 7.5 g dose of two different CLEC9A-AFN Fc-constructs. Average values (+SEM) of tumor sizes (in mm 3 ) of 6 animals per time point time were plotted.
• Figures 10A-C show pSTATI activity in CLEC9A-/CD141 - and CLEC9A+/CD141 + PBMC’s after treatment with Clec9A targeted AFNs with (Figure 10A) and without T106 O-glycosylation in IFNa2 ( Figure 10B), and an untargeted variant (Figure 10C).
• Figure 11 shows anti-tumor activity of Clec9A targeted-AFN Fc with the A145G mutation of IFNa2.
• the present invention relates to a chimeric protein complex
• the chimeric protein complex includes a targeting moiety that specifically binds to C-type lectin domain family 9 member A (Clec9A), a modified human IFNa2, and a modified Fc domain.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 -4 and 43.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 -4 and 43 or at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID Nos: 1-4 and 43.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide of SEQ ID NOs: 1 -4 and 43 wherein the sequence has less than 10 mutations as compared to the selected sequence. In embodiments, the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4 and 43 wherein the sequence has less than 5 mutations as compared to the selected sequence.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.
• This sequence includes a single domain antibody (VHH) against Clec9A (i.e., R1 CHCL50(opt4)), a linker (i.e., 5*GGS), and a Fc hole Ridgway sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc hole Ridgway (LALA-KQ), see Ridgway ef a/., Protein Engineering 1996;9:617-621 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• VHH single domain antibody
• R1 CHCL50(opt4) i.e., R1 CHCL50(opt4)
• linker i.e., 5*GGS
• Fc hole Ridgway sequence with LALA-KQ mutation i.e., Fc hole Ridgway (LALA-KQ)
• LALA-KQ Fc hole Ridgway
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
• This sequence includes a single domain antibody (VHH) against Clec9A (i.e., R1 CHCL50(opt4)), a linker (i.e., 5*GGS), and a Fc hole Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc hole Merchant (LALA-KQ), see Merchant ef a/., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• VHH-Fc R1 CHCL50(opt4)-5*GGS-Fc hole Merchant (LALA-KQ).
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.
• This sequence includes a single domain antibody (VHH) against Clec9A (i.e., 3LEC89(opt4)), a linker (i.e., 5*GGS), and a Fc hole Ridgway sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc hole Ridgway (LALA-KQ), see Ridgway ef a/., Protein Engineering 1996;9:617-621 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• This construct of SEQ ID NO: 3 is denoted as follows: VHH-Fc: 3LEC89(opt4)-5*GGS-Fc hole Ridgway (LALA-KQ)
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.
• This sequence includes a single domain antibody (VHH) against Clec9A (i.e., 3LEC89(opt4)), a linker (i.e., 5*GGS), and a Fc hole Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc hole Merchant (LALA-KQ), see Merchant et ai., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• VHH-Fc 3LEC89(opt4)-5*GGS-Fc hole Merchant (LALA-KQ).
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43.
• This sequence includes a single domain antibody (VHH) against Clec9A (i.e., R1CHCL50(opt4)), a linker (i.e., 5*GGS), and a Fc hole Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation and without C terminal lysine (i.e., Fc hole Merchant (LALA-KQ), see Merchant et ai, Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• VHH single domain antibody
• R1CHCL50(opt4) i.e., R1CHCL50(opt4)
• linker i.e., 5*GGS
• Fc hole Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation and without C terminal lysine i.e., Fc hole Merchant (LALA-KQ)
• the chimeric protein complex of the present invention may further include an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 29-36, or 41 -42.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 29-36, or 41-42 or at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID Nos: 5-8, 29-36, or 41-42.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 29-36, or 41-42 wherein the sequence has less than 10 mutations as compared to the selected sequence.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5-8, 29-36, or 41-42 wherein the sequence has less than 5 mutations as compared to the selected sequence.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5.
• This sequence includes a modified human interferon a2b having a R149A mutations (i.e., hulFNa2B_R149A), a linker (i.e., 10*GGS-G), and a Fc knob Ridgway sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc knob Ridgway (LALA-KQ), see Ridgway et ai., Protein Engineering 1996;9:617-621 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• This construct of sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 is denoted as follows: Variation 1 Fc-AFN: Fc knob Ridgway (LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.
• This sequence includes a modified human interferon a2b having R149A and T106E mutations (i.e., hulFNa2B_R149A_T 106E), a linker (i.e., 10*GGS-G), and a Fc knob Ridgway sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc knob Ridgway (LALA-KQ), see Ridgway et ai, Protein Engineering 1996;9:617-621 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• This construct of sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 is denoted as follows: Variation 2 Fc- AFN: Fc knob Ridgway (LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A_T106E.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.
• This sequence includes a modified human interferon a2b having a R149A mutations (i.e., hulFNa2B_R149A), a linker (i.e., 10*GGS-G), and a Fc knob Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc knob Merchant (LALA-KQ), see Merchant ef a/., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.
• This sequence includes a modified human interferon a2b having R149A and T106E mutations (i.e., hulFNa2B_R149A_T106E), a linker (i.e., 10*GGS-G), and a Fc knob Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc knob Merchant (LALA-KQ), see Merchant ef a/., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• This construct of sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 is denoted as follows: Variation 4 Fc-AFN: Fc knob Merchant (LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A_T106E.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41.
• This sequence includes a modified interferon a2b having A145G mutation, a linker (i.e., 10*GGS-G), and a Fc knob Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc knob Merchant (LALA-KQ), see Merchant ef a/., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• This construct of sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 is denoted as follows: Fc4’-IFNa2b_A145G.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42.
• This sequence includes a modified interferon a2b having T106A and A145G mutations, a linker (i.e., 10*GGS-G), and a Fc knob Merchant sequence with LALA-KQ mutation (i.e., Fc knob Merchant (LALA-KQ), see Merchant ef a/., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• This construct of sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 is denoted as follows: Fc4’-IFNa2a_T106E_A145G.
• the chimeric protein complex includes (i) an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 3 and (ii) an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 6.
• the chimeric protein complex includes (i) an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 3 and (ii) an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 6.
• the chimeric protein complex includes
• the chimeric protein complex includes (i) an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 4 and
• the chimeric protein complex includes (i) an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 4 and (ii) an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 or 8.
• the chimeric protein complex includes (i) an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 4 and (ii) an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 or 8.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 or 32. In some embodiments, the chimeric protein complex comprises (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 or 32.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 or 32. In some embodiments, the chimeric protein complex comprises (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 43 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41 or 42.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with SEQ ID NO: 43 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41 or 42. In embodiments, the chimeric protein complex comprises (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with SEQ ID NO: 43 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41 or 42.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 3 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 6.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 3 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 6.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 3 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 6.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 4 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 or 8.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 4 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 or 8.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 4 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7 or 8.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 or 32. In embodiments, the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 or 32.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 or 32.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 43 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41 or 42.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with SEQ ID NO: 43 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41 or 42.
• the chimeric protein complex comprises: (i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with SEQ ID NO: 43 and (ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence having at least 99% identity with any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41 or 42.
• the present invention is related to a multivalent or bivalent chimeric protein complex comprising: a polypeptide having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 and a polypeptide having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7; a polypeptide having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 and a polypeptide having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19; a polypeptide having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 and a polypeptide having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18
• the present invention is related to a chimeric protein complex comprising at least two polypeptides having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID Nos: 1-43.
• the present invention is related to a method for treating or preventing a cancer, comprising administering an effective amount of the chimeric protein complex comprising at least two polypeptides having a sequence at least 95%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID Nos: 1 -43 to a patient in need thereof.
• the chimeric protein complex includes a modified human interferon a2.
• the modified IFN-a2 agent has reduced affinity and/or activity for the IFN-a/b receptor (IFNAR), /. e. , IFNAR1 and/or IFNAR2 chains.
• the modified IFN-a2 agent has substantially reduced or ablated affinity and/or activity for the IFN-a/b receptor (IFNAR), /.e., IFNAR1 and/or IFNAR2 chains.
• the modified human interferon a2, as disclosed herein has an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with of SEQ ID NOs: 9 or 10.
• the modified human IFNa2 has an amino acid sequence having at least 98% identity or at least 99% identity with of SEQ ID NOs: 9 or 10. In some embodiments, the modified human IFNa2 has 1 -3 mutations relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 9 or 10. In one embodiment, the modified human IFNa2 comprises a R149A mutation with respect to SEQ ID NOs: 9 or 10. In one embodiment, the modified human IFNa2 comprises a A145G mutation with respect to SEQ ID NOs: 9 or 10.
• the targeting moiety of the chimeric protein complex disclosed herein comprises a recombinant heavy-chain-only antibody (VHH).
• VHH has an amino acid sequence of at least 95% identity with of one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 1 or 12.
• the VHH has an amino acid sequence of at least 98% identity with of one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 1 or 12 or at least 99% identity with of one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 1 or 12.
• the VHH has an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11 and 12.
• the chimeric protein complex disclosed herein comprises two targeting moieties. In some embodiments, the chimeric protein complex disclosed herein comprises two identical targeting moieties. In embodiments, these bivalent modes are oriented as shown in Figure 7.
• the chimeric protein complex disclosed herein comprises two targeting moieties. In some embodiments, the chimeric protein complex disclosed herein comprises two non-identical targeting moieties. In embodiments, these bivalent modes are oriented as shown in Figure 7. For example, in some embodiments, the chimeric protein complex disclosed herein comprises targeting moieties (without limitation, VHHs) against Clec9A and PD-L1.
• the R149A mutation is present in the IFN-a2.
• the R149A mutation is not present in the IFN-a2 and instead, another mutation is present.
• this alternative mutation could be at one of positions R33, R144, A145, M148, and L153.
• the alternative mutation is one of R33A, R144A, R144I, R144L, R144S, R144T, R144Y, A145D, A145G, A145H, A145K, A145Y, M148A, and L153A.
• any reference to R149A herein may be replaced with one of R33A, R144A, R144I, R144L, R144S, R144T, R144Y, A145D, A145G, A145H, A145K, A145Y, M148A and L153A
• any reference to R149A herein may be replaced with A145G.
• the chimeric protein complex disclosed herein include at least one Fc domain.
• the chimeric protein complex includes a modified Fc domain where the modified Fc domain includes one or more of the following mutations: P329G, K322Q, K322A, or P331 S relative to any of one of SEQ ID NO: 13-16.
• the modified Fc domain includes one or more of the following mutations: P329G, K322Q, K322A, or P331S relative to human lgG1 Fc.
• the chimeric protein complex includes a modified Fc domain that has an amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 13-16. In other embodiments, the modified Fc domain has an amino acid sequence having at least 93% identity with SEQ ID NO: 13-16. In other embodiments, the modified Fc domain has an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 13-16.
• the present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing a cancer, comprising administering an effective amount of the chimeric protein complex, as disclosed herein, to a patient in need thereof.
• the method can be used to treat or prevent cancers selected from one or more of basal cell carcinoma, biliary tract cancer; bladder cancer; bone cancer; brain and central nervous system cancer; breast cancer; cancer of the peritoneum; cervical cancer; choriocarcinoma; colon and rectum cancer; connective tissue cancer; cancer of the digestive system; endometrial cancer; esophageal cancer; eye cancer; cancer of the head and neck; gastric cancer (including gastrointestinal cancer); glioblastoma; hepatic carcinoma; hepatoma; intra-epithelial neoplasm; kidney or renal cancer; larynx cancer; leukemia; liver cancer; lung cancer (e.g., small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the lung, and squamous
• Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chimeric protein complex, as disclosed herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• the present invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the present chimeric protein complex.
• Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing a cancer, comprising administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition as disclosed herein to a patient in need thereof.
• the pharmaceutical composition can be used for the treatment or prevention of a cancer selected from one or more of basal cell carcinoma, biliary tract cancer; bladder cancer; bone cancer; brain and central nervous system cancer; breast cancer; cancer of the peritoneum; cervical cancer; choriocarcinoma; colon and rectum cancer; connective tissue cancer; cancer of the digestive system; endometrial cancer; esophageal cancer; eye cancer; cancer of the head and neck; gastric cancer (including gastrointestinal cancer); glioblastoma; hepatic carcinoma; hepatoma; intra-epithelial neoplasm; kidney or renal cancer; larynx cancer; leukemia; liver cancer; lung cancer (e.g., small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the lung, and squam
• the present invention relates to a recombinant nucleic acid composition encoding one or more chimeric protein complexes disclosed herein, e.g. encoding the entire chimeric protein complex or constituent polypeptides thereof.
• the present invention relates to a host cell including the recombinant nucleic acid composition complexes disclosed herein.
• “a,”“an,” or“the” can mean one or more than one.
• the term“about” when used in connection with a referenced numeric indication means the referenced numeric indication plus or minus up to 10% of that referenced numeric indication.
• the language“about 50” covers the range of 45 to 55.
• the term“effective amount” refers to a quantity sufficient to achieve a desired therapeutic and/or prophylactic effect, e.g., an amount which results in the prevention of, or a decrease in a disease or disorder or one or more signs or symptoms associated with a disease or disorder.
• the amount of a composition administered to the subject will depend on the degree, type, and severity of the disease and on the characteristics of the individual, such as general health, age, sex, body weight and tolerance to drugs. The skilled artisan will be able to determine appropriate dosages depending on these and other factors.
• the compositions can also be administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic compounds.
• the therapeutic compounds may be administered to a subject having one or more signs or symptoms of a disease or disorder.
• something is“decreased” if a read-out of activity and/or effect is reduced by a significant amount, such as by at least about 10%, 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 95%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or more, up to and including at least about 100%, in the presence of an agent or stimulus relative to the absence of such modulation.
• activity is decreased and some downstream read-outs will decrease but others can increase.
• activity is“increased” if a read-out of activity and/or effect is increased by a significant amount, for example by at least about 10%, 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 95%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or more, up to and including at least about 100% or more, at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 6-fold, at least about 7-fold, at least about 8- fold, at least about 9-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 100-fold, in the presence of an agent or stimulus, relative to the absence of such agent or stimulus.
• compositions described herein needed for achieving a therapeutic effect may be determined empirically in accordance with conventional procedures for the particular purpose.
• the therapeutic agents are given at a pharmacologically effective dose.
• a “pharmacologically effective amount,” “pharmacologically effective dose,” “therapeutically effective amount,” or“effective amount’ refers to an amount sufficient to produce the desired physiological effect or amount capable of achieving the desired result, particularly for treating the disorder or disease.
• An effective amount as used herein would include an amount sufficient to, for example, delay the development of a symptom of the disorder or disease, alter the course of a symptom of the disorder or disease (e.g., slow the progression of a symptom of the disease), reduce or eliminate one or more symptoms or manifestations of the disorder or disease, and reverse a symptom of a disorder or disease.
• Therapeutic benefit also includes halting or slowing the progression of the underlying disease or disorder, regardless of whether improvement is realized.
• compositions for treating the diseases or disorders described herein are equally applicable to use of a composition for treating the diseases or disorders described herein and/or compositions for use and/or uses in the manufacture of a medicaments for treating the diseases or disorders described herein.
• Fc domain mutations are numbered according to EU convention (Edelman ef a/., PNAS 1969; 63 (1 ) 78-85, incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• LALA refers to a double mutant Fc domain having L234A mutation and a L235A mutation.
• KQ refers to a mutant Fc domain having a K322Q mutation.
• Knob in hole mutants are those described in Ridgway ef a/., Protein Engineering 1996;9:617-621 , which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, i.e. Y407T / T366Y.
• knob in hole mutants are those described in Merchant ef a/., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, i.e. S354C:T366W / Y349C:T366S:L368A:Y407V.
• the Fc is from human lgG1.
• VHH-Fc R1CHCL50(opt4)-5*GGS-Fc hole Merchant (LALA-KQ)
• VHH-Fc 3LEC89(opt4)-5*GGS-Fc hole Ridgway (LALA-KQ)
• Fc-AFN Fc knob Ridgway (LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A DKTHTCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCWVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREE
• Fc-AFN Fc knob Ridgway (LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A_T106E
• Fc-AFN Fc knob Merchant (LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A
• Fc-AFN Fc knob Merchant (LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A_T106E
• SEQ ID NO: 13 Amino acid sequence of the Fc (human lgG1)— with LALA mutations and Ridgway hole
• SEQ ID NO: 14 Amino acid sequence of the Fc (human lgG1 )— with LALA mutations and Ridgway knob
• SEQ ID NO: 15 Amino acid sequence of the Fc (human lgG1 )— with LALA mutations and Merchant hole
• SEQ ID NO: 16 Amino acid sequence of the Fc (human lgG1 )— with LALA mutations and Merchant knob
• knob-in-hole technology two variants of the knob-in-hole technology are used: Ridgway (derived from Ridgway ef a/., Protein Engineering 1996;9:617-621 ) and Merchant (derived from Merchant ef a/., Nature Biotechnology 1998; 16:677-681 ).
• The‘standard’ effector-mutation in the Ridgway constructs is LALA-PG (P329G) and this is noted herein.
• the ‘standard’ effector-mutation in the Merchant constructs is LALA-KQ (K322Q) and this is noted herein.
• ActaFeron (AFN),” or“ActaKine” are occasionally used herein to reference a chimeric protein described herein (details are provided in the Examples regarding the format of the chimeric protein).
• P-956 pcDNA3.4-mouse light chain kappa-hlqG1-LALA-PG-20*GGS-3LEC89-20*GGS+G-IFNa2 R149A
• the constructs were made by GeneArt (Thermo Fisher) and transiently expressed in the ExpiCHO expression system (Thermo Fisher) according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Ten days after transfection, supernatant was collected and cells removed by centrifugation. Recombinant proteins were purified from the medium using the rProtein A Sepharose Fast Flow resin (GE Healthcare) according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Unexpectedly the proteins although expressed at 70-170 mg/L showed severe solubility problems and even at concentrations below 1 mg/ml they tended to aggregate and precipitate when stored at 4°C or after a single freeze-thaw cycle. When the VHH 3LEC89 was replaced by the unrelated VHH 2LIG99 specific for human PD-L1 similar observations were made indicating that an Fc-based AcTakine format has manufacturability liabilities.
• mice were dosed intravenously at 1 mg/kg with each construct.
• K-EDTA blood was taken from a first group of 3 mice at 5 minutes, 8 hours and 6 days, from a second group of 3 mice at 15 minutes, 1 day and 10 days and from a third group of 3 mice at 2 hours, 3 days and 14 days.
• the concentration of intact CLEC9A-AFN Fc- construct was measured by ELISA.
• MAXISORP Nunc Immune plates (Thermo Scientific) were coated overnight with anti-human interferon alpha mAb (clone MMHA-13; PBL Assay Science) at 0.5 pg/ml in PBS.
• peroxidase activity was measured using KPL substrate (5120-0047; SeraCare) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Concentrations from samples were calculated using GraphPad Prism. Measured concentrations are plotted in Figure 2 and show that all 4 constructs have a similar PK profile except for a somewhat faster clearance of the Ridgway based Fc-construct at the last sampling time point. Terminal half-life was estimated on average at about 3 days for the Ridgway constructs and 4.5 days for the Merchant constructs.
• HHHH (SEQ ID NO: 25).
• K-EDTA blood was taken from a first group of 3 mice at 5 minutes and 1 hour, from a second group of 3 mice at 15 minutes and 3 hours and finally from the last group at 8 hours.
• the concentration in the plasma samples was measured using the same ELISA as described for the Fc- fusion proteins.
• the measured concentration ( Figure 3) show a fast clearing of this type of molecules resulting in a concentration below detection limit (0.12 pg/ml) at the 8-hour time point.
• the estimated terminal half-life is in the range of only 2 hours, clearly demonstrating the superior half-life properties of the Fc-based AcTakines.
• Example 2 To measure relative binding affinities the same 4 molecules as shown in Example 2 were incubated with a serial dilution of CLEC9A-AFN Fc-construct on HL1 16-hClec9A cells. To asses binding specificity also parental HL1 16 cells and parental HEK293T cells (both lacking detectable expression of Clec9A) were incubated with an identical serial dilution of the CLEC9A-AFN Fc-construct. Binding was detected by subsequent incubation with an FITC- coupled anti-human secondary Ab, measured on a MACSQuant X instrument (Miltenyi Biotech) and analyzed using the FlowLogic software (Miltenyi Biotech). Data in Figure 4 illustrates that the Fc-based AFNs have similar binding EC50s for HL1 16-hClec9A cells while no binding was detected on the cell lines not expressing Clec9A.
• mice were sublethal irradiated with 100 cGy prior to intrahepatic delivery of 1x10 5 CD34+ human stem cells (from H LA-A2 positive cord bloods).
• mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 25x10 5 human RL follicular lymphoma cells (ATCC CRL-2261 ; not sensitive to the direct anti-proliferative effect of IFN).
• Mice were treated daily intraperitoneally with 30 pg of human Flt3L protein, from day 10 to day 19 after tumor inoculation.
• VHH moieties are added resulting in constructs of which non-limiting examples of configurations are shown in Figure 7.
• These novel constructs target CLEC9A in a bivalent mode or co-target e.g. both CLEC9A and PD-L1.
• constructs below are based on the R1 CHCL50(opt4) VHH directed against CLEC9A and/or the 2LIG99 VHH directed against PD-L1 and the hulFNa2B_R149A.
• R1 CHCL50(opt4) By replacing R1 CHCL50(opt4) with 3LEC89(opt4) a similar series can be generated.
• hulFNa2B_R149A can be replaced with hulFNa2B_R149A_T106E.
• Fc moieties containing Merchant based knob-into-hole mutations which can be exchanged for Fc moieties with Ridgway based knob-into-hole mutations.
• VHH-VH H-Fc R1 CHCL50(opt4)-5*GGS-R1 CHCL50(opt4)-5*GGS-Fc (LALA-KQ)
• VHH-Fc-VHH R1 CHCL50(opt4)- 5*GGS-Fc (LALA-KQ)-5*GGS-R1 CHCL50(opt4)
• VHH-Fc-AFN R1CHCL50(opt4)- 5*GGS-Fc(LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A
• VHH-VHH-Fc 2LIG99-5*GGS-R1 CHCL50(opt4)-5*GGS-Fc (LALA-KQ)
• VHH-Fc-VHH R1 CHCL50(opt4)- 5*GGS-Fc (LALA-KQ)-5*GGS-2LIG99
• VHH-Fc-AFN 2LIG99-5*GGS-Fc(LALA-KQ)-10*GGS-G-hulFNa2B_R149A
• the potential of the IFN variations A145G and M 148A as AFN mutation i.e. the warhead mutation that results in a loss in biological activity, which can be restored upon targeting of the warhead was evaluated.
• Second AFN partner also cloned in the pcDNA3.4 vector, consisted of the fusion between the human lgG1 Fc sequence containing the L234A_L235A_K322Q effector mutations and the‘knob’ modifications S354C_T366W and the hlFNa2 sequence with the AFN mutation A145G or M148A and the O-glycosylation mutation T106E (see sequences below).
• PBMCs from buffy coats of healthy donors were isolated using density gradient centrifugation using LymphoprepTM (StemCell technologies).
• Cells were washed twice with FACS buffer (2% FBS, 1 mM EDTA in PBS) and stained with anti-Clec9A and anti-CD141 Abs (both Miltenyi) to identify the cDC1 population for 20 minutes at 4 °C.
• FACS buffer 2% FBS, 1 mM EDTA in PBS
• anti-Clec9A and anti-CD141 Abs both Miltenyi
• PCAWEVVRIEIMRSFSLSTNLQESLRSKE (SEQ ID NO: 27) P-1850: hlgG1 Fc L234A L235A K322Q S354C T366W-20*GGS-hlFNa2 T106E I/I148A
• Example 6 A145G and M148A AFN mutations in vivo
• mice were sublethally irradiated with 100 cGy prior to intrahepatic delivery of 1x10 5 CD34+ human stem cells (from H LA-A2 positive cord bloods).
• stem cell transfer mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 25x10 5 human RL follicular lymphoma cells (ATCC CRL-2261 ; not sensitive to the direct anti-proliferative effect of IFN).
• Mice were treated intraperitoneally with 30 pg of human Flt3L protein, from day 9 to day 22 after tumor inoculation.
• Example 7 Additional Fc-AFN constructs based on A145G and M148A mutations
• any of the above constructs A-D was combined with the CLEC9A VHH-Fc fusion of SEQ ID 2 or 4 resulting in 8 novel constructs.
• any of the above constructs E-FI was combined with the CLEC9A VHH-Fc fusion of SEQ ID 1 or 3 resulting in an additional set of 8 novel constructs. Proteins were expressed and purified as described in Example 5.
• Clec9A targeted AFNs with and without T106 0 -g ly cosy I ati o n in IFNa2 (R1 CHCL50-Fc3 + Fc4- IFNa2_A145G versus R1 CHCL50-Fc3 + Fc4-IFNa2_T106E_A145G), and an untargeted variant (Fc3 + Fc4- IFNa2_A145G) were compared. Proteins were produced as described in Example 5 and purified by protein A chromatography followed by size exclusion.
• FIG. 10 shows the specificity of the CLEC9A targeted construct with or without O-glycosylation on T106 as this construct is much more potent in activating IFN signaling in cDC1 cells compared to non-cDC1 cells and is much more potent on cDC1 cells compared to cDC1 cells treated with the untargeted variant.
• mice were tested in a tumor model in a humanized mouse.
• new-born NSG mice (1 -2 days of age) were sublethal irradiated with 100 cGy prior to intrahepatic delivery of 1x10 5 CD34+ human stem cells (from H LA-A2 positive cord bloods).
• stem cell transfer mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 25x10 5 human RL follicular lymphoma cells (ATCC CRL-2261 ; not sensitive to the direct anti-proliferative effect of IFN).
• mice were treated intraperitoneally with 30 pg of human Flt3L protein, from day 7 to day 17 after tumor inoculation.
• Tumor size (caliper measurements), body weight and temperature were assessed daily.
• Data in Figure 1 1 show the tumor growth until one week after the third treatment and demonstrates that both targeted AFNs induced a strong level of tumor growth, while no significant effect was observed with the untargeted variant. Data on body weight and temperature did not show any major difference between buffer treatment and AFN treatment supporting that all AFN treatments were well tolerated.

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