Bispecific antibodies targeting tumor-associated antigens and neutralizing complement regulators increase the efficacy of antibody-based immunotherapy in mice

Leukemia. 2015 Feb;29(2):406-14. doi: 10.1038/leu.2014.185. Epub 2014 Jun 6.

Abstract

The efficacy of antibody-based immunotherapy is due to the activation of apoptosis, the engagement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). We developed a novel strategy to enhance CDC using bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) that neutralize the C-regulators CD55 and CD59 to enhance C-mediated functions. Two bsAbs (MB20/55 and MB20/59) were designed to recognize CD20 on one side. The other side neutralizes CD55 or CD59. Analysis of CDC revealed that bsAbs could kill 4-25 times more cells than anti-CD20 recombinant antibody in cell lines or cells isolated from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The pharmacokinetics of the bsAbs was evaluated in a human-SCID model of Burkitt lymphoma. The distribution profile of bsAbs mimics the data obtained by studying the pharmacokinetics of anti-CD20 antibodies, showing a peak in the tumor mass 3-4 days after injection. The treatment with bsAbs completely prevented the development of human/SCID lymphoma. The tumor growth was blocked by the activation of the C cascade and by the recruitment of macrophages, polymorphonuclear and natural killer cells. This strategy can easily be applied to the other anti-tumor C-fixing antibodies currently used in the clinic or tested in preclinical studies using the same vector with the appropriate modifications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / chemistry*
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / chemistry*
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / immunology
  • Antigens, CD20 / chemistry
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / immunology*
  • CD55 Antigens / chemistry
  • CD59 Antigens / chemistry
  • Cell Separation
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Complement System Proteins
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antigens, CD20
  • CD55 Antigens
  • CD59 Antigens
  • Complement System Proteins