Abstract 1642: A novel FcγRIIB-blocking antibody to enhance FcγR-dependent antitumor immunity
Authors: Mårtensson Linda , Oldham Robert , Borggren Marie , Kovacek Mathilda , Blidberg Therese , Roghanian Ali , Thornberg Ulla-Carin , Karlsson Ingrid , Beers Stephen A. , Cragg Mark S. , Teige Ingrid , Frendéus Bjorn L. 
Published: July 2021

Therapeutic antibodies have improved survival of both hematologic and solid cancer patients, inducing long-lasting responses and even cures. Clinically successful antibodies exert antitumor activity by targeting tumor cells directly e.g. anti-CD20 mAb in B cell cancer, or by targeting and activating immune cells that seek and destroy cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment (immune checkpoint blocking antibodies;ICB). Still, many patients fail to respond or acquire resistance to these therapies. Understanding mechanisms and overcoming resistance to distinct classes of antibody drugs, is therefore clearly warranted and has the potential to further improve cancer outcomes. The inhibitory Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) IIB may precipitate resistance to cancer immunotherapy by several mechanisms, acting both on tumor and immune effector cells. We previously developed an FcγRIIB blocking antibody (BI-1206). Based on its cytolytic activity against B cell cancer cells and ability to block rituximab internalization from tumor cells, as well as enhance rituximab therapeutic activity in mice humanized for CD20 and FcγRIIB or bearing relapsed/refractory CLL in vivo, BI-1206 is being explored in clinical trials (NCT03571568; NCT04219254). Emerging data demonstrate that FcγRs can modulate the therapeutic activity of ICB antibodies (anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4). While both anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/L1 mAb are effective and approved for cancer therapy, and combined checkpoint blockade improves therapeutic responses, anti-CTLA-4 therapies are associated with tolerability issues. Means of enhancing the anti-CTLA-4 therapeutic window are therefore desirable in order to deliver this therapy to more patients. Recent preclinical and retrospective clinical data indicate that anti-CTLA-4 antibodies may promote antitumor immunity by dual mechanisms; “releasing the brakes” on T effector cells and depleting immune suppressive intratumoral T regulatory (Treg) cells. Anti-CTLA-4 induced Treg depletion was shown to be FcγR-dependent. Here, we report the generation of a novel, fully human FcγRIIB-blocking antibody (BI-1607) engineered to eliminate Fc-mediated FcγR binding and function (Fc-null anti-FcγRIIB). Using a mechanism-of-action-matched surrogate antibody, we demonstrate that Fc-null anti-FcγRIIB enhances therapeutic efficacy of submaximally efficacious doses of anti-CTLA-4 in responsive (MC38) or resistant (CT26) syngeneic immune competent mouse models. Of relevance to the clinical setting where low dose anti-CTLA-4/anti-PD-1 combination therapies have been approved for different indications, we further demonstrate that triplet therapy significantly enhanced survival in the checkpoint blockade-poorly responsive B16 tumor model. Collectively our results provide proof-of-concept for Fc-null anti-FcγRIIB to enhance anti-CTLA-4 ICB in the treatment of cancer.

Citation Format: Linda Mårtensson, Robert Oldham, Marie Borggren, Mathilda Kovacek, Therese Blidberg, Ali Roghanian, Ulla-Carin Thornberg, Ingrid Karlsson, Stephen A. Beers, Mark S. Cragg, Ingrid Teige, Bjorn L. Frendéus. A novel FcγRIIB-blocking antibody to enhance FcγR-dependent antitumor immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1642.