Abstract 2051: Innovations in ADC technology platform with legumain-cleavable KSP-inhibitor payloads adaptable to various aspects of cancer biology
Authors: Lerchen Hans-Georg , Rebstock Anne-Sophie , Wiedmann Mareike , Stelte-Ludwig Beatrix , Johnson Amy J. , Izumi Raquel , Hamdy Ahmed 
Published: March 2024

Despite recent advances in the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) field it remains challenging to achieve a sufficient therapeutic window. To address key issues of current ADCs such as aggregate formation and payload-related toxicities, we have developed a platform technology with tailored solutions for ADCs and small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs). Key features of the ADC technology comprise of kinesin spindle protein inhibitors (KSPi) as a novel payload class, a unique linker selectively cleaved by the tumor-associated protease legumain, and a CellTrapper® modification of the KSPi payload to reduce membrane permeability and provide accumulation in tumor cells beneficial for efficacy and safety1,2. Our advanced ADC VIP943 is targeting CD123 for the treatment of AML and MDS and is currently in Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06034275). Here we show the extension and applicability of the platform in combination with various antibodies. Two case studies demonstrate how the payload-linker optimization increases the selectivity for tumor over healthy cells and potentially overcomes transporter-mediated drug resistance. Tuning the cleavable linker of cetuximab-ADCs for a higher challenge of legumain-mediated payload release resulted in a 52-fold improved selectivity of cytotoxicity against tumor cells versus HaCaT skin cells. A trastuzumab-ADC using a KSPi payload modified with the CellTrapper, shows low nanomolar potency against JIMT-1 cells resistant to trastuzumab-deruxtecan and thus may overcome resistance. An increased potency was not observed with an ADC releasing a permeable KSPi without CellTrapper. To address heterogenous target expression in solid tumors, novel antibody-2-drug conjugates (A2DCs) were synthesized to combine the advantages of intracellular accumulation of non-permeable payloads with the release of a second, membrane permeable KSPi payload. In vitro studies comparing the A2DCs with their respective mono-drug ADCs on 4 different targets shows the highest cytotoxicity achieved with A2DCs independent of the efficacy driver in mono ADCs. Lastly, synthesis of homogenous KSPi ADCs with a drug to antibody ratio of ~8 is compatible with different antibodies without significant aggregate formation. Furthermore, an easy and efficient process for ring-opening of the thiosuccinimide ring after conjugation was developed and shown to successfully avoid ADC de-conjugation via retro-Michael reaction. Selected examples of each of these subclasses were coupled to trastuzumab; all conjugates were highly efficacious and resulted in tumor regressions in the SKOV-3 model similar to trastuzumab-deruxtecan.

Conclusion: Our technology platform offers options for efficient and safe cancer treatments and allows for versatile adaptations to the various aspects of cancer biology. 1. Kirchhoff et al, Cancers (2020). 2. Lerchen et al, Bioconj Chem. (2020).

Citation Format: Hans-Georg Lerchen, Anne-Sophie Rebstock, Mareike Wiedmann, Beatrix Stelte-Ludwig, Amy J. Johnson, Raquel Izumi, Ahmed Hamdy. Innovations in ADC technology platform with legumain-cleavable KSP-inhibitor payloads adaptable to various aspects of cancer biology [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2051.