Abstract 6376: Discovery and preclinical characterization of dual antagonist antibodies targeting both LILRB1 and LILRB2 that enhance innate and adaptive anti-cancer immune responses
Authors: Zuck Meghan , Bouchlaka Myriam , Dinh Huyen , Green Kevin , Zapata Francisco , Chandrasekaran Ramya , Pisarenko Tatyana , Loh Lauren , Naika Gajendra S. , Sylvestre Meilyn , Heit Jacob , Fox Raymond , Whitman Darbie , Graddis Tom , Puri Kamal D. , Probst Peter 
Published: April 2023

Background: One cause for the failure of checkpoint inhibitors is the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment. LILRB1 (ILT2) and LILRB2 (ILT4) are ITIM-containing inhibitory receptors that recognize HLA Class 1 and nonclassical ligands (e.g., HLA-A, HLA-G, etc.). LILRB1 is expressed on myeloid cells and subsets of B, NK, and T cells, while LILRB2 expression is mostly restricted to myeloid cells. Interaction of LILRB1 and LILRB2 receptors with HLA ligands promotes an inhibitory milieu that prevents T cells from attacking cancer cells. The distinct pattern of expression and function of these lymphoid and myeloid checkpoints suggests complementary targeting approaches for cancer immunotherapy. Dual blockade of LILRB1 and LILRB2 receptors by a single antibody that restores both innate and adaptive immune responses is a promising strategy to enhance efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods: Dual LILRB1 and LILRB2 targeting antibodies were cloned from B cells derived from rabbits immunized with human LILRB2 recombinant protein, and subsequently humanized. Antibodies were evaluated for binding to human LILRB1 and LILRB2 proteins. Dual targeting antibodies were evaluated in a panel of functional and phenotypic assays. Selected antibodies were further tested for efficacy in a humanized NSG-SGM3 tumor model.

Results: Dual antibodies were selected based on binding to recombinant human LILRB1 and LILRB2 protein, as well as blocking of HLA-G binding. These antibodies demonstrated binding to cells expressing LILRB1 and LILRB2, with no appreciable binding to other family members. Lead antibodies demonstrated activity in functional cell-based assays modeling LILRB1- or LILRB2-mediated immunosuppression. Dual antibodies also enhanced IFN-γ production by LPS-stimulated human PBMC. Selected clones restored T-cell function from M2c macrophage-mediated suppression in coculture with CD8+ T cell, and enhanced the tumoricidal activity of NK cells. Importantly, the lead antibody demonstrated in vivo efficacy with significant tumor growth inhibition and tumor regression in an SK-MEL-5 tumor model in humanized NSG-SGM3 mice.

Conclusions: We have identified dual antagonist antibodies targeting both LILRB1 and LILRB2 antibodies that restore both innate and adaptive immune responses. Additionally, dual antibodies restored CD8+ T cell activation from macrophage-mediated suppression and enhanced NK cell cytotoxic activity. These data provide a strong rationale for further development of dual antibodies as an anti-cancer immunotherapy.

Citation Format: Meghan Zuck, Myriam Bouchlaka, Huyen Dinh, Kevin Green, Francisco Zapata, Ramya Chandrasekaran, Tatyana Pisarenko, Lauren Loh, Gajendra S. Naika, Meilyn Sylvestre, Jacob Heit, Raymond Fox, Darbie Whitman, Tom Graddis, Kamal D. Puri, Peter Probst. Discovery and preclinical characterization of dual antagonist antibodies targeting both LILRB1 and LILRB2 that enhance innate and adaptive anti-cancer immune responses [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6376.