Abstract 6719: TriTCE Co-Stim: A next generation trispecific T cell engager platform with integrated CD28 costimulation, engineered to improve responses in the treatment of solid tumors
Authors: Newhook Lisa , Bhojane Purva , Stahl Kurt , Escalante Nichole E. , Repenning Peter , Escanda Diego Perez , Shao Polly , Poffenberger Maya C. , Robinson Alec , Patel Kesha , Livernois Alexandra , Piscitelli Chayne L. , Afacan Nicole , Moore Paul A. , Weisser Nina E. , von Kreudenstein Thomas Spreter 
Published: March 2024

Bispecific T cell engagers (TCEs) have exhibited clinical successes in the treatment of hematological cancers, while treatment of solid tumors remains a challenge. Treatment of solid tumors with conventional CD3-engaging TCEs can result in limited T cell proliferation and recruitment to the tumor site, and treatment related T cell anergy, thus restricting the ability of bispecific TCEs to inhibit growth of these poorly infiltrated tumors and rapidly growing tumors. Next generation tumor-targeting, trispecific T cell engagers with integrated costimulation (TriTCE Co-Stim) have the potential to provide more durable responses and re-invigorate T cell responses by mediating integrated signaling through CD3 (signal 1) and co-stimulation through CD28 (signal 2). Superagonist anti-CD28 antibodies activate T cells but resulted in clinical toxicities with severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Therefore, achieving a balance between signal 1 and 2 is critical for optimal T cell activation and proliferation. Using our AzymetricTM and EFECTTM platforms, we generated heterodimeric TriTCE Co-Stim antibody formats with various geometries and affinities to optimize T cell response and widen the therapeutic window for the treatment of solid tumors.

We have previously described screening and interrogation of different TriTCE Co-stim formats and paratope affinities, and the selection of a lead format with optimized CD3 and CD28 T cell activation. Here, we have further expanded our validation of the TriTCE Co-stim platform with our lead CLDN18.2 TriTCE co-stim format, to include a tolerability assessment in nonhuman primates.Our lead TriTCE Co-Stim format exhibited a favorable safety profile in vitro and mediated target-dependent induction of T cell activity, with enhanced proliferation, survival, and T cell-mediated cytotoxic potency compared to bispecific TCEs. In a predictive in vivo model of CRS, our lead TriTCE Co-Stim did not exhibit systemic toxicity or peripheral cytokine release. TriTCE Co-Stim mediated enhanced tumor growth regression in vivo with an increase of T cells within the tumor and no increase of T cells within the periphery.

Repeat doses of the lead TriTCE Co-Stim molecule at 3 mg/kg were well-tolerated in nonhuman primates with no abnormal clinical signs. Minor decreases in body weight and food consumption were observed. Clinical pathology changes were consistent with a mild systemic inflammatory response.

In summary, our lead TriTCE co-stim molecule has enhanced target-dependent antitumor activity vs. bispecific benchmarks and is tolerated a murine CRS model and repeat dose non-human primate study. These data suggest TriTCE Co-stim may provide tolerable and more durable antitumor responses and contribute to improved clinical outcomes.

Citation Format: Lisa Newhook, Purva Bhojane, Kurt Stahl, Nichole E. Escalante, Peter Repenning, Diego Perez Escanda, Polly Shao, Maya C. Poffenberger, Alec Robinson, Kesha Patel, Alexandra Livernois, Chayne L. Piscitelli, Nicole Afacan, Paul A. Moore, Nina E. Weisser, Thomas Spreter von Kreudenstein. TriTCE Co-Stim: A next generation trispecific T cell engager platform with integrated CD28 costimulation, engineered to improve responses in the treatment of solid tumors [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 6719.