Abstract A147: AO-176, a next-generation anti-CD47 antibody, induces immunogenic cell death
Authors: Pereira Daniel S. , Capoccia Benjamin J. , Hiebsch Ronald R. , Donio Michael J. , Carter Alun J. , Puro Robyn J. , Wilson W. Casey , Manning Pamela T. , Carr Robert W. 
Published: February 2019

Recent success in cancer immunotherapy has targeted immune checkpoints such as PD-1, PDL-1, and CTLA-4 to enhance the cytotoxic activity of the adaptive T-cell immune response. While the clinical response to these therapies has been dramatic for some, many others have shown partial or even no response highlighting the need for alternative or synergistic approaches that activate innate immunity. Disruption of the interaction between SIRP alpha and CD47, an innate checkpoint inhibitor, using anti-CD47 antibodies, for example, is known to enhance innate immunity by increasing the phagocytosis of tumor cells by macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) leading to processing and presentation of tumor antigens. Recently, we described AO-176, a next generation anti-CD47 antibody that blocks the CD47/SIRP alpha interaction, induces phagocytosis and causes a direct tumor cell-autonomous death while negligibly binding RBCs. Herein, we characterize the ability of our CD47 antibodies such as AO-176 to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in tumor cells and to potentiate chemotherapy-induced ICD/DAMPs. ICD is a process whereby an agent induces cell surface exposure and release of DAMPs from dying cells which stimulates DCs and adaptive immune responses. Tumor cells were treated in vitro with our CD47 antibodies either alone or in combination with chemotherapeutics followed by assessment of ICD/DAMPs using flow cytometry and biochemical assays. RNAseq was also performed on cells undergoing CD47 antibody mediated ICD/DAMP induction to better understand how CD47 inhibition may regulate ICD. AO-176 and other CD47 antibodies, developed by Arch Oncology, caused mitochondrial stress and loss of outer-membrane integrity, typically observed prior to cells undergoing apoptosis. In addition, CD47 antibody treatment induced a significant ER stress response at the genetic level resulting in the surface exposure of ER chaperone proteins calreticulin, Hsp90, and PDIA3. Concomitantly, our CD47 antibodies increased autophagy and JAK/STAT signaling, which resulted in both ATP and HMGB1 release, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated that in combination, our antibodies potentiated the effects of ICD/DAMP-inducing chemotherapy (e.g., doxorubicin). Here, we describe the unique ability of a specific subset of next generation CD47 antibodies, such as AO-176 to induce ICD/DAMPs. RNAseq analysis of treated cells also revealed alteration of several pathways, including those where DAMPs play a role. In summary, next-generation CD47 antibodies such as AO-176 may provide a novel approach to enhancing the current landscape of checkpoint immunotherapy by enhancing both the innate and adaptive immune responses against tumors.

Citation Format: Daniel S. Pereira, Benjamin J. Capoccia, Ronald R. Hiebsch, Michael J. Donio, Alun J. Carter, Robyn J. Puro, W. Casey Wilson, Pamela T. Manning, Robert W. Carr. AO-176, a next-generation anti-CD47 antibody, induces immunogenic cell death [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A147.