Abstract 3769: Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship for AB928, a dual antagonist of the A2aR and A2bR adenosine receptors
Authors: Seitz Lisa , Ashok Devika , Leleti Manmohan R. , Powers Jay P. , Rosen Brandon , Miles Dillon , Jin Lixia , Park Adam , Park Tim , Young Steve , Soriano Ferdie , Rieger Aimee , Schindler Ulrike , Karakunnel Joyson , Walters Matt J. 
Published: August 2018

INTRODUCTION: CD73 converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP), derived from adenosine triphosphate, into adenosine (ADO). ADO suppresses immune responses, including those of T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells, via A2aR and A2bR receptors. Activation of these receptors results in increased intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and phosphorylation of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Monitoring the degree of pCREB induced by activation of the Aa2R and A2bR receptors in peripheral blood allows for a specific measurement of target engagement by AB928. In mice, the pCREB assay, coupled with changes in immune cell infiltrate and tumor growth rates, allows for a fuller understanding of the drug's PK/PD relationship.

METHODS: Mouse and human whole blood was stimulated with the adenosine agonist NECA (5'-N-Ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) following in vitro spike in or in vivo dosing with AB928. Multi-color phospho-flow cytometry was used to assess levels of pCREB on immune cells. AB928 levels in plasma samples were determined using LC-MS-MS after protein precipitation.

RESULTS: A2aR mRNA was the most prevalent adenosine receptor in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. NK cells also express primarily A2aR, although A2bR was also detected. Dendritic cells and CD14+ monocytes expressed both A2aR and A2bR. NECA stimulation of mouse whole blood resulted in a significant increase in the levels of pCREB within CD8+ T cells with an EC50 of 100 nM, while in human whole blood the EC50 was higher at 700 nM. AB928 (100 nM) exhibited comparable shifts in the NECA dose response between human and murine whole blood, 15 and 16-fold, respectively. Due to the high level of adenosine in the tumor microenvironment, doses of AB928 associated with plasma levels that significantly inhibited 5 μM NECA in the whole-blood pCREB assay were selected for mouse efficacy studies. At these doses, significant reductions in tumor growth were noted. In human whole blood, approximately 90 nM AB928 was required to inhibit 50% of the 5 μM NECA-induced pCREB signal. Inhibition was observed on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. NECA-induced pCREB elevations were observed in CD14+ cells less frequently than T cells; however, when the signal was observed, AB928 inhibited it. The human pCREB assay is being utilized to monitor the PD responses in an ongoing clinical trial. Preliminary PK/PD results from this study will be presented.

CONCLUSIONS: Systemic extent of receptor (A2aR and A2bR) occupancy by the novel dual antagonist AB928 can be assessed in humans and mice based on the extent of receptor-mediated CREB phosphorylation in blood lymphocytes. AB928 retains much of its inherent potency when competing against high concentrations of adenosine under physiologically relevant conditions (i.e., whole blood).

Citation Format: Lisa Seitz, Devika Ashok, Manmohan R. Leleti, Jay P. Powers, Brandon Rosen, Dillon Miles, Lixia Jin, Adam Park, Tim Park, Steve Young, Ferdie Soriano, Aimee Rieger, Ulrike Schindler, Joyson Karakunnel, Matt J. Walters. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship for AB928, a dual antagonist of the A2aR and A2bR adenosine receptors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3769.