Abstract LB131: CBO421, a novel drug Fc-conjugate, inhibits the enzymatic activity of CD73 and triggers CD73 internalization
Authors: Abelovski Elizabeth , Dedeic Nicholas , Döhrmann Simon , Levin James , Almaguer Amanda , Zuill Doug , Fortier Joanne , Zhao Qiping , Hernandez Maria , Amundson Karin , Moniz Madison , Chen Hongyuan , Panickar Dhanya , Lam Thanh , Brady Tom , Borchardt Allen , Hough Grayson , Locke Jeffrey B. , Cole Jason N. , Tari Leslie W. 
Published: April 2024

Background: CD73 (5’-nucleotidase or NT5E) is a cell surface enzyme responsible for the rate limiting step in adenosine production; the conversion of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) into adenosine. Immunosupressive adenosine contributes to immune evasion in solid tumors by accumulating within the tumor microenvironment and thereby inhibiting immune effector cells (e.g., CD8+ T cells). CD73 expression levels correlate with a worse prognosis in specific cancer types, including breast cancer. Adenosine production via CD73 can be therapeutically inhibited by two independent mechanisms: (1) enzyme inhibition, and (2) receptor internalization and subsequent degradation. CBO421, a drug Fc-conjugate (DFC), comprised of a novel small molecule CD73 inhibitor stably conjugated to an immune-silent human IgG1 Fc, achieves both mechanisms, combining the strengths of small molecule inhibitors and CD73-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with potential best-in-class efficacy.

Methods: The activities of CBO421, a commercially sourced CD73 small molecule inhibitor, quemliclustat (AB680), and biosimilar anti-CD73 mAb, oleclumab (MEDI9447), were investigated. Enzymatic inhibition of soluble CD73 and membrane-bound CD73 on MDA-MB-231 cells was determined. Receptor-mediated internalization of CD73 was assessed using the human triple-negative breast cancer cell line (TNBC), MDA-MB-231, by flow cytometry. Cells were treated with CBO421 or oleclumab. CD73 internalization was measured as the decrease in CD73 surface receptor signal over a 6 h time-course using an anti-human CD73 detection antibody with non-overlapping epitopes to CBO421 or oleclumab.

Results: CD73 inhibition by CBO421 of soluble CD73 or CD73 expressed on the surface of the MDA-MB-231 cell line was comparable or superior to AB680 or oleclumab. Receptor internalization activities of CBO421 and oleclumab were compared. CBO421 and oleclumab internalization percentages were determined at 1 h (52.3% vs 26.7%), 4 h (80.8% vs 38.0%), and 6 h (84.8% vs 42.9%) respectively, with CBO421 demonstrating superior maximal receptor internalization. The unconjugated hIgG1 Fc negative control did not exhibit any receptor-mediated internalization of CD73, as expected. IC50 values were also calculated for CBO421 and oleclumab at 1 h (0.20 nM vs 0.88 nM), 4 h (0.07 nM vs 0.27 nM), and 6 h (0.08 nM vs 0.14 nM), respectively.

Conclusions: CBO421 demonstrated potent and complete CD73 enzyme inhibition and robust CD73 receptor internalization in CD73+ cancer cells that was superior to oleclumab, thereby further differentiating CBO421 from existing CD73-targeting therapeutics currently in clinical development. Based on these compelling results and additional emerging data, CBO421 is progressing as a potential best-in-class clinical development candidate for the treatment of solid cancers.

Citation Format: Elizabeth Abelovski, Nicholas Dedeic, Simon Döhrmann, James Levin, Amanda Almaguer, Doug Zuill, Joanne Fortier, Qiping Zhao, Maria Hernandez, Karin Amundson, Madison Moniz, Hongyuan Chen, Dhanya Panickar, Thanh Lam, Tom Brady, Allen Borchardt, Grayson Hough, Jeffrey B. Locke, Jason N. Cole, Leslie W. Tari. CBO421, a novel drug Fc-conjugate, inhibits the enzymatic activity of CD73 and triggers CD73 internalization [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB131.