Abstract 4775: Optimizing the potency and dosing design for ARO-HIF2: An RNAi therapeutic for clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wong So C. , Nicholas Anthony , Carlson Jeff , Shu Dongxu , Liu Che , Chu Rui , Frankiewicz Amanda , Hamilton Holly , Schienebeck Casi , Andersen Aaron , Fowler-Watters Matthew , Bertin Stephanie , Li Xiaokai , Chen Bo , Schumacher Josh , Hegge Julia , Given Bruce , Li Zhen 
Published: August 2019

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) frequently involves the inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor. Loss of VHL functions lead to the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). HIF2α has been regarded as a key tumorigenic driver of ccRCC and an attractive therapeutic target. Arrowhead has developed a RNA interference therapeutic (HIF2 RNAi) to selectively target and silence HIF2α expression, using a proprietary targeted-RNAi molecule (TRiM™) delivery platform for the treatment of ccRCC. The TRiM™ based Hif2 construct comprises a highly potent RNAi trigger using stabilization chemistries, targeting ligands to facilitate delivery, and structures to enhance pharmacokinetics (PK). The optimization of HIF2 RNAi to enhance the potency and safety profile to maximize the potential clinical success is described.

Methods: Functional optimization of HIF2 RNAi was evaluated in an orthotopic ccRCC tumor xenograft model established with A498 ccRCC cells that stably expresses the reporter gene SEAP (secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase) as a serum biomarker for monitoring tumor growth. HIF2 RNAi was delivered by intravenous injections. HIF2α gene silencing was evaluated by isolating tumor RNA and measuring relative gene expression by qRT-PCR.

Results: We demonstrate that to achieve deep HIF2α mRNA knockdown (KD), functionalizing HIF2 RNAi with PK enhancement and tumor targeting ligand (TTL) is required. Optimization of the HIF2 RNAi construct enabled a 10-fold improvement in potency. Evaluation of a loading dose regimen improved overall HIF2α mRNA KD compared to a single administration of equal total dosage. Utilizing this strategy, we demonstrated that silencing of HIF2α mRNA (85% KD) resulted in tumor growth inhibition in the A498 xenograft model. Significant improvement in overall survival was also seen in a patient derived xenograft model. Histology evaluation of tumor samples revealed extensive tumor destruction with clusters of apoptotic cells and necrosis. Follow-up studies suggest that loading doses can be administered four hours apart without loss in potency. This allows dosing to be completed in one day and may be more acceptable in clinical settings. The maximum HIF2α mRNA KD after a single dose of HIF2 RNAi was achieved about 7 days after dosing and sustained for about one week in the xenograft model. This suggests that dosing can likely be less frequent in clinical settings. An exploratory toxicity study in rats predicts a wide safety margin.

Conclusions: We demonstrate that the TRiM™ delivery platform can be utilized to deliver a RNAi therapeutic selectively targeting HIF2α for the treatment of ccRCC. This represents a novel therapeutic approach either as a monotherapy or in combination with other therapies in seeking better tolerated and/or more effective treatment for ccRCC.

Citation Format: So C. Wong, Anthony Nicholas, Jeff Carlson, Dongxu Shu, Che Liu, Rui Chu, Amanda Frankiewicz, Holly Hamilton, Casi Schienebeck, Aaron Andersen, Matthew Fowler-Watters, Stephanie Bertin, Xiaokai Li, Bo Chen, Josh Schumacher, Julia Hegge, Bruce Given, Zhen Li. Optimizing the potency and dosing design for ARO-HIF2: An RNAi therapeutic for clear cell renal cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4775.