Abstract C126: PRLR ADC: A novel antibody drug-conjugate for the treatment of PRLR positive breast cancer
Authors: Kelly Marcus P. , Coetzee Sandra , Hickey Carlos , Makonnen Sosina , Delfino Frank , Andreev Julian , Kunz Arthur , D'Souza Christopher , Giurleo Jason , Nittoli Thomas , Trail Pamela A. , Papadopoulos Nicholas , Thurston Gavin , Kirshner Jessica R. 
Published: May 2016

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprised of various subtypes based on pathology and molecular profiling. Expression of hormone receptors (HR) and HER2 biomarkers are important determinants of therapy choice, due to the established role of these proteins as drivers of disease. Prolactin Receptor (PRLR) is a type 1 cytokine receptor that is expressed on a subset of breast cancers and may contribute to pathogenesis. Functionally, activation of PRLR by the hormone ligand Prolactin (PRL) induces PRLR dimerization and signaling resulting in cell proliferation and differentiation. While PRLR is expressed at low levels in some normal human tissues including the mammary gland, it is relatively overexpressed in ∼25% of human breast tumors and importantly, is rapidly internalized upon binding of anti-PRLR antibodies.

We developed an anti-PRLR antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), PRLR ADC, to target PRLR positive breast cancer. PRLR ADC is comprised of a fully human high affinity function-blocking anti-PRLR IgG1 antibody conjugated via a non-cleavable SMCC linker to the cytotoxic maytansine derivative DM1. Both unconjugated anti-PRLR antibody and the PRLR ADC block PRL mediated activation in vitro and induce rapid internalization of the receptor into lysosomes. PRLR ADC induces potent cell cycle arrest and cytotoxicity in several PRLR-expressing cell lines.

The in vivo efficacy of PRLR ADC was explored in breast cancer cell line xenograft models expressing both endogenous PRLR (MCF7, T47D) or transfected receptor (MCF7/PRLR). Treatment of tumor bearing SCID (T47D) or NCr Nude (MCF7) animals was initiated approximately 15 days post implantation of cells where tumor volumes averaged 150-200 mm3. In both T47D and MCF7/PRLR xenograft models, where PRLR is expressed highly, single or multiple (once weekly x 3) doses of 2.5-15 mg/kg resulted in significant inhibition of tumor xenograft growth. In the MCF7 model that expresses low levels of PRLR, inhibition and regression of tumors was observed at 10 and 15 mg/kg dose levels. In all models, higher doses resulted in greater and more prolonged repression of tumor growth. Conjugation of DM1 to anti-PRLR antibody was required for efficacy, as unconjugated antibody had no effect on tumor growth. Anti-tumor efficacy of PRLR ADC was also assessed in NSG mice bearing breast cancer Patient Derived Xenograft (PDXs) tumors with moderate and heterogeneous expression of PRLR. Treatment was initiated 21 days after implantation of the PDX tumors where the average tumor volume was ∼500mm3. Anti-tumor efficacy was observed following 10 or 20 mg/kg PRLR ADC dosed once weekly x 4.

These studies demonstrate the promising anti-tumor activity of the PRLR ADC against PRLR positive breast cancers and support the continued development of this agent.

Citation Format: Marcus P. Kelly, Sandra Coetzee, Carlos Hickey, Sosina Makonnen, Frank Delfino, Julian Andreev, Arthur Kunz, Christopher D'Souza, Jason Giurleo, Thomas Nittoli, Pamela A. Trail, Nicholas Papadopoulos, Gavin Thurston, Jessica R. Kirshner. PRLR ADC: A novel antibody drug-conjugate for the treatment of PRLR positive breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr C126.