Abstract A114: Naturally occurring LAG3-blocking recombinant antibodies as a novel class of checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Tsimafeyeu Ilya , Makhov Petr , Bratslavsky Gennady 
Published: December 2023

LAG3 is a promising cancer immunotherapeutic target due to its negative regulatory role on T cells, NK cells, and B cells. Using our proprietary technology [US patent US9810694; 2017], we have isolated, sequenced, and pre-examined the potential immunological capability of fully human, naturally occurring anti-LAG3 antibodies. The best candidate, monoclonal antibody IG2 with molecular weight of 150 kDa and affinity of 4.4 nM, a complete recombinant reproduction of the antibody isolated from the human donor, was selected from 6 candidates for future research. In vitro allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays using human T cells were performed to evaluate lymphocyte responses to stimulation with IG2 (5 μg/ml) or regular RPMI media alone. LAG3 blockade systematically resulted in an enhancement of CD3+ T cell proliferation by 45%. The main impact was on proliferation of CD4+ T cells with 50% increase. The count of CD8+ T cells also increased by 36%. Another assay evaluated IFNγ expression in NK92 cells treated with anti-LAG3 antibody. NK92 cells were starved without IL-2 for 24 hours in complete NK cell media and then cultivated with IG2 (5 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml) or media for 24 hours. Even short-term cultivation led to an increase in IFNg expression by 50%. Increasing the dose of the antibody did not affect the level of IFNγ expression. We did not observe any antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in co-cultures of NK92 cells with 786-O (renal), H358 (lung) or Hct116 (colon) cancer cell lines. Several studies demonstrate that NK cells can stimulate the expression of pro-imflammatory/pro-tumorigenic cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, by tumor cells. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of IG2 on those genes’ expression induced by NK cells. Clear cell RCC cells (786-O) and NSCLC (H358) cell lines were co-cultured with NK92 cells for 2 hours and overnight with IG2 (1 mcg/ml) or media only. Co-cultivation of NK cells, cancer cells, and IG2 did not result in robust up-regulation of IL-6 and IL-8 by tumor cells.  In order to evaluate the direct impact of the IG2 antibody on tumor cells, we incubated 786-O renal carcinoma cells with escalating concentrations of anti-LAG3 antibodies for 72 hours followed by Cell Titer Blue analysis when compared to un-treated cells (0 ug/ml). As expected, there was no direct cytotoxic effect of the antibody on tumor cells. Finally, assuming that novel naturally occurring antibodies may lead to fewer adverse events, we evaluated the preliminary toxicity in vivo. Eighteen mice were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to IG2 antibody group (1 mg/kg, intravenously, twice a week, 6 weeks) or to the untreated control group. The use of the antibody at this dose did not lead to the development of toxicity and a change in the weight of the animals compared to the control group. The results of the first studies demonstrate the potential activity and safety of a recombinant anti-LAG3 antibody reproduced from a human donor.

Citation Format: Ilya Tsimafeyeu, Petr Makhov, Gennady Bratslavsky. Naturally occurring LAG3-blocking recombinant antibodies as a novel class of checkpoint inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2023 Oct 11-15; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2023;22(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A114.