Abstract 33: The binding mode of the bispecific anti-HER2xHER3 antibody MCLA-128 is responsible for its potent inhibition of HRG-driven tumorigenesis
Authors: David Maussang-Detaille, Camilla de Nardis, Linda Hendriks, Carina Bartelink-Clements, Eric Rovers, Tristan Gallenne, Robert Doornbos, Lex Bakker, John de Kruif, Ton Logtenberg, Piet Gros, Cecile Geuijen, Mark Throsby
Journal: Cancer Research (2017)

Abstract Introduction: MCLA-128 is as an ADCC-enhanced IgG1 bispecific antibody that targets the HER2:HER3 dimer and is currently being tested in Phase I/II clinical trials. MCLA-128 demonstrates an in vitro potency superior to other anti-HER2 and anti-HER3 antibodies in cells stimulated with high concentrations of heregulin (HRG) thereby overcoming one of the resistance mechanisms of current HER2 therapies. This study investigates the binding mode of MCLA-128 and proof of concept studies in HRG-driven tumor models. Methods: Alanine scanning shotgun mutagenesis was used to map the epitopes of MCLA-128 to HER2 and HER3. Fab fragments of MCLA-128 were crystallized with the soluble extracellular domains of HER2 and HER3. SAXS analysis on the HER2-HER3-MCLA-128 complex was performed to investigate the binding mode of the bispecific antibody in solution. Ligand-induced dimer specificity was investigated with PathHunter® heterodimerization assays. Bispecific anti-HER2xHER3 antibody and its parental anti-HER3 monoclonal antibody were labelled with 64Cu to compare their biodistribution profiles. The efficacy of MCLA-128 in HRG-driven systems was shown in vitro in MDA-MB-175 cells and in vivo in an orthotopic intracranial patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model originating from a breast cancer brain metastasis Results: The shotgun mutagenesis study identified that the bispecific antibody MCLA-128 binds amino acids T144, R166, R181 in HER2 domain I and R426 in HER3 domain III. Crystallographic studies confirmed the involvement of these critical residues and suggested that MCLA-128 locks the HER3 receptor in its ligand-unbound inactive confirmation. SAXS analysis suggests that the bispecific antibody MCLA-128 forms inter-dimer rather than intra-dimer interactions. In vitro, MCLA-128 specifically blocked HRG-induced signaling of HER2:HER3 but not HER2:HER4 heterodimers. Biodistribution of MCLA-128 in a xenograft model of breast cancer showed that the penetration of MCLA-128 in JIMT-1 HER2-amplified tumors is HER2-dependent despite the high affinity of the HER3 Fab arm for its receptor. MCLA-128 efficiently blocked tumor growth of the HRG-driven HER2 (1+) breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-175 in 3D in vitro. Treatment of orthotopically transplanted HER2-amplified breast cancer brain tumors in mice led to 100% survival with MCLA-128, in contrast to 38% and 0% survival in T-DM1 and vehicle treated mice respectively. Conclusion: MCLA-128 targets HER2-positive tumors via its HER2 arm and locks HER3 in an inactive confirmation. The potent anti-proliferative activity of MCLA-128 in vitro and in vivo supports the clinical development of this bispecific HER2xHER3 antibody in HRG-driven tumors. Citation Format: David Maussang-Detaille, Camilla de Nardis, Linda Hendriks, Carina Bartelink-Clements, Eric Rovers, Tristan Gallenne, Robert Doornbos, Lex Bakker, John de Kruif, Ton Logtenberg, Piet Gros, Cecile Geuijen, Mark Throsby. The binding mode of the bispecific anti-HER2xHER3 antibody MCLA-128 is responsible for its potent inhibition of HRG-driven tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 33. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-33