OP0316 EMERGING BEST-IN-CLASS IL-2 VARIANT HIGHLIGHTS TREG-DIRECTED THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
Authors: Y. T. Hsieh, C. Hubeau, V. Massa, W. LI, S. Frei, B. Capraro, A. Umana, A. Aherrera, Y. LI, J. Xu, L. Rui
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: Impairment or deficiency of regulatory T cells (Treg) is associated with chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a cytokine indispensable for Treg expansion and immunosuppressive function. However, expansion of cytotoxic effector T (Teff) and NK cells and the associated vascular leakage side effect limit the use of IL-2 in autoimmune diseases [1]. Objectives: Cugene developed a long-acting IL-2 variant with high Treg specificity and low toxicity to restore immune homeostasis and self-tolerance, and potentially cure autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Methods: IL-2 variants were generated based on the quaternary structure of IL-2 and IL-2Rαβγ (alpha, beta, gamma) complex. Biological activity was determined by examining differential signaling activity in induction of STAT5 phosphorylation in defined lymphocyte populations of human PBMC using flow cytometry. Binding activity was evaluated by ELISA. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability were assessed in mice and cynomolgus monkeys. Treg suppressive function was determined in vivo / ex vivo, and anti-inflammatory and anti-antibody production efficacy were determined in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and T-cell-dependent antibody response (TDAR) models. Results: Structure-based rational design and activity-guided fine-tuning generated an optimized IL-2 variant, CUG252. It demonstrated a strong and near wild-type IL-2 ability to stimulate STAT5 phosphorylation in IL-2Rαβγ dominant Treg cells but abolished activities in IL-2Rβγ dominant effector CD4, CD8 and NK cells. This was a result of biased binding activity to IL-2Rα while dramatically attenuated binding to IL-2Rβγ complex. In mice and monkeys, administration of CUG252 resulted in dose-dependent increases in Treg proliferation and expansion by more than 10- and 30-fold, respectively, with largely abolished activities in CD4+ T conventional, cytotoxic CD8+ Teff and NK cells. The ratio of Treg/Teff cells achieved was as high as 0.4 in mice and 1.2 in monkeys. Both CD4+ and CD8+ Tregs were expanded with preferential increases in memory over naïve subsets. A substantial increase in Treg-suppressive capacity over T effector cells was corroborated by enhanced expression of functional and inhibitory markers, including CD25, Foxp3, PD-1, CTLA-4, Tim3 and ICOS. In DTH and TDAR models, CUG252 strongly inhibited antigen-driven inflammation, B cell maturation, and antibody production. The sustained PK/PD profile supports monthly dosing or better in humans. CUG252 was well-tolerated and no changes in body weight, body temperature, clinical pathology or signs of vascular leakage were observed. Moreover, CUG252 demonstrated superior manufacturability. Conclusion: CUG252 demonstrates an emerging best-in-class profile among IL-2 variants. It displayed exquisite Treg-selectivity while retaining potency comparable to wild-type IL-2. It showed strong anti-inflammatory and anti-antibody production efficacy with significantly improved therapeutic index and manufacturability. Its favorable drug-like property and robust preclinical efficacy warrant further evaluation in patients with a variety of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. References: [1]Tahvildari M. et al. Low-Dose IL-2 Therapy in Transplantation, Autoimmunity, and Inflammatory Diseases. J Immunol. 2019; 203: 2749-2755 Disclosure of Interests: Yao-te Hsieh Employee of: Cugene INC., CEDRIC HUBEAU Employee of: Cugene INC., Virginia MASSA Employee of: Cugene INC., WEN Li Employee of: Cugene INC., SANDRA FREI Employee of: Cugene INC., BEN CAPRARO Employee of: Cugene INC., ANDREA UMANA Employee of: Cugene INC., ANDREW AHERRERA Employee of: Cugene INC., YUESHENG LI Employee of: Cugene INC., JING XU Employee of: Cugene INC., LINGYUN RUI Employee of: Cugene INC.