HDP-101, an anti-bcma antibody–drug conjugate, safely delivers amanitin to induce cell death in proliferating and resting multiple myeloma cells

V Figueroa-Vazquez, J Ko, C Breunig… - Molecular cancer …, 2021 - AACR
V Figueroa-Vazquez, J Ko, C Breunig, A Baumann, N Giesen, A Pálfi, C Müller, C Lutz…
Molecular cancer therapeutics, 2021AACR
Despite major treatment advances in recent years, patients with multiple myeloma inevitably
relapse. The RNA polymerase II complex has been identified as a promising therapeutic
target in both proliferating and dormant cancer cells. Alpha-amanitin, a toxin so far without
clinical application due to high liver toxicity, specifically inhibits this complex. Here, we
describe the development of HDP-101, an anti–B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) antibody
conjugated with an amanitin derivative. HDP-101 displayed high efficacy against both …
Abstract
Despite major treatment advances in recent years, patients with multiple myeloma inevitably relapse. The RNA polymerase II complex has been identified as a promising therapeutic target in both proliferating and dormant cancer cells. Alpha-amanitin, a toxin so far without clinical application due to high liver toxicity, specifically inhibits this complex. Here, we describe the development of HDP-101, an anti–B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) antibody conjugated with an amanitin derivative. HDP-101 displayed high efficacy against both proliferating and resting myeloma cells in vitro, sparing BCMA-negative cells. In subcutaneous and disseminated murine xenograft models, HDP-101 induced tumor regression at low doses, including durable complete remissions after a single intravenous dose. In cynomolgus monkeys, HDP-101 was well tolerated with a promising therapeutic index. In conclusion, HDP-101 safely and selectively delivers amanitin to myeloma cells and provides a novel therapeutic approach to overcome drug resistance in this disease.
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