Preclinical Characterization and Phase I Study of an Anti–HER2-TLR7 Immune-Stimulator Antibody Conjugate in Patients with HER2+ Malignancies

F Janku, SW Han, T Doi, A Amatu, JA Ajani… - Cancer immunology …, 2022 - AACR
F Janku, SW Han, T Doi, A Amatu, JA Ajani, Y Kuboki, A Cortez, SE Cellitti, PC Mahling…
Cancer immunology research, 2022AACR
Immune-stimulator antibody conjugates (ISAC) combining tumor-targeting monoclonal
antibodies with immunostimulatory agents allow targeted delivery of immune activators into
tumors. NJH395 is a novel, first-in-class ISAC comprising a Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR7)
agonist conjugated to an anti-HER2 antibody via a noncleavable linker payload. Preclinical
characterization showed ISAC-mediated activation of myeloid cells in the presence of
antigen-expressing cancer cells, with antigen targeting and TLR7 agonism contributing to …
Abstract
Immune-stimulator antibody conjugates (ISAC) combining tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies with immunostimulatory agents allow targeted delivery of immune activators into tumors. NJH395 is a novel, first-in-class ISAC comprising a Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist conjugated to an anti-HER2 antibody via a noncleavable linker payload. Preclinical characterization showed ISAC-mediated activation of myeloid cells in the presence of antigen-expressing cancer cells, with antigen targeting and TLR7 agonism contributing to antitumor activity. Safety, efficacy, immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics were investigated in a phase I, multicenter, open-label study in patients with HER2+ non-breast advanced malignancies (NCT03696771). Data from 18 patients enrolled in single ascending dose escalation demonstrated delivery of the TLR7-agonist payload in HER2+ tumor cells and induction of type I IFN responses, which correlated with immune modulation in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine release syndrome was a common, but manageable, drug-related adverse event. Antidrug antibodies and neuroinflammation at high doses represented significant clinical challenges. Data provide proof-of-mechanism and critical insights for novel immunotherapies.
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