CD137/OX40 bispecific antibody induces potent antitumor activity that is dependent on target coengagement

Abstract

Following the success of immune checkpoint blockade therapy against cancer, agonistic antibodies targeting T-cell costimulatory pathways are in clinical trials. The TNF superfamily of receptors (TNFRSF) members CD137 and OX40 are costimulatory receptors that stimulate T-cell proliferation and activation upon interaction with their cognate ligands. Activating CD137 and OX40 with agonistic mAbs stimulates the immune system due to their broad expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells and has antitumor effects in preclinical models. Most TNFRSF agonist antibodies require crosslinking via Fcg receptors (FcγR), which can limit their clinical activity. FS120 mAb2, a dual agonist bispecific antibody targeting CD137 and OX40, activated both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in an FcgR-independent mechanism, dependent on concurrent binding. A mouse surrogate version of the bispecific antibody displayed antitumor activity in syngeneic tumor models, independent of T regulatory cell depletion and of FcγR interaction, but associated with peripheral T-cell activation and proliferation. When compared with a crosslink-independent CD137 agonist mAb, the FS120 surrogate induced lower liver T-cell infiltration. These data support initiation of clinical development of FS120, a first-in-class dual agonist bispecific antibody for the treatment of human cancer.