Combinatorial targeting of multiple myeloma by complementing T cell engaging antibody fragments

Abstract

Bispecific T cell engaging antibodies (BiTEs) address tumor associated antigens that are over-expressed on cancer but that can also be found on healthy tissues, causing substantial on-target/off-tumor toxicities. To overcome this hurdle, we recently introduced hemibodies, a pair of complementary antibody fragments that redirect T cells against cancer-defining antigen combinations. Here we show that hemibodies addressing CD38 and SLAMF7 recruit T cells for the exquisite elimination of dual antigen positive multiple myeloma cells while leaving single antigen positive bystanders unharmed. Moreover, CD38 and SLAMF7 targeting BiTEs, but not hemibodies induce massive cytokine release and T cell fratricide reactions, a major drawback of T cell recruiting strategies. Together, we provide evidence in vitro and in vivo that hemibodies can be developed for the effective and highly specific immunotherapy of multiple myeloma.