Monoclonal antibody therapy

Each antibody binds only one specific antigen.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is a form of immunotherapy that uses monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to specifically bind to target cells or proteins. This may then stimulate the patient's immune system to attack those cells. It is possible to create a mAb specific to almost any extracellular/ cell surface target, and thus there is a large amount of research and development currently being undertaken to create monoclonals for numerous serious diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Ebola[1] and different types of cancers). There are a number of ways that mAbs can be used for therapy. For example: mAb therapy can be used to destroy malignant tumor cells and prevent tumor growth by blocking specific cell receptors. Variations also exist within this treatment, e.g. radioimmunotherapy, where a radioactive dose localizes on target cell line, delivering lethal chemical doses to the target.[2]

Structure and function of human and therapeutic antibodies

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies are large heterodimeric molecules, approximately 150 kDa and are composed of two different kinds of polypeptide chain, called the heavy (~50kDa) and the light chain (~25kDa). There are two types of light chains, kappa (κ) and lambda (λ). By cleavage with enzyme papain, the Fab (fragment-antigen binding) part can be separated from the Fc (fragment constant) part of the molecule (see image). The Fab fragments contain the variable domains, which consist of three antibody hypervariable amino acid domains responsible for the antibody specificity embedded into constant regions. There are four known IgG subclasses all of which are involved in Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.[3]

The immune system responds to the environmental factors it encounters on the basis of discrimination between self and non-self. Tumor cells are not specifically targeted by one's immune system since tumor cells are the patient's own cells. Tumor cells, however are highly abnormal, and many display unusual antigens that are either inappropriate for the cell type, its environment, or are only normally present during the organisms' development (e.g. fetal antigens).[3]

Other tumor cells display cell surface receptors that are rare or absent on the surfaces of healthy cells, and which are responsible for activating cellular signal transduction pathways that cause the unregulated growth and division of the tumor cell. Examples include ErbB2, a constitutively active cell surface receptor that is produced at abnormally high levels on the surface of approximately 30% of breast cancer tumor cells. Such breast cancer is known a HER2 positive breast cancer.[4]

Antibodies are a key component of the adaptive immune response, playing a central role in both in the recognition of foreign antigens and the stimulation of an immune response to them. The advent of monoclonal antibody technology has made it possible to raise antibodies against specific antigens presented on the surfaces of tumors.[4]

Origins of monoclonal antibody therapy

Monoclonal antibodies for cancer. ADEPT, antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy; ADCC, antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity; CDC, complement dependent cytotoxicity; MAb, monoclonal antibody; scFv, single-chain Fv fragment.[5]

Immunotherapy developed as a technique with the discovery of the structure of antibodies and the development of hybridoma technology, which provided the first reliable source of monoclonal antibodies, and allowed therapeutic development since the 1970s.[6][7] These advances allowed for the specific targeting of tumors both in vitro and in vivo. Initial research on malignant neoplasms found MAb therapy of limited and generally short-lived success with malignancies of the blood.[8][9] Furthermore treatment had to be specifically tailored to each individual patient, thus proving to be impracticable for the routine clinical setting.

Throughout the progression of monoclonal drug development there have been four major antibody types developed: murine, chimeric, humanised and human.

Initial therapeutic antibodies were simple murine analogues, which contributed to the early lack of success. It has since been shown that these antibodies have: a short half-life in vivo (due to immune complex formation), limited penetration into tumour sites, and that they inadequately recruit host effector functions.[10] To overcome these difficulties the technical issues initially experienced had to be surpassed. Chimeric and humanized antibodies have generally replaced murine antibodies in modern therapeutic antibody applications. Hybridoma technology has been replaced by recombinant DNA technology, transgenic mice and phage display.[11] Understanding of proteomics has proven essential in identifying novel tumour targets.

Murine monoclonal antibodies (suffix -omab)

Initially, murine antibodies were obtained by hybridoma technology, for which Kohler and Milstein received a Nobel prize. However the dissimilarity between murine and human immune systems led to the clinical failure of these antibodies, except in some specific circumstances. Major problems associated with murine antibodies included reduced stimulation of cytotoxicity and the formation complexes after repeated administration, which resulted in mild allergic reactions and sometimes anaphylactic shock.[10]

Chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies (suffixes -ximab, -zumab respectively)

To reduce murine antibody immunogenicity, murine molecules were engineered to remove immunogenic content and to increase their immunologic efficiency.[10] This was initially achieved by the production of chimeric and humanized antibodies. Chimeric antibodies are composed of murine variable regions fused onto human constant regions. Human gene sequences, taken from the kappa light chain and the IgG1 heavy chain, results in antibodies that are approximately 65% human. This reduces immunogenicity, and thus increases serum half-life.

Humanised antibodies are produced by grafting murine hypervariable regions on amino acid domains into human antibodies. This results in a molecule of approximately 95% human origin. However it has been shown in several studies that humanised antibodies bind antigen much more weakly than the parent murine monoclonal antibody, with reported decreases in affinity of up to several hundredfold.[12][13] Increases in antibody-antigen binding strength have been achieved by introducing mutations into the complementarity determining regions (CDR),[14] using techniques such as chain-shuffling, randomization of complementarity determining regions and generation of antibody libraries with mutations within the variable regions by error-prone PCR, E. coli mutator strains, and site-specific mutagenesis.[2]

Human monoclonal antibodies (suffix -umab)

Human monoclonal antibodies are produced using transgenic mice or phage display libraries. Human monoclonal antibodies are produced by transferring human immunoglobulin genes into the murine genome, after which the transgenic mouse is vaccinated against the desired antigen, leading to the production of monoclonal antibodies.,[11] allowing the transformation of murine antibodies in vitro into fully human antibodies.[4]

The heavy and light chains of human IgG proteins are expressed in structural polymorphic (allotypic) forms. Human IgG allotype has been considered as one of the many factors that can contribute to immunogenicity.[15] The general scheme of a monoclonal antibody development program is described in.[16]

Targeted conditions

Cancer

Anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies can be targeted against malignant cells by several mechanisms:

Autoimmune diseases

Monoclonal antibodies used for autoimmune diseases include infliximab and adalimumab, which are effective in rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative Colitis by their ability to bind to and inhibit TNF-α.[19] Basiliximab and daclizumab inhibit IL-2 on activated T cells and thereby help preventing acute rejection of kidney transplants.[19] Omalizumab inhibits human immunoglobulin E (IgE) and is useful in moderate-to-severe allergic asthma.

FDA approved therapeutic antibodies

The first FDA-approved therapeutic monoclonal antibody was a murine IgG2a CD3 specific transplant rejection drug, OKT3 (also called muromonab), in 1986. This drug found use in solid organ transplant recipients who became steroid resistant.[20] Hundreds of therapies are undergoing clinical trials. Most are concerned with immunological and oncological targets.

Example FDA approved therapeutic monoclonal antibodies[2]
AntibodyBrand name Company Approval date Type Target Indication
(Targeted disease)
Abciximab ReoPro Eli Lilly 1994 chimericinhibition of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Cardiovascular disease
Adalimumab Humira Abbott_Laboratories 2002 human inhibition of TNF-α signaling Several auto-immune disorders
Alemtuzumab Campath Genzyme 2001 humanized CD52 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Basiliximab Simulect Novartis 1998 chimeric IL-2Rα receptor (CD25) Transplant rejection
Belimumab Benlysta GlaxoSmithKline 2011 human inihibition of B- cell activating factor Systemic lupus erythematosus
Bevacizumab Avastin Genentech/Roche 2004 humanized Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Colorectal cancer, Age related macular degeneration (off-label)
Brentuximab vedotin Adcetris 2011 Chimeric CD30 Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma
Canakinumab Ilaris Novartis 2009 Human IL-1β Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS)
Cetuximab Erbitux Bristol-Myers Squibb/Eli Lilly/Merck KGaA 2004 chimeric epidermal growth factor receptor Colorectal cancer, Head and neck cancer
Certolizumab pegol[21] Cimzia UCB (company) 2008 humanized inhibition of TNF-α signaling Crohn's disease
Daclizumab Zenapax Genentech/Roche 1997 humanized IL-2Rα receptor (CD25) Transplant rejection
Denosumab Prolia, Xgeva Amgen 2010 Human RANK Ligand inhibitorPostmenopausal osteoporosis, Solid tumor`s bony metasteses
Eculizumab Soliris Alexion Pharmaceuticals 2007 humanized Complement system protein C5 Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Efalizumab Raptiva Genentech/Merck Serono 2002 humanized CD11a Psoriasis
Gemtuzumab Mylotarg Wyeth 2000 humanized CD33 Acute myelogenous leukemia (with calicheamicin)
Golimumab Simponi Johnson & Johnson/Merck & Co, Inc. 2009 Human TNF-alpha inihibitor Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, and Ankylosing spondylitis
Ibritumomab tiuxetan Zevalin Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2002 murine CD20 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (with yttrium-90 or indium-111)
InfliximabRemicade Janssen Biotech, Inc./Merck & Co 1998 chimeric inhibition of TNF-α signaling Several autoimmune disorders
Ipilimumab ( MDX-101 ) Yervoy 2011 Human blocks CTLA-4 Melanoma
Muromonab-CD3 Orthoclone OKT3 Janssen-Cilag 1986 murine T cell CD3 Receptor Transplant rejection
Natalizumab Tysabri Biogen Idec/Élan 2006 humanized alpha-4 (α4) integrin, Multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease
Ofatumumab Arzerra 2009 Human CD20 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Omalizumab Xolair Genentech/Novartis 2004 humanized immunoglobulin E (IgE) mainly allergy-related asthma
Palivizumab Synagis MedImmune 1998 humanized an epitope of the RSV F protein Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Panitumumab Vectibix Amgen 2006 human epidermal growth factor receptor Colorectal cancer
Ranibizumab Lucentis Genentech/Novartis 2006 humanized Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) Macular degeneration
Rituximab Rituxan, Mabthera Biogen Idec/Genentech 1997 chimeric CD20 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Tocilizumab ( or Atlizumab ) Actemra and RoActemra 2010 Humanised Anti- IL-6RRheumatoid arthritis
Tositumomab Bexxar GlaxoSmithKline 2003 murine CD20 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Trastuzumab Herceptin Genentech 1998 humanized ErbB2 Breast cancer
Ustekinumab Stelara Centocor 2013 IL-12, IL-23 Psoriatic Arthritis, Plaque Psoriasis
Vedolizumab Entyvio Takeda 2014 humanized integrin α4β7 Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis

Recently, the bispecific antibodies, a novel class of therapeutic antibodies, have yielded promising results in clinical trials. In April 2009, the bispecific antibody catumaxomab was approved in the European Union.[22][23]

Economics

Since 2000, the therapeutic market for monoclonal antibodies has grown exponentially. The current “big 5” therapeutic antibodies on the market are bevacizumab, trastuzumab (both oncology), adalimumab, infliximab (both autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, ‘AIID’) and rituximab (oncology and AIID) accounted for 80% of revenues in 2006. In 2007, eight of the 20 best-selling biotechnology drugs in the U.S. are therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.[24] This rapid growth in demand for monoclonal antibody production has been well accommodated by the industrialization of mAb manufacturing.[25]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gene Garrard Olinger, Jr., James Pettitt, Do Kim, Cara Working, Ognian Bohorov, Barry Bratcher, Ernie Hiatt, Steven D. Hume, Ashley K. Johnson, Josh Morton, Michael Pauly, Kevin J. Whaley, Calli M. Lear, Julia E. Biggins, Corinne Scully, Lisa Hensley, and Larry Zeitlin (2012). "Delayed treatment of Ebola virus infection with plant-derived monoclonal antibodies provides protection in rhesus macaques". PNAS 109 (44): 18030–5. doi:10.1073/pnas.1213709109. PMC 3497800. PMID 23071322.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Waldmann, Thomas A. (2003). "Immunotherapy: past, present and future". Nature Medicine 9 (3): 269–277. doi:10.1038/nm0303-269. PMID 12612576.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Janeway, Charles; Paul Travers; Mark Walport; Mark Shlomchik (2001). Immunobiology; Fifth Edition. New York and London: Garland Science. ISBN 0-8153-4101-6.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Janeway CA, Jr. et al. (2005). Immunobiology. (6th ed.). Garland Science. ISBN 0-443-07310-4.
  5. ↑ Modified from Carter P (November 2001). "Improving the efficacy of antibody-based cancer therapies". Nat. Rev. Cancer 1 (2): 118–29. doi:10.1038/35101072. PMID 11905803.
  6. ↑ Prof FC Breedveld (2000). "Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies". Lancet. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)01034-5.
  7. ↑ Köhler G, Milstein C (August 1975). "Continuous cultures of fused cells secreting antibody of predefined specificity". Nature 256 (5517): 495–7. Bibcode:1975Natur.256..495K. doi:10.1038/256495a0. PMID 1172191.
  8. ↑ Nadler LM, Stashenko P, Hardy R et al. (September 1980). "Serotherapy of a patient with a monoclonal antibody directed against a human lymphoma-associated antigen". Cancer Res. 40 (9): 3147–54. PMID 7427932.
  9. ↑ Ritz J, Schlossman SF (January 1982). "Utilization of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma". Blood 59 (1): 1–11. PMID 7032624.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Stern M, Herrmann R (April 2005). "Overview of monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy: present and promise". Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. 54 (1): 11–29. doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2004.10.011. PMID 15780905.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Hudson PJ, Souriau C (January 2003). "Engineered antibodies". Nat. Med. 9 (1): 129–34. doi:10.1038/nm0103-129. PMID 12514726.
  12. ↑ Carter P, Presta L, Gorman CM et al. (May 1992). "Humanization of an anti-p185HER2 antibody for human cancer therapy". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89 (10): 4285–9. Bibcode:1992PNAS...89.4285C. doi:10.1073/pnas.89.10.4285. PMC 49066. PMID 1350088.
  13. ↑ Presta LG, Lahr SJ, Shields RL et al. (September 1993). "Humanization of an antibody directed against IgE". J. Immunol. 151 (5): 2623–32. PMID 8360482.
  14. ↑ Chothia C, Lesk AM, Tramontano A et al. (1989). "Conformations of immunoglobulin hypervariable regions". Nature 342 (6252): 877–83. Bibcode:1989Natur.342..877C. doi:10.1038/342877a0. PMID 2687698.
  15. ↑ Jefferis, Roy; Marie-Paule Lefranc (July–August 2009). "Human immunoglobulin allotypes". MAbs 1 (4): 332–338. doi:10.4161/mabs.1.4.9122. PMC 2726606. PMID 20073133.
  16. ↑ Chapman, Kathryn; Nick Pullen, Lee Coney, Maggie Dempster, Laura Andrews, Jeffrey Bajramovic, Paul Baldrick, Lorrene Buckley, Abby Jacobs, Geoff Hale, Colin Green, Ian Ragan and Vicky Robinson (2009). "Preclinical development of monoclonal antibodies". MAbs 1 (5): 505–516. doi:10.4161/mabs.1.5.9676. PMC 2759500. PMID 20065651.
  17. ↑ Francis RJ, Sharma SK, Springer C et al. (2002). "A phase I trial of antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma or other CEA producing tumours". Br J Cancer 87 (6): 600–7. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6600517. PMC 2364249. PMID 12237768.
  18. ↑ Krauss WC, Park JW, Kirpotin DB, Hong K, Benz CC (2000). "Emerging antibody-based HER2 (ErbB-2/neu) therapeutics". Breast Dis 11: 113–124. PMID 15687597.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Rang, H. P. (2003). Pharmacology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. p. 241. ISBN 0-443-07145-4.
  20. ↑ Hooks MA, Wade CS, Millikan WJ (1991). "Muromonab CD-3: a review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical use in transplantation". Pharmacotherapy 11 (1): 26–37. PMID 1902291.
  21. ↑ Goel, Niti; Stephens, Sue (2010). "Certolizumab Pegol". MAbs 2 (2): 137–147. doi:10.4161/mabs.2.2.11271. PMC 2840232. PMID 20190560.
  22. ↑ Chames, Patrick; Baty, Daniel (2009). "Bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy: The light at the end of the tunnel?". MAbs 1 (6): 539–547. doi:10.4161/mabs.1.6.10015. PMC 2791310. PMID 20073127.
  23. ↑ Linke, Rolf; Klein, Anke and Seimetz, Diane (2010). "Catumaxomab: Clinical development and future directions". MAbs 2 (2): 129–136. doi:10.4161/mabs.2.2.11221.
  24. ↑ Scolnik, Pablo A. (2009). "mAbs: A business perspective". MAbs 1 (2): 179–184. doi:10.4161/mabs.1.2.7736. PMC 2725420. PMID 20061824.
  25. ↑ Kelley, Brian (2009). "Industrialization of mAb production technology". MAbs 1 (5): 443–452. doi:10.4161/mabs.1.5.9448. PMC 2759494. PMID 20065641.

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