Novel humanized and highly efficient bispecific antibodies mediate killing of prostate stem cell antigen-expressing tumor cells by CD8+ and CD4+ T cells

J Immunol. 2012 Sep 15;189(6):3249-59. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200341. Epub 2012 Aug 8.

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy in men. The prostate stem cell Ag (PSCA) is a promising target for immunotherapy of advanced disease. Based on a novel mAb directed to PSCA, we established and compared a series of murine and humanized anti-CD3-anti-PSCA single-chain bispecific Abs. Their capability to redirect T cells for killing of tumor cells was analyzed. During these studies, we identified a novel bispecific humanized Ab that efficiently retargets T cells to tumor cells in a strictly Ag-dependent manner and at femtomolar concentrations. T cell activation, cytokine release, and lysis of target cells depend on a cross-linkage of redirected T cells with tumor cells, whereas binding of the anti-CD3 domain alone does not lead to an activation or cytokine release. Interestingly, both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells are activated in parallel and can efficiently mediate the lysis of tumor cells. However, the onset of killing via CD4+ T cells is delayed. Furthermore, redirecting T cells via the novel humanized bispecific Abs results in a delay of tumor growth in xenografted nude mice.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bispecific / physiology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / physiology*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Cell Death / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / biosynthesis
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Stem Cells / pathology
  • Tumor Stem Cell Assay* / methods

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PSCA protein, human