Preclinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics of an RNA-encoded T cell-engaging bispecific antibody targeting human claudin 6

Sci Transl Med. 2024 May 22;16(748):eadl2720. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adl2720. Epub 2024 May 22.

Abstract

We present the preclinical pharmacology of BNT142, a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated RNA (RNA-LNP) encoding a T cell-engaging bispecific antibody that monovalently binds the T cell marker CD3 and bivalently binds claudin 6 (CLDN6), an oncofetal antigen that is absent from normal adult tissue but expressed on various solid tumors. Upon BNT142 RNA-LNP delivery in cell culture, mice, and cynomolgus monkeys, RNA is translated, followed by self-assembly into and secretion of the functional bispecific antibody RiboMab02.1. In vitro, RiboMab02.1 mediated CLDN6 target cell-specific activation and proliferation of T cells, and potent target cell killing. In mice and cynomolgus monkeys, intravenously administered BNT142 RNA-LNP maintained therapeutic serum concentrations of the encoded antibody. Concentrations of RNA-encoded RiboMab02.1 were maintained longer in circulation in mice than concentrations of directly injected, sequence-identical protein. Weekly injections of mice with BNT142 RNA-LNP in the 0.1- to 1-μg dose range were sufficient to eliminate CLDN6-positive subcutaneous human xenograft tumors and increase survival over controls. Tumor regression was associated with an influx of T cells and depletion of CLDN6-positive cells. BNT142 induced only transient and low cytokine production in CLDN6-positive tumor-bearing mice humanized with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). No signs of adverse effects from BNT142 RNA-LNP administration were observed in mice or cynomolgus monkeys. On the basis of these and other findings, a phase 1/2 first-in-human clinical trial has been initiated to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of BNT142 RNA-LNP in patients with CLDN6-positive advanced solid tumors (NCT05262530).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / pharmacokinetics
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Claudins* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liposomes
  • Macaca fascicularis*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles
  • RNA / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes* / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • claudin 6
  • Claudins
  • RNA
  • Lipid Nanoparticles
  • Liposomes

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05262530