The impact of Fc engineering on an anti-CD19 antibody: increased Fcgamma receptor affinity enhances B-cell clearing in nonhuman primates

Blood. 2009 Apr 16;113(16):3735-43. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-10-182048. Epub 2008 Dec 24.

Abstract

CD19, a B cell-restricted receptor critical for B-cell development, is expressed in most B-cell malignancies. The Fc-engineered anti-CD19 antibody, XmAb5574, has enhanced Fcgamma receptor (FcgammaR) binding affinity, leading to improved FcgammaR-dependent effector cell functions and antitumor activity in murine xenografts compared with the non-Fc-engineered anti-CD19 IgG1 analog. Here, we use XmAb5574 and anti-CD19 IgG1 to further dissect effector cell functions in an immune system closely homologous to that of humans, the cynomolgus monkey. XmAb5574 infusion caused an immediate and dose-related B-cell depletion in the blood (to <10% of baseline levels) concomitant with a sustained reduction of natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells had fully recovered by day 15, whereas B-cell recovery was underway by day 57. B cells in secondary lymphoid tissues were depleted (to 34%-61% of vehicle), with involuted germinal centers apparent in the spleen. Anti-CD19 IgG1 had comparable serum exposure to XmAb5574 but demonstrated no B-cell depletion and no sustained NK-cell reduction. Thus, increasing FcgammaR binding affinity dramatically increased B-cell clearing. We propose that effector cell functions, possibly those involving NK cells, mediate XmAb5574 potency in cynomolgus monkeys, and that enhancing these mechanisms should advance the treatment of B-cell malignancies in humans.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD19 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / pharmacology
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / pharmacology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Depletion / methods
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Protein Engineering*
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics
  • Receptors, IgG / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD19
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, IgG