Targeting mutant p53-expressing tumours with a T cell receptor-like antibody specific for a wild-type antigen

Nat Commun. 2019 Nov 26;10(1):5382. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13305-z.

Abstract

Accumulation of mutant p53 proteins is frequently found in a wide range of cancers. While conventional antibodies fail to target intracellular proteins, proteosomal degradation results in the presentation of p53-derived peptides on the tumour cell surface by class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Elevated levels of such p53-derived peptide-MHCs on tumour cells potentially differentiate them from healthy tissues. Here, we report the engineering of an affinity-matured human antibody, P1C1TM, specific for the unmutated p53125-134 peptide in complex with the HLA-A24 class I MHC molecule. We show that P1C1TM distinguishes between mutant and wild-type p53 expressing HLA-A24+ cells, and mediates antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity of mutant p53 expressing cells in vitro. Furthermore, we show that cytotoxic PNU-159682-P1C1TM drug conjugates specifically inhibit growth of mutant p53 expressing cells in vitro and in vivo. Hence, p53-associated peptide-MHCs are attractive targets for the immunotherapy against mutant p53 expressing tumours.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / genetics
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antibodies / pharmacology*
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cross Reactions
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Epitopes
  • HLA-A24 Antigen / genetics
  • HLA-A24 Antigen / immunology*
  • HLA-A24 Antigen / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • Mutation
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Epitopes
  • HLA-A24 Antigen
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53