Superior antitumor activity of a novel bispecific antibody cotargeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and type I insulin-like growth factor receptor

Mol Cancer Ther. 2014 Jan;13(1):90-100. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-13-0558. Epub 2013 Nov 13.

Abstract

The humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech) effectively inhibits human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast tumors. However, many patients responding to treatment often develop resistance. Cross-talk between type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) and HER2 and elevated IGF-IR signaling have been implicated in tumor cell resistance to trastuzumab therapy. Previously, we reported that the anti-IGF-IR mAb m590 inhibits proliferation and migration of breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro. Here, we generated a "knobs-into-holes" bispecific antibody (Bi-Ab) against HER2 and IGF-IR by engineering trastuzumab and m590. We compared the effects of Bi-Ab treatment in vitro and in SKOV-3 HER2- and IGF-IR-overexpressing cancer xenograft mouse model with those of m590 and trastuzumab treatment alone or in combination. Bi-Ab effectively inhibited proliferation of HER2- and IGF-IR-overexpressing ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells in vitro by ablating receptor phosphorylation and downstream PI3K/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Bi-Ab more effectively inhibited cancer growth in SKOV-3 HER2- and IGF-IR-overexpressing cancer xenograft mouse model than m590 and trastuzumab alone or in combination. Mice bearing SKOV-3 HER2- and IGF-IR-overexpressing xenografts showed extensive and sustainable tumor regression when treated with Bi-Ab. Our results suggest that Bi-Ab has superior antitumor activity compared with monospecific antibodies, and cotargeting HER2 and IGF-IR may be clinically beneficial in minimizing the acquired resistance to trastuzumab therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology*
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / genetics
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1
  • Trastuzumab