Finding that wild-type or mutated anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is expressed on the surface of most neuroblastoma cells, but not on normal tissue, Sano et al. developed an antibody-drug conjugate (CDX-0125-TEI) consisting of an anti-ALK mAb coupled via a cleavable linker to a thienoindole (a DNA alkylating agent). In vitro, CDX-0125-TEI killed ALK+ human neuroblastoma-derived cells by inducing DNA damage and apoptosis. In mice with patient-derived xenografts, CDX-0125-TEI was well tolerated and delayed tumor growth independent of ALK mutation status, although all tumors progressed.
Enthusiasm for the use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in cancer therapy has risen over the past few years. The success of this therapeutic approach relies on the identification of cell surface antigens that are widely and selectively expressed on tumor cells. Studies have shown that native ALK protein is expressed on the surface of most neuroblastoma cells, providing an opportunity for development of immune-targeting strategies. Clinically relevant antibodies for this target have not yet been developed. Here, we describe the development of an ALK-ADC, CDX-0125-TEI, which selectively targets both wild-type and mutated ALK-expressing neuroblastomas. CDX-0125-TEI exhibited efficient antigen binding and internalization, and cytotoxicity at picomolar concentrations in cells with different expression of ALK on the cell surface. In vivo studies showed that CDX-0125-TEI is effective against ALK wild-type and mutant patient-derived xenograft models. These data demonstrate that ALK is a bona fide immunotherapeutic target and provide a rationale for clinical development of an ALK-ADC approach for neuroblastomas and other ALK-expressing childhood cancers such as rhabdomyosarcomas.
Author Info: (1) Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (2) Division of Oncology and Center for Childho
Author Info: (1) Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (2) Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (3) Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (4) Division of Oncology and Center for Biomedical Informatics (CBMi), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (5) Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (6) Celldex Therapeutics Inc., New Haven, CT 06511, USA. (7) Celldex Therapeutics Inc., New Haven, CT 06511, USA. (8) Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l., Nerviano (MI) 20014, Italy. (9) Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l., Nerviano (MI) 20014, Italy. (10) Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l., Nerviano (MI) 20014, Italy. (11) Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (12) Celldex Therapeutics Inc., New Haven, CT 06511, USA. (13) Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. mosse@chop.edu. Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
