Weerdt et al. generated a bispecific anti-CD40-Vδ2 (V19-5C8) antibody that blocked CD40 activation and simultaneously engaged and activated Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, inducing cell death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM) cells in a CD40-specific manner. The bispecific antibody antagonized CD40 stimulation, prevented CD86, CD95, and Bcl-xL upregulation in primary CLL, and activated patient/healthy donor-derived Vγ9Vδ2 T cells that were capable of lysis of primary CLL and MM cells. The bispecific antibody delayed tumor growth and improved survival in the presence of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in a MM xenograft model.

Contributed by Shishir Pant

ABSTRACT: Novel T cell-based therapies for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM), are thought to have strong potential. Progress, however, has been hampered by low efficacy and high toxicity. Tumor targeting by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, a conserved T-cell subset with potent intrinsic antitumor properties, mediated by a bispecific antibody represents a novel approach promising high efficacy with limited toxicity. Here, we describe the generation of a bispecific Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell engager directed against CD40, which due to its overexpression and biological footprint in malignant B cells, represents an attractive target. The CD40-targeting moiety of the bispecific antibody was selected because it can prevent CD40L-induced pro-survival signaling and reduce CD40-mediated resistance of CLL cells to venetoclax. Selective activation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in the presence of CD40+ tumor cells induced potent Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell degranulation, cytotoxicity against CLL and MM cells in vitro, and in vivo control of MM in a xenograft model. The CD40 bispecific γδ T-cell engager demonstrated lysis of leukemic cells by autologous Vγ9Vδ2 T cells present in patient-derived samples. Taken together, our CD40 bispecific γδ T-cell engager increased the sensitivity of leukemic cells to apoptosis and induced a potent Vγ9Vδ2 T cell-dependent anti-leukemic response. It may therefore represent a potential candidate for the development of novel treatments for B-cell malignancies.

Author Info: (1) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (2) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (3) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (4) Medic

Author Info: (1) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (2) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (3) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (4) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (5) Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam. (6) Department of medical oncology, VU University Medical Center. (7) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit. (8) internal medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital. (9) Department of Pathology, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center. (10) Lava Therapeutics. (11) R&D, Lava Therapeutics. (12) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC/Cancer Center Amsterdam. (13) Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC. (14) Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit jj.vandervliet@amsterdamumc.nl.