Cao and Liang et al. created reduced-toxicity ProIFNs comprising a mouse or human IFNα joined by an MMP-cleavable linker to a homologous IFN receptor ligand binding domain, which masked IFN and reduced its activity outside the TME, and a human IgG1Fc, which extended serum half-life in monkeys and mice. ProIFN IV injection of mice bearing aggressive and weakly immunogenic MMP-expressing tumors enhanced DC cross-priming; increased CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration, activation, and tumor control; decreased Tregs; and improved response of advanced tumors to anti-PD-L1, and response of primary and metastatic tumors to radiation therapy.
Contributed by Paula Hochman
ABSTRACT: Type I interferon is promising in treating different kinds of tumors, but has been limited by its toxicity, lack of tumor targeting, and very short half-life. To target tumors, reduce systemic toxicity, and increase half-life, here we engineer a masked type I IFN-Fc (ProIFN) with its natural receptor connected by a cleavable linker that can be targeted by tumor-associated proteases. ProIFN has a prolonged serum half-life and shows an improved tumor-targeting effect. Interestingly, ProIFN-treated mice show enhanced DC cross-priming and significant increased CD8(+) infiltration and effector function in the tumor microenvironment. ProIFN is able to improve checkpoint blockade efficacy in established tumors, as well as radiation efficacy for both primary and metastatic tumors. ProIFN exhibits superior long-term pharmacokinetics with minimal toxicity in monkeys. Therefore, this study demonstrates an effective tumor-activating IFN that can increase targeted immunity against primary tumor or metastasis and reduce periphery toxicity to the host.
Author Info: (1) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. (2) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. (3) Livzon
Author Info: (1) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. (2) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. (3) LivzonBio, Inc., Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519045, China. (4) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. (5) LivzonBio, Inc., Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519045, China. (6) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. (7) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. (8) LivzonBio, Inc., Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519045, China. (9) Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. Yang-Xin.Fu@UTSouthwestern.edu.
