Optimized antibodies that target cd19

Abstract

The present invention describes antibodies that target CD19, wherein the antibodies comprise at least one modification relative to a parent antibody, wherein the modification alters affinity to an FcγR or alters effector function as compared to the parent antibody. Also disclosed are methods of using the antibodies of the invention.

Description

[0001]This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 822,362, filed Aug. 14, 2006, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]B Cells[0003]B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response. They are produced in the bone marrow of most mammals, and represent 5-15% of the circulating lymphoid pool. The principal function of B cells is to make antibodies against various antigens, and are an essential component of the adaptive immune system.[0004]The human body makes millions of different types of B cells each day that circulate in the blood and lymph performing the role of immune surveillance. B cells, also referred to as B lymphocytes, do not produce antibodies until they become fully activated. Each B cell has a unique receptor protein (referred to as the B cell receptor (BCR)) on its surface that will bind to one particular antigen. The BCR is a membrane-bound immunoglobulin, and it...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about an antibody that binds to CD19, which is a protein found on the surface of B cells. The antibody has been modified in a way that increases its affinity for FcγRIIIa, a receptor that plays a role in immune function. The modification can be a substitution or an amino acid addition. The antibody can also be designed to have altered effector function, meaning it can activate or deactivate certain cells in the immune system more effectively than the original antibody. Overall, the invention provides an improved antibody that can better target and kill B cells.

Problems solved by technology

Studies to date have not demonstrated an improvement in survival with early intervention.

Interferon is approved for initial treatment of NHL in combination with alkylating agents, but has limited use in the U.S.

However, there are significant limitations of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb), including primary resistance (50% response in relapsed indolent patients), acquired resistance (50% response rate upon re-treatment), rare complete response (2% complete response rate in relapsed population), and a continued pattern of relapse.

Finally, many B cells do not express CD20, and thus many B-cell disorders are not treatable using anti-CD20 antibody therapy.

In CLL, the malignant lymphocytes may look normal and mature, but they are not able to cope effectively with infection.

However, the key risk factor is age.

Because of its slow onset, early-stage CLL is generally not treated since it is believed that early CLL intervention does not improve survival time or quality of life.

Although the purine analogue fludarabine was shown to give superior response rates than chlorambucil as primary therapy, there is no evidence that early use of fludarabine improves overall survival.

Allogeneic bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation is rarely used as a first-line treatment for CLL due to its risk.

Unfortunately, it is not known a priori which mechanisms of action may be optimal for a given target antigen.

Furthermore, it is not known which antibodies may be capable of mediating a given mechanism of action against a target cell.

In some cases a lack of antibody activity, either Fv-mediated or Fc-mediated, may be due to the targeting of an epitope on the target antigen that is poor for mediating such activity.

In other cases, the targeted epitope may be amenable to a desired Fv-mediated or Fc-mediated activity, yet the affinity (affinity of the Fv region for antigen or affinity of the Fc region for Fc receptors) may be insufficient.

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