Targeting key angiogenic pathways with a bispecific CrossMAb optimized for neovascular eye diseases

Targeting key angiogenic pathways with a bispecific CrossMAb optimized for neovascular eye diseases

Abstract Anti‐angiogenic therapies using biological molecules that neutralize vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) have revolutionized treatment of retinal vascular diseases including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). This study reports preclinical assessment of a strategy to enhance...

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Main Authors: Jörg T Regula, Peter Lundh von Leithner, Richard Foxton, Veluchamy A Barathi, Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung, Sai Bo Bo Tun, Yeo Sia Wey, Daiju Iwata, Miroslav Dostalek, Jörg Moelleken, Kay G Stubenrauch, Everson Nogoceke, Gabriella Widmer, Pamela Strassburger, Michael J Koss, Christian Klein, David T Shima, Guido Hartmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2016-10-01
Series:EMBO Molecular Medicine
Subjects:
age‐related macular degeneration
angiogenesis
angiopoietin‐2
Fc receptor
vascular endothelial growth factor
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.201505889
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Summary:Abstract Anti‐angiogenic therapies using biological molecules that neutralize vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) have revolutionized treatment of retinal vascular diseases including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). This study reports preclinical assessment of a strategy to enhance anti‐VEGF‐A monotherapy efficacy by targeting both VEGF‐A and angiopoietin‐2 (ANG‐2), a factor strongly upregulated in vitreous fluids of patients with retinal vascular disease and exerting some of its activities in concert with VEGF‐A. Simultaneous VEGF‐A and ANG‐2 inhibition was found to reduce vessel lesion number, permeability, retinal edema, and neuron loss more effectively than either agent alone in a spontaneous choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model. We describe the generation of a bispecific domain‐exchanged (crossed) monoclonal antibody (CrossMAb; RG7716) capable of binding, neutralizing, and depleting VEGF‐A and ANG‐2. RG7716 showed greater efficacy than anti‐VEGF‐A alone in a non‐human primate laser‐induced CNV model after intravitreal delivery. Modification of RG7716's FcRn and FcγR binding sites disabled the antibodies' Fc‐mediated effector functions. This resulted in increased systemic, but not ocular, clearance. These properties make RG7716 a potential next‐generation therapy for neovascular indications of the eye.
ISSN:1757-4676
1757-4684

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