Novel anti-cd38 antibodies for the treatment of cancer

Abstract

Antibodies, humanized antibodies, resurfaced antibodies, antibody fragments, derivatized antibodies, and conjugates of same with cytotoxic agents, which specifically bind to CD38, are capable of killing CD38 + cells by apoptosis, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and/or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Said antibodies and fragments thereof may be used in the treatment of tumors that express CD38 protein. Said derivatized antibodies may be used in the diagnosis and imaging of tumors that express elevated levels of CD38. Also provided are cytotoxic conjugates comprising a cell binding agent and a cytotoxic agent, therapeutic compositions comprising the conjugate, methods for using the conjugates in the inhibition of cell growth and the treatment of disease, and a kit comprising the cytotoxic conjugate. In particular, the cell binding agent is a monoclonal antibody, and epitope-binding fragments thereof, that recognizes and binds the CD38 protein.

1 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds CD38, characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing a CD38 +  cell by apoptosis, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and complement-dependent cytoxicity (CDC). 
     
     
         2 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing said CD38 +  cell by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         3 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to any of  claims 1 - 2 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         4 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to any of  claims 1 - 2 , characterized in that said CD38 +  cell is a lymphoma cell, a leukemia cell, or a multiple myeloma cell. 
     
     
         5 ) The antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof of  claim 4 , characterized in that said CD38 +  cell is a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cell, a Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell, a multiple myeloma (MM) cell, a B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cell, a B and T acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cell, a T cell lymphoma (TCL) cell, an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell, a hairy cell leukemia (HCL) cell, a Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) cell, or a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell. 
     
     
         6 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing at least 24% of Daudi lymphoma cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         7 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing more than 7% of Ramos lymphoma cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         8 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing more than 11% of MOLP-8 multiple myeloma cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         9 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing more than 36% of SU-DHL-8 lymphoma cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         10 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing more than 62% of DND-41 leukemia cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         11 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing more than 27% NU-DUL-1 lymphoma cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         12 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing more than 9% of JVM-13 leukemia cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         13 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is capable of killing more than 4% of HC-1 leukemia cells by apoptosis in the absence of stroma cells or stroma-derived cytokines. 
     
     
         14 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof binds CD38 with a k D  of 3×10 −9  M or lower. 
     
     
         15 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof comprises at least one human constant region. 
     
     
         16 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 15 , characterized in that said constant region is the human IgG1/IgKappa constant region. 
     
     
         17 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is a humanized or resurfaced antibody. 
     
     
         18 ) An antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof is a Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2 or Fv fragment. 
     
     
         19 ) A conjugate comprising the antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1  linked to a cytotoxic agent. 
     
     
         20 ) The conjugate of  claim 19 , characterized in that said cytotoxic agent is selected from the group consisting of a maytansinoid, a small drug, a tomaymycin derivative, a leptomycin derivative, a prodrug, a taxoid, CC-1065 and a CC-1065 analog. 
     
     
         21 ) The conjugate of  claim 20 , characterized in that said cytotoxic agent is the maytansine DM1 of formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         22 ) The conjugate of  claim 20 , characterized in that said cytotoxic agent is the maytansine DM4 of formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         23 ) The conjugate of  claim 20 , characterized in that said cytotoxic agent is a tomaymycin derivative selected from the group consisting of:
 8,8′-[1,3-benzenediylbis(methyleneoxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-methoxy-1,3-benzenediylbis(methyleneoxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[1,5-pentanediylbis(oxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[1,4-butanediylbis(oxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[3-methyl-1,5-pentanediylbis(oxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[2,6-pyridinediylbis(oxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[4-(3-tert-butoxycarbonylaminopropyloxy)-2,6-pyridinediylbis-(methyleneoxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-(3-aminopropyloxy)-1,3-benzenediylbis(methyleneoxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-(N-methyl-3-tert-butoxycarbonylaminopropyl)-1,3-benzenediylbis-(methyleneoxy)]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-{5-[3-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoylamino)propyloxy]-1,3-benzenediylbis(methyleneoxy)}-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-acetylthiomethyl-1,3-benzenediylbis(methyleneoxy)]-bis[(S)-2-methylene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   bis-{2-[(S)-2-methylene-7-methoxy-5-oxo-1,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-8-yloxy]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester   8,8′-[3-(2-acetylthioethyl)-1,5-pentanediylbis(oxy)]-bis[(S)-2-methylene-7-methoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-(N-4-mercapto-4,4-dimethylbutanoyl)amino-1,3-benzenediylbis(methyleneoxy)]-bis[7-methoxy-2-methylene-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-(N-4-methyldithio-4,4-dimethylbutanoyl)-amino-1,3-benzenediylbis(methyleneoxy)]-bis[7-methoxy-2-methylene-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-(N-methyl-N-(2-mercapto-2,2-dimethylethyl)amino-1,3-benzenediyl(methyleneoxy)]-bis[7-methoxy-2-methylene-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[5-(N-methyl-N-(2-methyldithio-2,2-dimethylethyl)amino-1,3-benzenediyl(methyleneoxy)]-bis[7-methoxy-2-methylene-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(2-(4-mercapto-4-methyl)-pentanamido-ethoxy)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(1-(2-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl)-pentanamido-ethoxy)-benzene-3,5-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(3-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl)-pentanamido-propoxy)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(4-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl)-pentanamido-butoxy)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(3-[4-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propyl)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(1-(3-[4-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propyl)-benzene-3,5-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(2-{2-[2-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoylamino)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethoxy)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(1-(2-{2-[2-(2-{2-[2-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoylamino)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethoxy)-benzene-3,5-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(1-(2-{2-[2-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoylamino)-ethoxy}-ethoxy]-ethoxy)-benzene-3,5-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(2-{2-[2-(2-{2-[2-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoylamino)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethoxy)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(1-(2-[methyl-(2-methyl-2-methyldisulfanyl-propyl)-amino]-ethoxy)-benzene-3,5-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(3-[methyl-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl-pentanoyl)-amino]-propyl)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(4-(3-[methyl-(2-methyl-2-methyldisulfanyl-propyl)-amino]-propyl)-pyridin-2,6-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one]   8,8′-[(1-(4-methyl-4-methyldisulfanyl)-pentanamido)-benzene-3,5-dimethyl)-dioxy]-bis[(S)-2-eth-(E)-ylidene-7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-5-one].   
     
     
         24 ) The conjugate of  claim 20 , characterized in that the cytotoxic agent is a leptomycin derivative selected from the group consisting of:
 (2-Methylsulfanyl-ethyl)-amid of (2E,10E,12E,16Z,18E)-(R)-6-Hydroxy-3,5, 7,9,11,15,17-heptamethyl-19-((2S,3S)-3-methyl-6-oxo-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-8-oxo-nonadeca-2,10,12,16,18-pentaenoic acid (2-methylsulfanyl-ethyl)-amid   Bis-[(2-mercaptoethyl)-amid of (2E,10E,12E,16Z,18E)-(R)-6-hydroxy-3,5,7,9, 11,15,17-heptamethyl-19-((2S,3S)-3-methyl-6-oxo-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-8-oxo-nonadeca-2,10,12,16,18-pentaenoic acid]   (2-Mercapto-ethyl)-amid of (2E,10E,12E,16Z,18E)-(R)-6-hydroxy-3,5,7,9,11, 15,17-heptamethyl-19-((2S,3S)-3-methyl-6-oxo-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-8-oxo-nonadeca-2,10,12,16,18-pentaenoic acid   (2-Methyldisulfanyl-ethyl)-amid of (2E,10E,12E,16Z,18E)-(R)-6-hydroxy-3,5,7,9,11,15,17-heptamethyl-19-((2S,3S)-3-methyl-6-oxo-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-8-oxo-nonadeca-2,10,12,16,18-pentaenoic acid   (2-Methyl-2-methyldisulfanyl-propyl)-amid of (2E,10E,12E,16Z,18E)-(R)-6-hydroxy-3,5,7,9,11,15,17-heptamethyl-19-((2S,3S)-3-methyl-6-oxo-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-8-oxo-nonadeca-2,10,12,16,18-pentaenoic acid   (2-Mercapto-2-methyl-propyl)-amid of (2E,10E,12E,16Z,18E)-(R)-6-hydroxy-3,5,7,9,11,15,17-heptamethyl-19-((2S,3S)-3-methyl-6-oxo-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-8-oxo-nonadeca-2,10,12,16,18-pentaenoic acid.   
     
     
         25 ) A pharmaceutical composition containing an antibody or epitope-binding fragment thereof according to  claim 1  or a conjugate according to  claim 19 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipients. 
     
     
         26 ) The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 25 , characterized in that said composition contains a further therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         27 ) The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 26 , characterized in that the further therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of an antagonist of epidermal-growth factor (EGF), fibroblast-growth factor (FGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), tissue factor (TF), protein C, protein S, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), heregulin, macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); or an antagonist of a receptor for epidermal-growth factor (EGF), fibroblast-growth factor (FGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), tissue factor (TF), protein C, protein S, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), heregulin, macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP), or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); HER2 receptor, HER3 receptor, c-MET, and other receptor tyrosine kinases. 
     
     
         28 ) The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 26 , characterized in that the further therapeutic agent is an antibody directed against a cluster of differentiation antigen selected from a group comprising CD3, CD14, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD25, CD28, CD30, CD33, CD36, CD40, CD44, CD52, CD55, CD59, CD56, CD70, CD79, CD80, CD103, CD134, CD137, CD138, and CD152.