Humanized Anti-CD70 Binding Agents and Uses Thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are CD70 binding agents, such as humanized anti-CD70 antibodies and fragments and derivatives, that exert a cytotoxic, cytostatic or immunomodulatory on CD70 expressing cells, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the antibody, fragment or derivative. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of CD70-expressing cancers and immunological disorders, comprising administering to a subject the CD70 binding agents or pharmaceutical compositions.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A method for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphomas in a human subject, comprising
 administering to a subject having diffuse large B-cell lymphoma an effective amount of a humanized antibody or antigen binding fragment, comprising:   (i) a humanized heavy chain comprising the three CDRs from SEQ ID NO:2 and a variable region framework sequence of human germline V H 1-2 or V H 1-18 and exon J H -6, provided that any of positions H46, H67, H68, H69, H70, H71, H80, H81, H82, H82A and H91 (Kabat numbering) can be occupied by the amino acid occupying the corresponding position from SEQ ID NO:2; and   (ii) a humanized light chain comprising the three CDRs from SEQ ID NO:22 and a variable region framework sequence of human germline V χ  exon B3 and J χ  exon J χ -1, provided that any of positions L25 and L33 can be occupied by the amino acid occupying the corresponding position from SEQ ID NO:22.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein position H46 is occupied by the amino acid occupying the corresponding position from SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein at least one of positions H46, H67, H68, H69, H70, H71, H80, H81, H82, H82A and H91 (Kabat numbering) in the humanized heavy chain variable region is occupied by the residue occupying the corresponding position in SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein at least one of positions L25 and L33 in the humanized light chain variable region is occupied by the residue occupying the corresponding position in SEQ ID NO:22. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein (i) the humanized heavy chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:18, or amino acids 20-137 of SEQ ID NO:4, and (ii) the humanized light chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein at least one of positions H71 and H91 (Kabat numbering) in the humanized heavy chain variable region is occupied by the residue occupying the corresponding position in SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the humanized heavy chain variable region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:14 or SEQ ID NO: 18, and the humanized light chain variable region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:24. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the humanized heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 20-467 of SEQ ID NO:16 or positions 20-467 of SEQ ID NO:20. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the humanized heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 20-467 of SEQ ID NO:16 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the humanized light chain comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 21-238 of SEQ ID NO:26. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment is an antigen-binding fragment. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the humanized antibody or antigen binding fragment further comprises an antibody effector domain. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the antibody effector domain mediates ADCC, ADCP or CDC. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is conjugated to a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is an anti-tubulin agent. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the anti-tubulin agent is MMAE or MMAF. 
     
     
         55 . A polynucleotide encoding a humanized heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14. 
     
     
         56 . The polynucleotide of  claim 55  comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13. 
     
     
         57 . A polynucleotide encoding a humanized light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. 
     
     
         58 . The polynucleotide of  claim 57  comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23.