Antibody therapeutics that bind cd137

Abstract

There is disclosed compositions and methods relating to or derived from anti-CD137 antibodies. More specifically, there is disclosed fully human antibodies that bind CD137, CD137-antibody binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and CD137-binding polypeptides comprising such fragments. Further still, there is disclosed nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, and methods of using such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, including methods of treating a disease requiring either stimulation of immune responses or suppression. Diseases amenable to treatment is selected from the group consisting of cancers, autoimmune diseases and viral infections.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An isolated anti-CD137 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, comprising a heavy chain variable domain comprising complementarity determining regions (CDRs) as set forth in a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs as set forth in a light chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         22 . The antibody of  claim 21 , which is a fully human anti-CD137 antibody of an IgG class. 
     
     
         23 . The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody has a heavy chain variable region sequence having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO. 17 and a light chain variable region sequence having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         24 . The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody has a heavy chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 17 and a light chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         25 . The antibody of  claim 22 , wherein the antibody has a heavy chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 17 and a light chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         26 . The antigen-binding fragment of  claim 21 , wherein the fragment is a Fab fragment or a single chain antibody comprising a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain which are connected by a peptide linker. 
     
     
         27 . The antigen-binding fragment of  claim 25 , wherein the antibody fragment has a heavy chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 17 and a light chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         28 . A method of treating cancer or another disease requiring either stimulation of an immune response or suppression in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering an effective amount of the antibody of  claim 21 , such that the cancer or other disease is treated. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the cancer comprises ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer or liver cancer. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the antibody has a heavy chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 17 and a light chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the other disease comprises an autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the autoimmune disease comprises multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or myasthenia gravis. 
     
     
         33 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-CD137 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, comprising a heavy chain variable domain comprising complementarity determining regions (CDRs) as set forth in a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs as set forth in a light chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         34 . The nucleic acid of  claim 33 , wherein the antibody has a heavy chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 17 and a light chain variable region sequence of SEQ ID NO. 18. 
     
     
         35 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 33 . 
     
     
         36 . A host cell comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 33 . 
     
     
         37 . A method of making an anti-CD137 antibody, comprising culturing the host cell of  claim 36  under conditions wherein the antibody is expressed.