Multivalent Fcγ-receptor engagement by a hexameric Fc-fusion protein triggers Fcγ-receptor internalisation and modulation of Fcγ-receptor functions.

Engagement of Fcγ-receptors triggers a range of downstream signalling events resulting in a diverse array of immune functions. As a result, blockade of Fc-mediated function is an important strategy for the control of several autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. We have generated a hexameric-Fc fusion protein (hexameric-Fc) and tested the consequences of multi-valent Fcγ-receptor engagement in in vitro and in vivo systems. In vitro engagement of hexameric-Fc with FcγRs showed complex binding interactions that altered with receptor density and triggered the internalisation and degradation of Fcγ-receptors. This caused a disruption of Fc-binding and phagocytosis. In vivo, in a mouse ITP model we observed a short half-life of hexameric-Fc but were nevertheless able to observe inhibition of platelet phagocytosis several days after hexameric-Fc dosing. In cynomolgus monkeys, we again observed a short half-life, but were able to demonstrate effective FcγR blockade. These findings demonstrate the ability of multi-valent Fc-based therapeutics to interfere with FcγR function and a potential mechanism through which they could have a sustained effect; the internalisation and degradation of FcγRs.

Semi-mechanistic population pharmacokinetic model of multivalent trastuzumab emtansine in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of multiple molecules of the antimicrotubule agent DM1 linked to trastuzumab, a humanized anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) monoclonal antibody. Pharmacokinetics data from phase I (n = 52) and phase II (n = 111) studies in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients show a shorter terminal half-life for T-DM1 than for total trastuzumab (TTmAb). In this work, we translated prior preclinical modeling in monkeys to develop a semi-mechanistic population pharmacokinetics model to characterize T-DM1 and TTmAb concentration profiles. A series of transit compartments with the same disposition parameters was used to describe the deconjugation process from higher to lower drug-to-antibody ratios (DARs). The structure could explain the shorter terminal half-life of T-DM1 relative to TTmab. The final model integrates prior knowledge of T-DM1 DARs from preclinical studies and could provide a platform for understanding and characterizing the pharmacokinetics of other ADC systems.

Vulnerability of mouse cortical neurons to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis is strain-dependent and is correlated with mRNAs encoding Fas, Fas-Ligand, and metalloproteinases.

Cell surface death receptor-mediated neuronal apoptosis, which is a critical component of neurodegeneration, is modulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Doxorubicin (Dox) induces neuronal death by the activation of death receptor pathways. Recently, we demonstrated that Dox-induced neuronal apoptosis is regulated by the balance of MMP-3 and TIMP-3 in rat cortical cultures. Inbred mouse strains exhibit differential susceptibility to cell death stimuli in vivo. Prior to employing transgenic approaches to further investigate the roles of TIMP-3 and MMP-3 in neuronal death, we examined whether inbred mice display strain-dependent vulnerability to Dox. We induced neuronal apoptosis with Dox in primary neuronal cultures established from cerebral cortices of embryonic day 15 C57BL/10 or C57BL/6 mice. Using fluorescence activated cell sorting for neurons, we found that C57BL/6 cortical cultures exhibit a 28% greater neuronal death following Dox treatment than C57BL/10. Real-time PCR of unstimulated cultures revealed that C57BL/10 cortical cultures have reduced basal mRNA levels encoding the pro-apoptotic proteins: Fas, FasL, and TIMP-3, but increased levels of the anti-apoptotic molecule MMP-3 as compared to C57BL/6. Furthermore, C57BL/10 cultures treated with Dox displayed an enhanced induction of mRNA transcripts that encode anti-apoptotic MMPs. These results show that C57BL/10 cortical cultures are more resistant to death receptor-mediated apoptotic cell death as compared to C57BL/6, and suggest that this difference is related to Fas, FasL, and MMP expression. Strain-dependent differences in response to apoptotic stimuli may be an important consideration for developing transgenic models of neurodegeneration.

Plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue biodistribution of boron following administration of a boronated porphyrin in dogs.

This study was undertaken to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue biodistribution of boron in dogs following the administration of a boronated porphyrin (BOPP) compound, a potential sensitizing agent for binary therapies of cancer. An intravenous dose of 35 mg/kg of BOPP was administered to a total of sixteen dogs and plasma samples obtained at multiple time points for up to 28 days after administration. Groups of four dogs each were studied for 25, 79, 240, and 672 h. At the end of each study period, subjects were sacrificed and tissue samples obtained. Boron concentrations were determined for all tissue and plasma samples, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using mixed effects modeling. Plasma boron levels displayed triexponential kinetics with a long terminal half-life and small volume of distribution. Liver, lymph node, adrenal, and kidney tissues accumulated the highest levels of boron, with very low levels associated with most tissues of the head. We conclude that BOPP has pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution properties that suggest that it may be a suitable compound for use as a sensitizing agent in binary therapy of cancer.

Toxicology of a boronated porphyrin in dogs.

Among the most important characteristics of any therapeutic agent are efficacy and an acceptable toxicity. Prior to human use, toxicity studies are performed in both small and large animal models. Our laboratory has developed a new binary therapy agent, a boronated porphyrin (BOPP), with excellent potential efficacy. The purpose of this study is to examine the toxicology of this compound in dogs. Sixteen dogs were given 35 mg/kg of BOPP intravenously and evaluated for up to 28 days following administration. Clinical and pathologic responses were measured. BOPP was clinically well tolerated with some cases of weight loss, vomiting and mild photosensitivity. Adverse effects were limited primarily to thrombosis at the administration site in several subjects and three cases of mild, possibly transient, liver injury. Clinical pathologic tests found reversible changes in white blood cell counts and platelets, with neither change being clinically significant. The low toxicity associated with BOPP as shown in this study provides valuable evidence supporting the use of BOPP in binary therapy.

Effect of biliary diversion on the ability of cefamandole to inhibit vitamin K metabolism.

The effect of biliary diversion on the ability of cefamandole, a methyltetrazole-thiol (MTT) containing antibiotic, to alter both hepatic vitamin K metabolism and the gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid were examined in the rat, in order to understand the hypoprothrombinemia associated with MTT-containing antibiotics. At a dose of 3 gm/kg, cefamandole decreased the activity of hepatic vitamin K epoxide reductase at 24 but not at 4 hours after its administration. This inhibition occurred with or without diversion of the bile duct from the intestine. When vitamin K was used as the cofactor in the enzymatic reaction, carboxylation of glutamic acid was also found to be reduced in both biliary diverted as well as in biliary intact rats. Carboxylation of glutamic acid was not reduced when vitamin K hydroquinone was used. These results suggest that part of the mechanism underlying the hypoprothrombinemia associated with MTT containing antibiotics is linked to the ability of the MTT group to inhibit vitamin K metabolism. Furthermore, biliary secretion of the intact antibiotic may not be required for the effect upon vitamin K metabolism to be observed.