Reversible Chemical Modification of Antibody Effector Function Mitigates Unwanted Systemic Immune Activation.

Antibody effector functions including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis (ADCP) are mediated through the interaction of the antibody Fc region with Fcγ receptors present on immune cells. Several approaches have been used to modulate antibody Fc-Fcγ interactions with the goal of driving an effective antitumor immune response, including Fc point mutations and glycan modifications. However, robust antibody-Fcγ engagement and immune cell binding of Fc-enhanced antibodies in the periphery can lead to the unwanted induction of systemic cytokine release and other dose-limiting infusion-related reactions. Creating a balance between effective engagement of Fcγ receptors that can induce antitumor activity without incurring systemic immune activation is an ongoing challenge in the field of antibody and immuno-oncology therapeutics. Herein, we describe a method for the reversible chemical modulation of antibody-Fcγ interactions using simple poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) linkers conjugated to antibody interchain disulfides with maleimide attachments. This method enables dosing of a therapeutic with muted Fcγ engagement that is restored in vivo in a time-dependent manner. The technology was applied to an effector function enhanced agonist CD40 antibody, SEA-CD40, and experiments demonstrate significant reductions in Fc-induced immune activation in vitro and in mice and nonhuman primates despite showing retained efficacy and improved pharmacokinetics compared to the parent antibody. We foresee that this simple, modular system can be rapidly applied to antibodies that suffer from systemic immune activation due to peripheral FcγR binding immediately upon infusion.

Novel Auristatins with High Bystander and Cytotoxic Activities in Drug Efflux-positive Tumor Models.

Auristatins, a class of clinically validated anti-tubulin agents utilized as payloads in antibody-drug conjugates, are generally classified by their membrane permeability and the extent of cytotoxic bystander activity on neighboring cells after targeted delivery. The drugs typically fall within two categories: membrane permeable monomethyl auristatin E-type molecules with high bystander activities and susceptibility to efflux pumps, or charged and less permeable monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF) analogs with low bystander activities and resistance to efflux pumps. Herein, we report the development of novel auristatins that combine the attributes of each class by having both bystander activity and cytotoxicity on multidrug-resistant (MDR+) cell lines. Structure-based design focused on the hydrophobic functionalization of the N-terminal N-methylvaline of the MMAF scaffold to increase cell permeability. The resulting structure-activity relationships of the new auristatins demonstrate that optimization of hydrophobicity and structure can lead to highly active free drugs and antibody-drug conjugates with in vivo bystander activities.

High-Throughput Screen in Cryptococcus neoformans Identifies a Novel Molecular Scaffold That Inhibits Cell Wall Integrity Pathway Signaling.

Cryptococcus neoformans is one of the most important human fungal pathogens; however, no new therapies have been developed in over 50 years. Fungicidal activity is crucially important for an effective anticryptococal agent and, therefore, we screened 361,675 molecules against C. neoformans using an adenylate kinase release assay that specifically detects fungicidal activity. A set of secondary assays narrowed the set of hits to molecules that interfere with fungal cell wall integrity and identified three benzothioureas with low in vitro mammalian toxicity and good in vitro anticryptococcal (minimum inhibitory concentration = 4 µg/mL). This scaffold inhibits signaling through the cell wall integrity MAP kinase cascade. Structure-activity studies indicate that the thiocarbonyl moiety is crucial for activity. Genetic and biochemical data suggest that benzothioureas inhibit signaling upstream of the kinase cascade. Thus, the benzothioureas appear to be a promising new scaffold for further exploration in the search for new anticryptococcal agents.

Enantioselective synthesis of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene-1-carbaldehydes by addition of boronates to isochromene acetals catalyzed by tartaric acid.

Tartaric acid is an ideal asymmetric catalyst as it is abundant, cheap, and environmentally friendly. (+)-Tartaric acid was found to catalyze a novel enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloaddition of isochromene acetals and vinylboronates. A variety of substituted isochromene acetals were tolerated, furnishing the desired dihydronaphthalenes and dihydrobenzofluorene products in good yields. High enantiomeric ratios (up to 98.5:1.5) and excellent diastereoselectivities (all >99:1) were observed employing 10 mol % of (+)-tartaric acid as the catalyst, in combination with 5 mol % of Ho(OTf)3.

Enantioselective boronate additions to N-acyl quinoliniums catalyzed by tartaric acid.

Tartaric acid catalyzes the asymmetric addition of vinylboronates to N-acyl quinoliniums, affording highly enantioenriched dihydroquinolines. The catalyst serves to activate the boronate through a ligand-exchange reaction and generates the N-acyl quinolinium in situ from the stable quinoline-derived N,O-acetal.

Catalytic diastereoselective petasis reactions.

Multicomponent Petasis reactions: the first diastereoselective Petasis reaction catalyzed by chiral biphenols that enables the synthesis of syn and anti ß-amino alcohols in pure form has been developed. The reaction exploits a multicomponent approach that involves boronates, α-hydroxy aldehydes, and amines.

Asymmetric allylboration of acyl imines catalyzed by chiral diols.

Chiral BINOL-derived diols catalyze the enantioselective asymmetric allylboration of acyl imines. The reaction requires 15 mol % (S)-3,3'-Ph2-BINOL as the catalyst and allyldiisopropoxyborane as the nucleophile. The reaction products are obtained in good yields (75-94%) and high enantiomeric ratios (95:5-99.5:0.5) for aromatic and aliphatic imines. High diastereoselectivities (diastereomeric ratio > 98:2) and enantioselectivities (enantiomeric ratio > 98:2) are obtained in the reactions of acyl imines with crotyldiisopropoxyboranes. This asymmetric transformation is directly applied to the synthesis of Maraviroc, the selective CCR5 antagonist with potent activity against HIV-1 infection. Mechanistic investigations of the allylboration reaction including IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry studies indicate that acyclic boronates are activated by chiral diols via exchange of one of the boronate alkoxy groups with activation of the acyl imine via hydrogen bonding.

Asymmetric allylboration of ketones catalyzed by chiral diols.

Chiral BINOL-derived diols catalyze the enantioselective asymmetric allylboration of ketones. The reaction requires 15 mol % of 3,3'-Br2-BINOL as the catalyst and allyldiisopropoxyborane as the nucleophile. The reaction products are obtained in good yields (76-93%) and high enantiomeric ratios (95:5-99.5:0.5). High diastereoselectivities (dr >/= 98:2) and enantioselectivities (er >/= 98:2) are obtained in the reactions of acetophenone with crotyldiisopropoxyboranes.