A fully human recombinant IgG-like bispecific antibody to both the epidermal growth factor receptor and the insulin-like growth factor receptor for enhanced antitumor activity

J Biol Chem. 2005 May 20;280(20):19665-72. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M500815200. Epub 2005 Mar 9.

Abstract

Both the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR) have been implicated in the tumorigenesis of a variety of cancers. Here we propose that simultaneous targeting of both receptors with a bispecific antibody would lead to enhanced antitumor activity. To this end, we produced a recombinant human IgG-like bispecific antibody, a Di-diabody, using the variable regions from two antagonistic antibodies: IMC-11F8 to EGFR and IMC-A12 to IGFR. The Di-diabody binds to both EGFR and IGFR and effectively blocked both EGF- and IGF-stimulated receptor activation and tumor cell proliferation. The Di-diabody also inherited the biological properties from both of its parent antibodies; it triggers rapid and significant IGFR internalization and degradation and mediates effective antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in a variety of tumor cells. Finally, the Di-diabody strongly inhibited the growth of two different human tumor xenografts in vivo. Our results underscore the benefits of simultaneous targeting of two tumor targets with bispecific antibodies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / biosynthesis*
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / genetics
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy
  • Receptors, Somatomedin / immunology*
  • Receptors, Somatomedin / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Somatomedin
  • ErbB Receptors