Monoclonal Anti-idiotypic Antibodies Research Articles

Development of Anti-idiotypic Monoclonal Antibody Mimicking SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain.

Using the hybridoma technique, we developed a panel of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (aId-mAb) that mimic The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) molecule against Fragment antigen-binding (Fab) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (S1, RBD) antibodies. Investigated the in vivo and in vitro effects of these aId-mAbs we developed and examined their antigenic mimicry abilities. Among these 12 antibodies, 6 aId-mAbs (designated FY1B4, FY2A6, H9F3, E6G7, FY7E11, and FY8H3) were selected for further characterization in a series of experiments. First, competitive receptor binding assay results confirmed that six aId-mAbs could specifically bind to the ACE2 receptor in target cells and block the interaction between the RBD molecule and the ACE receptor. Moreover, we examined the immunological activities of these aId-mAbs in female BALB/c and showed that E6G7, H7E11, and H8H3 aId-mAbs induce an antibody response by mimicking RBD and stimulating the immune system. It is considered that these three aId-mAbs will be evaluated as SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate molecules in future studies.

Characterization of anti-drug antibody responses to the T-cell engaging bispecific antibody cibisatamab to understand the impact on exposure.

An appropriately designed pharmacokinetic (PK) assay that is sensitive for anti-drug antibody (ADA) impact on relevant exposure is an alternative strategy to understand the neutralizing potential of ADAs. However, guidance on how to develop such PK assays and how to confirm the functional ADA impact on exposure is missing. Here, the PK assay of a T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody, cibisatamab, was developed based on its mechanism of action (MoA). Using critical monoclonal anti-idiotypic (anti-ID) antibody positive controls as ADA surrogates, the impact on exposure was evaluated pre-clinically. In a phase I clinical trial (NCT02324257), initial data suggest that the combination of ADA and PK assays for correlation of the ADA response with cibisatamab exposure. To understand the neutralizing potential of patient-derived ADAs on drug activity, advanced ADA characterization has been performed. Structural binding analysis of ADAs to antibody domains of the drug and its impact on targeting were assessed. For this purpose, relevant patient ADA binding features were identified and compared with the specific monoclonal anti-ID antibody-positive controls. Comparable results of target binding inhibition and similar impacts on exposure suggest that the observed reduction of Cmax and Ctrough levels in patients is caused by the neutralizing potential of ADAs and allows a correlation between ADA response and loss of exposure. Therefore, the described study provides important functional aspects for the development of an appropriately designed PK assay for bispecific antibodies as an alternative option towards understanding the neutralizing ADA impact on exposure.

Effect of emicizumab-neutralizing antibodies on activated partial thromboplastin time–based clotting time test results in patients treated with emicizumab

BackgroundEmicizumab is a bispecific humanized monoclonal antibody that shortens the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), making aPTT-based tests unreliable. ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of a mixture of 2 anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies (anti-emi) in neutralizing emicizumab in samples from persons with hemophilia A treated with emicizumab. MethodsFifty samples from persons with hemophilia A treated with emicizumab were analyzed for aPTT and factor VIII procoagulant activity; FVIII inhibitor titer was measured using Nijmegen-Bethesda assay in 50 plasma samples of additional patients (positive for FVIII inhibitor) treated with emicizumab. FVIII procoagulant activity and inhibitor titer were measured using 1-stage (Actin FS, Siemens) and chromogenic assays with bovine regents (Factor VIII Chromogenic Assay, Siemens). Emicizumab concentration was measured by modified a 1-stage assay calibrated with a drug-specific calibrator (r2 Diagnostics Inc). All the tests were performed on Sysmex CS-2400 (Sysmex) before and after the addition of anti-emi (Chugai Pharmaceutical). ResultsEmicizumab concentrations measured after neutralization were <1.6 μg/mL in all samples. FVIII levels were >480 IU/dL with an aPTT of <30.8 seconds in all samples before neutralization and were <1 IU/dL with an aPTT of >70 seconds after adding anti-emi. FVIII inhibitor resulted in a false negative result in 44 of 50 samples measured with the 1-stage assay before neutralization. A good correlation (r = 0.98) was found between inhibitor titer measured using the chromogenic (insensitive to emicizumab) and 1-stage assays after neutralization. ConclusionThe anti-emi antibodies were shown to completely neutralize emicizumab, making samples pretreated with anti-emi analyzable with the 1-stage assay.

Virus-inhibitory activity of the antigen complex of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria against SARS-CoV-2

Introduction. The antigen complex of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria (ACOPB) has a protective effect against avian influenza viruses, herpes virus type 2, and other viruses that cause acute respiratory viral infections. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an important task is to find out whether ACOPB has a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2.&#x0D; The purpose of the study was to evaluate in vitro the ACOPB virus-inhibitory activity against the Dubrovka laboratory strain of SARS-CoV-2.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study was performed using Vero cell line CCL-81, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), mouse monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies structurally mimicking biological effects of human interferons (IFNs), the Dubrovka laboratory strain of SARS-CoV-2. The infectivity of the virus was assessed by two methods: by virus titration using cell cultures and the limiting dilution method when the results are assessed by a cytopathic effect; the second method was a plaque assay. The in vitro virus inhibition test was performed using the cell culture susceptible to SARS-CoV-2; the mixture containing a specific dose of the virus and a two-fold dilution of ACOPB was transferred to the cell culture after the ACOPB medication had interacted with the virus at 4C for 2 hours. The ACOPB virus-inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 was assessed by the functional activity of / and IFN receptors (RIFN) in human PBMCs induced in vitro by ACOPB and the ACOPB mixture with the specific dose of SARS-CoV-2. The RIFN expression level was measured by the indirect membrane immunofluorescence test.&#x0D; Results. Hemagglutination assay using chicken, mouse, guinea pig, and human red blood cells was performed for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory protein. The lysate of Vero CCL-81 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 Dubrovka demonstrated the highest hemagglutination activity with guinea pig red blood cells and low titers of hemagglutination in the virus-containing fluid. The virus inhibition test in the Vero CCL-81 cell culture demonstrated that ACOPB inhibited 10 doses of SARS-CoV-2 Dubrovka with the titer 1 : 32, providing 100% protection of the cell culture for 8 days (the monitoring period). ACOPB induced / and RIFN expression on membranes of human PBMCs in in vitro cultures and decreased RIFN / and expression after its interaction with SARS-CoV-2 Dubrovka.&#x0D; Conclusion. The experimental studies including the virus inhibition test in the cell culture susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Dubrovka and the indirect membrane immunofluorescence assay using monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies mimicking IFN-like properties demonstrated that ACOPB had both an immunomodulatory and a virus-inhibitory effect.

In Memoriam: Soldano Ferrone MD, PhD (1940–2023)

In Memoriam: Soldano Ferrone MD, PhD (1940–2023)

Biological properties of domestic strain vRub-Ant of rubella virus

Introduction. Rubella is a mild infectious disease affecting mainly children and is caused by the rubella virus, part of the Matonoviridae family, genus Rubivirus. Rubella causes congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and is the main cause of developmental abnormalities, especially blindness and deafness.&#x0D; There is no specific treatment for rubella and CRS. In order to avoid possible complications from rubella infection, a live attenuated rubella vaccine based on the foreign strain of Wistar RA 27/3 rubella virus is used. However, the actual, more effective and preferred vaccine strain the rubella virus for the Russian Federation is considered to be a viral strain of rubella circulating on its territory.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to study the biological properties of the developed domestic cold-adapted strain vRub-Ant circulating in the territory of the Russian Federation.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Following cell cultures were used in the study human embryo lung diploid cell strain LECH-3, transferable cell line from embryonic kidney cells of green monkeys Vero CCL-81 and Vero ECC, human mesenchymal stem cells, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Cell cultures were grown on a DMEM/F12 nutrient medium with the addition of 5% fetal bovine serum. Swabs from the pharynx and nasal passages from a child with rubella were used as clinical virus-containing material. Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies m(anti-ID)Ab were used to assess the expression level of alpha/beta and gamma interferon receptors (/ and IFN-R)Ab, imitating the biological effects of alpha/beta and gamma interferons (/ and IFN) of humans. The cultural, virological, immunochemical and serological research methods were applied in the study.&#x0D; Results. Attenuation of the vRub-Ant clinical isolate of rubella virus was carried out for 20 consecutive passages on LECH-3 diploid cells at a reduced temperature of 30C. The main biological markers of attenuation were determined to be ts and ca phenotypes. The avirulence of the attenuated viral strain (att-phenotype) was assessed by the level of expression of / and IFN-R. A lower level of / and IFN-R expression was found on the membranes of human PBMC induced by the vaccine strain vRub-Ant in comparison with the parent wild variant of the rubella virus. This trait,the att phenotype, is characteristic of attenuated viral strains. It has been shown that the vaccine strain vRub-Ant has lost neurotropism and was unable to bind to the membrane receptors of the brain (MRB) of guinea pig embryos, unlike its parent rubella virus strain. The high immunogenicity of the domestic cold-adapted strain vRub-Ant was confirmed by high titers of neutralizing rubella antibodies observed in guinea pigs immunized subcutaneously with one vaccination dose of the virus.&#x0D; Conclusion. A domestic attenuated vaccine strain vRub-Ant of the rubella virus that has the main biological markers of attenuation (ts-ca and att phenotypes) has been developed. The vaccine strain vRub-Ant induces a high levels of neutralizing antibodies in guinea pigs following the immunization with a single vaccination dose of the vaccine. The viral strain vRub-Ant has lost its tropism to the MRB of guinea pig embryos, unlike its parent variant.

Anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies against emicizumab enable accurate procoagulant and anticoagulant assays, irrespective of the test base, in the presence of emicizumab.

Emicizumab markedly shortens the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), resulting in inaccurate measurements of procoagulant and anticoagulant factor activities. We have recently reported that mixtures of two different anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies against emicizumab (anti-emicizumab-mAbs) allow measurement of factor (F)VIII activity (FVIII:C) and FVIII inhibitor in emicizumab-containing plasmas. It is unknown whether anti-emicizumab mAbs can work for other aPTT-based procoagulant and anticoagulant assays. To investigate whether anti-emicizumab mAbs were measured by all of the aPTT-based assays tested. Two anti-emicizumab-mAbs (300μg/mL each) were preincubated with emicizumab (200μg/mL)-spiked FVIII-deficient plasma; we then measured FVIII:C, FIX:C, FXI:C, FXII:C, protein (P)C:C, PS:C, global PC-FV (aPTT-based), and prothrombin time (PT), diluted Russel's viper venom time (dRVVT), chromogenic-based FVIII:C, FIX:C and PC:C (non-aPTT-based). Emicizumab (100μg/mL)-spiked haemophilia (H)A plasmas from patients (n=23) were also measured. Emicizumab shortened the clotting time in all aPTT-based assays, resulting in high levels of FVIII:C, FIX:C, FXI:C and FXII:C; low levels of PC:C and PS:C; and false-positive results for activated PC resistance. The addition of anti-emicizumab-mAbs to emicizumab-added plasma restored all factors to the initial levels without emicizumab. Chromogenic FVIII:C measurement by human FIXa/FX was affected by emicizumab, but anti-emicizumab mAbs cancelled this effect. PT-based assays and dRVVT, chromogenic FIX:C and PC:C assays showed no effect with emicizumab. Twenty-three plasma samples from HA patients also showed similar patterns. Anti-emicizumab mAbs in vitro could cancel the effect of emicizumab, irrespective of the test base, resulting in accurate measurements of procoagulant and anticoagulant factor activity.

Efficient neutralization of daratumumab in pretransfusion samples using a novel recombinant monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody.

Anti-CD38 antibodies such as daratumumab (DARA) are critical therapies for multiple myeloma and other diseases. Unfortunately, anti-CD38 antibodies cause panreactivity in indirect antiglobulin tests (IATs), complicating blood compatibility testing. The anti-CD38 interference is most often mitigated by treating reagent red blood cells (RBCs) with dithiothreitol (DTT). However, when using the DTT method, not all RBC antibody specificities can be detected (e.g., anti-K), and the DTT method is impractical for some transfusion services. We evaluated the ability of a new anti-idiotype antibody to neutralize DARA in vitro and eliminate the anti-CD38 interference. A recombinant monoclonal rabbit anti-DARA idiotype antibody ("anti-DARA") was generated. The ratio of anti-DARA required to neutralize DARA in spiked samples was evaluated in IATs performed in gel. IATs performed in tube were used to demonstrate that anti-DARA allows alloantibody detection in the presence of DARA. Plasma samples from 29 patients receiving DARA were treated with a fixed quantity of anti-DARA (120 μg) before performing antibody detection tests (screens) in tube. Anti-DARA used at or above a 1:1 ratio with DARA eliminated the DARA interference with IATs. Anti-DARA allowed detection of both alloanti-E and alloanti-K in the presence of DARA. In 27/29 (93.1%) clinical samples, 120 μg anti-DARA was sufficient to neutralize the DARA in 100 μl patient plasma. An anti-DARA:DARA ratio as low as 1:1 is sufficient to neutralize DARA in solution. A fixed amount of anti-DARA eliminates the anti-CD38 interference in most patient samples.

Racotumomab in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as Maintenance and Second-Line Treatment.

Racotumomab is a therapeutic vaccine based on a monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody developed by the Molecular Immunology Center in Havana, Cuba, that is registered in Cuba and Argentina for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. It induces a specific humoral and cellular immune response against the N-glycolyl GM3 (NeuGcGM3) ganglioside present in tumor cells, thereby provoking the death of these cells. Evaluate racotumomab vaccine use as switch maintenance and second-line therapy for patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer in routine clinical practice, outside the framework of clinical studies, and assess the overall survival, stage-specific survival and safety in these patients. A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer not suitable for surgical treatment, who received racotumomab as a part of switch maintenance or second-line treatments. Overall survival was defined from diagnosis and from the first immunization, until death. We included 71 patients treated with racotumomab, 57.7% (41/71) of whom were in stages IIIB and IV of non-small cell lung cancer. Of the patients, 84.5% (60/71) had no adverse events, and 15.5% (11/71) had mild adverse reactions. The median overall survival was 24.5 months, calculated from the first immunization, 17.2 months for those who received racotumomab as switch maintenance and 6.8 months for patients who had progressed after the first line of treatment. Racotumomab in routine clinical practice prolonged overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated in switch maintenance, and in stage IV patients who received the treatment as second-line therapy. The vaccine was well tolerated.

Development of a VRC01-class germline targeting immunogen derived from anti-idiotypic antibodies.

SUMMARYAn effective HIV-1 vaccine will likely need to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Broad and potent VRC01-class bNAbs have been isolated from multiple infected individuals, suggesting that they could be reproducibly elicited by vaccination. Several HIV-1 envelope-derived germline-targeting immunogens have been designed to engage naive VRC01-class precursor B cells. However, they also present off-target epitopes that could hinder development of VRC01-class bNAbs. We characterize a panel of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (ai-mAbs) raised against inferred-germline (iGL) VRC01-class antibodies. By leveraging binding, structural, and B cell sorting data, we engineered a bispecific molecule derived from two aimAbs; one specific for VRC01-class heavy chains and one specific for VRC01-class light chains. The bispecific molecule preferentially activates iGL-VRC01 B cells in vitro and induces specific antibody responses in a murine adoptive transfer model with a diverse polyclonal B cell repertoire. This molecule represents an alternative non-envelope-derived germline-targeting immunogen that can selectively activate VRC01-class precursors in vivo.

Using multiple platforms for critical reagents selection process to support pharmacokinetic ligand-binding assay development.

We have evaluated the utility of epitope binning on biolayer interferometry (BLI) as a strategy to funnel the selection of candidate pairs suitable for pharmacokinetic assay development. Totally, 8 anti-Idiotypic monoclonal antibodies in 64 possible combinations were tested by BLI, ELISA and Gyrolab®. Two epitope binning approaches were utilized, in-tandem and classic sandwich. Both formats identified four mutually exclusive bins providing 31 and 25 possible antibody pair combinations, respectively. In contrast, the ELISA and Gyrolab yielded 18 and 9 positive pairs, respectively, with only a partial correlation to the BLI results. Several positive pairs by ELISA and Gyrolab, screened negative by BLI. Just over half of the pairs predicted by BLI were positive on ELISA and less than a quarter were positive on Gyrolab. This evaluation showed, in our case, that BLI was limited in its ability to predict candidate pairs that would be successful in pharmacokinetic method development.

The Impact of the Hybridoma Technology on the R&D of Idiotypic Antibodies.

The PubMed data set was scanned with the title and abstract term "Idiotype" followed by secondary searches with "Vaccine" and "Clinical trial." The retrieved references were analyzed from the period before and after hybridoma technology (1975). In 1963, Oudin and Kunkel discovered that antibodies against antibodies can be raised to identify determinants unique to an antibody termed idiotype or individual antigenic determinant. Two laboratories reported that anti-idiotypic antibodies can suppress specific antibody responses in mice. In 1974, Jerne proposed a network of idiotypes and anti-idiotypes and the functionality of the idiotype network was confirmed. This prompted the proposal of a symmetrical regulatory immune response. By 1989, the concept and the functional parameters of the immune idiotype network were established in the prehybridoma period. It was not until 1981 that monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies were used as tools to study the expression of idiotypic determinants on antibodies and to categorize functional properties in the immune network as network antigens in 1989. Hybridoma-generated monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies provided the tools to precisely identify different idiotypic regions on antibodies and test these as targets to induce network cascades. The initial distinction of Ab2s as alpha and beta were expanded to include gamma and delta. The initial concept of Ab2beta being an antigen internal image, used as vaccine, was challenged showing that targeting all idiotopes on B cell receptors can induce specific antibodies. After the discovery of the hybridoma technology a wave of idiotype topic publications occurred, that declined by 2015. In 1985, in this wave of reports on anti-idiotypes, their importance to vaccines dominated. These vaccines targeted in animal models parasite, bacterial, and viral diseases, and cancer. The reported data indicated a therapeutic response in inbred mice. The issue of idiotype matching between mouse haplotypes of vaccine origin and treated mice were raised. In 1995, the human clinical trials in different cancers using anti-Id vaccines were reported. Only one such vaccine received conditional approval in Argentina and Cuba, whereas the other trials failed in phase II and III. The reasons for this failure were subsequently discussed. Although the use of the Milstein and Kohler hybridoma technology and subsequently alternative methods to produce monoclonal animal and human antibodies created a new class of drugs, commonly referred as "Biological," it failed on the promise therapeutic of anti-Id vaccines.

Abstract 6648: Racotumomab and PD-1 blockade combination exhibits an additive antitumor effect in a non-small cell lung cancer model

Abstract N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) is a sialic acid molecule present in mammalian cells as terminal constituents of membrane glycoconjugates such as gangliosides and glycoproteins. Although the role of NeuGc-containing glycoconjugates in human cancer is still under investigation, gangliosides such as NeuGcGM3 has been consistently reported as a tumor antigen in various epithelial and neuroectodermal malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Interestingly, NeuGc-glycoconjugates are abundant in aggressive neoplasms, but they are usually absent in normal human tissues. In contrasts to most mammals, human beings lack the key enzyme that catalyzes N-glycolylation of sialic acid. Cancer cells can favor NeuGc intake from diet sources, thus allowing the expression of NeuGc-containing glycoconjugates. Racotumomab is an anti-NeuGc anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody that has been approved in Latin American countries as maintenance immunotherapy for advanced NSCLC. Combinatorial approaches involving long-term immunization against tumor-specific antigens together with the anti-PD1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab is an attractive strategy for immunotherapy. In this work, we have examined the antitumor activity of racotumomab in combination with anti-PD1 therapy, using the 3LL Lewis lung carcinoma as a preclinical model of NSCLC in C57BL/6 mice. Immunization with either weekly or biweekly s.c. doses of racotumomab at 50-200 μg/dose formulated in aluminum hydroxide (racotumomab-alum) demonstrated a significant antitumor effect against the progression of lung tumor nodules (p&amp;lt;0.05, ANOVA followed by Tukey). Similarly, checkpoint blockade with an anti-mouse PD1 monoclonal antibody injected i.p. at 200 μg/dose exerted a comparable antitumor effect in this 3LL lung model (p&amp;lt;0.01, unpaired t-test). Interestingly, sequential administration of anti-PD1 therapy followed by repeated immunizations with racotumomab-alum was highly effective against lung nodules and well tolerated, showing a reduction in nodules formation of 62 and 45% compared to anti-PD1 or racotumomab-vaccinated groups, respectively (p&amp;lt;0.01, ANOVA followed by Tukey). Our preclinical data provide support for the combination of anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade with the anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody racotumomab in advanced NSCLC, since combination treatment has a significant additive antitumor effect compared to each individual treatment. Citation Format: Valeria I. Segatori, Cynthia A. Gulino, Carla S. Capobianco, Selene Rojo, Gretel M. Ferreira, Héctor A. Cuello, Mariano R. Gabri, Daniel A. Alonso. Racotumomab and PD-1 blockade combination exhibits an additive antitumor effect in a non-small cell lung cancer model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6648.

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS - July 2020.

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS - July 2020.

Impact of Peri-Transplant Rituximab and Host/Donor Fc Receptor Polymorphisms for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory CD20+ B-Cell Malignancies

We previously reported results of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in 93 older or medically unfit patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) after conditioning with fludarabine (FLU) and 2-3 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). Three-year survival ranged from 45% to 52% depending on the underlying histology and disease stage. The major complication in those studies was disease relapse (24% at 1 year). The current prospective study in 63 NHL patients tested the hypothesis that disease relapse could be reduced, and overall survival (OS) improved, by peri-transplant rituximab (RTX). Treatment (Figure 1) consisted of RTX (375 mg/m²/day) on days -3, +10, +24 and +38 in addition to 2-3 Gy TBI ± FLU (30 mg/m² × 3 days). As pharmacokinetics (PK) and optimal dosing of RTX in allogeneic HCT are undefined, we collected PK data to optimize RTX dosing. RTX levels were assayed with murine anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody (18C9) binding to RTX. Median therapeutic RTX levels of >25 μg/mL were achieved through day 84 after HCT, with peak median level of 200.5 μg/mL at day 64. RTX levels were not correlated with relapse or graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) rates. NHL patients had significantly higher median RTX levels than CLL patients (day 84, p=0.003, Figure 2). We collected data on donor and recipient FCγRIIIa receptor polymorphisms expressed predominantly on natural killer cells, thought to affect responsiveness to RTX. This was done to identify patients or donor/recipient pairs most likely to benefit from peri-transplant RTX. FCγRIIIa polymorphisms were determined by PCR and single-strand confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) from DNA isolated from patient cells. Recipients with F/F and V/F FCγRIIIa polymorphisms experienced higher relapse rates compared to recipients with V/V polymorphism (p=0.15). Overall, almost a third of pre-HCT F/F patients relapsed. Probably due to small numbers, no difference in outcome was found with V/V donor pairing for these patients. Results are shown in Figure 3. Relapse rates at 5 years were similar among RTX-treated patients and historical controls (32% vs, 28%; P=0.94). RTX-treated patients experienced higher 5-year OS and progression-free survival; (47% vs, 38%; P=0.13) (41 vs, 32%; P=0.12), respectively, but none of the differences was statistically significant. Non-relapse mortality was lower among RTX-treated patients versus controls (27% vs, 40; P=0.05), respectively; incidences of grade 2-4 acute GVHD and grade 3-4 acute GVHD were similar (60% vs, 57%, 13% vs. 17%); and 5-year chronic GVHD was higher among RTX-treated patients (62% vs, 47%). These findings suggest that for patients with relapsed or refractory NHL, peri-transplant RTX neither reduced relapse nor improved OS or other post-HCT parameters. The role of donor-recipient pairing by FCγRIIIa polymorphisms in outcome remains to be determined.

MYH9 Key Amino Acid Residues Identified by the Anti-Idiotypic Antibody to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Glycoprotein 5 Involve in the Virus Internalization by Porcine Alveolar Macrophages

MYH9 has been identified as an indispensable cellular protein for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) entry into permissive cells using the monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody (Mab2-5G2) recognizing an antibody that specifically interacts with PRRSV glycoprotein 5 (GP5). More recently, we found that Mab2-5G2 interacted with the MYH9 C-terminal domain, designated PRA, which is required for PRRSV internalization. In this study, we demonstrate that blocking of MYH9 with Mab2-5G2 significantly diminished PRRSV internalization by porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) via interruption of direct interaction between GP5 and MYH9, and thus remarkably inhibited subsequent infection of PAMs by PRRSV-2 isolates. Moreover, the three-dimensional structure of the Mab2-5G2 Fab-PRA complex determined via homology modeling predicted potential docking sites required for PRRSV internalization. Further analysis of Mab2-5G2-binding sites within PRA highlighted that the amino acids E1670, K1673, E1679, and I1683 in PRA are the key Mab2-5G2-binding residues. Notably, recombinant PRA protein blocked the interaction between PRRSV GP5 and cellular MYH9 by preventing translocation of MYH9 from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane, an essential step for PRRSV virion internalization. Meanwhile, porcine cell line permissive for PRRSV bearing point mutation of E1670A in MYH9 demonstrated reduced susceptibility for PRRSV infection. In conclusion, this work increases understanding of both PRRSV pathogenesis and the mechanistic role played by MYH9 in PRRSV infection.

ANTI-IDIOTYPIC MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST MORPHINE: PRODUCTION, PROPERTIES AND PROSPECTS OF USE

This paper describes a technique for producing anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (Ab2) against two morphine derivatives. The specificity of the obtained antibodies was investigated using enzyme immunoassay. The biological activity of the antibodies was studied using an in-vitro model of human glioblastoma T98G cell line prolifer ation.

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity induced by active immunotherapy based on racotumomab in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Antitumor strategies based on positive modulation of the immune system currently represent therapeutic options with prominent acceptance for cancer patients' treatment due to its selectivity and higher tolerance compared to chemotherapy. Racotumomab is an anti-idiotype (anti-Id) monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed to NeuGc-containing gangliosides such as NeuGcGM3, a widely reported tumor-specific neoantigen in many human cancers. Racotumomab has been approved in Latin American countries as an active immunotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. In this work, we evaluated the induction of Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in NSCLC patients included in a phase III clinical trial, in response to vaccination with racotumomab. The development of anti-NeuGcGM3 antibodies (Abs) in serum samples of immunized patients was first evaluated using the NeuGcGM3-expressing X63 cells, showing that racotumomab vaccination developed antigen-specific Abs that are able to recognize NeuGcGM3 expressed in tumor cell membranes. ADCC response against NeuGcGM3-expressing X63 (target) was observed in racotumomab-treated- but not in control group patients. When target cells were depleted of gangliosides by treatment with a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, we observed a significant reduction of the ADCC activity developed by sera from racotumomab-vaccinated patients, suggesting a target-specific response. Our data demonstrate that anti-NeuGcGM3 Abs induced by racotumomab vaccination are able to mediate an antigen-specific ADCC response against tumor cells in NSCLC patients.

Time-Resolved Fluorescence Immunochromatographic Assay Developed Using Two Idiotypic Nanobodies for Rapid, Quantitative, and Simultaneous Detection of Aflatoxin and Zearalenone in Maize and Its Products.

Aflatoxins and zearalenone (ZEN) are highly common mycotoxins in maize and maize-based products. This study aimed to report a time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic assay (TRFICA) developed using two idiotypic nanobodies for rapid, quantitative, and simultaneous detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ZEN in maize and its products. A novel Eu/Tb(III) nanosphere with enhanced fluorescence was prepared as a label and conjugated to anti-idiotypic nanobody (AIdnb) and monoclonal antibody (mAb). On the basis of nanosphere-antibody conjugation, two patterns of competitive time-resolved strip methods (AIdnb-TRFICA and mAb-TRFICA) were established and compared. The half inhibition concentration of AIdnb-TRFICA was 0.46 and 0.86 ng·mL-1 for AFB1 and ZEN, which was 18.3- and 20.3-fold more sensitive than that of mAb-TRFICA for AFB1 and ZEN, respectively. Under optimal conditions, AIdnb-TRFICA for dual mycotoxin was established and provided a quantitative relationship ranging from 0.13 to 4.54 ng·mL-1 for AFB1 and 0.20 to 2.77 ng·mL-1 for ZEN, with a detection limit of 0.05 and 0.07 ng·mL-1 in the buffer solution, respectively. AIdnb-TRFICA showed good recoveries (72.6%-106.6%) in samples and was applied to detect dual mycotoxin in maize samples with satisfying results. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report about a time-resolved strip method based on AIdnbs for dual mycotoxin.

A robust immune system conditions the response to abagovomab (anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody mimicking the CA125 protein) vaccination in ovarian cancer patients

IntroductionDespite encouraging phase I and II study results, vaccination of ovarian cancer patients with abagovomab – an anti-idiotypic mAb that mimics the ovarian cancer CA125 protein – failed to demonstrate efficacy in the phase III trial named MIMOSA (NCT00418574). We postulated that in this trial patients with a more robust immune system did respond to abagovomab but went undetected among a larger number of non-responders. We also postulated that assessment of the immune system status ahead of abagovomab administration might predict patients’ propensity to respond to abagovomab. Materials and methodsThe immune system status was assessed as percentage and absolute count of CD8+ T cells producing IFN-γ after stimulation with Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) in 80 patients on abagovomab and 31 patients on placebo from the MIMOSA trial ahead of treatment. Optimal cutoffs of the two variables were calculated by the web application “Cutoff Finder” as the points with most significant (log-rank test) splits based on relapse-free survival (RFS). The Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test served to estimate and compare RFS in patients with percentage and absolute count of IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells around the cutoffs. ResultsPatients on abagovomab with IFN-γ producing CD8+T cell percentage above the cutoff had a better RFS (p=0.042) than those with IFN-γ producing CD8+T cell percentage below the cutoff. Patients on abagovomab with IFN-γ producing CD8+T cell absolute count above the cutoff had a better RFS (p=0.019) than those with IFN-γ producing CD8+T cell absolute counts below the cutoff. Consistently, the RFS of patients on abagovomab with IFN-γ producing CD8+T cell percentage and absolute counts values below the respective cutoffs was identical to that of patients on placebo. Neither the percentage nor the absolute count of IFN-γ producing CD8+T cells correlated with RFS in patients on placebo. ConclusionsA robust immune system is essential to obtain a clinical response in OC patients undergoing abagovomab immunotherapy whereas a robust immune system does not confer per se a survival advantage. Further work will clarify whether the results shown here apply only in the present setting or extend to other types of cancer and/or immunotherapeutic agents.