Combination Therapies for Treating Cancer

Abstract

Provided are compositions and methods for treating cancer with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) antibodies, such as activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies. In some embodiments, combination therapies are provided that include an anti-CTLA4 antibody and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, an anti-CD137 antibody, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 173,479, filed April 11, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 300,567, filed January 18, 2022, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.

[0002] The present application is in the field of cancer treatment and relates to combination therapies involving antibodies that bind to human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA4). [Background technology]

[0003] Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA4) is a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily of proteins that acts to downregulate T-cell activation and maintain immunogenic homeostasis. Antibody-mediated blockade of CTLA4 in vivo has been shown to enhance anti-cancer immune responses in a syngeneic mouse prostate cancer model (Kwon et al. (1997) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 94(15):8099-103). In addition, blockade of CTLA4 function has been shown to enhance anti-tumor T-cell responses at various stages of tumor development in tumor-bearing mice (Yang et al. (1997) Cancer Res 57(18):4036-41; Hurwitz et al. (1998) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95(17):10067-7). However, the development of antibody-based therapeutics suitable for human use remains challenging, as the transition from preclinical animal models to safety in humans is often poor. Thus, there is a need for anti-CTLA4 antibodies with cross-reactivity between different species, such as humans and experimental animals (e.g., mice, monkeys, rats, etc.), to enable animal model studies while providing suitable human therapeutic candidates. In addition, there is a need for the development of safer anti-CTLA4 antibodies that are active only in certain contexts, such as within the protease-rich tumor microenvironment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides methods of treating cancer with anti-CTLA4 antibodies and activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies. The present application further provides methods of treating cancer with anti-CTLA4 antibodies and a second therapeutic agent. The present application further provides methods of treating cancer with activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies and a second therapeutic agent.

[0005] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising: (a) administering to the subject an effective amount of an activatable antibody, the activatable antibody comprising a polypeptide comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and a target binding moiety (TBM), wherein the MM is selected from the group consisting of X, m CPDHPYPCXX (SEQ ID NO: 181), X m CDAFYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 182), X m CDSHYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 183) and X m CVPYYYACXX (SEQ ID NO: 184), wherein m is 2 to 10 and each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; when the CM is uncleaved, the MM inhibits binding of the activatable antibody to human CTLA4; the CM comprises at least a first cleavage site; a) the TBM comprises an antibody light chain variable region (VL), and the activatable antibody further comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH). a) the TBM comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and the activatable antibody further comprises a second polypeptide comprising an antibody light chain variable region (VL); c) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH); or d) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and an antibody light chain variable region (VL), and upon cleavage of the CM, the activatable antibody binds to human CTLA4 via its VH and VL. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal or a non-human mammal.

[0006] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody can be administered to a patient in need thereof as a monotherapy. In another embodiment, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody can be administered in combination with one or more additional agents as set forth herein. In some embodiments, the cancer is ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or colorectal cancer. In some embodiments, the lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In some embodiments, the colorectal cancer is microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR+) colorectal cancer. In some embodiments, the melanoma is uveal (UV) melanoma.

[0007] In some embodiments, the MM of the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody further comprises an additional amino acid sequence at its N-terminus. In some embodiments, the additional amino acid sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:148.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first cleavage site of the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is a protease cleavage site of a protease selected from the group consisting of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-14, tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease, plasmin, thrombin, factor X, PSA, PSMA, cathepsin D, cathepsin K, cathepsin S, ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAMTS, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, caspase-4, caspase-5, caspase-6, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, caspase-11, caspase-12, caspase-13, caspase-14, and TACE.

[0009] In some embodiments, the CM further comprises a first linker (L1) C-terminal to the first cleavage site, in some embodiments, L1 comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 156-163.

[0010] In some embodiments, the CM further comprises a second cleavage site, hi some embodiments, the second cleavage site is C-terminal to L1. In some embodiments, the second cleavage site is a protease cleavage site for a protease selected from the group consisting of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-14, tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease, plasmin, thrombin, factor X, PSA, PSMA, cathepsin D, cathepsin K, cathepsin S, ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAMTS, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, caspase-4, caspase-5, caspase-6, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, caspase-11, caspase-12, caspase-13, caspase-14, and TACE. In some embodiments, the first cleavage site and the second cleavage site are different.

[0011] In some embodiments, the CM further comprises a second linker (L2) C-terminal to the second cleavage site. In some embodiments, the L2 comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 156-163. In some embodiments, the CM further comprises a third linker (L3) N-terminal to the first cleavage site.

[0012] In some embodiments, the CM comprises at least a first protease cleavage site and is cleaved by one or more proteases selected from the group consisting of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-14, tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease, plasmin, thrombin, factor X, PSA, PSMA, cathepsin D, cathepsin K, cathepsin S, ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAMTS, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, caspase-4, caspase-5, caspase-6, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, caspase-11, caspase-12, caspase-13, caspase-14, and TACE.

[0013] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 165-179.

[0014] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody has a MM of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 189-196. In other embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a MM of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 213-216. In other embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a MM of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 141-147. In certain embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a MM of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 200.

[0015] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a MM / CM combination of amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 197 to 209. In certain embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody has a MM / CM combination of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 192.

[0016] In some embodiments, when the MM is cleaved, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody specifically binds to an epitope that includes amino acid residues Y105 and L106 of human CTLA4, but does not include residue I108, the numbering of which is according to SEQ ID NO: 207.

[0017] In some embodiments, upon cleavage of the MM, a) the cleaved anti-CTLA4 antibody binds human CTLA4, cynomolgus monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and dog CTLA4 with a dissociation constant (K D ), b) binding of the anti-CTLA4 antibody induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human cells expressing CTLA4 or human Treg cells, and the ADCC activity of the anti-CTLA4 antibody is higher than the ADCC activity of ipilimumab, and / or c) in an assay where CD80 and / or CD86 are bound to a plate or human CTLA4 is present on the cell surface, the anti-CTLA4 antibody has a higher IC50 for blocking binding of CD80 and / or CD86 to human CTLA4 than the IC50 of ipilimumab.

[0018] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, wherein a) the heavy chain variable region comprises HVR-H1, HVR-H2 and HVR-H3, and wherein HVR-H1 is Formula (I): X1TFSX2YX3IHWV (SEQ ID NO: 1) (wherein X1 is F or Y, X2 is D or G, and X3 is A, G or W); Formula (II): YSIX1SGX2X3WX4WI (SEQ ID NO: 2) (wherein X1 is S or T, X2 is H or Y, X3 is H or Y, and X4 is A, D or S), and Formula (III): FSLSTGGVAVX1WI (SEQ ID NO: 3) (wherein X1 is G or S); comprising an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from the group consisting of: The HVR-H2 is Formula (IV): IGX1IX2HSGSTYYSX3SLKSRV (SEQ ID NO: 4) (wherein X1 is D or E, X2 is S or Y, and X3 is P or Q); Formula (V): IGX1ISPSX2GX3TX4YAQKFQGRV (SEQ ID NO: 5) (X1 is I or W, X2 is G or S, X3 is G or S, and X4 is K or N), and Formula (VI): VSX1ISGX2GX3X4TYYADSVKGRF (SEQ ID NO: 6) (wherein X1 is A, G or S, X2 is S or Y, X3 is G or S, and X4 is S or T); comprising an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from the group consisting of: The HVR-H3 is Formula (VII): ARX1X2X3X4FDX5 (SEQ ID NO: 7) (wherein X1 is G, R or S, X2 is A, I or Y, X3 is D, V or Y, X4 is A, E or Y, and X5 is I or Y); Formula (VIII): ARX1GX2GYFDX3 (SEQ ID NO: 8) (wherein X1 is D or L, X2 is F or Y, and X3 is V or Y); Formula (IX): ARX1X2X3X4AX5X6FDY (SEQ ID NO: 9) (wherein X1 is L or R, X2 is I or P, X3 is A or Y, X4 is S or T, X5 is T or Y, and X6 is A or Y); Formula (X): ARDX1X2X3GSSGYYX4GFDX5 (SEQ ID NO: 10) (wherein X1 is I or V, X2 is A or H, X3 is P or S, X4 is D or Y, and X5 is F or V); comprising an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from the group consisting of: b) its light chain variable region comprises HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3; The HVR-L1 is Formula (XI): RASQX1X2X3SX4LX5 (SEQ ID NO: 11) (wherein X1 is G or S, X2 is I or V, X3 is G or S, X4 is S or Y, and X5 is A or N) Formula (XII): RASQX1VX2X3RX4LA (SEQ ID NO: 12) (wherein X1 is S or T, X2 is F, R or S, X3 is G or S, and X4 is F or Y), and Formula (XIII): RASX1SVDFX2GX3SFLX4 (SEQ ID NO: 13) (wherein X1 is E or Q, X2 is D, F, H or Y, X3 is F, I or K, and X4 is A, D or H); comprising an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from the group consisting of: the HVR-L2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (XIV): X1ASX2X3X4X5GX6 (SEQ ID NO: 14), wherein X1 is A or D, X2 is N, S or T, X3 is L or R, X4 is A, E or Q, X5 is S or T, and X6 is I or V; The HVR-L3 is Formula (XV): YCX1X2X3X4X5X6PX7T (SEQ ID NO: 15) (wherein X1 is E, Q or V, X2 is H or Q, X3 is A, G, H, R or S, X4 is D, L, S or Y, X5 is E, G, P, Q or S, X6 is L, T, V or W, and X7 is F, L, P, W or Y); Formula (XVI): YCQQX1X2X3WPPWT (SEQ ID NO: 16) (wherein X1 is S or Y, X2 is D or Y, and X3 is Q or Y), and Formula (XVII): YCQX1YX2SSPPX3YT (SEQ ID NO: 17) (wherein X1 is H or Q, X2 is T or V, and X3 is E or V); The compound includes an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from the group consisting of:

[0019] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is selected from the group consisting of a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70; b) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41, HVR-L4 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, and HVR-L5 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56. HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; c) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; d) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, R-H2, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73; e) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74; f) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74; HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75; g) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59, and HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66;and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76; h) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77; i) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47. HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:61, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:78; j) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:49, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:79. k) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80; l) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and HVR-H comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51. 3, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81, or m) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77.

[0020] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody, upon cleavage, comprises a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:82 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95; b) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:83 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:96; c) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:84 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:97; d) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:85 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:98; e) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:86 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:99; f) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100; g) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:88 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:89; h) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:89 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:102; i) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:90 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:103; j) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:91 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:104; k) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:92 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:105; l) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:93 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:106; or m) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:94 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:107.

[0021] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody, when cleaved, comprises (a) a heavy chain variable region comprising HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45, and / or a light chain variable region comprising HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75, or (b) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100.

[0022] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 321 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or 321 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 323 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 324 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 323 or 324 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 326 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 327 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 326 or 327 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328.

[0023] In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to the subject at a dose of about 0.1 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, e.g., about 0.1 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg, about 1 mg / kg, about 3 mg / kg, about 6 mg / kg, about 10 mg / kg, about 15 mg / kg, or about 20 mg / kg. In some such embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered once every three weeks.

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating melanoma in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody. In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered as a monotherapy. In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to the subject at a dose of about 0.1 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is administered to the subject at a dose of about 0.1 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg, about 1 mg / kg, about 3 mg / kg, or about 10 mg / kg. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is administered to the subject at a dose of about 0.1 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is administered to the subject at a dose of about 0.1 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg, about 1 mg / kg, about 3 mg / kg, about 6 mg / kg, about 10 mg / kg, or about 20 mg / kg. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is administered once every three weeks. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or 321, and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322. In other of the above embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 323 or 324, and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325. In other of the above embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 326 or 327, and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal or a non-human mammal.

[0025] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibodies and activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies of the present disclosure are administered to a subject in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor (e.g., an anti-PD-1 antibody). In some such embodiments, the anti-PD1 antibody is 2E5. In another such embodiment, the anti-PD1 antibody is toripalimab. In another such embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody is pembrolizumab. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal or mammal. In some embodiments, the combination of the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody and the PD-1 inhibitor (e.g., an anti-PD-1 antibody) exhibits a synergistic effect when administered in combination. In some of the above embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100.In some of the above embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody that, when cleaved, comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100.

[0026] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 and activatable CTLA4 antibodies of the present disclosure are administered to a subject in combination with an anti-CD137 antibody, where the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to the extracellular domain of human CD137, and where the antibody binds to one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 51, 53, 62-73, 83, 89, 92, 95-104, and 112-116 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal or non-human mammal. In some embodiments, the combination of the activatable anti-CTLA4 and anti-CD137 antibodies exhibits synergistic effects when administered in combination. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody binds to amino acid residues 51, 63-67, 69-73, 83, 89, 92, 98-104, and 112-114 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a light chain variable region (VL), wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 232, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 233, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234, and wherein the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 236, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 237. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 238, and / or a VL comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 239. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 240, and / or the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 241.In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH and a VL, wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 242, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 243, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 244, and the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 245, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 246, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 247.

[0027] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 248 and / or a VL comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 249. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250 and / or the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH and a VL, wherein the VH comprises a HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 252, a HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 253, and a HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 254, and the VL comprises a HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 255, a HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 256, and a HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 257. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 258 and / or a VL comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 259. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 260, and / or the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 261. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a human IgG4 Fc region, optionally, the human IgG4 Fc region comprises the mutation S241P, numbering according to Kabat. In some of the above embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100.In some of the above embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody that, when cleaved, comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100.

[0028] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody) that specifically binds to an epitope of human CTLA4 that includes amino acid residues Y105 and L106, but not including residue I108, and whose amino acid residues are numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 207; and (b) an effective amount of a VEGF inhibitor. In some embodiments, the VEGF inhibitor is fruquintinib. In some embodiments, the cancer is colorectal cancer. In some embodiments, the VEGF inhibitor is anlotinib. In some embodiments, the cancer is renal cancer, optionally renal adenocarcinoma. In some of the above embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100.In some of the above embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody that, when cleaved, comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100.

[0029] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody) that specifically binds to an epitope of human CTLA4 that includes amino acid residues Y105 and L106, but not including residue I108, and in which the amino acid residues are numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 207; and (b) an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the chemotherapeutic agent is docetaxel. In some embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer. In some embodiments, the chemotherapeutic agent is icaritin. In some embodiments, the cancer is melanoma.

[0030] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody) that specifically binds to an epitope of human CTLA4 that includes amino acid residues Y105 and L106, but not including residue I108, and in which the amino acid residues are numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 207; and (b) an effective amount of a PARP inhibitor. In some embodiments, the PARP inhibitor is olaparib. In some embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer.

[0031] In some embodiments according to any one of the above methods, the cancer is resistant or refractory to conventional therapy, and the conventional therapy is an inhibitor of CTLA4, PD-1, or PD-1 ligand. In some embodiments, the subject is resistant to conventional therapy or has relapsed after conventional therapy, and the conventional therapy is an inhibitor of CTLA4, PD-1, or PD-1 ligand. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is a CTLA4 inhibitor such as an anti-CTLA4 antibody, e.g., ipilimumab. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is a PD-1 inhibitor such as an anti-PD-1 antibody, e.g., pembrolizumab or toripalimab. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is a PD-1 ligand (e.g., PD-L1) inhibitor, e.g., an anti-PD-L1 antibody. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy includes both a CTLA4 inhibitor and a PD-1 inhibitor. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy includes both a CTLA4 inhibitor and a PD-L1 inhibitor. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody, upon cleavage of the MM, comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a human IgG1 Fc region, e.g., a wild-type IgG1 Fc region, or a variant with enhanced ADCC activity. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a human IgG1 Fc region, eg, a wild-type IgG1 Fc region, or a variant that has enhanced ADCC activity.In some of the above embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:320 or 321, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:320 or 321, and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:322, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:322.

[0032] It should be understood that one, some or all of the features of the various embodiments described above and herein may be combined to form other embodiments of the present application. These and other aspects of the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These and other embodiments of the present application are further described in the detailed description below. The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1]1 shows a schematic diagram of a SAFEbody masked by a covalently attached N-terminal peptide, which is followed by a protease cleavage site. In normal tissues, the SAFEbody remains masked and cannot bind to its target. However, in the tumor microenvironment, as described below for the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody TY22404, the mask is cleaved by proteases overexpressed in various tumor tissues, resulting in the SAFEbody being activated and able to bind to its target. See SEQ ID NO: 320 for the complete heavy chain of TY22404 and SEQ ID NO: 322 for the complete light chain (including mask / linker) of TY22404. [Diagram 2] Schematic showing the mechanism of action of activated TY22404, which blocks CTLA4 / B7 ligand interaction, enhancing T cell activation (see, e.g., Rowshanravan et al. CTLA4: a moving target in immunotherapy. Blood 2018,131:58) while depleting immunosuppressive Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) through ADCC / ADCP, thereby enhancing the overall anti-tumor immune response. [Diagram 3] The target binding site of TY22404 SAFEbody is highly masked and binds only weakly to CTLA4 protein at low concentrations (around nM), but can bind to the target at much higher concentrations (higher than nM, uM or submicron). However, when proteases cleave the masking peptide, TY22404 becomes activated and can bind with high affinity to cross-species CTLA4 proteins from humans, monkeys and rodents. [Figure 4] Results of a cell-based CTLA4 blockade bioassay (Promega) used to assess anti-CTLA4-mediated activation of CD28 signaling are shown. Protease-activated TY22404 was a milder CTLA4 checkpoint inhibitor than ipilimumab. [Diagram 5]The results of an in vitro ADCC reporter assay using CTLA4-expressing target cells and Jurkat NFAT-Luc / CD16 reporter cells to evaluate TY22404-mediated activation of ADCC signaling are shown. Protease-activated TY22404, but not masking peptide-intact TY22404, exhibits stronger ADCC signaling activity than ipilimumab. [Figure 6] IL-2 levels measured as a function of T cell activation. Protease-activated TY22404, but not masking peptide-intact TY22404, is able to enhance SEA (staphylococcus enterotoxin A)-induced activation of human T cells. [Figure 7] TY22404 (5 mg / kg) was tested in a mouse liver model and a mouse colon cancer model, and as a single agent, demonstrated potent antitumor activity in vivo in a syngeneic mouse tumor model. [Figure 8] We show that TY22404 (2 mg / kg) in combination with anti-PD-1 demonstrated potent antitumor activity in vivo in a mouse Lewis lung cancer model. [Figure 9] In a CT26 colon tumor model, Treg cells in tumor tissue show higher expression of CTLA4 than peripheral tissue and are efficiently depleted by treatment with TY22404 (5 mg / kg). [Figure 10] Shows the effect of TY22404 administered in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody in a Lewis carcinoma model. [Figure 11] 1 shows the effect of TY22404 administered in combination with the anti-CD137 antibody ADG106 in a 4T1 cancer model. [Figure 12A] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the CT26 mouse colon cancer model. [Figure 12B] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the CT26 mouse colon cancer model. [Figure 13A] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the MC38 mouse colon cancer model. [Figure 13B] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the MC38 mouse colon cancer model. [Figure 14A] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the MC38 mouse colon cancer model. [Figure 14B] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the MC38 mouse colon cancer model. [Figure 15] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in a 4T1 mouse breast cancer model. [Figure 16] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in a 4T1 mouse breast cancer model. [Figure 17] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the B16F10 syngeneic mouse melanoma model. [Figure 18A] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the A20 cancer model. [Figure 18B] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in the A20 cancer model. [Figure 19A] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in an EMT6 cancer model. [Figure 19B] 1 shows the effect of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in an EMT6 cancer model. [Figure 20A] 1 shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with ADG106 in a CT26 colon cancer model. [Figure 20B] 1 shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with ADG106 in a CT26 colon cancer model. [Figure 21A]Shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with fruquintinib in a CT26 cancer model. [Figure 21B] Shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with fruquintinib in a CT26 cancer model. [Figure 22A] Shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with anlotinib in the Renca cancer model. [Figure 22B] Shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with anlotinib in the Renca cancer model. [Figure 23A] 1 shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with docetaxel in a 4T1 cancer model. [Figure 23B] 1 shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with docetaxel in a 4T1 cancer model. [Figure 24A] Shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with olaparib in an EMT6 cancer model. [Figure 24B] Shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with olaparib in an EMT6 cancer model. [Diagram 25] 1 shows the effect of TY22404 administered in combination with antibody ADG106 in an MC38 cancer model. [Figure 26] 1 shows the effect of TY21580 administered in combination with Icaritin ("SNG162") and / or ADG106 in a B16F10 syngeneic mouse melanoma model. [Figure 27] 1 shows in vivo imaging results of TY22404 and TY21580 in mice bearing both CTLA4-negative and CTLA4-positive H22 tumors. [Figure 28] A comparison of the pharmacokinetics of TY21580 and TY22404 in mice (left) and cynomolgus monkeys (right) is shown. [Figure 29]The design of a Phase 1 dose escalation study investigating the outcome of anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody in human patients is shown. Anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody was administered at 0.1 mg / kg, 0.3 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, 3 mg / kg or 10 mg / kg every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, with cohort expansion at the SRC recommended 10 mpk for selected indications, anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody at 6 mg / kg in combination with anti-PD1, and anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody at 3 mg / kg in combination with ADG106. [Diagram 30] The design of a Phase 1 dose escalation study investigating the outcome of anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody in human patients is shown. Anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody was administered at 0.1 mg / kg, 0.3 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, 3 mg / kg or 10 mg / kg every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, with cohort expansion at the SRC recommended 10 mpk for selected indications, anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody at 6 mg / kg in combination with anti-PD1, and anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody at 3 mg / kg in combination with ADG106. [Diagram 31] The treatment-related safety profile of the anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody is shown. As of November 30, 2021, 16 patients were treated in five dose-escalation cohorts (0.1 mg / kg, 0.3 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, 3 mg / kg and 10 mg / kg). The anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody was well tolerated, with only one patient experiencing grade 3 or higher adverse events (grade 3 fatigue) and 10 patients experiencing grade 1 adverse events. [Figure 32A] Case study results from a patient with ovarian cancer who had undergone 5 lines of prior therapy and experienced sustained tumor shrinkage at each tumor assessment after two cycles of treatment with an anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody. [Figure 32B] A case study of a patient with uveal (UV) melanoma who had failed prior treatment with ipilimumab + nivolumab, who demonstrated T cell activation and tumor shrinkage of -24% after treatment with an anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody. [Diagram 33] This shows the dynamic changes in the inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ in the serum of cancer patients during the course of treatment. [Diagram 34] This shows changes in the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the serum of cancer patients during the course of treatment. [Figure 35A] 1 shows the change in absolute numbers of immune cell subpopulations (CD4+ helper T cells) in peripheral blood samples from patients treated with anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody relative to basal levels (pre-dose on Day 1 of Cycle 1). [Figure 35B] 1 shows the change in absolute numbers of immune cell subpopulations (CD8+ cytotoxic T cells) in peripheral blood samples from patients treated with anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody relative to basal levels (pre-dose on Day 1 of Cycle 1). [Figure 35C] 1 shows the change in absolute numbers of immune cell subpopulations (NK cells) in peripheral blood samples from patients treated with anti-CTLA4 SAFEbody relative to basal levels (pre-dose on Day 1 of Cycle 1). [Diagram 36] Figure 2 shows that after bolus injection of TY22404, a cleaved form of approximately half of the total activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody TY22404 was detected in the tumors of two of three mice at 24 hours post-dose, but not in the liver or plasma. However, at 96 hours post-dose, the cleaved form of TY22404 was observed in all samples, including tumors, liver, and plasma, from all three mice (labeled 4–6). [Figure 37] Figure 2 shows that the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody TY22404 significantly reduced the percentage of Tregs among CD4+ T cells in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) compared to isotype control in a dose-dependent manner, but did not reduce the percentage of Tregs among CD4+ T cells in the spleen. [Figure 38]We show that CTLA-4 expression levels on Treg cells in TILs were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with TY22404, whereas CTLA-4 expression levels on Treg cells in the spleen were unchanged after treatment with TY22404. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] I. Definition Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with this application shall have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include plural terms and plural terms shall include singular terms. Generally, the nomenclature used in connection with, and techniques of, antibody engineering, immunotherapy, cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, and protein and nucleic acid chemistry described herein are well known and commonly used in the art.

[0035] The term "antibody" is used herein in the broadest sense and specifically encompasses monoclonal antibodies (including full-length monoclonal antibodies), polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies, trispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments (e.g., Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F(ab')2, Fv and / or single-chain variable fragments, i.e., scFv), so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity.

[0036] In some embodiments, the term "antibody" refers to an antigen-binding protein (i.e., an immunoglobulin) with a basic four polypeptide chain structure consisting of two identical heavy (H) chains and two identical light (L) chains. Each L chain is linked to an H chain by one covalent disulfide bond, while the two H chains are linked to each other by one or more disulfide bonds depending on the H chain isotype. Each heavy chain contains a variable region (herein referred to as V) at the N-terminus. HThe heavy chain constant region is C H1 , C H2 and C H3 Each light chain consists of three domains: a variable region (herein referred to as V I The light chain constant region is C L It consists of one domain: V L V H It is in parallel with C L is juxtaposed to the first constant domain (CH1) of the heavy chain. H and V L The pairing of these two chains forms a single antigen-binding site. IgM antibodies consist of five basic heterotetrameric units together with an additional polypeptide called the J chain, i.e., they contain 10 antigen-binding sites, whereas secretory IgA antibodies can polymerize to form multivalent assemblies containing 2-5 basic four-chain units together with the J chain.

[0037] V H Area and V L Based on structural and sequence analysis, the regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability, termed hypervariable regions (HVRs), which are flanked by more conserved regions, termed framework regions (FWs) (see, e.g., Chen et al. (1999) J. Mol. Biol. (1999) 293, 865-881). H and V L consists of three HVRs and four FWs, arranged from amino to carboxy terminus in the following order: FW-1_HVR-1_FW-2_HVR-2_FW-3_HVR-3_FW4. Throughout this application, the three HVRs of the heavy chain are referred to as HVR-H1, HVR-H2 and HVR-H3. Similarly, the three HVRs of the light chain are referred to as HVR-L1, HVR-L2 and HVR-L3.

[0038] As used herein, the term "CDR" or "complementarity determining region" is intended to mean the discontinuous antigen-binding sites found within the variable regions of both heavy and light chain polypeptides. These specific areas are as follows: Kabat et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252:6609-6616 (1977), Kabat et al., USDept. of Health and Human Services, “Sequences of proteins of immunological interest” (1991), Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917 (1987), Al-Lazikani B. et al. al., J.Mol.Biol.,273:927-948(1997), MacCallum et al.,J.Mol.Biol.262:732-745(1996), Abhinandan and Martin,Mol.Immunol.,45:3832-3839(2008), Lefranc MPet al., Dev. Comp. Immunol., 27:55-77 (2003) and Honegger and Pluckthun, J. Mol. Biol., 309:657-670 (2001), which definitions include overlapping amino acid residues or subsets of amino acid residues when compared to each other. However, it is intended to be within the scope of the term as defined and used herein to apply either definition to refer to the CDRs of an antibody or grafted antibody, or variants thereof. The amino acid residues encompassing the CDRs as defined by each of the references cited above are set forth in Table I below for comparison. CDR prediction algorithms and interfaces are known in the art, including, for example, Abhinandan and Martin, Mol. Immunol., 45:3832-3839 (2008), Ehrenmann F. et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 38:D301-D307 (2010), and Adolf-Bryfogle J. et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 43:D432-D438 (2015).The contents of the references cited in this paragraph are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for use in the present invention and for possible inclusion in one or more claims herein. [Table 1]

[0039] The variable regions of the heavy and light chains contain a binding domain that interacts with an antigen. The constant region of the antibody may mediate the binding of the immunoglobulin to host tissues or host factors, including various cells of the immune system (e.g., effector cells) and the first component (Clq) of the classical complement system. In the light and heavy chains, the variable and constant regions are joined by a "J" region of about 12 or more amino acids, and the heavy chain also contains a "D" region of about 10 or more amino acids (see, e.g., Fundamental Immunology Ch. 7 (Paul, W., ed., 2002). nd ed. Raven Press, NY). (1989).

[0040] L chains from any vertebrate species can be assigned to one of two clearly distinct types, called κ and λ, based on the amino acid sequence of their constant domains. Antibodies can be assigned to different classes or isotypes depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of their heavy chains (CH). There are five classes of antibodies, IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, with IgA having heavy chains called α (alpha), IgD having δ (delta), IgE having ε (epsilon), IgG having γ (gamma), and IgM having μ (mu). The IgG class of antibodies can be further divided into four subclasses, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4, depending on the gamma heavy chains, Y1-Y4.

[0041] The term "antibody derivative" or "derivative" of an antibody refers to a molecule that can bind to the same antigen (e.g., CTLA4) as the antibody and that contains the amino acid sequence of an antibody linked to an additional molecular entity. The amino acid sequence of an antibody that is included in the antibody derivative may be the full-length heavy chain, the full-length light chain, any portion(s) of the full-length heavy chain, any portion(s) of the full-length light chain, any other fragment(s) of an antibody, or a complete antibody. The additional molecular entity may be a chemical molecule or a biological molecule. Examples of the additional molecular entity include chemical groups, amino acids, peptides, proteins (enzymes, antibodies, etc.), and chemical compounds. The additional molecular entity may have any utility, such as use as a detection agent, label, marker, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic agent. The amino acid sequence of an antibody may be bound or linked to the additional molecular entity by chemical coupling, genetic fusion, non-covalent association, etc. The term "antibody derivatives" also includes chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, and molecules derived from amino acid sequence modifications of a CTLA4 antibody, such as conservative amino acid substitutions, additions, and insertions.

[0042] The term "antigen-binding fragment" or "antigen-binding portion" of an antibody refers to one or more portions of an antibody that retain the ability to bind to the antigen to which the antibody binds (e.g., CTLA4). Examples of "antigen-binding fragments" of antibodies include: (i) V L Domain, V H Domain, C L Domain and C H1 (ii) a F(ab')2 fragment, which is a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; and (iii) a V H Domain and C H1 (iv) an Fd fragment consisting of the V domain of a single arm of an antibody; L Domain and V H (v) an Fv fragment consisting of a V H domains (Ward et al., Nature 341:544-546 (1989)), and (vi) isolated complementarity determining regions (CDRs).

[0043] The term "CTLA4" is used herein to include human CTLA4 (e.g., UniProt Accession No. P16410), as well as variants, isoforms, and species homologs thereof (e.g., mouse CTLA4 (UniProt Accession No. P09793), rat CTLA4 (UniProt Accession No. Q9Z1A7), canine CTLA4 (UniProt Accession No. Q9XSI1), cynomolgus monkey CTLA4 (UniProt Accession No. G7PL88), etc.). Thus, an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) as defined and disclosed herein may also bind to CTLA4 of species other than human. In other cases, an anti-CTLA4 antibody may be completely specific for human CTLA4 and may not exhibit species or other types of cross-reactivity.

[0044] The term "CTLA4 antibody," as defined herein, refers to an antibody capable of binding to human CTLA4 (eg, an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody).

[0045] The term "chimeric antibody" refers to an antibody that contains amino acid sequences derived from different animal species, such as antibodies having a variable region derived from a human antibody and a murine immunoglobulin constant region.

[0046] The term "compete for binding" refers to the interaction that two antibodies exhibit when binding to a binding target. A first antibody competes for binding with a second antibody if the binding of the first antibody to its cognate epitope is detectably reduced in the presence of the second antibody compared to the binding of the first antibody in the absence of the second antibody. There is an alternative case in which the binding of the second antibody to its epitope is detectably reduced in the presence of the first antibody, but this is not necessarily the case. That is, a first antibody can inhibit the binding of a second antibody to its epitope without the second antibody inhibiting the binding of the first antibody to its respective epitope. However, if each antibody detectably inhibits the binding of the other antibody to its cognate epitope, whether to the same, greater or lesser extent, the antibodies are said to "cross-compete" with each other for binding their respective epitope(s).

[0047] The term "epitope" refers to the portion of an antigen to which an antibody (or an antigen-binding fragment thereof) binds. Epitopes can be formed from both contiguous amino acids or non-contiguous amino acids juxtaposed by folding of a protein into a tertiary structure. Epitopes formed from contiguous amino acids typically remain on exposure to denaturing solvents, whereas epitopes formed by folding into a tertiary structure typically are lost on treatment with denaturing solvents. Epitopes can include a variable number of amino acids in a unique spatial conformation. Methods for determining the spatial conformation of an epitope include, for example, X-ray crystallography, two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, deuterium hydrogen exchange combined with mass spectrometry, or site-directed mutagenesis, or any method used in combination with computational modeling of the structure of the antigen and its complex with the bound antibody and its variants (see, for example, Epitope Mapping Protocols in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 66, GE Morris, Ed. (1996)). Once the desired epitope of an antigen has been determined, antibodies against that epitope can be generated, for example, using the techniques described herein. Generation and characterization of antibodies can reveal information about the desired epitope. From this information, antibodies can be competitively screened for binding to the same epitope. An approach to do this is to perform cross-competition studies to find antibodies that competitively bind to each other, i.e., that compete for binding to the antigen. A high-throughput process for "binning" antibodies based on their cross-competition is described in International Publication No. WO03 / 48731.

[0048] The term "glycosylation site" refers to an amino acid residue that is recognized by a eukaryotic cell as the attachment location for a sugar residue. The amino acids to which glycans, such as oligosaccharides, are attached are typically asparagine (N-linked), serine (O-linked), and threonine (O-linked) residues. The specific attachment site is typically signaled by an amino acid sequence referred to herein as a "glycosylation site sequence." The glycosylation site sequence for N-linked glycosylation is -Asn-X-Ser- or -Asn-X-Thr-, where X can be any conventional amino acid except proline. The terms "N-linked" and "O-linked" refer to the chemical groups that serve as attachment sites between a sugar molecule and an amino acid residue. N-linked sugars are attached through an amino group and O-linked sugars are attached through a hydroxyl group. The term "glycan occupancy" refers to the presence of a glycan moiety linked to the glycosylation site (i.e., the glycan site is occupied). If a polypeptide has at least two potential glycosylation sites, then none of the sites can be occupied by a glycan moiety (glycan site occupancy number is 0), one (glycan site occupancy number is 1), or both (glycan site occupancy number is 2).

[0049] The term "host cell" refers to a cell line that can be engineered to produce a protein, protein fragment, or peptide of interest. Host cells include, but are not limited to, cultured cells, e.g., mammalian cultured cells derived from rodents (rat, mouse, guinea pig, or hamster), such as CHO, BHK, NSO, SP2 / 0, YB2 / 0, human cells (e.g., HEK293F cells, HEK293T cells) or tissues, or hybridoma cells, yeast cells, insect cells (e.g., S2 cells), bacterial cells (e.g., E. coli cells), and cells contained in transgenic animals or cultured tissues. The term includes not only the particular subject cell, but also the progeny of such cells. In subsequent generations, certain changes may occur, either due to mutations or environmental influences, so that such progeny may not be identical to the parent cell, but are still included within the scope of the term "host cell".

[0050] A "human antibody" is an antibody having an amino acid sequence that corresponds to that of an antibody produced by a human or human cell, or derived from a non-human source that utilizes the human antibody repertoire or other human antibody-encoding sequences. This definition of a human antibody specifically excludes humanized antibodies, which contain non-human antigen-binding residues.

[0051] The term "humanized antibody" refers to a chimeric antibody that contains amino acid residues derived from human antibody sequences. A humanized antibody may contain some or all of the CDRs or HVRs of a non-human animal or synthetic antibody, while the antibody framework and constant regions contain amino acid residues derived from human antibody sequences.

[0052] The term "exemplary antibody" refers to any one of the antibodies described in this disclosure and defined as those antibodies listed in Tables A and B, as well as any antibody comprising the six HVRs and / or VHs and VLs of the antibodies listed in Tables A and B. These antibodies may be of any class (e.g., IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM). Thus, each of the antibodies defined above includes antibodies of all five classes, including those that comprise the VHs and VLs of the antibodies listed in Tables A and B. L Area and V H The term "IgG" includes antibodies having the same amino acid sequence for the V region. Furthermore, antibodies of the IgG class may be of any subclass (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4). Thus, for each antibody defined above in the IgG subclass, antibodies of all four subclasses are included, including antibodies having the same amino acid sequence for the V region. L Area and V H The amino acid sequences of the heavy chain constant regions of human antibodies in the five classes and four IgG subclasses are known in the art.

[0053] "Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity" or "ADCC" refers to a form of cytotoxicity in which secreted immunoglobulins bound to Fc receptors (FcR) present on certain cytotoxic cells (e.g., NK cells, neutrophils, and macrophages) enable these cytotoxic effector cells to kill antigen-bearing target cells with cytotoxins after specific binding to the target cells. NK cells, the first cells to mediate ADCC, express only FcγRIII, whereas monocytes express FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII. Expression of FcRs on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol 9:457-92 (1991). To assess the ADCC activity of a molecule of interest, an in vitro ADCC assay may be performed, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,362, 5,821,337, or 6,737,056 (Presta). Useful effector cells for such assays include PBMCs and NK cells. Alternatively or additionally, the ADCC activity of a molecule of interest may be assessed in vivo, for example, in an animal model, such as those disclosed in Clynes et al. PNAS (USA) 95:652-656 (1998). An exemplary assay for assessing ADCC activity is provided in the Examples herein.

[0054] "Complement-dependent cytotoxicity" or "CDC" refers to the lysis of target cells in the presence of complement. Activation of the classical complement pathway is initiated by the binding of the first component of the complement system (C1q) to antibodies (of the appropriate subclass) that are bound to their cognate antigen. To assess complement activation, a CDC assay may be performed, e.g., as described in Gazzano-Santoro et al., J. Immunol. Methods 202:163 (1996). Polypeptide variants with altered amino acid sequences in the Fc region (polypeptides with variant Fc regions) and increased or decreased C1q binding capacity are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,551 B1 and WO 1999 / 51642. See also, e.g., Idusogie et al. J. Immunol. 164:4178-4184 (2000).

[0055] An "isolated" antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is one that has been isolated from a component of its natural environment. In some embodiments, the antibody is purified to greater than 95% or greater than 99% purity, for example, as determined by electrophoresis (e.g., SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing (IEF), capillary electrophoresis) or chromatography (e.g., ion-exchange HPLC or reverse-phase HPLC). For a review of methods for assessing antibody purity, see, for example, Flatman et al., J. Chromatogr. B 848:79-87 (2007).

[0056] "K a The term "k" refers to the association rate constant of a particular antibody-antigen interaction. d The term "dissociation rate constant" refers to the dissociation rate constant of a particular antibody-antigen interaction.

[0057] "K D The term "antibody-antigen equilibrium dissociation constant" refers to the equilibrium dissociation constant of a particular antibody-antigen interaction. This constant is k a k for d The ratio of (i.e., k d / k a) and expressed as molar concentration (M). D is used as a measure of the affinity with which an antibody binds to its binding partner. D The smaller the K of an antibody, the tighter it binds, or the greater the affinity of the antibody to its antigen. For example, an antibody with a nanomolar (nM) dissociation constant will bind a particular antigen more tightly than an antibody with a micromolar (μM) dissociation constant. D Values ​​can be determined using methods well established in the art. D One method of determining is by using surface plasmon resonance, typically using a biosensor system such as the BIACORE® system. For example, an assay procedure using the BIACORE™ system (BIAcore assay) is described in at least Example 3 of this application.

[0058] The term "mammal" refers to any animal species of the class Mammalia. Examples of mammals include humans, laboratory animals such as rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits, non-human primates and guinea pigs, domestic animals such as cats, dogs, cows, sheep, goats, horses and pigs, and captive wild animals such as lions, tigers, elephants, etc.

[0059] As used herein, "sequence identity" between two polypeptide sequences refers to the percentage of amino acids that are identical between the sequences.The amino acid sequence identity of polypeptides can be routinely determined using known computer programs such as Bestfit, FASTA or BLAST (see, for example, Pearson, Methods Enzymol.183:63-98(1990); Pearson, Methods Mol.Biol.132:185-219(2000); Altschul et al., J.Mol.Biol.215:403-410(1990); Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Res.25:3389-3402(1997)). When using Bestfit or any other sequence alignment program to determine whether a particular sequence is, for example, 95% identical to a reference amino acid sequence, the percentage of identity is calculated over the entire length of the reference amino acid sequence, and parameters are set such that gaps in homology of up to 5% of the total number of amino acid residues in the reference sequence are allowed. This above method of determining the percentage of identity between polypeptides is applicable to all proteins, fragments or variants thereof disclosed herein.

[0060] As used herein, the terms "bind", "bind to", "specifically bind", "specifically bind to" or "specific for" refer to a measurable and reproducible interaction, such as binding of a target with an antibody, that determines the presence of that target in the presence of a heterogeneous population of molecules, including biomolecules. For example, an antibody that binds or specifically binds to a target (which can be an epitope) is an antibody that binds to the target with higher affinity and avidity, more readily, and / or with a longer duration than the antibody binds to other targets. In one embodiment, the extent of binding of the antibody to an unrelated target is less than about 10% of the binding of the antibody to the target, as measured, for example, by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In certain embodiments, an antibody that specifically binds to a target has a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1 μM or less, 100 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 1 nM or less, or 0.1 nM or less. In certain embodiments, the antibody specifically binds to an epitope on a protein that is conserved among proteins of various species. In another embodiment, specific binding can, but does not require, exclusive binding.

[0061] The terms "treat", "treating" or "treatment" refer to producing a desired or beneficial effect in a mammal having a particular disease state in the mammal. The desired or beneficial effect may include reducing the frequency or severity of one or more symptoms of the disease (i.e., tumor growth and / or metastasis, or other effects mediated by immune cell number and / or activity, etc.), or arresting or inhibiting further development of the disease, condition or disorder. In terms of treating cancer in a mammal, the desired or beneficial effect may include inhibiting further growth or spread of cancer cells, killing cancer cells, inhibiting cancer recurrence, reducing pain associated with cancer, or improving survival of the mammal. The effect can be either subjective or objective. For example, if the mammal is a human, the human may perceive improved vitality or viability, or reduced pain as subjective symptoms of improvement or response to treatment. Alternatively, the clinician may perceive a reduction in tumor size or tumor burden based on physical examination, clinical laboratory values, tumor markers, or x-ray findings. Some laboratory signs that a clinician may observe for response to treatment include normalization of test results such as white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and various enzyme levels. In addition, a clinician may observe a decrease in detectable tumor markers. Alternatively, other tests such as sonograms, nuclear magnetic resonance tests, and positron emission tests can be used to evaluate objective improvement.

[0062] The term "prevent" or "preventing" refers to, with respect to a particular medical condition in a mammal, preventing or delaying the onset of disease or preventing the manifestation of its clinical or subclinical symptoms.

[0063] The term "isolated nucleic acid" refers to a nucleic acid molecule of genomic, cDNA or synthetic origin, or a combination thereof, that is separated from other nucleic acid molecules that are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid. For example, with respect to genomic DNA, the term "isolated" includes a nucleic acid molecule that is separated from the chromosome in which the genomic DNA is naturally contained. Preferably, an "isolated" nucleic acid does not include sequences that naturally flank the nucleic acid (i.e., sequences located at the 5' and 3' ends of the nucleic acid of interest).

[0064] The term "vector" refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting a foreign nucleic acid molecule. The foreign nucleic acid molecule is linked to the vector's nucleic acid molecule by recombinant techniques such as ligation or recombination. This allows the foreign nucleic acid molecule to be propagated, selected, further manipulated, or expressed in a host cell or organism. A vector can be a plasmid, phage, transposon, cosmid, chromosome, virus, or virion. One type of vector can be integrated into the genome of a host cell when introduced into the host cell, and thereby replicated along with the host genome (e.g., non-episomal mammalian vectors). Another type of vector can replicate autonomously in the host cell into which it is introduced (e.g., bacterial vectors with a bacterial origin of replication, and episomal mammalian vectors). Another specific type of vector capable of inducing the expression of an expressible foreign nucleic acid operably linked to the vector is generally referred to as an "expression vector." Expression vectors generally have control sequences that drive the expression of an expressible foreign nucleic acid. Simpler vectors, known as "transcription vectors," can only transcribe and not translate, and can replicate in target cells but not express. The term "vector" includes any type of vector, regardless of the function of the vector. A vector capable of inducing expression of an expressible nucleic acid operably linked thereto is generally referred to as an "expression vector." Other examples of "vectors" may include display vectors (e.g., vectors that induce expression and display of an encoded polypeptide on the surface of a virus or a cell, such as a bacterial cell, yeast cell, insect cell, and / or mammalian cell).

[0065] As used herein, a "subject," "patient," or "individual" may refer to a human or non-human animal. A "non-human animal" may refer to any animal not classified as a human, such as farm animals, livestock or zoo animals, sports animals, pet animals (dogs, horses, cats, cows, etc.), and animals used in research. A research animal may refer to, but is not limited to, nematodes, arthropods, vertebrates, mammals, frogs, rodents (e.g., mice or rats), fish (e.g., zebrafish or pufferfish), birds (e.g., chickens), dogs, cats, and non-human primates (e.g., rhesus monkeys, cynomolgus monkeys, chimpanzees, etc.). In some embodiments, the subject, patient, or individual is a human.

[0066] "Effective amount" refers to at least an amount effective, at a dosage and for a period of time necessary, to achieve one or more of the desired or indicated effects, including a therapeutic or prophylactic result. An effective amount can be provided in one or more administrations. For purposes of this application, an effective amount of an antibody, drug, compound, or pharmaceutical composition is an amount sufficient to perform either a prophylactic or therapeutic treatment, either directly or indirectly. As will be understood in a clinical context, an effective amount of a drug, compound, or pharmaceutical composition may or may not be achieved in conjunction with another drug, compound, or pharmaceutical composition (e.g., an effective amount administered as a monotherapy or combination therapy). That is, an "effective amount" may be considered in the context of administering one or more therapeutic agents, and a single agent may be considered to be administered in an effective amount when a desired result may or has been achieved in conjunction with one or more other agents.

[0067] The terms "recurrence," "relapse," or "relapsed" refer to the recurrence of cancer or disease after clinical assessment of disease resolution. A diagnosis of distant metastasis or local recurrence may be considered a recurrence.

[0068] The terms "refractory" or "resistant" refer to a cancer or disease that has not responded to treatment.

[0069] As used herein, "complete response" or "CR" refers to the disappearance of all target lesions, "partial response" or "PR" refers to at least a 30% reduction in the sum of the longest diameter (SLD) of the target lesions based on baseline SLD, and "stable disease" or "SD" refers to a shrinkage of the target lesions that is not sufficient to warrant PR or an increase that is not sufficient to warrant PD based on the smallest SLD since treatment began.

[0070] As used herein, "progression" or "PD" refers to an increase in the SLD of a target lesion by at least 20% based on the smallest recorded SLD since treatment began, or the presence of one or more new lesions.

[0071] As used herein, "progression-free survival" (PFS) refers to the length of time during or after treatment during which the disease being treated (e.g., cancer) does not worsen. Progression-free survival can include the amount of time a patient experiences a complete or partial response, and the amount of time a patient experiences stable disease.

[0072] As used herein, "overall response rate" (ORR) refers to the sum of the complete response (CR) rate and the partial response (PR) rate.

[0073] As used herein, "overall survival rate" refers to the percentage of individuals in a group who are likely to be alive after a particular period of time.

[0074] As used herein, the term "biomarker" or "marker" generally refers to a molecule (e.g., pre-mRNA, mRNA, protein, etc.) or a cell population (e.g., effector memory T cells, i.e., T em cells, or regulatory T cells, i.e. T regIn the case of a molecule within or on a tissue (e.g., a tumor) of a subject, or secreted by a tissue or cell of a subject, the level of which can be detected by known methods (or methods disclosed herein) and which is for or can be used to predict (or help predict) the susceptibility of a subject to a therapeutic regimen (e.g., treatment with an anti-CTLA4 antibody), and in some embodiments, can be used to predict (or help predict) the responsiveness of a subject to the regimen.

[0075] As used herein, the term "sample" refers to a composition obtained or derived from a subject of interest, containing cellular molecules and / or other molecular entities that are to be characterized and / or identified, e.g., based on physical, biochemical, chemical and / or physiological characteristics.

[0076] As used herein, the term "tissue or cell sample" refers to a collection of similar cells obtained from a tissue of a subject or patient. The source of the tissue or cell sample may be a solid tissue, such as from a fresh, frozen and / or preserved organ sample, tissue sample, biopsy specimen or aspirate, blood or any blood component, bodily fluid such as cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, peritoneal fluid or interstitial fluid, cells of a subject at any stage of gestation or development. The tissue sample may be primary cells or cultured cells. Optionally, the tissue or cell sample is obtained from a diseased tissue or organ. The tissue sample may contain compounds that are not naturally mixed with the native tissue, such as preservatives, anticoagulants, buffers, fixatives, nutrients, antibiotics, etc. As used herein, a "reference value" or "reference level" may be an absolute value, a relative value, a value with upper and / or lower limits, a range of values, an average value, a median value, a mean value, or a value compared to a particular level or a baseline level.

[0077] As used herein, "baseline level" or "baseline value" refers to a subject's level or value before the subject begins treatment, such as treatment with an anti-CTLA4 antibody.

[0078] "Reference sample", "reference cell", "reference tissue", "control sample", "control cell" or "control tissue" as used herein refers to a sample, cell, tissue, standard or level used for comparison purposes. In one embodiment, the reference sample, reference cell, reference tissue, control sample, control cell or control tissue is obtained from a healthy and / or non-diseased part of the body (e.g., tissue or cell) of the same subject or individual. For example, a healthy cell or tissue adjacent to a diseased cell or tissue, and / or a non-diseased cell or tissue (e.g., a cell or tissue adjacent to a tumor). In another embodiment, the reference sample is obtained from an untreated tissue and / or cell of the body of the same subject or individual. In yet another embodiment, the reference sample, reference cell, reference tissue, control sample, control cell or control tissue is obtained from a healthy and / or non-diseased part of the body (e.g., tissue or cell) of an individual other than the subject or individual. In yet another embodiment, the reference sample, reference cell, reference tissue, control sample, control cell or control tissue is obtained from untreated tissues and / or cells from the body of an individual other than the subject or individual.

[0079] "Correlating" or "correlating" means comparing in any manner the outcomes and / or results of a first analysis or protocol with the outcomes and / or results of a second analysis or protocol. For example, the results of the first analysis or protocol may be used in performing the second protocol and / or may be used to determine whether a second analysis or protocol should be performed. For biomarker analysis or protocol embodiments, the results of the biomarker level analysis or protocol may be used to determine whether a particular treatment regimen should be performed. For biomarker level analysis or protocol embodiments, the results of the biomarker level analysis or protocol may be used to determine whether a particular treatment regimen should be performed.

[0080] An "effective response" of a patient or a "responsiveness" of a patient to a pharmaceutical treatment, and similar phrases, refers to a clinical or therapeutic benefit experienced by a patient at risk for or suffering from a disease or disorder, such as cancer. In one embodiment, such benefit includes any one or more of: increased survival (including overall survival and progression-free survival), achieving an objective response (including a complete or partial response), or amelioration of signs or symptoms of cancer.

[0081] A patient who "does not respond effectively" to treatment is one who does not demonstrate any of the following: extension of survival (including overall survival and progression-free survival), objective response (including complete or partial response), or improvement in signs or symptoms of cancer.

[0082] The methods and techniques of the present application are generally performed according to methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references cited and discussed throughout the specification, unless otherwise indicated. Such references include, for example, Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Approach, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY (2001); Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, NY (2002); and Harlow and Lane Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY (1990). Enzymatic reactions and purification techniques are performed according to manufacturer's specifications as commonly practiced in the art or as described herein. The terminology used in connection with analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmaceutical chemistry described herein, as well as the experimental procedures and techniques thereof, are well known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques are used for chemical syntheses, chemical analyses, pharmaceutical preparation, formulation, and delivery, and treatment of patients.

[0083] As used herein, the twenty conventional amino acids and their abbreviations follow conventional usage. See Immunology-A Synthesis (2nd Edition, E.S. Golub and D.R. Gren, Eds., Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Mass. (1991)).

[0084] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a "molecule" optionally includes combinations of two or more such molecules, and so forth.

[0085] As used herein, the term "about" refers to a normal error range for the respective value, which is readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. When a value or parameter marked with "about" is mentioned herein, embodiments directed to the value or parameter itself are included (and described).

[0086] It is to be understood that aspects and embodiments of the present application as described herein include "comprising," "consisting," and "consisting essentially of" aspects and embodiments.

[0087] As used herein, reference to "not being" a value or parameter generally means and describes "other than" a value or parameter. For example, not using the method to treat type X of cancer means using the method to treat types of cancer other than X.

[0088] As used herein, the term "about X to Y" has the same meaning as "about X to about Y."

[0089] As used herein, the term "and / or" is intended in phrases such as "A and / or B" to include both A and B, A or B, A (single), and B (single). Similarly, as used herein, the term "and / or" is intended in phrases such as "A, B and / or C" to include each of the following embodiments: A, B and C, A, B or C, A or C, A or B, B or C, A and C, A and B, B and C, A (single), B (single), and C (single).

[0090] II. Treatment Methods The present application provides a method of treating cancer in a subject using an anti-CTLA4 antibody that specifically binds to human CTLA4. The methods described herein may use any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies (including full-length antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, as well as activatable antibodies) in Section III "Anti-CTLA4 Antibodies." The anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) may be administered alone as a monotherapy or in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents or therapies.

[0091] The methods described herein are useful for treating various cancers. In some embodiments, the cancer is a solid cancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is a liquid cancer. Whether malignant or benign, and whether primary or secondary, the methods provided by the present disclosure can treat or prevent various cancers in which CTLA4 is involved. Exemplary cancers include, but are not limited to, liver cancer, digestive system cancer (e.g., colon cancer, colorectal cancer), lung cancer, bone cancer, heart cancer, brain cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer (e.g., leukemia), skin cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck cancer, eye-related cancer, male reproductive system cancer (e.g., prostate cancer, testicular cancer), or female reproductive system cancer (e.g., uterine cancer, cervical cancer). In some embodiments, the cancer is kidney cancer, such as renal cell carcinoma or urothelial carcinoma. In some embodiments, the cancer is ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, lung cancer (e.g., NSCLC), breast cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or colorectal cancer (e.g., MSI-H or dMMR+ colorectal cancer). In some embodiments, the cancer is melanoma, NSCLC, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or colorectal cancer (e.g., MSI-H or dMMR+ colorectal cancer).

[0092] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 (e.g., activatable antibody) is administered as a monotherapy to a cancer patient. In some embodiments, the cancer is melanoma. In other embodiments, the cancer is ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer. In some embodiments, the lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

[0093] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered to a cancer patient in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents for separate, sequential, or simultaneous administration. The term "additional therapeutic agent" refers to any therapeutic agent other than the anti-CTLA4 antibody provided by the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a combination therapy for treating cancer in a subject is provided, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) described herein in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, including chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapeutic agents, and / or hormonal therapeutic agents. In some embodiments, the one or more additional therapeutic agents are selected from the group consisting of viral gene therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

[0094] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with an anti-PD-L1 antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with an anti-CD137 antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with a VEGF inhibitor. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with a PARP inhibitor.

[0095] In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody and (b) an effective amount of an anti-PD-1 antibody, wherein the activatable antibody comprises a polypeptide comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and a target binding moiety (TBM), wherein the MM is selected from the group consisting of X, XB, XC, XD, XE, XF, XF, XH ... m CPDHPYPCXX (SEQ ID NO: 181), X m CDAFYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 182), X m CDSHYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 183) and X mCVPYYYACXX (SEQ ID NO: 184), wherein m is 2 to 10 and each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, wherein the MM inhibits binding of the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody to human CTLA4 when the CM is uncleaved, and the CM comprises at least a first cleavage site, and a) the TBM comprises an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and the activatable antibody further comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH). or b) the TBM comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and the activatable antibody further comprises a second polypeptide comprising an antibody light chain variable region (VL); c) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH); or d) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and an antibody light chain variable region (VL), and upon cleavage of the CM, the activatable antibody binds to human CTLA4 via its VH and VL. In some embodiments, the anti-PD1 antibody is 2E5. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a light chain variable region (VL), wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:294, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:295, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:296, and the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:297, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:298, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:299. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody comprises a VH comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:300. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody comprises a VL comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:301. In some of the above embodiments, the cancer is lung cancer. In some embodiments, the lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In other of the above embodiments, the cancer is ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, or colorectal cancer.

[0096] In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody and (b) an effective amount of an anti-CD137 antibody, wherein the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a polypeptide comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and a target binding moiety (TBM), wherein the MM is selected from the group consisting of X, XB, XC, XD, XE, XF, XF, XH ... m CPDHPYPCXX (SEQ ID NO: 181), X m CDAFYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 182), X m CDSHYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 183) and X mCVPYYYACXX (SEQ ID NO: 184), wherein m is 2-10 and each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, wherein the MM inhibits binding of the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody to human CTLA4 when the CM is uncleaved, and the CM comprises at least a first cleavage site, and wherein a) the TBM comprises an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and the activatable antibody further comprises a second polypeptide comprising an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH), or b) the TBM comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and the activatable antibody further comprises an antibody light chain variable region (VL). or c) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH), or d) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and an antibody light chain variable region (VL), wherein upon CM cleavage, the activatable antibody binds to human CTLA4 via its VH and VL, and the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to the extracellular domain of human CD137, wherein the antibody binds to one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 51, 53, 62-73, 83, 89, 92, 95-104, and 112-116 of SEQ ID NO: 231. In some embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer. In other of the above embodiments, the cancer is lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, or colorectal cancer.

[0097] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an anti-CTLA4 antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of human CTLA4 that includes amino acid residues Y105 and L106, but not including residue I108, and the numbering of the amino acid residues is according to SEQ ID NO: 207; and (b) an effective amount of a VEGF inhibitor. In some embodiments, the VEGF inhibitor is fruquintinib. In some embodiments, the cancer is colorectal cancer. In some embodiments, the VEGF inhibitor is anlotinib. In some embodiments, the cancer is renal cancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is renal adenocarcinoma. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an anti-CTLA4 antibody that specifically binds to an epitope that includes amino acid residues Y105 and L106 of human CTLA4 but does not include residue I108, and in which the amino acid residues are numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 207, and (b) an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the chemotherapeutic agent is docetaxel. In some embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject (a) an effective amount of an anti-CTLA4 antibody that specifically binds to an epitope that includes amino acid residues Y105 and L106 of human CTLA4 but does not include residue I108, and in which the amino acid residues are numbered according to SEQ ID NO: 207, and (b) an effective amount of a PARP inhibitor. In some embodiments, the PARP inhibitor is olaparib. In some of the above embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer. In other of the above embodiments, the cancer is lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or colorectal cancer.

[0098] Cancer treatment can be evaluated, for example, by tumor regression, shrinkage in tumor weight or size, time to progression, survival, progression-free survival, overall response rate, duration of response, quality of life, protein expression and / or activity. Approaches to determine efficacy of therapy can be used, including measuring response, for example, by radiological imaging.

[0099] The anti-CTLA4 antibodies (e.g., activatable antibodies), one or more additional therapeutic agents, and compositions provided by the present disclosure can be administered via any suitable enteral or parenteral route of administration. The term "enteral route of administration" refers to administration via any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Examples of enteral routes include oral, mucosal, buccal, and rectal, or intragastric routes. A "parenteral route of administration" refers to a route of administration other than the enteral route. Examples of parenteral routes of administration include intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, intraperitoneal, intratumoral, intravesical, intraarterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, transvisceral, intraarticular, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural, intrasternal, subcutaneous, or topical administration. The antibodies and compositions of the present disclosure can be administered using any suitable method, such as by oral ingestion, nasogastric tube, gastrostomy tube, injection, infusion, implantable infusion pump, and osmotic pump. The appropriate route and method of administration can vary depending on many factors, such as the particular antibody used, the desired rate of absorption, the particular formulation or dosage form used, the type or severity of the disorder being treated, the particular site of action, and the condition of the patient, and can be readily selected by one of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered intravenously.

[0100] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered at a dose not exceeding any one of 20 mg / kg, 15 mg / kg, 10 mg / kg, 9 mg / kg, 8 mg / kg, 7 mg / kg, 6 mg / kg, 5 mg / kg, 4 mg / kg, 3 mg / kg, 2 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, 0.8 mg / kg, 0.6 mg / kg, 0.5 mg / kg, 0.4 mg / kg, 0.3 mg / kg, 0.2 mg / kg, 0.1 mg / kg, 0.08 mg / kg, 0.05 mg / kg, 0.04 mg / kg, 0.03 mg / kg, 0.01 mg / kg, 0.003 mg / kg, or 0.001 mg / kg. In some embodiments, the dose of the anti-CTLA4 antibody is within any one of the following ranges, with an upper limit of 20 mg / kg, 19 mg / kg, 18 mg / kg, 17 mg / kg, 16 mg / kg, 15 mg / kg, 14 mg / kg, 13 mg / kg, 12 mg / kg, 11 mg / kg, 10 mg / kg, 9 mg / kg, 8 mg / kg, 7 mg / kg, 6 mg / kg, 5 mg / kg, 4 mg / kg, 3 mg / kg, 2 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, 0.8 mg / kg, 0.6 mg / kg, 0.5 mg / kg, 0.4 mg / kg, 0.3 mg / kg, 0.2 mg / kg, 0.1 mg / kg, 0.08 mg / kg, 0.05 mg / kg, 0.04 mg / kg, 0.03 mg / kg, or 0.003 mg / kg. or one of, independently, the specified lower limit is any one of 19 mg / kg, 18 mg / kg, 17 mg / kg, 16 mg / kg, 15 mg / kg, 14 mg / kg, 13 mg / kg, 12 mg / kg, 11 mg / kg, 10 mg / kg, 9 mg / kg, 8 mg / kg, 7 mg / kg, 6 mg / kg, 5 mg / kg, 4 mg / kg, 3 mg / kg, 2 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, 0.8 mg / kg, 0.6 mg / kg, 0.5 mg / kg, 0.4 mg / kg, 0.3 mg / kg, 0.2 mg / kg, 0.1 mg / kg, 0.08 mg / kg, 0.05 mg / kg, 0.04 mg / kg, 0.03 mg / kg, 0.01 mg / kg, 0.003 mg / kg, or 0.001 mg / kg, which lower limit is less than the upper limit.In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a concentration of about 0.03 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, about 0.1 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, about 1 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, about 3 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, about 5 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, about 0.03 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg, about 0.1 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg, about The dosage is administered at any one of the following doses: 1 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg, about 3 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg, about 5 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg, about 0.03 mg / kg to about 0.1 mg / kg, about 0.1 mg / kg to about 0.3 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg to about 1 mg / kg, about 1 mg / kg to about 3 mg / kg, about 3 mg / kg to about 5 mg / kg, about 0.1 mg / kg to about 3 mg / kg, or about 1 mg / kg to about 5 mg / kg. Doses described herein may refer to dosages suitable for humans, or equivalent dosages for a given species of subject. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a human subject at a dose equivalent to about 0.03 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, such as about 0.03 mg / kg, about 0.1 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg, about 1.0 mg / kg, about 3.0 mg / kg, about 6.0 mg / kg, about 10 mg / kg, or about 20 mg / kg, etc. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered at a dose of about 0.1 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg, such as about 0.1 mg / kg, about 0.3 mg / kg, about 1 mg / kg, about 3 mg / kg, about 6 mg / kg, about 10 mg / kg, about 15 mg / kg, or about 20 mg / kg. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered at a dose of 0.1 mg / kg to 20 mg / kg, e.g., 0.1 mg / kg, 0.3 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, 3 mg / kg, 6 mg / kg, 10 mg / kg, 15 mg / kg or 20 mg / kg.

[0101] An effective amount of the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents may be administered in a single dose or multiple doses. For methods involving administration of the anti-CTLA4 antibody in multiple doses, exemplary administration frequencies include, but are not limited to, once a week, once a week without interruption, two weeks out of three weeks, once a week, three weeks out of four weeks, once a week, once every three weeks, once every two weeks, once a month, once every six months, once a year, etc. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered about once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once every six weeks, or once every twelve weeks. In some embodiments, the interval between each administration is less than about 3 years, about 2 years, about 12 months, about 11 months, about 10 months, about 9 months, about 8 months, about 7 months, about 6 months, about 5 months, about 4 months, about 3 months, about 2 months, about 1 month, about 4 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 2 weeks, or about 1 week. In some embodiments, the interval between each administration is greater than about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 7 months, about 8 months, about 9 months, about 10 months, about 11 months, about 12 months, about 2 years, or about 3 years. In some embodiments, there is no break in the administration schedule.

[0102] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered infrequently, for example, any one of the following less than once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once a month, once every two months, once every three months, once every four months, once every five months, once every six months, once every seven months, once every eight months, once every nine months, once every ten months, once every eleven months, once a year, or less. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered in a single dose. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered about once every three weeks.

[0103] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered for two or more cycles, e.g., any one of about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, or about 12 or more cycles. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered for at least four cycles.

[0104] In some embodiments, the treatment includes an initial phase followed by a maintenance phase. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered less frequently in the maintenance phase than in the initial phase. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered the same frequency in the maintenance phase as in the initial phase. In some embodiments, the treatment includes an initial phase in which the anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered about once every 3 weeks for at least four cycles, and a maintenance phase in which the anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered about once every 4 weeks to once every 12 weeks, e.g., once every 4 weeks, once every 6 weeks, once every 8 weeks, once every 10 weeks, or once every 12 weeks. In some embodiments, the frequency of administration in the maintenance phase is determined by one or more biomarkers, e.g., T reg cells, CD8+ T em cells, CD4+ T em cell, T reg CD8+ T cells em Proportion of cells, T reg CD4+ T cells em For example, if the subject has a CD4+ T cell population, CD25+ T cells, and / or NK cells after administration of an anti-CTLA4 antibody, reg CD8+ T cells em If an elevated proportion of cells is observed, the subject may receive further administration of anti-CTLA4 antibody approximately once every four weeks.

[0105] Administration of the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents can extend over an extended period of time, e.g., from about one week to about one month, from about one month to about one year, from about one year to about several years, In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered for at least about one week, about two weeks, about three weeks, about four weeks, about five weeks, about one month, about two months, about three months, about four months, about five months, about six months, about seven months, about eight months, about nine months, about ten months, about eleven months, about twelve months, about one year, about two years, about three years, or about four years or more.

[0106] Upon cleavage of the MM, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87 or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100 or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100. , at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%), the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 3 mg / kg to about 20 mg / kg once every three weeks, at about 3 mg / kg to about 15 mg / kg once every three weeks, at about 6 mg / kg to about 15 mg / kg once every three weeks, or at about 6 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg once every three weeks. In some such embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 3 mg / kg once every three weeks. In another such embodiment, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 6 mg / kg once every three weeks. In another such embodiment, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 10 mg / kg once every three weeks. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a human IgG1 Fc region, e.g., a wild-type IgG1 Fc region, or a variant having enhanced ADCC activity. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises an MM of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 189-196.In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a MM of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 213-216. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a MM of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 141-147. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a MM of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 200. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or 321, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or 321, and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient with melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, or hepatocellular carcinoma. In other of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient with MSI-H or dMMR cancer. In other of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient with metastatic cancer. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient who is resistant or refractory to conventional cancer therapies, including other anti-CTLA4 antibodies, anti-PD-1 antibodies, anti-PD-L1 antibodies, or combinations thereof.

[0107] In some embodiments, when MM is cleaved, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a first higher dose (e.g., about 10 mg / kg to about 20 mg) for at least one treatment cycle (as defined herein) followed by lower doses (e.g., about 3 mg / kg to about 10 mg / kg) in subsequent cycles. In some such embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 10 mg / kg for at least one treatment cycle (e.g., 1-3 treatment cycles) and at a dose of about 6 mg / kg for a subsequent treatment cycle. In another such embodiment, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 10 mg / kg for at least one treatment cycle (e.g., 1-3 treatment cycles) and at a dose of about 3 mg / kg for a subsequent treatment cycle. In another such embodiment, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 15 mg / kg for at least one treatment cycle (e.g., 1-3 treatment cycles) and at a dose of about 10 mg / kg for a subsequent treatment cycle. In another such embodiment, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered at a dose of about 20 mg / kg for at least one treatment cycle (e.g., 1-3 treatment cycles) and at a dose of about 10 mg / kg for a subsequent treatment cycle.In some of the above embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or 321, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or 321, and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322, or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%) to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient with melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, or hepatocellular carcinoma. In other of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient with MSI-H or dMMR cancer. In other of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient with metastatic cancer. In some of the above embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered to a patient who is resistant or refractory to conventional cancer therapies, including other anti-CTLA4 antibodies, anti-PD-1 antibodies, anti-PD-L1 antibodies, or combinations thereof.

[0108] In any of the embodiments of the previous two paragraphs, the anti-CTLA4 antibody can be administered as a monotherapy or in combination with one or more anti-cancer agents as disclosed herein. For example, the anti-CTLA4 antibody can be administered in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody or an anti-CD137 antibody. In some embodiments, the combination of the anti-CTLA4 antibody with an anti-PD-1 antibody or an anti-CD137 antibody exerts a synergistic effect.

[0109] In some embodiments, treatment with an anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents depletes Treg cells in tumors, hi some embodiments, treatment with an anti-CTLA4 antibody and / or one or more additional therapeutic agents does not deplete Treg cells in peripheral tissues.

[0110] In some embodiments, the subject has been previously treated with conventional therapy. In some embodiments, the subject has previously received any one of one, two, three, or more than four prior therapies. In some embodiments, the subject has exhausted all other available therapies. In some embodiments, the subject is non-responsive or resistant to conventional therapy. In some embodiments, the subject has disease relapse after conventional therapy. In some embodiments, the subject is refractory to conventional therapy. In some embodiments, the subject has failed conventional therapy within about one year, about six months, or about three months. In some embodiments, the subject has not previously received conventional therapy.

[0111] In some embodiments, the subject has previously been treated with standard therapy for the cancer. In some embodiments, the subject is unresponsive or resistant to standard therapy. In some embodiments, the subject has disease recurrence after standard therapy. In some embodiments, the subject is refractory to standard therapy. In some embodiments, the subject has failed standard therapy within about 1 year, about 6 months, or about 3 months. In some embodiments, the subject has not previously received standard therapy. In some embodiments, the subject has rejected standard therapy or is ineligible for standard therapy.

[0112] In some embodiments, the conventional therapy (e.g., standard therapy) is selected from the group consisting of viral gene therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is an immune checkpoint inhibitor. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is an inhibitor of CTLA4, PD-1, or PD-1 ligand (e.g., PD-L1 or PD-L2). In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is a CTLA4 inhibitor, such as an anti-CTLA4 antibody that is different from the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is ipilimumab. In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is ipilimumab and / or nivolumab.

[0113] In some embodiments, the conventional therapy is an inhibitor of PD-1 or PD-1 ligand, including PD-1 binding antagonists, PDL1 binding antagonists, and PDL2 binding antagonists. Alternative names for "PD-1" include CD279 and SLEB2. Alternative names for "PDL1" include B7-H1, B7-4, CD274, and B7-H. Alternative names for "PDL2" include B7-DC, Btdc, and CD273. In some embodiments, PD-1, PDL1, and PDL2 are human PD-1, human PDL1, and human PDL2.

[0114] In some embodiments, an inhibitor of PD-1 is a molecule that inhibits PD-1 from binding to its ligand binding partner. In some embodiments, an inhibitor of PD-1 ligand is an inhibitor of PD-L1 and / or PD-L2. In some embodiments, an inhibitor of PD-L1 is a molecule that inhibits PDL1 from binding to its binding partner. In some embodiments, a binding partner of PD-L2 is PD-1 and / or B7-1. In some embodiments, an inhibitor of PD-1 ligand is a molecule that inhibits PD-L2 from binding to its binding partner. In some embodiments, a binding partner of PD-L2 is PD-1. The inhibitor may be an antibody, an antigen-binding fragment thereof, an immunoadhesin, a fusion protein, or an oligopeptide.

[0115] In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is an anti-PD-1 antibody (e.g., a human antibody, a humanized antibody, or a chimeric antibody). In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is selected from the group consisting of nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and CT-011. In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is an immunoadhesin (e.g., an immunoadhesin comprising an extracellular portion or a PD-1 binding portion of PDL1 or PDL2 fused to a constant region (e.g., an Fc region of an immunoglobulin sequence). In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is AMP-224. Nivolumab is also known as MDX-1106-04, MDX-1106, ONO-4538, BMS-936558, and OPDIVO®, and is an anti-PD-1 antibody described in WO 2006 / 121168. Pembrolizumab, also known as MK-3475, Merck3475, Lambrolizumab, KEYTRUDA® and SCH-900475, is an anti-PD-1 antibody described in WO2009 / 114335. CT-011, also known as hBAT or hBAT-1, is an anti-PD-1 antibody described in WO2009 / 101611. AMP-224, also known as B7-DCIg, is a soluble receptor that is a PDL2-Fc fusion, described in WO2010 / 027827 and WO2011 / 066342. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is nivolumab (CAS Registry Number: 946414-94-4). In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is pembrolizumab (CAS Registry Number: 1374853-91-4).

[0116] In some embodiments, the PD-L1 inhibitor is an anti-PD-L1 antibody. In some embodiments, the PD-L1 inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of YW243.55.S70, MPDL3280A, MDX-1105, and MEDI4736. MDX-1105, also known as BMS-936559, is an anti-PD-L1 antibody described in WO2007 / 005874. Antibody YW243.55.S70 is an anti-PD-L1 antibody described in WO2010 / 077634A1. MEDI4736 is an anti-PD-L1 antibody described in WO2011 / 066389 and US2013 / 034559. Examples of anti-PD-L1 antibodies useful in the methods of the present application, and methods for making them, are described in International Publication No. WO2010 / 077634A1 and U.S. Patent No. 8,217,149, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0117] Pretreatment (e.g., standard therapy) also includes surgery to remove tumors, and radiation therapy. Exemplary radiation therapy includes, but is not limited to, ionizing (electromagnetic) radiation therapy (e.g., X-rays or gamma rays) and particle radiation therapy (e.g., high-energy radiation therapy). The source of radiation can be external or internal to the subject's body.

[0118] The methods described herein are useful for various aspects of cancer treatment. In some embodiments, a method is provided for inhibiting cell proliferation (such as tumor growth) in an individual, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, cell proliferation is inhibited by at least about 10% (including, for example, at least any of about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 95% or more).

[0119] In some embodiments, methods are provided for inhibiting tumor metastasis in an individual, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein, in some embodiments, inhibiting metastasis by at least about 10% (including, for example, at least any of about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 95% or more).

[0120] In some embodiments, methods are provided for reducing (e.g., eradicating) metastasis (e.g., metastasis to lymph nodes) of an existing tumor in an individual, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein, in some embodiments, reducing metastasis by at least about 10% (including, for example, at least any of about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 95% or more).

[0121] In some embodiments, a method is provided for reducing the incidence or amount of metastasis (such as metastasis to lymph nodes) of an existing tumor in an individual, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein.

[0122] In some embodiments, a method of reducing tumor size in an individual is provided, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein, in some embodiments, the method reduces tumor size by at least about 10% (including, for example, at least about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 95% or more).

[0123] In some embodiments, a method of increasing the time to disease progression of cancer in an individual is provided, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein, in some embodiments, the method increases the time to disease progression by at least any of 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks, or 36 weeks or more.

[0124] In some embodiments, there is provided a method of increasing survival (e.g., overall survival or progression-free survival) of an individual with cancer, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, the method increases survival of the individual by at least any of 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11 months, 12 months, 18 months, or 24 months.

[0125] In some embodiments, there is provided a method of alleviating one or more symptoms in an individual with cancer, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein, in some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents.

[0126] In some embodiments, a method of improving quality of life in an individual with cancer is provided, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein.

[0127] Combination therapy A method of treating cancer in a subject is provided, comprising administering to the subject an anti-CTLA4 antibody in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents.

[0128] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with an immunotherapeutic agent. The term "immunotherapeutic agent" refers to a chemical or biological substance capable of enhancing the immune response of a mammal. Examples of immunotherapeutic agents include bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), cytokines such as interferon, personalized immunotherapy MyVax, Onyvax-P, Oncophage, GRNVAC1, Favld, Provenge, GVAX, Lovaxin, etc. Vaccines such as C, BiovaxID, GMXX, and NeuVax, as well as anti-cancer drugs such as alemtuzumab (CAMPATH®), bevacizumab (AVASTIN®), cetuximab (ERBITUX®), gemtuzumab ozogamicin (MYLOTARG®), ibritumomab tiuxetan (ZEVALIN®), panitumumab (VECTIBIX®), rituximab (RITUXAN®, MABTHERA®), trastuzumab (HERCEPTIN®), and rituximab (HERCEPTIN®). (registered trademark), tositumomab (BEXXAR®), ipilimumab (YERVOY®), tremelimumab, CAT-3888, agonist antibodies against the OX40 receptor (such as those disclosed in WO2009 / 079335), agonist antibodies against the CD40 receptor (such as those disclosed in WO2003 / 040170), and TLR-9 agonists (such as those disclosed in WO2003 / 015711, WO2004 / 016805, and WO2009 / 022215).

[0129] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with a hormonal therapy. The term "hormonal therapy" refers to a chemical or biological agent that inhibits or eliminates the production of hormones or inhibits or counteracts the effects of hormones on the growth and / or survival of cancer cells. Examples of such agents suitable for the methods of the invention include those disclosed in US20070117809. Examples of specific hormonal therapy agents include tamoxifen (NOLVADEX®), toremifene (FARESTON®), fulvestrant (FASLODEX®), anastrozole (ARIMIDEX®), exemestane (AROMASIN®), letrozole (FEMARA®), megestrol acetate (MEGACE®), goserelin (ZOLADEX®), and leuprolide (LUPRON®). The anti-CTLA4 antibodies of the present disclosure may also be used in combination with (1) surgical procedures to remove all or part of the organs or glands involved in hormone production, such as the ovaries, testes, adrenal glands and pituitary gland, and (2) non-drug hormone therapies such as radiation therapy, in which a patient's organs or glands are exposed to radiation in amounts sufficient to inhibit or eliminate production of the targeted hormone.

[0130] In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is one or more of pomalyst, Revlimid, lenalidomide, pomalidomide, thalidomide, platinum-containing derivatives that alkylate DNA, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, anti-CD137 antibody, anti-PD-1 antibody, anti-PD-L1 antibody, anti-CD20 antibody, anti-CD40 antibody, anti-DR5 antibody, anti-CD1d antibody, anti-TIM3 antibody, anti-SLAMF7 antibody, anti-KIR receptor antibody, anti-OX40 antibody, anti-HER2 antibody, anti-ErbB-2 antibody, anti-EGFR antibody, cetuximab, rituximab, trastuzumab, pembrolizumab, radiation therapy, single dose radiation, fractionated radiation, focal radiation, whole organ radiation, IL-12, IFNα, GM-CSF, chimeric antigen receptor, adoptively transferred T cells, anti-cancer vaccine, and oncolytic virus. In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an anti-PD-1 antibody. In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an anti-PD-1 antibody.

[0131] Combination therapies for treating cancer also include combining anti-CTLA4 antibodies with surgery to remove the tumor. The anti-CTLA4 antibodies may be administered to the mammal before, during, or after surgery.

[0132] Combination therapies for treating cancer also include a combination of anti-CTLA4 antibodies with radiation therapy, such as ionizing (electromagnetic) radiation therapy (e.g., X-rays or gamma rays) and particle radiation therapy (e.g., high-energy radiation therapy). The source of radiation can be external or internal to the mammal. The anti-CTLA4 antibodies can be administered to the mammal before, during, or after radiation therapy.

[0133] Also provided are compositions of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein for use in the methods described in this section, and the use of the anti-CTLA4 antibody in the manufacture of a medicament for treating cancer (such as a solid cancer, e.g., urothelial carcinoma).

[0134] Immune checkpoint inhibitors In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, such as an anti-PD-1 antibody or an anti-PD-L1 antibody. An immune checkpoint inhibitor is a compound that inhibits the activity of a regulatory mechanism of the immune system. Immune system checkpoints or immune checkpoints are inhibitory pathways in the immune system that generally act to maintain self-tolerance or regulate the duration and magnitude of physiological immune responses to minimize associated tissue damage. Checkpoint inhibitors can inhibit immune system checkpoints in the pathway by stimulating the activity of stimulatory checkpoint molecules or inhibiting the activity of inhibitory checkpoint molecules. Immune system checkpoint molecules include, but are not limited to, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1), programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (PD-L2), lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), B7-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, T-cell membrane protein 3 (TIM3), B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), V-domain immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing inhibitor of T-cell activation (VISTA), killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), and A2A adenosine receptor (A2aR). Thus, checkpoint inhibitors include antagonists of CTLA4, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, LAG3, B7-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, BTLA, VISTA, KIR, A2aR or TIM3. For example, an antibody that binds to and antagonizes the function of CTLA4, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, LAG3, B7-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, BTLA, VISTA, KIR, A2aR or TIM3 is a checkpoint inhibitor. In addition, any molecule (e.g., peptide, nucleic acid, small molecule, etc.) that inhibits the inhibitory function of immune system checkpoints is a checkpoint inhibitor.

[0135] In some embodiments, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is an antibody that specifically binds to an immune checkpoint molecule, hi some embodiments, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, and an anti-CTLA4 antibody.

[0136] In some embodiments, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is an anti-PD-1 antibody. Exemplary anti-PD-1 antibodies include 2E5 (Cstone Pharmaceuticals), tislelizumab (BGB-A317), BGB-108, STI-A1110, AM0001, BI754091, sintilimab (IBI308), cetrelimab (JNJ-63723283), toripalimab (JS-001), camrelizumab (SHR-1210, INCSHR-1210, HR-301210), MEDI-0680 (AMP-514), MGA-012 (INCMGA 0012), nivolumab (BMS-936558, MDX1106, ONO-4538), spartalizumab (PDR00l), pembrolizumab (MK-3475, SCH900475), PF-06801591, cemiplimab (REGN-2810, REGEN2810), dostallimab (TSR-042, ANB011), pidilizumab (CT-011), FITC-YT-16 (PD-1 binding peptide), APL-501, CBT-501 or geptanolimab (GB-226), AB-122, AK105, A MG404, BCD-100, F520, HLX10, HX008, JTX-4014, LZM009, Sym021, PSB205, AMP-224 (fusion protein targeting PD-1), CX-188 (PD-1 probody), AGEN-2034, GLS-010, budigalimab (ABBV-181), AK-103, BAT-1306, CS-1003, AM-0001, TILT-123, BH-2922, BH-2941, BH-2950, ​​ENUM-244C8, ENUM-388D4, HAB-21, H EISCOI 11-003, IKT-202, MCLA-134, MT-17000, PEGMP-7, PRS-332, RXI-762, STI-1110, VXM-10, XmAb-2 3104, AK-112, HLX-20, SSI-361, AT-16201, SNA-01, AB122, PD1-PIK, PF-06936308, RG-7769, CAB PD-1 Abs, AK-123, MEDI-3387, MEDI-5771, 4H1128Z-E27, REMD-288, SG-001, BY-24.3, CB-201, IBI-319, ONCR-177, Max-1, CS-4100, JBI-426, CCC-0701, CCX-4503, biosimilars thereof, and derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, antibodies that compete with any of these art-recognized antibodies for binding to PD-1 can also be used. In some embodiments, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is 2E5. 2E5 and related anti-PD-1 antibodies are described, for example, in CN107840887A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is toripalimab. Toripalimab and related anti-PD-1 antibodies are described, for example, in US10066013B2, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0137] In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a light chain variable region (VL), wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:294, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:295, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:296, and the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:297, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:298, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:299. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody comprises a VH comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:300. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody comprises a VL comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:301.

[0138] In some embodiments, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is an anti-PD-L1 antibody. Exemplary anti-PD-L1 antibodies include atezolizumab, avelumab, durvalumab (Imfinzi), BGB-A333, SHR-1316 (HTI-1088), CK-301, BMS-936559, embafolimab (KN035, ASC22), CS1001, MDX-1105 (BMS-936559), LY3300054, STI-A1014, FAZ053, CX-072, INCB086550, GNS-1480, CA-170, CK-301, M-7824, HTI-1088(HTI-131, SHR-1316), MSB-2311, AK-106, AVA-004, BBI-801, CA-327, CBA-0710, CBT-502, FPT-155, IKT-201, IKT-703, 10 -103, JS-003, KD-033, KY-1003, MCLA-145, MT-5050, SNA-02, BCD-135, APL-502 (CBT-402 or TQB2450), IMC-001, KD-045, INBRX-105, KN-046, IMC-2102, IMC-2101, KD-005, IMM-2502, 89Zr-CX-072 , 89Zr-DFO-6E11, KY-1055, MEDI-1109, MT-5594, SL-279252, DSP-106, Gensci-047, REMD-290, N-809, PRS-344, FS-222, GEN-1046, BH-29xx, FS-118, biosimilars thereof, and derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, antibodies that compete with any of these art-recognized antibodies for binding to PD-L1 can also be used. In some embodiments, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is atezolizumab.

[0139] Anti-CD137 antibody In some embodiments, an anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with an anti-CD137 antibody, which in some embodiments is any one of the anti-CD137 antibodies (including full-length antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof) described herein (see Section IV, Anti-CD137 Antibodies).

[0140] CD137 (also called CD137 receptor, 4-1BB, TNFRSF9, etc.) is a transmembrane protein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRS). Current understanding of CD137 indicates that its expression is largely activation-dependent and is present on a wide range of immune cell subsets, including activated NK cells, activated NKT cells, regulatory T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), stimulated mast cells, differentiating myeloid cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils (Wang, 2009, Immunological Reviews 229:192-215). Expression of CD137 has also been shown in the vasculature of tumors (Broll, 2001, Amer. J. Clin. Pathol. 115(4):543-549; Seaman, 2007, Cancer Cell 11:539-554), and at sites of inflammation or atherosclerosis (Drenkard, 2007 FASEB J. 21:456-463; Olofsson, 2008, Circulation 117:1292-1301). The stimulatory ligand for CD137, CD137 ligand (CD137L), is expressed on activated antigen-presenting cells (APCs), myeloid progenitor cells, and hematopoietic stem cells.

[0141] VEGF inhibitors In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., an activatable antibody) is administered in combination with a VEGF inhibitor. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are a type of angiogenesis inhibitor. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis is believed to play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with a VEGF inhibitor. In some embodiments, the VEGF inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of fruquintinib, anlotinib, sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, brivanib alaninate, cediranib, vandetanib, linifanib, aflibercept, and anti-VEGF bispecific antibodies.

[0142] Chemotherapeutic agents In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent. The term "chemotherapeutic agent" refers to a chemical or biological substance capable of killing cancer cells or interfering with the growth, division, repair and / or function of cancer cells. Examples of chemotherapeutic agents include those disclosed in WO2006 / 129163 and US20060153808, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of specific chemotherapeutic agents include: (1) alkylating agents, such as chlorambucil (LEUKERAN®), cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®), ifosfamide (IFEX®), mechlorethamine hydrochloride (MUSTARGEN®), thiotepa (THIOPLEX®), streptozotocin (ZANOSAR®), carmustine (BICNU®, GLIADEL ...cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®), ifosfamide (IFEX®), mechlorethamine hydrochloride (MUSTARGEN®), cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®), ifosfamide (IFEX®), mechlorethamine hydrochloride (MUSTARGEN®), cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®), ifosfamide (IFEX®), mechlorethamine hydrochloride (MUSTARGEN®), cyclo (2) alkaloids including cytotoxic antibiotics or plant vinca alkaloids, such as doxorubicin (ADRIAMYCIN®), epirubicin (ELLENCE®, PHARMORUBICIN®), daunorubicin (CERUBIDINE®, DAUNOXOME®), nemorubicin, idarubicin (IDAMYCIN®), PFS®, ZAVEDOS®), mitoxantrone (DHAD®, NOVANTRONE®), dactinomycin (Actinomycin D, COSMEGEN®), plicamycin (MITHRACIN®), mitomycin (MUTAMYCIN®), bleomycin (BLENOXANE®), vinorelbine tartrate (NAVELBINE®), vinblastine (VELBAN®), vincristine (ONCOVIN®), and vindesine (ELDISINE®); (3) antimetabolites, such as capecitabine (XELODA®), cytarabine (CYTOSAR-U®), fludarabine (FLUDARA®), gemcitabine (GEMZAR®);hydroxyurea (HYDRA®), methotrexate (FOLEX®, MEXATE, TREXALL®), nelarabine (ARRANON®), trimetrexate (NEUTREXIN®), and pemetrexed (ALIMTA®); (4) pyrimidine antagonists, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), capecitabine (XELODA®), raltitrexed (TOMUDEX®), tegafur-uracil (UFTORAL®), and gemcitabine; (5) taxanes, such as docetaxel (TAXOTERE®), paclitaxel (Taxol®), (6) platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin (PLATINOL®), carboplatin (PARAPLATIN®) and oxaliplatin (ELOXATIN®), (7) topoisomerase inhibitors, such as irinotecan (CAMPTOSAR®), topotecan (HYCAMTIN®), etoposide (ETOPOPHOS®), VEPESSID®, TOPOSAR®) and teniposide (VUMON®), (8) epipodophyllotoxins (podophyllotoxin derivatives), such as etoposide (ETOPOPHOS®, VEPESSID®, TOPOSAR®), (9) folic acid derivatives, such as leucovorin (WELLCOVORIN®), (10) nitrosoureas, such as carmustine (BICNU®), lomustine (CEENU®), (11) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), such as gefitinib (IRESSA®), erlotinib (TARCEVA®), bortezomib (VELCADE®), imatinib mesylate (GLEEVEC®), gefitinib, lapatinib, sorafenib, thalidomide, sunitinib (SUTENT®), axitinib,Rituximab (RITUXAN, MABTHERA®), trastuzumab (HERCEPTIN®), cetuximab (ERBITUX®), bevacizumab (AVASTIN®) and ranibizumab (LUCENTIS®), lym-1 (ONCOLYM®), an antibody against the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is disclosed in WO 2002 / 053596 ), (12) angiogenesis inhibitors such as bevacizumab (AVASTIN®), suramin (GERMANIN®), angiostatin, SU5416, thalidomide and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (such as batimastat and marimastat), and those disclosed in WO2002055106, and (13) proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib (VELCADE®).

[0143] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with Icaritin (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)chromen-4-one, PubChem CID No. 5318980). Icaritin is a compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium genus that has shown antitumor effects in a variety of neoplasms, including hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Icaritin is also sometimes referred to as "SNG162." The structure of Icaritin is shown below. [ka]

[0144] PARP inhibitors In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with a PARP inhibitor. PARP inhibitors are a group of pharmacological inhibitors of the enzyme poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is administered in combination with a PARP inhibitor. In some embodiments, the PARP inhibitor is olaparib.

[0145] III. Anti-CTLA4 antibody The methods described herein include administration of anti-CTLA4 antibodies that specifically bind to human CTLA4, including CTLA4 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments of CTLA4 antibodies, and derivatives of CTLA4 antibodies. Exemplary anti-CTLA4 antibodies are described, for example, in International Publication No. WO2019149281A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0146] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is any one of the antibodies described herein, including those described with respect to HVR, variable regions (VL, VH), and specific amino acid sequences of the light and heavy chains (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG4). In some embodiments, the antibody is a human antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody is a humanized and / or chimeric antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody binds to human CTLA4 and (a) has a K of 500 nM or less for human CTLA4, cynomolgus monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4. D(b) having antagonist activity against human CTLA4; (c) not binding to human PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, LAG3, TIM3, B7-H3, CD95, CD120a, OX40, CD40, BTLA, VISTA, ICOS, and / or B7-H4 at concentrations up to 100 nM; (d) having cross-reactivity with monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4; and (e) having the ability to induce ADCC activity (e.g., against Tregs). (f) the ability to activate human PBMCs (e.g., stimulate secretion of IL-2 and / or IFNγ), (g) the ability to inhibit tumor cell growth, (h) the ability to have a therapeutic effect against cancer, and (i) the ability to block human CTLA4 binding to human CD80 and / or human CD86. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein have a lower activity than ipilimumab in blocking the binding of CD80 and / or CD86 to human CTLA4 in assays where human CD80 and / or CD86 are immobilized (i.e., bound to a plate) or where human CTLA4 protein is present on the surface of a cell. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein selectively deplete Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment compared to depleting Treg cells in PBMCs or spleens. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein have greater Treg depletion activity in the tumor microenvironment than ipilimumab. Also provided herein is one or more anti-CTLA4 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments that cross-compete with one or more of the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments described herein for binding to human CTLA4.

[0147] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment has a K of about 500 nM or less for human CTLA4, cynomolgus monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4. D(e.g., about 500 nM or less, about 450 nM or less, about 400 nM or less, about 350 nM or less, about 300 nM or less, about 250 nM or less, about 200 nM or less, about 150 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 90 nM or less, about 80 nM or less, about 70 nM or less, about 60 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 40 nM or less, about 30 nM or less, about 25 nM or less, about 20 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 1 nM or less, about 0.1 nM or less, etc.). In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof binds to human CTLA4, cyno CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4 with a K of about 350 nM or less. D In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds to human CTLA4 with a K of about 100 nM or less. D In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds to human CTLA4 with a K of about 50 nM or less. D In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds to human CTLA4 with a K of about 10 nM or less. D The K of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment D Methods for measuring K may be performed using any method known in the art, including, for example, by surface plasmon resonance, ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry, filter binding assay, EMSA, and the like. In some embodiments, K D is measured by surface plasmon resonance or ELISA (see, for example, Example 3 below).

[0148] In some embodiments, the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments described herein have antagonist activity against human CTLA4. In some embodiments, when a cell expressing human CTLA4 (e.g., a human cell) is contacted with the antibody or antigen-binding fragment, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment inhibits one or more activities of human CTLA4 (e.g., blocks CTLA4 as measured by an increase in reporter gene signal using a CLA4 blockade reporter gene assay).

[0149] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is cross-reactive with monkey (e.g., cynomolgus) CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is cross-reactive with monkey CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is cross-reactive with mouse CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is cross-reactive with rat CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is cross-reactive with dog CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is cross-reactive with monkey CTLA4 and mouse CTLA4, monkey CTLA4 and rat CTLA4, monkey CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and rat CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and rat CTLA4, monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, monkey CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, or monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds to a non-human CTLA4 molecule with a K of less than about 500 nM (e.g., less than about 1 nM, less than about 10 nM, less than about 25 nM, less than about 50 nM, less than about 75 nM, less than about 100 nM, less than about 150 nM, less than about 200 nM, less than about 250 nM, less than about 300 nM, less than about 350 nM, etc.). D If the antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds at the nucleotide sequence of ...

[0150] In some embodiments, the antibody induces an ADCC effect against a CTLA4-expressing cell (e.g., a CTLA4-expressing human cell, such as a Treg) after binding to CTLA4 expressed by the cell. Methods (e.g., in vitro methods) for measuring ADCC effect are known in the art. In some embodiments, the antibody induces an ADCC effect by more than about 10% relative to a control (e.g., an isotype control or ipilimumab) (e.g., induces ADCC by more than about 10%, more than about 15%, more than about 20%, more than about 25%, more than about 30%, more than about 35%, more than about 40%, etc.).

[0151] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is capable of inhibiting the growth and / or proliferation of tumor cells. In some embodiments, the growth and / or proliferation of tumor cells is inhibited by at least about 5% (e.g., at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 99%) when contacted with the antibody or antigen-binding fragment relative to corresponding tumor cells not contacted with the antibody or antigen-binding fragment (or relative to corresponding tumor cells contacted with an isotype control antibody). In some embodiments, when administered to a subject, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is capable of reducing tumor volume in the subject. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment can reduce tumor volume in a subject by at least about 5% (e.g., at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 99%) relative to the initial tumor volume in the subject (e.g., compared to a corresponding tumor in a subject administered an isotype control antibody prior to administration of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment). Methods for monitoring tumor cell growth / proliferation, tumor volume, and / or tumor inhibition are known in the art.

[0152] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment has a therapeutic effect against cancer. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment relieves one or more of the signs or symptoms of cancer. In some embodiments, a subject suffering from cancer undergoes partial or complete remission when administered the antibody or antigen-binding fragment.

[0153] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an isolated antibody that competes or cross-competes with any of the exemplary antibodies of the present disclosure, e.g., TY21585, TY21586, TY21587, TY21588, TY21589, TY21580, TY21591, TY21686, TY21687, TY21689, TY21680, TY21691, and / or TY21692, for binding to human CTLA4. In certain embodiments, the present application provides an isolated antibody that competes or cross-competes with any of the exemplary antibodies of the present disclosure for binding to the same epitope on human CTLA4. The ability of an antibody to compete or cross-compete with another antibody for binding can be determined using standard binding assays known in the art, such as BIAcore analysis, ELISA assays, or flow cytometry. For example, an exemplary antibody of the present disclosure can be allowed to bind to human CTLA4 under saturating conditions, and then the ability of the test antibody to bind to that CTLA4 can be measured. If the test antibody is able to bind to the CTLA4 at the same time as the exemplary antibody, then the test antibody binds to a different epitope than the exemplary antibody. However, if the test antibody is not able to bind to the CTLA4 at the same time, then the test antibody binds to the same epitope as, an epitope that overlaps with, or is adjacent to the epitope bound by the exemplary antibody. This experiment can be performed using a variety of methods, such as ELISA, RIA, FACS, or surface plasmon resonance.

[0154] In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment blocks the binding of CTLA4 to one or more of its binding partners (e.g., human CTLA4 to human CD80, human CTLA4 to human CD86). In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment blocks the binding of CTLA4 to its ligand in vitro. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment has a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) that blocks the binding of CTLA4 to CD80 and / or CD86. 50 ) is about 500 nM or less (e.g., about 500 nM or less, about 400 nM or less, about 300 nM or less, about 200 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 25 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 1 nM or less, etc.). In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof has a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) is about 100 nM or less. In some embodiments, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment completely blocks human CTLA4 binding to CD80 and / or CD86 when provided at a concentration of about 100 nM or more (e.g., about 100 nM or more, about 500 nM or more, about 1 μM or more, about 10 μM or more, etc.). As used herein, the term "completely blocking" or "completely blocks" refers to the ability of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment to reduce binding between a first protein and a second protein by at least about 80% (e.g., at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 99%, etc.). Methods for measuring the ability of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment to block binding between a first protein (e.g., human CTLA4) and a second protein (e.g., human CD80 or human CD86) are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, by BIAcore analysis, ELISA assays, and flow cytometry. In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein have less activity in blocking ligand binding than ipilimumab.

[0155] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody has a K for human CTLA4 of 1000 nM or less (e.g., 50 nM or less, 10 nM or less) as measured by surface plasmon resonance. D In some embodiments, the antibody is cross-reactive with at least one non-human species selected from cynomolgus monkey, mouse, rat, and dog.

[0156] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody specifically binds to an epitope similar to the ligand binding site of human CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody specifically binds to an epitope similar to the CD80 binding site of human CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody specifically binds to an epitope similar to the CD86 binding site of human CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody specifically binds to an epitope that includes one or more amino acid residues within the ligand binding site (e.g., the CD80 binding site and / or the CD86 binding site) of human CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody specifically binds to an epitope on human CTLA4 that is different from the epitope of ipilimumab. In some embodiments, the epitope does not include amino acid residues within the CC' loop motif of human CTLA4. In some embodiments, the epitope does not include amino acid residues L106 or I108 of human CTLA4. In some embodiments, the antibody specifically binds to an epitope including amino acid residues Y105 and L106, but not including I108, of human CTLA4, the numbering of which is according to KAMHVAQPAVVLASSRGIASFVCEYASPGKATEVRVTVLRQADSQVTEVCAATYMMGNELTFLDDSICTGTSSGNQVNLTIQGLRAMDTGLYICKVELMYPPPYYLGIGNGTQIYVIDPE (SEQ ID NO: 207).

[0157] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, a) the heavy chain variable region comprises HVR-H1, HVR-H2 and HVR-H3, wherein HVR-H1 is represented by a sequence of formula (I): X1TFSX2YX3IHWV (SEQ ID NO: 1), where X1 is F or Y, X2 is D or G, and X3 is A, G or W, or a sequence of formula (II): YSIX1SGX2X3WX4WI (SEQ ID NO: 2), where X1 is S or T, X2 is H or Y, X3 is H or Y, and X4 is A, D or W, is S), and formula (III): FSLSTGGVAVX1WI (SEQ ID NO: 3) (wherein X1 is G or S), and its HVR-H2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from formula (IV): IGX1IX2HSGSTYYSX3SLKSRV (SEQ ID NO: 4) (wherein X1 is D or E, X2 is S or Y, and X3 is P or Q), formula (V): IGX1ISPSX2GX3TX4YAQKFQGRV (SEQ ID NO: 5) (wherein X1 is I or W, X2 is G or S, and X3 is G or S), and X4 is K or N, and formula (VI): VSX1ISGX2GX3X4TYYADSVKGRF (SEQ ID NO: 6) (wherein X1 is A, G or S, X2 is S or Y, X3 is G or S, and X4 is S or T), and its HVR-H3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from formula (VII): ARX1X2X3X4FDX5 (SEQ ID NO: 7) (wherein X1 is G, R or S, X2 is A, I or Y, X3 is D, V or Y, X4 is A, E or Y, and X5 is I, E or N). or Y), formula (VIII): ARX1GX2GYFDX3 (SEQ ID NO: 8) (wherein X1 is D or L, X2 is F or Y, and X3 is V or Y), formula (IX): ARX1X2X3X4AX5X6FDY (SEQ ID NO: 9) (wherein X1 is L or R, X2 is I or P, X3 is A or Y, X4 is S or T, X5 is T or Y, and X6 is A or Y), and formula (X): ARDX1X2X3GSSGYYX4GFDX5 (SEQ ID NO: 10) (wherein X1 isand / or b) said light chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from HVR-L1, HVR-L2 and HVR-L3, wherein HVR-L1 is selected from the group consisting of HVR-L1, HVR-L2 and HVR-L3, and ... X1 is S or T, X2 is F, R or S, X3 is G or S, and X4 is F or Y; and (XIII): RASX1SVDFX2GX3SFLX4 (SEQ ID NO: 13) (wherein X1 is E or Q, X2 is D, F, H or Y, X3 is F, I or K, and X4 is A, D or H), wherein the HVR-L2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from formula (XIV): X1ASX2X3X4X5GX6 (SEQ ID NO: 14), wherein X1 is A or D, X2 is N, S or T, X3 is L or R, X4 is A, E or Q, X5 is S or T, and X6 is I or V; and its HVR-L3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (XV): YCX1X2X3X4X5X6PX7T (SEQ ID NO: 15), wherein X1 is E, Q or V, X2 is H or Q, X3 is A, G, H, R or S, and X4 is D, L, S or Y. and X5 is E, G, P, Q or S, X6 is L, T, V or W, and X7 is F, L, P, W or Y), formula (XVI): YCQQX1X2X3WPPWT (SEQ ID NO: 16) (wherein X1 is S or Y, X2 is D or Y, and X3 is Q or Y), and formula (XVII): YCQX1YX2SSPPX3YT (SEQ ID NO: 17) (wherein X1 is H or Q, X2 is T or V, and X3 is E or V).

[0158] In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a) an HVR-H1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 18-29, an HVR-H2 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 30-39, and an HVR-H3 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 40-52, and / or b) an HVR-L1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 53-65, an HVR-L2 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 66-69, and an HVR-L3 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 70-81. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises one, two, three, four, five or all six of the HVRs set forth for any of the exemplary antibodies set forth in Table A below. [Table 2-1] [Table 2-2]

[0159] In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75.In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:61, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:78. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:49, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:79. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:63, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:80. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:67, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:81.In some embodiments, the antibody comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77.

[0160] In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a) a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 82-94, and / or b) a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 95-107. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%) to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 82-94, and / or a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence that has at least 90% sequence identity (e.g., at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%) to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 95-107. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises the heavy chain variable region and the light chain variable region of any of the exemplary antibodies set forth in Table B below. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises one, two or all three of the heavy chain variable region HVRs and / or one, two or all three of the light chain variable region HVRs set forth for any of the exemplary antibodies set forth in Table B below. [Table 3-1] [Table 3-2]

[0161] In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:82, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:83, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:96. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:84, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:97. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:85, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:98. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:86, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:99. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:88, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:101. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:89, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:102. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:90, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:103. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:91, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:104. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:92, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:105. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:93, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:106. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:94, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:107. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:320, and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:322.In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 321 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322. In some embodiments, the antibody refers to a mix of antibody species, where each antibody species has a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322 and a heavy chain comprising either the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or 321. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 323 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 324 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325. In some embodiments, the antibody refers to a mix of antibody species, where each antibody species has a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325 and a heavy chain comprising either the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 323 or 324. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 326 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 327, and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328. In some embodiments, the antibody refers to a mix of antibody species, where each antibody species has a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328, and a heavy chain comprising either the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 326 or 321.

[0162] In some embodiments, the antibodies of the present application cross-compete for binding to human CTLA4 with an antibody comprising a) an HVR-H1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 18-29, an HVR-H2 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 30-39, and an HVR-H3 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 40-52, and / or b) an HVR-L1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 53-65, an HVR-L2 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 66-69, and an HVR-L3 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 70-81. In some embodiments, the antibodies of the present application cross-compete for binding to human CTLA4 with an antibody comprising one, two, three, four, five, or all six of the HVRs set forth for any of the exemplary antibodies set forth in Table A. In some embodiments, an antibody of the present application cross-competes for binding to human CTLA4 with an antibody comprising a) a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 82-94, and / or b) a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 95-107. In some embodiments, an antibody of the present application cross-competes for binding to human CTLA4 with an antibody comprising a VH and / or VL as shown for any of the exemplary antibodies set forth in Table B.

[0163] The CTLA4 antibodies described herein may be of any class, such as IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, or IgD. In some embodiments, the CTLA4 antibody is of the IgG class, such as IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4 subclass. CTLA4 antibodies can be converted from one class or subclass to another using methods known in the art. An exemplary method for producing an antibody of a desired class or subclass includes isolating nucleic acid encoding a heavy chain of a CTLA4 antibody and nucleic acid encoding a light chain of a CTLA4 antibody; H and isolating a sequence encoding a heavy chain constant region of a desired class or subclass. HThe method includes ligating the sequences, expressing the light chain gene and the heavy chain construct in a cell, and recovering the CTLA4 antibody. The antibodies of the present application may be monoclonal or polyclonal. The antibodies of the present application may be monospecific or multispecific (e.g., bispecific, trispecific, etc.) antibodies. In some embodiments, the CTLA4 antibodies described herein may contain one or more Fc mutations (e.g., mutations that modulate (increase or decrease) ADCC or CDC activity). Any suitable Fc mutation known in the art may be used in the CTLA4 antibodies of the present application.

[0164] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is an antigen-binding fragment of an anti-CTLA4 antibody. The antigen-binding fragment of an anti-CTLA4 antibody may include: (i) V L Domain, V H Domain, C L Domain and C H (ii) a Fab fragment, which is a monovalent fragment consisting of one domain; (iii) a F(ab')2 fragment, which is a bivalent fragment containing two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; and (iv) a V H Domain and C H (iv) a V of a single arm of an antibody; L Domain and V H (v) an Fv fragment consisting of a V H (vi) isolated CDRs; and (vii) antibody V domains. H The V of the antibody linked to the region L and single chain antibodies (scFv), which are polypeptides comprising a region (see, e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426; Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883).

[0165] In some embodiments, the anti-CTLA4 antibody is a derivative of any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, the antibody derivative is obtained by modifying the amino acid sequence of an exemplary antibody (e.g., a "parent antibody") of the present application, while preserving the overall molecular structure of the amino acid sequence of the parent antibody. The amino acid sequence of any region of the parent antibody chain, such as the framework region, HVR region, or constant region, may be modified. The type of modification may include one or more substitutions, insertions, deletions, or combinations thereof, of the amino acids of the parent antibody.

[0166] In some embodiments, the antibody derivative has a V sequence that is at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 82-107. L Area or V HIn some embodiments, the antibody derivative comprises an HVR-H1 region of an amino acid sequence that is at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 18-29. In some embodiments, the antibody derivative comprises an HVR-H2 region of an amino acid sequence that is at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 30-39. In some embodiments, the antibody derivative comprises an HVR-H3 region of an amino acid sequence that is at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 40-52. In some embodiments, the antibody derivative comprises an HVR-L1 region of an amino acid sequence that is at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 53-65. In some embodiments, the antibody derivative comprises an HVR-L2 region whose amino acid sequence is at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs:66-69.In some embodiments, the antibody derivative comprises an HVR-L3 region whose amino acid sequence is at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs:70-81.

[0167] In some particular embodiments, the derivative comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 conservative or non-conservative substitutions, and / or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 additions and / or deletions to the amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 18-107.

[0168] Amino acid substitutions include both conservative and non-conservative substitutions. The term "conservative amino acid substitution" refers to the replacement of one amino acid with another amino acid where the two amino acids have similar certain physicochemical properties, such as polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity and / or amphipathicity of the residues involved. For example, substitutions may typically be made within the following groups: (a) non-polar (hydrophobic) amino acids such as alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan and methionine; (b) polar neutral amino acids such as glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine and glutamine; (c) positively charged (basic) amino acids such as arginine, lysine and histidine; and (d) negatively charged (acidic) amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

[0169] The modifications may occur at any position in the amino acid sequence of the antibody, including the HVRs, framework regions, or constant regions. H and V LThe present invention provides an antibody derivative that includes an HVR sequence of the present invention, but includes a framework sequence that differs from the framework sequence of the exemplary antibody. Such framework sequences can be obtained from public DNA databases or published references that include germline antibody gene sequences. For example, germline DNA sequences of human heavy and light chain variable region genes can be found in the Genbank database or the human germline sequence database "VBase" (Kaba et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, USDepartment of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242 (1991); Tomlinson et al., J. Mol. Biol. 227:776-798 (1992) and Cox et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 24:827-836 (1994)). Framework sequences that may be used in constructing antibody derivatives include sequences that are structurally similar to the framework sequences used by the exemplary antibodies of the present disclosure. For example, the HVR-H1, HVR-H2 and HVR-H3 sequences, and the HVR-L1, HVR-L2 and HVR-L3 sequences of an exemplary antibody can be grafted into framework regions that have identical sequences to those found in the germline immunoglobulin gene from which the framework sequences are derived, or the HVR sequences can be grafted into framework regions that contain one or more mutations compared to the germline sequences.

[0170] In some embodiments, the antibody derivative is a chimeric antibody comprising the amino acid sequence of an exemplary antibody of the present disclosure. In one example, one or more HVRs of one or more exemplary antibodies are combined with HVRs of an antibody derived from a non-human animal, such as a mouse or rat. In another example, all of the HVRs of the chimeric antibody are derived from one or more exemplary antibodies. In some specific embodiments, the chimeric antibody comprises one, two or three HVRs of an exemplary antibody heavy chain variable region and / or one, two or three HVRs of an exemplary antibody light chain variable region. Chimeric antibodies can be produced using conventional methods known in the art.

[0171] Another type of modification is the V H Chain and / or V L The preferred method is to mutate amino acid residues in the HVR regions of the heavy and / or light chains. Site-directed or PCR-mediated mutagenesis can be used to introduce the mutation(s) and the effect on antibody binding or other functional properties of interest can be evaluated in in vitro or in vivo assays known in the art. Typically, conservative substitutions are introduced. The mutations can be additions and / or deletions of amino acids. Furthermore, typically no more than one, two, three, four or five residues in the HVR regions are altered. In some embodiments, the antibody derivative contains one, two, three or four amino acid substitutions in the heavy and / or light chain HVRs. In another embodiment, the amino acid substitution is to change one or more cysteines in the antibody to another residue, such as, but not limited to, alanine or serine. The cysteines can be canonical or non-canonical cysteines. In one embodiment, the antibody derivative has one, two, three or four conservative amino acid substitutions in its heavy chain HVR regions relative to the amino acid sequence of the exemplary antibody.

[0172] Modification is V H Area and / or V LMutations may also be added to framework residues in the region. Typically, such framework variants are made to reduce the immunogenicity of the antibody. One approach is to "backmutate" one or more framework residues to the corresponding germline sequence. A somatically mutated antibody may contain framework residues that differ from the germline sequence from which the antibody was derived. Such residues can be identified by comparing the antibody framework sequence to the germline sequence from which the antibody was derived. To revert the framework region sequence to the germline structure, the somatic mutations can be "backmutated" to the germline sequence, for example, by site-directed mutagenesis or PCR-mediated mutagenesis.

[0173] Additionally, modifications may also be made within the Fc region of an exemplary antibody, typically to alter one or more of the functional properties of the antibody, such as serum half-life, complement binding, Fc receptor binding, and / or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In one example, the hinge region of CH1 is modified to alter, e.g., increase or decrease, the number of cysteine ​​residues in the hinge region. This approach is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,425. The number of cysteine ​​residues in the hinge region of CH1 is altered, e.g., to facilitate assembly of the light and heavy chains or to increase or decrease the stability of the antibody. In another case, the Fc hinge region of an antibody is mutated to decrease the biological half-life of the antibody.

[0174] Additionally, the antibodies of the present application may be modified to alter their potential glycosylation sites or glycosylation patterns according to routine experiments known in the art. In another aspect, the present application provides CTLA4 antibody derivatives that contain at least one mutation in the light or heavy chain variable region that alters the glycosylation pattern in the variable region. Such antibody derivatives may have improved affinity and / or altered specificity for binding to an antigen. The mutations may add new glycosylation sites to the V region, change the location of one or more V region glycosylation site(s), or remove existing V region glycosylation sites. In one embodiment, the present application provides a CTLA4 antibody derivative with a potential N-linked glycosylation site at an asparagine in the heavy chain variable region, where a potential N-linked glycosylation site has been removed in one heavy chain variable region. In another embodiment, the present application provides a CTLA4 antibody derivative having a potential N-linked glycosylation site at an asparagine in the heavy chain variable region, wherein the potential N-linked glycosylation sites in both heavy chain variable regions have been removed. Methods for altering the glycosylation pattern of antibodies are known in the art, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 6,933,368, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0175] Activatable binding polypeptides targeting CTLA4 - Patent application The present disclosure also relates in part to precision / context-dependent activatable binding polypeptides (i.e., activatable antibodies) that bind to human CTLA4, including any of the activatable antibodies, antigen-binding fragments of the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies, and / or derivatives of the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein (e.g., anti-CTLA4 antibodies, binding fragments of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies, and / or derivatives of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies). In some embodiments, the activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein may have an improved safety profile. For example, the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein may have an increased margin of safety as assessed by spleen weight change. The change in spleen size with increasing doses of the drug is used as a benchmark to evaluate the margin of safety of the candidate drug used. The activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein have an increased margin of safety relative to the parent antibody (antibody without the masking moiety). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is referred to as a "SAFEbody." In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is TY22404. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is a bispecific antibody (eg, an anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 antibody, an anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-L1 antibody, or an anti-CTLA4 and anti-CD137 antibody).

[0176] In some embodiments, an activatable antibody of the disclosure comprises (a) a masking moiety (MM), (b) a cleavable moiety (CM), and (c) a target binding moiety (TBM). In some embodiments, the MM is any of the masking moieties described herein. In some embodiments, the CM is any of the cleavable moieties described herein. In some embodiments, the TBM is any of the target binding moieties described herein (e.g., a target binding moiety (TBM) comprising an antibody light chain variable region and / or an antibody heavy chain variable region, e.g., the VH and / or VL of any of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein). In some embodiments, the MM prevents and / or inhibits binding of the activatable antibody to its target (e.g., human CTLA4 or human CD137) when the CM is not cleaved. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody can bind to its target (e.g., human CTLA4 or human CD137) when the CM is cleaved.

[0177] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises (a) a polypeptide comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and a target binding moiety (TBM), where the MM is any of the masking moieties described herein, the CM is any of the cleavable moieties described herein, and the TBM comprises an antibody light chain variable region (VL); and (b) an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH).

[0178] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises (a) a polypeptide comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and a target binding moiety (TBM), where the MM is any of the masking moieties described herein, the CM is any of the cleavable moieties described herein, and the TBM comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH); and (b) an antibody light chain variable region (VL).

[0179] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and a target binding moiety (TBM) polypeptide, where the MM is any of the masking moieties described herein, the CM is any of the cleavable moieties described herein, and the TBM comprises a polypeptide comprising an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and an antibody light chain variable region (VL).

[0180] The term "activatable binding polypeptide," "ABP," or "activatable antibody" includes a polypeptide that comprises a target binding portion (TBM), a cleavable portion (CM), and a masking portion (MM). In some embodiments, the TBM comprises an amino acid sequence that binds to a target. In some embodiments, the TBM comprises an antigen binding domain (ABD) of an antibody or antibody fragment thereof (e.g., any of the antibodies or antigen binding fragments described herein). In some embodiments, the antigen binding domain comprises a heavy chain variable region that comprises one, two, or three of the HVRs of the heavy chain variable region described herein, and a light chain variable region that comprises one, two, or three of the HVRs of the light chain variable region described herein (e.g., one, two, or three of the HVR sequences of the heavy chain variable region and / or one, two, or three of the HVR sequences of the light chain variable region as shown in Table A, including all six HVRs of any of the exemplary antibodies as shown in Table A). In some embodiments, the antigen binding domain comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising any of the heavy chain variable region sequences described herein, and a light chain variable region comprising any of the light chain variable region sequences described herein (e.g., a heavy chain variable region sequence and / or a light chain variable region sequence as shown in Table B). In some embodiments, the TBM (e.g., a TBM comprising an ABD) comprises an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH), where the VH and VL form a binding domain that binds to a target in the absence of MM. In some embodiments, the VH and VL are covalently linked, for example in an scFv. In some embodiments, the VH and VL are not covalently linked. In some embodiments, the VH and VL form a Fab fragment. In some embodiments, the VH is linked to an antibody heavy chain constant region, and the VL is linked to an antibody light chain constant region.

[0181] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a polypeptide comprising, from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, the structure masking moiety (MM)-cleavable moiety (CM)-VL, and the activatable antibody further comprises a second polypeptide comprising a VH (e.g., a Fab fragment). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a polypeptide comprising, from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, the structure masking moiety (MM)-cleavable moiety (CM)-VL-VH (e.g., an scFv). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a polypeptide comprising, from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, the structure masking moiety (MM)-cleavable moiety (CM)-VH, and the activatable antibody further comprises a second polypeptide comprising a VL (e.g., a Fab fragment). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a polypeptide comprising, from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, the structure masking moiety (MM)-cleavable moiety (CM)-VH-VL (e.g., an scFv).

[0182] The CM generally comprises an amino acid sequence that is cleavable, e.g., an amino acid sequence that serves as a substrate for an enzyme, and / or a cysteine-cysteine ​​pair that can form a reducible disulfide bond. Thus, the terms "cleavage," "cleavable," "cleaved," and the like, when used in connection with a CM, include disruption of the disulfide bond between the cysteine-cysteine ​​pair via enzymatic cleavage, e.g., cleavage by a protease, and reduction of the disulfide bond, which may result from exposure to a reducing agent.

[0183] The MM refers to the amino acid sequence of the CM of the activatable antibody in an intact state (e.g., uncleaved by the corresponding enzyme and / or containing unreduced cysteine-cysteine ​​disulfide bonds) and the MM interferes with or inhibits TBM binding to its target. In some embodiments, the MM interferes with or inhibits TBM binding to its target so efficiently that binding of TBM to its target is extremely low and / or below the limit of detection (e.g., no binding is detectable in an ELISA or flow cytometry assay). The amino acid sequence of the CM may overlap with or be contained within the MM. For convenience, it should be noted that "ABP" or "activatable antibody" is used herein to refer to both the ABP or activatable antibody in its uncleaved (or "native") and cleaved states. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that in some embodiments, upon cleavage of the CM, e.g., by a protease, the cleaved ABP can shed the MM, resulting in at least the release of the MM (e.g., if the MM is not linked to the ABP by a covalent bond (e.g., a disulfide bond between cysteine ​​residues). Exemplary ABPs are described in further detail below.

[0184] In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) interferes with, blocks, reduces the ability of, blocks, inhibits, or competes with the target binding moiety for binding to its target (e.g., an "inactive activatable antibody"). In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) interferes with, blocks, reduces, blocks, inhibits, or competes with the target binding moiety for binding to its target only when the polypeptide has not been activated (e.g., activated by a change (increase or decrease) in pH, activated by a temperature shift (increase or decrease), activated after contact with a second molecule (such as a small molecule or protein ligand), etc.). In some embodiments, activation induces cleavage of the polypeptide within a cleavage moiety. In some embodiments, activation induces a conformational change in the polypeptide (e.g., displacement of the masking moiety (MM)) such that the masking moiety becomes activatable. In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) interferes with, blocks, reduces the ability of, inhibits, inhibits, or competes with the target binding moiety for binding to its target only when the cleavable moiety (CM) has not been cleaved by one or more proteases that cleave within the cleavable moiety (CM). In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) has a masking efficiency of at least about 2.0 (e.g., at least about 2.0, at least about 3.0, at least about 4.0, at least about 5.0, at least about 6.0, at least about 7.0, at least about 8.0, at least about 9.0, at least about 10, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, at least about 100, at least about 150, at least about 200, at least about 300, at least about 400, at least about 500, etc.) prior to activation.In some embodiments, the masking efficiency is measured as the difference between the affinity with which an activatable antibody (before activation) comprising the masking moiety (MM) binds to its target and the affinity with which a polypeptide lacking the masking moiety binds to its target (e.g., the difference between the affinity of an activatable antibody (before activation) comprising the masking moiety (MM) for a target antigen (such as CTLA4) and a parent antibody lacking the masking moiety (MM), or the difference between the affinity of an activatable antibody (before activation) comprising the masking moiety (MM) for a target antigen (such as CTLA4) and the affinity of the activatable antibody after activation). In some embodiments, the masking efficiency is the EC of binding of an activatable antibody (before activation) comprising the masking moiety (MM). 50 EC of parent antibody 50 by dividing by (e.g., by ELISA, EC 50 (e.g., see methods in Example 8). In some embodiments, masking efficiency is measured as the difference between the affinity with which an activatable antibody comprising a masking moiety (MM) binds to its target before activation and the affinity with which an activatable antibody comprising a masking moiety (MM) binds to its target after activation (e.g., the difference between the affinity of the activatable antibody for a target antigen (CTLA4) before activation and the affinity of the activatable antibody after activation). In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) binds to a target binding moiety (TBM) and prevents the activatable antibody from binding to its target (e.g., an "inactive" activatable antibody). In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) has a dissociation constant for binding to the target binding moiety (TBM) that is greater than the dissociation constant of the target binding moiety (TBM) for its target.

[0185] In some embodiments, after the activatable antibody is activated (e.g., by treatment with one or more proteases that cleave within the cleavable moiety (CM), by a change in pH (increase or decrease), by a temperature shift (increase or decrease), or after contact with a second molecule (such as an enzyme or protein ligand), the masking moiety (MM) does not interfere with, block, reduce the ability of, inhibit, inhibit, or compete with the target binding moiety (TBM) for binding to its target. In some embodiments, after the cleavable portion (CM) is cleaved by one or more proteases that cleave within the cleavable portion (CM), the masking portion (MM) does not interfere with, block, reduce the ability of, block, inhibit, or compete with the target binding portion (TBM) for binding to its target. In some embodiments, the masking portion (MM) has a masking efficiency of at most about 1.75 (e.g., at most about 1.75, at most about 1.5, at most about 1.4, at most about 1.3, at most about 1.2, at most about 1.1, at most about 1.0, at most about 0.9, at most about 0.8, at most about 0.7, at most about 0.6, or at most about 0.5, etc.) after activation (e.g., the relative affinity of the activatable antibody after activation compared to the affinity of the parent antibody).

[0186] In some embodiments, the activatable antibodies of the present disclosure include a masking moiety (MM) that includes a pair of cysteine ​​residues at defined positions, such that the activatable antibody has few or no conformationally fixed and / or chemically labile residues (such as methionine or tryptophan). Advantageously, the inclusion of a pair of cysteine ​​residues at defined positions has been shown to tend to provide a fixed conformation for the activatable antibody, improving binding affinity and / or specificity. Additionally, the activatable antibodies of the present disclosure include a masking moiety that has few or no residues that are undesirable in manufacturing processes, such as methionine or tryptophan.

[0187] In some embodiments, the activatable antibodies of the disclosure are context-dependent (e.g., they are active (can only bind to their target) in certain contexts, such as in a protease-rich tumor microenvironment). In some embodiments, the activatable antibodies of the disclosure have improved safety (e.g., exhibit reduced toxicity, do not induce significant changes in multiple organ weights, do not alter liver histopathology, blood analysis, and / or blood biochemistry) over more traditional non-activatable antibodies. In some embodiments, the activatable antibodies of the disclosure have improved pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., have longer in vivo half-lives) over more traditional non-activatable antibodies.

[0188] Activity of activatable anti-CTLA4 antibodies In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to an activatable antibody that, when in its activated form, binds to human CTLA4 (e.g., the activatable antibody is active after being cleaved (e.g., by one or more proteases) at the cleavable moiety, but is inactive prior to being cleaved (e.g., by one or more proteases) at the cleavable moiety). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in its activated form, (a) binds to human CTLA4, cynomolgus monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4 with a K of 500 nM or less, e.g., about 10 nM or less. D (b) having antagonist activity against human CTLA4; (c) not binding to human PD-1, human PD-L1, human PD-L2, human LAG3, human TIM3, human B7-H3, human CD95, human CD120a, human OX40, human CD40, human BTLA, human VISTA, human ICOS and / or human B7-H4 at concentrations up to 100 nM; (d) having cross-reactivity with monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and / or dog CTLA4; (e) against (e.g. Tregs). (f) to activate human PBMCs (e.g., stimulate secretion of IL-2 and / or IFNγ), (g) to inhibit tumor cell growth, (h) to have a therapeutic effect against cancer, and (i) to inhibit binding of human CTLA4 to human CD80 and / or human CD86 (e.g., at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, or all nine of these functional properties. The present invention also provides one or more activatable antibodies that compete or cross-compete with one or more of the activatable CTLA4-targeting antibodies and / or anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein for binding to human CTLA4.

[0189] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an inactive form, has a K of about 500 nM or greater for human CTLA4, cynomolgus monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4.D In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in its active form, binds to human CTLA4, cyno CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4 with a K of about 500 nM or less (e.g., about 500 nM or less, about 450 nM or less, about 400 nM or less, about 350 nM or less, about 300 nM or less, about 250 nM or less, about 200 nM or less, about 150 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 90 nM or less, about 80 nM or less, about 70 nM or less, about 60 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 40 nM or less, about 30 nM or less, about 25 nM or less, about 20 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 1 nM or less, about 0.1 nM or less, etc.). D In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, binds to human CTLA4, cynomolgus monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4 with a K of about 350 nM or less. D In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, binds to human CTLA4 with a K of about 100 nM or less. D In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, binds to human CTLA4 with a K of about 50 nM or less. D In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, binds to human CTLA4 with a K of about 10 nM or less. D The K of an activatable antibody D Methods for measuring K may be performed using any method known in the art, including, for example, by surface plasmon resonance, ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry, filter binding assay, EMSA, and the like. In some embodiments, K D is measured by ELISA (see, for example, the Examples below).

[0190] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an inactive form, has no antagonist activity against human CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an active form, has antagonist activity against human CTLA4 (e.g., inducing ADCC (such as against Tregs), activating PBMCs (such as by activating, inducing and / or stimulating secretion of IL-2 and / or IFNγ), blocking binding of human CTLA4 to human CD80 and / or human CD86, etc.). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an active form, inhibits one or more activities of human CTLA4 (e.g., inhibits one or more activities of human CTLA4 when the activatable antibody is contacted with a cell (such as a human cell) that expresses human CTLA4).

[0191] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an inactive form, has no cross-reactivity with monkey (e.g., cynomolgus) CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, has cross-reactivity with monkey (e.g., cynomolgus) CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4, and / or dog CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, has cross-reactivity with monkey CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, has cross-reactivity with mouse CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, has cross-reactivity with rat CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, has cross-reactivity with dog CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an activated form, is cross-reactive with monkey CTLA4 and mouse CTLA4, monkey CTLA4 and rat CTLA4, monkey CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and rat CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and rat CTLA4, monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, monkey CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4, or monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4, rat CTLA4 and dog CTLA4. In some embodiments, the activatable binding polypeptide, when in an active form, has a cross-reactivity at about 350 nM (e.g., about 1 nM, about 10 nM, about 25 nM, about 50 nM, about 75 nM, about 100 nM, about 150 nM, about 200 nM, about 250 nM, about 300 nM, about 350 nM). Methods for measuring cross-reactivity are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, surface plasmon resonance, ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry, filter binding assays, EMSA, and the like.

[0192] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an inactive form, does not induce ADCC (e.g., against human cells expressing CTLA4, such as Tregs). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an inactive form, has reduced ADCC (e.g., against human cells expressing CTLA4, such as Tregs) compared to a control binding polypeptide (e.g., parent antibody). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an active form, induces ADCC (e.g., against human cells expressing CTLA4, such as Tregs). Methods (e.g., in vitro methods) for measuring ADCC are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, those described in the Examples below. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an inactive form, induces less than about 10% of the ADCC effect relative to a control (e.g., parent antibody) (e.g., induces less than about 10%, less than about 5%, less than about 1%, etc.). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody, when in an active form, induces more than about 10% of the ADCC activity relative to a control (e.g., an isotype control) (e.g., more than about 10%, more than about 15%, more than about 20%, more than about 25%, more than about 30%, more than about 35%, more than about 40%, etc.).

[0193] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody is capable of inhibiting tumor cell growth and / or proliferation. In some embodiments, upon contact with the activatable antibody, tumor cell growth and / or proliferation is inhibited by at least about 5% (e.g., at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 99%) relative to corresponding tumor cells not contacted with the activatable antibody (or relative to corresponding tumor cells contacted with an isotype control antibody). In some embodiments, upon administration of the activatable antibody to a subject, the activatable antibody is capable of reducing tumor volume in the subject. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody can reduce tumor volume in a subject by at least about 5% (e.g., at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 99%) relative to the initial tumor volume in the subject (e.g., compared to a corresponding tumor in a subject administered an isotype control antibody prior to administration of the activatable antibody). Methods for monitoring tumor cell growth / proliferation, tumor volume, and / or tumor inhibition are known in the art, and include, for example, those methods described in the Examples below.

[0194] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody has a therapeutic effect against cancer. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody alleviates one or more signs or symptoms of cancer. In some embodiments, a subject suffering from cancer goes into partial or complete remission when administered the activatable antibody.

[0195] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides an activatable isolated antibody that, when in an activated form, competes or cross-competes for binding to human CTLA4 with an antibody comprising: a) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45, and / or b) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides an activatable isolated antibody that, when in an activated form, competes or cross-competes for binding to human CTLA4 with an antibody comprising: a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, and / or b) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100. The ability of an activatable antibody to compete or cross-compete for binding with an antibody can be determined using standard binding assays known in the art, such as BIAcore analysis, ELISA assays, or flow cytometry. For example, an antibody (e.g., an antibody as described above) can be bound to human CTLA4 under saturating conditions, and the ability of the activatable test antibody to bind to the CTLA4 (when in an activated form) can be measured. If the activatable test antibody can bind to the CTLA4 simultaneously with the antibody, the activatable test antibody binds to a different epitope than the antibody. However, if the activatable test antibody cannot bind to the CTLA4 simultaneously, the activatable test antibody binds to the same epitope as the antibody bound, an epitope that overlaps with the epitope, or an epitope that is close to the epitope bound by the antibody. This experiment can be performed using a variety of methods, such as ELISA, RIA, FACS, or surface plasmon resonance.

[0196] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody (when in an inactive form) does not inhibit the binding of CTLA4 to one or more of its binding partners (e.g., human CTLA4 to human CD80, human CTLA4 to human CD86). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody (when in an active form) inhibits the binding of CTLA4 to one or more of its binding partners (e.g., human CTLA4 to human CD80, human CTLA4 to human CD86). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody inhibits the binding of CTLA4 to its ligand in vitro. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody inhibits the binding of CTLA4 to CD80 and / or CD86 at a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) is about 500 nM or less (e.g., about 500 nM or less, about 400 nM or less, about 300 nM or less, about 200 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 25 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 1 nM or less, etc.). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody has a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) is about 100 nM or less. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody completely inhibits human CTLA4 binding to CD80 and / or CD86 when provided at a concentration of about 100 nM or more (e.g., about 100 nM or more, about 500 nM or more, about 1 μM or more, about 10 μM or more, etc.). As used herein, the term "completely inhibiting" or "completely inhibiting" refers to the ability of the activatable antibody to reduce binding between a first protein and a second protein by at least about 80% (e.g., at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 99%, etc.). Methods for measuring the ability of a polypeptide to inhibit binding between a first protein (e.g., human CTLA4) and a second protein (e.g., human CD80 or human CD86) are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, by BIAcore analysis, ELISA assays, and flow cytometry.

[0197] Masking part (MM) In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an activatable antibody comprising a masking moiety (MM). In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) is represented by formula (XVIII): m CX n CZ o (SEQ ID NO: 134), wherein m is 2 to 10, n is 3 to 10, o is 1 to 10, each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y, and each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H, and P. In some embodiments, X is not W, M, and / or C. In some embodiments, X in Formula (XVIII) m Each X in is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P, and / or X of formula (XVIII) n wherein each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H, and P. In some embodiments, the MM has the formula (XX):(NNK) m TGY(NNK) n TGY(NHC) o (SEQ ID NO:136), wherein each N is independently A, G, T, or C; each K is independently T or G; each Y is independently T or C; and each H is independently A, T, or C.

[0198] In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) has the formula (XIX): m CZ n CZ o (SEQ ID NO:135), wherein m is 2 to 10, n is 3 to 10, o is 1 to 10, and each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0199] In some embodiments, m is 2 to 10, 2 to 9, 2 to 8, 2 to 7, 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 3, 3 to 10, 3 to 9, 3 to 8, 3 to 7, 3 to 6, 3 to 5, 3 to 4, 4 to 10, 4 to 9, 4 to 8, 4 to 7, 4 to 6, 4 to 5, 5 to 10, 5 to 9, 5 to 8, 5 to 7, 5 to 6, 6 to 10, 6 to 9, 6 to 8, 6 to 7, 7 to 10, 7 to 9, 7 to 8, 8 to 10, 8 to 9, or 9 to 10. In some embodiments, m is 6 to 8. In some embodiments, m is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. In some embodiments, m is 6.

[0200] In some embodiments, n is 3 to 10, 3 to 9, 3 to 8, 3 to 7, 3 to 6, 3 to 5, 3 to 4, 4 to 10, 4 to 9, 4 to 8, 4 to 7, 4 to 6, 4 to 5, 5 to 10, 5 to 9, 5 to 8, 5 to 7, 5 to 6, 6 to 10, 6 to 9, 6 to 8, 6 to 7, 7 to 10, 7 to 9, 7 to 8, 8 to 10, 8 to 9, or 9 to 10. In some embodiments, n is 6 to 8. In some embodiments, n is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. In some embodiments, n is 6. In some embodiments, n is 8.

[0201] In some embodiments, o is 1-10, 1-9, 1-8, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-9, 2-8, 2-7, 2-6, 2-5, 2-4, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, 3-8, 3-7, 3-6, 3-5, 3-4, 4-10, 4-9, 4-8, 4-7, 4-6, 4-5, 5-10, 5-9, 5-8, 5-7, 5-6, 6-10, 6-9, 6-8, 6-7, 7-10, 7-9, 7-8, 8-10, 8-9, or 9-10. In some embodiments, o is 1-2. In some embodiments, o is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. In some embodiments, o is 2.

[0202] In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXI): Z6CX6CZ2 (SEQ ID NO: 137), where each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, and each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0203] In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXII): Z6CX8CZ2 (SEQ ID NO: 138), where X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, and each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first peptide (FP) comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXIII):(Z6)C(Z6)C(Z2) (SEQ ID NO: 139), wherein each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0205] In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXIV):(Z6)C(Z8)C(Z2) (SEQ ID NO: 140), where each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H, and P. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises X m CPDHPYPCXX (SEQ ID NO: 181), X m CDAFYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 182), X m CDSHYPYCXX (SEQ ID NO: 183) and X mCVPYYYACXX (SEQ ID NO: 184), wherein m is 2 to 10 and each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y. In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a masking moiety (MM) comprising the sequence of EVGSYNFVADSCPDHPYPCSA (SEQ ID NO: 189), EVGSYIVHHSDCDAFYPYCDS (SEQ ID NO: 190), EVGSYYSAYPACDSHYPYCNS (SEQ ID NO: 191), EVGSYPNPSSDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 192), EVGSYYSAYPACDSHYPYCQS (SEQ ID NO: 193), EVGSYPQPSSDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 195) or EVGSYPNPASDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 196). In some embodiments, the MM comprises the sequence of EDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 213), EVGSSDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 214), EDCDAFYPYCDS (SEQ ID NO: 215) or EVGHSDCDAFYPYCDS (SEQ ID NO: 216).

[0206] In some embodiments, the masking portion (MM) comprises an amino acid sequence selected from NFVADSCPDHPYPCSA (SEQ ID NO: 141), IVHHSDCDAFYPYCDS (SEQ ID NO: 142), YSAYPACDSHYPYCNS (SEQ ID NO: 143), PNPSSDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 144), YSAYPACDSHYPYCQS (SEQ ID NO: 145), PQPSSDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 146) and PNPASDCVPYYYACAY (SEQ ID NO: 147).

[0207] In some embodiments, any of the masking moieties (MM) described herein may further comprise one or more additional amino acid sequences (e.g., one or more polypeptide tags). Examples of suitable additional amino acid sequences may include, but are not limited to, purification tags (such as His tags, FLAG tags, maltose binding protein and glutathione-S-transferase tags), detection tags (such as tags that can be detected photometrically (e.g., red or green fluorescent protein), tags with detectable enzymatic activity (e.g., alkaline phosphatase), tags that include secretion sequences, leader sequences and / or stabilizing sequences, protease cleavage sites (e.g., furin cleavage sites, TEV cleavage sites, thrombin cleavage sites), and the like. In some embodiments, the one or more additional amino acid sequences are at the N-terminus of the masking moiety (MM). In some embodiments, the additional amino acid sequence comprises or consists of the sequence of EVGSY (SEQ ID NO: 148).

[0208] In some embodiments, the masking moiety binds to the target binding moiety (TBM) and inhibits binding of the activatable antibody to its target before activation (e.g., before treatment with one or more proteases that cleave within the cleavable moiety (CM), before the pH is changed (locally) (increased or decreased), before the temperature is shifted (increased or decreased), before contact with a second molecule (such as a small molecule or protein ligand), etc.), but does not bind to the TBM and / or inhibit binding of the activatable antibody to its target after activation (e.g., after treatment with one or more proteases that cleave within the cleavable moiety (CM), after the pH is changed (locally) (increased or decreased), after the temperature is shifted (increased or decreased), after contact with a second molecule (such as a small molecule or protein ligand), etc.). In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) inhibits binding of the activatable antibody to its target when the CM is not cleaved, but does not inhibit binding of the activatable antibody to its target when the CM is cleaved. In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) has a dissociation constant for binding to the TBM that is greater than the dissociation constant of the activatable antibody (when in activated form) for its target (e.g., at least about 1.5-fold greater, at least about 2-fold greater, at least about 2.5-fold greater, at least about 3-fold greater, at least about 3.5-fold greater, at least about 4-fold greater, at least about 4.5-fold greater, at least about 5-fold greater, at least about 10-fold greater, at least about 100-fold greater, at least about 500-fold greater, etc.).

[0209] Cuttable Part (CM) In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to activatable antibodies that comprise a cleavable moiety (CM) that can be cleaved and / or destroyed, such as by treatment with one or more proteases that cleave within the cleavable moiety (CM), by a change in pH (increase or decrease), a shift in temperature (increase or decrease), and / or by contact with a second molecule (a small molecule or a protein ligand).

[0210] In some embodiments, the cleavable moiety (CM) comprises at least a first cleavage site (CS1) (e.g., a first protease cleavage site). In some embodiments, the first cleavage site is a first protease cleavage site. Any suitable protease cleavage site known in the art that is recognized and / or cleaved by any protease (e.g., a protease known to co-localize with the target of the activatable antibody that comprises the CM) may be used, such as, for example, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinases (e.g., MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-11, MMP-12, MMP-13, MMP-14, MMP-15, MMP-16, MMP-17, MMP-18, MMP-19, MMP-20, MMP-21, MMP-22, MMP-23, MMP-24, MMP-25, MMP-26, MMP-27, MMP-28, MMP-29, MMP-30, MMP-31, MMP-32, MMP-33, MMP-34, MMP-35, MMP-36, MMP-37, MMP-38, MMP-39, MMP-40, MMP-41, MMP-42, MMP-43, MMP-44, MMP-45, MMP-46, MMP-47, MMP-48, MMP-49, MMP-50, MMP-51, MMP-52, MMP-53, MMP-54, MMP-55, MMP-56, MMP-57, MMP-58, MMP-59, MMP-60, MMP-61, P-12, MMP-13, MMP-14, MMP-15, MMP-16, MMP-17, MMP-19, MMP-20, MMP-23, MMP-24, MMP-26 and / or MMP-27), tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease, plasmin, thrombin, PSA, PSMA, ADAMS / ADAMTS (e.g., ADAM8, ADAM9, ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAM15, ADAM17 / TACE, ADAMDEC1, ADAMTS1, ADAMTS4 and / or or ADAMTS5), caspases (e.g., caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, caspase-4, caspase-5, caspase-6, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, caspase-11, caspase-12, caspase-13 and / or caspase-14), aspartic proteases (e.g., RACE and / or renin), aspartic cathepsins (e.g., cathepsin D and / or cathepsin E), cysteine ​​catecholamines (e.g., cysteine ​​catecholamines), and / or cysteine ​​catecholamines. cathepsins (e.g., cathepsin B, cathepsin C, cathepsin K, cathepsin L, cathepsin S, cathepsin V / L2 and / or cathepsin X / Z / P), cysteine ​​proteinases (e.g., cruzipain, legumain and / or otubain-2), KLKs (e.g., KLK4, KLK5, KLK6, KLK7, KLK8, KLK10, KLK11, KLK13 and / or KLK14), metalloproteinases (e.g., meprin, neprilysin, PSMA and / or BMP-1),Protease cleavage sites that are recognized and / or cleaved by serine proteases (e.g., activated protein C, cathepsin A, cathepsin G, chymase and / or coagulation factor proteases (FVIIa, FIXa, FXa, FXIa, FXIIa, etc.)), elastase, granzyme B, guanidinobenzoatase, HtrA1, human neutrophil elastase, lactoferrin, marapsin, NS3 / 4A, PACE4, tPA, tryptase, type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs) (e.g., DESC1, DPP-4, FAP, hepsin, matriptase-2, MT-SP1 / matriptase, TMPRSS2, TMPRSS3 and / or TMPRSS4), and the like. In some embodiments, the first protease cleavage site is a cleavage site for a protease selected from uPA, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-14, TEV protease, plasmin, thrombin, factor X, PSA, PSMA, cathepsin D, cathepsin K, cathepsin S, ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAMTS, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, caspase-4, caspase-5, caspase-6, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, caspase-11, caspase-12, caspase-13, caspase-14, and TACE. In some embodiments, the first protease cleavage site is a cleavage site for a selected protease, such as uPA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and / or TEV protease. In some embodiments, the protease cleavage site comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SGRSA (SEQ ID NO: 149), PLGLAG (SEQ ID NO: 150), and ENLYFQG (SEQ ID NO: 151).

[0211] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a masking portion (MM) and a cleavable portion (CM) comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXV): EVGSY(Z6)C(Z6)C(Z2)SGRSA (sequence number 152), where each Z is independently an amino acid selected from D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0212] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a masking portion (MM) and a cleavable portion (CM) comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXVI): EVGSY(Z6)C(X6)C(Z2)SGRSA (SEQ ID NO: 153), where each X is independently an amino acid selected from A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, and each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0213] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises a masking portion (MM) and a cleavable portion (CM) comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXVII): EVGSY(Z6)C(Z8)C(Z2)SGRSA (SEQ ID NO: 154), wherein each Z is independently an amino acid selected from D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0214] In some embodiments, an activatable antibody comprises a masking portion (MM) and a cleavable portion (CM) comprising an amino acid sequence according to formula (XXVIII): EVGSY(Z6)C(X8)C(Z2)SGRSA (SEQ ID NO: 155), where each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, and each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H and P.

[0215] In some embodiments, the cleavable moiety (CM) further comprises a first linker (L1). In some embodiments, the first linker (L1) is C-terminal to a first cleavage site (CS1) (e.g., a first protease cleavage site). In some embodiments, the cleavable moiety (CM) comprises the structure (CS1)-L1 from the N-terminus to the C-terminus.

[0216] Any suitable linker (e.g., flexible linker) known in the art may be used, including, for example, glycine polymers (G)n, where n is an integer of at least 1 (e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, etc.), glycine-serine polymers (GS)n, where n is an integer of at least 1 (e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, etc.), such as GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:156), SGGS (SEQ ID NO:157), GGSG (SEQ ID NO:158), GGSGG (SEQ ID NO:159), GSGSG (SEQ ID NO:160), GSGGG (SEQ ID NO:161), GGGSG (SEQ ID NO:162), and / or GSSSG (SEQ ID NO:163), glycine-alanine polymers, alanine-serine polymers, and the like. The linker sequence may be any length, such as about 1 amino acid (e.g., glycine or serine) to about 20 amino acids (e.g., a 20 amino acid glycine polymer or glycine-serine polymer), about 1 amino acid to about 15 amino acids, about 3 amino acids to about 12 amino acids, about 4 amino acids to about 10 amino acids, about 5 amino acids to about 9 amino acids, about 6 amino acids to about 8 amino acids, etc. In some embodiments, the linker is about 1 amino acid long, about 2 amino acids long, about 3 amino acids long, about 4 amino acids long, about 5 amino acids long, about 6 amino acids long, about 7 amino acids long, about 8 amino acids long, about 9 amino acids long, about 10 amino acids long, about 11 amino acids long, about 12 amino acids long, about 13 amino acids long, about 14 amino acids long, about 15 amino acids long, about 16 amino acids long, about 17 amino acids long, about 18 amino acids long, about 19 amino acids long, or about 20 amino acids long. In some embodiments, the linker comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 159-163. In some embodiments, the linker comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:156 or 157.

[0217] In some embodiments, the cleavable portion (CM) further comprises at least a second cleavage site (e.g., at least a second cleavage site, at least a third cleavage site, at least a fourth cleavage site, at least a fifth cleavage site, etc.). In some embodiments, the cleavable portion (CM) further comprises a second cleavage site (CS2). In some embodiments, the second cleavage site is a second protease cleavage site. The second protease cleavage site may be any suitable protease cleavage site recognized and / or cleaved by any of the proteases listed above. In some embodiments, the first cleavage site (CS1) and the second cleavage site (CS2) are protease cleavage sites recognized and / or cleaved by the same protease. In some embodiments, the first cleavage site (CS1) and the second cleavage site (CS2) are protease cleavage sites that are recognized and / or cleaved by different proteases (e.g., the first protease cleavage site is recognized and / or cleaved by uPA and the second protease cleavage site is recognized and / or cleaved by MMP-2; the first protease cleavage site is recognized and / or cleaved by uPA and the second protease cleavage site is recognized and / or cleaved by MMP-9; the first protease cleavage site is recognized and / or cleaved by uPA and the second protease cleavage site is recognized and / or cleaved by TEV protease, etc.). In some embodiments, at least the second cleavage site (CS2) is C-terminal to the first linker (L1). In some embodiments, the cleavable moiety (CM) comprises the structure, from N-terminus to C-terminus: (CS1)-L1-(CS2).

[0218] In some embodiments, the cleavable moiety (CM) further comprises at least a second linker (e.g., at least a second linker, at least a third linker, at least a fourth linker, at least a fifth linker, etc.). In some embodiments, the cleavable moiety (CM) further comprises a second linker (L2). The second linker (L2) may be any suitable linker described above. In some embodiments, the second linker comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 156-163. In some embodiments, the first linker (L1) and the second linker (L2) are the same (e.g., both linkers comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156 or 157). In some embodiments, the first linker (L1) and the second linker (L2) are different (e.g., the first linker (L1) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156 and the second linker (L2) comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 157, etc.). In some embodiments, the at least second linker (L2) is C-terminal to the second cleavage site (CS2). In some embodiments, the cleavable portion (CM) comprises the structure, from N-terminus to C-terminus: (CS1)-L1-(CS2)-L2.

[0219] Exemplary MM-CM sequences In some embodiments, an activatable antibody of the disclosure comprises the structure, from N-terminus to C-terminus, (FP)-(PCS1)-L1-(PCS2)-L2. In some embodiments, an activatable antibody comprises the structure of formula (XXIX): EVGSYX1X2X3X4X5X6CX7X8X9X 10 X 11 X 12 CX 13 X 14X1 is A, D, I, N, P or Y, X2 is A, F, N, S or V, X3 is A, H, L, P, S, V or Y, X4 is A, H, S or Y, X5 is A, D, P, S, V or Y, X6 is A, D, L, S or Y, X7 is D, P or V, X8 is A, D, H, P, S or T, X9 is A, D, F, H, P or Y, X10 is L, P or Y, X11 is F, P or Y, X12 is A, P, S or Y, X13 is A, D, N, S, T or Y, and X14 is A, S or Y.In some embodiments, an activatable antibody of the disclosure is selected from the group consisting of EVGSYDALHYACPPDYYACYYSGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 165), EVGSYNSYHAYCPHPLYPCTASGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 166), EVGSYASSAVLCVTAYFSCNSSGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 167), EVGSYNFVADSCPDHPYPCSASGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 168), EVGSYNFVADSCPDHPYPCSASGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 169), EVGSYIVHHSDCDAFYPYCDSSGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 170), EVGSYIVHHSDCDAFYPYCDSSGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 171), EVGSYYSAYPACDSHYPY The amino acid sequence of EVGSYYSAYPACDSHYPYCNSSGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 172), EVGSYYSAYPACDSHYPYCNSSGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 173), EVGSYPNPSSDCVPYYYACAYSGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 174), EVGSYPNPSSDCVPYYYACAYSGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 175), EVGSYYSAYPACDSHYPYCQSSGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 176), EVGSYYSAYPACDSHYPYCNSAGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 177), EVGSYPQPSSDCVPYYYACAYSGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 178) and / or EVGSYPNPASDCVPYYYACAYSGRSAGGGGSPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 179). In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the disclosure comprises the structure, from N-terminus to C-terminus, (FP)-(PCS1)-L1-(PCS2)-L2-(TBM).

[0220] In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SGRSAGGGGTENLYFQGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 220), SGRSAGGGGTPLGLAGSGGS (SEQ ID NO: 221), or SGRSAPLGLA (SEQ ID NO: 222). In some embodiments, the activatable antibody comprises the sequence of EV(Zn)C(X8)C(Z2)SGRSA (SEQ ID NO: 217), EDC(Z6)C(Z2)SGRSA (SEQ ID NO: 218), or EDC(Z6)C(Z2)PLGLA (SEQ ID NO: 219), where each X is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y; n is 1 to 11; and each Z is independently an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, A, Y, S, T, N, I, L, F, V, H, and P.

[0221] Target binding moiety (TBM) In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an activatable antibody comprising a target binding moiety (TBM). In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody light chain variable region and / or an antibody heavy chain variable region. In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody light chain variable region. In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region. In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody light chain variable region and an antibody heavy chain variable region.

[0222] In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises a full-length antibody light chain and / or a full-length antibody heavy chain. The antibody light chain may be a kappa light chain or a lambda light chain. The antibody heavy chain may be of any class, such as IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA or IgD. In some embodiments, the antibody heavy chain is of the IgG class, such as IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 subclass. The antibody heavy chains described herein may be converted from one class or subclass to another class or subclass using methods known in the art.

[0223] Any one or more of the target binding moieties (TBMs) described herein may incorporate any of the HVR sequences described herein (e.g., one, two or three of the heavy chain variable region HVR sequences and / or one, two or three of the light chain variable region HVR sequences as shown in Table A above), any of the heavy chain variable region sequences and / or light chain variable region sequences described herein (e.g., the heavy chain variable region sequences and / or light chain variable region sequences as shown in Table B above), and / or any of the antibodies described herein.

[0224] In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises the sequence of one or more of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein, including the antibodies described with respect to the specific amino acid sequences of the HVRs, variable regions (VL, VH) and / or light and heavy chains (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG4). In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody light chain variable region comprising an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of RASQSVRGRFLA (SEQ ID NO:58), an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of DASNRATGI (SEQ ID NO:66), and / or an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of YCQQSSSWPPT (SEQ ID NO:75). In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, or a sequence that has at least 90% (e.g., 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%) sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:100. In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region comprising an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of YSISSGYHWSWI (SEQ ID NO:23), an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of LARIDWDDDKYYSTSLKSRL (SEQ ID NO:35), and / or an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of ARSYVYFDY (SEQ ID NO:45). In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87, or a sequence that has at least 90% (e.g., 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%) sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:87. In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises: a) an antibody light chain variable region comprising HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of RASQSVRGRFLA (SEQ ID NO:58), HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of DASNRATGI (SEQ ID NO:66), and / or HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of YCQQSSSWPPT (SEQ ID NO:75), and b) an antibody heavy chain variable region comprising HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of YSISSGYHWSWI (SEQ ID NO:23), HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of LARIDWDDDKYYSTSLKSRL (SEQ ID NO:35), and / or HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of ARSYVYFDY (SEQ ID NO:45).In some embodiments, the target binding moiety (TBM) comprises an antibody light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:100, and an antibody heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87.

[0225] Properties of activatable binding polypeptides In some embodiments, an activatable binding polypeptide (i.e., an activatable antibody) of the disclosure comprises (a) a masking moiety (MM), (b) a cleavable moiety, and (c) a target binding moiety. In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) binds to the target binding moiety (TBM) of the activatable antibody and reduces or inhibits binding of the activatable binding moiety to CTLA4 (e.g., human CTLA4) compared to binding of a corresponding binding polypeptide lacking the masking moiety to CTLA4 (e.g., human CTLA4) and / or compared to binding of a parent antibody to CTLA4 (e.g., human CTLA4).

[0226] In some embodiments, an "activatable" binding polypeptide refers to a binding polypeptide that exhibits a first level of binding to CTLA4 when inhibited, masked, and / or uncleaved, and a second level of binding to CTLA4 when uninhibited, unmasked, and / or cleaved, where the second level of binding to CTLA4 is greater than the first level of binding to CTLA4. In some embodiments, the degree of access to CTLA4 by the activatable binding polypeptide is increased after cleavage (e.g., by one or more proteases) within the cleavable portion.

[0227] In some embodiments, an activatable antibody of the present disclosure generally has a binding affinity for CTLA4 (e.g., human CTLA4) that is at least about 2-fold (e.g., at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 6-fold, at least about 7-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 9-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 11-fold, at least about 12-fold, at least about 13-fold, at least about 14-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 16-fold, at least about 17-fold, at least about 18-fold, at least about 19-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 21-fold, at least about 22-fold, at least about 23-fold, at least about 24-fold, at least about 25-fold, at least about 26-fold, at least about 27-fold, at least about 28-fold, at least about 29-fold, at least about 30-fold, at least about 31-fold, at least about 32-fold, at least about 33-fold, at least about 34-fold, at least about 35-fold, at least about 36-fold, at least about 37-fold, at least about 38-fold, at least about 39-fold, at least about 40-fold, at least about 40-fold, at least about 40-fold, at least about 40-fold, at least about 40-fold, at least about 45 ... In some embodiments, an activatable antibody of the present disclosure is generally considered to be an "activatable" binding polypeptide when, following "activation," the EC of the activatable antibody is increased by at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 4.5-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 5.5-fold, at least about 6-fold, at least about 6.5-fold, at least about 7-fold, at least about 7.5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 8.5-fold, at least about 9-fold, at least about 9.5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 25-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold, at least about 100-fold, at least about 250-fold, at least about 500-fold, at least about 750-fold, or at least about 1000-fold or more. 50is reduced by at least about 2-fold (e.g., at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 4.5-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 5.5-fold, at least about 6-fold, at least about 6.5-fold, at least about 7-fold, at least about 7.5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 8.5-fold, at least about 9-fold, at least about 9.5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 25-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold, at least about 100-fold, at least about 250-fold, at least about 500-fold, at least about 750-fold, or at least about 1000-fold or less) (e.g., as measured by ELISA or FACS assays; see Examples below). In some embodiments, an activatable antibody of the present disclosure generally comprises an EC polypeptide of the polypeptide after treatment with a protease that cleaves within the cleavable moiety (CM). 50 is considered "activatable" if it reduces the activity of the antibody by at least about two-fold (eg, as measured by ELISA or FACS assays; see Examples below).

[0228] In some embodiments, the masking moiety (MM) when attached to the target binding moiety (TBM) of the activatable antibody enhances the K D when the masking moiety (MM) is not bound to the target binding moiety (TBM) (e.g., after "activation" of the activatable antibody (e.g., after treatment with a protease to cleave within the cleavable moiety (CM))) and / or when the parent antibody K Dis about 2-fold (e.g., about 2-fold, about 2.5-fold, about 3-fold, about 3.5-fold, about 4-fold, about 4.5-fold, about 5-fold, about 5.5-fold, about 6-fold, about 6.5-fold, about 7-fold, about 7.5-fold, about 8-fold, about 8.5-fold, about 9-fold, about 9.5-fold, about 10-fold, about 25-fold, about 50-fold, about 75-fold, about 100-fold, about 250-fold, about 500-fold, about 750-fold, or about 1000-fold or more) greater than the above. Methods for measuring affinity are known in the art, and include, for example, the methods described in the Examples below.

[0229] In some embodiments, the masking moiety, when bound to the target binding portion of the activatable antibody, reduces the K of the activatable antibody to CTLA4. D is the K of the parent antibody against CTLA4 when the masking moiety is not bound to the target binding moiety (e.g., after "activation" of the activatable antibody (e.g., after treatment with a protease to cleave within the cleavable moiety (CM))) D The affinity is reduced by at least about 25% (e.g., at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 99%) relative to the affinity of the target protein. Methods for measuring affinity are known in the art, and include, for example, the methods described in the Examples below.

[0230] In some embodiments, the masking moiety sterically interferes with binding of the activatable antibody to CTLA4 and / or allosterically interferes with binding of the activatable antibody to CTLA4, hi some embodiments, the masking moiety does not comprise the amino acid sequence of a natural binding partner of the activatable antibody and / or parent antibody.

[0231] In some embodiments, the dissociation constant of the masking moiety for the target binding moiety is greater than the dissociation constant of the activatable antibody (when activated) for CTLA4. In some embodiments, the dissociation constant of the masking moiety for the target binding moiety is about 2-fold (e.g., about 2-fold, about 2.5-fold, about 3-fold, about 3.5-fold, about 4-fold, about 4.5-fold, about 5-fold, about 5.5-fold, about 6-fold, about 6.5-fold, about 7-fold, about 7.5-fold, about 8-fold, about 8.5-fold, about 9-fold, about 9.5-fold, about 10-fold, about 25-fold, about 50-fold, about 75-fold, about 100-fold, about 250-fold, about 500-fold, about 750-fold, or about 1000-fold or more) greater than the dissociation constant of the activatable antibody (when activated) for CTLA4. In some embodiments, the dissociation constant of the masking moiety for the target binding moiety is approximately equal to the dissociation constant of the activatable antibody (when activated) for CTLA4.

[0232] The activatable antibodies described herein may be further modified. In some embodiments, the activatable antibodies are linked to additional molecular entities. Examples of additional molecular entities include pharmaceutical agents, peptides or proteins, detection agents or labels, and antibodies.

[0233] In some embodiments, the activatable antibodies of the present disclosure are linked to a pharmaceutical agent. Examples of pharmaceutical agents include cytotoxic agents or other cancer therapeutics, and radioisotopes. Specific examples of cytotoxic agents include taxol, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, teniposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicine, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, dihydroxyanthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, and puromycin, as well as analogs or homologs thereof. Therapeutic agents also include, for example, antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine), alkylating agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, thiotepa, chlorambucil, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU) and lomustine (CCNU), cyclophosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C and cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (DDP) cisplatin), anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin) and doxorubicin), antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly actinomycin), bleomycin, mithramycin and anthramycin (AMC)), and antimitotic agents (e.g., vincristine and vinblastine). Examples of radioisotopes that can be conjugated to antibodies for diagnostic or therapeutic use include iodine. 131 ,indium 111 ,yttrium 90 and lutetium 177Methods of linking a polypeptide to a pharmaceutical agent are known in the art, including, but not limited to, using a variety of linker technologies. Exemplary linker types include hydrazones, thioethers, esters, disulfides, and peptide-containing linkers. For further discussion of linkers and methods of linking therapeutic agents to antibodies, see, e.g., Saito et al., Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 55:199-215 (2003); Trail, et al., Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 52:328-337 (2003); Payne, Cancer Cell 3:207-212 (2003); Allen, Nat. Rev. Cancer 2:750-763 (2002); Pastan and Kreitman, Curr. Opin. Investig. Drugs 3:1089-1091 (2002); Senter and Springer (2001) Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 53:247-264.

[0234] IV. Anti-CD137 antibody In some embodiments, the methods described herein comprise administration of an anti-CD137 antibody that specifically binds to the extracellular domain of human CD137. The anti-CD137 antibodies described herein include full length anti-CD137 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments of CD137 antibodies, and derivatives of CD137 antibodies. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is any one of the antibodies described herein, including those described with respect to binding to an epitope, as well as those described with respect to specific amino acid sequences of the CDRs, variable regions (VL, VH), IgG (e.g., IgG4) light chain, and IgG heavy chain. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody (a) binds to human CD137 with a KD of 500 nM or less; (b) has agonistic activity against human CD137; (c) does not bind to human OX40, human CD40, human GITR and / or human CD27 receptors at concentrations up to 1000 nM; (d) has cross-reactivity with monkey CD137, mouse CD137, rat CD137 or dog CD137; (e) does not induce ADCC; and (f) is capable of inhibiting tumor cell growth. The antibody has at least one (e.g., at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, eight, or all nine) of the following functional properties: (a) a property of blocking binding of CD137 to CD137L; (b) a property of having a therapeutic effect against cancer; (c) a property of blocking CD137L-stimulated CD137 signaling (e.g., CD137L-stimulated NF-κB-dependent transcription) in cells expressing CD137. In some embodiments, the antibodies disclosed herein can also block, e.g., completely block, the binding of CD137 to its ligand, CD137L. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is an antibody (or antigen-binding fragment thereof) that cross-competes with one or more of the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments as described herein for binding to human CD137.Exemplary anti-CD137 antibodies suitable for the methods described herein are described, for example, in US20190055314A1, WO2019036855A1, and WO2019037711A1, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0235] Human CD137 is a 255 amino acid protein (e.g., GenBank accession numbers NM_001561, NP_001552, SEQ ID NO: 231). The protein contains a signal sequence (amino acid residues 1 to 17), followed by an extracellular domain (169 amino acids), a transmembrane domain (27 amino acids), and an intracellular domain (42 amino acids) (Cheuk ATC et al. 2004 Cancer Gene Therapy 11:215-226). The receptor is expressed on the cell surface in monomeric and dimeric forms, and is likely to form trimers with CD137 ligands to transmit signals.

[0236] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to one or more amino acid residues within amino acid residues 34-108 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to one or more amino acid residues within amino acid residues 34-93 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 34-36, 53-55, and 92-93 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to one or more amino acid residues within amino acid residues 34-36, one or more amino acid residues 53-55, and one or more amino acid residues 92-93 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody does not bind to one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 109-112, 125, 126, 135-138, 150, and 151 of SEQ ID NO: 231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody does not specifically bind to amino acid residues 109-112, 125, 126, 135-138, 150, and 151 of SEQ ID NO: 231. Methods for measuring the ability of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment to bind to a target antigen may be performed using any method known in the art, such as by surface plasmon resonance, ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry, filter binding assays, EMSA, or based on the crystal structure of the anti-CD137 antibody and CD137.

[0237] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues at positions 51, 53, 63-67, 69-73, 83, 89, 92, 98-104, and 112-116 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues at positions 51, 53, 63-67, 69-73, 83, 89, 92, 98-104, and 112-116 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues at positions 51, 63-67, 69-73, 83, 89, 92, 98-104, and 112-114 of SEQ ID NO:231.

[0238] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to amino acid residues 51, 53, 62-73, 83, 89, 92, 95-104, and 112-116 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to amino acid residues 51, 53, 63-67, 69-73, 83, 89, 92, 98-104, and 112-116 of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to amino acid residues 51, 63-67, 69-73, 83, 89, 92, 98-104, and 112-114 of SEQ ID NO:231.

[0239] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to human CD137 with a KD of about 500 nM or less (e.g., about 500 nM or less, about 400 nM or less, about 300 nM or less, about 200 nM or less, about 150 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 90 nM or less, about 80 nM or less, about 75 nM or less, about 70 nM or less, about 60 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 40 nM or less, about 30 nM or less, about 25 nM or less, about 20 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 1 nM or less, about 0.1 nM or less, etc.). In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to human CD137 with a KD of about 100 nM or less. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody specifically binds to human CD137 with a KD of about 50 nM or less. Methods for measuring the KD of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment may be performed using any method known in the art, including, for example, by surface plasmon resonance, ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry, filter binding assay, EMSA, and the like.

[0240] Anti-CD137 antibodies need to be cross-linked to be agonistic. For example, cross-linking is accomplished through Fcγ receptors in vivo, and typically, in vitro, polyclonal anti-Fc antibodies are used in cell-based experiments. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibodies described herein have agonistic activity against human CD137. In some embodiments, when the anti-CD137 antibody contacts a cell (e.g., a human cell) expressing human CD137, the anti-CD137 antibody induces one or more (e.g., one or more, two or more, three or more, etc.) activities of human CD137. Various CD137 activities are known in the art and may include, but are not limited to, induction of NF-κB-dependent transcription, induction of T cell proliferation, extension of T cell survival, co-stimulation of activated T cells, induction of cytokine secretion (e.g., IL-2), and induction of monocyte activation. In some embodiments, the one or more CD137 activities is not binding of CD137 to its ligand. Methods for measuring CD137 activity (e.g., induction of NF-κB-dependent transcription and / or T cell proliferation) are known in the art. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody increases NF-κB-dependent transcription in a cell expressing human CD137 (e.g., a human cell). In some embodiments, NF-κB-dependent transcription is increased by about 10% or more, about 20% or more, about 30% or more, about 40% or more, about 50% or more, about 60% or more, about 70% or more, about 80% or more, about 90% or more, or about 99% or more in a cell expressing CD137 (e.g., a human cell) that has been contacted with the anti-CD137 antibody relative to a corresponding cell not contacted with the anti-CD137 antibody (e.g., a corresponding cell not contacted with the antibody or a corresponding cell contacted with an isotype control antibody).In some embodiments, NF-κB-dependent transcription is increased by about 2-fold, about 3-fold, about 4-fold, about 5-fold, about 6-fold, about 7-fold, about 8-fold, about 9-fold, about 10-fold, about 100-fold, about 1000-fold or more in CD137-expressing cells (e.g., human cells) contacted with the anti-CD137 antibody relative to corresponding cells not contacted with the anti-CD137 antibody (e.g., corresponding cells not contacted with the antibody or corresponding cells contacted with an isotype control antibody).

[0241] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is cross-reactive with monkey (e.g., cynomolgus) CD137, mouse CD137, rat CD137, and / or dog CD137. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is cross-reactive with monkey CD137. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is cross-reactive with mouse CD137. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is cross-reactive with rat CD137. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is cross-reactive with dog CD137. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is cross-reactive with monkey CD137 and mouse CD137, monkey CD137 and rat CD137, monkey CD137 and dog CD137, mouse CD137 and rat CD137, mouse CD137 and dog CD137, rat CD137 and dog CD137, monkey CD137, mouse CD137 and rat CD137, monkey CD137, mouse CD137 and dog CD137, monkey CD137, rat CD137 and dog CD137, mouse CD137, rat CD137 and dog CD137, or monkey CD137, mouse CD137, rat CD137 and dog CD137. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody has a cross-reactivity at about 100 nM (e.g., about 1 nM, about 10 nM, about 25 nM, about 50 nM, about 75 nM, about 100 nM). Methods for measuring antibody cross-reactivity are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, surface plasmon resonance, ELISA, isothermal titration calorimetry, filter binding assays, EMSA, and the like.

[0242] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody does not induce ADCC. Methods for measuring ADCC (e.g., in vivo methods) are known in the art. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody induces about 10% or less of ADCC relative to a control (induces about 10% or less, about 5% or less, about 1% or less, about 0.1% or less, about 0.01% or less of ADCC).

[0243] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody can inhibit the growth / proliferation of tumor cells. In some embodiments, upon contact with the anti-CD137 antibody, the growth / proliferation of tumor cells is inhibited by at least about 5% (e.g., at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 99%) relative to corresponding tumor cells not contacted with the anti-CD137 antibody. In some embodiments, upon administration of the anti-CD137 antibody to a subject, the anti-CD137 antibody can reduce tumor volume in the subject. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody can reduce tumor volume in a subject by at least about 5% (e.g., at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 99%) relative to an initial tumor volume in the subject (e.g., before administration of the anti-CD137 antibody). Methods for monitoring tumor cell growth / proliferation, tumor volume, and / or tumor inhibition are known in the art.

[0244] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody has a therapeutic effect against cancer. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody relieves one or more of the signs or symptoms of cancer. In some embodiments, the subject suffering from cancer undergoes partial or complete remission when administered the anti-CD137 antibody.

[0245] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is selected from the group consisting of AG10058, AG10059, and ADG106. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody competes or cross-competes with any of the exemplary antibodies of the present application, such as AG10058, AG10059, and ADG106, for binding to human CD137. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody is an antibody that competes or cross-competes with AG10058, AG10059, or ADG106 for binding to the same epitope on human CD137. The ability of an antibody to compete or cross-compete with another antibody for binding can be determined using standard binding assays known in the art, such as BIAcore analysis, ELISA assays, or flow cytometry. For example, an exemplary antibody of the present disclosure can be allowed to bind to human CD137 under saturating conditions, and then the ability of the test antibody to bind to CD137 can be measured. If the test antibody is able to bind to the CD137 at the same time as the exemplary antibody, then the test antibody binds to a different epitope than the exemplary antibody. However, if the test antibody is not able to bind to the CD137 at the same time, then the test antibody binds to the same epitope as, an epitope that overlaps with, or an epitope that is close to the epitope bound by the exemplary antibody. This experiment can be performed using a variety of methods, such as ELISA, RIA, FACS, or surface plasmon resonance.

[0246] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody blocks the binding of CD137 to its ligand (e.g., human CD137 and human CD137L). In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody blocks the binding of CD137 to its ligand in vitro. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody has a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for blocking CD137 binding to its ligand of about 500 nM or less (e.g., about 500 nM or less, about 400 nM or less, about 300 nM or less, about 200 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 25 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 1 nM or less, etc.). In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody has a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for blocking CD137 binding to its ligand of about 100 nM or less. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody completely blocks binding of human CD137 to its ligand when provided at a concentration of about 100 nM or more (e.g., about 100 nM or more, about 500 nM or more, about 1 μM or more, about 10 μM or more, etc.). As used herein, the term "completely blocking" or "completely blocks" refers to the ability of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment to reduce binding of a first protein to a second protein by at least about 80% (e.g., at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 99%, etc.). Methods for measuring the ability of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment to block binding of a first protein (e.g., CD137) to a second protein (e.g., CD137L) are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, by BIAcore analysis, ELISA assays, and flow cytometry.

[0247] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a light chain variable region (VL), a) the VH comprises HVR-H1, HVR-H2 and HVR-H3, wherein HVR-H1 is a sequence selected from the group consisting of formula (I): X1TFX2X3YX4IHWV (SEQ ID NO: 262), where X1 is F or Y, X2 is S or T, X3 is G, N or S, and X4 is A, G or W; X1 is G or S, X2 is A or G, and X3 is A, G, S, or T; and formula (III): FSLSTX1GVX2VX3WI (SEQ ID NO: 264) (wherein X1 is G or S, X2 is A or G, and X3 is A, G, S, or T); and its HVR-H2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from the group consisting of formula (IV): LALIDWX1X2DKX3YSX4SLKSRL (SEQ ID NO: 265) (wherein X1 is A, D, or Y, X2 is D or G, X3 is R, S, or Y, and X4 is P or T), formula (V): IGX1IYHSGX2TYYX3PSLKSRV (SEQ ID NO: 266) (wherein X1 is D or E, X2 is N or S, and X3 is N or S), and formula (VI): VSX1ISGX2GX3X4TYYADSVKGRF (SEQ ID NO: 267) (wherein X1 is A, G, S, V or Y, X2 is A, D, S or Y, X3 is D, G or S, and X4 is S or T), wherein the HVR-H3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (VII): and / or b) the VL comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (VIII): X1ASQX2X3X4X5X6X7X8 (SEQ ID NO: 269), wherein X1 is E or G, X2 is E or S, X3 is D or T, X4 is A, T or V, X5 is A, I, L, T or V, and X6 is A, D or G.X1 is A or D, X2 is N, S or T, X3 is L or R, X4 is A, E or Q, X5 is S or T, and X6 is A, G or N; and HVR-L2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (IX): XIASX2X3X4X5GX6 (SEQ ID NO: 270), wherein XI is A or D, X2 is N, S or T, X3 is L or R, X4 is A, E or Q, X5 is S or T, and X6 is I or V; and HVR-L3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to formula (IX): XIASX2X3X4X5GX6 (SEQ ID NO: 271), wherein XI is A or D, X2 is N, S or T, X3 is L or R, X4 is A, E or Q, X5 is S or T, and X6 is I or V; and L3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to a formula selected from the group consisting of formula (X): YCQQX1YX2X3X4T (SEQ ID NO: 271), where X1 is A, G, S or Y, X2 is Q, S or Y, X3 is I, L, T or Y, and X4 is I, S, V or W; and formula (XI): YCX1QX2X3X4X5PX6T (SEQ ID NO: 272), where X1 is E or Q, X2 is P, S or Y, X3 is D, L, S, T or Y, X4 is D, E, H, S or T, X5 is D, L, T or W, and X6 is L, P, R or V.

[0248] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH and a VL, wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 264, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 265, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 268, and / or the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 269, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 270, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 271.

[0249] Exemplary anti-CD137 antibody sequences are shown in Table C below. [Table 4]

[0250] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH and a VL, wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 232, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 233, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234, and / or the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 236, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 237.

[0251] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH comprising heavy chain complementarity determining region (HC-CDR)1, HC-CDR2, and HC-CDR3 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 238, and / or a VL comprising light chain complementarity determining region (LC-CDR)1, LC-CDR2, and LC-CDR3 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 239. In certain embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 238, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 239. In certain embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 240, and / or a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 241.

[0252] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH and a VL, wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 242, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 243, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 244, and / or the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 245, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 246, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 247.

[0253] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH comprising HC-CDR1, HC-CDR2, and HC-CDR3 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 248, and / or a VL comprising LC-CDR1, LC-CDR2, and LC-CDR3 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 249. In certain embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 248, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 249. In certain embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250, and / or a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251.

[0254] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH and a VL, wherein the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 252, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 253, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 254, and / or the VL comprises HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 255, HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 256, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 257.

[0255] In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a VH comprising HC-CDR1, HC-CDR2, and HC-CDR3 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 258, and / or a VL comprising LC-CDR1, LC-CDR2, and LC-CDR3 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 259. In certain embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 258, and / or a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 259. In certain embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 260, and / or a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 261.

[0256] The CD137 antibodies described herein can be of any class, such as IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA or IgD. The CD137 antibodies are preferably of the IgG class, such as IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 subclass. The CD137 antibodies can be converted from one class or subclass to another using methods known in the art. An exemplary method for producing an antibody of a desired class or subclass includes isolating a nucleic acid encoding a heavy chain of a CD137 antibody and a nucleic acid encoding a light chain of a CD137 antibody, isolating a sequence encoding a VH region, ligating the VH sequence to a sequence encoding a heavy chain constant region of the desired class or subclass, expressing the light chain gene and the heavy chain construct in a cell, and recovering the CD137 antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-CD137 antibody comprises a human IgG4 Fc region. In some embodiments, the human IgG4 Fc region comprises the mutation S241P, the numbering of which is according to Kabat.

[0257] V. PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS, KITS AND ARTICLE In another aspect, the application provides a composition comprising any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies (e.g., activatable antibodies) described herein. In some embodiments, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-CTLA4 antibody (e.g., activatable antibody) and a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising one or more additional therapeutic agents (e.g., an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-CD137 antibody, and a VEGF inhibitor, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a PARP inhibitor). The composition can be prepared by conventional methods known in the art.

[0258] The term "pharmaceutical acceptable carrier" refers to any inert material suitable for use in a formulation to deliver an active agent (e.g., an anti-CTLA4 antibody). Carriers may be anti-adherents, binders, coatings, disintegrants, fillers or diluents, preservatives (e.g., antioxidants, antibacterial or antifungal agents), sweeteners, absorption retardants, wetting agents, emulsifiers, buffers, and the like. Examples of suitable pharmaceutical acceptable carriers include water, ethanol, polyols (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), dextrose, vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil), saline, buffers, buffered saline, and isotonicity agents, e.g., sugars, polyalcohols, sorbitol, and sodium chloride. The composition may be in any suitable form, e.g., liquid, semi-solid, and solid dosage forms. Examples of liquid dosage forms include solutions (e.g., injectable and infusible solutions), microemulsions, liposomes, dispersions, or suspensions. Examples of solid dosage forms include tablets, pills, capsules, microcapsules and powders. The specific form of the composition suitable for delivering anti-CTLA4 antibody is a sterile liquid, such as a solution, suspension or dispersion for injection or infusion. A sterile liquid can be prepared by incorporating the antibody in a required amount into a suitable carrier and then sterilizing by microfiltration. Generally, a dispersion is prepared by incorporating the antibody into a sterile vehicle containing a basic dispersion medium and other carriers. In the case of a sterile powder for preparing a sterile liquid, the preparation method includes vacuum drying and freeze-drying (lyophilization) to obtain powders from a previously sterile-filtered solution of a powder of active ingredient and any additional desired ingredient. The composition of various dosage forms can be prepared by conventional techniques known in the art.

[0259] The relative amount of anti-CTLA4 antibody in the composition will vary depending on many factors, such as the particular anti-CTLA4 antibody and carrier used, the dosage form, and the desired release and pharmacokinetic characteristics. The amount of anti-CTLA4 antibody in a single dosage form will generally be an amount that exerts a therapeutic effect, but may be a lesser amount. Generally, this amount will range from about 0.01% to about 99%, about 0.1% to about 70%, or about 1% to about 30% of the total amount of the dosage form.

[0260] In addition to the anti-CTLA4 antibody, one or more additional therapeutic agents may be included in the composition. Examples of additional therapeutic agents are described in the "Methods of Treatment" section herein. The appropriate amount of additional therapeutic agent included in the composition can be easily selected by those skilled in the art and will vary depending on many factors, such as the specific drug and carrier used, dosage form, and desired release and pharmacokinetic properties. The amount of additional therapeutic agent included in a single dosage form will generally be the amount of drug that exerts a therapeutic effect, but may be less than that.

[0261] In some embodiments, an article of manufacture is provided that includes materials useful for the treatment of cancer. The article of manufacture may include a container and a label or package insert on or associated with the container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, and the like. The container may be formed from a variety of materials, such as glass or plastic. Generally, the container holds a composition described herein that is effective for the treatment of cancer and may have a sterile access port (e.g., the container may be an intravenous infusion bag or vial with a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic needle). Package insert refers to instructions typically included in commercial packaging of pharmaceutical products that include information about the indications, uses, dosage, administration, contraindications, and / or warnings regarding the use of such pharmaceutical products. In some embodiments, the package insert indicates that the composition is for use in the treatment of cancer. The label or package insert may further include instructions for administering the composition to a patient.

[0262] In addition, the article of manufacture may further comprise a second container containing a pharma- ceutically acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution, and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.

[0263] Also provided are kits, optionally in combination with the product, that are useful for various purposes, for example, for treating cancer as described herein. The kits of the present application include one or more containers containing any one of the compositions (or unit dosage forms and / or products) described herein. In some embodiments, the kits further include other agents (e.g., one or more additional therapeutic agents) and / or instructions for use according to any of the methods described herein. The kits may further include instructions for selecting individuals suitable for treatment. The instructions provided in the kits of the present application are typically written instructions on a label or insert (e.g., a sheet of paper included in the kit), although machine-readable instructions (e.g., instructions written on a magnetic or optical storage disk) are also acceptable.

[0264] For example, in some embodiments, a kit is provided that includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising any one of the anti-CTLA4 antibodies described herein and a pharma- ceutical acceptable carrier, and instructions for administering the pharmaceutical composition to a subject with cancer. In some embodiments, the kit further includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising an additional therapeutic agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the kit further includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-CD137 antibody, and a VEGF inhibitor, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a PARP inhibitor. In some embodiments, the kit includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more biomarkers described herein (e.g., CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T em cells, CD4+ T em cell, T reg cell, T reg CD8+ T cells em Proportion of cells, T regCD4+ T cells em The method includes one or more assays or reagents for determining levels of IL-1, IL-2, NK cells, B cells, or other IL-1 related cells.

[0265] The kits of the present application are in suitable packaging. Suitable packaging includes, but is not limited to, vials, bottles, jars, flexible packaging (e.g., sealed Mylar or plastic bags), and the like. The kits may optionally provide additional components, such as buffers and interpretive information. That is, the present application also provides articles of manufacture that include vials (such as sealed vials), bottles, jars, flexible packaging, and the like.

[0266] The containers may be unit doses, bulk packages (e.g., multi-dose packages) or sub-unit doses. The kits may also include multiple unit doses of the pharmaceutical composition and instructions for use and packaging in sufficient quantities for storage and use in pharmacies, such as hospital pharmacies and compounding pharmacies.

[0267] The above description is deemed sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. The following examples are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Indeed, from the above description, various modifications of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art in addition to those shown and described herein, and these modifications will fall within the scope of the appended claims. EXAMPLES

[0268] The present invention may be further understood by reference to the following examples, which are offered by way of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

[0269] Example 1. Novel anti-CTLA4 checkpoint inhibitor prodrugs to address on-target and off-tumor toxicity in cancer immunotherapy Ipilimumab, as the first FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting CTLA4, has demonstrated the clinical efficacy of checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy, especially in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy. However, ipilimumab can induce severe and even life-threatening immune-mediated adverse reactions due to autoimmune responses in normal tissues that can involve many organ systems, thus limiting its clinical application. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop next-generation anti-CTLA4 antibodies with enhanced antitumor efficacy and improved safety profiles.

[0270] TY22404 is a novel anti-CTLA4 fully human IgG1 antibody prodrug engineered using SAFEbody technology. TY22404 is designed to be preferentially activated in the tumor microenvironment and has limited on-target and off-tumor toxicity in normal tissues. As shown in Figure 1, the SAFEbody is masked by a covalently attached N-terminal peptide followed by a protease cleavage site. In normal tissues, the masking moiety of the SAFEbody functions to block the binding of TY22404 to CTLA4, but after cleavage by proteases known to be highly expressed and active in tumor tissues, the masking moiety is released, allowing the activated TY22404 antibody to bind to and inhibit CTLA4 function in situ.

[0271] Preclinical pharmacology studies showed that unmasked or activated TY22404 bound to a conserved epitope unique to CTLA4 with species cross-reactivity, partially blocking the CTLA4 / B7 ligand interaction. Activated TY22404 enhanced T cell activation by inducing production of the cytokine IL-2 in the presence of primary stimulatory signals specifically in the tumor microenvironment, depleted immunosuppressive Tregs through enhanced ADCC, and reduced immunosuppressive Treg activity to mediate antitumor responses. TY22404 demonstrated potent antitumor activity as a single agent and in combination with other immunomodulatory agents in multiple syngeneic mouse tumor models. Preclinical toxicology studies showed that TY22404 was well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys. These results suggest that preferential activation of the masked TY22404 prodrug in the local tumor microenvironment may enable the delivery of higher effective dose levels to tumors and a superior systemic safety profile compared to other conventional anti-CTLA4 antibodies. Thus, TY22404 holds great promise for significantly improving the efficacy and safety profile of immunotherapy for a broad range of human cancers.

[0272] Preclinical Toxicity Study Results In a non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model, after six treatments with 50 mg / kg TY22404, all mice survived, and no abnormal findings attributable to TY22404 were observed.

[0273] In a 4-week GLP repeat-dose toxicity study, TY22404 was well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys given five doses of 5, 30, and 200 mg per kg per dose once weekly, followed by a 28-day recovery period. At 200 mg / kg, mild to moderate microscopic adverse findings of mixed perivascular infiltrates, which were reversible, were observed in multiple organs and tissues in both males and females.

[0274] The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in both rats and cynomolgus monkeys was 30 mg / kg per dose, and the highest non-serious toxic dose (HNSTD) in cynomolgus monkeys was 200 mg / kg per dose.

[0275] Binding affinity of TY22404 to human CTLA4, monkey CTLA4, mouse CTLA4 and rat CTLA4 The binding affinity of masked TY22404 to recombinant CTLA4 protein from human, cynomolgus monkey, mouse or rat compared to its activated form (activated TY22404 under conditions 1 and 2) was evaluated. Briefly, recombinant CTLA4 protein (extracellular domain) from human, cynomolgus monkey, mouse or rat was coated on ELISA microplates and serial dilutions of TY22404, the activated form of TY22404 (activated TY22404 under conditions 1 and 2), or a human IgG1 isotype control antibody were captured, and the captured antibody was detected with an HRP-conjugated anti-human IgG (Fab specific) secondary antibody. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) was calculated based on the fitted binding curve.

[0276] As shown in Figure 3, masked TY22404 can bind to recombinant human, cynomolgus, mouse and rat CTLA4 proteins, but with a much lower affinity. The activated form binds to recombinant CTLA4 proteins of all four species with relatively high affinity (around 0.3 nM for all). Compared to the masked TY22404 antibody, truncated TY22404 binds to its target CTLA4 protein with significantly increased affinity, more than 250-fold increased affinity for human CTLA4, approximately 40-fold increased affinity for monkey CTLA4, more than 300-fold increased affinity for mouse CTLA4 and more than 100-fold increased affinity for rat CTLA4.

[0277] Effects of TY22404 on CD28 signaling activity by in vitro cell bioassay of CTLA4 blockade The functional activity of masked TY22404 and its activated form, as well as ipilimumab, in stimulating CD28-mediated downstream cell signaling by blocking the binding of CTLA4 to CD80 and CD86 ligands was evaluated.

[0278] In this study, the CTLA4 blocking function of anti-CTLA4 mAbs is evaluated using a bioluminescent cell-based assay, Promega's CTLA4 Blockade Bioassay System, which uses two genetically engineered cell lines: CTLA4 effector cells, Jurkat T cells (1.0 × 10 ), expressing human CTLA4 and a luciferase reporter driven by the IL-2 native promoter and responsive to TCR / CD28 activation. 5 / well) and APC / Raji cells (2.0 × 10 5 ), i.e., Raji cells that express cell surface proteins designed to activate the TCR in an antigen-dependent manner and that endogenously express the CTLA4 ligands CD80 and CD86. When the two cell types are co-cultured, CTLA4 competes with CD28 for their common ligands CD80 and CD86, thereby inhibiting CD28 pathway activation and promoter-mediated luminescence. Serial dilutions of TY22404, its activating form, ipilimumab, or isotype antibodies are then added to block the interaction of CTLA4 with its ligands CD80 and CD86, resulting in promoter-mediated luminescence. Bioluminescent signals can then be detected using the Bio-Glo™ Luciferase Assay System.

[0279] As shown in Figure 4, masked TY22404 is unable to induce downstream luminal cell signaling. After activation by in vitro cleavage with either condition 1 or 2, both the antibodies activated by condition 1 and 2 are able to stimulate reporter signaling mediated by CTLA4 blockade in a dose-dependent manner. However, the activity of the activated form of TY22404 is much lower than that of ipilimumab.

[0280] Evaluation of ADCC reporter gene activity of TY22404 in 293F cells overexpressing human CTLA4 The reporter gene activity of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of TY22404 and its activated form with ipilimumab was evaluated in its target cells (293F-CTLA4). Briefly, the effector cells Jurkat-NFAT-CD16 are engineered from the human T lymphocyte Jurkat cell line. Jurkat cells naturally express functional NFAT transcription factor, which is involved in early signaling events in ADCC. The target cells used in this study (2.0 × 10 4 ) is 293F overexpressing the CTLA4 target molecule. The ADCC reporter activity of anti-CTLA4 mAb is assayed by co-incubating CTLA4 target cells, 293F, with effector cells (1.2×105) in the presence and absence of anti-CTLA4 mAb at various concentrations, followed by luciferase analysis. An IgG1 isotype control mAb is used as a negative control for ADCC reporter activity.

[0281] As shown in Figure 5, these results suggest that TY22404 with the masking peptide does not show ADCC reporter gene activity, but its activated form in which the masking peptide has been removed by protease cleavage (activated TY22404 under conditions 1 and 2) has significant dose-dependent ADCC reporter activity against 293F cells overexpressing CTLA4 molecules. Notably, both activated TY22404 under conditions 1 and 2 have strong ADCC reporter activity against 293F-CTLA4 cells, as evidenced by a much lower EC50 than ipilimumab.

[0282] In vitro activation of human T cells by TY22404 in the presence of SEA in PBMCs The in vitro biological activity of TY22404 and its activated forms (activated TY22404 under conditions 1 and 2) was evaluated in enhancing the activation of human T cells stimulated with Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) peptide in the context of PBMCs. SEA as a superantigen is known to activate most human T cells by binding to MHCII derived from APCs and T cell receptor (TCR) derived from T cells, and was therefore chosen in this study to prime the activation of T cells. Human PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, 2.0 × 10 5 / well) were isolated from one healthy donor (D#69) and stimulated with a suboptimal concentration of SEA peptide (50 ng / mL) and serial dilutions of TY22404, its activating form, or an isotype control antibody. Supernatants of replicating cells were harvested after 4 days for measurement of IL-2 by ELISA as an endpoint of enhanced T cell activation.

[0283] As shown in Figure 6, the results from this in vitro T cell activation assay suggest that the activated forms of TY22404 (both activated TY22404 under conditions 1 and 2) are able to enhance SEA peptide stimulated release of the cytokine IL-2 in PBMCs from a single healthy donor, while masked TY22404 has no such activity. In addition, activated TY22404 under condition 2 shows more potent activity in enhancing antigen stimulated T cell activation in the context of human PBMCs than activated TY22404 under condition 1.

[0284] Antitumor efficacy of TY22404 in the H22 mouse liver cancer model BALB / c mice (n = 8 per group, female, 6-7 weeks old) were subcutaneously inoculated with H22 mouse hepatoma cells (CCTCC). The mean tumor volume was approximately 97 mm. 3 Treatment was initiated when the tumor volume reached 100 μg / kg. The mice were dosed with isotype control and TY22404 at 5 mg / kg by intraperitoneal injection. The mice received six doses of the antibodies twice a week. Tumor growth was monitored twice a week and recorded over time as mean tumor volume ± standard error. As shown in Figure 7 (left panel), TY22404 showed very strong antitumor efficacy as monotherapy in the H22 model.

[0285] Antitumor efficacy of TY22404 in the CT26 mouse colon cancer model BALB / c mice (n = 8 per group, female, 7-8 weeks old) were subcutaneously inoculated with CT26 mouse colon cancer cells (SIBS). The mean tumor volume was approximately 98 mm. 3Treatment was initiated when the tumor volume reached 100 μg / kg. The mice were dosed with isotype control and TY22404 at 5 mg / kg by intraperitoneal injection. The mice received six doses of the antibodies twice a week. Tumor growth was monitored twice a week and recorded over time as mean tumor volume ± standard error. As shown in Figure 7 (right panel), TY22404 showed very strong antitumor efficacy as monotherapy in the CT26 model.

[0286] Figure 8 is an individual curve for Figure 10. (TY22404 was administered in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody in a Lewis cancer model).

[0287] Treg depletion by TY22404 in the CT26 mouse colon cancer model BALB / c mice (n = 10 per group, female, 7-8 weeks old) were subcutaneously inoculated with CT26 mouse colon cancer cells (SIBS). Nine days after tumor inoculation, the average tumor volume was approximately 121 mm. 3 Treatment was initiated when the mice reached 100% CI, 0.01 to 0.18. The mice were administered isotype control and TY22404 at 5 mg / kg by intraperitoneal injection. The mice were dosed with the antibodies on days 9 and 12 and terminated on day 14 for analysis of peripheral and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

[0288] As shown in Figure 9, in TY22404, CD4 + The percentage of Tregs in T cells was significantly reduced compared to the isotype control. However, in peripheral lymphocytes in the blood and spleen, TY22404 significantly reduced the CD4 + There was no effect on the percentage of Treg in T cells (right panel). As shown in Figure 9 (left panel), the CTLA4 expression level on Treg cells in TIL was significantly decreased after treatment with TY22404. However, on peripheral Treg cells, the CTLA4 expression level was slightly increased (PBMC) or did not change (spleen) after treatment with TY22404.

[0289] overview TY22404 is an activatable prodrug that specifically binds to CTLA4 across multiple species upon protease cleavage to remove the masking peptide (Figure 3).

[0290] Although activated TY22404 was a milder ligand blocker than ipilimumab, its ADCC activity targeting cells expressing CTLA4 at high densities was more potent than that of ipilimumab (Figures 4-5).

[0291] Activated TY22404 can potently enhance T cell activation, whereas TY22404 SAFEbody, which contains an intact masking peptide, cannot (Figure 6).

[0292] TY22404 demonstrated potent antitumor activity as a single agent in a variety of mouse tumor models (Figure 7).

[0293] TY22404, when combined synergistically with other IO agents such as anti-PD-1 antibodies, inhibited tumor growth in vivo (Figure 8). The combination therapy significantly slowed tumor growth and led to complete regression (CR) in four of eight tumors.

[0294] TY22404 can efficiently deplete Treg cells in tumors expressing high levels of CTLA4, but not in peripheral tissues (FIG. 9).

[0295] TY22404 was well tolerated in animals, including NOD mice and cynomolgus monkeys, suggesting that it may have a wide therapeutic index.

[0296] Example 2. Combination therapy with anti-CTLA4 antibody The efficacy of combination anti-CTLA4 antibody therapy was tested in various cancer models.

[0297] Figure 10 shows the results of TY22404 administered in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody in a Lewis carcinoma model. The in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of the combined TY22404 and anti-PD-1 treatment was evaluated. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with Lewis mouse lung tumor cells. The mean tumor volume was 118 mm 3 Once the tumor-bearing mice reached 10 mg / kg, they were randomized into various treatment groups of 8 mice each. Intraperitoneal administration of the test antibodies was initiated at 4 doses on a twice weekly schedule. Tumor growth inhibition (TGI) was assessed 14 days after the start of administration relative to the isotype control group. As shown in Figure 10, monotherapy with TY21580 and TY22404 at 2 mg / kg showed antitumor activity, with TGIs of 51% for TY21580 and 18% for TY22404. Monotherapy with anti-PD-1 FC1225 at 10 mg / kg showed antitumor activity (TGI=69%). Combining TY21580 or TY22404 with anti-PD-1 FC1225 significantly enhanced the antitumor activity, with TGIs of 92% for TY21580 and 91% for TY22404. Responses to the combination therapy were superior to all monotherapy regimens tested, suggesting that both TY21580 and TY22404 may synergize with anti-PD1 in inhibiting tumors.

[0298] Figure 11 shows the results of TY22404 administered in combination with ADG106 in a 4T1 cancer model to evaluate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of the combined treatment of TY22404 and the anti-CD137 antibody ADG106. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells. The mean tumor volume was 90 mm 3Once the tumor-bearing mice reached 100% CI, they were randomized into various treatment groups of 8 mice each. Intraperitoneal administration of vehicle, 5 mg / kg TY22404 or ADG106, or a combination of these two drugs was initiated in four doses on a twice-weekly schedule. As shown in Figure 11, compared to the vehicle control group, TY22404 showed partial antitumor activity at day 33 with a TGI of 49%, whereas ADG106 had no significant antitumor activity (TGI 10%). In this model, the combination of TY22404 and ADG106 showed slightly enhanced antitumor activity (TGI 63%).

[0299] 12A-12B show the results of ADG106 administered in combination with TY21580 in a CT26 mouse colon cancer model to evaluate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of the combined treatment of ADG106 and TY21580. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with CT26 mouse colon tumor cells. The mean tumor volume was 67 mm 3 Once tumor-bearing mice reached...

Claims

1. 1. A medicament for treating cancer in a subject, comprising an activatable antibody, The activatable antibody is a polypeptide comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM) and a target binding moiety (TBM); the MM comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 189-193, 195, 196, and 213-216; the CM comprises at least a first cleavage site; a) the TBM comprises an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and the activatable antibody further comprises a second polypeptide comprising an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH); or b) the TBM comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and the activatable antibody further comprises a second polypeptide comprising an antibody light chain variable region (VL); or c) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody light chain variable region (VL) and an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH); or d) the TBM comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and an antibody light chain variable region (VL) Including, the VH comprises HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, and HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45; the VL comprises an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58, an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66, and an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75; Once the CM is cleaved, the activatable antibody binds to human CTLA4 via the VH and VL; the subject is resistant to or has relapsed from conventional therapy; The conventional therapy is an inhibitor of CTLA4, PD-1 or PD-1 ligand. Medicine.

2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the conventional therapy is a CTLA4 inhibitor.

3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the conventional therapy is a PD-1 inhibitor.

4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the conventional therapy is an inhibitor of a PD-1 ligand. Pharmaceuticals

5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the conventional therapy is both a CTLA4 inhibitor and a PD-1 inhibitor.

6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the conventional therapy is both a CTLA4 inhibitor and a PD-1 ligand inhibitor.

7. The pharmaceutical according to claim 1, wherein the CTLA4 inhibitor is an anti-CTLA4 antibody, the PD-1 inhibitor is an anti-PD-1 antibody, or the PD-1 ligand inhibitor is an anti-PD-L1 antibody.

8. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 7, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody is pembrolizumab or toripalimab.

9. The pharmaceutical according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the variable region of the VH comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87, and the variable region of the VL comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

100.

10. The pharmaceutical according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the variable region of the VH comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87, and the variable region of the VL comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

100.

11. a) the VH comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 320 or SEQ ID NO: 321, and the VL comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 322; b) the VH comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 323 or SEQ ID NO: 324 and the VL comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 325; or c) the VH comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 326 or SEQ ID NO: 327, and the VL comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 328; The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. The pharmaceutical agent of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the MM comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

192.

13. The pharmaceutical of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the activatable antibody comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 165-179 and 198-202.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the subject is administered the activatable antibody for at least four therapeutic cycles.

15. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cancer is ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or colorectal cancer.

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