Anti-TNFR2 antibodies and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof specific for TNFR2 and methods of using same to treat cancer or autoimmune disorders, including combination therapy with antagonists of the PD-1 / PD-L1 immune checkpoint.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62 / 957,543, filed January 6, 2020, and 63 / 041,234, filed June 19, 2020, the entire contents of each of which, including any drawings and sequence listings, are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B (TNFRSF1B) and CD120b, is a 75 kDa type I transmembrane protein containing an extracellular domain (ECD, residues 1–257) with four cysteine-rich domains (CRD1–CRD4), a transmembrane domain (TM, residues 258–287), and an intracellular domain (ICD, residues 288–461) containing a TRAF2-binding domain. TNFR2 shares relatively low sequence identity with another TNFα receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), with only 28% homology between their extracellular domains.

[0003] TNFR2 binds to TNFα ligands in a 3:3 trimerization mode. The co-crystal structure of TNFR2 and TNFα has been solved, demonstrating that each TNFR2 molecule binds two TNFα ligands. Furthermore, TNFα has a K d binds to TNFR2 at 1 kJ / s. This is due to the binding to TNFR1 (K d = 19 nM). Naturally, TNFα binds preferentially to TNFR1, all else being equal.

[0004] In normal T cells, TNFα-TNFR2 interaction triggers a cell survival signal via the NFkB signaling pathway, whereas in autoimmune T cells, TNFα-TNFR2 interaction triggers an apoptotic signal via the caspase pathway.

[0005] Human TNFR2 shows 62% amino acid sequence homology with mouse TNFR2, but is 97% identical to rhesus monkey TNFR2.

[0006] While TNFR1 is ubiquitously expressed, TNFR2 expression is primarily restricted to immune cells, and tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive CD4 + FoxP3 + It is highly expressed primarily by regulatory T cells (Tregs). Recent studies have shown that TNFR2 plays a key role in stimulating the activation and proliferation of Tregs, a key checkpoint in anti-tumor immune responses (Chen and Oppenheim, Sci Signal 10:eaal2328, 2017). TNFR2 activation via the ligand TNFα leads to the activation of NFkB signaling and TNFR2 + TNFR2 is expressed not only on myeloid cells but also on CD8 and CD4 T cells. Notably, TNFR2, similar to clinically validated immune checkpoints, is expressed on exhausted CD8 T cells.

[0007] T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a small subset of T lymphocytes with various clinical applications. + Tregs are highly immunosuppressive and have the highly suppressive CD103 + It has stronger suppressive activity than Treg (J Immunol 179:154-161, 2007; J Immunol 180:6467-6471, 2008). + Tregs can be used to treat conditions that depend on the immunosuppressive activity of Tregs, such as transplantation, allergy, asthma, infectious diseases, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and autoimmunity. For example, in experimental GVHD mouse models, CD4 + CD25 高 Foxp3 + Thymus-derived Treg depletion may enhance GVHD (Cohen et al., JEM 2002).

[0008] TNFR2 is also expressed in certain cancers, such as breast, cervical, colon, and renal cancers (Front. Immunol. 9:1170, 2018), and may be involved in immune tolerance of these cancers. The survival and proliferation of these cancer cells is promoted by TNFR2 (TNFα) ligands. TNFR2 has been shown to be involved in various processes of tumorigenesis by using different signaling pathways in tumor cells. For example, nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) is involved in TNFR2-associated malignant transformation of epithelial cells. AKT signaling has been shown to be another mediator of TNFR2 in carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and angiogenesis. Meanwhile, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) are also important for the above-mentioned TNFR2 functions. Therefore, inhibiting TNFR2 function may inhibit Treg function and increase antitumor T cell responses in cancer immunity.

[0009] Therefore, TNFR2 + There is a need to develop therapeutic reagents that can enhance the immunosuppressive function of Tregs to treat autoimmune disorders by stimulating TNFR2 function on Tregs, or inhibit TNFR2 activation to treat diseases such as cancer. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is specific to human TNFR2, and the monoclonal antibody comprises: (1a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; (1b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6; or (2a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; (2b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19; or (3a) an HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26. (3b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising an LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, an LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, and an LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; or (4a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising an HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, an HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, and an HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; (4b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising an LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, an LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43, and an LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; or (5a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising an HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51, an HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and an HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; or (5b) an LCVR of SEQ ID NO: 54. a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising a CDR1 sequence, a LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, and a LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56; or (6a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising a HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63, a HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64, and a HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65;(6b) A monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, comprising a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68;

[0011] In certain embodiments, in the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, (1A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 7; and / or, (1B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 8, or (2A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 20; and / or, (2B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 21, or (3A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 32; and / or, (3B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 33, or (4A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 45; and / or, (4B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 46, or (5A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 57; and / or, (5B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 58, or (6A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 69; and / or (6B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 70.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibody has: (1a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:9; and / or (1b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, or (2a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:22; and / or (2b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, or (3a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:34; and / or (3b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, or (4a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:47; and / or (4b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, or (5a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:59; and / or (5b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:60, or (6a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:71; and / or (6b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:72.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a human-mouse chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a human antibody, a CDR-grafted antibody, or a resurfaced antibody.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the antigen-binding fragment is a Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fd, single-chain Fv or scFv, disulfide-linked Fv, V-NAR domain, IgNar, intrabody, IgGΔCH2, minibody, F(ab')3, tetrabody, triabody, diabody, single-domain antibody, DVD-Ig, Fcab, mAb2, (scFv)2, or scFv-Fc.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof cross-reacts with rhesus monkey TNFR2 but does not substantially cross-react with mouse TNFR2.

[0016] In certain embodiments, a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the present invention comprises one or more point mutations in its amino acid sequence designed to improve the developability of the antibody. For example, in certain embodiments, the one or more point mutations render the antibody more stable during its expression in a host cell, its purification during manufacturing and / or formulation processes, and / or its administration to a subject patient. In certain embodiments, the one or more point mutations render the antibody less likely to aggregate during the manufacturing and / or formulation processes.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides therapeutic antibodies in which developability issues, such as removal or reduction of hydrophobicity and / or charge optimization, have been minimized or reduced by substituting one or more amino acids in their sequence (e.g., in one or more of their CDRs).

[0018] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof does not substantially cross-react with TNFR1.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof binds to TNFα with a Kd of less than about 25 nM, 20 nM, 15 nM, 10 nM, 5 nM, 2 nM, or 1 nM.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof enhances binding between TNFα and TNFR2; enhances TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling (e.g., in TCR-activated CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells); and / or promotes proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells (e.g., CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells) in the presence of Tregs.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof enhances TNFα-mediated CD25 expression on Tregs.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof binds to an epitope of SEQ ID NO:13.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof promotes binding of TNFα to TNFR2; inhibits binding of TNFα to TNFR2; or has no apparent effect on binding of TNFα to TNFR2.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof does not block, inhibit, or otherwise substantially antagonize the binding of TNFα to TNFR2.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is an agonist of TNFR2 or stimulates TNFR2 signaling (e.g., in the presence of TNFα), and the agonist function is preferably Fc-independent.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof inhibits CD4 + Effector T cells, CD8 + Activates effector T cells, other effector T cells, and / or NK cells.

[0027] Another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that competes with any one of the isolated monoclonal antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, of the subject antibodies for binding to the epitope of SEQ ID NO:13.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to an epitope of SEQ ID NO:13.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof enhances binding between TNFα and TNFR2; enhances TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling (e.g., in TCR-activated CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells); and / or promotes proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells (e.g., CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells) in the presence of Tregs.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof inhibits binding between TNFα and TNFR2; inhibits TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling (e.g., in TCR-activated CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells); and / or inhibits proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells (e.g., CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells) in the presence of Tregs.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof promotes Treg expansion.

[0032] Another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that competes with the isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of the present invention for binding to the same epitope.

[0033] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating cancer or an autoimmune disorder (AID such as GVHD (graft-versus-host disease) and rheumatoid arthritis) in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of an isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the present invention.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the method is for treating AID, and the method further comprises administering a second agent, such as a low-dose anti-IL2 agent when treating chronic GVHD, or an anti-TNFα agent (such as adalimumab, infliximab, etenercept, golimumab) when treating rheumatoid arthritis, chronic plaque psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, IBS, EAE, and non-infectious uveitis.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the method is for treating cancer, and the method further comprises administering an antagonist of an immune checkpoint.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the immune checkpoint is the PD-1 / PD-L1 immune checkpoint.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the immune checkpoint antagonist is an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specific for PD-1 or PD-L1.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the antibody is an anti-PD-1 antibody, such as cemiplimab, nivolumab, or pembrolizumab.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the antibody is an anti-PD-L1 antibody, such as avelumab, durvalumab, atezolizumab, KN035, or CK-301.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the immune checkpoint antagonist is a (non-antibody) peptide inhibitor of PD-1 / PD-L1, such as AUNP12; a small molecule inhibitor of PD-L1, such as CA-170, or a macrocyclic peptide, such as BMS-986189.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, renal cancer, liver cancer (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma), lung cancer (e.g., NSCLC), ovarian cancer, melanoma, skin cancer (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma), lymphoma, or leukemia. In some embodiments, the cancer is melanoma.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the method further comprises administering to the patient a chemotherapeutic agent, an anti-angiogenic agent, a growth inhibitory agent, an tumor immunotherapeutic agent, and / or an anti-tumor composition.

[0043] Another aspect of the invention provides polynucleotides encoding the heavy or light chains or antigen-binding portions thereof of the invention.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide is codon-optimized for expression in a human cell.

[0045] In another aspect, the present invention provides a vector comprising a polynucleotide of the present invention.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the vector is an expression vector (eg, a mammalian expression vector, a yeast expression vector, an insect expression vector, or a bacterial expression vector). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] 1 shows a sequence alignment of the VH and VL regions of human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibodies HFB3-1, -3, -6, -14, -18, -19, -20, -21, -22, -23, -24, and HFB3-25, as well as their consensus sequences. [Figure 2A]Figure 1 shows the binding affinity of selected human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibodies raised against the extracellular domain of recombinant human TNFR2. EC50 and Emax values ​​of test antibodies and isotype-matched negative control antibodies were measured against CHO cells expressing human TNFR2 (CHO.hHFB3) or rhesus monkey TNFR2 (CHO.mkHFB3). [Figure 2B] Different anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies can enhance (HFB3-1) or inhibit (HFB3-18) the binding of TNFα to TNFR2, or have no effect on binding (HFB3-6). [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows the lack of binding of human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibodies to the parental CHO cell line and to CHO cells expressing mouse TNFR2 (except for slight binding by HFB3-18 and HFB3-19 antibodies). [Figure 4A] 1 shows the binding specificity of a human-mouse chimeric antibody specific for TNFR2 but not TNFR1. [Figure 4B] The Kd, k on and k off values ​​of human-mouse chimeric antibodies HFB3-1, -14 and -18 against His-tagged recombinant human TNFR2 are shown. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows the expression of TNFR2 on T cell subtypes of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, particularly exhausted CD8 T cells. [Figure 6-1] Figure 1 shows the cell binding of anti-TNFR2 chimeric monoclonal antibodies to TCR-activated (lower panel) and non-TCR-activated (upper panel) primary Tregs, CD8, and CD4 T cells. Primary T cells activated by CD3 / CD28 costimulation (TCR activation) can be preferentially recognized by the HFB3 antibody. [Figure 6-2] Figure 1 shows the cell binding of anti-TNFR2 chimeric monoclonal antibodies to TCR-activated (lower panel) and non-TCR-activated (upper panel) primary Tregs, CD8, and CD4 T cells. Primary T cells activated by CD3 / CD28 costimulation (TCR activation) can be preferentially recognized by the HFB3 antibody. [Figure 7]We demonstrate that certain HFB3 antibodies of the present invention, including HFB3-1, -14, -18, -23, -24, and -25, induce NFκB signaling, an effect that can be enhanced in the presence of a TNFα ligand. [Figure 8] 1 shows that co-stimulation with specific monoclonal antibodies of interest, including HFB3-1, -14, -18, and -25, and CD3 / CD28 resulted in the expansion of CD8 and CD4 Tconvs in a dose-dependent manner. [Figure 9-1] This shows that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention (e.g., HFB3-1hz6-hG1AA, a humanized version of HFB3-1) dose-dependently supported cell proliferation in effector T cells (CD8 and CD4 Tconv) in the presence of Tregs. [Figure 9-2] This shows that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention (e.g., HFB3-1hz6-hG1AA, a humanized version of HFB3-1) dose-dependently supported cell proliferation in effector T cells (CD8 and CD4 Tconv) in the presence of Tregs. [Figure 10] 1 shows the lack of ADCC effect for the anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention. [Figure 11A] This paper presents various features of the His-tagged extracellular domain (ECD) of TNFR2 (designated HFB2003), including the TNFα binding site, as well as epitope mapping results for the monoclonal antibodies HFB3-1, HFB3-14, and HFB3-18. These are mouse chimeric antibodies with a human IgG1 Fc region, and are therefore also designated HFB3-1-hG1, HFB3-14-hG1, and HFB3-18-hG1, respectively. The HFB3-1 antibody binds to the CRD2 region of the ECD, HFB3-14 binds to the CRD3 region of the ECD, and HFB3-18 binds to the CRD1 region of the ECD. [Figure 11B]This paper presents various features of the His-tagged extracellular domain (ECD) of TNFR2 (referred to as HFB2003), including the TNFα binding site, as well as epitope mapping results for the monoclonal antibodies HFB3-1, HFB3-14, and HFB3-6. These are mouse chimeric antibodies with a human IgG1 Fc region, and are therefore also referred to as HFB3-1-hG1, HFB3-14-hG1, and HFB3-6-hG1, respectively. Epitope mapping data for the benchmark antibodies SBT-1 and SBT-4 (benchmarks 1 and 2) are also included. The HFB3-1 antibody binds to the CRD2 region of the ECD, while HFB3-14 and HFB3-6 bind to the CRD3 region of the ECD. [Figure 11C] 3D models showing the binding sites of HFB3-1, HFB3-14, HFB3-6, and HFB-3-18 on the TNFR2-TNFα complex are provided. [Figure 12A] Figure 1 shows binding of humanized variants of chimeric monoclonal antibodies HFB3-1, -14, and -18 to CHO cells expressing human TNFR2 (CHO.hTNFR2), but not to parental CHO cells. [Figure 12B-1] Figure 1 shows the binding affinity of selected humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies. The EC50 values ​​of the humanized and parent chimeric antibodies were measured against CHO cells expressing human TNFR2 (CHO.hHFB3). [Figure 12B-2] Figure 1 shows the binding affinity of selected humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies. The EC50 values ​​of the humanized and parent chimeric antibodies were measured against CHO cells expressing human TNFR2 (CHO.hHFB3). [Figure 13-1] Figure 1 shows the binding affinity of selected humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies. The EC50 values ​​of the humanized and parent chimeric antibodies were measured against CHO cells (CHO.mkHFB3) expressing rhesus TNFR2. [Figure 13-2] Figure 1 shows the binding affinity of selected humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies. The EC50 values ​​of the humanized and parent chimeric antibodies were measured against CHO cells (CHO.mkHFB3) expressing rhesus TNFR2. [Figure 14A] ELISA assays demonstrate binding of humanized anti-TNFR2 antibodies to recombinant human and cynomolgus monkey TNFR2, but not to recombinant human TNFR1. [Figure 14B] Figure 1 shows the binding affinity results for recombinant human TNFR2 by humanized variants and parent chimeric monoclonal antibodies HFB3-1 and -14 based on AHC (anti-human IgG Fc capture) biosensor measurements. Values ​​were the average of two experiments obtained on two different days. [Figure 15] Figure 1 shows the cellular binding of humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies to TCR-activated CD8 T cells. [Figure 16-1] 1 shows the costimulatory effect of a humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody to expand TCR-activated CD4 T cells. [Figure 16-2] 1 shows the costimulatory effect of a humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody to expand TCR-activated CD4 T cells. [Figure 17-1] Figure 1 shows that costimulation of Tregs with specific humanized variant anti-TNFR2 antibodies and TNFα resulted in NFκB downstream signaling. [Figure 17-2] Figure 1 shows that costimulation of Tregs with specific humanized variant anti-TNFR2 antibodies and TNFα resulted in NFκB downstream signaling. [Figure 18] This demonstrates that the humanized variant anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention are stable during storage. [Figure 19] Figure 1 shows the FcγR cross-linking dependency of anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody HFB3-18 (but not HFB3-1 and -14) on costimulating primary T cells. [Figure 20] Figure 1 shows the confirmatory costimulatory effect of selected humanized anti-TNFR2 antibodies to expand CD8 T cells either in the presence or absence of TNFα. [Figure 21-1]1 shows that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention costimulate downstream NFκB signaling ex vivo in humanized TNFR2 knock-in CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells in the presence of CD3 / CD28-mediated TCR activation and 25 ng / ml TNFα. [Figure 21-2] 1 shows that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention costimulate downstream NFκB signaling ex vivo in humanized TNFR2 knock-in CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells in the presence of CD3 / CD28-mediated TCR activation and 25 ng / ml TNFα. [Figure 22] Figure 1 shows ex vivo activation of isolated natural killer (NK) cells by humanized and parental HFB3-1hz6-hG1 antibodies after stimulation with soluble IL-2 (10 ng / mL) and IL-15 (10 ng / mL). The experimental timeline is shown in the top panel. Expression of CD107α and TNFR2 was dose-dependently upregulated by HFB3-1hz6-hG1 and HFB3-1-hG1, whereas the isotype control and anti-OX40 antibody (BMS) failed to induce short-term NK activation. [Figure 23] Figure 1 shows ex vivo activation of natural killer (NK) cells in total peripheral blood mononuclear cell fractions by HFB3-1hz6-hG1 and parental murine HFB3-1-hG1 after stimulation with plate-bound anti-CD3 (1 μg / mL) and soluble anti-CD28 (1 μg / mL). The experimental timeline is shown in the upper panel. Among CD3- / CD56+ cells, CD107α expression was dose-dependently upregulated by HFB3-1hz6-hG1 and HFB3-1-hG1, whereas the control anti-OX40 antibody (MBS) failed to induce short-term NK activation. [Figure 24A] Figure 1 shows the timeline of a pharmacodynamic study in a mouse MC38 tumor model. Two doses of HFB3-1-hG1, 0.1 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, and 10 mg / kg, or an isotype-matched control antibody (TT) at 10 mg / kg, were administered intraperitoneally at 3-day intervals. [Figure 24B]Figure 1 shows the in vivo effect of antibody treatment on total immune cell counts in MC38 tumors. Treatment with 10 mg / kg of HFB3-1-hG1 increased the absolute number of CD45+ cells. p-value <0.05 (*) based on one-way ANOVA test. [Figure 24C] Figure 1 shows the in vivo effect on the cell numbers of different immune cells in MC38 tumors. HFB3-1-hG1 administered at 10 mg / kg increased the absolute numbers of CD8+, conventional CD4+ T, and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment, but did not change the number of T regulatory cells. *p-value <0.05 based on one-way ANOVA test. [Figure 25A] The percentage of TNFR2 receptors occupied by the injected antibody, HFB3-1-hG1 at doses of 0.1 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, and 10 mg / kg, or the control antibody at 10 mg / kg is shown in tumor-infiltrating leukocytes. Only the 10 mg / kg dose of HFB3-1-hG1 resulted in drug receptor occupancy. Based on one-way ANOVA test, p values ​​<0.05 (*), 0.01 (**), or 0.001 (***). [Figure 25B] The percentage of TNFR2 receptors occupied by the injected antibody, 0.1 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, and 10 mg / kg doses of HFB3-1-hG1, or 10 mg / kg control antibody in selected peripheral blood cells is shown. The 10 mg / kg and 1 mg / kg doses of HFB3-1-hG1 resulted in equivalent drug receptor occupancy. p-values ​​<0.05 (*), 0.01 (**), or 0.001 (***) based on one-way ANOVA test. [Figure 26A] Figure 24A shows the antibody concentration in the blood on day 4 of the experiment. HFB3-1-hG1 at doses of 10 mg / kg and 1 mg / kg was detected in the blood. p-value <0.001 (***) or 0.0001 (****) based on one-way ANOVA test. [Figure 26B]Figure 24A shows soluble TNFR2 in the blood on day 4 of the experiment. HFB3-1-hG1 at 10 mg / kg and 1 mg / kg doses increased the amount of TNFR2 detectable in the blood. p-value <0.001 (***) or 0.0001 (****) based on one-way ANOVA test. [Figure 27A] , HFB3-1hz6, and HFB3-18hz1 have similar therapeutic effects compared to rat anti-mPD-1 monoclonal antibodies. [Figure 27B] , HFB3-1hz6, and HFB3-18hz1 have similar therapeutic effects compared to rat anti-mPD-1 monoclonal antibodies. [Figure 28] This shows that the humanized HFB3-1hz6 monoclonal antibody has therapeutic effects similar to those of the mouse anti-mPD-1 monoclonal antibody. [Figure 29] We demonstrate that the humanized HFB3-1hz6 monoclonal antibody inhibits tumor growth and extends the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice at two different doses, 3 mg / kg and 10 mg / kg, and that combined treatment with HFB3-1hz6 and anti-mPD-1 antibody extends survival more than treatment with anti-mPD-1 alone. [Figure 30-1] Figure 1 shows that the humanized HFB3-1hz6 monoclonal antibody was cleared from the cynomolgus monkey's body over time, and no increase in cytokines was observed after injection of 15, 50, or 150 mg / kg of HFB3-1hz6-hG1, compared to reported data from CD3 × CD20 bispecific IgG at 3 mg / kg or less (dotted line). [Figure 30-2] Figure 1 shows that the humanized HFB3-1hz6 monoclonal antibody was cleared from the cynomolgus monkey's body over time, and no increase in cytokines was observed after injection of 15, 50, or 150 mg / kg of HFB3-1hz6-hG1, compared to reported data from CD3 × CD20 bispecific IgG at 3 mg / kg or less (dotted line). [Figure 31-1]Cell count analysis after injection of 15, 50, or 150 mg / kg HFB3-1hz6-hG1 is shown compared to the range of historical data from normal monkeys (left and right lines in each panel). [Figure 31-2] Cell count analysis after injection of 15, 50, or 150 mg / kg HFB3-1hz6-hG1 is shown compared to the range of historical data from normal monkeys (left and right lines in each panel). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] 1. Overview TNFR2 has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target for tumor immunotherapy. TNFR2 expression in regulatory T cells and effector T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with T cell exhaustion and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition. The invention described herein provides antibodies against human TNFR2 that can be used as anti-cancer agents. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that costimulation of effector T cells with the anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the invention enhances the anti-tumor activity of the effector T cells.

[0049] In accordance with the invention described herein, mice were immunized with the recombinant extracellular domain (ECD) of human TNFR2 (rhTNFR2) to generate a diverse set of antibodies that were characterized for binding, cross-reactivity, selectivity, and functional activity. The antibodies inhibited CD8 T cell proliferation in the presence of Treg cells. + Effector T cells and CD4 + The antibodies were selected for their ability to induce effector T cell proliferation and increase NFkB signaling. The selected antibodies also desirably exhibit cross-reactivity with the simian orthologue of rhTNFR2, a valuable feature for toxicity studies of human therapeutics in animals. Further desirable characteristics include the ability of the subject antibodies to enhance the binding of human recombinant TNFα to TNFR2.

[0050] Two murine antibodies, HFB3-1 and HFB3-14, with subnanomolar or single-digit nanomolar binding affinity for human TNFR2 were initially selected for further characterization and humanization. Epitope mapping experiments showed that these two antibodies recognize different domains of TNFR2, with HFB3-1 binding to a region within the CRD2 domain and HFB3-14 binding to the CRD3 domain. However, despite their different binding sites, both antibodies are selective for TNFR2, cross-react with the orthologues from cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys, enhance the binding of human recombinant TNFα to TNFR2, and stimulate CD8 and conventional CD4 T cells (Tconv).

[0051] Several humanized variants of these murine antibodies, including HFB3-1hz6 and HFB3-14hz1c, retained the binding and cross-reactivity profiles of their respective parental antibodies. The humanized antibodies preferentially bind to TCR-activated primary CD8 and CD4 T cells compared with unstimulated T cells and enhance CD3 / CD28-induced T cell activation and proliferation. This costimulatory mechanism is cross-linking independent and is consistent with the antibodies' ability to enhance NFκB signaling and induce upregulation of NFκB downstream target genes.

[0052] Furthermore, both humanized antibodies (HFB3-1hz6 and HFB3-14hz1c) showed favorable developability profiles, remaining stable under high temperature, low pH conditions, and after several freeze / thaw cycles. Good plasma exposure of the lead antibodies was also observed in mouse models. In vivo efficacy evaluation and initial toxicity analysis of these antibodies in mouse tumor models are being conducted.

[0053] A third murine monoclonal antibody, HFB3-18, has also been confirmed with slightly lower binding affinity (double-digit nM) but similar, if not better, ability to inhibit tumor growth in vivo than anti-mPD-1 monoclonal antibodies, and a humanized version of it is being generated.

[0054] The functional profiles of these antibodies, along with their favorable developability and pharmacokinetic profiles, support their development as potential novel immunotherapeutic options for cancer patients.

[0055] Detailed aspects of the invention are further described individually in various sections below, however, it should be understood that any one embodiment of the invention, including embodiments described only in the examples or drawings and embodiments described only in one section below, can be combined with any other embodiment(s) of the invention.

[0056] 2. Definition In its broadest sense, the term "antibody" encompasses a variety of antibody structures, including, but not limited to, monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, and multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies). The term "antibody" also broadly refers to a molecule comprising complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) 1, 2, and 3 of a heavy chain and CDRs 1, 2, and 3 of a light chain, wherein the molecule is capable of binding to an antigen. The term "antibody" also includes, but is not limited to, chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, human antibodies, and antibodies of various species, such as murine, human, and cynomolgus monkey.

[0057] However, in a narrower sense, "antibody" refers to a variety of monoclonal antibodies, including chimeric, humanized, and human monoclonal antibodies, particularly the humanized monoclonal antibodies of the present invention.

[0058] In some embodiments, the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) and a light chain variable region (LCVR). In some embodiments, the antibody comprises at least one heavy chain (HC) comprising a heavy chain variable region and at least a portion of a heavy chain constant region, and at least one light chain (LC) comprising a light chain variable region and at least a portion of a light chain constant region. In some embodiments, the antibody comprises two heavy chains, each comprising a heavy chain variable region and at least a portion of a heavy chain constant region, and two light chains, each comprising a light chain variable region and at least a portion of a light chain constant region.

[0059] As used herein, a single-chain Fv (scFv), or any other antibody comprising, for example, a single polypeptide chain comprising all six CDRs (three heavy chain CDRs and three light chain CDRs), is considered to have a heavy chain and a light chain. In some such embodiments, the heavy chain is the region of the antibody that comprises the three heavy chain CDRs, and the light chain is the region of the antibody that comprises the three light chain CDRs.

[0060] As used herein, the term "heavy chain variable region (HCVR)" refers to a region comprising at least heavy chain CDR1 (CDR-H1), framework 2 (HFR2), CDR2 (CDR-H2), FR3 (HFR3), and CDR3 (CDR-H3). In some embodiments, the heavy chain variable region also includes at least a portion (e.g., the entirety) of FR1 (HFR1) that is N-terminal to CDR-H1 and / or at least a portion (e.g., the entirety) of FR4 (HFR4) that is C-terminal to CDR-H3.

[0061] As used herein, the term "heavy chain constant region" refers to a region comprising at least three heavy chain constant domains, CH1, CH2, and CH3. Non-limiting exemplary heavy chain constant regions include gamma, delta, and alpha. Non-limiting exemplary heavy chain constant regions also include epsilon and mu. Each heavy chain constant region corresponds to an antibody isotype. For example, an antibody comprising a gamma constant region is an IgG antibody, an antibody comprising a delta constant region is an IgD antibody, an antibody comprising an alpha constant region is an IgA antibody, an antibody comprising an epsilon constant region is an IgE antibody, and an antibody comprising a mu constant region is an IgM antibody.

[0062] Certain isotypes can be further divided into subclasses. For example, IgG antibodies include, but are not limited to, IgG1 (containing a γ1 constant region), IgG2 (containing a γ2 constant region), IgG3 (containing a γ3 constant region), and IgG4 (containing a γ4 constant region) antibodies; IgA antibodies include, but are not limited to, IgA1 (containing an α1 constant region) and IgA2 (containing an α2 constant region) antibodies; IgM antibodies include, but are not limited to, IgM1 (containing a μ1 constant region) and IgM2 (containing a μ2 constant region).

[0063] As used herein, the term "heavy chain" refers to a polypeptide comprising at least a heavy chain variable region, with or without a leader sequence. In some embodiments, a heavy chain includes at least a portion of a heavy chain constant region. As used herein, the term "full-length heavy chain" refers to a polypeptide comprising a heavy chain variable region and a heavy chain constant region, with or without a leader sequence, and with or without a C-terminal lysine.

[0064] As used herein, the term "light chain variable region (LCVR)" refers to a region comprising light chain CDR1 (CDR-L1), framework (FR) 2 (LFR2), CDR2 (CDR-L2), FR3 (LFR3), and CDR3 (CDR-L3). In some embodiments, the light chain variable region also comprises at least a portion (e.g., the entirety) of FR1 (LFR1) and / or at least a portion (e.g., the entirety) of FR4 (LFR4).

[0065] As used herein, the term "light chain constant region" refers to a light chain constant domain, C L Non-limiting exemplary light chain constant regions include lambda and kappa.

[0066] As used herein, the term "light chain" refers to a polypeptide comprising at least a light chain variable region, with or without a leader sequence. In some embodiments, a light chain also comprises at least a portion of a light chain constant region. As used herein, the term "full-length light chain" refers to a polypeptide comprising a light chain variable region and a light chain constant region, with or without a leader sequence.

[0067] The term "antibody fragment" or "antigen-binding portion" (of an antibody) includes, but is not limited to, fragments capable of binding to antigen, such as Fv, single-chain Fv (scFv), Fab, Fab', and (Fab')2. In certain embodiments, antibody fragments include Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, F d , single-chain Fv or scFv, disulfide-linked F v , V-NAR domain, IgNar, intrabody, IgGΔCH2, minibody, F(ab')3, tetrabody, triabody, diabody, single domain antibody, DVD-Ig, Fcab, mAb2, (scFv)2, or scFv-Fc.

[0068] The term "Fab" refers to an antibody fragment with a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 daltons that has antigen-binding activity. It contains approximately the N-terminal half of the heavy chain and the entire light chain connected by disulfide bridges. Fab can be obtained by treating immunoglobulins with the protease papain, among other enzymes.

[0069] The term "F(ab')2" refers to a fragment of approximately 100,000 daltons and antigen-binding activity. This fragment is slightly larger than two Fab fragments connected via disulfide bridges in the hinge region. These fragments can be obtained by treating immunoglobulins with the protease pepsin. Fab fragments can be obtained from F(ab')2 fragments by cleaving the disulfide bridges in the hinge region.

[0070] A single Fv chain, "scFv," corresponds to a VH:VL polypeptide synthesized using genes encoding the VL and VH domains and a sequence encoding a peptide intended to bind to these domains. scFvs according to the invention contain the CDRs maintained in an appropriate conformation, e.g., using recombinant genetic techniques.

[0071] An "scFv" dimer corresponds to two scFv molecules connected to each other by a peptide bond. The Fv chains are often the result of expression of a fusion gene comprising genes encoding VH and VL connected by a peptide-encoding linker sequence. Human scFv fragments may contain the CDR regions maintained in the appropriate conformation, preferably by the use of recombinant genetic techniques.

[0072] A "dsFv" fragment is a VH-VL heterodimer stabilized by disulfide bridges and can be bivalent (dsFv2). Bivalent Sc(Fv)2 or multivalent antibody fragments can form spontaneously by binding of monovalent scFvs or can be generated by linking scFv fragments via peptide bond sequences.

[0073] The Fc fragment supports the biological properties of the antibody, in particular its ability to be recognized by immune effectors or to activate complement. It consists of the constant fragment of the heavy chain beyond the hinge region.

[0074] The term "diabody" refers to a small antibody fragment with two antigen-fixing sites. These fragments comprise a variable heavy domain, VH, connected to a variable light domain, VL, in the same VH-VL polypeptide chain. Using a linker sequence that is too short to allow matching of the two domains on the same chain will inevitably result in matching with the two complementary domains on another chain, creating two antigen-fixing sites.

[0075] An "antibody that binds to the same epitope" as a reference antibody can be determined by an antibody competition assay. It refers to an antibody that blocks the binding of the reference antibody to its antigen by 50% or more in a competition assay; conversely, the reference antibody refers to an antibody that blocks the binding of the antibody to its antigen by 50% or more in a competition assay. The term "compete" when used in the context of antibodies competing for the same epitope means that the competition between the antibodies is determined by an assay in which the antibody being tested prevents or inhibits the specific binding of the reference antibody to a common antigen.

[0076] Many types of competitive binding assays can be used, such as solid-phase direct or indirect radioimmunoassays (RIAs), solid-phase direct or indirect enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), sandwich competition assays (see, e.g., Stahl et al., 1983, Methods in Enzymology 9:242-253); solid-phase direct biotin-avidin EIAs (see, e.g., Kirkland et al., 1986, J. Immunol. 137:3614-3619); solid-phase direct label assays; solid-phase direct label sandwich assays (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, 1988, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press); 125Solid-phase direct-labeled RIA using labels (see, e.g., Morel et al., 1988, Molec. Immunol. 25:7-15); solid-phase direct biotin-avidin EIA (see, e.g., Cheung, et al., 1990, Virology 176:546-552); directly labeled RIA (Moldenhauer et al., 1990, Scand. J. Immunol.) can be used.

[0077] Typically, such assays involve the use of purified antigen bound to a solid surface or cells bearing either of these, an unlabeled test antigen-binding protein, and a labeled reference antibody. Competitive inhibition is measured by determining the amount of label bound to the solid surface or cells in the presence of the test antibody. The test antibody is usually present in excess. Antibodies identified by competitive assays (competing antibodies) include those that bind to the same epitope as the reference antibody and those that bind to an adjacent epitope sufficiently close to the epitope bound by the reference antibody for steric hindrance to occur. In some embodiments, when a competing antibody is present in excess, it inhibits specific binding of the reference antibody to a common antigen by at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75%. In some cases, binding is inhibited by at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 97% or more.

[0078] The term "antigen" refers to a molecule or portion of a molecule that can be bound by a selective binding agent, such as an antibody or an immunologically functional fragment thereof, and that can be used to generate antibodies in a mammal that can bind to that antigen. An antigen can have one or more epitopes that can interact with an antibody.

[0079] The term "epitope" refers to the portion of an antigen molecule that is bound by a selective binding agent, such as an antibody or fragment thereof. This term includes any determinant capable of specific binding to an antibody. Epitopes can be contiguous or non-contiguous (e.g., in a polypeptide, amino acid residues that are not adjacent to each other in the polypeptide sequence but that are bound by the antigen-binding protein within the context of the molecule). In some embodiments, an epitope can be mimetic in that it comprises a three-dimensional structure similar to the epitope used to generate antibodies, but does not include, or includes only a portion of, the amino acid residues found in the epitope used to generate antibodies. Epitopic determinants typically include chemically active surface groupings of molecules, such as amino acids or sugar side chains, phosphoryl or sulfonyl groups, and may have specific three-dimensional structural characteristics, and / or specific charge characteristics.

[0080] In some embodiments, an "epitope" is defined by the method used to determine it. For example, in some embodiments, an antibody binds to the same epitope as a reference antibody if they bind to the same region of the antigen, as determined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX).

[0081] In certain embodiments, an antibody binds to the same epitope as a reference antibody if they bind to the same region of the antigen as determined by x-ray crystallography.

[0082] As used herein, a "chimeric antibody" refers to an antibody that comprises at least one variable region from a first species (mouse, rat, cynomolgus monkey, etc.) and at least one constant region from a second species (human, cynomolgus monkey, chicken, etc.). In some embodiments, a chimeric antibody comprises at least one mouse variable region and at least one human constant region. In some embodiments, all of the variable regions of the chimeric antibody are derived from the first species and all of the constant regions of the chimeric antibody are derived from the second species.

[0083] As used herein, "humanized antibody" refers to an antibody in which at least one amino acid in the framework region of a non-human variable region (such as mouse, rat, cynomolgus monkey, or chicken) has been replaced with the corresponding amino acid from a human variable region. In some embodiments, a humanized antibody comprises at least one human constant region or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the humanized antibody fragment is a Fab, scFv, (Fab')2, or the like.

[0084] As used herein, "CDR-grafted antibody" refers to a humanized antibody in which one or more complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of a first (non-human) species have been grafted onto the framework regions (FRs) of a second (human) species.

[0085] As used herein, "human antibody" refers to antibodies produced in humans, antibodies produced in non-human animals that contain human immunoglobulin genes, such as XenoMouse®, and antibodies selected using in vitro methods, such as phage display, in which the antibody repertoire is based on human immunoglobulin sequences.

[0086] "Host cell" refers to a cell that can be or has been a recipient of a vector or isolated polynucleotide. Host cells can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Exemplary eukaryotic cells include mammalian cells, such as primate or non-primate animal cells; fungal cells, such as yeast; plant cells; and insect cells. Non-limiting exemplary mammalian cells include, but are not limited to, NSO cells, PER.C6® cells (Crucell), and 293 and CHO cells, and their derivatives, such as 293-6E and DG44 cells, respectively.

[0087] As used herein, the term "isolated" refers to a molecule that is separated from at least some of the components typically found in nature or from at least some of the components from which it is typically produced. For example, a polypeptide is referred to as "isolated" if it is separated from at least some of the components of the cell in which it is produced. If a polypeptide is secreted by a cell after expression, physically separating the supernatant containing the polypeptide from the cell that produced it is considered to "isolate" the polypeptide. Similarly, a polynucleotide is referred to as "isolated" if it is not part of a larger polynucleotide typically found in nature (e.g., in the case of a DNA polynucleotide, genomic DNA or mitochondrial DNA, etc.) or, for example, in the case of an RNA polynucleotide, if it is separated from at least some of the components of the cell in which it is produced. Thus, a DNA polynucleotide contained in a vector within a host cell can be referred to as "isolated" as long as the polynucleotide is not found in that vector in nature.

[0088] The terms "subject" and "patient" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a mammal, such as a human. In some embodiments, methods of treating other non-human mammals are also provided, including, but not limited to, rodents, monkeys, cats, dogs, horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, mammalian laboratory animals, mammalian farm animals, mammalian sport animals, and mammalian pets. In some instances, "subject" or "patient" refers to a (human) subject or patient in need of treatment for a disease or disorder.

[0089] The terms "sample" or "patient sample," as used herein, refer to a substance obtained or derived from a subject of interest that contains cellular and / or other molecular entities that are characterized and / or identified based on, for example, physical, biochemical, chemical, and / or physiological characteristics. For example, the phrase "disease sample" and variations thereof refers to any sample obtained from a subject of interest that is expected to contain or known to contain the cellular and / or molecular entities to be characterized.

[0090] "Tissue or cell sample" refers to a collection of similar cells obtained from the tissue of a subject or patient. The source of a tissue or cell sample can be solid tissue from a fresh, frozen, and / or preserved organ or tissue sample or specimen or aspirate; blood or any blood component; bodily fluids such as sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, peritoneal fluid, interstitial fluid, etc.; or cells from any point in a subject's pregnancy or development. A tissue sample can be primary cells or cultured cells or cell lines. Optionally, a tissue or cell sample is obtained from a diseased tissue / organ. A tissue sample can contain compounds not naturally mixed with tissue in nature, such as preservatives, anticoagulants, buffers, fixatives, nutrients, antibiotics, etc.

[0091] As used herein, a "reference sample," "reference cell," or "reference tissue" refers to a sample, cell, or tissue obtained from a source known or believed to be free of the disease or condition identified using the methods or compositions of the present invention. In one embodiment, the reference sample, reference cell, or reference tissue is obtained from a healthy part of the body of the same subject or patient whose disease or condition is to be identified using the compositions or methods of the present invention. In one embodiment, the reference sample, reference cell, or reference tissue is obtained from a healthy part of the body of at least one individual who is not the same subject or patient whose disease or condition is to be identified using the compositions or methods of the present invention. In some embodiments, the reference sample, reference cell, or reference tissue was previously obtained from the patient before the onset of the disease or condition or at an earlier stage of the disease or condition.

[0092] A "disorder" or "disease" is any condition that would benefit from treatment with one or more Gal-9 antagonists of the present invention. This includes chronic and acute disorders or diseases, including pathological conditions that predispose a mammal to the disorder in question. Non-limiting examples of disorders that may be treated herein include cancer.

[0093] "Diseases associated with the suppressor activity of regulatory T lymphocytes" refers to any disease (not autoimmune) in which the suppressor activity of regulatory T lymphocytes plays a role, particularly by promoting the onset or persistence of the disease. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the suppressor activity of regulatory T lymphocytes promotes the onset of tumors. Therefore, the present invention is more specifically directed to cancers in which the suppressor activity of T lymphocytes plays a role.

[0094] The term "cancer" is used herein to refer to a group of cells that exhibit abnormally high levels of growth and proliferation. Cancers can be benign (also called benign tumors), pre-malignant, or malignant. Cancer cells can be solid cancer cells (i.e., that form solid tumors) or leukemic cancer cells. The term "cancer growth" is used herein to refer to the proliferation or growth by a cell or cells that make up the cancer, resulting in a corresponding increase in the size or extent of the cancer.

[0095] Examples of cancer include, but are not limited to, carcinoma, lymphoma, blastoma, sarcoma, and leukemia. More specific, non-limiting examples of such cancers include squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, pituitary cancer, esophageal cancer, astrocytoma, soft tissue sarcoma, non-small cell lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, peritoneal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioma, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial or uterine carcinoma, salivary gland cancer, kidney cancer, renal cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, vulvar cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer, endometrial cancer, testicular cancer, bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, gastric cancer, melanoma, and various types of head and neck cancer.

[0096] In certain embodiments, cancer as used herein includes hematological cancers (such as AML and DLBCL), or solid tumors (such as breast cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, melanoma (including uveal melanoma), colon cancer, renal cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, and prostate cancer).

[0097] A "chemotherapeutic agent" is a compound that may be useful in the treatment of cancer. Examples of chemotherapeutic agents include alkylating agents, such as thiotepa and CYTOXAN® cyclophosphamide; alkylsulfonates, such as busulfan, improsulfan, and piposulfan; aziridines, such as benzodopa, carboquone, metoledopa, and uredopa; ethylenimines and methylameramines, including arrethamine, triethylremelamine, triethylenephosphoramide, triethylenethiophosphoramide, and trimethylolmelamine; acetogenins (particularly bullatacin and bullatacinone); camptothecins (including the synthetic analog topotecan); bryostatin; kallistatin; CC-1065 (including synthetic analogs of adozelesin, carzelesin, and bizelesin); cryptophycins (particularly cryptophycin 1 and cryptophycin 8). dolastatins; duocarmycins (including synthetic analogs, KW-2189 and CB1-TM1); eleutherobin; pancratistatin; sarcodictine; spongistatins; nitrogen mustards such as chlorambucil, chlornaphazine, chlorophosphamide, estramustine, ifosfamide, mechlorethamine, mechlorethamine oxide hydrochloride, melphalan, novembitine, phenesterine, prednimustine, trofosfamide, uracil mustard; nitrosoureas such as carmustine, chlorozotocin, fotemustine, lomustine, nimustine, and ranimustine; antibiotics such as enediyne antibiotics (e.g., calicheamicin, particularly calicheamicin gamma II and calicheamicin omega II (e.g., Agnew, Chem See, Intl. Ed Engl. 33:183-186 (1994); dynemycins, including dynemycin A; bisphosphonates, such as clodronate; esperamicin;and neocarzinostatin chromophores and related chromoprotein enediyne antibiotic chromophores), aclacinomycin, actinomycin, autramycin, azaserine, bleomycin, cactinomycin, carabicin, carminomycin, carzinophilin, chromomycin, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, detorubicin, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, Adriamycin® doxorubicin (morpholino-doxorubicin, cyanomorpholino-doxorubicin, 2-pyrrolino-doxorubicin, and deodorant including oxidoxorubicin), mitomycins such as epirubicin, esorubicin, idarubicin, marcelomycin, and mitomycin C, mycophenolic acid, nogalamycin, olivomycin, peplomycin, putilomycin, puromycin, chelamycin, rodorubicin, streptonigrin, streptozocin, tubercidin, ubenimex, zinostatin, and zorubicin; antimetabolites such as methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU); folic acids such as denopterin, methotrexate, pteropterin, and trimetrexate analogs; purine analogs such as fludarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, thiamiprine, and thioguanine; pyrimidine analogs such as ancitabine, azacitidine, 6-azauridine, carmofur, cytarabine, dideoxyuridine, doxifluridine, enocitabine, and floxuridine; androgens such as calusterone, dromostalone propionate, epithiostanol, mepitiostane, and testolactone; antiadrenal agents such as aminoglutethimide, mitotane, and trilostane; folic acid supplements such as furoic acid; aceglatone; aldophosphamide glycosides Aminolevulinic acid; Eniluracil; Amsacrine; Bestravcil; Bisantrene; Edatraxate; Defofamine; Demecolcine; Diazicon; Elfomitine; Elliptinium acetate; Epothilone; Etoglucide; Gallium nitrate; Hydroxyurea; Lentinan; Lonidynin; Maytansinoids such as maytansine and ansamitocins; Mitoguazone; Mitoxantrone; Mopidanmol; Nitraline; Pentostatin; Fenamet; Pirarubicin; Rosoxantrone; Podophyllic acid; 2-ethylhydrazide; Procarbazine;PSK® polysaccharide complex (JHS Natural Products, Eugene, OR); razoxane; rhizoxin; sizofiran; spirogermanium; tenuazonic acid; triazicon; 2,2',2"-trichlorotriethylamine; trichothecenes (especially T-2 toxin, veracrine A, roridin A, and anguidin); urethane; vindesine; dacarbazine; manomustine; mitobronitol; mitolactol; pipobroman; gacytosine; arabinoside ("Ara-C"); cyclophosphamide; thiotepa; taxoids, such as Taxol® paclitaxel (Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology, Princeton, NJ), Abraxane® Cremophor Free, an albumin-engineered nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel (American Pharmaceutical Partners, Schaumberg, Illinois), and Taxotere® doxetaxel (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France); chlorambucil; Gemzar® gemcitabine; 6-thioguanine; mercaptopurine; methotrexate; platinum analogs such as cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and carboplatin; vinblastine; platinum; etoposide (VP-16); ifosfamide; mitoxantrone; vincristine; navelbine®; vinorelbine; novantrone; teniposide; edatrexate; daunomycin; aminopterin; Xeloda; ibandronate; irinotecan (Camptosar, CPT-11) (including treatment regimens of irinotecan with 5-FU and leucovorin); the topoisomerase inhibitor RFS 2000; difluoromethylhydroxylamine (DMFO); retinoids such as retinoic acid; capecitabine; combretastatin; leucovorin (LV); oxaliplatin, including the oxaliplatin treatment regimen (FOLFOX); PKC-alpha, Raf, H-Ras, EGFR (e.g., erlotinib (Tarceva®)), and VEGF-A, which inhibit cell proliferation, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids, or derivatives of any of the above.

[0098] Further non-limiting exemplary chemotherapeutic agents include antiestrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as antihormonal agents that act to regulate or inhibit hormone action on cancer, including tamoxifen (including Nolvadex® tamoxifen), raloxifene, droloxifene, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, trioxifene, ketoxifene, LY117018, onapristone, and Fairston® toremifene; aromatase inhibitors that inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which regulates estrogen production in the adrenal glands, such as 4(5)-imidazole, aminoglutethimide, MEGASE® megestrol acetate, Aromasin® exemestane, holmestein, fadrozole, RIVISOR® vorozole, Femara® letrozole, and Arimidex® anastrozole; and antiandrogens, such as flutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide, leuprolide, and goserelin; and troxacitabine (a 1,3-dioxolane nucleoside cytosine analog); antisense oligonucleotides, particularly those that inhibit the expression of genes in signal transduction pathways involved in abnormal cell growth, such as PKC-alpha, Ralf, and H-Ras; ribozymes, such as VEGF expression inhibitors (e.g., Angiozyme® ribozyme) and HER2 expression inhibitors; vaccines, such as gene therapy vaccines, such as Allovectin® vaccine, Leuvectin® vaccine, and VAXID® vaccine; Proleukin® rIL-2; Raltotecan® topoisomerase 1 inhibitor; Abarelix® rmRH; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids, or derivatives of any of the above.

[0099] "Anti-angiogenic agent" or "angiogenesis inhibitor" refers to a low molecular weight substance, polynucleotide (including, for example, inhibitory RNA (RNAi or siRNA)), polypeptide, isolated protein, recombinant protein, antibody, or conjugate or fusion protein thereof that directly or indirectly inhibits angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, or undesirable vascular permeability. It is understood that anti-angiogenic agents include agents that bind to and block the angiogenic activity of an angiogenic factor or its receptor. For example, anti-angiogenic agents are antibodies against angiogenic factors, such as VEGF-A (e.g., bevacizumab (Avastin®)) or VEGF-A receptors (e.g., KDR receptors or Flt-1 receptors), anti-PDGFR inhibitors such as Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate), small molecules that block VEGF receptor signaling (e.g., PTK787 / ZK2284, SU6668, Sutent® / SUL1248 (sunitinib malate), AMG706, or, for example, those described in International Patent Application WO2004 / 113304). Anti-angiogenic agents also include natural angiogenesis inhibitors, such as angiostatin, endostatin, etc. See, e.g., Klagsbrun and D'Amore (1991) Annu. Rev. Physiol. 53:217-39; Streit and Detmar (2003) See Oncogene 22:3172-3179 (e.g., Table 3 listing antiangiogenic therapies in malignant melanoma); Ferrara & Alitalo (1999) Nature Medicine 5(12):1359-1364; Tonini et al. (2003) Oncogene 22:6549-6556 (e.g., Table 2 listing known antiangiogenic factors); and Sato (2003) Int. J. Clin. Oncol. 8:200-206 (e.g., Table 1 listing antiangiogenic agents used in clinical trials).

[0100] As used herein, a "growth inhibitory agent" refers to a compound or composition that inhibits cell proliferation (e.g., cells expressing VEGF) either in vitro or in vivo. Thus, a growth inhibitory agent may significantly reduce the percentage of cells in S phase (e.g., cells expressing VEGF). Examples of growth inhibitory agents include agents that block cell cycle progression (at a location other than S phase), such as agents that induce G1 arrest and M-phase arrest. Classical M-phase blockers include vincas (vincristine and vinblastine), taxanes, and topoisomerase II inhibitors such as doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin, etoposide, and bleomycin. Agents that arrest G1, such as DNA alkylating agents such as tamoxifen, prednisone, dacarbazine, mechlorethamine, cisplatin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and ara-C, also induce S-phase arrest. Further information can be found in Murakami et al., Mendelsohn and Israel, eds., The Molecular Basis of Cancer, Chapter 1, entitled "Cell cycle regulation, oncogenes, and antitineoplastic drugs" (WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1995), e.g., page 13. Taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) are anticancer drugs, both derived from the yew tree. Docetaxel (TAXOTERE®, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer), derived from the European yew, is a semisynthetic analog of paclitaxel (TAXOL®, Bristol-Myers Squibb). Paclitaxel and docetaxel promote the assembly of microtubules from tubulin dimers and stabilize microtubules by preventing depolymerization, resulting in the inhibition of mitosis in cells.

[0101] The term "anti-tumor composition" refers to a composition useful in cancer treatment that contains at least one active therapeutic agent. Examples of therapeutic agents (anti-cancer agents) include, for example, chemotherapeutic agents, growth inhibitors, cytotoxic agents, agents used in radiation therapy, anti-angiogenic agents, cancer immunotherapeutics (also called tumor immunotherapeutics), apoptotic agents, anti-tubulin agents, and other agents for treating cancer, such as anti-HER-2 antibodies, anti-CD20 antibodies, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonists (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors), HER1 / EGFR inhibitors (e.g., erlotinib (Tarceva®), platelet-derived growth factor inhibitors (e.g., Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate)), COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib), interferons, CTLA4 inhibitors (e.g., the anti-CTLA antibody ipilimumab (Yarmouth disease)), and the like. Examples of suitable anti-cancer agents include, but are not limited to, PD-1 inhibitors (e.g., anti-PDI antibodies, BMS-936558), PDL1 inhibitors (e.g., anti-PDLI antibodies, MPDL3280A), PDL2 inhibitors (e.g., anti-PDL2 antibodies), VISTA inhibitors (e.g., anti-VISTA antibodies), cytokines, antagonists (e.g., neutralizing antibodies) that bind to one or more of the following targets: ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, PDGFR-β, BlyS, APRIL, BCMA, PD-1, PDL1, PDL2, CTLA4, VISTA, or VEGF receptor(s), TRAIL / Apo2, and other biologically active and organic chemical agents. Combinations of these are also encompassed by the present invention.

[0102] "Treatment" refers to therapeutic treatment, for example, where the purpose is to slow (alleviate) the target pathological condition or disorder, and, for example, where the purpose is to inhibit the recurrence of the condition or disorder. "Treatment" encompasses the administration or application of a therapeutic agent for a disease (also referred to herein as a "disorder" or "condition") in a mammal, including a human, and includes inhibiting the disease or progression of the disease, inhibiting or slowing the disease or its progression, halting its onset, partially or completely alleviating the disease, partially or completely alleviating one or more symptoms of the disease, or restoring or repairing a lost, missing, or defective function or stimulating a deficient process. The term "treatment" also includes reducing the severity of phenotypic characteristics and / or reducing the incidence, degree, or likelihood of the characteristics. Those in need of treatment can include those already with the disorder, as well as those at risk of having the disorder or those in need of preventing or delaying the onset of the disorder.

[0103] The term "effective amount" or "therapeutically effective amount" refers to an amount of a drug effective to treat a disease or disorder in a subject. In some embodiments, an effective amount refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic or prophylactic result. A therapeutically effective amount of an antibody of the invention may vary depending on factors such as the individual's condition, age, sex, and weight, as well as the ability of the antagonist to elicit a desired response in the individual. A therapeutically effective amount encompasses an amount in which any toxic or detrimental effects of an antibody of the invention are outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects.

[0104] A "prophylactically effective amount" refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired prophylactic result. Typically, but not necessarily, the prophylactically effective amount will be less than the therapeutically effective amount, since a prophylactic dose is used in subjects prior to or at an earlier stage of disease.

[0105] A "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" refers to a non-toxic solid, semi-solid, or liquid filler, diluent, encapsulating material, formulation aid, or conventional carrier for use with a therapeutic agent that together comprise a "pharmaceutical composition" for administration to a subject. A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is non-toxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations used and is compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation. A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is appropriate for the formulation being used. For example, if the therapeutic agent is administered orally, the carrier can be a gel capsule. If the therapeutic agent is administered subcutaneously, the carrier ideally does not irritate the skin or cause injection site reactions.

[0106] An "article of manufacture" is any manufactured article (e.g., package or container) or kit that includes at least one reagent, e.g., a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of a disease or disorder, or a probe for specifically detecting a biomarker described herein. In certain embodiments, the article of manufacture or kit is promoted, distributed, or sold as a unit for performing the methods described herein.

[0107] 3. How to treat cancer The invention described herein provides anti-TNFR2 antibodies for use in methods of treating humans and other non-human mammals.

[0108] In pathological situations, Tregs can cause inappropriate immunosuppression, which can promote tumor growth, for example. Tregs have been implicated in impaired antitumor immune responses, particularly by inappropriately inhibiting the activity of effector T lymphocytes, thus promoting the development of numerous types of cancer.

[0109] In some embodiments, methods are provided for treating or preventing cancer, comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of any of the anti-TNFR2 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention.

[0110] In some embodiments, a method of treating cancer is provided, the method comprising administering to a subject having cancer any of the anti-TNFR2 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention.

[0111] Cancers that can be treated by the method / use of the present invention include cancers in which regulatory T lymphocytes exert their suppressive activity, such as cancers in which a relatively large amount of regulatory T lymphocytes exist in tumor tissue or circulation.The expansion of regulatory T lymphocytes (which can be measured by the frequency of Treg) is generally correlated with the increased activation of Treg.The frequency of regulatory T lymphocytes can be evaluated by any method known in the art, for example, by flow cytometry (FACS) analysis of intratumoral lymphocytes or circulating lymphocytes, or by immunohistological staining of tumor tissue.

[0112]

[0013] Provided herein are non-limiting exemplary cancers that can be treated with any of the anti-TNFR2 antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, of the present invention, including carcinoma, lymphoma, blastoma, sarcoma, and leukemia. More specific non-limiting examples of such cancers include melanoma, cervical cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, pituitary cancer, esophageal cancer, astrocytoma, soft tissue sarcoma, non-small cell lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, peritoneal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioma, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial or uterine carcinoma, salivary gland cancer, kidney cancer, renal cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, vulvar cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer, endometrial cancer, testicular cancer, bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, gastric cancer, melanoma, and various types of head and neck cancer.

[0113] In certain embodiments, the cancer is melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, renal cancer, liver cancer (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma), lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, skin cancer (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma), lymphoma, or leukemia.

[0114] In certain embodiments, the cancer has a high TNFR2 index, defined as the ratio between (a) the total number of CD8 T cells in the tumor sample times the TNFR2 expression on CD8 T cells, and (b) the total number of Treg cells in the tumor sample times the TNFR2 expression on Tregs.

[0115] In certain embodiments, the cancer has a TNFR2 index greater than 1, e.g., greater than 1.5, greater than 2, greater than 3, greater than 4, or greater than 5. For example, representative TNFR2 indices for certain cancers include 4.57 for melanoma, 1.67 for breast cancer, 1.05 for NSCLC, 1.03 for SCC, 0.78 for BCC, and 0.46 for HCC.

[0116] In certain embodiments, the cancer has a TNFR2 index of about 0.5 to about 1.

[0117] In certain embodiments, the cancer has a high percentage of CD8 TILs (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes), such as greater than 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or more of the T cells in the tumor are CD8 T cells.

[0118] In certain embodiments, the cancer has low levels of TNFR2 expression on tumor cells.

[0119] In certain embodiments, the cancer is known to be susceptible to immunotherapy (e.g., inflammation), such as melanoma, NSCLC, renal cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, urothelial carcinoma, HCC, head and neck cancer, and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

[0120] In certain embodiments, the cancer has high levels of TNFR2 expression on exhausted T cells within the tumor, such as exhausted CD8 T cells. Such cancers can be treated with combination therapy with an antagonist of the PD-1 / PD-L1 pathway, such as, for example, an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody (e.g., any of those specifically described herein or known in the art).

[0121] In certain embodiments, the methods / uses of the present invention may be used to treat cancers where there are known high levels of regulatory T lymphoma and / or where the cancer / tumor is clearly associated with a poor prognosis, including: chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), colon cancer, melanoma, uterine cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, primary lymphoma of the central nervous system, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, or hepatocellular carcinoma.

[0122] In some embodiments, the cancer is a hematological cancer (such as AML and DLBCL) or a solid tumor (such as breast cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, melanoma (including uveal melanoma), colon cancer, renal cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, and prostate cancer).

[0123] In some embodiments, the cancer is BCC, SCC, melanoma, colorectal cancer, or NSCLC.

[0124] In certain embodiments, the methods / uses of the present invention may be used to treat recurrence of fibrosis due to hepatitis C, as it has also been demonstrated that an increase in the frequency of regulatory T lymphocytes is a predictor of the recurrence of such fibrosis.

[0125] In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention may be used alone or, alternatively, in combination with any other suitable compound known to be capable of treating the disease or indication.

[0126] Thus, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, antibodies directed against TNFR2 and inhibiting the suppressive activity of previously defined regulatory T lymphocytes are used in combination with a second therapeutic agent, e.g., an anti-cancer agent, to treat diseases associated with the suppressive activity of regulatory T lymphocytes.

[0127] That is, when the use is cancer treatment, the antibody can be used in combination with known cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination thereof. For example, the antibody can be used in combination with adoptive immunotherapy, which consists of one or more injections of effector lymphocytes against tumor antigens, particularly EBV antigens. According to some embodiments, other anti-cancer agents used in combination with the antibody against TNFR2 of the present invention for cancer treatment include anti-angiogenic agents. According to certain embodiments, the antibody can be co-administered with cytokines, such as cytokines that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses.

[0128] In such combination therapy, the antibodies of the invention can be used before, after, or simultaneously with the second therapeutic agent (see further section below on combination therapy).

[0129] 4. Route of Administration and Carriers In various embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention may be administered subcutaneously or intravenously. Briefly, "anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention" refers to the mouse-human chimeric anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the invention and humanized variants thereof.

[0130] In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in vivo by a variety of routes, including, but not limited to, oral, intraarterial, parenteral, intranasal, intramuscular, intracardiac, intraventricular, intratracheal, buccal, rectal, intraperitoneal, inhalation, intradermal, topical, transdermal, and intrathecal, or otherwise, for example, by implantation.

[0131] In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered iv or sc.

[0132] The antibody compositions of the present invention can be formulated into solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gaseous forms of preparations, including, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, solutions, suppositories, enemas, injections, inhalants, and aerosols.

[0133] In various embodiments, compositions comprising the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are provided in formulations containing a wide variety of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers (see, for example, Gennaro, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy with Facts and Comparisons: Drugfacts Plus, 20th ed. (2003); Ansel et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 7th ed., Lippencott Williams and Wilkins (2004); Kibbe et al., Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 3rd ed., Pharmaceutical Press (2000)). A variety of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, including vehicles, adjuvants, and diluents, are available. In addition, a variety of pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances, such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, tonicity adjusting agents, stabilizers, wetting agents, etc., are also available. Non-limiting exemplary carriers include saline, buffered saline, dextrose, water, glycerol, ethanol, and combinations thereof.

[0134] In various embodiments, compositions comprising the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention can be formulated for injection, including subcutaneous administration, by dissolving, suspending, or emulsifying in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent such as vegetable or other oils, synthetic fatty acid glycerides, esters of higher fatty acids, or propylene glycol; and, if necessary, together with conventional additives such as solubilizers, isotonicity agents, suspending agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and preservatives.

[0135] In various embodiments, the compositions can be formulated for inhalation using pressurized acceptable propellants, such as, for example, dichlorodifluoromethane, propane, nitrogen, and the like.

[0136] In various embodiments, the composition can also be formulated into sustained-release microcapsules, such as those containing biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymers. Non-limiting exemplary biodegradable formulations include polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymers. Non-limiting exemplary non-biodegradable formulations include polyglycerol fatty acid esters. Specific methods for preparing such formulations are described, for example, in EP1125584A1.

[0137] Pharmaceutical dosage packs are also provided that include one or more containers, each containing one or more doses of an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention. In some embodiments, a unit dose is provided, the unit dose containing a predetermined amount of a composition comprising an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention, with or without one or more additional agents. In some embodiments, such a unit dose is supplied in a disposable, pre-filled syringe for injection. In various embodiments, the composition contained in the unit dose may contain saline, sucrose, or the like; a buffer such as phosphate; and / or may be formulated within a stable, effective pH range. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the composition may be provided as a lyophilized powder that can be reconstituted upon addition of an appropriate liquid, such as sterile water. In some embodiments, the composition includes one or more substances that inhibit protein aggregation, including, but not limited to, sucrose and arginine. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention include heparin and / or proteoglycan.

[0138] The pharmaceutical composition is administered in an amount effective for treating or preventing a particular indication. The therapeutically effective amount typically depends on the weight of the subject being treated, his or her physical or health condition, the extent of the condition being treated, or the age of the subject being treated.

[0139] In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 50 μg / kg body weight to about 50 mg / kg body weight per dose. In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 100 μg / kg body weight to about 50 mg / kg body weight per dose. In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 100 μg / kg body weight to about 20 mg / kg body weight per dose. In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 0.5 mg / kg body weight to about 20 mg / kg body weight per dose.

[0140] In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 10 mg to about 1,000 mg per dose. In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 20 mg to about 500 mg per dose. In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 20 mg to about 300 mg per dose. In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in an amount ranging from about 20 mg to about 200 mg per dose.

[0141] The anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody compositions of the present invention can be administered to a subject as needed. In some embodiments, an effective dose of the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered to a subject one or more times. In various embodiments, an effective dose of the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered to a subject once a month, less than once a month, for example, every two months, every three months, or every six months. In other embodiments, an effective dose of the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered to a subject more than once a month, for example, every two weeks, every week, twice a week, three times a week, daily, or multiple times per day. An effective amount of the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered to a subject at least once. In some embodiments, an effective dose of the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be administered multiple times, including over a period of at least one month, at least six months, or at least one year. In some embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered to a subject as needed to alleviate one or more symptoms of a condition.

[0142] 5. Combination Therapy The anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention, including its functional fragment, can be administered to a subject in need thereof in combination with other biologically active substances or other therapeutic procedures for the treatment of diseases.For example, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be administered alone or together with other therapeutic modalities.They can be administered before, substantially simultaneously with, or after other therapeutic modalities such as radiation therapy.

[0143] For the treatment of cancer, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be administered in combination with one or more anti-cancer agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapeutic agents, growth inhibitors, anti-angiogenic agents, or anti-tumor compositions.

[0144] In certain embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention specifically binds to TNFR2 ("TNFR2-binding antagonist"), for example, a TNFR2 antagonist antibody or its antigen-binding fragment is administered together with a second antagonist, such as an immune checkpoint inhibitor (e.g., an inhibitor of the PD-1 or PD-L1 pathway), to a subject with a disease in which stimulation of the immune system is beneficial, such as cancer or an infectious disease. The two antagonists can be administered simultaneously or sequentially, for example, as described below for the combination of the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention with a tumor immunotherapeutic agent. To treat cancer or autoimmune diseases, one or more additional therapies, such as checkpoint modulators, can be added to treatment with the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention.

[0145] In certain embodiments, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered to a subject, for example, a subject with cancer, simultaneously or sequentially with another treatment. For example, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be administered with one or more of radiation therapy, surgery, or chemotherapy, for example, targeted chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

[0146] In certain embodiments, a method for treating a subject with cancer comprises administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and one or more tumor immunotherapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors.

[0147] Immunotherapy, e.g., therapy with tumor immunotherapeutics, is effective in enhancing, stimulating, and / or upregulating a subject's immune response. In one aspect, administration of an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and a tumor immunotherapeutic (e.g., a PD-1 inhibitor) has a synergistic effect in treating cancer, e.g., inhibiting tumor growth.

[0148] In one embodiment, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered sequentially before the administration of a tumor immunotherapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered simultaneously with a tumor immunotherapeutic agent (such as a PD-1 inhibitor). In yet another embodiment, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention is administered sequentially after the administration of a tumor immunotherapeutic agent (such as a PD-1 inhibitor). The administration of the two agents can be, for example, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 ​​hours, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, or one week or more apart, or the administration of the second agent can be initiated, for example, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 ​​hours, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, or one week or more after the administration of the first agent.

[0149] In certain aspects, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and the tumor immunotherapeutic agent (e.g., a PD-1 inhibitor) are administered simultaneously, e.g., infused into a patient simultaneously, e.g., over a period of 30 or 60 minutes. The anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be co-formulated with the tumor immunotherapeutic agent (such as a PD-1 inhibitor).

[0150] Tumor immunotherapeutics include, for example, small molecule drugs, antibodies or fragments thereof, or other biological or small molecules. Examples of biological tumor immunotherapeutics include, but are not limited to, antibodies, antibody fragments, vaccines, and cytokines. In one embodiment, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. In certain aspects, the monoclonal antibody is a humanized or human antibody.

[0151] In one embodiment, the immuno-oncology agent is (i) an agonist of a stimulatory (including costimulatory) molecule (e.g., a receptor or ligand) or (ii) an antagonist of an inhibitory (including co-inhibitory) molecule (e.g., a receptor or ligand) on an immune cell, e.g., a T cell, both of which result in the amplification of antigen-specific T cell responses. In a specific embodiment, the tumor immunotherapeutic agent is (i) an agonist of a stimulatory (including co-stimulatory) molecule (e.g., a receptor or ligand) or (ii) an antagonist of an inhibitory (including co-inhibitory) molecule (e.g., a receptor or ligand) on a cell involved in innate immunity, e.g., a NK cell, and the tumor immunotherapeutic agent enhances innate immunity. Such tumor immunotherapeutic agents are often referred to as immune checkpoint modulators, e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitors or immune checkpoint stimulators.

[0152] In certain embodiments, the tumor immunotherapeutic agent can be an agent that targets (or specifically binds to) a member of the B7 family of membrane-bound ligands, including B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1 (PD-L1), B7-DC (PD-L2), B7-H2 (ICOS-L), B7-H3, B7-H4, B7-H5, and B7-H6, or a costimulatory or co-inhibitory receptor that specifically binds to a member of the B7 family. The tumor immunotherapeutic agent can be an agent that targets a member of the TNF family of membrane-bound ligands, or a costimulatory or co-inhibitory receptor that specifically binds thereto, e.g., a member of the TNF receptor family. Exemplary TNF and TNFR family members that can be targets of tumor immunotherapeutics include CD40 and CD40L, OX-40, OX-40L, GITR, GITRL, CD70, CD27L, CD30, CD30L, 4-1BBL, CD137 (4-1BB), TRAIL / Apo2-L, TRAILR1 / DR4, TRAILR2 / DR5, TRAILR3, TRAILR4, OPG, RANK, RANKL, and TWEAK. R / Fnl4, TWEAK, BAFFR, EDAR, XEDAR, TACI, APRIL, BCMA, LTfiR, LIGHT, DcR3, HVEM, VEGI / TL1A, TRAMP / DR3, EDAR, EDA1, XEDAR, EDA2, TNFR1, lymphotoxin alpha / TNP beta, TNFR2, TNFa, LTfiR, lymphotoxin a1 beta2, FAS, FASL, RELT, DR6, TROY, and NGFR. Tumor immunotherapeutic agents that can be used in combination with the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention to treat cancer may be agents, such as antibodies, that target a B7 family member, a B7 receptor family member, a TNF family member, or a TNFR family member, as described above.

[0153] In one aspect, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention (i) inhibit T cell activation, such as CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, LAG-3, TIM3, CEACAM-1, BTLA, CD69, Galectin-1, TIGIT, CD113, GPR56, VISTA, B7-H3, B7-H4, 2B4, CD48, GARP, PDIH, LAIR1, TIM-1, TIM-4, and PSGL-1. and (ii) an antagonist of a protein that stimulates T cell activation (e.g., an immune checkpoint inhibitor), and one or more of: (i) an agonist of a protein that stimulates T cell activation, such as B7-1, B7-2, CD28, 4-1BB (CD137), 4-1BBL, ICOS, ICOS-L, OX40, OX40L, GITR, GITRL, CD70, CD27, CD40, CD40L, DR3, and CD28H.

[0154] In one aspect, the tumor immunotherapeutic agent is an agent that inhibits (i.e., antagonists of) cytokines that inhibit T cell activation (e.g., IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, VEGF, and other immunosuppressive cytokines) or is an agonist of cytokines (e.g., the cytokines themselves) that stimulate T cell activation and stimulate the immune response, such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-21, and IFNα.

[0155] Other drugs that can be combined with the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention to stimulate the immune system, for example, for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases, include antagonists of inhibitory receptors on NK cells or agonists of activating receptors on NK cells. For example, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention can be combined with antagonists of KIR.

[0156] Still other agents for combination therapy include agents that inhibit or deplete macrophages or monocytes, including, but not limited to, CSF-IR antagonists such as RG7155 (WO11 / 70024, WO11 / 107553, WO11 / 131407, WO13 / 87699, WO13 / 119716, WO13 / 132044) or CSF-IR antagonist antibodies, including FPA008 (WO11 / 140249; WO13169264; WO14 / 036357).

[0157] Tumor immunotherapeutics also include agents that inhibit TGF-β signaling.

[0158] Additional agents that can be combined with the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention include agents that enhance tumor antigen presentation, such as dendritic cell vaccines, GM-CSF-secreting cellular vaccines, CpG oligonucleotides, and imiquimod, or treatments that enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells (e.g., anthracyclines).

[0159] Still other therapies that can be combined with the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention include therapies that deplete or block Treg cells, such as agents that specifically bind to CD25.

[0160] Another therapy that can be combined with the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention is one that inhibits metabolic enzymes such as indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO), dioxygenase, arginase, or nitric oxide synthase.

[0161] Another class of agents that can be used include agents that inhibit the formation of adenosine or that inhibit the adenosine A2A receptor.

[0162] Other therapies that can be combined with the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention to treat cancer include therapies that reverse / prevent T cell anergy or exhaustion, and therapies that cause innate immune activation and / or inflammation at the tumor site.

[0163] The anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be combined with more than one tumor immunotherapeutic agent (such as immune checkpoint inhibitors), for example, combination approaches that target multiple components of the immune pathway, such as the following: therapies that enhance tumor antigen presentation (e.g., dendritic cell vaccines, GM-CSF-secreting cellular vaccines, CpG oligonucleotides, imiquimod); therapies that inhibit negative immune regulation, for example, by inhibiting the CTLA-4 and / or PD1 / PD-L1 / PD-L2 pathways and / or depleting or blocking Tregs or other immune suppressor cells; therapies that stimulate positive immune regulation, for example, by stimulating the CD-137, OX-40 and / or GITR pathways and / or agonists that stimulate T cell effector function; therapies that systemically increase the frequency of anti-tumor T cells; for example, agonists of CD25. These therapies may be combined with one or more of the following: therapies that deplete or inhibit Tregs, such as Tregs within the tumor, using antagonists (e.g., daclizumab) or by ex vivo anti-CD25 bead depletion; therapies that affect the function of suppressor myeloid cells within the tumor; therapies that enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells (e.g., anthracyclines); adoptive T cell or adoptive NK cell transfer (CAR-T therapy) comprising genetically modified cells, e.g., cells modified with chimeric antigen receptors; therapies that inhibit metabolic enzymes such as indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO), dioxygenase, arginase, and nitric oxide synthase; therapies that reverse / prevent T cell anergy or exhaustion; therapies that cause innate immune activation and / or inflammation at the tumor site; or the administration of immunostimulatory cytokines or blockade of immunosuppressive cytokines.

[0164] For example, the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention can be used in conjunction with one or more agonist agents that ligate positive costimulatory receptors; one or more antagonists (blocking agents) that attenuate signaling through inhibitory receptors, such as antagonists that overcome different immunosuppressive pathways within the tumor microenvironment (e.g., blocking PD-L1 / PD-1 / PD-L2 interactions); one or more agents that systemically increase the frequency of anti-tumor immune cells, such as T cells, and deplete or inhibit Tregs (e.g., by inhibiting CD25); one or more agents that inhibit metabolic enzymes, such as IDO; one or more agents that reverse / prevent T cell anergy or exhaustion; and one or more agents that cause innate immune activation and / or inflammation at the tumor site.

[0165] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immuno-oncology agent, where the immuno-oncology agent is a CTLA-4 antagonist, such as an antagonistic CTLA-4 antibody. Suitable CTLA-4 antibodies include, for example, Evoi (ipilimumab) or tremelimumab.

[0166] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immunotherapy agent for tumors, where the immunotherapy agent is a PD-1 antagonist, such as an antagonistic PD-1 antibody. Suitable PD-1 antibodies include, for example, Opdivo (nivolumab), Keytruda (pembrolizumab), or MEDI-0680 (AMP-514; WO 2012 / 145493). The immunotherapy agent may also include pidilizumab (CT-011). Another approach to targeting the PD-1 receptor is a recombinant protein composed of the extracellular domain of PD-L2 (B7-DC) fused to the Fc portion of IgG1, called AMP-224.

[0167] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the invention and an immuno-oncology agent, where the immuno-oncology agent is a PD-L1 antagonist, such as an antagonistic PD-L1 antibody. Suitable PD-L1 antibodies include, for example, MPDL3280A (RG7446; WO2010 / 077634), durvalumab (MEDI4736), BMS-936559 (WO2007 / 005874), MSB0010718C (WO2013 / 79174), or rHigM12B7.

[0168] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immunotumor agent, wherein the immunotumor agent is a LAG-3 antagonist, such as an antagonistic LAG-3 antibody. Suitable LAG-3 antibodies include, for example, BMS-986016 (WO10 / 19570, WO14 / 08218), or IMP-731 or IMP-321 (WO08 / 132601, WO09 / 44273).

[0169] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immuno-oncology agent, wherein the immuno-oncology agent is a CD137 (4-1BB) agonist, such as an agonistic CD137 antibody. Suitable CD137 antibodies include, for example, urelumab or PF-05082566 (W012 / 32433).

[0170] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immuno-oncology agent, wherein the immuno-oncology agent is a GITR agonist, such as an agonistic GITR antibody. Suitable GITR antibodies include, for example, TRX-518 (WO06 / 105021, WO09 / 009116), MK-4166 (WO11 / 028683), or the GITR antibodies disclosed in WO2015 / 031667.

[0171] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immuno-oncology agent, wherein the immuno-oncology agent is an OX40 agonist, such as an agonistic OX40 antibody. Suitable OX40 antibodies include, for example, MEDI-6383, MEDI-6469, or MOXR0916 (RG7888; WO06 / 029879).

[0172] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immuno-oncology agent, wherein the immuno-oncology agent is a CD40 agonist, such as an agonistic CD40 antibody. In a specific embodiment, the immuno-oncology agent is a CD40 antagonist, such as an antagonistic CD40 antibody. Suitable CD40 antibodies include, for example, lucatumumab (HCD122), dacetuzumab (SGN-40), CP-870,893, or ChiLob7 / 4.

[0173] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immuno-oncology agent, wherein the immuno-oncology agent is a CD27 agonist, such as an agonistic CD27 antibody. Suitable CD27 antibodies include, for example, varlilumab (CDX-1127).

[0174] In one embodiment, a subject having a disease that may benefit from stimulation of the immune system, e.g., cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and a tumor immunotherapy agent, wherein the immuno-tumor agent is MGA271 (directed against B7H3) (WO11 / 109400).

[0175] In one embodiment, a subject having a disease that may benefit from stimulation of the immune system, e.g., cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immuno-oncology agent, wherein the immuno-oncology agent is a KIR antagonist such as lirilumab.

[0176] In one embodiment, a subject with a disease that may benefit from immune system stimulation, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immunotumor agent, wherein the immunotumor agent is an IDO antagonist. Suitable IDO antagonists include, for example, INCB-024360 (WO2006 / 122150, WO07 / 75598, WO08 / 36653, WO08 / 36642), indoximod, NLG-919 (WO09 / 73620, WO09 / 1156652, WO11 / 56652, WO12 / 142237), or F001287.

[0177] In one embodiment, a subject having a disease that may benefit from stimulation of the immune system, such as cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and an immunotumor agent, wherein the immunotumor agent is a toll-like receptor agonist, such as a TLR2 / 4 agonist (e.g., bacillus Calmette-Guerin); a TLR7 agonist (e.g., hirutonol or imiquimod); a TLR7 / 8 agonist (e.g., resiquimod); or a TLR9 agonist (e.g., CpG7909).

[0178] In one embodiment, a subject having a disease that may benefit from stimulation of the immune system, e.g., cancer or an infectious disease, is treated by administering to the subject an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention and a tumor immunotherapy agent, wherein the immuno-tumor agent is a TGF-β inhibitor, e.g., GC1008, LY2157299, TEW7197, or IMC-TR1.

[0179] 6. Exemplary Anti-TNFR2 Monoclonal Antibodies The invention described herein provides monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof specific for TNFR2.

[0180] Thus, one aspect of the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that competes with any of the isolated monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof described herein for binding to the epitope of SEQ ID NO: 13 or 38, or for binding to the epitope to which HFB3-18 binds.

[0181] A related aspect of the invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to the epitope of SEQ ID NO: 13 or 38, or the epitope bound by HFB3-18.

[0182] Another related aspect of the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is specific to human TNFR2, and the monoclonal antibody comprises: (1a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; (1b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6; or (2a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; (2b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19; or (3a) an HCVR of SEQ ID NO: 26. (3b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising an LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, an LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, and an LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; or (4a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising an HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, an HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, and an HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; (4b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising an LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, an LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43, and an LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; or (5a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising an HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51, an HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and an HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; or (5b) a light chain variable region (HCVR) comprising an LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54 and an LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55. (6a) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising an HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63, an HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64, and an HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; or (6b) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising an HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63, an HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64, and an HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65;(6b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68;

[0183] For any of the above aspects of the invention, in some embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, (1A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 7; and / or (1B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 8, or (2A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 20; and / or (2B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 21, or (3A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 32; and / or (3B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 33, or (4A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 45; and / or (4B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 46, or (5A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 57; and / or (5B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 58, or (6A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 69; and / or (6B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 70.

[0184] In some embodiments, the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof has: (1a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:9; and / or (1b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, or (2a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:22; and / or (2b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, or (3a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:34; and / or (3b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, or (4a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:47; and / or (4b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, or (5a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:59; and / or (5b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:60, or (6a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:71; and / or (6b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:72.

[0185] Some of the sequences of the antibodies of the present invention are provided below.

[0186] HFB3-1-hG1 (mouse monoclonal antibody) CDR-H1: SYSFTDYN (SEQ ID NO: 1) CDR-H2: IFPKYGTTSYNQKFKG (SEQ ID NO: 2) CDR-H3: ATDGGTWYFDV (SEQ ID NO: 3) CDR-L1: SSVTY (SEQ ID NO: 4) CDR-L2: LTSNLASGVPA (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR-L3: QQWSSNPPT (SEQ ID NO: 6) The HCVR is SEQ ID NO:7 and the LCVR is SEQ ID NO:8.

[0187] HC: EFQLQQSGPELVKPGASVKISCKASSYSFTDYNMNWVKQSNGKSLEWIGIFPKYGTTSYNQKFKGKATLTVDQSSSTAYMQLNSLTSEDSAVYYCATDGGTWYFDVWGTGTT VTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTC PPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 9) LC:QIVLTQSPALMSASPGEKVTMTCSASSSVTYMYWYQQKPRSSPKPWIYLTSNLASGVPARFSGSGSGTSYSLTISSMEAEDAATYYCQQWSSNPPTFGSGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 10) (SEQ ID NO: 12) SCEDSTYTQLWNWVPECLS (SEQ ID NO: 13) HFB3-1hz6-hG1 (humanized monoclonal antibody) CDR-H1: SYSFTDYN (SEQ ID NO: 14) CDR-H2: IFPKYGTTSYAQKLQG (SEQ ID NO: 15) CDR-H3: ATDGGTWYFDV (SEQ ID NO: 16) CDR-L1: SSVTY (SEQ ID NO: 17) CDR-L2: LTSNLASGVPS (SEQ ID NO: 18) CDR-L3: QQWSSNPPT (SEQ ID NO: 19) The HCVR is SEQ ID NO:20 and the LCVR is SEQ ID NO:21.

[0188] HC:QVQLVQSGAELKKPGASVKVSCKASSYSFTDYNMNWVRQAPGQSLEWMGIIFPKYGTTSYAQKLQGRVTLTTDTSTSTAYMELRSLRSDDTAVYYCATDGGTWYFDVWGTG TTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHT CPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 22) LC:DIQLTQSPSFLSASVGDRVTITCRASSSVTYMYWYQQKPGKAPKPWIYLTSNLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPEDAATYYCQQWSSNPPTFGSGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 23) (SEQ ID NO: 25) HFB3-14-hG1 (mouse monoclonal antibody) CDR-H1: GYTFTDYY (SEQ ID NO: 26) CDR-H2: INPNDGGTTYSQKFKG (SEQ ID NO: 27) CDR-H3: AREGNYYAYDVRVWYFDV (SEQ ID NO: 28) CDR-L1: QDIITY (SEQ ID NO: 29) CDR-L2: STSSLNSGVPS (SEQ ID NO: 30) CDR-L3: QQYSELPYT (SEQ ID NO: 31) The HCVR is SEQ ID NO:32 and the LCVR is SEQ ID NO:33.

[0189] HC:EVQLQQSGPELVKPGASVRISCKASGYTFTDYYMNWVKQSHGKSLEWIGDINPNDGGTTYSQKFKGKATLTVDKSSSTAYMELRSLTSEDSAVYFCAREGNYYAYDVRVWYFD VWGTGTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDK THTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 34) LC:DIQMTQSPASLSVSVGETVTITCRSSENIYSNLAWYQQKQGKSPQLLVYAATNLADGVPSRFSGSGSGTQYSLKINSLQSEDFGSYYCQHFWGTPWTFGGGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 37) CAPLRKCRPGFGVARPGTETSD (SEQ ID NO: 38) HFB3-14hz1c-hG1 (humanized monoclonal antibody) CDR-H1: GYTFTDYY (SEQ ID NO: 39) CDR-H2: INPNDGGTTYAQKFQG (SEQ ID NO: 40) CDR-H3: AREGNYYAYDVRVWYFDV (SEQ ID NO: 41) CDR-L1: QDIITY (SEQ ID NO: 42) CDR-L2: STSSLNSGVPS (SEQ ID NO: 43) CDR-L3: QQYSELPYT (SEQ ID NO: 44) The HCVR is SEQ ID NO:45 and the LCVR is SEQ ID NO:46.

[0190] HC:QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYYMNWVRQAPGQGLEWMGDINPNDGGTTYAQKFQGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYFCAREGNYYAYDVRVWYFD VWGQGTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDK THTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 47) LC:DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCGASQDIITYLNWYQQKPGKAVKLLIYSTSSLNSGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQYSELPYTFGGGTKVELKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 48) (SEQ ID NO: 50) HFB3-18-hG1 (mouse monoclonal antibody) CDR-H1: GFTFSDAW (SEQ ID NO: 51) CDR-H2: VRNKANNHATYYAESVKG (SEQ ID NO: 52) CDR-H3: TRSVGGYGTTYWYFDV (SEQ ID NO: 53) CDR-L1: QNLLNSGNQKNY (SEQ ID NO: 54) CDR-L2: GASTRESGVPD (SEQ ID NO: 55) CDR-L3: QSEHSYPYT (SEQ ID NO: 56) The HCVR is SEQ ID NO:57 and the LCVR is SEQ ID NO:58.

[0191] HC:EVKLEESGGGLVQPGGSMKLSCAASGFTFSDAWMDWVRQSPEKGLEWVAEVRNKANNHATYYAESVKGRFTISRDDSKSSVYLQMNSLRAEDTGIYYCTRSVGGYGTTYWYFD VWGTGTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDK THTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 59) LC:DIVMTQSPSSLSVSAGEKVTMSCKSSQNLLNSGNQKNYLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIFGASTRESGVPDRFTGSGSGTDFTLTISSVQAEDLAVYYCQSEHSYPYTFGGGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 60) (SEQ ID NO: 62) HFB3-18hz1-hG1 humanized monoclonal antibody CDR-H1: GFTFSDAW (SEQ ID NO: 63) CDR-H2: VRNKANNHATYYAASVKG (SEQ ID NO: 64) CDR-H3: TRSVGGYGTTYWYFDV (SEQ ID NO: 65) CDR-L1: QNLLNSGNQKNY (SEQ ID NO: 66) CDR-L2: GASTRESGVPD (SEQ ID NO: 67) CDR-L3: QSEHSYPYT (SEQ ID NO: 68) The HCVR is SEQ ID NO:69 and the LCVR is SEQ ID NO:70.

[0192] HC:EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSDAWMDWVRQASGKGLEWVGEVRNKANNHATYYAASVKGRFTISRDDSKNTAYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCTRSVGGYGTTYWYFD VWGQGTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDK THTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 71) LC:DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINCKSSQNLLNSGNQKNYLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIFGASTRESGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDVAVYYCQSEHSYPYTFGQGTKLEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 72) (SEQ ID NO: 74) RPGWYCALSKQEGCRLCAPLRKCRPGFGVARPGTETSD (SEQ ID NO: 75)

[0193] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention is a human-mouse chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a human antibody, a CDR-grafted antibody, or a resurfaced antibody.

[0194] In some embodiments, the antigen-binding fragment is a Fab, Fab', F(ab'), F d , single-chain Fv or scFv, disulfide-linked F v, V-NAR domain, IgNar, intrabody, IgGΔCH2, minibody, F(ab')3, tetrabody, triabody, diabody, single domain antibody, DVD-Ig, Fcab, mAb2, (scFv)2, or scFv-Fc.

[0195] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention have an altered Fc region that abolishes immune effector function. For example, the altered Fc region of an antibody of the present invention may have a "LALA" double mutation (Leu234Ala and Leu235Ala), thus reducing effector function. Such an antibody may have the designation G1AA for the LALA double mutation in IgG1.

[0196] Other recombinant human IgG antibodies (hIgG) that partially or completely lack binding to Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) and the complement protein C1q, thus abolishing immune effector functions, are known in the art and are used in various therapeutic applications to reduce FcγR activation and Fc-mediated toxicity. While certain such Fc-modified antibodies / fragments partially achieve this goal, others completely abolish FcγR activation and Fc-mediated toxicity. In specific embodiments, the antibodies / fragments of the present invention have modified hIgG Fc domains containing the hIgG1-P329G LALA or hIgG4-P329G SPLE (human IgG4 S228P / L235E variant of IgG4) mutations, completely abolishing FcγR and C1q interactions and having unaffected FcRn interactions and Fc stability. The P329G Fc mutation disrupts the formation of a proline sandwich motif with the FcγR. Because this motif is present at the interface of all IgG Fc / FcγR complexes, its disruption can be applied to all human and most other mammalian IgG subclasses to create effector-silent IgG molecules. Thus, in certain embodiments, antibodies / fragments of the invention comprise any one IgG subclass that harbors such effector-silent Fc mutations.

[0197] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention are specific for human TNFR2, e.g., do not substantially cross-react with TNFR1 and / or do not substantially cross-react with mouse TNFR2. In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention cross-react with monkey TNFR2, such as cynomolgus or rhesus monkey TNFR2.

[0198] In some embodiments, the antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, of the invention have an activity against rhTNFR2 of 1 μM or less, 100 nM or less, 50 nM or less, 25 nM or less, 20 nM or less, 15 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 5 nM or less, 2 nM or less, 1 nM or less, 0.1 nM or less, 0.01 nM, or 0.001 nM or less (e.g., 10 -8 M or less, e.g., 10 -8 M~10 -13 M, e.g., 10 -9 M~10 -13 Dissociation constant (K d )

[0199] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention bind to a region within the CRD2 domain of TNFR2. In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention bind to an epitope bound by HFB3-1.

[0200] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention bind to a region within the CRD3 domain of TNFR2. In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention bind to the epitope bound by HFB3-14.

[0201] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention binds to the epitope bound by HFB3-18.

[0202] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention bind to the epitope of SEQ ID NO: 13 or 38.

[0203] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention enhances binding of human recombinant TNFα to TNFR2.

[0204] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention block the binding of human recombinant TNFα to TNFR2.

[0205] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention do not substantially affect the binding of human recombinant TNFα to TNFR2.

[0206] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention inhibit TNFα-mediated signaling, such as NFκB signaling, and / or induce downregulation of NFκB downstream target genes, however, in other embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention promote TNFα-mediated signaling, such as NFκB signaling, and / or induce upregulation of NFκB downstream target genes.

[0207] In some embodiments, NFκB signaling is stimulated in effector T cells, such as CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells. In some embodiments, NFκB signaling is inhibited in effector T cells, such as CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells.

[0208] In some embodiments, NFκB signaling is stimulated in Tregs, hi other some embodiments, NFκB signaling is inhibited in Tregs.

[0209] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention stimulate CD8 and / or standard CD4 T cell proliferation, optionally with or without CD3 / CD28 costimulation and / or optionally with or without TNFα costimulation.

[0210] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention, particularly humanized monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, preferentially bind to (CD3 / CD28) TCR-activated primary CD8 and / or CD4 T cells compared to unstimulated primary CD8 and / or CD4 T cells.

[0211] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention, particularly humanized monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, enhance CD3 / CD28-induced activation and / or proliferation, such as CD3 / CD28-induced activation and / or proliferation of primary CD8 and / or CD4 T cells, including activation and / or proliferation of primary CD8 and / or CD4 T cells in the presence of Tregs.

[0212] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention, particularly humanized monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, costimulate the activation and / or proliferation of primary CD8 and / or CD4 T cells in a cross-linking-independent manner.

[0213] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention, particularly humanized monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, costimulate the activation and / or proliferation of primary CD8 and / or CD4 T cells in a cross-linking-dependent manner.

[0214] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention enhance binding between TNFα and TNFR2; enhance TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling (e.g., in TCR-activated CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells); and / or promote the proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells (e.g., CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells) in the presence of Tregs.

[0215] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention enhances TNFα-mediated CD25 expression on Tregs.

[0216] In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention, including humanized monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, have a good developability profile, including being stable at elevated temperatures (e.g., 25°C or 40°C), under low pH conditions (e.g., pH 3.5 around room temperature), and / or after several rounds of freeze / thaw cycles.

[0217] In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the present invention, including humanized monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, contain one or more point mutations in the amino acid sequence designed to improve the developability of the antibody. For example, Raybould et al. (Five computational developability guidelines for therapeutic antibody profiling, PNAS 116(10):4025-4030, 2019) describe the Therapeutic Antibody Profiler (TAP), a computational tool that builds downloadable homology models of variable domain sequences, tests them against five developability guidelines, and reports potential sequence trends and limiting structures. The authors further provide TAP, which is freely available at opig.stats.ox.ac.uk / webapps / sabdab-sabpred / TAP.php.

[0218] In addition to achieving the desired affinity for the antigen, there are many barriers to developing therapeutic mAbs. These include inherent immunogenicity, chemical and conformational instability, self-association, high viscosity, multispecificity, and poor expression. For example, high levels of hydrophobicity, particularly in the highly variable complementarity-determining regions (CDRs), are repeatedly implicated in aggregation, viscosity, and multispecificity. Net charge asymmetry in the heavy and light chain variable domains also correlates with self-association and viscosity at high concentrations. Patches of positive and negative charges in the CDRs are associated with high clearance rates and low expression levels. Product heterogeneity (e.g., due to oxidation, isomerization, or glycosylation) is often attributed to specific sequence motifs that are susceptible to post- or co-translational modifications. Computational tools are available to facilitate the identification of sequence propensities. Warszawski et al. (Optimizing antibody affinity and stability by the automated design of the variable light-heavy chain interfaces. PLoS Comput Biol 15(8):e1007207. https: / / doi.org / 10.1371 / journal.pcbi.1007207) also describe a method for optimizing antibody affinity and stability by automated design of variable light-heavy chain interfaces. Additional methods are available for identifying potential developability problems of candidate antibodies, and in preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more point mutations can be introduced into the candidate antibody via conventional methods to address such problems, resulting in an optimized therapeutic antibody of the invention.

[0219] 7. Humanized Antibodies In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention are humanized antibodies, which are useful as therapeutic molecules because they reduce or eliminate human immune responses to non-human antibodies (such as human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) responses) that can result in an immune response to antibody therapy and reduce the efficacy of the therapy.

[0220] Antibodies can be humanized by any standard method. Non-limiting exemplary humanization methods include, for example, those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,530,101; 5,585,089; 5,693,761; 5,693,762; 6,180,370; Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-27 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science 239:1534-36 (1988); and U.S. Publication No. US2009 / 0136500. All of these are incorporated herein by reference.

[0221] A humanized antibody is an antibody in which at least one amino acid in a framework region of a non-human variable region is replaced with an amino acid from the corresponding position in a human framework region, hi some embodiments, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine, at least ten, at least eleven, at least 12, at least 15, or at least 20 amino acids in the framework regions of the non-human variable region are replaced with an amino acid from one or more corresponding positions in one or more human framework regions.

[0222] In some embodiments, some of the corresponding human amino acids used in substitutions are derived from framework regions of different human immunoglobulin genes. That is, in some such embodiments, one or more non-human amino acids may be replaced with corresponding amino acids from the human framework region of a first human antibody or encoded by a first human immunoglobulin gene, one or more of the non-human amino acids may be replaced with corresponding amino acids from the human framework region of a second human antibody or encoded by a second human immunoglobulin gene, one or more of the non-human amino acids may be replaced with corresponding amino acids from the human framework region of a third human antibody or encoded by a third human immunoglobulin gene, etc. Furthermore, in some embodiments, all of the corresponding human amino acids used in substitutions in a single framework region, e.g., FR2, need not be derived from the same human framework. However, in some embodiments, all of the corresponding human amino acids used in substitutions are derived from the same human antibody or encoded by the same human immunoglobulin gene.

[0223] In some embodiments, antibodies are humanized by replacing one or more entire framework regions with corresponding human framework regions. In some embodiments, the human framework region with the highest level of homology to the non-human framework region being replaced is selected. In some embodiments, such humanized antibodies are CDR-grafted antibodies.

[0224] In some embodiments, following CDR-grafting, one or more framework amino acids are reverted to the corresponding amino acid in the murine framework region. Such "backmutations" are made, in some embodiments, to retain one or more murine framework amino acids that are likely to contribute to the structure of one or more CDRs and / or that may be involved in antigen contact and / or that are likely to be involved in the overall structural integrity of the antibody. In some embodiments, no more than 10, no more than 9, no more than 8, no more than 7, no more than 6, no more than 5, no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2, no more than 1, or no backmutations are made to the framework regions of the antibody after CDR-grafting.

[0225] In some embodiments, a humanized antibody also comprises a human heavy chain constant region and / or a human light chain constant region.

[0226] 8. Human antibodies In some embodiments, the antibodies of the present invention are human antibodies. Human antibodies can be produced by any suitable method. A non-limiting exemplary method includes producing human antibodies in transgenic mice containing human immunoglobulin loci. See, for example, Jakobovits et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:2551-55 (1993); Jakobovits et al., Nature 362:255-8 (1993); Ömberg et al., Nature 368:856-9 (1994); and U.S. Patent Nos. 5,545,807; 6,713,610; 6,673,986; 6,162,963; 5,545,807; 6,300,129; 6,255,458; 5,877,397; 5,874,299; and 5,545,806.

[0227] Non-limiting exemplary methods also include generating human antibodies using phage display libraries (see, e.g., Hoogenboom et al., J. Mol. Biol. 227:381-8 (1992); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222:581-97 (1991); and PCT Publication No. WO 99 / 10494).

[0228] antibody constant region In some embodiments, the humanized, chimeric, or human antibodies described herein comprise one or more human constant regions. In some embodiments, the human heavy chain constant region is of an isotype selected from IgA, IgG, and IgD. In some embodiments, the human light chain constant region is of an isotype selected from K and λ. In some embodiments, the antibodies described herein comprise a human IgG constant region, e.g., human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. In some embodiments, the antibody or Fc fusion partner comprises, for example, a C237S mutation in the IgG1 constant region. In some embodiments, the antibodies described herein comprise a human IgG2 heavy chain constant region. In some such embodiments, the IgG2 constant region comprises a P331S mutation, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,900,292. In some embodiments, the antibodies described herein comprise a human IgG4 heavy chain constant region. In some such embodiments, the antibodies described herein comprise a S241P mutation in the human IgG4 constant region. See, e.g., Angal et al. Mol. Immunol. 30(1):105-108 (1993). In some embodiments, the antibodies described herein comprise a human IgG4 constant region and a human kappa light chain.

[0229] The choice of heavy chain constant region can determine whether an antibody has effector function in vivo. Such effector function, in some embodiments, can include antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and / or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), which can result in killing of cells to which the antibody binds. Typically, antibodies comprising human IgG1 or IgG3 heavy chains have effector function.

[0230] In some embodiments, effector function is undesirable. For example, in some embodiments, effector function may be undesirable in the treatment of inflammatory conditions and / or autoimmune disorders. In some such embodiments, a human IgG4 or IgG2 heavy chain constant region is selected or modified. In some embodiments, the IgG4 constant region comprises the S241P mutation.

[0231] Any of the antibodies described herein can be purified by any suitable method. Such methods include, but are not limited to, the use of affinity matrix or hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Suitable affinity ligands include the antigen and / or epitope to which the antibody binds, as well as ligands that bind to the antibody constant region. For example, Protein A, Protein G, Protein A / G, or antibody affinity columns can be used to bind to the constant region to purify the antibody.

[0232] In some embodiments, hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), e.g., a butyl or phenyl column, is also used to purify some polypeptides. Many methods of purifying polypeptides are known in the art.

[0233] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the antibodies described herein are produced in a cell-free system. Non-limiting exemplary cell-free systems are described, for example, in Sitaraman et al., Methods Mol. Biol. 498:229-44 (2009); Spirin, Trends Biotechnol. 22:538-45 (2004); Endo et al., Biotechnol. Adv. 21:695-713 (2003).

[0234] 9. Nucleic Acid Molecules Encoding Antibodies of the Invention The present invention also provides nucleic acid molecules comprising polynucleotides encoding one or more chains of an antibody described herein. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain or the light chain of an antibody described herein. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule comprises both a polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain and a polynucleotide encoding the light chain of an antibody described herein. In some embodiments, a first nucleic acid molecule comprises a first polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain, and a second nucleic acid molecule comprises a second polynucleotide encoding the light chain.

[0235] In some such embodiments, the heavy and light chains are expressed as two separate polypeptides from one nucleic acid molecule or from two separate nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments, such as when the antibody is an scFv, a single polynucleotide encodes a single polypeptide comprising both the heavy and light chains linked together.

[0236] In some embodiments, a polynucleotide encoding a heavy or light chain of an antibody described herein comprises a nucleotide sequence that, when translated, encodes a leader sequence located at the N-terminus of the heavy or light chain. As noted above, the leader sequence may be the native heavy or light chain leader sequence or may be another heterologous leader sequence.

[0237] The nucleic acid molecule may be constructed using recombinant DNA techniques conventional in the art, hi some embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule is an expression vector suitable for expression in a selected host cell, such as a mammalian cell.

[0238] 10. Vector Vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding the heavy and / or light chains of the antibodies described herein are provided. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, DNA vectors, phage vectors, viral vectors, retroviral vectors, etc. In some embodiments, the vector comprises a first polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain and a second polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain. In some embodiments, the heavy and light chains are expressed from the vector as two separate polypeptides. In some embodiments, the heavy and light chains are expressed as part of a single polypeptide, for example, when the antibody is an scFv.

[0239] In some embodiments, a first vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain, and a second vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a light chain. In some embodiments, the first and second vectors are transfected into host cells in similar amounts (e.g., similar molar amounts or similar mass amounts). In some embodiments, a molar or mass ratio of the first vector to the second vector between 5:1 and 1:5 is transfected into host cells. In some embodiments, a mass ratio of the heavy chain-encoding vector to the light chain-encoding vector between 1:1 and 1:5 is used. In some embodiments, a mass ratio of 1:2 is used for the heavy chain-encoding vector to the light chain-encoding vector.

[0240] In some embodiments, a vector optimized for the expression of a polypeptide in CHO or CHO-derived cells, or NSO cells is selected. Exemplary such vectors are described, for example, in Running Deer et al., Biotechnol. Prog. 20:880-889 (2004). In some embodiments, a vector is selected for the in vivo expression of the antibody of the present invention in animals, including humans. In some such embodiments, the expression of a polypeptide or polypeptides is under the control of a promoter or promoters that function in a tissue-specific manner. For example, a liver-specific promoter is described, for example, in PCT Publication No. WO2006 / 076288.

[0241] 11. Host cells In various embodiments, the heavy and / or light chains of the antibodies described herein may be expressed in prokaryotic cells, such as bacterial cells; or in eukaryotic cells, such as fungal cells (e.g., yeast), plant cells, insect cells, or mammalian cells. Such expression may be carried out, for example, according to procedures known in the art. Exemplary eukaryotic cells that may be used to express the polypeptides include, but are not limited to, COS cells, including COS7 cells; 293 cells, including 293-6E cells; CHO cells, including CHO-S and DG44; PERC6® cells (Crucell); and NSO cells. In some embodiments, the heavy and / or light chains of the antibodies described herein may be expressed in yeast. See, e.g., U.S. Publication No. US2006 / 0270045A1. In some embodiments, a particular eukaryotic host cell is selected based on its ability to make desired post-translational modifications to the heavy and / or light chains of a TNFR2 antibody. For example, in some embodiments, CHO cells produce polypeptides with higher levels of sialylation than the same polypeptides produced in 293 cells.

[0242] Introduction of one or more nucleic acids into desired host cells can be achieved by any method, including, but not limited to, calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, cationic lipid-mediated transfection, electroporation, transduction, infection, etc. Non-limiting exemplary methods are described, for example, in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 3rd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2001). Nucleic acids may be transiently or stably transfected into desired host cells according to any suitable method.

[0243] In some embodiments, one or more polypeptides may be produced in vivo in an animal that has been modified or transfected with one or more nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides, according to any suitable method. The present invention includes, but is not limited to, the following aspects. [Aspect 1] 1. An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is specific for human TNFR2, and wherein the monoclonal antibody comprises: (1a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; (1b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6; or (2a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; (2b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19; or (3a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28; (3b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; or (4a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; (4b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; (5a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; (5b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56; or (6a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; (6b) The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, comprising a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68. [Aspect 2] (1A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 7; and / or (1B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 8, or (2A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 20; and / or (2B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 21, or (3A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 32; and / or (3B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 33, or (4A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 45; and / or (4B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 46, or (5A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 57; and / or (5B) the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 58, or (6A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 69; and / or (6B) The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of embodiment 1, wherein the LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 70. [Aspect 3] The monoclonal antibody: (1a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9; and / or (1b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, or (2a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; and / or (2b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23, or (3a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; and / or (3b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, or (4a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47; and / or (4b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 48, or (5a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59; and / or (5b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60, or (6a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; and / or (6b) The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to embodiment 1 or 2, having a light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72: [Aspect 4] 4. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the antibody is a murine antibody, a human-mouse chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a human antibody, a CDR-grafted antibody, or a resurfaced antibody. [Aspect 5] The antigen-binding fragment thereof may be Fab, Fab', F(ab'), F d, single-chain Fv or scFv, disulfide-linked F v 5. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a V-NAR domain, an IgNar, an intrabody, an IgGΔCH2, a minibody, a F(ab')3, a tetrabody, a triabody, a diabody, a single domain antibody, a DVD-Ig, an Fcab, a mAb2, an (scFv)2, or an scFv-Fc. [Aspect 6] 6. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof cross-reacts with rhesus monkey TNFR2 but does not substantially cross-react with mouse TNFR2. [Aspect 7] 7. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof does not substantially cross-react with TNFR1. [Aspect 8] the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof has a K of less than about 25 nM, 20 nM, 15 nM, 10 nM, 5 nM, 2 nM, or 1 nM d 8. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, which binds to TNFα at a specific binding site. [Aspect 9] 9. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of aspects 1 to 8, which enhances binding between TNFα and TNFR2; enhances TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling (e.g., in TCR-activated CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells); and / or promotes proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells (e.g., CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells) in the presence of Tregs. [Aspect 10] 10. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, which enhances TNFα-mediated CD25 expression on Tregs. [Aspect 11] 11. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, which binds to the epitope of SEQ ID NO:13. [Aspect 12] 12. An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that competes with the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of embodiments 1 to 11 for binding to the epitope of SEQ ID NO: 13. [Aspect 13] An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to the epitope of SEQ ID NO:13. [Aspect 14] 14. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of embodiment 13, which enhances binding between TNFα and TNFR2; enhances TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling (e.g., in TCR-activated CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells); and / or promotes proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells (e.g., CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells) in the presence of Tregs. [Aspect 15] 9. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of aspects 1 to 8, which inhibits binding between TNFα and TNFR2; inhibits TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling (e.g., in TCR-activated CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells); and / or inhibits proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells (e.g., CD8 and / or CD4 Tconv T cells) in the presence of Tregs. [Aspect 16] 9. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, which promotes Treg expansion. [Aspect 17] 9. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, which promotes the activation of natural killer cells. [Aspect 18] 17. An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that competes with the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of aspects 1 to 8 and 15 to 16 for binding to the same epitope. [Aspect 19] 19. A method of treating cancer or an autoimmune disorder in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described in any one of aspects 1-18. [Aspect 20] 20. The method of embodiment 19 for treating cancer, wherein said method further comprises administering an antagonist of an immune checkpoint. [Aspect 21] 21. The method of aspect 20, wherein the immune checkpoint is the PD-1 / PD-L1 immune checkpoint. [Aspect 22] 22. The method of aspect 20 or 21, wherein the antagonist of the immune checkpoint is an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specific for PD-1 or PD-L1. [Aspect 23] The method of embodiment 22, wherein the antibody is an anti-PD-1 antibody such as cemiplimab, nivolumab, or pembrolizumab. [Aspect 24] The method of aspect 22, wherein the antibody is an anti-PD-L1 antibody such as avelumab, durvalumab, atezolizumab, KN035, or CK-301. [Aspect 25] 22. The method of aspect 20 or 21, wherein said antagonist of said immune checkpoint is a (non-antibody) peptide inhibitor of PD-1 / PD-L1, such as AUNP12; a small molecule inhibitor of PD-L1, such as CA-170, or a macrocyclic peptide, such as BMS-986189. [Aspect 26] 26. The method of any one of aspects 20 to 25, wherein the cancer is melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, renal cancer, liver cancer (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma), lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, skin cancer (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma), lymphoma, or leukemia. [Aspect 27] 27. The method of any one of aspects 20 to 26, further comprising administering to the patient a chemotherapeutic agent, an anti-angiogenic agent, a growth inhibitory agent, a tumor immunotherapeutic agent, and / or an anti-tumor composition. [Aspect 28] A polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain or light chain or an antigen-binding portion thereof according to any one of aspects 1 to 18. [Aspect 29] 29. The polynucleotide of embodiment 28, which is codon-optimized for expression in a human cell. [Aspect 30] 30. A vector comprising the polynucleotide of embodiment 28 or 29. [Aspect 31] The vector of embodiment 30, which is an expression vector (eg, a mammalian, yeast, insect, or bacterial expression vector). [Example]

[0244] Example 1 Monoclonal antibodies specific for human and monkey TNFR2 To generate monoclonal antibodies specific for human TNFR2 that are cross-reactive with the simian orthologue TNFR2, we immunized mice with the recombinant extracellular domain (ECD) of human TNFR2 (rhTNFR2) using standard procedures and generated a diverse series of human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibodies.

[0245] At least 25 such monoclonal antibodies were generated, and the VH and VL sequences of selected antibodies were aligned to obtain a consensus sequence, as shown in Figure 1. The H-CDR3 and L-CDR3 regions are marked by the boxed sequences.

[0246] These monoclonal antibodies were then tested for their ability to bind to human and monkey TNFR2 expressed by CHO cells (CHO.hHFB3 and CHO.mkHFB3 cells, respectively). Briefly, approximately 40,000 CHO.hHFB3 or CHO.mkHFB3 cells were seeded into tissue culture wells, and serial 1:3 dilutions of each test antibody, with a starting (highest) concentration of approximately 66 nM antibody, were added to each cell type and incubated for approximately 1 hour. Cell-bound antibody was detected using 17 nM anti-human Fc antibody labeled with AF647 (ALEXSA FLUOR® 647 fluorescent dye). An isotype-matched negative control antibody was also used in the assay. The EC of each antibody was 50 value and E max The data are summarized in Figure 2A.

[0247] Eleven tested antibodies showed sub-single-digit or single-digit nM level affinity (EC 50 ) These antibodies also showed cross-reactivity to the rhesus orthologue of TNFR2 expressed in CHO cells, with essentially the same binding affinity trends compared to hTNFR2 binding. See Figure 2A.

[0248] Interestingly, some antibodies (e.g., HFB3-1 and -14) promoted TNFα binding to TNFR2, while others (e.g., HFB3-18) inhibited TNFα binding to TNFR2, and still others (e.g., HFB3-6) had no apparent effect on TNFα binding to TNFR2 (see Figure 2B). Specifically, CHO cells were preincubated with each antibody for approximately 1 hour, and then the binding of 25 ng / ml TNFα to CHO.hHFB3 cells was measured. The percentage of cells that bound TNFα (labeled HFB2003L) was then plotted against increasing concentrations of antibody.

[0249] The same experiment was set up to test the ability of the test antibodies to bind to CHO cells expressing mouse TNFR2 and the parent CHO cell line (which may or may not express hamster TNFR2). Two monoclonal antibodies (HFB3-18 and HFB3-19) showed marginal levels of binding to the mouse ortholog, while the other antibodies had no detectable levels of binding to mouse TNFR2. As a positive control, the HM102 monoclonal antibody specific for mouse TNFR2 was used and showed positive binding to CHO cells expressing mouse TNFR2, whereas an isotype-matched control antibody did not bind (Figure 3).

[0250] No binding was observed with the parental CHO cell line (Fig. 3).

[0251] Binding specificity for human TNFR2 (versus the related TNFR1 receptor) was also verified using recombinant human TNFR2 and TNFR1 proteins.

[0252] Briefly, tissue culture plates were coated with 0.1 μg / mL His-tagged recombinant human TNFR2 or TNFR1 overnight at 4°C. The coated plates were then incubated on ice for approximately 1 hour with 1:3 serial dilutions of each test antibody at a starting (highest) concentration of approximately 66 nM antibody. Cell-bound antibodies were detected using a 1:5000 dilution of HRP-conjugated anti-human Fc antibody and TMB substrate. The assay also included an isotype-matched negative control antibody, F3, a positive control antibody specific for rhTNFR2, and a positive control antibody specific for rhTNFR1. The EC values ​​for each antibody were calculated using the EC values ​​for each antibody. 50 The data, including values, are summarized in Figure 4A.

[0253] Six of the 11 antibodies tested, namely HFB3-1, -14, -21, -23, -24, and -25, had single-digit or lower nM affinity (EC 50), and four additional antibodies (HFB-3, -6, -19, and -22) showed single-digit nM affinity to the same antigen. HFB3-18 showed relatively weak binding to monomeric rhTNFR2 with double-digit nM affinity. However, none of the 11 antibodies showed any detectable levels of binding to the His-tagged TNFR1 receptor, demonstrating binding specificity for TNFR2.

[0254] The binding affinity of the human-mouse chimeric antibodies HFB3-1, 14, and 18 to recombinant human TNFR2 protein was verified using an anti-human IgG Fc capture (AHC) biosensor. The AHC biosensor enables kinetic characterization of macromolecular interactions between a human Fc-containing protein (e.g., a target antibody) and a target analyte (e.g., recombinant human TNFR2). Immobilization of the human Fc-containing protein is achieved by a factory-immobilized anti-human Fc-specific antibody. This antibody's high affinity for the human Fc domain provides a stable baseline necessary for demanding kinetic applications. In this particular experiment, the test antibody (humanized) was loaded at a concentration of 20 μg / mL in assay buffer (PBS, pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA, 0.1% Tween 20). The analyte was His-tagged recombinant human TNFR2 at 500, 167, or 55.7 nM. Capture assays were performed at 25°C. The K values ​​of the tested antibodies were calculated using the K values. d is in the nM range (see Figure 4B).

[0255] Epitope mapping experiments of the HFB3-1-hG1, HFB3-14-hG1, HFB3-6-hG1, and HFB3-18-hG1 antibodies showed that these antibodies recognize different domains of TNFR2. HFB3-1-hG1 binds to a region within the CRD2 domain, while HFB3-18-hG1 binds to a conformational epitope within CDR1. HFB3-6-hG1 binds to a region within CRD3, and HFB3-14-hG1 also binds to an epitope within the CRD3 region that is smaller than the epitope of HFB3-6-hG1 (see Figure 11B). The locations of these epitopes on a 3D model of the TNFR2-TNFα complex can be visualized in Figure 11C.

[0256] Example 2 TNFR2 Expression in T Cell Subtypes This experiment demonstrated that TNFR2 is primarily involved in Tregs, but also in various cancer types, and that it is involved in CD4 + and CD8 + It has also been shown to be expressed on T cells.

[0257] Tregs and CD4 + and CD8 + T cell subtypes, including T cells, were isolated from various tumor samples, and the relative percentages of T cell subtypes in the tumor samples and the average relative expression levels of TNRF2 (on a scale of 2 to 8) in T cell subtypes were determined using RNA-seq analysis. The results are summarized in Figure 5.

[0258] In each tumor sample analyzed, including BCC or basal cell carcinoma, SCC or squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, NSCLC, or non-small cell lung cancer, TNFR2 was predominantly expressed in tumor cells, most frequently Tregs and CD4 + and CD8 + TNFR2 expression was observed in T cells. Furthermore, the highest relative expression level was also observed in Tregs. See Figure 5, left panel. The data suggest that TNFR2 is an attractive target for cancer therapy.

[0259] Additional expression analysis of TNFR2 in SCC cancer samples was also performed in conjunction with the expression of several immune checkpoint genes, such as PD-1, TIM3, CTLA4, and 4-1BB. In exhausted CD8+ T cells, TNFR2 expression was found to be consistent with the expression of these immune checkpoint genes (Figure 5, right panel), suggesting that combination therapy using anti-TNFR2 antibodies and inhibitors of these immune checkpoint genes may be therapeutically beneficial.

[0260] Example 3 Binding of anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies to primary Treg, CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells Given the expression pattern of TNFR2 on T cell subtypes (see Example 2), this experiment demonstrates that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention can bind to primary T cell subtypes, preferentially activated T cells.

[0261] Briefly, flat-bottom 96-well plates were coated with 10 nM anti-CD3 antibody overnight at 4°C. Meanwhile, T cell subtypes, including Treg, CD8, or CD4 standard T cells (Tconv), were isolated from human PBMCs. The isolated T cell subtypes were seeded at a density of approximately 50,000 cells / well in the presence of 6.6 nM anti-CD28 antibody to co-stimulate primary T cells for approximately 3 days. The stimulated primary T cells were then treated with various concentrations of the anti-TNFR2 human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody of the present invention, with a maximum concentration of 66 nM, at 1:3 serial dilutions for 1 hour on ice. Bound chimeric antibody was detected by incubating with 17 nM anti-hFc antibody labeled with AF647 dye on ice for 1 hour, followed by FACS analysis to detect the AF647 signal.

[0262] Figure 6, top panel, shows that CD4 Tconvs were the most abundant T cell subtype at approximately 30% of total hPBMCs, followed by 10% CD8 T cells and approximately 1% Tregs. However, primary T cells that were not TCR-activated did not detectably bind to the anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention, except for relatively low levels of binding to primary Tregs. Overall, receptor occupancy (Emax) was highest for Tregs, followed by CD8 and CD4 Tconvs. Given the relatively low abundance of Tregs compared with CD8 and CD4 Tconvs, TNFR2 expression on Tregs was much higher than that on CD8 and CD4 T cells per cell.

[0263] However, in TCR-activated T cells, a dramatic 5- to 6-fold increase in binding of some anti-TNFR2 antibodies to Tregs was observed, and substantially higher binding was also observed to CD8 and CD4 Tconvs (Fig. 6 , bottom panel).

[0264] Among the antibodies tested, HFB3-1, -6, -24, -25, and SBT1 (positive control) showed high affinities at the sub-nM level, whereas HFB3-14 and -19 showed single-digit nM affinities, and HFB3-18, -21, and -22 had double-digit nM affinities.

[0265] Example 4 Binding of specific anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies to primary CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells costimulated NFκB signaling This experiment demonstrates that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention costimulate TNFα-mediated NFκB signaling as evidenced by QPCR quantification of NFκB signaling pathway genes.

[0266] Briefly, CD4 Tconv (CD4 + CD25 - ) or CD8 +T cells were isolated from hPBMCs using standard techniques and commercially available kits. Isolated T cells were incubated with 25 ng / mL (1.5 nM) TNFα for approximately 24 hours, along with 10 μg / mL (66 nM) of various test monoclonal antibodies of the present invention or appropriate positive or negative controls. Stimulated T cells were then harvested, their mRNA isolated, reverse transcribed, and subjected to QPCR analysis of selected NFκB signaling pathway genes, including CD25, Foxp3, NFκB2, RelB, and LTA. The expression levels of these genes in the presence and absence of costimulation with antibodies of the present invention are compared in the bar graphs in Figure 7. Results are expressed as fold change compared to the unstimulated control (1x).

[0267] The results showed that certain antibodies of the present invention, including HFB3-1, -14, -23, -24, and -25, induced NFκB signaling. Notably, HFB3-1 and -14 occasionally induced NFκB signaling, particularly in NFκB2, RelB, and LTA, whereas HFB3-18 did not.

[0268] Example 5 The costimulatory effect of anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies is associated with the proliferation of isolated primary CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells In this experiment, flat-bottom 96-well plates were coated overnight at 4°C with 10 nM anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and 20 or 100 nM anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention. Meanwhile, CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells were isolated from hPBMCs as described and labeled with 2 μM CTV (Invitrogen's CELLTRACE™ Violet Cell Proliferation Kit) to track T cell proliferation. The CELLTRACE™ Violet dye readily diffuses into cells and is cleaved by intracellular esterases to generate a highly fluorescent compound. This compound covalently binds to intracellular amines, resulting in a stable, long-lasting fluorescent stain that can be fixed with aldehyde fixatives. Excess unbound reagent passively diffuses into the extracellular medium, where it can be quenched and washed away with complete medium.

[0269] The labeled T cells were then seeded onto coated 96-well plates at a density of approximately 50,000 cells / well in the presence of 6.6 nM anti-CD28 antibody for costimulation for approximately 3 days, and the cells were then fixed for FACS analysis of the fluorescent signal.

[0270] The data in Figure 8 show that certain anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the invention costimulated CD8 and CD4 Tconv proliferation, even at concentrations as low as 20 nM. Benchmark positive control antibodies SBT-1 and -4 also costimulated T cell proliferation under the same conditions, but to a lesser extent than HFB3-1, -14, -18, and -25.

[0271] Additional experiments showed that such costimulation of primary T cell proliferation may depend on FcγR cross-linking for certain monoclonal antibodies, such as HFB3-18, while there was no discernible cross-linking dependence for other antibodies, such as HFB3-1 and -14.

[0272] Specifically, CD8 and CD4 T cells were isolated from donor KP59095, and the isolated primary T cells were stimulated with CD3 / CD28 TCR activation and the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies HFB3-1, -14, or -18 of the present invention in the presence or absence of 25 ng / mL recombinant human TNFα (rhTNFα). The anti-TNFR2 antibodies were supplied either plate-bound or as soluble antibodies present in the binding mixture.

[0273] In the presence of 25 ng / mL rhTNFα, all three plate-bound anti-TNFR2 antibodies (HFB3-1, -14, and -18) stimulated CD8 T cell proliferation (see Figure 19, bottom left panel). However, only soluble HFB3-1 and HFB3-14 (but not soluble HFB3-18) were able to stimulate CD8 T cell proliferation (Figure 19, bottom right panel), suggesting that FcγR cross-linking may be required for HFB3-18-mediated CD8 T cell proliferation, but not for HFB3-1- and HFB3-14-mediated CD8 T cell proliferation (i.e., cross-linking-independent).

[0274] Similar results were obtained for CD4 Tconv proliferation under similar conditions (data not shown).

[0275] Example 6 Anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies promote cell proliferation in Teff cell terminals (CD8 and CD4 Tconv) in the presence of Tregs This experiment demonstrates that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention can co-stimulate the proliferation of Teff cells (CD8 and CD4 Tconv) in the presence of Tregs along with CD3 / CD28-mediated TCR activation.

[0276] Briefly, CD3 containing CD8 and CD4 Tconv effector T cells + T cells and Tregs were isolated from human PBMCs and co-stimulated for approximately 4 days with CD3 / CD28-mediated TCR activation and anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the invention, essentially as described above. + T cells and CD8 + T cell proliferation was determined using the CellTrace™ Violet cell proliferation kit from Invitrogen (CTV). + T cells, CD8 + T cell activation is mediated by CD25 expression in each T cell population. + It was also determined by measuring the percentage of T cells.

[0277] The results shown in Figure 9 demonstrated that anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention (e.g., HFB3-1hz6-hG1AA, a humanized version of HFB3-1, see below) supported cell proliferation in effector T cells (CD8 and CD4 T cells) even in the presence of Tregs.

[0278] Example 7 Anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies had negligible ADCC effect on HH lymphoma cells This experiment demonstrates that the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention have negligible ADCC effect against T-cell lymphoma, suggesting that such antibodies are suitable for use as T-cell costimulators.

[0279] Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a mechanism of cell-mediated immune defense whereby effector cells of the immune system actively lyse target cells whose membrane surface antigens have been bound by specific antibodies. As part of the humoral immune response, this is one mechanism by which antibodies can act to limit and contain infection. ADCC requires effector cells classically known as natural killer (NK) cells, which typically interact with IgG antibodies.

[0280] In this experiment, Jurkat.CD16V / NFAT / luc cells were used as effector cells and HH lymphoma cells as target cells. The effector-to-target cell ratio was approximately 6:1. The co-cultured effector and target cells were incubated overnight in the presence of an anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibody of the present invention (e.g., HFB3-1, -14, or -18) or an isotype-matched control (hIgG1) at concentrations of 0, 0.0066, 0.66, or 66 nM. Moganulizumab antibody was used as a positive control for ADCC.

[0281] The results in Figure 10 showed that the positive control antibody moganulizumab had at least 120-fold stronger ADCC effect on target cells than any of the anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies tested. The data indicated that the anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention are suitable for use as T cell costimulators due to their low / non-existent ADCC effect on T cells.

[0282] Example 8 Binding of humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies to TNFR2 Multiple humanized monoclonal antibodies against HFB3-1, -14, and -18 have been generated, including at least 20 against HFB3-1, 16 against HFB3-14, and one against HFB3-18 (because the selected human germline sequences are highly similar to the parent HFB3-18 monoclonal antibody coding sequence). The ability of these humanized monoclonal antibodies to bind to human TNFR2 expressed on CHO cells was determined essentially as described in Example 1.

[0283] FIG. 12A shows that humanized HFB3-1hz6, HFB3-14hz1c, and HFB3-18hz1 bound to CHO cells expressing human TNFR2 (CHO.hTNFR), but not to parental CHO cells. Figure 12B shows that at least seven humanized HFB3-1 antibodies, namely, HFB3-1hz6, -1hz8, -1hz9, -1hz10, -1hz11, -1hz12, and -1hz14, and at least eight humanized HFB3-14 antibodies, namely, HFB3-14hz1c, -14hz2c, -14hz3c, -14hz4c, -14hz6c, -14hz7c, -14hz12c, and -14hz14c, retained binding affinity to TNFR2-expressing CHO cells (CHO.hHFB3) at levels similar to (if not better than) that of their respective parent chimeric antibodies.

[0284] Instead, we repeated the same experiment using CHO cells expressing the rhesus monkey orthologue of TNFR2 (CHO.mkHFB3). Figure 13 shows that the general binding trends to CHO cells expressing monkey TNFR2 were consistent with those to CHO.hTNFR2. However, somewhat unstable binding was observed for two of the humanized variants based on HFB3-14, namely, HFB3-14hz2c and -14hz3c.

[0285] The binding of the humanized anti-TNFR2 antibodies is specific to TNFR2, but not to TNFR1. The ELISA assay in Figure 14A demonstrated that the humanized monoclonal antibodies HFB3-1hz6, HFB3-14hz1c, and HFB3-18hz1 bind to recombinant human and cynomolgus monkey TNFR2 (hTNFR2-His and cynoTNFR2-His, respectively) without recognizing recombinant human TNFR1 (hTNFR1-His). Furthermore, the binding EC50 of these humanized anti-TNFR2 antibodies to recombinant human and cynomolgus monkey TNFR2 ranged from subsingle-digit to single-digit nM.

[0286] The binding affinity of the humanized variants to human TNFR2 was also verified using recombinant human TNFR2 protein and an AHC biosensor. The anti-human IgG Fc capture (AHC) biosensor enables kinetic characterization of macromolecular interactions between a human Fc-containing protein (e.g., a target antibody) and a target analyte (e.g., recombinant human TNFR2). Immobilization of the human Fc-containing protein is achieved using a factory-immobilized anti-human Fc-specific antibody. This antibody's high affinity for the human Fc domain provides a stable baseline necessary for demanding kinetic applications. In this particular experiment, the test antibody (humanized vs. parent chimeric antibody) was loaded at a concentration of 20 μg / mL in assay buffer (PBS, pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA, 0.1% Tween 20). The analyte was His-tagged recombinant human TNFR2 at 500, 167, or 55.7 nM. Capture assays were performed at 25°C.

[0287] As shown in Figure 14B, there were no significant differences distinguishing the humanized variants from their respective chimeric parent antibodies with respect to affinity for recombinant human TNFR2.

[0288] Example 3 shows that chimeric anti-TNFR2 antibodies bind to TCR-activated T cells. Essentially the same experiment was performed with the humanized variants, and the results are shown in Figure 15.

[0289] Specifically, with regard to binding to TCR-activated CD8 cells, most humanized HFB3-1 antibodies exhibited sub-nM affinities, except for two variants (HFB3-1hz5 and -1hz7) that did not appear to bind to TCR-activated CD8 cells. On the other hand, all humanized HFB3-14 variants exhibited single-digit nM affinities for TCR-activated CD8 T cells. There were no significant differences distinguishing between the different variants. Notably, the positive control antibodies SBT-2 and -3 were not good binders to primary CD8 cells.

[0290] Example 9: Costimulatory effect of humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies on the proliferation of TCR-activated CD4 and CD8 T cells Example 5 demonstrated the costimulatory effect of chimeric anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies to expand isolated human primary CD8 and CD4 T cells. This experiment also demonstrates the same for TCR-activated CD4 T cells using humanized variants of HFB3-1 and HFB3-14.

[0291] Specifically, Figure 16 shows that the humanized variants HFB3-1hz5, -1hz6, -1hz8, -1hz10, -1hz11, and -1hz12 each significantly stimulated TCR-activated CD4 T cells compared to the parental HFB3-1 chimeric antibody based on the CTV proliferation assay (see above). The same was repeated for the HFB3-14hz1c and -14hz3c variants.

[0292] Similarly, CD25 +T cell activation based on the percentage of the T cell population was also confirmed for the above variants.

[0293] Confirmatory costimulatory data for HFB3-1hz6-hG1, -14hz1c-hG1, and -18hz1-hG1 were also obtained, demonstrating that these variants had costimulatory effects on the proliferation of TCR-activated CD8 T cells (activated by CD3 / CD28 stimulation). Specifically, both the parent chimeric antibody and selected humanized variants enhanced CD8 T cell proliferation stimulated by CD3 / CD28 TCR activation. Furthermore, cooperation with TNFα (right panel) further enhanced anti-TNFR2 antibody-mediated CD8 proliferation. See Figure 20.

[0294] Example 10. Specific humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies induced NFκB signaling in Tregs Example 4 showed that binding of certain chimeric anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies to primary CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells costimulated NFκB signaling. Similar experiments here demonstrate that certain humanized variant anti-TNFR2 antibodies induced NFκB signaling in Tregs.

[0295] In particular, Figure 17 shows that costimulation of Tregs with specific humanized variant anti-TNFR2 antibodies and TNFα resulted in NFκB downstream signaling with LTA, TNF, and TNF AIP3. Variants HFB3-1hz6, -1hz9, -1hz10, and -1hz11 significantly enhanced NFκB signaling compared to the parent chimeric antibody HFB3-1. Meanwhile, variants HFB3-14hz1c, -14hz2c, -14hz3c, and -14hz4c (especially HFB3-14hz1c and -14hz3c) also significantly enhanced NFκB signaling compared to the parent chimeric antibody HFB3-14.

[0296] Example 11 Anti-TNFR2 antibodies are stable To confirm that the humanized anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention are stable on storage and therefore suitable for further development as therapeutics, various developability assays were performed on selected humanized antibodies.

[0297] In the first experiment, selected humanized antibodies of interest were stored in PBS (pH 7.4) at 25 or 40°C, and the stability of the various antibodies was determined on days 7 and 14. The results in Figure 18 showed that all antibodies tested were stable under the conditions tested, except for one variant, HFB3-14hz4c-hG1AA.

[0298] In a second experiment, the same antibodies were tested for stability under low pH conditions (100 mM AcH, pH 3.5, 25° C.) for 0, 3, and 6 hours. The results in Figure 18 again show that all antibodies tested were stable under the conditions tested, except for one variant, HFB3-14hz4c-hG1AA.

[0299] In a third experiment, the same antibodies were subjected to one, two, or three freeze-thaw cycles. The results in Figure 18 again showed that all antibodies tested were stable under the conditions tested, except for two variants (HFB3-1hz6-hG1AA and HFB3-1hz10-hG1AA).

[0300] The same experiment was repeated for HFB3-1hz6-hG1, -14hz1c-hG1, and -18hz1-hG1. All three variants were generally stable in the above three tests, except for HFB3-1hz6-hG1 and -18hz1-hG1, which began to degrade after 14 days.

[0301] Taken together, the data suggest that these variant humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention do not pose significant developability issues and are suitable for use as therapeutic antibodies.

[0302] Example 12 Anti-TNFR2 antibodies and their effects on T cells in humanized TNFR2 knock-in (KI) mice To better demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of the anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention, humanized TNFR2 knock-in (KI) mice were generated on a C57BL / 6 mouse background through a commercial service (Biocytogen, Wakefield, MA).

[0303] In the first series of experiments, ex vivo binding of selected humanized anti-TNFR2 antibodies to CD3 T cells from KI mice (TNFR2 KI CD3 T cells) was analyzed under costimulation with 1 μg / mL CD28 and either 0.2 or 1 μg / mL CD3. Results showed that 1 μg / mL CD3 activated splenocytes from KI mice better than 0.2 μg / mL CD3. Expression of human TNFR2 was significantly higher than that of KI CD3. + It can be detected in T cells, and its expression / detection can be enhanced under TNFα and mild (0.2 μg / mL) CD3 stimulation. Furthermore, a single 200 nM dose of each of six anti-TNFR2 antibodies (i.e., HFB3-1, -14, and -18, and their humanized variants -1hz6, -14hz1c, and -18hz1) showed no discernible difference in TNFR2 binding, likely due to saturating levels of binding. Data not shown.

[0304] The same ex vivo binding experiment was repeated with CD8 T cells isolated from TNFR2KI mice. Here, binding of anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies (including their chimeric and humanized versions) to TNFR2 could be observed under strong CD3 (1 μg / mL) stimulation. Meanwhile, TNFα enhanced TNFR2 binding under mild CD3 (0.2 μg / mL) stimulation. Data not shown.

[0305] Next, we investigated the ability of the anti-TNFR2 antibodies of the present invention (chimeric and humanized) to costimulate downstream signaling of TNFR KI CD8 and CD4 Tconv cells ex vivo in the presence of CD3 / CD28-mediated TCR activation and in the presence of TNFα.

[0306] Although the signal response from hTNFR2 knock-in (KI) mouse T cells was not as significant as that from human T cells, HFB3-1-hG1 and its humanized variant HFB3-1hz6-hG1 induced more responses than the other antibodies (see Figure 21). Of note, the lack of signal induction from the HFB3-18 series is expected.

[0307] The pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of the humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention (HFB3-1hz6-hG1, HFB3-141c-hG1, and HFB3-18hz1-hG1) were investigated in C57BL / 6 mice. All three humanized monoclonal antibodies demonstrated Tregs consistent with expectations for a functional antibody. 1 / 2 See below. [Table 1]

[0308] Example 13 Effect of humanized HFB3-1hz6-hG1 on ex vivo activation of natural killer (NK) cells This experiment demonstrates that the humanized HFB3-1hz6-hG1 antibody of the present invention costimulates natural killer (NK) cells in the presence of IL-2 / IL-15 or CD3 / CD28-mediated NK cell activation.

[0309] In one experiment, NK cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) donated by two human patients using an NK cell isolation kit (Miltenyi Biotec). NK cells were first stimulated with soluble IL-2 (10 ng / mL) and IL-15 (10 ng / mL) for 24 hours, and then treated with the isotype control antibody mouse HFB3-1-hG1, humanized HFB3-1-hz6-hG1, or anti-OX40 control antibody (BMS) at 22 nM, 66 nM, or 200 nM, respectively, for 16 hours. At the end of the experiment, the expression of CD107α and TNFR2 on the NK cell surface, which indicate NK cell degranulation and activation, was measured by FACS.

[0310] Both murine HFB3-1-hG1 and humanized HFB3-1-hz6-hG1 significantly increased NK cell activation in a dose-dependent manner. Anti-OX40 antibody failed to promote shorter NK activation (40 h after IL-2 / IL-15 stimulation), likely due to insufficient OX40 expression.

[0311] In another experiment, whole PBMCs from two human patients were costimulated with plate-bound anti-CD3 (1 μg / mL) and soluble anti-CD28 (1 μg / mL) for 48 hours, then treated with isotype control antibody, mouse HFB3-1-hG1, humanized HFB3-1-hz6-hG1, or anti-OX40 antibody (BMS) at 22 nM, 66 nM, or 200 nM, respectively, for 16 hours. CD107α expression was determined on CD3-negative / CD56-positive (i.e., NK cells). See Figure 23.

[0312] Similarly, HFB3-1-hG1 and HFB3-1-hz6-hG1 significantly increased CD107α expression in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that these antibodies can promote NK cell activation in whole PBMCs. Under prolonged activation (64 hours after anti-CD3 / CD28 stimulation), anti-OX40 antibody was able to activate NK cells.

[0313] These data indicate that both humanized HFB3-1-hz6-hG1 and parental murine HFB3-1-hG1 can promote NK cell activation.

[0314] Example 14 Pharmacodynamics of humanized HFB3-1hz6-hG1 in the MC38 tumor model The pharmacodynamics of HFB-1-hG1 were investigated using the MC38 colorectal cancer tumor model in humanized TNFR2-KI mice (see Figure 24A). Briefly, 8-week-old humanized TNFR2 KI mice were inoculated with approximately 5 x 10 MC38 tumor cells per mouse into the right anterior flank. Mice were randomized, and 7 days later, on day 0, mice (n = 5 per group) were intraperitoneally injected with HFB-1-hG1 at 10 mg / kg, 1 mg / kg, or 0.1 mg / kg, or with 1 mg / kg of an isotype control antibody. The same treatment was administered again on day 3. On day 4, mice were euthanized, and pharmacodynamic readings were performed on tumor and blood samples. FACS was used to classify tumor-infiltrating leukocytes and peripheral leukocytes and to determine receptor occupancy by the antibody.

[0315] After only two treatments on days 0 and 3, there was still no significant difference in tumor weight between treatments (Figure 24B, upper left panel). Administration of HFB3-1-hG1 at 10 mg / kg increased the absolute number of CD45+ cells present in the tumor (Figure 24B, lower left panel), but did not significantly increase the percentage of CD45+ cells among viable tumor cells (Figure 24B, lower right panel). Treatment with HFB3-1-hG1 at 10 mg / kg also increased the absolute numbers of CD8+, standard CD4+ T cells, and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment, but did not change the number of T regulatory cells (Figure 24C). Administration of HFB3-1-hG1 at other lower doses did not produce any observable effects.

[0316] TNFR2 receptor occupancy was determined for CD8 T cells, standard CD4 T cells, T regulatory cells, and NK cells in tumors and peripheral blood. In tumors, only the 10 mg / kg dose of HFB3-1-hG1 resulted in drug receptor occupancy on tumor T cells, while no occupancy was observed at doses of 1 and 0.1 mg / kg (see Figure 25A). However, receptor occupancy was observed on tumor NK cells at 1 mg / kg and 10 mg / kg. In peripheral blood, HFB3-1-hG1 at 10 mg / kg and 1 mg / kg doses resulted in equivalent drug receptor occupancy, while no significant occupancy was observed at the 0.1 mg / kg dose.

[0317] The pharmacokinetics of HFB3-1-hG1 was determined at the end of the experiment. HFB3-1-hG1 administration at doses of 1 and 10 mg / kg was detected in the blood on day 4. Notably, HFB3-1-hG1 at a dose of 10 mg / kg was retained at a much higher level than the isotype control at the same dose (see Figure 26A). Interestingly, administration of HFB3-1-hG1 at 10 mg / kg and 1 mg / kg also increased the amount of TNFR2 detectable in the blood (see Figure 26B). The TNFR2 in the blood was likely due to receptor shedding.

[0318] Overall, the data on short-term treatment of mice with HFB3-1-hG1 strongly suggested that HFB3-1-hG1 has the ability to stimulate immune cell activation and proliferation, effectively binds to the TNFR2 receptor on immune cells, and has good retention in the blood in vivo.

[0319] Example 15 Synergistic antitumor effect with anti-PD-1 antibody The anti-tumor efficacy of the humanized anti-TNFR2 monoclonal antibodies of the present invention was demonstrated in a widely used mouse colorectal cancer model in the background of humanized TNFR2 KI mice.

[0320] Specifically, 8-week-old humanized TNFR2 KI mice were inoculated with approximately 5 × 10 cells per mouse. 5MC38 tumor cells (derived from a C57BL6 mouse colon adenocarcinoma) were inoculated into the mice. Approximately 7 days later, on day 0, the average tumor size in the mice was approximately 89 mm 3 (74~98mm 3 ) were reached. Mice were then randomized into five experimental groups (n=8 per group) and administered one of the following: (1) isotype-matched control (TT-hG1AA); (2) anti-mPD-1 (RMP-1-14); (3) HFB3-1hz6-hG1; (4) HFB3-14hz1c-hG1; and (5) HFB3-18hz1-hG1. Antibodies were injected intraperitoneally (ip) at a dose of approximately 10 mg / kg for a total of seven injections on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 (Q3D, ×7). Tumor volumes were measured in the experimental groups over the course of the study. On or around day 21, the mean tumor volume in the isotype control group was >2000 mm 3 Upon reaching day 21, the experiment was terminated and all mice were sacrificed. Tumor volume over time is plotted for the various groups in Figures 27A and 27B. By day 21, statistical significance of tumor growth inhibition (TGI) was achieved in the groups of mice treated with HFB3-1hz6, HFB3-18hz1, and anti-PD-1 (RMP-14) (Figure 27B).

[0321] The results showed that the humanized antibodies HFB3-1hz6 and -hG1, and HFB3-18hz1-hG1 inhibited tumor growth as potently as the anti-mPD-1 antibody, while the other humanized antibodies were similarly effective, albeit to a slightly lesser extent. No obvious differences in body weight were observed between the different groups of experimental mice.

[0322] Similar results were obtained in a separate experiment using only anti-mPD-1 and HFB3-1hz6-hG1 versus isotype control (4 mice per group), Q3dx3 (10 mg / kg ip injection once every 3 days for a total of 3 doses). On day 6 (the final dose of antibody), tumor volumes were statistically significantly different between the isotype control group and the anti-mPD-1 and HFB3-1hz6-hG1 groups (based on a two-way ANOVA test). See Figure 28.

[0323] Furthermore, HFB3-1hz6-hG1 and anti-PD-1 antibodies synergistically suppressed tumor growth and extended mouse lifespan in an MC38 tumor model. Specifically, humanized TNRF2 KI mice were inoculated with MC38 cancer cells on day 7. Starting on day 0, mice were intraperitoneally injected every 3 days with an isotype control, HFB3-1hz6-hG1, or anti-mPD-1 antibody, alone or in combination (n=8 per group). Treatment with 3 and 10 mg / kg HFB3-1hz6-hG1 every 3 days for a total of seven doses (Q3d×7) and treatment with 10 mg / kg anti-PD-1 (RMP-14) every 3 days for a total of four doses (Q3d×4) significantly suppressed tumor growth and extended mouse lifespan compared to treatment with the isotype control. Furthermore, combined treatment with both HFB3-1hz6-hG1 (10 mg / kg, Q3dx7) and anti-PD-1 antibody (10 mg / kg, Q3dx4) resulted in better survival than treatment with anti-PD-1 antibody alone. See Figure 29. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance comparing treatment groups with isotype control.

[0324] Example 14 Toxicological Evaluation of Anti-TNFR2 Antibodies in Non-Human Primates The toxicology of humanized anti-TNFR2 antibodies was investigated using a non-human primate model: two cynomolgus monkeys per group were injected with a single dose of 15 mg / kg (low), 50 mg / kg (medium), and 150 mg / kg (high) of the humanized HFB3-1hz6-hG1 monoclonal antibody, after which plasma was collected at various time points up to 336 hours (day 14).

[0325] Toxicokinetic analysis of HFB3-1hz6-hG1 showed that the antibody was cleared over time. Compared to data reported for CD3xCD20 bispecific IgG at 3 mg / kg or less (dotted line), no increase in cytokines IL-6, IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α was observed after injection of 15, 50, or 150 mg / kg of HFB3-1hz6-hG1 (Figure 30).

[0326] Compared with the range of previous data from normal monkeys, no abnormalities were observed in the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, neutrophils, and lymphocytes after injection of 15, 50, or 150 mg / kg of HFB3-1hz6-hG1 (FIG. 31).

[0327] Toxicological evaluations to date have shown no discernible toxic effects from treatment of non-human primate subjects with HFB3-1hz6-hG1 at doses up to 150 mg / kg.

Claims

1. an isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is specific for human TNFR2; The monoclonal antibody: (1a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; (1b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6; or (2a) a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the HCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, the HCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and the HCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; (2b) a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the LCVR CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17, the LCVR CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, and the LCVR CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:

19. Including, The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

2. (1A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 7; and / or (1B) The LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 8, or (2A) the HCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO: 20; and / or (2B) The LCVR sequence is SEQ ID NO:

21. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 1.

3. The monoclonal antibody: (1a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9; and / or (1b) the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, or (2a) the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; and / or (2b) light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 3. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 1 or 2, having the following structure:

4. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a murine antibody, a human-mouse chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a CDR-grafted antibody, or a resurfaced antibody.

5. The antigen-binding fragment thereof may be Fab, Fab', F(ab') ２ , F ｄ , single chain Fv or scFv, disulfide-linked F ｖ , intrabody, IgGΔCH ２ , minibody, F(ab') ３ , tetrabody, triabody, diabody, DVD-Ig, mAb ２ , (scFv) ２ 5. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a scFv-Fc or scFv-Fc.

6. 6. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof cross-reacts with rhesus monkey TNFR2 but does not substantially cross-react with mouse TNFR2.

7. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof does not substantially cross-react with TNFR1.

8. 8. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which enhances binding between TNFα and TNFR2; enhances TNFα-mediated or costimulated NFκB signaling; and / or promotes proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells in the presence of Tregs.

9. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 8, which enhances TNFα-mediated CD25 expression on Tregs.

10. 10. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which binds to the epitope of SEQ ID NO:

13.

11. An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that competes with the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 10 for binding to the epitope of SEQ ID NO:

13.

12. An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to the epitope of SEQ ID NO:

13.

13. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 12, which enhances binding between TNFα and TNFR2; enhances TNFα-mediated or co-stimulated NFκB signaling; and / or promotes proliferation of TCR-activated effector T cells in the presence of Tregs.

14. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which promotes Treg expansion.

15. The isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which promotes the activation of natural killer cells.

16. 16. A pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer or an autoimmune disorder in a patient in need thereof, comprising the isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. 17. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, for treating cancer, wherein the composition is administered in combination with an immune checkpoint antagonist.

18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17, wherein the immune checkpoint is the PD-1 / PD-L1 immune checkpoint.

19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17 or 18, wherein the antagonist of the immune checkpoint is an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specific for PD-1 or PD-L1.

20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the antibody is an anti-PD-1 antibody or an anti-PD-L1 antibody.

21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 20, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody is cemiplimab, nivolumab, or pembrolizumab, and the anti-PD-L1 antibody is avelumab, durvalumab, atezolizumab, KN035, or CK-301.

22. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17 or 18, wherein said antagonist of said immune checkpoint is a (non-antibody) peptide inhibitor of PD-1 / PD-L1, or a small molecule inhibitor of PD-L1, or a macrocyclic peptide.

23. 23. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 22, wherein the peptide inhibitor is AUNP12, the small molecule inhibitor of PD-L1 is CA-170, and the macrocyclic peptide is BMS-986189.

24. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the cancer is melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, renal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, skin cancer, lymphoma, or leukemia.

25. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 17 to 24, which is administered in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent, an anti-angiogenic agent, a growth inhibitor, a tumor immunotherapeutic agent, and / or an anti-tumor composition.

26. A polynucleotide encoding the heavy or light chain or antigen-binding portion thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

27. 27. The polynucleotide of claim 26, which is codon-optimized for expression in human cells.

28. A vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim 26 or 27.

29. 29. The vector of claim 28, which is an expression vector.

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