Antibodies targeting ceacam1 and VEGF and uses thereof
Bispecific antibodies targeting CEACAM1 and VEGF enhance immune cell activation and inhibit tumor angiogenesis, addressing the limitations of current dual-targeting cancer therapies by stimulating anti-cancer immune responses.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2025/083893
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-21
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-25
AI Technical Summary
Current cancer therapies targeting both CEACAM1 and VEGF have limited success, necessitating the development of more effective dual-targeting agents to disrupt crucial pathways involved in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion.
Development of bispecific antibodies that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and VEGF, comprising specific variable domains and constant regions, with varying peptide chain configurations, to enhance immune cell activation and inhibit tumor angiogenesis.
The bispecific antibodies stimulate immune cell activation, reduce immune suppression, and inhibit cancer angiogenesis, providing a therapeutic approach for treating cancers with high CEACAM1 and VEGF expression.
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Figure PCTCN2025083893-FTAPPB-I100001 
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Figure PCTCN2025083893-FTAPPB-I100003
Abstract
Description
ANTIBODIES TARGETING CEACAM1 AND VEGF AND USES THEREOF
[0001] This application claims priority to PCT Patent Application No. PCT / CN2024 / 083088, filed March 21, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 1. Reference to Sequence Listing Submitted Electronically
[0002] This application incorporates by reference a Sequence Listing entitled 135A008WO02_SL. XML created on March 6, 2025 and having a size of 157, 531 bytes.2. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to molecular biology and immunology. Provided herein include bispecific antibodies targeting CEACAM1 and VEGF, as well as uses thereof in treating human diseases, e.g., cancer.3.Background
[0004] Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is a member of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family of immunoglobulin (Ig) like transmembrane glycoproteins. CEACAM1 is expressed on tumor cells and immune cells such as T cells, NK cells, and certain macrophages, and is closely involved with immune regulation, tumorigenesis, and pathogen binding. Specifically, CEACAM1 appears to play a role in immune suppression and immune cell exhaustion, and therefore holds great promise as a therapeutic target for cancer.
[0005] Simultaneously, the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) pathway plays a pivotal role in tumor angiogenesis. By promoting neovascularization, VEGF not only ensures an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen to the tumor but also facilitates its metastatic spread. Consequently, strategies aimed at inhibiting VEGF signaling have garnered significant attention in cancer therapy, leading to the development of several successful anti-angiogenic agents.
[0006] However, the complexity of cancer biology often renders monotherapies insufficient in achieving durable responses. Agents targeting both CEACAM1 and VEGF can potentially overcome such insufficiency by simultaneously disrupting crucial pathways involved in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. However, currently, there has been limited success in the development of CEACAM1 and VEGF-dual targeting therapeutic options. Accordingly, there is an unmet need for additional therapeutic options for cancer patients, especially for CEACAM1 and VEGF-dual targeting agents. The compositions and methods provided herein meet these needs and provide other relative advantages.4.Summary
[0007] Provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising (i) a first light chain variable domain (VL1) and a first heavy chain variable domain (VH1) , wherein the VL1 / VH1 pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1, and wherein the VL1 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 61, 62 and 63, respectively, and wherein the VH1 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 64, 65, and 66, respectively; and (ii) a second light chain variable domain (VL2) and a second heavy chain variable domain (VH2) , wherein the VL2 / VH2 pair specifically binds to human VEGF; and wherein the VL2 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 67, 68, and 69, respectively, and wherein the VH2 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 70, 71, and 72, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.
[0008] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a heavy chain constant (CH) region and a single chain variable fragment (scFv) , wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a linker, and VH2; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a light chain constant (CL) region. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies comprise: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a CH region and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a linker, and VL2; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a CL region. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies comprise: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a linker, and VH1; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies comprise: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a linker, and VL1; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region.
[0009] In some embodiments, the linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56. In some embodiments, the scFv is connected to the CH region via a second linker. In some embodiments, the second linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56.
[0010] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies wherein (1) the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO:11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) . In some embodiments, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions. In some embodiments, the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.
[0011] In some embodiments, HC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101, and LC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102.
[0012] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, VH2, and a CH region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) ; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, VH1, and a CH region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a CH1 domain; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region. In some embodiments, the HC2 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the HC2 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus.
[0013] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein (1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; (2) the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (3) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO:11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or any combination of (1) - (3) . In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are both Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) . In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:15) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions. In some embodiments, the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.
[0014] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104; and LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105.
[0015] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0016] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0017] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0018] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0019] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region further comprises T366S and L368A substitutions. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Hole-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Knob-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region further comprise L234A and L235A substitutions.
[0020] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.
[0021] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein (1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the first and second CH1 domain are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) . In some embodiments, the first CL region is Cκwith R108A and T109S substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 6) . In some embodiments, the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO:7) . In some embodiments, the first CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments, the second CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16) .
[0022] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109.
[0023] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113.
[0024] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0025] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0026] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0027] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0028] In some embodiments, the LC1 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the LC1 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region further comprises T366S and L368A substitutions. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Hole-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Knob-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region further comprise L234A and L235A substitutions. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1 has a substitution or deletion in C220. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1 has deletion of E216, P217, K218, S219, and C220.
[0029] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.
[0030] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively; wherein E216, P217, K218, S219, and C220 are deleted in the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1.
[0031] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein the (1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the first and second CH1 domain are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions; or both (1) and (2) . In some embodiments, the first CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) . In some embodiments, the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7) . In some embodiments, the first CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16) . In some embodiments, the second CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0032] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 114; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 116; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 117.
[0033] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 118; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 120; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 121.
[0034] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a CH region, a linker, VL2, a first CL region; (2) a second peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a CH1 domain; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0035] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, a linker, VL1, a first CL region; (2) a second peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a CH1 domain; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0036] In some embodiments, the LC1 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the LC1 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus. In some embodiments, the linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56.
[0037] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein (1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; (2) the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (3) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO:11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or any combination of (1) - (3) . In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) . In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions. In some embodiments, the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.
[0038] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 122; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124.
[0039] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 125; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127.
[0040] In some embodiments, provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0041] In some embodiments, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding a peptide chain of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes all peptide chains of the bispecific antibody. In some embodiments, a plurality of the polynucleotide collectively encodes all peptide chains of the bispecific antibody.
[0042] In some embodiments, provided herein are vectors comprising the polynucleotide disclosed herein.
[0043] In some embodiments, provided herein are cells comprising the polynucleotide or plurality of polynucleotides disclosed herein, or the vector disclosed herein.
[0044] In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of making a bispecific antibody that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, comprising culturing the cell disclosed herein under conditions that allow expression of the bispecific antibody. In some embodiments, the method comprises isolating the antibody or antigen-binding fragment from the culture.
[0045] In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of inducing or stimulating immune cell activation and / or proliferation, comprising contacting an immune cell with an effective amount of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of reducing suppression of an immune cell comprising contacting the immune cell with an effective amount of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the immune cell is a T cell, an NK cell, an NKT cell, or a myeloid cell. In some embodiments, the immune cell is a T cell. In some embodiments, the immune cell is a NK cell. In some embodiments, the immune cell is a myeloid cell, wherein the myeloid cell is a macrophage or a dendritic cell.
[0046] In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of stimulating anti-cancer immunity in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of inhibiting cancer angiogenesis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering an additional therapy to the subject. In some embodiments, the subject is a human.
[0047] In some embodiments, provided herein are uses of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein in cancer treatment. In some embodiments, provided herein are uses of the bispecific antibody disclosed herein for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cancer.
[0048] In some embodiments, the cancer is a hematological cancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is a solid tumor. In some embodiments, the cancer has a high degree of microsatellite instability. In some embodiments, the cancer is a CEACAM1 expressing cancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is a VEGF expressing cancer.5.Brief Description of Drawings
[0049] FIGs. 1A-1E provide diagrams illustrating the five different types of bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. (N) : the N-terminus; (C) : the C-terminus; (L) : linker; VH: heavy chain variable domain; VL: light chain variable domain; CH: heavy chain constant region; CL: light chain constant region; CH1, CH2, and CH3: heavy chain constant domain 1, heavy chain constant domain 2, and heavy chain constant domain 3; mAb: monoclonal antibody; VH (a) or VH (b) : VH of mAba or mAbb; scFv (a) or (b) : scFv of mAba or mAbb.
[0050] FIG. 1A illustrates the “IgG-scFv” format, which includes two pairs of two distinct peptides, a first peptide chain (HC) and a second peptide chain (LC) , with the configurations shown below: HC: (N) -VH (a) -CH- (L) -scFv (b) - (C) LC: (N) -VL (a) -CL- (C)
[0051] FIG. 1B illustrates the “Epimab” format, which includes two pairs of three distinct peptides, a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , and a third peptide chain (LC1) with the configurations shown below: HC1: (N) -VL (b) -CL-VH (a) -CH- (C) HC2: (N) -VH (b) -CH1- (C) LC1: (N) -VL (a) -CL- (C)
[0052] FIG. 1C illustrates the “CrossmabVH-VL” format, which includes four distinct peptides, a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , with the configurations shown below: HC1: (N) -VL (a) -CH1-Fc (Knob) - (C) HC2: (N) -VH (b) -CH1-Fc (Hole) - (C) LC1: (N) -VH (a) -CL- (C) LC2: (N) -VL (b) -CL- (C)
[0053] FIG. 1D illustrates the “CrossmabFab” format, which includes four distinct peptides, a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , with the configurations shown below: HC1: (N) -VL (a) -CL-Fc (Knob) - (C) HC2: (N) -VH (b) -CH1-Fc (Hole) - (C) LC1: (N) -VH (a) -CH1- (C) LC2: (N) -VL (b) -CL- (C)
[0054] FIG. 1E illustrates the “2+2 Fab” format, which includes two pairs of three distinct peptides, a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (LC1) , and a third peptide chain (LC2) with the configurations shown below: HC1: (N) -VH (a) -CH-VL (b) -CL- (C) LC1: (N) -VH (b) -CH1- (C) LC2: (N) -VL (a) -CL- (C)
[0055] FIG. 2 provides results of Gator analysis showing the association and dissociation curves of soluble CEACAM3, CEACAM5, CEACAM6 and CEACAM8 interacting with the immobilized antibodies.
[0056] FIG. 3 provides results of NK killing assay showing the effect of candidate bispecific antibodies on the killing efficacy of NK-92 against target cells.
[0057] FIGs. 4A-4B provide results of binding assay showing that VEGF enhanced binding of candidate bispecific antibodies to CEACAM1 positive tumor cells.
[0058] FIGs. 5A-5B provide results of IHC staining assay showing the binding ability of CEACAM1 antibodies. FIG. 5A shows IHC staining of2C10 and CM24 on sections of BxPC-3 / PBMC tumor tissues. FIG. 5B shows quantified integrated option density.6.Detailed Description
[0059] The present disclosure provides bispecific antibodies that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of such bispecific antibodies, methods of uses of the bispecific antibodies or the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein for treating cancer are also provided.
[0060] CEACAM1, or CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) -related cell adhesion molecule 1, is a highly glycosylated, cell surface anchored, intracellular, and intercellular signaling molecule with diverse functions, from cell differentiation and transformation to modulating immune responses associated with infection, inflammation, and cancer. CEACAM1 contain an N-terminal V set fold from the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, up to three type 2 immunoglobulins, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain, which facilitate adhesion through homophilic and / or heterophilic (CEACAM1-CEACAM5) interactions.
[0061] CEACAM1 comprises several isoforms through alternative splicing, differing in the amount of extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains and the length of the cytoplasmic tail. The short tail isoform (CEACAM1-S) does not have any immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) , but contains sequences that can bind to calmodulin, tropomyosin, and F-actin. The long tail variant (CEACAM1-L) has two ITIMs that negatively regulate signaling from various activating receptors, including the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) .
[0062] CEACAM1 has several binding targets: intracellularly, it forms cis-dimers, which are essential in cytoplasmic signaling. CEACAM1 initially undergoes trans-homophilic (CEACAM1-CEACAM1) , or trans-heterophilic (CEACAM-CEA Family Member) dimerization, and can bind to other proteins and microbes. ITIMs on CEACAM1-L bind to other extracellular ligands, including other CEACAM family members and CEACAM1, suppressing immune cells and allowing immune evasion by cancer cells. CEACAM1 also downregulates natural killer cells and is involved in developing and differentiating a variety of myeloid-derived immune cells. CEACAM1 is a regulator of TIM-3, binding to TIM-3 through its N-terminal domain, forming a heterodimer, and facilitating the maturation and cell surface expression of TIM-3, which inhibits T cell activation and prevents the development of exhaustion-resistant and hyperinflammatory T cells. CEACAM1 also plays a regulatory role in NK-cell-mediated cytolysis, evading NK cells by promoting intracellular retention of several NKG2D ligands.
[0063] High CEACAM1 expression occurs in a variety of cancers such as melanoma, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, bladder, and thyroid cancer and is associated with worse tumor progression, metastasis and poor clinical prognosis. CEACAM1 expression has also been strongly correlated with distant metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. CEACAM1 expression on tumors promotes CEACAM1-mediated inhibition of T and NK cells. Consequently, inhibiting CEACAM1 activity can inhibit tumor cell metastasis and the formation of a cancer stem cell niche.
[0064] CEACAM1 is also expressed in certain immune system cells and plays a role in immune suppression and immune cell exhaustion. High CEACAM1 expression on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and other tumor infiltrating immune cells from gastric, lung, melanoma, colorectal cancer and glioma, for example, is associated with a poor prognosis. CEACAM1-L is the dominant isoform expressed in most T cells and acts as an inhibitory receptor downregulating T cell activation and suppressing T cell functions. As such, inhibition of CEACAM1 on T-cells can recover T cell activity and increase anti-tumor responses. CEACAM1 is further expressed on NK cells, which are lymphocytes involved in innate immunity, participating in early control of viral infection and immune-surveillance of tumors. When CEACAM1 is present on the surface of both NK and melanoma cells, the CEACAM1 interactions lead to an inhibition of NK-mediated killing, independent of MHC class I expression. As such, disruption of this homophilic CEACAM1 interaction can be beneficial for restoring the NK-mediated immune response.
[0065] CEACAM1 expression on subsets of macrophages is further associated with fibrosis in the tumor microenvironment. CEACAM1 also regulates other stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment such as the vascular endothelium. Therefore, inhibiting interactions of CEACAM1 with its binding partners can further inhibit fibrosis and angiogenesis.
[0066] Full length human CEACAM1 Isoform 1 is a 526 amino acid protein (Uniprot Accession No.P13688-1, SEQ ID NO: 97; long) , which contains an extracellular domain (amino acids 35-428) , a transmembrane domain (amino acids 429-452) , and a cytoplasmic domain (amino acids 453-526) . The extracellular domain includes one Ig-like V-type domain (amino acids 35-142) and three Ig-like C2 domains (amino acids 145-232, 237-317, and 323-413) .
[0067] More information about human CEACAM1 can be found on public databases with the following IDs: HGNC: 1814; NCBI Entrez Gene: 634; Ensembl: ENSG00000079385; 109770; UniProtKB / Swiss-Prot: P13688. Eleven (11) alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms are described for the human CEACAM1 gene (Uniprot NOs: P13688-1 to P13688-11) .
[0068] Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) , also known as VEGFA, belongs to a family of growth factors that also includes VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and placental growth factor (PlGF) and plays a crucial role in angiogenesis. In cancer, VEGF expression is often dysregulated, leading to excessive angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment. This aberrant angiogenesis is critical for tumor growth and metastasis, as it provides the tumor with oxygen and nutrients while facilitating the dissemination of cancer cells to distant sites.
[0069] VEGF promotes angiogenesis through several mechanisms. It stimulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival, leading to the formation of new blood vessels. Additionally, VEGF increases vascular permeability, allowing plasma proteins and cells to extravasate into the surrounding tissue, a process known as vascular leakage or vascular permeability, which can further fuel tumor growth and metastasis.
[0070] Given its central role in tumor angiogenesis and progression, VEGF has emerged as a prominent target in cancer therapy. Several strategies have been developed to inhibit VEGF signaling and disrupt tumor-associated angiogenesis, including, e.g., monoclonal antibodies that prevent its interaction with its receptors on endothelial cells, VEGF Receptor (VEGFR) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) that target the intracellular kinase domain of VEGFRs. While VEGF-targeted therapies have shown efficacy in various cancer types, including colorectal, lung, breast, and renal cell carcinoma, challenges such as resistance development and adverse effects remain significant concerns.
[0071] Human VEGF has a number of isoforms produced by alternative promoter usages, alternative splicing, and alternative initiation. A subset of isoforms are produced by use of an alternative upstream CUG codon, giving rise to long isoforms which have an N-terminal extension compared to the classical shorter AUG-initiated forms. These longer forms are post-translationally processed to produce an N-terminal N-VEGF chain and a C-terminal VEGFA chain. Exemplified below is the canonical sequence (Uniprot Accession No. P15692-13, SEQ ID NO: 98) .
[0072] More information about human VEGF can be found on public databases with the following IDs: HGNC: 12680; NCBI Gene: 7422; Ensembl: ENSG00000112715; 192240; UniProtKB / Swiss-Prot: P15692.
[0073] Provided herein are bispecific antibodies that bind both CEACAM1 and VEGF. The CEACAM1 binder can specifically bind to both CEACAM1 and CEACAM5, which are highly expressed in multiple cancers, thereby enriching the antibody in tumorous tissues. CEACAM1 positive cancer cells can induce the expression of CEACAM1 in immune cells such as T cells and NK cells, further suppressing their activities by such contact-mediated inhibition. It was discovered that by targeting CEACAM1, the bispecific antibodies provided herein could restore activities of T cells and NK cells that were suppressed by CEACAM1-mediated signaling. Additionally, indirectly via VEGF, the cross-linker in tumor microenvironment (TME) , the VEGF binder of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein further promoted and strengthened the interaction between the CEACAM1 and the CEACAM1 binder of the bispecific antibodies. Indeed, the interaction between the CEACAM1 and the bispecific antibodies provided herein appeared to be dose-dependent on the VEGF concentration. Together, the bispecific antibodies provided herein provide surprising and synergist anti-tumor response in mouse models, even compared to the combination of anti-VEGF antibody and anti-CEACAM1 antibody.
[0074] Further, the bispecific antibody targeting CEACAM1 and VEGF provided herein functions in tumor immunity and angiogenesis modulation in the tumor microenvironment. CEACAM1 is detected on leukocytes, epithelia, and endothelia and is involved in cell adhesion through homophilic or heterophilic binding. In various gastrointestinal cancers, NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) , and melanoma, CEACAM1 is highly expressed on tumor cells and tumor stroma, with its levels increasing as the disease progresses. Notably, CEACAM1 has been found to dampen T and NK cell functions while promoting tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. It was discovered that the CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibody provided herein, developed using a bifunctional molecule engineering platform designed to target and modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) , effectively accumulated in the TME and hindered the homophilic or heterophilic interactions of CEACAM1. It demonstrated a significant enhancement in T cell activities and NK cell-mediated killing of CEACAM1-expressing tumor cells, and the inhibition of tumor cell migration and polyploidy through macrophages. More importantly, the bispecific antibody disclosed herein was specifically designed to impede tumor angiogenesis. It exhibited an increased binding capacity to both CEACAM1 and VEGF in pro-angiogenic TME, and undermined intratumoral vessel maturation by blocking VEGF and negatively regulating myeloid cell-dependent tumor angiogenesis. Further, anti-VEGF antibody and anti-CEACAM1 antibody might have synergistic effect in angiogenesis inhibition. The bispecific antibody provided herein could inhibit tumor multi-directionally and synergistically.
[0075] Before the present disclosure is further described, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments set forth herein, and it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. 6.1 Definitions
[0076] Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in the present disclosures shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Generally, nomenclatures used in connection with, and techniques of, cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics and protein and nucleic acid chemistry and hybridization described herein are those well-known and commonly used in the art.
[0077] The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity; for example, “an antibody, ” is understood to represent one or more antibodies.
[0078] The term “and / or” where used herein is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. Thus, the term “and / or” as used in a phrase such as “A and / or B” herein is intended to include “A and B, ” “A or B, ” “A” (alone) , and B” (alone) . Likewise, the term “and / or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and / or C” is intended to encompass each of the following aspects: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone) ; B (alone) ; and C (alone) .
[0079] The terms “polypeptide, ” “peptide, ” “protein, ” “polypeptide chain, ” “peptide chain, ” and their grammatical equivalents as used interchangeably herein refer to polymers of amino acids of any length, which can be linear or branched. It can include unnatural or modified amino acids or be interrupted by non-amino acids. A polypeptide, peptide, polypeptide chain, peptide chain, or protein can also be modified with, for example, disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation or modification.
[0080] The terms “polynucleotide, ” “nucleic acid, ” and their grammatical equivalents as used interchangeably herein mean polymers of nucleotides of any length and include DNA and RNA. The nucleotides can be deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, modified nucleotides or bases, and / or their analogs, or any substrate that can be incorporated into a polymer by DNA or RNA polymerase.
[0081] The term “variant” as used herein in relation to a protein or a polypeptide with particular sequence features (the “reference protein” or “reference polypeptide” ) refers to a different protein or polypeptide having one or more (such as, for example, about 1 to about 25, about 1 to about 20, about 1 to about 15, about 1 to about 10, or about 1 to about 5) amino acid substitutions, deletions, and / or additions as compared to the reference protein or reference polypeptide. The changes to an amino acid sequence can be amino acid substitutions. The changes to an amino acid sequence can be conservative amino acid substitutions. A functional fragment or a functional variant of a protein or polypeptide maintains the basic structural and functional properties of the reference protein or polypeptide.
[0082] The term “specifically binds, ” as used herein, means that a polypeptide or molecule interacts more frequently, more rapidly, with greater duration, with greater affinity, or with some combination of the above to the epitope, protein, or target molecule than with alternative substances, including related and unrelated proteins. A binding moiety (e.g., antibody) that specifically binds a target molecule (e.g., antigen) can be identified, for example, by immunoassays, ELISAs, Bio-Layer Interferometry ( “BLI” ) , SPR (e.g., Biacore) , or other techniques known to those of skill in the art. Typically, a specific reaction will be at least twice background signal or noise and can be more than 10 times background. See, e.g., Paul, ed., 1989, FUNDAMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY SECOND EDITION, Raven Press, New York at pages 332-336 for a discussion regarding antibody specificity. A binding moiety that specifically binds a target molecule can bind the target molecule at a higher affinity than its affinity for a different molecule. In some embodiments, a binding moiety that specifically binds a target molecule can bind the target molecule with an affinity that is at least 20 times greater, at least 30 times greater, at least 40 times greater, at least 50 times greater, at least 60 times greater, at least 70 times greater, at least 80 times greater, at least 90 times greater, or at least 100 times greater, than its affinity for a different molecule. In some embodiments, a binding moiety that specifically binds a particular target molecule binds a different molecule at such a low affinity that binding cannot be detected using an assay described herein or otherwise known in the art. In some embodiments, “specifically binds” means, for instance, that a binding moiety binds a molecule target with a KD of about 0.1 mM or less. In some embodiments, “specifically binds” means that a polypeptide or molecule binds a target with a KD of at about 10μM or less or about 1μM or less. In some embodiments, “specifically binds” means that a polypeptide or molecule binds a target with a KD of at about 0.1μM or less, about 0.01μM or less, or about 1 nM or less. Because of the sequence identity between homologous proteins in different species, specific binding can include a polypeptide or molecule that recognizes a protein or target in more than one species. Likewise, because of homology within certain regions of polypeptide sequences of different proteins, specific binding can include a polypeptide or molecule that recognizes more than one protein or target. It is understood that, in some embodiments, a binding moiety (e.g., antibody) that specifically binds a first target may or may not specifically bind a second target. As such, “specific binding” does not necessarily require (although it can include) exclusive binding, i.e., binding to a single target. Thus, a binding moiety (e.g., antibody) can, in some embodiments, specifically bind more than one target. For example, an antibody can, in certain instances, comprise two identical antigen-binding sites, each of which specifically binds the same epitope on two or more proteins. In certain alternative embodiments, an antibody can be bispecific and comprise at least two antigen-binding sites with differing specificities.
[0083] The term “binding affinity” as used herein generally refers to the strength of the sum total of noncovalent interactions between a binding moiety and a target molecule (e.g., antigen) . The binding of a binding moiety and a target molecule is a reversible process, and the affinity of the binding is typically reported as an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) . KD is the ratio of a dissociation rate (koff or kd) to the association rate (kon or ka) . The lower the KD of a binding pair, the higher the affinity. A variety of methods of measuring binding affinity are known in the art, any of which can be used for purposes of the present disclosure. Specific illustrative embodiments include the following. In some embodiments, the “KD” or “KD value” can be measured by assays known in the art, for example by a binding assay. The KD may be measured in a radiolabeled antigen binding assay (RIA) (Chen, et al., (1999) J. Mol Biol 293: 865-881) . The KD or KD value can also be measured by using biolayer interferometry (BLI) using, for example, the Gator system (Probe Life) , or the Octet-96 system (Sartorius AG) . The KD or KD value can also be measured by using surface plasmon resonance assays (SPR) by Biacore, using, for example, a BIAcoreTM-2000 or a BIAcoreTM-3000 BIAcore, Inc., Piscataway, NJ) .
[0084] The terms “identical, ” percent “identity, ” and their grammatical equivalents as used herein in the context of two or more polynucleotides or polypeptides, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of nucleotides or amino acid residues that are the same, when compared and aligned (introducing gaps, if necessary) for maximum correspondence, not considering any conservative amino acid substitutions as part of the sequence identity. The percent identity can be measured using sequence comparison software or algorithms or by visual inspection. Various algorithms and software that can be used to obtain alignments of amino acid or nucleotide sequences are well-known in the art. These include, but are not limited to, BLAST, ALIGN, Megalign, BestFit, GCG Wisconsin Package, and variants thereof. In some embodiments, two polynucleotides or polypeptides provided herein are substantially identical, meaning they have at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, and in some embodiments at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%nucleotide or amino acid residue identity, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using a sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection. In some embodiments, identity exists over a region of the amino acid sequences that is at least about 10 residues, at least about 20 residues, at least about 40-60 residues, at least about 60-80 residues in length or any integral value there between. In some embodiments, identity exists over a longer region than 60-80 residues, such as at least about 80-100 residues, and in some embodiments the sequences are substantially identical over the full length of the sequences being compared, such as the coding region of a target protein or an antibody. In some embodiments, identity exists over a region of the nucleotide sequences that is at least about 10 bases, at least about 20 bases, at least about 40-60 bases, at least about 60-80 bases in length or any integral value there between. In some embodiments, identity exists over a longer region than 60-80 bases, such as at least about 80-1000 bases or more, and in some embodiments the sequences are substantially identical over the full length of the sequences being compared, such as a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest.
[0085] A polypeptide, peptide, protein, antibody, polynucleotide, vector, cell, or composition which is “isolated” is a polypeptide, peptide, protein, antibody, polynucleotide, vector, cell, or composition which is in a form not found in nature. Isolated polypeptides, peptides, proteins, antibodies, polynucleotides, vectors, cells, or compositions include those which have been purified to a degree that they are no longer in a form in which they are found in nature. In some embodiments, a polypeptide, peptide, protein, antibody, polynucleotide, vector, cell, or composition which is isolated is substantially pure.
[0086] Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.
[0087] Exemplary genes and polypeptides are described herein with reference to GenBank numbers, GI numbers and / or SEQ ID NOS. It is understood that one skilled in the art can readily identify homologous sequences by reference to sequence sources, including but not limited to Uniprot (https: / / www. uniprot. org / ) , GenBank (ncbi. nlm. nih. gov / genbank / ) and EMBL (embl. org / ) . 6.2 Bispecific antibodies
[0088] Provided herein are bispecific antibodies that specifically bind both human CEACAM1 and human VEGF. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein are monoclonal antibodies. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein are isolated. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein are substantially pure. 6.2.1 General
[0089] As used herein and understood in the art, an “antibody” is an immunoglobulin molecule that recognizes and specifically binds a target (e.g., a protein) through at least one antigen-binding fragment which is typically within the variable region of the immunoglobulin molecule. An “antibody” can be of many different types and structures. For example, antibodies can be polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies, bispecific antibodies, monospecific antibodies, monovalent antibodies, or any other modified immunoglobulin molecule comprising an antigen-binding site. Antibodies also include, but are not limited to, mouse antibodies, camel antibodies, chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, and human antibodies. An antibody can be any of the five major classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, or subclasses (isotypes) thereof (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 and IgA2) , based on the identity of their heavy-chain constant domains referred to as alpha, delta, epsilon, gamma, and mu, respectively. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the term “antibody” as used herein include “antigen-binding fragment” of intact antibodies. The term “antigen-binding fragment” as used herein refers to a portion or fragment of an intact antibody that is the antigenic determining variable region of an intact antibody. Examples of antigen-binding fragments include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab', F (ab’ ) 2, Fv, linear antibodies, single chain antibody molecules (e.g., scFv) , heavy chain antibodies (HCAbs) , light chain antibodies (LCAbs) , disulfide-linked scFv (dsscFv) , diabodies, tribodies, tetrabodies, minibodies, dual variable domain antibodies (DVD) , single variable domain antibodies (sdAbs; e.g., camelid antibodies, alpaca antibodies) , and single variable domain of heavy chain antibodies (VHH) .
[0090] As used herein and understood in the art, a “bispecific” antibody is an artificial hybrid antibody having two different antigen binding fragments. In some embodiments, the two different antigen binding fragments specifically bind two different target antigens. In some embodiments, the two different antigen binding fragments specifically bind two different epitopes on the same target antigen. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein comprise an antigen binding fragment that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and an antigen binding fragment that that specifically binds to human VEGF. Bispecific antibodies can be formed from antibody fragments.
[0091] The structure of immunoglobulins has been well characterized (see, e.g., FUNDAMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY Ch. 7 (Paul, W., ed., 2nd ed. Raven Press, N. Y. (1989) ) . Typically, immunoglobulins comprise two pairs of polypeptide chains, one pair of light (L; low molecular weight) chains and one pair of heavy (H; high molecular weight) chains, all four inter-connected by disulfide bonds.
[0092] Each light chain of an immunoglobulin typically includes a light chain variable region ( “VL region” ) and a light chain constant region ( “CL region” ) . There are two distinct types of light chains, referred to as kappa (κ) of lambda (λ) based on the amino acid sequence of the CL region. The amino acid sequences of the CL regions are well known in the art.
[0093] Each heavy chain typically includes a heavy chain variable region (a “VH region” ) and a heavy chain constant region (a “CH region” ) . The VH region can be one of five distinct types, referred to as alpha (α) , delta (δ) , epsilon (ε) , gamma (γ) and mu (μ) , based on the amino acid sequence. When combined with a light chain, these distinct types of heavy chains give rise to five well known classes of antibodies, IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM, respectively. There are four subclasses of IgG, namely, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4. The amino acid sequences of the CH regions of different classes of antibodies are well known in the art.
[0094] The CH region of immunoglobulins comprise more than one domain. For example, the CH region of an IgG antibody is comprised of three domains, heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1) , heavy chain constant domain 2 (CH2) , and heavy chain constant domain 3 (CH3) . The highly flexible region between the CH1 and CH2 domains is referred to as the “hinge region. ” Disulfide bonds in the hinge region are part of the interactions between two heavy chains in an immunoglobulin. The “Fc region” refers to the C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain that contains at least a portion of the constant region. In IgG, IgA and IgD isotypes, the Fc region is comprised of the hinge region, the CH2 domain and the CH3 domain; IgM and IgE Fc regions contain three heavy chain constant domains (CH domains 2-4) . The amino acid sequences of the Fc region of human IgG, IgA, IgD, IgM and IgE, and subtypes IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the Fc region of an IgG heavy chain can extend from the hinge region to the carboxyl-terminus of the heavy chain. The native Fc regions can be modified. Modification of the Fc regions are further described below. In some embodiments, a bispecific antibody provided herein can comprise paired Fc domains comprising paired different modifications that promote their association with each other, instead of forming homodimers.
[0095] Unless otherwise stated or contradicted by context, reference to amino acid positions in the constant regions is according to the EU-numbering (Edelman et al., PNAS. 1969; 63: 78-85, Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition. 1991 NIH Publication No. 91-3242) . A list of exemplary amino acid sequences for constant domains / regions of the human IgG antibodies is provided below. Some exemplary variants are also included, with more variants disclosed in sections below.
[0096] Table 1A. Native human IgG constant regions / domains.
[0097] Table 1B. Exemplary variants of human IgG constant regions / domains.
[0098] The term “variable region” refers to a portion of the light or heavy chains of an immunoglobulin that is generally located at the amino-terminal of the light or heavy chain and used in the binding and specificity of each particular antibody for its particular antigen. The variable region of a light chain is referred to as a “light chain variable region” or “VL region, ” which includes at least one, typically one, “light chain variable domain” or “VL. ” The variable region of a heavy chain is referred to as a “heavy chain variable region” or “VH region, ” which includes at least one, typically one, “heavy chain variable domain” or “VH. ” The variable domains differ extensively in sequence between different antibodies. A “pair of VL and VH” can associate with each other and form a binding site that specifically binds the target antigen or epitope.
[0099] The VH and VL regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability (or hypervariable regions which may be hypervariable in sequence and / or form of structurally defined loops) , also termed complementarity determining regions (CDRs) , interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed framework regions (FRs) . The variability in sequence is concentrated in the CDRs while the less variable portions in the variable domain are referred to as framework regions (FR) . The CDRs of the light and heavy chains are primarily responsible for the interaction of the antibody with antigen. Each VH and VL is typically composed of three CDRs and four FRs, arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4 (see also Chothia and Lesk, JMol Biol. 1987; 196: 901-17) .
[0100] A CDR refers to one of three hypervariable regions (H1, H2 or H3) within the non-framework region of the immunoglobulin (Ig or antibody) VHβ-sheet framework, or one of three hypervariable regions (L1, L2 or L3) within the non-framework region of the antibody VLβ-sheet framework. CDR regions are well known to those skilled in the art and have been defined by a variety of methods / systems. These systems and / or definitions include, for example, Kabat, Chothia, IMGT, AbM, and Contact. For example, Kabat defines the regions of most hypervariability within the antibody variable (V) domains (Kabat et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252: 6609-6616 (1977) ; Kabat, Adv. Prot. Chem. 32: 1-75 (1978) ) . Software programs (e.g., abYsis) are available and known to those of skill in the art for analysis of antibody sequence and determination of CDRs.
[0101] A single chain Fv ( “scFv” ) polypeptide is a covalently linked VL / VH heterodimer which is usually expressed from a gene fusion including VL and VH-encoding genes linked by a peptide-encoding linker. The scFv fragment includes CDRs that are held in appropriate conformation, in particular by using gene recombination techniques. In some embodiments of scFvs, the N-terminus of VL is linked to the C-terminus of the VH via a linker. In some embodiments of scFvs, the N-terminus of VH is linked to the C-terminus of the VL via a linker.
[0102] The term “linker” as used herein refers to one or more amino acid residues inserted between domains (e.g., immunoglobulin domains) to provide sufficient mobility for the domains. A linker can be inserted at the transition between variable domains or between variable and constant domains, respectively, at the sequence level. Some exemplary linkers are provided below. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein are not limited by the specific linkers exemplified herein. Any peptide linker with the appropriate length and flexibility that allow the VL / VH pair to properly form the antigen-binding site can be used.
[0103] Table 1C. Exemplary linkers.
[0104] The term “humanized antibody” as used herein refers to forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies that are specific immunoglobulin chains, chimeric immunoglobulins, or fragments thereof that contain minimal non-human sequences. Typically, humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins. In some instances, the variable region residues of a human immunoglobulin are replaced with the corresponding residues in an antibody from a non-human species. In some instances, residues of the CDRs are replaced by residues from the CDRs of a non-human species (e.g., mouse, rat, hamster, camel) that have the desired specificity, affinity, and / or binding capability. The humanized antibody can be further modified by the substitution of additional residues either in the variable region and / or within the replaced non-human residues to refine and optimize antibody specificity, affinity, and / or binding capability.
[0105] Bispecific antibodies of different structures are disclosed herein, which include two VL and VH pairs that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, respectively. Bispecific antibodies exemplified below have the VL / VH CDRs of the anti-human CEACAM1 antibody 2C10 (disclosed in PCT / CN2023 / 088112) and the VL / VH CDRs of the anti-human VEGF antibody bevacizumab. Expressly contemplated herein are also bispecific antibodies having 2C10 or a variant thereof as the CEACAM1-targeting domain and another anti-VEGF antibody as the VEGF targeting domain. The anti-VEGF antibody can be any anti-VEGF antibody known in the art, such as bevacizumab, Ranibizumab and B20-4.1 (see United States Application US20120322982A1 and US20220332757A1) .
[0106] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibodies comprising (i) a first light chain variable domain (VL1) and a first heavy chain variable domain (VH1) , wherein the VL1 / VH1 pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1, and wherein the VL1 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 61, 62, and 63, respectively, and wherein the VH1 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 64, 65, and 66, respectively; and (ii) a second light chain variable domain (VL2) and a second heavy chain variable domain (VH2) , wherein the VL2 / VH2 pair specifically binds to human VEGF; and wherein the VL2 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 67, 68, and 69, respectively, and wherein the VH2 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 70, 71, and 72, respectively.
[0107] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies provided herein comprise a VL / VH pair of anti-CEACAM1 antibody h2C10, which is a humanized antibody based on chimeric antibody 2C10 is disclosed in PCT Application No. PCT / CN2023 / 088112, which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Some exemplary VLs and VHs are provided below. As used herein, a VL / VH pair of h2C10 can comprise the VL / VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, a VL / VH pair of h2C10 include any VL identified in Table 2A (SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85) and any VH identified in Table 2A (SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90) .
[0108] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, wherein the VL1 / VH1 pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1, the VL1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; in some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, the VH1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90. In some embodiments, the VL1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the VL1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81. In some embodiments, the VL1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82. In some embodiments, the VL1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83. In some embodiments, the VL1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84. In some embodiments, the VL1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85.
[0109] In some embodiments, the VH1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the VH1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86. In some embodiments, the VH1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87. In some embodiments, the VH1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 88. In some embodiments, the VH1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 89. In some embodiments, the VH1 is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 90.
[0110] Table 2A: Exemplary sequences of humanized 2C10 (h2C10) .
[0111] As a person of ordinary skill in the art, the VL1 / VH1 pair of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein that specific binds human CEACAM1 can be any combination of the specific sequences provided in Table 2A, or variants thereof that have at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or 100%sequence identity with the exemplified sequences. For example, in some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds human CEACAM1 can have a VL1 having the amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 1, and a VH1 having an amino acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90. In some embodiments, the VL1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81, and the VH1 has an amino acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90. In some embodiments, the VL1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82, and the VH1 has an amino acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90. In some embodiments, the VL1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83, and the VH1 has an amino acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90. In some embodiments, the VL1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84, and the VH1 has an amino acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90. In some embodiments, the VL1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85, and the VH1 has an amino acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0112] For example, in some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds human CEACAM1 can have a VL1 having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85, and a VH1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85, and a VH1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86. In some embodiments, the VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85, and a VH1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87. In some embodiments, the VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85, and a VH1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:88. In some embodiments, the VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85, and a VH1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:89. In some embodiments, the VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85, and a VH1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:90.
[0113] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds human CEACAM1 can have the amino acid sequences of (1) SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively; (2) SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 86, respectively; (3) SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 87, respectively; (4) SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 88, respectively; (5) SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 89, respectively; (6) SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 90,respectively; (7) SEQ ID NOs: 81 and 2, respectively; (8) SEQ ID NOs: 81 and 86, respectively; (9) SEQ ID NOs: 81 and 87, respectively; (10) SEQ ID NOs: 81 and 88, respectively; (11) SEQ ID NOs: 81 and 89, respectively; (12) SEQ ID NOs: 81 and 90, respectively; (13) SEQ ID NOs: 82 and 2, respectively; (14) SEQ ID NOs: 82 and 86, respectively; (15) SEQ ID NOs: 82 and 87, respectively; (16) SEQ ID NOs: 82 and 88, respectively; (17) SEQ ID NOs: 82 and 89, respectively; (18) SEQ ID NOs: 82 and 90, respectively; (19) SEQ ID NOs: 83 and 2, respectively; (20) SEQ ID NOs: 83 and 86, respectively; (21) SEQ ID NOs: 83 and 87, respectively; (22) SEQ ID NOs: 83 and 88, respectively; (23) SEQ ID NOs: 83 and 89, respectively; (24) SEQ ID NOs: 83 and 90, respectively; (25) SEQ ID NOs: 84 and 2, respectively; (26) SEQ ID NOs: 84 and 86, respectively; (27) SEQ ID NOs: 84 and 87, respectively; (28) SEQ ID NOs: 84 and 88, respectively; (29) SEQ ID NOs: 84 and 89, respectively; (30) SEQ ID NOs: 84 and 90, respectively; (31) SEQ ID NOs: 85 and 2, respectively; (32) SEQ ID NOs: 85 and 86, respectively; (33) SEQ ID NOs: 85 and 87, respectively; (34) SEQ ID NOs: 85 and 88, respectively; (35) SEQ ID NOs: 85 and 89, respectively; or (36) SEQ ID NOs: 85 and 90, respectively.
[0114] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds human CEACAM1 can have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.
[0115] Table 2B: Exemplary sequences of anti-human VEGF antibodies
[0116] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, wherein the VL2 / VH2 pair specifically binds to human VEGF, the VL2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or 100%sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, the VH2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or 100%sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL2 and VH2 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively.
[0117] As such, in some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, the VL1 and VH1 that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, respectively; and the VL2 and VH2 that specifically bind to human VEGF have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively.
[0118] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, the VL2 and VH2 that specifically bind to human VEGF have the VL and VH of bevacizumab. In some embodiments, the VL2 and VH2 that specifically bind to human VEGF have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively. In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, the VL2 and VH2 that specifically bind to human VEGF have the VL and VH of Ranibizumab. In some embodiments, the VL2 and VH2 that specifically bind to human VEGF have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 130 and SEQ ID NO: 131, respectively. In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, the VL2 and VH2 that specifically bind to human VEGF have the VL and VH of B20-4.1. In some embodiments, the VL2 and VH2 that specifically bind to human VEGF have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 132 and SEQ ID NO:133, respectively. While some exemplary bispecific antibodies provided herein use the VL / VH pair from bevacizumab, expressly contemplated herein are bispecific antibodies in which the anti-VEGF VL / VH pair is replaced with that of another known anti-VEGF antibody, such as Ranibizumab, B20-4.1, bevacizumab-awwb, bevacizumab-bvzr, SB8, ranibizumab-nuna, and Razumab.
[0119] In addition to the specific anti-human CEACAM1 and anti-human VEGF VL / VH pairs exemplified herein, expressly contemplated also include variants of these VL / VH pairs that retain their bindings to the respective target antigens. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein also bind to other CEACAM family member, such as CEACAM5. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have essentially no binding to CEACAM3, CEACAM6 and CEACAM8. 6.2.2 IgG-scFv
[0120] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein that specifically bind human CEACAM1 and human VEGF have the “IgG-scFv” structure depicted in FIG. 1A. As shown, the bispecific antibodies in IgG-scFv format comprises two peptide chains: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first heavy chain variable domain, a heavy chain constant (CH) region, a linker, a single chain variable fragment (scFv) comprising a second light chain variable domain and a second heavy chain variable domain; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first light chain variable domain and a light chain constant (CL) region. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1.
[0121] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have a VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and a VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF. The VL1 / VH1 pair and the VL2 / VH2 pair can be any of the VL / VH pairs disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 can be those disclosed in Table 2A. In some embodiments, the VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF can be those disclosed in Table 2B. In some embodiments, VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.
[0122] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a heavy chain constant (CH) region and a single chain variable fragment (scFv) , wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a linker, and VH2; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a light chain constant (CL) region.
[0123] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a heavy chain constant (CH) region and a single chain variable fragment (scFv) , wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a linker, and VL2; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a light chain constant (CL) region.
[0124] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a linker, and VH1; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region.
[0125] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a linker, and VL1; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region.
[0126] As depicted in FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein comprise two identical pairs of HC / LC, forming two binding sites for CEACAM1 and two binding sites for VEGF.
[0127] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in IgG-scFv format also comprise a CL region and a CH region. The amino acid sequences of the CL region and the CH region of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be derived from any appropriate source, e.g., a constant region of an antibody such as an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG1. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG2. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG3. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG4. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequences of the CL region and the CH of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can comprise one or more amino acid substitutions that differ from the wildtype immunoglobulin, e.g., one or more amino acid substitutions in a wild type IgG1 or IgG4. Such substitutions are known in the art (see, e.g., US7704497, US7083784, US6821505, US 8323962, US6737056, and US7416727) .
[0128] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and(2) .
[0129] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cλ(SEQ ID NO: 8) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CL region can be kappa CL (Cκ; SEQ ID NO: 5) . In some embodiments, the CL region can be lambda CL (Cλ; SEQ ID NO: 8) .
[0130] In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein can be selected from the group consisting of a human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , a human IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , a human IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , and a human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions.
[0131] In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) . In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 29) . In some embodiments, the CH region further has P329G substitution. In some embodiments, the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and P329G substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 28) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and K447A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 30) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions and K447 deletion (SEQ ID NO: 31) . In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A, P329G and K447A substitutions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and P329G substitutions and K447 deletion. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region with S228P substitution (SEQ ID NO: 32) .
[0132] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) , and the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and P329G substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 28) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , and the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 29) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , and the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A, and K447A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 30) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , and the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A deletions, and K447 deletion (SEQ ID NO: 31) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , the CH region is human IgG4 CH region with S228P substitution (SEQ ID NO: 32) .
[0133] In some embodiments of the scFv, the VL and the VH are connected by a linker. The linker can be any suitable linker disclosed herein or otherwise known in the art. For example, the linker can be selected from those identified in Table 1C. In some embodiments, the linker is a GS linker (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 51-56) . The GS linker can be (G4S) n; n=1-7 (SEQ ID NO: 51) . The GS linker can be (G3S) n; n=1-10 (SEQ ID NO: 56) . In some embodiments, the GS linker is (G4S) 3 (SEQ ID NO: 54) . In some embodiments, the GS linker is (G4S) 4 (SEQ ID NO: 55) .
[0134] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in IgG-scFv format also comprise a second linker connecting the CH region and the scFv, specifically, the C-terminus of the CH and the N-terminus of the scFv. The second linker can be any suitable linker disclosed herein or otherwise known in the art. For example, the second linker can be selected from those identified in Table 1C. In some embodiments, the linker can be selected from those identified in Table 1C. In some embodiments, the second linker is a GS linker (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 51-56) . The GS linker can be (G4S) n; n=1-7 (SEQ ID NO: 51) . The GS linker can be (G3S) n; n=1-10 (SEQ ID NO: 56) . In some embodiments, the GS linker is (G4S) 3 (SEQ ID NO: 54) . In some embodiments, the GS linker is (G4S) 4 (SEQ ID NO: 55) .
[0135] Table 3A: Exemplary Bispecific Antibodies (IgG-scFv) Note: h2C10L: a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85) ; h2C10H: a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90) ; BevL: the VL of bevacizumab (SEQ ID NO: 3) ; BevH: the VH of Bevacizumab (SEQ ID NO: 4) ; CL (e.g., Cκ: SEQ ID NOs: 5-7; or Cλ: SEQ ID NO: 8) ; (L) : linker (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 51-56) ; IgG1 CH (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 11 and 28-31)
[0136] Provided in Table 3A are diagrams of the two peptide chains of exemplary bispecific antibodies that specifically bind VEGF and CEACAM1 in IgG-scFv format. For illustrative purposes, as shown, Ab No. 2 has two peptide chains, HC and LC, wherein (1) HC comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , an CH region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30) , a linker (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 54) , and an scFv comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , a linker (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 55) and VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) : and (2) LC comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0137] For another example, Ab No. 4 has two peptide chains, HC and LC, wherein (1) HC comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , an CH region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30) , a linker (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 54) , and an scFv comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , a linker (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 55) and VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) : and (2) LC comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0138] Table 3B: Sequences of Exemplary Bispecific Antibodies (IgG-scFv)
[0139] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC) , and a second peptide chain (LC) , wherein HC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101, and LC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102. In some embodiments, HC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101. HC can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO:101. HC can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101. C1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101. HC can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101. HC can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101. In some embodiments, LC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102. LC can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102. LC can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO:102. LC can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102. LC can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102. LC can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC) and a second peptide chain (LC) , wherein HC and LC have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 101 and 102, respectively. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies have four peptide chains, including two identical HC and two identical LC. 6.2.3 Epimab
[0140] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have the “Epimab” structure depicted in FIG. 1B. As shown, the bispecific antibodies in Epimab format comprises three peptide chains: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first light chain variable domain, a first light chain constant (CL) region, a second heavy chain variable domain, and a first heavy chain constant (CH) region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first heavy chain variable domain, and a heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) ; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a second light chain variable domain, and a second light chain constant (CL) region. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF.
[0141] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have a VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and a VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF. The VL1 / VH1 pair and the VL2 / VH2 pair can be any of the VL / VH pairs disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 can be those disclosed in Table 2A. In some embodiments, the VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF can be those disclosed in Table 2B. In some embodiments, VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.
[0142] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, VH2, a CH region; (2)a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) ; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0143] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, VH1, a CH region; (2)a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a CH1 domain; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0144] As depicted in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein comprise two identical pairs of HC1 / HC2 / LC1, forming two binding sites for CEACAM1 and two binding sites for VEGF.
[0145] To avoid mismatch, in some embodiments, the HC2 peptide chain can further comprise a N-terminal fragment of an IgG hinge (also referred to as an “alpha hinge” ) that comprises a cysteine (C) residue, which can form a S-S bond with the C residue at the C-terminus of the CL region in HC1 peptide chain. In some embodiments, the HC2 can further comprise amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the HC2 can further comprise amino acids 1 to n of an IgG1 hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the HC2 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO:57) at its C-terminus.
[0146] The amino acid sequences of the CL region and the CH region of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be derived from any appropriate source, e.g., a constant region of an antibody such as an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG1. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG2. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG3. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG4. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequences of the CL region and the CH of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can comprise one or more amino acid substitutions, additions, or deletions that differ from the wildtype immunoglobulin, e.g., one or more amino acid substitutions in a wild type IgG1 or IgG4. Such mutations are known in the art (see, e.g., US7704497, US7083784, US6821505, US 8323962, US6737056, and US7416727) .
[0147] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in Epimab format also comprise a first CL region, a second CL region, a CH1 domain and a CH region. In some embodiments, (1) the first and second CL regions are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; (2) the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (3) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO:11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or any combination of (1) - (3) .
[0148] In some embodiments, the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) . In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) .
[0149] In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein can be selected from the group consisting of a human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , a human IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , a human IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , and a human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions.
[0150] In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) . In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 29) . In some embodiments, the CH region further has P329G substitution. In some embodiments, the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and P329G substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 28) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and K447A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 30) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions and K447 deletion (SEQ ID NO: 31) . In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A, P329G and K447A substitutions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and P329G substitutions and K447 deletion. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region with S228P substitution (SEQ ID NO: 32) .
[0151] The HC2 peptide of the bispecific antibodies described herein in Epimab format comprise a CH1 domain. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain can be selected from the group consisting of a human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , a human IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , a human IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , and a human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0152] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) , the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A and P329G substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 28) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO:5) , the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions (SEQ ID NO:29) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A, and K447A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 30) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , and the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A deletions, and K447 deletion (SEQ ID NO: 31) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , the CH region is human IgG4 CH region with S228P substitution (SEQ ID NO: 32) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) .
[0153] Table 4A: Exemplary Bispecific Antibodies (Epimab) Note: h2C10L: a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85) ; h2C10H: a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90) ; BevL: the VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) ; BevH: the VH of Bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) ; CL (e.g., Cκ: SEQ ID NOs: 5-7; or Cλ: SEQ ID NO: 8) ; IgG1 CH (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 11 and 28-31) ; αhinge: alpha-hinge region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 57)
[0154] Provided in Table 4A are diagrams of the two peptide chains of exemplary bispecific antibodies that specifically bind VEGF and CEACAM1 in Epimab format. For illustrative purposes, as shown, Ab No. 1 has three peptide chains, HC1, HC2 and LC1, wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) , a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) , VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , and an CH region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 29) ; (2) HC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and optionally an alpha hinge (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 57) ; and (3) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO:5) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0155] For another example, as shown, Ab No. 2 has three peptide chains, HC1, HC2 and LC1, wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3) , a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) , VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , and an CH region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 29) ; (2) HC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and optionally an alpha hinge (e.g., SEQ ID NO:57) ; and (3) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0156] Table 4B: Sequences of Exemplary Bispecific Antibodies (Epimab)
[0157] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , and a third peptide chain (LC1) , wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104, and LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105. In some embodiments, HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO:103. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103. HC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103. In some embodiments, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104. HC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104. In some embodiments, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105. LC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , and a third peptide (LC1) , wherein HC1, HC2, and LC1 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 103, 104, and 105, respectively.
[0158] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies have six peptide chains, including two identical HC1, two identical HC2, and two identical LC1. 6.2.4 CrossmabVH-VL
[0159] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have the “CrossmabVH-VL” structure depicted in FIG. 1C. As shown, the bispecific antibodies in CrossmabVH-VL format comprises four peptide chains: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first light chain variable domain, a first heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) , and a first Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a second heavy chain variable domain, a second heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) , and a second Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first heavy chain variable domain, and a first light chain constant (CL) region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a second light chain variable domain, and a second light chain constant (CL) region. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF.
[0160] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1C, to avoid mismatch, the two Fc regions in the bispecific antibodies provided herein in the CrossmabVH-VL format are modified to form the “KIH” or “knob-into-hole” structure, which describes the formation of heterodimers of the engineered Fc regions instead of homodimers. The modification promoting the association of a pair of Fc domains in a bispecific antibody includes a “knob” modification in one Fc domain and a “hole” modification in the other one. The knob-into-hole technology is described e.g., in US 5, 731, 168; US 7, 695, 936; Ridgway et al., Prot. Eng. 9, 617-621 (1996) and Carter, JImmunol. Meth. 248, 7-15 (2001) . Generally, the method involves introducing a protuberance ( “knob” ) at the interface of a first Fc (the “Knob-Fc” ) and a corresponding cavity ( “hole” ) in the interface of a second Fc (the “Hole-Fc” ) , such that the protuberance can be positioned in the cavity so as to promote heterodimer formation and hinder homodimer formation. Protuberances are constructed by replacing small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first polypeptide with larger side chains (e.g., tyrosine or tryptophan) . Compensatory cavities of identical or similar size to the protuberances are created in the interface of the second polypeptide by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g., alanine or threonine) .
[0161] Accordingly, a “Knob-Fc region” and a “Hole-Fc region” are designed to form heterodimer pair. The Knob-Fc region refers to the Fc region in which an amino acid of the CH3 domain is replaced with an amino acid residue having a larger side chain volume, generating a protuberance within the CH3 domain positionable in a cavity within the CH3 domain of the Hole-Fc region, in which an amino acid residue of the CH3 domain is replaced with an amino acid residue having a smaller side chain volume, thereby generating a cavity within the CH3 domain within which the protuberance within the CH3 domain of the first subunit is positionable. Preferably said amino acid residue having a larger side chain volume is selected from the group consisting of arginine (R) , phenylalanine (F) , tyrosine (Y) , and tryptophan (W) . Preferably said amino acid residue having a smaller side chain volume is selected from the group consisting of alanine (A) , serine (S) , threonine (T) , and valine (V) . The protuberance and cavity can be made by altering the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides, e.g., by site-specific mutagenesis, or by peptide synthesis.
[0162] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the HC1 peptide chain comprises a knob-Fc region, and the HC2 peptide chain comprises a hole-Fc region. In some embodiments, the HC2 peptide chain comprises a knob-Fc region, and the HC1 peptide chain comprises a hole-Fc region.
[0163] In some embodiments, the threonine residue at position 366 of the Knob-Fc region is replaced with a tryptophan residue (T366W) , and the tyrosine residue at position 407 of the Hole-Fc region is replaced with a valine residue (Y407V) , and optionally the threonine residue at position 366 is replaced with a serine residue (T366S) and the leucine residue at position 368 is replaced with an alanine residue (L368A) . In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region additionally has the serine residue at position 354 replaced with a cysteine residue (S354C) , or the glutamic acid residue at position 356 replaced with a cysteine residue (E356C) , and the Hole-Fc region additionally has the tyrosine residue at position 349 is replaced by a cysteine residue (Y349C) . In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region additionally has the serine residue at position 354 replaced with a cysteine residue (S354C) , or the glutamic acid residue at position 356 replaced with a cysteine residue (E356C) , and the Knob-Fc region additionally has the tyrosine residue at position 349 is replaced by a cysteine residue (Y349C) . In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region contains the amino acid substitutions S354C and T366W, and the Hole-Fc region contains the amino acid substitutions Y349C, T366S, L368A and Y407V. All amino acid residues are numbered according to the EU index.
[0164] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have the CrossmabVH-VL structure and have a VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and a VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF. The VL1 / VH1 pair and the VL2 / VH2 pair can be any of the VL / VH pairs disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 can be those disclosed in Table 2A. In some embodiments, the VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF can be those disclosed in Table 2B. In some embodiments, VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively.
[0165] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0166] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0167] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0168] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0169] In some embodiments of the HC1 peptide chain, the light chain variable domain and the CH1 domain are linked via a Ser-Ser (SS) linker.
[0170] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in CrossmabVH-VL format comprise a first CL region and a second CL region, a first CH1 domain and a second CH1 domain, a Hole-Fc and a Knob-Fc region. The amino acid sequences of the CH1 domains, the CL regions, and the Fc regions of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be derived from any appropriate source, e.g., a constant region of an antibody such as an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. Antibody heavy and light chain constant regions amino acid sequences are well known in the art, e.g., those provided in the IMGT database (www. imgt. org) or at www. vbase2. org / vbstat. php., both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0171] In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG1. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG2. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG3. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG4. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequences of the CH1, the CL region, and the Fc region (hinge, CH2 and CH3) of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can comprise one or more amino acid substitutions that differ from the wild type immunoglobulin, e.g., one or more amino acid substitutions in a wild type IgG1 or IgG4. Such substitutions are known in the art (see, e.g., US7704497, US7083784, US6821505, US 8323962, US6737056, and US7416727) .
[0172] The Knob-Fc and Hole-Fc regions can be human IgG Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region is human IgG1 Fc having a Y407T substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region can further include T366S and L368A substitutions. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc and Hole-Fc regions can further include S354C and Y349C substitutions, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc and Hole-Fc regions can further include E356C and Y349C substitutions, respectively. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc and Knob-Fc regions can further include S354C and Y349C substitutions, respectively. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc and Knob-Fc regions can further include E356C and Y349C substitutions, respectively. In some embodiments, the Fc region can further have L234A and L235A substitutions. In some embodiments, the Fc region can further have P329G substitution. In some embodiments, the Fc region can further have K447A substitution or K447 deletion. All amino acid residues are numbered according to the EU Index. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region can have an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region can have an amino acid sequence selected from group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 34, 36,38, 40, 42, and 44. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.
[0173] Table 5: Exemplified Fc sequences in KIH models.
[0174] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in CrossmabVH-VL format also comprise a first CL region, a second CL region, a first CH1 domain, and a second CH1 domain. In some embodiments, (1)the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the first and second CH1 domains are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) .
[0175] In some embodiments, the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions.
[0176] In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains can be selected from the group consisting of a human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , a human IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:17) , a human IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , and a human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG1 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:15) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG2 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:17) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG3 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:18) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG4 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:19) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions.
[0177] The LC1 peptide comprises a heavy chain variable domain and the first CL region. In some embodiments, the first CL region is Cκwith R108A and T109S substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 6) .
[0178] The LC2 peptide comprises a light chain variable domain and the second CL region. In some embodiments, the second CL is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7; “RK mutation” ) .
[0179] The HC1 peptide comprises a light chain variable domain, a first CH1 domain, and an Fc region. The first CH1 domain can pair with the first CL region in the LC1 peptide. In some embodiments, the first CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0180] The HC2 peptide comprises a heavy chain variable domain, a second CH1 domain, and an Fc region. The second CH1 domain can pair with the second CL region in the LC2 peptide. To avoid mismatch, in some embodiments, the second CH1 can be IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16; “EE mutations” ) . The CH1 domain with EE mutations preferably binds to Cκwith RK mutations over a wildtype Cκ.
[0181] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein comprises a HC1 peptide comprising a first CH1 domain, a HC2 peptide comprising a second CH1 domain, a LC1 peptide comprising a first CL region, and a LC2 peptide comprising a second CL region, wherein the first CL region is Cκwith R108A and T109S substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 6) , the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7) , the first CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , and the second CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16) .
[0182] Table 6A: Exemplary bispecific antibodies (CrossmabVH-VL) Note: h2C10L: a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85) ; h2C10H: a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90) ; BevL: the VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) ; BevH: the VH of Bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) ; CL: light chain constant region (e.g., Cκ: SEQ ID NOs: 5-7; or Cλ:SEQ ID NO: 8) ; CH1: heavy chain constant domain 1 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 15-19) ; Fc (knob) : the Knob-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, and 43) ; Fc (hole) : the Hole-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44) .
[0183] Provided in Table 6A are diagrams of the three peptide chains of exemplary bispecific antibodies that specifically bind VEGF and CEACAM1 in CrossmabVH-VL format. For illustrative purposes, as shown, Ab No. 2 has four peptide chains, HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and Knob-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 43) ; (2) HC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , IgG CH1 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 16) , and Hole-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 44) ; (3) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 6) ; and (4) LC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 7) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0184] For another example, as shown, Ab No. 4 has four peptide chains, HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and Knob-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 43) ; (2) HC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , IgG CH1 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 16) , and Hole-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 44) ; (3) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 6) ; and (4) LC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) , and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 7) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0185] Table 6B: Sequences of exemplary bispecific antibodies (CrossmabVH-VL)
[0186] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108, and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109. In some embodiments, HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO:106. HC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106. In some embodiments, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107. HC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107. In some embodiments, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108. LC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 108. In some embodiments, LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO:109. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109. LC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 109. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 106, 107, 108, and 109, respectively.
[0187] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112, and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113. In some embodiments, HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO:110. HC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 110. In some embodiments, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111. HC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111. In some embodiments, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO:112. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112. LC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112. In some embodiments, LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO:113. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113. LC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 110, 111, 112, and 113, respectively. 6.2.5 CrossmabFab
[0188] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have the “CrossmabFab” structure depicted in FIG. 1D. As shown, the bispecific antibodies in CrossmabFab format comprises four peptide chains: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first light chain variable domain, a first light chain constant (CL) region, and a first Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a second heavy chain variable domain, a first heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) , and a second Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first heavy chain variable domain, and a second heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) ; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a second light chain variable domain, and a second light chain constant (CL) region. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF.
[0189] Similar to CrossmabVH-VL in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1D, to avoid mismatch, the two Fc regions in the bispecific antibodies provided herein in the CrossmabFab format are modified to form the “KIH” structure. In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the HC1 peptide chain comprises a knob-Fc region, and the HC2 peptide chain comprises a hole-Fc region. In some embodiments, the HC2 peptide chain comprises a knob-Fc region, and the HC1 peptide chain comprises a hole-Fc region.
[0190] In some embodiments, the threonine residue at position 366 of the Knob-Fc region is replaced with a tryptophan residue (T366W) , and the tyrosine residue at position 407 of the Hole-Fc region is replaced with a valine residue (Y407V) , and optionally the threonine residue at position 366 is replaced with a serine residue (T366S) and the leucine residue at position 368 is replaced with an alanine residue (L368A) . In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region additionally has the serine residue at position 354 replaced with a cysteine residue (S354C) , or the glutamic acid residue at position 356 replaced with a cysteine residue (E356C) , and the Hole-Fc region additionally has the tyrosine residue at position 349 is replaced by a cysteine residue (Y349C) . In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region additionally has the serine residue at position 354 replaced with a cysteine residue (S354C) , or the glutamic acid residue at position 356 replaced with a cysteine residue (E356C) , and the Knob-Fc region additionally has the tyrosine residue at position 349 is replaced by a cysteine residue (Y349C) . In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region contains the amino acid substitutions S354C and T366W, and the Hole-Fc region contains the amino acid substitutions Y349C, T366S, L368A and Y407V. All amino acid residues are numbered according to the EU index.
[0191] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have the CrossmabFab structure and have a VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and a VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF. The VL1 / VH1 pair and the VL2 / VH2 pair can be any of the VL / VH pairs disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 can be those disclosed in Table 2A. In some embodiments, the VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF can be those disclosed in Table 2B. In some embodiments, VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively.
[0192] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0193] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0194] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0195] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0196] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in CrossmabFab format comprise a first CL region and a second CL region, a first CH1 domain and a second CH1 domain, a Hole-Fc and a Knob-Fc region. The amino acid sequences of the CH1 domains, the CL regions, and the Fc regions of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be derived from any appropriate source, e.g., a constant region of an antibody such as an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. Antibody heavy and light chain constant regions amino acid sequences are well known in the art, e.g., those provided in the IMGT database (www. imgt. org) or at www. vbase2. org / vbstat. php., both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
[0197] In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG1. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG2. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG3. In some embodiments, the constant domains and constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG4. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequences of the CH1, the CL region, and the Fc region (hinge, CH2 and CH3) of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can comprise one or more amino acid substitutions that differ from the wild type immunoglobulin, e.g., one or more amino acid substitutions in a wild type IgG1 or IgG4. Such substitutions are known in the art (see, e.g., US7704497, US7083784, US6821505, US 8323962, US6737056, and US7416727) .
[0198] The Knob-Fc and Hole-Fc regions can be human IgG Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region is human IgG1 Fc having a Y407T substitution. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region can further include T366S and L368A substitutions. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc and Hole-Fc regions can further include S354C and Y349C substitutions, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc and Hole-Fc regions can further include E356C and Y349C substitutions, respectively. In some embodiments, the Fc region can further have L234A and L235A substitutions. In some embodiments, the Fc region can further have P329G substitution. In some embodiments, the Fc region can further have K447A substitution or K447 deletion. All amino acid residues are numbered according to the EU Index. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region can have an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43. In some embodiments, the Hole-Fc region can have an amino acid sequence selected from group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively. In some embodiments, the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.
[0199] The HC1 peptide chains of the bispecific antibodies provided herein in CrossmabFab format comprise a light chain variable domain, a light chain constant region (CL) and an Fc region. To facilitate formation of correct configuration, in some embodiments, the Fc region of the HC1 peptide has a mutation at C220. In some embodiments, the Fc region of the HC1 peptide has deletion of the 5 amino acid resides at the N-terminus, namely, E216, P217, K218, S219, and C220.
[0200] Additionally, to avoid mismatch, in some embodiments, the LC1 peptide chain can further comprise a N-terminal fragment of an IgG hinge (also referred to as an “alpha hinge” ) that comprises a cysteine (C) residue, which can form a S-S bond with the C residue at the C-terminus of the CL region in HC1 peptide chain. In some embodiments, the LC1 can comprise amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the LC1 can comprise amino acids 1 to n of an IgG1 hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the LC1 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus.
[0201] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in CrossmabFab format also comprise a first CL region, a second CL region, a first CH1 domain, and a second CH1 domain. In some embodiments, (1)the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the first and second CH1 domains are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) .
[0202] In some embodiments, the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions.
[0203] In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains can be selected from the group consisting of a human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , a human IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:17) , a human IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , and a human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG1 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:15) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG2 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:17) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG3 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:18) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CH1 domains are human IgG4 CH1 domains (SEQ ID NO:19) , or variants thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions.
[0204] The HC1 peptide comprises the first CL region. In some embodiments, the first CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) .
[0205] The LC1 peptide comprises the second CH1 domain. The second CH1 domain can pair with the first CL region in the HC1 peptide. In some embodiments, the second CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0206] The LC2 peptide comprises the second CL region. In some embodiments, the second CL is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7; “RK mutation” ) .
[0207] The HC2 peptide comprises the first CH1 domain. The first CH1 domain can pair with the second CL region in the LC2 peptide. To avoid mismatch, in some embodiments, the first CH1 can be IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16; “EE mutations” ) . The CH1 domain with EE mutations preferably binds to Cκwith RK mutations over a wildtype Cκ.
[0208] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the first CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) , the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7) , the first CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO:16) , and the second CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0209] Table 7A: Exemplary bispecific antibodies (CrossmabFab) Note: h2C10L: a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85) ; h2C10H: a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90) ; BevL: the VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) ; BevH: the VH of Bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) ; CL: light chain constant region (e.g., Cκ: SEQ ID NOs: 5-7; or Cλ:SEQ ID NO: 8) ; CH1: heavy chain constant domain 1 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 15-19) ; Fc (knob) : the Knob-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, and 43) ; Fc (hole) : the Hole-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44) ; Fc (N5del) : The Fc region with deletion of the 5 N-terminal amino acids (EPKSC) ; αhinge: alpha-hinge region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 57) .
[0210] Provided in Table 7A are diagrams of the three peptide chains of exemplary bispecific antibodies that specifically bind VEGF and CEACAM1 in CrossmabFab format. For illustrative purposes, as shown, Ab No. 2 has four peptide chains, HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) , a CL domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) , and Knob-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 43 with N5del) ; (2) HC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , IgG CH1 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 16) , and Hole-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 44) ; (3) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and optionally an alpha hinge (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 57) ; and (4) LC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 7) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0211] For another example, as shown, Ab No. 4 has four peptide chains, HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3) , a CL domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) , and Knob-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 43 with N5del) ; (2) HC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , IgG CH1 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 16) , and Hole-Fc region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 44) ; (3) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and optionally an alpha hinge (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 57) ; and (4) LC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, the VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) , and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 7) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0212] Table 7B: Sequences of exemplary bispecific antibodies (CrossmabFab)
[0213] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 114, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 116, and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 117. In some embodiments, HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 114. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 114. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 114. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 114. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO:114. HC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114. In some embodiments, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115. HC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 115. In some embodiments, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO:116. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 116. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 116. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 116. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 116. LC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 116. In some embodiments, LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 117. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 117. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 117. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO:117. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 117. LC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 117. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 114, 115, 116, and 117, respectively.
[0214] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 118, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 120, and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 121. In some embodiments, HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 118. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 118. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 118. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 118. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO:118. HC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 118. In some embodiments, HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119. HC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119. HC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 119. In some embodiments, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO:120. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 120. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 120. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 120. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 120. LC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120. In some embodiments, LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 121. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 121. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 121. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO:121. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 121. LC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (HC2) , a third peptide chain (LC1) , and a fourth peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 118, 119, 120, and 121, respectively. 6.2.6 2+2 Fab
[0215] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have the “2+2 Fab” structure depicted in FIG. 1E. As shown, the bispecific antibodies in 2+2 Fab format comprises three peptide chains: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first heavy chain variable domain, a heavy chain constant (CH) region, a second light chain variable domain, and a first light chain constant (CL) region; (2) a second peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first heavy chain variable domain, and a heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) ; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a first light chain variable domain, and a second light chain constant (CL) region. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1. In some embodiments, the first VL / VH pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and the second VL / VH pair specifically binds to human VEGF.
[0216] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have a VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and a VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF. The VL1 / VH1 pair and the VL2 / VH2 pair can be any of the VL / VH pairs disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the VL1 / VH1 pair that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 can be those disclosed in Table 2A. In some embodiments, the VL2 / VH2 pair that specifically binds to human VEGF can be those disclosed in Table 2B. In some embodiments, VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively. In some embodiments, the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.
[0217] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a CH region, a linker, VL2, a first CL region; (2) a second peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a CH1 domain; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0218] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein have (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, a linker, VL1, a first CL region; (2) a second peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a CH1 domain; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0219] As depicted in FIG. 1E, in some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein comprise two identical pairs of HC1 / LC1 / LC2, forming two binding sites for CEACAM1 and two binding sites for VEGF.
[0220] To avoid mismatch, in some embodiments, the LC1 peptide chain can further comprise a N-terminal fragment of an IgG hinge (also referred to as an “alpha hinge” ) that comprises a cysteine (C) residue, which can form a S-S bond with the C residue at the C-terminus of the CL region in HC1 peptide chain. In some embodiments, the LC1 can further comprise amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the LC1 can further comprise amino acids 1 to n of an IgG1 hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8. In some embodiments, the LC1 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO:57) at its C-terminus.
[0221] The amino acid sequences of the CL region and the CH region of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be derived from any appropriate source, e.g., a constant region of an antibody such as an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG1. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG2. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG3. In some embodiments, the constant regions of the bispecific antibodies provided herein are derived from human IgG4. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequences of the CL region and the CH of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can comprise one or more amino acid substitutions, additions, or deletions that differ from the wildtype immunoglobulin, e.g., one or more amino acid substitutions in a wild type IgG1 or IgG4. Such mutations are known in the art (see, e.g., US7704497, US7083784, US6821505, US 8323962, US6737056, and US7416727) .
[0222] The bispecific antibodies provided herein in 2+2 Fab format also comprise a first CL region, a second CL region, a CH1 domain and a CH region. In some embodiments, (1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; (2) the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (3) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO:11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or any combination of (1) - (3) .
[0223] In some embodiments, the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) . In some embodiments, the first and second CL regions are Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) .
[0224] In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein can be selected from the group consisting of a human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , a human IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , a human IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , and a human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions.
[0225] In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) . In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 29) . In some embodiments, the CH region further has P329G substitution. In some embodiments, the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and P329G substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 28) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and K447A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 30) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions and K447 deletion (SEQ ID NO: 31) . In some embodiments, the CH region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A, P329G and K447A substitutions. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A and P329G substitutions and K447 deletion. In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) . In some embodiments, the CH region is human IgG4 CH region with S228P substitution (SEQ ID NO: 32) .
[0226] The HC2 peptide of the bispecific antibodies described herein in 2+2 Fab format comprise a CH1 domain. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain can be selected from the group consisting of a human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , a human IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , a human IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , and a human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acid substitutions, additions, and / or deletions. In some embodiments, the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0227] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) , the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A and P329G substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 28) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO:5) , the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions (SEQ ID NO:29) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A, L235A, and K447A substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 30) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , and the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A deletions, and K447 deletion (SEQ ID NO: 31) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) . In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) , the CH region is human IgG4 CH region with S228P substitution (SEQ ID NO: 32) , and the CH1 domain is human IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) .
[0228] In some embodiments of the peptide chain HC1 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, the CH region and the VL region are connected by a linker. The linker can be any suitable linker disclosed herein or otherwise known in the art. For example, the linker can be selected from those identified in Table 1C. In some embodiments, the linker is a GS linker (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 51-56) . The GS linker can be (G4S) n; n=1-7 (SEQ ID NO: 51) . The GS linker can be (G3S) n; n=1-10 (SEQ ID NO: 56) . In some embodiments, the GS linker is (G4S) 3 (SEQ ID NO: 54) . In some embodiments, the GS linker is (G4S) 4 (SEQ ID NO: 55) .
[0229] Table 8A: Exemplary Bispecific Antibodies (2+2 Fab) Note: h2C10L: a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85) ; h2C10H: a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90) ; BevL: the VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) ; BevH: the VH of Bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) ; CL (e.g., Cκ: SEQ ID NOs: 5-7; or Cλ: SEQ ID NO: 8) ; (L) : linker (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 51-56) ; IgG1 CH (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 11 and 28-31)
[0230] Provided in Table 8A are diagrams of the two peptide chains of exemplary bispecific antibodies that specifically bind VEGF and CEACAM1 in 2+2 Fab format. For illustrative purposes, as shown, Ab No. 1 has three peptide chains, HC1, LC1, and LC2, wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , an CH region (e.g., SEQ ID NO:30) , a linker (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 55) , a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) , and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) ; (2) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and optionally an alpha hinge (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 57) ; and(3) LC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 3) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0231] For another example, as shown, Ab No. 2 has three peptide chains, HC1, LC1 and LC2, wherein (1) HC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) , an CH region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30) , a linker (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 55) , a VL of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3) , and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) ; (2) LC1 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VH of bevacizumab (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 4) , a CH1 domain (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 15) , and optionally an alpha hinge (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 57) ; and (3) LC2 comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, a VL of h2C10 (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1) and a CL region (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5) . The VL of h2C10 can be the VL of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VL of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85. The VH of h2C10 can be the VH of any humanized 2C10. In some embodiments, the VH of h2C10 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90.
[0232] Table 8B: Sequences of Exemplary Bispecific Antibodies (2+2 Fab)
[0233] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (LC1) , and a third peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 122, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123, and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124. In some embodiments, HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 122. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 122. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 122. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO:122. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 122. HC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122. In some embodiments, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123. LC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123. In some embodiments, LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124. LC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (LC1) , and a third peptide (LC2) , wherein HC1, LC1, and LC2 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 122, 123, and 124, respectively.
[0234] In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, wherein the bispecific antibody has a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (LC1) , and a third peptide chain (LC2) , wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 125, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126, and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127. In some embodiments, HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 125. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 125. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 125. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO:125. HC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 125. HC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125. In some embodiments, LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126. LC1 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126. LC1 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 126. In some embodiments, LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 98%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127. LC2 can have an amino acid sequence that is at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127. LC2 can have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127. In some embodiments, provided herein are bispecific antibody that specifically bind to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF having a first peptide chain (HC1) , a second peptide chain (LC1) , and a third peptide (LC2) , wherein HC1, LC1, and LC2 have amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 125, 126, and 127, respectively.
[0235] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies have six peptide chains, including two identical HC1, two identical LC1, and two identical LC2. 6.2.7 Variants
[0236] The present disclosure further contemplates additional variants and equivalents that are substantially homologous to the bispecific antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, it is desirable to improve the binding affinity of the antibody. In some embodiments, it is desirable to modulate biological properties of the antibody, including but not limited to, specificity, thermostability, expression level, effector function (s) , glycosylation, immunogenicity, and / or solubility. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that amino acid changes may alter post-translational processes of an antibody, such as changing the number or position of glycosylation sites or altering membrane anchoring characteristics.
[0237] Antibodies comprising functional variants of the heavy chain, light chains, VL regions, VH regions, or one or more CDRs of the antibodies of the examples as also provided herein. A functional variant of a heavy chain, a light chain, VL, VH, or CDRs used in the context of an antibody still allows the antibody to retain at least a substantial proportion (at least about 90%, 95%or more) of functional features of the “reference” and / or “parent” antibody, including affinity and / or the specificity / selectivity, Fc inertness and PK parameters such as half-life, Tmax, Cmax. Such functional variants typically retain significant sequence identity to the parent antibody and / or have substantially similar length of heavy and light chains. Exemplary variants include those which differ from heavy and / or light chains, VH and / or VL, and / or CDR regions of the parent antibody sequences mainly by conservative substitutions, e.g., 10, such as 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 of the substitutions in the variant may be conservative amino acid residue replacements.
[0238] In some embodiments, a variant of a bispecific antibody disclosed herein can retain its ability to bind to human CEACAM1 and / or VEGF to a similar extent, the same extent, or to a higher extent, as the parent bispecific antibody. In some embodiments, the variant can be at least about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%or more identical in amino acid sequence to the parent antibody or antigen-binding fragment. In certain embodiments, a variant of a bispecific antibody disclosed herein comprises the amino acid sequence of the parent a bispecific antibody disclosed herein with one or more conservative amino acid substitution. Conservative amino acid substitutions are known in the art and include amino acid substitutions in which one amino acid having certain physical and / or chemical properties is exchanged for another amino acid that has the same or similar chemical or physical properties.
[0239] In some embodiments, a variant of a bispecific antibody disclosed herein comprises the amino acid sequence of the parent antibody with one or more non-conservative amino acid substitutions. In some embodiments, a variant of a bispecific antibody disclosed herein comprises the amino acid sequence of the parent binding antibody with one or more non-conservative amino acid substitution, wherein the one or more non-conservative amino acid substitutions do not interfere with or inhibit one or more biological activities of the variant. In certain embodiments, the one or more conservative amino acid substitutions and / or the one or more non-conservative amino acid substitutions can enhance a biological activity of the variant, such that the biological activity of the functional variant is increased as compared to the parent antibody.
[0240] In some embodiments, the variant can have 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 amino acid substitutions in the CDRs (e.g., VH CDR1, VH CDR2, VH CDR3, VL CDR1, VL CDR2 and VL CDR3) of the binding moiety.
[0241] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein include modification in their Fc regions. In some embodiments, the modified antibodies (e.g., modified Fc region) provide for altered effector functions that, in turn, affect the biological profile of the antibody. For example, in some embodiments, the deletion or inactivation (through point mutations or other means) of a constant region reduces Fc receptor binding of the modified antibody as it circulates. In some embodiments, the constant region modifications reduce the immunogenicity of the antibody. In some embodiments, the constant region modifications increase the serum half-life of the antibody. In some embodiments, the constant region modifications reduce the serum half-life of the antibody. In some embodiments, the constant region modifications decrease or remove ADCC and / or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) of the antibody. In some embodiments, specific amino acid substitutions in a human IgG1 Fc region with corresponding IgG2 or IgG4 residues reduce effector functions (e.g., ADCC and CDC) in the modified antibody. In some embodiments, an antibody does not have one or more effector functions (e.g., “effectorless” antibodies) . In some embodiments, the antibody has no ADCC activity and / or no CDC activity. In some embodiments, the antibody does not bind an Fc receptor and / or complement factors. In some embodiments, the antibody has no effector function (s) . In some embodiments, the constant region modifications increase or enhance ADCC and / or CDC of the antibody. In some embodiments, the constant region is modified to eliminate disulfide linkages or oligosaccharide moieties. In some embodiments, the constant region is modified to add / substitute one or more amino acids to provide one or more cytotoxin, oligosaccharide, or carbohydrate attachment sites.
[0242] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the Fc domain comprises one or more amino acid substitution that reduces binding to an Fc receptor. The Fc receptor can be a human Fc receptor. The Fc receptor can be an Fcγreceptor. The Fc receptor can be an activating Fc receptor. The Fc receptor can be an activating human Fcγreceptor, such as a human FcγRIIIa, FcγRI or FcγRIIa. In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the Fc domain comprises one or more amino acid substitution that reduces the effector function. The effector function can be complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) , antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) , antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) , cytokine secretion, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the effector function is ADCC.
[0243] In some embodiments of the bispecific antibodies provided herein, the same one or more amino acid substitution is present in each of the two subunits of the Fc region. In one aspect, the one or more amino acid substitution reduces the binding affinity of the Fc region to an Fc receptor. In one aspect, the one or more amino acid substitution reduces the binding affinity of the Fc region to an Fc receptor by at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, or at least 10-fold.
[0244] Variants with reduced effector functions are known in the art and can be incorporated in the antibodies disclosed herein. For example, amino acid substitutions are known to reduce effector function. hIgG1 L235A / G237A / E318A antibody is unable to bind to human cell lines expressing FcγRs, resulting in reduced ADCC. hIgG1 and hIgG4 antibodies with L234A / L235A Fc domains have no detectable binding to the low affinity FcγRs and C1q and significantly reduced ADCC and CDC. Mutations at specific residues in hIgG1 known to interact with both FcγRs and C1q, such as amino acid substitutions L234F / L235E / P331S, can reduce binding to the low affinity FcγRs and result in no detectable binding to FcγRI. The G236R / L328R mutation pair reduces or completely abrogates binding to the FcγRs. S267E substitution also reduces binding for all low affinity hFcγRs. S267K substitution combined with a series of mutations in the lower hinge of hIgG2 (E233P / L234V / L235A mutations and a deletion of residue G236) and incorporated into a hIgG1 background result in a lack of binding to all hFcγR. P329G disrupts the interaction between hIgG and hFcγR. The triple mutant L234A / L235A / P329G has no detectable binding to C1q or FcγRs, resulting in abrogated ADCC when introduced into a hIgG1. Combined point mutations of N297Q, L234F, L235E, D265A, P331S ablate Fc function. The combination of L234F / L235E / D265A potently silences the Fc region, resulting in no detectable binding to FcyRI, reduced binding to the low affinity FcyRs and reduced binding to C1q. From the site saturation mutagenesis libraries centered about the Fc C′ / E loop, the S298G / T299A mutations are found to abolish or significantly reduce binding to C1q and most FcγRs except for FcγRIIA-R131 and FcγRIIB.
[0245] Additionally, glycoengineering techniques can be used to generate antibodies with reduced effector functions. The N297 glycan is central to the binding between hIgG1 and FcγRs and C1q. As such, amino acid mutations at this site which remove this glycan, including N297A, N297Q and N297G, can reduce binding to all FcγRs and C1q, resulting in reduction of ADCC and CDC.
[0246] For hIgG4, which has low affinity for all FcγR, the serine at position 228 plays a pivotal role in F (ab) arm exchange. The S228P substitution can provide homogeneous hIgG4, and is commonly introduced in therapeutic hIgG4 antibodies. Based upon its inherent lack of effector function, the humanγ4 constant region can be used in Fc-silencing approaches. For example, exchanging the humanγ1 region with that of humanγ4 can reduce effector functionality. Murine IgG2b isotype, which also has low FcγR binding activity, differs from hIgG4 at position 235. Incorporating the mouse IgG2b residue (glutamic acid) into the hIgG4 antibody at this position can further minimize Fc effector function, resulting in an antibody (with the S228P / L235E mutations) with substantially reduced, if any, binding to all FcγRs and C1q, and no measurable ADCC. Additionally, rather than replacing the whole constant region of hIgG1 with hIgG4, specific amino acids from humanγ4 can be introduced into antibodies of other IgG isotypes. For example, a combination of amino acid mutations-H268Q / V309L / A330S / P331S (IgG2m4) , when introduced into a hIgG2 backbone, can lead to no detectable binding to hFcγRI, hFcγRIIIA or C1q, reduced binding to hFcγRIIB and no change in binding to FcγRIIA-H131 when compared to the WT hIgG2 antibody. For another example, the V234A / G237A / P238S / H268A / V309L / A330S / P331S (IgG2c4d) mutations, where multiple residues within the hIgG2 constant region are replaced with IgG4 residues, can result in no detectable binding to any FcγRs or C1q and no measurable ADCC, ADCP or CDC when compared to the WT hIgG2 counterpart.
[0247] Accordingly, for illustrative purposes, such variants include: aglycosylation (N297A / Q / G; or“NA” ) , L235A / G237A / E318A ( “AAA” ) , L234A / L235A ( “LALA” ) , S228P / L235E ( “IgG4 PE” ) , G236R / L328R ( “RR” ) , S298G / T299A ( “GA” ) , L234F / L235E / P331S ( “FES” ) , H268Q / V309L / A330S / P331S ( “IgG2m4” ) , E233P / L234V / L235A / deletion of G236 / S267K, L234A / L235A / P329G ( “LALAPG” ) , V234A / G237A / P238S / H268A / V309L / A330S / P331S (“IgG2c4d” ) , and L234F / L235E / D265A ( “FEA” ) . (See Liu et al., Antibodies 9.4 (2020) : 64; Delidakis et al., Annual review of biomedical engineering 24 (2022) : 249-274, both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) . In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the NA mutation. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the AAA mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the LALA mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the RR mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the GA mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the FES mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the LALAPG mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the FEA mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the IgG2m4 mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the IgG2-PE mutations. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein comprise the IgG2c4d mutations. As a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein are not limited by specific Fc modifications, and any combination and permutations of the Fc modifications disclosed herein or otherwise known in the art that reduce the effector function or binding affinity to FcγR can be adopted in bispecific antibodies disclosed herein.
[0248] In some embodiments, the Fc region of the bispecific antibodies provided herein can include an amino acid substitution at a position selected from the group of E233, L234, L235, N297, P331, P329 and K447. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes an amino acid substitution at a position selected from the group of L234, L235, P329 and K447. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes an amino acid substitution at a position selected from the group of L234, L235 and P329. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes the amino acid substitutions L234A and L235A. In some embodiments, the Fc region is an IgG1 Fc region, particularly a human IgG1 Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes an amino acid substitution at position P329. In some embodiments, the amino acid substitution is P329A or P329G. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes an amino acid substitution at position P329 and a further amino acid substitution at a position selected from E233, L234, L235, N297, P331 and K447. In some embodiments, the further amino acid substitution is E233P, L234A, L235A, L235E, N297A, N297D, P331S or K447A. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes amino acid substitutions at positions K447, P329, L234 and L235. In some embodiments, the Fc region comprises the amino acid mutations L234A, L235A, P329G and K447A. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes amino acid substitutions at positions P329, L234 and L235. In some embodiments, the Fc region comprises the amino acid mutations L234A, L235A and P329G. In some embodiments, the Fc region is an IgG4 Fc region, particularly a human IgG4 Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc region includes amino acid substitution at position S228. In some embodiments, the Fc region comprises amino acid substitution S228P. All amino acid residues are numbered according to the EU index.
[0249] In some embodiments, variants can include addition of amino acid residues at the amino-and / or carboxyl-terminal end of the antibody. The length of additional amino acids residues can range from one residue to a hundred or more residues. In some embodiments, a variant comprises an N-terminal methionyl residue. In some embodiments, a variant is engineered to be detectable and may comprise a detectable label and / or protein (e.g., a fluorescent tag or an enzyme) .
[0250] The variant antibodies described herein can be generated using methods known in the art, including but not limited to, site-directed mutagenesis, alanine scanning mutagenesis, and PCR mutagenesis.
[0251] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be chemically modified naturally or by intervention. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies are chemically modified by glycosylation, acetylation, pegylation, phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization by known protecting / blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, and / or linkage to a cellular ligand or other protein. Any of numerous chemical modifications can be carried out by known techniques. The bispecific antibodies provided herein can comprise one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids) , as well as other modifications known in the art.
[0252] The bispecific antibodies of the present disclosure can be analyzed for their physical, chemical and / or biological properties by various methods known in the art. In some embodiments, a bispecific antibody provided herein is tested for its ability to bind human CEACAM1 and / or human VEGF. Binding assays include, but are not limited to, BLI, SPR (e.g., Biacore) , ELISA, and FACS. In addition, antibodies can be evaluated for solubility, stability, thermostability, viscosity, expression levels, expression quality, and / or purification efficiency.
[0253] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be conjugated to a detectable substance or molecule that allows the agent to be used for detection. A detectable substance can include, but is not limited to, enzymes, such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, and acetylcholinesterase; prosthetic groups, such as biotin and flavine (s) ; fluorescent materials, such as, umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) , rhodamine, tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) , dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride, cyanine (Cy3) , and phycoerythrin; bioluminescent materials, such as luciferase; radioactive materials, such as 212Bi, 14C, 57Co, 51Cr, 67Cu, 18F, 68Ga, 67Ga, 153Gd, 159Gd, 68Ge, 3H, 166Ho, 131I, 125I, 123I, 121I, 115In, 113In, 112In, 111In, 140La, 177Lu, 54Mn, 99Mo, 32P, 103Pd, 149Pm, 142Pr, 186Re, 188Re, 105Rh, 97Ru, 35S, 47Sc, 75Se, 153Sm, 113Sn, 117Sn, 85Sr, 99mTc, 201Ti, 133Xe, 90Y, 69Yb, 175Yb, 65Zn; positron emitting metals; and magnetic metal ions positron emitting metals; and magnetic metal ions.
[0254] The anti-VEGF / CEACAM1 bispecific antibodies disclosed herein can be attached to a solid support. Such solid supports include, but are not limited to, glass, cellulose, polyacrylamide, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or polypropylene. In some embodiments, an immobilized bispecific antibody is used in an immunoassay. In some embodiments, an immobilized bispecific antibody is used in purification. 6.3 Polynucleotides, vectors, and cells
[0255] Provided herein are polynucleotides encoding at least one peptide chain of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides provided herein encode one peptide. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides provided herein encode more than one peptide. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides provided herein can encode, for example, both peptide chains of a bispecific antibody provided herein (e.g., the bispecific antibodies in IgG-scFv format) . In some embodiments, the polynucleotides provided herein can encode two or three of the peptide chains of a bispecific antibody provided herein (e.g., the bispecific antibodies in Epimab format or 2+2 Fab format) . In some embodiments, the polynucleotides provided herein can encode two, three, four of the peptide chains of a bispecific antibody provided herein (e.g., the bispecific antibodies in CrossmabVH-VL format or CrossmabFab format) .
[0256] In some embodiments, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC, LC, or both of the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the IgG-scFv format. For example, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC, LC, or both of the bispecific antibodies exemplified in Tables 3A and 3B. In some embodiments, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, HC2, LC1 or any combination thereof of the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the Epimab format. For example, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, HC2, LC1 or any combination thereof of the bispecific antibodies exemplified in Tables 4A and 4B. In some embodiments, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, HC2, LC1, LC2 or any combination thereof of the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the CrossmabVH-VL format. For example, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, HC2, LC1, LC2 or any combination thereof of the bispecific antibodies exemplified in Tables 6A and 6B. In some embodiments, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, HC2, LC1, LC2 or any combination thereof of the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the CrossmabFab format. For example, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, HC2, LC1, LC2 or any combination thereof of the bispecific antibodies exemplified in Tables 7A and 7B. In some embodiments, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, LC1, LC2 or any combination thereof of the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the 2+2 Fab format. For example, provided herein are polynucleotides encoding the HC1, LC1, LC2 or any combination thereof of the bispecific antibodies exemplified in Tables 8A and 8B.
[0257] Cistrons can be separated by, for example, an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) or 2A element. An IRES, as understood in the art, refers to nucleotide sequences in an expression cassette which when transcribed into mRNA, can recruit ribosomes directly, without a previous scanning of untranslated region of mRNA by the ribosomes. A2A element, as understood in the art, encoding self-cleaving short peptides (about 20 amino acids) that provide a mechanism for subsequent separation of equimolarly produced polypeptides of interest. Illustrative 2A self-cleaving peptides include P2A, E2A, F2A, and T2A.
[0258] As used herein, the term “encode” and its grammatical equivalents refer to the inherent property of specific sequences of nucleotides in a polynucleotide or a nucleic acid, such as a gene, a cDNA, or an mRNA, to serve as templates for synthesis of other polymers and macromolecules in biological processes having either a defined sequence of nucleotides (i.e., rRNA, tRNA and mRNA) or a defined sequence of amino acids and the biological properties resulting therefrom. Thus, a gene encodes a protein if transcription and translation of mRNA corresponding to that gene produces the protein. Unless otherwise specified, a “nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence” includes all nucleotide sequences that are degenerate versions of each other and that encode the same amino acid sequence. Nucleotide sequences that encode proteins and RNA can include introns.
[0259] The term “polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide” encompasses a polynucleotide which includes only coding sequences for the polypeptide as well as a polynucleotide which includes additional coding and / or non-coding sequences. The polynucleotides of the disclosure can be in the form of RNA or in the form of DNA. DNA can be cDNA, genomic DNA, or synthetic DNA, and can be double-stranded or single-stranded. Single stranded DNA can be the coding strand or non-coding (anti-sense) strand. The polynucleotides of the disclosure can be mRNA.
[0260] The present disclosure also provides variants of the polynucleotides described herein, wherein the variants have a nucleotide sequence at least about 80%identical, at least about 85%identical, at least about 90%identical, at least about 95%identical, at least about 96%identical, at least about 97%identical, at least about 98%identical, or at least about 99%identical to a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one peptide chain of a bispecific antibody described herein. As used herein, the phrase “a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence at least about 95%identical to a polynucleotide sequence” means that the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide is identical to a reference sequence except that the polynucleotide sequence can include up to five point mutations per each 100 nucleotides of the reference nucleotide sequence. In other words, to obtain a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence at least 95%identical to a reference nucleotide sequence, up to 5%of the nucleotides in the reference sequence can be deleted or substituted with another nucleotide, or a number of nucleotides up to 5%of the total nucleotides in the reference sequence can be inserted into the reference sequence. These mutations of the reference sequence can occur at the 5’ or 3’ terminal positions of the reference nucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence.
[0261] The polynucleotide variants can contain alterations in the coding regions, non-coding regions, or both. In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant contains alterations which produce silent substitutions, additions, or deletions, but does not alter the properties or activities of the encoded polypeptide. In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant comprises silent substitutions that results in no change to the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide (due to the degeneracy of the genetic code) . Polynucleotide variants can be produced for a variety of reasons, for example, to optimize codon expression for a particular host (e.g., change codons in the human mRNA to those preferred by a bacterial host such as E. coli) . In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant comprises at least one silent mutation in a non-coding or a coding region of the sequence.
[0262] In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant is produced to modulate or alter expression (or expression levels) of the encoded polypeptide. In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant is produced to increase expression of the encoded polypeptide. In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant is produced to decrease expression of the encoded polypeptide. In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant has increased expression of the encoded polypeptide as compared to a parental polynucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, a polynucleotide variant has decreased expression of the encoded polypeptide as compared to a parental polynucleotide sequence.
[0263] In some embodiments, a polynucleotide comprises the coding sequence for a polypeptide (e.g., an antibody or a fusion protein) fused in the same reading frame to a polynucleotide which aids in expression and secretion of a polypeptide from a host cell (e.g., a leader sequence which functions as a secretory sequence for controlling transport of a polypeptide) . The polypeptide can have the leader sequence cleaved by the host cell to form a “mature” form of the polypeptide.
[0264] In some embodiments, a polynucleotide comprises the coding sequence for a polypeptide (e.g., an antibody) fused in the same reading frame to a marker or tag sequence. For example, in some embodiments, a marker sequence is a hexa-histidine tag (HIS-tag) that allows for efficient purification of the polypeptide fused to the marker. In some embodiments, a marker sequence is a hemagglutinin (HA) tag derived from the influenza hemagglutinin protein when a mammalian host (e.g., COS-7 cells) is used. In some embodiments, the marker sequence is a FLAGTM tag. In some embodiments, a marker can be used in conjunction with other markers or tags.
[0265] In some embodiments, a polynucleotide is isolated. In some embodiments, a polynucleotide is substantially pure.
[0266] In some embodiments, provided herein are also vectors comprising a polynucleotide disclosed herein. The term “vector, ” and its grammatical equivalents as used herein refer to a vehicle that is used to carry genetic material (e.g., a polynucleotide sequence) , which can be introduced into a host cell, where it can be replicated and / or expressed. Vectors applicable for use include, for example, expression vectors, plasmids, phage vectors, viral vectors, episomes and artificial chromosomes, which can include selection sequences or markers operable for stable integration into a host cell’s chromosome. Additionally, the vectors can include one or more selectable marker genes and appropriate expression control sequences. Selectable marker genes that can be included, for example, provide resistance to antibiotics or toxins, complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or supply critical nutrients not in the culture media. Expression control sequences can include constitutive and inducible promoters, transcription enhancers, transcription terminators, and the like which are well known in the art. When two or more polynucleotides are to be co-expressed, both polynucleotides can be inserted, for example, into a single expression vector or in separate expression vectors. For single vector expression, the encoding polynucleotides can be operationally linked to one common expression control sequence or linked to different expression control sequences, such as one inducible promoter and one constitutive promoter. The introduction of polynucleotides into a host cell can be confirmed using methods well known in the art. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the polynucleotides are expressed in a sufficient amount to produce a desired product, and it is further understood that expression levels can be optimized to obtain sufficient expression using methods well known in the art.
[0267] In some embodiments, vectors provided herein can be expression vectors. In some embodiments, vectors provided herein comprise a polynucleotide encoding at least one peptide chain of the bispecific antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are recombinant expression vectors, which can be used to amplify and express a polynucleotide encoding at least one peptide chain of the bispecific antibodies described herein. For example, a recombinant expression vector can be a replicable DNA construct that includes synthetic or cDNA-derived DNA fragments encoding at least one peptide chain of the bispecific antibodies described herein, operatively linked to suitable transcriptional and / or translational regulatory elements derived from mammalian, microbial, viral or insect genes. In some embodiments, a viral vector is used. DNA regions are “operatively linked” when they are functionally related to each other. For example, a promoter is operatively linked to a coding sequence if it controls the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operatively linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to permit translation. In some embodiments, structural elements intended for use in certain expression systems include a leader sequence enabling extracellular secretion of translated protein by a host cell. In some embodiments, in situations where recombinant protein is expressed without a leader or transport sequence, a polypeptide can include an N-terminal methionine residue.
[0268] Examples of vectors are plasmid, autonomously replicating sequences, and transposable elements. Useful expression vectors for bacterial hosts include known bacterial plasmids, such as plasmids from E. coli, including pCR1, pBR322, pMB9 and their derivatives, and wider host range plasmids, such as M13 and other filamentous single-stranded DNA phages. Additional exemplary vectors include, without limitation, plasmids, phagemids, cosmids, artificial chromosomes such as yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) , bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) , or P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) , bacteriophages such as lambda phage or M13 phage, and animal viruses. Examples of categories of animal viruses useful as vectors include, without limitation, retrovirus (including lentivirus) , adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpesvirus (e.g., herpes simplex virus) , poxvirus, baculovirus, papillomavirus, and papovavirus (e.g., SV40) . Examples of expression vectors are pClneo vectors (Promega) for expression in mammalian cells; pLenti4 / V5-DESTTM, pLenti6 / V5-DESTTM, and pLenti6.2 / V5-GW / lacZ (Invitrogen) for lentivirus-mediated gene transfer and expression in mammalian cells. Useful expression vectors for eukaryotic hosts include, for example, vectors comprising expression control sequences from SV40, bovine papilloma virus, adenovirus, and cytomegalovirus. Exemplary transposon systems such as Sleeping Beauty and PiggyBac can be used, which can be stably integrated into the genome (e.g., Ivics et al., Cell, 91 (4) : 501-510 (1997) ; et al., (2007) Nucleic Acids Research. 35 (12) : e87) .
[0269] In some embodiments, the vector is an episomal vector or a vector that is maintained extrachromosomally. As used herein, the term “episomal” refers to a vector that is able to replicate without integration into host’s chromosomal DNA and without gradual loss from a dividing host cell also meaning that said vector replicates extrachromosomally or episomally. The vector is engineered to harbor the sequence coding for the origin of DNA replication or “ori” from a lymphotrophic herpes virus or a gamma herpesvirus, an adenovirus, SV40, a bovine papilloma virus, or a yeast, specifically a replication origin of a lymphotrophic herpes virus or a gamma herpesvirus corresponding to oriP of EBV. In some embodiments, the lymphotrophic herpes virus may be Epstein Barr virus (EBV) , Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV) , Herpes virus saimiri (HS) , or Marek's disease virus (MDV) . Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV) are also examples of a gamma herpesvirus. Typically, the host cell comprises the viral replication transactivator protein that activates the replication.
[0270] “Expression control sequences, ” “control elements, ” or “regulatory sequences” present in an expression vector are those non-translated regions of the vector-origin of replication, selection cassettes, promoters, enhancers, translation initiation signals (Shine Dalgarno sequence or Kozak sequence) introns, a polyadenylation sequence, 5' and 3' untranslated regions-which interact with host cellular proteins to carry out transcription and translation. Such elements can vary in their strength and specificity. Depending on the vector system and host utilized, any number of suitable transcription and translation elements, including ubiquitous promoters and inducible promoters can be used.
[0271] Illustrative ubiquitous expression control sequences that can be used in present disclosure include, but are not limited to, a cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter, a viral simian virus 40 (SV40) promoter (e.g., early or late) , a Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) LTR promoter, a Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) LTR, a herpes simplex virus (HSV) (thymidine kinase) promoter, H5, P7.5, and P11 promoters from vaccinia virus, an elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1a) promoter, early growth response 1 (EGR1) , ferritin H (FerH) , ferritin L (FerL) , Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) , eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1 (EIF4A1) , heat shock 70kDa protein 5 (HSPA5) , heat shock protein 90kDa beta, member 1 (HSP90B1) , heat shock protein 70kDa (HSP70) , β-kinesin (β-KIN) , the human ROSA 26 locus (Irions et al., Nature Biotechnology 25, 1477-1482 (2007) ) , a Ubiquitin C promoter (UBC) , a phosphoglycerate kinase-1 (PGK) promoter, a cytomegalovirus enhancer / chickenβ-actin (CAG) promoter, and aβ-actin promoter.
[0272] Illustrative examples of inducible promoters / systems include, but are not limited to, steroid-inducible promoters such as promoters for genes encoding glucocorticoid or estrogen receptors (inducible by treatment with the corresponding hormone) , metallothionine promoter (inducible by treatment with various heavy metals) , MX-1 promoter (inducible by interferon) , the “GeneSwitch” mifepristone-regulatable system (Sirin et al., 2003, Gene, 323: 67) , the cumate inducible gene switch (WO 2002 / 088346) , tetracycline-dependent regulatory systems, etc. The bispecific antibodies described herein can be produced by any method known in the art, including chemical synthesis and recombinant expression techniques. The practice of the invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques in molecular biology, microbiology, genetic analysis, recombinant DNA, organic chemistry, biochemistry, PCR, oligonucleotide synthesis and modification, nucleic acid hybridization, and related fields within the skill of the art.
[0273] The present disclosure also provides cells comprising the polynucleotides disclosed herein that encode at least one peptide chain of the bispecific antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a polynucleotide that encodes the HC and LC of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the IgG-scFv format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a first polynucleotide that encodes HC and a second polynucleotide that encodes LC of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the IgG-scFv format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a polynucleotide that encodes the HC1, HC2 and LC1 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the Epimab format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a plurality of the polynucleotides that collectively encode the HC1, HC2 and LC1 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the Epimab format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a polynucleotide that encodes the HC1, LC1 and LC2 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the 2+2 Fab format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a plurality of the polynucleotides that collectively encode the HC1, LC1 and LC2 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the 2+2 Fab format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a polynucleotide that encodes the HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the CrossmabVH-VL format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a plurality of the polynucleotides that collectively encode the HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the CrossmabVH-VL format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a polynucleotide that encodes the HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the CrossmabFab format. In some embodiments, cells provided herein comprise a plurality of the polynucleotides that collectively encode the HC1, HC2, LC1 and LC2 of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the Crossmabfab format.
[0274] Cells comprising vectors disclosed herein are also contemplated. In some embodiments, provided herein are host cells comprising a vector comprising a polynucleotide disclosed herein. In some embodiments, host cells provided herein comprise a vector or multiple vectors that collectively comprise the polynucleotides encoding the polypeptide chains of the bispecific antibodies described herein. In some embodiments, host cells provided herein produce the bispecific antibodies described herein.
[0275] Examples of suitable mammalian host cell lines include, but are not limited to, COS-7 (monkey kidney-derived) , L-929 (murine fibroblast-derived) , C127 (murine mammary tumor-derived) , 3T3 (murine fibroblast-derived) , CHO (Chinese hamster ovary-derived) , HeLa (human cervical cancer-derived) , BHK (hamster kidney fibroblast-derived) , HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney-derived) cell lines and variants thereof. Mammalian expression vectors can comprise non-transcribed elements such as an origin of replication, a suitable promoter and enhancer linked to the gene to be expressed, and other 5’ or 3’ flanking non-transcribed sequences, and 5’ or 3’ non-translated sequences, such as necessary ribosome binding sites, a polyadenylation site, splice donor and acceptor sites, and transcriptional termination sequences. Expression of recombinant proteins in insect cell culture systems (e.g., baculovirus) also offers a robust method for producing correctly folded and biologically functional proteins. Baculovirus systems for production of heterologous proteins in insect cells are well-known to those of skill in the art. 6.4 Methods of production
[0276] Provided herein are also methods of producing the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein are comprised of more than one polypeptide chain, which can be produced separately or together. In some embodiments, methods provided herein produce at least one polypeptide chain of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. In some embodiments, methods provided herein produce all polypeptide chains of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein.
[0277] The bispecific antibodies or polypeptides described herein can be produced and isolated using methods known in the art. Polyeptides can be synthesized, in whole or in part, using chemical methods (see, e.g., Caruthers (1980) . Nucleic Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 215; Horn (1980) ; and Banga, A.K., THERAPEUTIC PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS, FORMULATION, PROCESSING AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS (1995) Technomic Publishing Co., Lancaster, PA) . Peptide synthesis can be performed using various solid phase techniques (see, e.g., Roberge, Science 269: 202 (1995) ; Merrifield, Methods. Enzymol. 289: 3 (1997) ) and automated synthesis may be achieved, e.g., using the ABI 431A Peptide Synthesizer (Perkin Elmer) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Peptides can also be synthesized using combinatorial methodologies. Synthetic residues and polypeptides can be synthesized using a variety of procedures and methodologies known in the art (see, e.g., ORGANIC SYNTHESES COLLECTIVE VOLUMES, Gilman, et al., (Eds) John Wiley&Sons, Inc., NY) . Modified peptides can be produced by chemical modification methods (see, for example, Belousov, Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 3440 (1997) ; Frenkel, Free Radic. Biol. Med. 19: 373 (1995) ; and Blommers, Biochemistry 33: 7886 (1994) ) . Peptide sequence variations, derivatives, substitutions and modifications can also be made using methods such as oligonucleotide-mediated (site-directed) mutagenesis, alanine scanning, and PCR based mutagenesis. Site-directed mutagenesis (Carter et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 13: 4331 (1986) ; Zoller et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 10: 6487 (1987) ) , cassette mutagenesis (Wells et al., Gene 34: 315 (1985) ) , restriction selection mutagenesis (Wells et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London SerA 317: 415 (1986) ) and other techniques can be performed on cloned DNA to produce invention peptide sequences, variants, fusions and chimeras, and variations, derivatives, substitutions and modifications thereof.
[0278] A variety of host-expression vector systems can be utilized to recombinantly express the bispecific antibodies described herein or one or more of their polypeptide chains. Suitable host cells for expression include prokaryotes, yeast cells, insect cells, or higher eukaryotic cells under the control of appropriate promoters. Appropriate cloning and expression vectors for use with bacterial, fungal, yeast, and mammalian cellular hosts, as well as methods of protein production, including antibody production are well-known in the art. Such host-expression systems represent vehicles by which the coding sequences of the bispecific antibodies described herein can be produced and subsequently purified, but also represent cells which may, when transformed or transfected with the appropriate polynucleotide coding sequences, express the bispecific antibodies described herein in situ. These include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli and B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing coding sequences for the compounds described herein; yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces pichia) transformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing sequences encoding the compounds described herein; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baclovirus) containing the sequences encoding the compounds described herein; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing sequences encoding the molecules compounds described herein; or mammalian cell systems (e.g., COS, CHO, BHK, 293, 293T, 3T3 cells, lymphotic cells (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,715) , Per C. 6 cells (human retinal cells developed by Crucell) harboring recombinant expression constructs containing promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter) .
[0279] In bacterial systems, many expression vectors can be advantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the protein being expressed. For example, when a large quantity of such a protein is to be produced, for the generation of pharmaceutical compositions of the bispecific antibodies described herein, vectors which direct the expression of high levels of protein products that are readily purified can be desirable. Such vectors include, but are not limited, to the E. coli expression vector pUR278 (Ruther et al., (1983) , EMBO J. 2: 1791-1794) ; pIN vectors (Inouye et al., (1985) , Nucleic Acids Res. 13: 3101-3110; Van Heeke et al., (1989) , J. Biol. Chem. 24: 5503-5509) ; and the like. pGEX vectors can also be used to express polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST) . In general, such proteins are soluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption and binding to a matrix glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. The pGEX vectors are designed to include thrombin or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned target gene product can be released from the GST moiety.
[0280] Useful expression vectors for eukaryotic hosts include, for example, vectors comprising expression control sequences from SV40, bovine papilloma virus, adenovirus, and cytomegalovirus. In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems can be utilized. Examples of suitable mammalian host cell lines include, but are not limited to, COS-7 (monkey kidney-derived) , L-929 (murine fibroblast-derived) , C127 (murine mammary tumor-derived) , 3T3 (murine fibroblast-derived) , CHO (Chinese hamster ovary-derived) , HeLa (human cervical cancer-derived) , BHK (hamster kidney fibroblast-derived) , HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney-derived) cell lines and variants thereof. Mammalian expression vectors can comprise non-transcribed elements such as an origin of replication, a suitable promoter and enhancer linked to the gene to be expressed, and other 5’or 3’ flanking non-transcribed sequences, and 5’ or 3’ non-translated sequences, such as necessary ribosome binding sites, a polyadenylation site, splice donor and acceptor sites, and transcriptional termination sequences. Expression of recombinant proteins in insect cell culture systems (e.g., baculovirus) also offers a robust method for producing correctly folded and biologically functional proteins. Baculovirus systems for production of heterologous proteins in insect cells are well-known to those of skill in the art. Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes.
[0281] In addition, a host cell strain can be chosen which modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes the gene product in the specific fashion desired. Such modifications (e.g., glycosylation) and processing (e.g., cleavage) of protein products can be important for the function of the protein. For example, in certain embodiments, the antibodies described herein can be expressed as a single gene product (e.g., as a single polypeptide chain, i.e., as a polyprotein precursor) , requiring proteolytic cleavage by native or recombinant cellular mechanisms to form separate polypeptides of the bispecific antibodies described herein. The disclosure thus encompasses engineering a nucleic acid sequence to encode a polyprotein precursor molecule comprising the polypeptides of the bispecific antibodies described herein, which includes coding sequences capable of directing post translational cleavage of said polyprotein precursor. Post-translational cleavage of the polyprotein precursor results in the polypeptides of the bispecific antibodies described herein. The post translational cleavage of the precursor molecule comprising the polypeptides of the compounds described herein can occur in vivo (i.e., within the host cell by native or recombinant cell systems / mechanisms, e.g. furin cleavage at an appropriate site) or can occur in vitro (e.g. incubation of said polypeptide chain in a composition comprising proteases or peptidases of known activity and / or in a composition comprising conditions or reagents known to foster the desired proteolytic action) . Purification and modification of recombinant proteins is well known in the art such that the design of the polyprotein precursor can include a number of embodiments readily appreciated by a skilled artisan. Any known proteases or peptidases known in the art can be used for the described modification of the precursor molecule.
[0282] Different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the post-translational processing and modification of proteins and gene products. Appropriate cell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein expressed. To this end, eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery for proper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, and phosphorylation of the gene product may be used. Such mammalian host cells include but are not limited to CHO, VERY, BHK, HeLa, COS, MDCK, 293, 293T, 3T3, WI38, BT483, Hs578T, HTB2, BT20 and T47D, CRL7030 and Hs578Bst.
[0283] For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins, stable expression is preferred. For example, cell lines which stably express compounds described herein can be engineered. Rather than using expression vectors which contain viral origins of replication, host cells can be transformed with DNA controlled by appropriate expression control elements (e.g., promoter, enhancer, sequences, transcription terminators, polyadenylation sites, etc. ) , and a selectable marker. Following the introduction of the foreign DNA, engineered cells can be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched media, and then are switched to a selective media. The selectable marker in the recombinant plasmid confers resistance to the selection and allows cells to stably integrate the plasmid into their chromosomes and grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into cell lines. This method can advantageously be used to engineer cell lines which express the compounds described herein. Such engineered cell lines may be particularly useful in screening and evaluation of compounds that interact directly or indirectly with the compounds described herein.
[0284] A number of selection systems may be used, including but not limited to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler et al., (1977) , Cell 11: 223-232) , hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska et al., (1992) Bioessays 14: 495-500) , and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy et al., (1980) , Cell 22: 817-823) genes can be employed in tk-, hgprt-or aprt-cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite resistance can be used as the basis of selection for the following genes: dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler et al., (1980) PNAS77: 3567-3570; O'Hare et al., (1981) PNAS, 78: 1527-1531) ; gpt, which confers resistance to mycophenolic acid (Mulligan et al., (1981) PNAS, 78: 2072-2076) ; neo, which confers resistance to the aminoglycoside G-418 (Tolstoshev (1993) , Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 32: 573-596; Mulligan (1993) , Science 260: 926-932; and Morgan et al., (1993) , Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62: 191-217) and hygro, which confers resistance to hygromycin (Santerre et al., (1984) Gene 30: 147-156) . Methods commonly known in the art of recombinant DNA technology which can be used are described in Ausubel et al., (eds. ) , 1993, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley&Sons, NY;Kriegler, 1990, GENE TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION, A LABORATORY MANUAL, Stockton Press, NY;and in Chapters 12 and 13, Dracopoli et al., (eds) , 1994, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN HUMAN GENETICS, John Wiley&Sons, NY.
[0285] The expression levels of bispecific antibodies described herein or their polypeptide chains can be increased by vector amplification (for a review, see Bebbington and Hentschel, The use of vectors based on gene amplification for the expression of cloned genes in mammalian cells in DNA cloning, Vol. 3 (Academic Press, New York, 1987) . When a marker in the vector system described herein is amplifiable, increase in the level of inhibitor present in culture of host cell will increase the number of copies of the marker gene. Since the amplified region is associated with the nucleotide sequence of a protein of interest, production of the protein of interest will also increase (Crouse et al., (1983) Mol. Cell. Biol. 3: 257-266) .
[0286] The host cell can be co-transfected with more than one expression vectors, each encoding a polypeptide chain of a bispecific antibody described herein. The vectors can contain identical selectable markers which enable equal expression of all polypeptides. Alternatively, a single vector can be used which encodes two or more polypeptides. The coding sequences for the polypeptides of compounds described herein can comprise cDNA or genomic DNA.
[0287] Once a bispecific antibody described herein or polypeptide described herein has been recombinantly expressed, it can be purified by any method known in the art for purification of polypeptides, polyproteins or antibodies (e.g., analogous to antibody purification schemes based on antigen selectivity) for example, by chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity, particularly by affinity for the specific antigen (optionally after Protein A selection where the compound comprises an Fc domain (or portion thereof) ) , and sizing column chromatography) , centrifugation, differential solubility, or by any other standard technique for the purification of polypeptides or antibodies.
[0288] Provided herein are methods of producing bispecific antibodies described herein or a polypeptide chain of a bispecific antibody described herein, the method comprising obtaining a cell described herein and expressing the polynucleotide described herein in said cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises isolating and purifying a bispecific antibody or polypeptide chain described herein.
[0289] The bispecific antibodies described herein can be tested for binding to human CEACAM1 and / or VEGF by, for example, standard ELISA. Briefly, microtiter plates are coated with purified antigen, and then blocked with bovine serum albumin. Dilutions of antibody are added to each well and incubated. The plates are washed and incubated with secondary reagent (e.g., for human antibodies, a goat-anti-human IgG Fc-specific polyclonal reagent) conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) . After washing, the plates can be developed and analyzed by a spectrophotometer. Antibodies can be further tested by flow cytometry for binding to a cell line expressing human CEACAM1 and / or VEGF, but not to a control cell line that does not express the target antigen. Briefly, the binding of antibodies can be assessed by incubating CEACAM1 and / or VEGF expressing CHO cells with the bispecific antibody provided herein. The cells can be washed, and binding can be detected with an anti-human IgG Ab. Flow cytometric analyses can be performed using a FACS can flow cytometry (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, CA) .
[0290] The bispecific antibodies provided herein can be further tested for reactivity with the target antigen (s) by Western blotting, and other methods known in the art for analyzing binding affinity, cross-reactivity, and binding kinetics of various bispecific antibodies described herein include, for example, biolayer interferometry (BLI) using, for example, Gator system (Probe Life) or the Octet-96 system (Sartorius AG) , or BIACORETM surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis using a BIACORETM2000 SPR instrument (Biacore AB, Uppsala, Sweden) .
[0291] A variety of assays can be used to characterize the biological activity of bispecific antibodies disclosed herein, such as: (1) T cell activation assays, such as assays using purified T cells obtained from PBMCs of human donors. Assays can be conducted with total T cells or subpopulations thereof, e.g., Th1 cells, T cytotoxic cells, Treg cells, CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, provided that they express CEACAM1. Activation may be measured by determining the level of secretion of certain cytokines, e.g., interferon-g or IL-2 or the level of proliferation of the T cells. Without wanting to be limited to a particular mechanism of action, binding of anti-CEACAM1 antibodies to CEACAM1 on T cells may prevent binding of CEACAM1 to a CEACAM1 ligand and thereby prevent CEACAM1 mediated signaling in the T cell thereby preventing negatively regulation of T cells by CEACAM1. Exemplary assays, including Th1 assays, TIL assays and mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs) are well known in the art; (2) assays measuring stimulation of macrophages, e.g., M1 or M2 macrophage; (3) assays measuring secretion of myeloid-associated cytokines, e.g., TNFα, IL-Iβ, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4 or CCL5 from CEACAM1 positive myeloid cells. In some embodiments, anti-CEACAM1 antibodies stimulate the secretion of TNFα, IL-Iβ, GM-CSF, IL-6, and IL-2 and / or inhibit the secretion of IL-10, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4 or CCL5 from CEACAM1 positive myeloid cells; and (4) assays measuring the antigen presentation capacity of myeloid cells.
[0292] Generally, any method for testing the biological activity of an agent that affects immune responses can be used to characterize the biological activity of the antibodies disclosed herein.
[0293] The practice of the invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques in molecular biology, microbiology, genetic analysis, recombinant DNA, organic chemistry, biochemistry, PCR, oligonucleotide synthesis and modification, nucleic acid hybridization, and related fields within the skill of the art. These techniques are described in the references cited herein and are fully explained in the literature. See, e.g., Maniatis et al., (1982) MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; Sambrook et al., (1989) , MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; Sambrook et al., (2001) MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY; Ausubel et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley&Sons (1987 and annual updates) ; CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY, John Wiley&Sons (1987 and annual updates) Gait (ed. ) (1984) OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, IRL Press; Eckstein (ed. ) (1991) OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AND ANALOGUES: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, IRL Press; Birren et al., (eds. ) (1999) GENOME ANALYSIS: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; Borrebaeck (ed. ) (1995) ; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 6.5 Pharmaceutical Compositions
[0294] Provided herein are also pharmaceutical compositions comprising the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are useful in immunotherapy. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are useful in immuno-oncology. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are useful in inhibiting tumor growth in a subject (e.g., a human patient) . In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are useful in treating cancer in a subject (e.g., a human patient) .
[0295] The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” or “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” refers to a material that is suitable for drug administration to an individual along with an active agent without causing undesirable biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the other components of the pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein can comprise one or more of a buffer system, a preservative, a tonicity agent, a chelating agent, a stabilizer and / or a surfactant, as well as various combinations thereof. The use of preservatives, isotonic agents, chelating agents, stabilizers and surfactants in pharmaceutical compositions is well-known to the skilled person. Reference may be made to REMINGTON: THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACY, 19th edition, 1995.
[0296] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein comprise bispecific antibodies provided herein. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that can be used in compositions provided herein include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible. In some embodiments, the carrier is suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, spinal or epidermal administration (e.g., by injection or infusion) . Depending on the route of administration, the active ingredient (i.e., the bispecific antibodies) can be coated in a material to protect the active ingredient from the action of acids and other natural conditions that can inactivate the active ingredient.
[0297] Provided herein are also kits for preparation of pharmaceutical compositions having the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kit comprises the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in one or more containers. In another embodiment, the kits can comprise bispecific antibodies disclosed herein for administration to a subject. In specific embodiments, the kits comprise instructions regarding the preparation and / or administration of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein.
[0298] In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein wherein the composition is suitable for local administration. In some embodiments, local administration comprises intratumoral injection, peritumoral injection, juxtatumoral injection, intralesional injection and / or injection into a tumor draining lymph node, or essentially any tumor-targeted injection where the antitumor agent is expected to leak into primary lymph nodes adjacent to targeted solid tumor.
[0299] Provided herein are also pharmaceutical compositions or formulations that improve the stability of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein to allow for their long-term storage. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition or formulation disclosed herein comprises: (a) bispecific antibodies disclosed herein disclosed herein; (b) a buffering agent; (c) a stabilizing agent; (d)a salt; (e) a bulking agent; and / or (f) a surfactant. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition or formulation is stable for at least 1 month, at least 2 months, at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 1 year, at least 2 years, at least 3 years, at least 5 years or more. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition or formulation is stable when stored at 4℃, 25℃, or 40℃.
[0300] Buffering agents useful in the pharmaceutical compositions or formulations disclosed herein can be a weak acid or base used to maintain the acidity (pH) of a solution near a chosen value after the addition of another acid or base. Suitable buffering agents can maximize the stability of the pharmaceutical formulations by maintaining pH control of the formulation. Suitable buffering agents can also ensure physiological compatibility or optimize solubility. Rheology, viscosity and other properties can also depend on the pH of the formulation. Common buffering agents include, but are not limited to, histidine, citrate, succinate, acetate and phosphate. In some embodiments, a buffering agent comprises histidine (e.g., L-histidine) with isotonicity agents and potentially pH adjustment with an acid or a base known in the art. In certain embodiments, the buffering agent is L-histidine. In certain embodiments, the pH of the formulation is maintained between about 2 and about 10, or between about 4 and about 8.
[0301] Stabilizing agents are added to a pharmaceutical product to stabilize that product. Such agents can stabilize proteins in different ways. Common stabilizing agents include, but are not limited to, amino acids such as glycine, alanine, lysine, arginine, or threonine, carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose, trehalose, rafftnose, or maltose, polyols such as glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol, cyclodextrins or destrans of any kind and molecular weight, or PEG. In some embodiments, the stabilizing agent is chosen to maximize the stability of FIX polypeptide in lyophilized preparations. In certain embodiments, the stabilizing agent is sucrose and / or arginine.
[0302] Bulking agents can be added to a pharmaceutical composition or formulation to add volume and mass to the product, thereby facilitating precise metering and handling thereof. Common bulking agents include, but are not limited to, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, calcium carbonate, or magnesium stearate.
[0303] Surfactants are amphipathic substances with lyophilic and lyophobic groups. A surfactant can be anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, or nonionic. Examples of nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl ethoxylate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, amine ethoxylate, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or oleyl alcohol, cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, polysorbates, or dodecyl dimethylamine oxide. In some embodiments, the surfactant is polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80.
[0304] The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein can further comprise one or more of a buffer system, a preservative, a tonicity agent, a chelating agent, a stabilizer and / or a surfactant, as well as various combinations thereof. The use of preservatives, isotonic agents, chelating agents, stabilizers and surfactants in pharmaceutical compositions is well-known to the skilled person. Reference may be made to REMINGTON: THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACY, 19th edition, 1995.
[0305] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is an aqueous formulation. Such a formulation is typically a solution or a suspension, but can also include colloids, dispersions, emulsions, and multi-phase materials. The term “aqueous formulation” is defined as a formulation comprising at least 50%w / w water. Likewise, the term “aqueous solution” is defined as a solution comprising at least 50%w / w water, and the term “aqueous suspension” is defined as a suspension comprising at least 50%w / w water.
[0306] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein are freeze-dried, to which the physician or the patient adds solvents and / or diluents prior to use.
[0307] Pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein can also include a pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidant. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include: (1) water soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite and the like; (2) oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) , butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) , lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and (3) metal chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) , sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.
[0308] Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers that can be employed in the pharmaceutical compositions or formulations described herein include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like) , and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.
[0309] These compositions can also contain adjuvants such as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention of presence of microorganisms can be ensured both by sterilization procedures, supra, and by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It can also be desirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like into the compositions. In addition, prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form can be brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.
[0310] Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is known in the art. In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the bispecific antibodies or cells provided herein wherein the composition is suitable for local administration.
[0311] Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations typically must be sterile and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The composition can be formulated as a solution, microemulsion, liposome, or other ordered structure suitable to high drug concentration. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like) , and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. In many cases, the compositions can include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent that delays absorption, for example, monostearate salts and gelatin.
[0312] Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by sterilization microfiltration. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle that contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated herein. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, some methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying (lyophilization) that yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.
[0313] The amount of active ingredient which can be combined with a carrier material in the pharmaceutical compositions or formulations disclosed herein can vary. In some embodiments, the amount of active ingredient which can be combined with a carrier material is the amount that produces a therapeutic effect. Generally, out of one hundred percent, this amount will range from about 0.01 percent to about ninety-nine percent of active ingredient, from about 0.1 percent to about 70 percent, or from about 1 percent to about 30 percent of active ingredient in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0314] The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein can be prepared with carriers that protect the active ingredient against rapid release, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants, transdermal patches, and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and poly lactic acid. Many methods for the preparation of such formulations are patented or generally known to those skilled in the art. See. e.g., SUSTAINED AND CONTROLLED RELEASE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS, J. R. Robinson, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1978.
[0315] Provided herein are also kits for preparation of pharmaceutical compositions having the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kit comprises the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in one or more containers. In another embodiment, the kits can comprise the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies disclosed herein for administration to a subject. In specific embodiments, the kits comprise instructions regarding the preparation and / or administration of the anti-CEACAM1 / VEGF bispecific antibodies. 6.6 Methods and Uses
[0316] The bispecific antibodies compositions and methods described herein have numerous in vitro and in vivo utilities involving, for example, enhancement of immune response, such as by inhibiting (or antagonizing) CEACAM1 meditated immune suppression, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, and / or treatment of cancer.
[0317] In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies described herein can be administered to cells in culture, in vitro or ex vivo, or to human subjects, e.g., in vivo, to enhance immunity in a variety of diseases. Accordingly, provided herein are methods of modifying an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject a bispecific antibody or pharmaceutical described herein such that the immune response in the subject is modified. In some embodiments, the response is enhanced, stimulated or up-regulated.
[0318] In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of inducing or stimulating immune cell activation comprising contacting an immune cell with an effective amount of a bispecific antibody described herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of inducing or stimulating immune cell proliferation comprising contacting an immune cell with an effective amount of a bispecific antibody described herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of reducing CEACAM1 mediated suppression of an immune cell proliferation and / or activation comprising contacting an immune cell with an effective amount a bispecific antibody described herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of inhibiting the interaction between CEACAM1 and a CEACAM1 ligand on an immune cell comprising contacting the immune cell with an effective amount of a bispecific antibody described herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of reducing VEGF mediated angiogenesis with an effective amount a bispecific antibody described herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of inhibiting the interaction between VEGF and a VEGF receptor on a tumor cell with an effective amount of a bispecific antibody described herein.
[0319] In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of increasing cytokine (e.g., IFN-γ) production by an immune cell comprising contacting an immune cell with an effective amount of a bispecific antibody described herein.
[0320] The immune cells can be, for example, T cells such as CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, T helper (Th) cells (e.g., Th1 cells) , T cytotoxic (Tc) cells or TILs. The immune cells can also be NK cells, NKT cells, or myeloid cells. The myeloid cells can be macrophages. The myeloid cells can be dendritic cells.
[0321] Subjects suitable for the present methods include human patients in whom enhancement of an immune response would be desirable. The methods are particularly suitable for treating human patients having a disorder that can be treated by augmenting an immune response (e.g., a T-cell mediated immune response, e.g., an antigen specific T cell response) . In some embodiments, the methods are particularly suitable for treatment of cancer in vivo. To achieve antigen-specific enhancement of immunity, a bispecific antibody described herein can be administered together with an antigen of interest or the antigen can already be present in the subject to be treated (e.g., a tumor-bearing or virus-bearing subject) . When bispecific antibodies disclosed herein are administered together with another agent, the two can be administered separately or simultaneously.
[0322] Given the ability of bispecific antibodies disclosed herein to stimulate or co-stimulate T cell responses, e.g., antigen-specific T cell responses, such as by inhibiting negative effects of CEACAM1, provided herein are in vitro and in vivo methods of using the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein to stimulate, enhance or upregulate antigen-specific T cell responses, e.g., anti-tumor T cell responses.
[0323] In some embodiments, CD3 stimulation is also provided (e.g., by coincubation with a cell expressing membrane CD3) , which stimulation can be provided at the same time, before, or after stimulation with a bispecific antibody disclosed herein. For example, provided herein are methods of stimulating an antigen-specific T cell response comprising contacting said T cell with a bispecific antibody described herein, and optionally with an anti-CD3 antibody, such that an antigen-specific T cell response is stimulated.
[0324] Any suitable indicator of an antigen-specific T cell response can be used to measure the antigen-specific T cell response. Non-limiting examples of such suitable indicators include increased T cell proliferation in the presence of the antibody and / or increase cytokine production in the presence of the antibody. In some embodiments, interleukin-2 and / or interferon-γproduction by the antigen-specific T cell is stimulated.
[0325] Further encompassed are methods of stimulating an immune response (e.g., an antigen-specific T cell response) in a subject comprising administering a bispecific antibody described herein to the subject such that an immune response (e.g., an antigen-specific T cell response) in the subject is stimulated. In some embodiments, the subject is a tumor-bearing subject and an immune response against the tumor is stimulated. A tumor can be a solid tumor or a liquid tumor, e.g., a hematological malignancy. In some embodiments, a tumor is an immunogenic tumor. In some embodiments, a tumor is non-immunogenic. In some embodiments, a tumor is CEACAM1 positive. A subject can also be a virus-bearing subject and an immune response against the virus is stimulated.
[0326] Further provided are methods for inhibiting growth of tumor cells in a subject comprising administering to the subject a bispecific antibody described herein such that growth of the tumor is inhibited in the subject. Also provided are methods of treating a viral infection in a subject comprising administering to the subject a bispecific antibody described herein such that the viral infection is treated in the subject.
[0327] The present disclosure also provides methods of uses of the bispecific antibodies, polynucleotides encoding such bispecific antibodies, vectors comprising such polynucleotides, or pharmaceutical compositions having such bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in treating cancer. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies can specifically target CEACAM1-expressing cancer cells in vivo, thereby delivering their therapeutic effect of eliminating, lysing and / or killing cancer cells. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies can reduce the immunosuppressive effects mediated by CEACAM1 signaling pathway, thereby promoting the activities of immune cells in eliminating, lysing and / or killing cancer cells.
[0328] In some embodiments, the methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of treating tumor or cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are uses of the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein in the treatment of tumor or cancer. In some embodiments, provided herein are uses of the bispecific antibodies provided herein for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of tumor or cancer. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of treating tumor or cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are uses of the pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein in treatment of tumor or cancer. In some embodiments, provided herein are uses of the pharmaceutical composition provided herein for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of tumor or cancer.
[0329] In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies disclosed herein are not significantly toxic. For example, bispecific antibodies disclosed herein are not significantly toxic to an organ of a human, e.g., one or more of the liver, kidney, brain, lungs, and heart, as determined, e.g., in clinical trials. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies disclosed herein do not significantly trigger an undesirable immune response, e.g., autoimmunity or inflammation.
[0330] In some embodiments, treatment of a subject with bispecific antibodies disclosed herein does not result in overstimulation of the immune system to the extent that the subject’s immune system then attacks the subject itself (e.g., autoimmune response) or results in, e.g., anaphylaxis. Thus, in some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies provided herein do not cause anaphylaxis.
[0331] In some embodiments, treatment of a subject with bispecific antibodies described herein does not cause significant inflammatory reactions, e.g., immune-mediated pneumonitis, immune-mediated colitis, immune mediated hepatitis, immune-mediated nephritis or renal dysfunction, immune-mediated hypophysitis, immune-mediated hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, or other immune-mediated adverse reactions. In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies provided herein cause limited inflammatory reactions, e.g., immune-mediated pneumonitis, immune-mediated colitis, immune mediated hepatitis, immune-mediated nephritis or renal dysfunction, immune-mediated hypophysitis, immune-mediated hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, anaphylaxis or other immune-mediated adverse reactions. In some embodiments, treatment of a subject with bispecific antibodies disclosed herein does not cause significant cardiac disorders, e.g., ventricular arrhythmia; eye disorders, e.g., iridocyclitis; infusion-related reactions; increased amylase, increased lipase; nervous system disorders, e.g., dizziness, peripheral and sensory neuropathy; skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, e.g., rash, pruritus, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, vitiligo or psoriasis; respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders, e.g., cough; fatigue; nausea; decreased appetite; constipation; arthralgia; or diarrhea.
[0332] Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients (i.e., the bispecific antibodies provided herein) in the pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be varied so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient which is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the patient. The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factors including the activity of the particular compositions described herein, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds and / or materials used in combination with the particular compositions employed, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated, and like factors well known in the medical arts.
[0333] The bispecific antibodies can be administered as a sustained release formulation, in which case less frequent administration is required. Dosage and frequency vary depending on the half-life of the bispecific antibodies in the patient. In therapeutic applications, a relatively high dosage at relatively short intervals is sometimes required until progression of the disease is reduced or terminated, and until the patient shows partial or complete amelioration of symptoms of disease.
[0334] The bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered to a subject by any methods known in the art, including, but not limited to, pleural administration, intravenous administration, subcutaneous administration, intranodal administration, intratumoral administration, intramuscular administration, intradermal administration, intrathecal administration, intrapleural administration, intraperitoneal administration, intracranial administration, spinal or other parenteral routes of administration, for example by injection or infusion, or direct administration to the thymus. The phrase “parenteral administration” as used herein means modes of administration other than enteral and topical administration, usually by injection, and includes, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal, transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural and intrastemal injection and infusion. In some embodiments, subcutaneous administration is adopted. In some embodiments, intravenous administration is adopted. In some embodiments, oral administration is adopted. In one embodiment, the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments or cells provided herein can be delivered regionally to a tumor using well known methods, including but not limited to, hepatic or aortic pump; limb, lung or liver perfusion; in the portal vein; through a venous shunt; in a cavity or in a vein that is nearby a tumor, and the like. In another embodiment, the bispecific antibodies provided herein can be administered systemically. In some embodiments, the bispecific antibodies are administered regionally at the site of a tumor. The bispecific antibodies can also be administered intratumorally, for example, by direct injection of the cells at the site of a tumor and / or into the tumor vasculature. For example, in the case of malignant pleural disease, mesothelioma or lung cancer, administration is preferably by intrapleural administration (see Adusumilli et al., Science Translational Medicine 6(261) : 261ra151 (2014) ) . One skilled in the art can select a suitable mode of administration based on the type of cancer and / or location of a tumor to be treated. The bispecific antibodies can be introduced by injection or catheter. In one embodiment, the bispecific antibodies are pleurally administered to the subject in need, for example, using an intrapleural catheter.
[0335] Cancers or tumors to be treated using the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions provided herein comprise those typically responsive to immunotherapy and those that are not typically responsive to immunotherapy. Cancers that can be treated also include CEACAM1 positive cancers. In some embodiments, the cancer has a high degree of microsatellite instability.
[0336] In some embodiments, cancers or tumors that can be treated with the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein are hematological cancers. In some embodiments, cancers or tumors that can be treated with the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein disclosed herein are solid tumors.
[0337] In cancer treatment, eliminating cancer or tumor cells in a subject can occur, but any clinical improvement constitutes a benefit. An anti-tumor effect can be manifested by a decrease in tumor volume, a decrease in the number of tumor cells, a decrease in the number of metastases, an increase in life expectancy, or amelioration of various physiological symptoms associated with the cancerous condition. An anti-tumor effect can also be manifested by the ability of the antibodies or antigen binding fragments, or pharmaceutical compositions provided herein in prevention of the occurrence of tumor in the first place. In some embodiments, an “anti-tumor effect” can be manifested by the reduction in cancer-induced immunosuppression. Clinical improvement comprises decreased risk or rate of progression or reduction in pathological consequences of the cancer or tumor. It is also understood that a method of treating cancer can include any effect that ameliorates a sign or symptom associated with cancer. Such signs or symptoms include, but are not limited to, reducing tumor burden, including inhibiting growth of a tumor, slowing the growth rate of a tumor, reducing the size of a tumor, reducing the number of tumors, eliminating a tumor, all of which can be measured using routine tumor imaging techniques well known in the art. Other signs or symptoms associated with cancer include, but are not limited to, fatigue, pain, weight loss, and other signs or symptoms associated with various cancers.
[0338] In some embodiments, the methods or uses provided herein can reduce tumor burden. Thus, administration of the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein can reduce the number of tumor cells, reduce tumor size, and / or eradicate the tumor in the subject. Methods for monitoring patient response to administration of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein are known in the art and can be employed in accordance with methods disclosed herein. In some embodiments, treatment of a subject having cancer with a bispecific antibody disclosed herein can result in, e.g., stable disease, partial response, increased overall survival, increased disease-free survival, or enhanced progression free survival.
[0339] In some embodiments, an anti-tumor effect is observed in a subject having a tumor or cancer who has been administered with a bispecific antibody described herein as a single therapy, namely, not in combination with another therapeutic. In some embodiments, tumor burden is reduced in a subject having a tumor or cancer who has been administered with a bispecific antibody described herein as a single therapy, namely, not in combination with another therapeutic.
[0340] In the methods disclosed herein, a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein are administered to a subject in need of cancer treatment. The subject can be a mammal. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, these individuals have no clinically measurable tumor. However, they are suspected of being at risk for progression of the disease, either near the original tumor site, or by metastases. This group can be further subdivided into high-risk and low-risk individuals. The subdivision is made on the basis of features observed before or after the initial treatment. These features are known in the clinical arts and are suitably defined for different types of cancers. Features typical of high-risk subgroups are those in which the tumor has invaded neighboring tissues, or who show involvement of lymph nodes.
[0341] The bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be administered with medical devices known in the art. For example, in some embodiments, a needleless hypodermic injection device can be used, such as the devices disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,399, 163; 5, 383, 851; 5, 312, 335; 5, 064, 413; 4, 941, 880; 4, 790, 824; or 4, 596, 556. Examples of well-known implants and modules for use described herein include: U.S. Patent No. 4,487,603, which discloses an implantable micro-infusion pump for dispensing medication at a controlled rate; U.S. Patent No. 4,486,194, which discloses a therapeutic device for administering medicaments through the skin; U.S. Patent No. 4,447,233, which discloses a medication infusion pump for delivering medication at a precise infusion rate; U.S. Patent No. 4,447,224, which discloses a variable flow implantable infusion apparatus for continuous drug delivery; U.S. Patent No. 4,439,196, which discloses an osmotic drug delivery system having multi-chamber compartments; and U.S. Patent No. 4,475,196, which discloses an osmotic drug delivery system. These patents are incorporated herein by reference. Many other such implants, delivery systems, and modules are known to those skilled in the art.
[0342] In some embodiments, a method of treating cancer in a subject comprises first determining whether the subject is CEACAM1 positive, e.g., has tumor cells or TILs that express CEACAM1, and if the subject has CEACAM1 positive cancer or TIL cells, then administering to the subject the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein. A method of treating a subject having cancer with the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein can comprise administering to a subject who has cancer cells or TIL cells that express CEACAM1, a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein. Also provided herein are methods for predicting whether a subject will respond to treatment with the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein, wherein the methods comprise determining the level of CEACAM1 in cancer or TIL cells of the patient, and if cancer or TIL cells of the subject are CEACAM1 positive, then the subject is likely to respond to a treatment with a CEACAM1 antibody.
[0343] The bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be administered with a standard of care treatment. The bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be administered as a maintenance therapy, e.g., a therapy that is intended to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of tumors.
[0344] The bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be administered with another treatment, e.g., radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy. For example, the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be administered as an adjunctive therapy when there is a risk that micrometastases can be present and / or in order to reduce the risk of a relapse. The additional therapy can be administered prior to, concurrently with, or subsequent to administration of the bispecific antibodies or pharmaceutical compositions described herein. Combined administration can include co-administration, either in a single pharmaceutical formulation or using separate formulations, or consecutive administration in either order but generally within a time period such that all active agents can exert their biological activities simultaneously. A person skilled in the art can readily determine appropriate regimens for administering a pharmaceutical composition described herein and an additional therapy in combination, including the timing and dosing of an additional agent to be used in a combination therapy, based on the needs of the subject being treated. 6.7 Exemplified Embodiments
[0345] Embodiment 1: A bispecific antibody comprising (i) a first light chain variable domain (VL1) and a first heavy chain variable domain (VH1) , wherein the VL1 / VH1 pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1, and wherein the VL1 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 61, 62 and 63, respectively, and wherein the VH1 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 64, 65, and 66, respectively; and (ii) a second light chain variable domain (VL2) and a second heavy chain variable domain (VH2) , wherein the VL2 / VH2 pair specifically binds to human VEGF; and wherein the VL2 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 67, 68, and 69, respectively, and wherein the VH2 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 70, 71, and 72, respectively.
[0346] Embodiment 2: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 1, wherein VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively.
[0347] Embodiment 3: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 2, wherein the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.
[0348] Embodiment 4: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a heavy chain constant (CH) region and a single chain variable fragment (scFv) , wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a linker, and VH2; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a light chain constant (CL) region.
[0349] Embodiment 5: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a CH region and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a linker, and VL2; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a CL region.
[0350] Embodiment 6: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a linker, and VH1; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region.
[0351] Embodiment 7: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a linker, and VL1; and (2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region.
[0352] Embodiment 8: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 4 to 7, wherein the linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56.
[0353] Embodiment 9: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 4 to 8, wherein the scFv is connected to the CH region via a second linker.
[0354] Embodiment 10: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 9, wherein the second linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56.
[0355] Embodiment 11: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 4 to 10, wherein (1) the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) .
[0356] Embodiment 12: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 11, wherein the CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) .
[0357] Embodiment 13: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 11 or 12, wherein the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions.
[0358] Embodiment 14: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 13, wherein the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.
[0359] Embodiment 15: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 7, wherein HC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101, and LC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102.
[0360] Embodiment 16: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, VH2, and a CH region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) ; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0361] Embodiment 17: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, VH1, and a CH region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a CH1 domain; and (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0362] Embodiment 18: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 16 or 17, wherein HC2 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8.
[0363] Embodiment 19: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 18, wherein the HC2 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus.
[0364] Embodiment 20: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 16 to 19, wherein (1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; (2) the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (3) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or any combination of (1) - (3) .
[0365] Embodiment 21: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 20, wherein the first and second CL regions are both Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) .
[0366] Embodiment 22: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the CH1 domain is human CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0367] Embodiment 23: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 20 to 22, wherein the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions.
[0368] Embodiment 24: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 23, wherein the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.
[0369] Embodiment 25: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 17, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104; and LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105.
[0370] Embodiment 26: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0371] Embodiment 27: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0372] Embodiment 28: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0373] Embodiment 29: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0374] Embodiment 30: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 26 to 29, wherein the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution.
[0375] Embodiment 31: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 30, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises T366S and L368A substitutions.
[0376] Embodiment 32: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 30 or 31, wherein the Knob-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Hole-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.
[0377] Embodiment 33: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 30 or 31, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Knob-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.
[0378] Embodiment 34: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 30 to 33, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region further comprise L234A and L235A substitutions.
[0379] Embodiment 35: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 26 to 29, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.
[0380] Embodiment 36: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 26 to 35, wherein (1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the first and second CH1 domain are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) .
[0381] Embodiment 37: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 36, wherein the first CL region is Cκwith R108A and T109S substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 6) .
[0382] Embodiment 38: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 36 or 37, wherein the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7) .
[0383] Embodiment 39: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 36 to 38, wherein the first CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0384] Embodiment 40: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 36 to 39, wherein the second CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16) .
[0385] Embodiment 41: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 29, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109.
[0386] Embodiment 42: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 27, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113.
[0387] Embodiment 43: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0388] Embodiment 44: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.
[0389] Embodiment 45: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0390] Embodiment 46: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, comprising: (1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region; (2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region; (3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and (4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.
[0391] Embodiment 47: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 43 to 46, wherein LC1 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8.
[0392] Embodiment 48: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 47, wherein the LC1 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus.
[0393] Embodiment 49: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 43 to 48, wherein the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution.
[0394] Embodiment 50: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 49, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises T366S and L368A substitutions.
[0395] Embodiment 51: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 49 or 50, wherein the Knob-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Hole-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.
[0396] Embodiment 52: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 49 or 50, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Knob-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.
[0397] Embodiment 53: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 49 to 52, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region further comprise L234A and L235A substitutions.
[0398] Embodiment 54: The bispecific antibody of any one of the Embodiments 49 to 53, wherein the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1 has a substitution or deletion in C220.
[0399] Embodiment 55: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 54, wherein the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1 has deletion of E216, P217, K218, S219, and C220.
[0400] Embodiment 56: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 43 to 48, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.
[0401] Embodiment 57: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 43 to 48, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively; wherein E216, P217, K218, S219, and C220 are deleted in the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1.
[0402] Embodiment 58: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 43 to 57, wherein the (1)the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or (2) the first and second CH1 domain are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO:19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions; or both (1) and (2) .
[0403] Embodiment 59: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 58, wherein the first CL region is Cκ(SEQ ID NO: 5) .
[0404] Embodiment 60: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 58 or 59, wherein the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7) .
[0405] Embodiment 61: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 58 to 60, wherein the first CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16) .
[0406] Embodiment 62: The bispecific antibody of any one of Embodiments 58 to 61, wherein the second CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .
[0407] Embodiment 63: The bispecific antibody of Embodiment 44, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at le...
Claims
1.A bispecific antibody comprising(i) a first light chain variable domain (VL1) and a first heavy chain variable domain (VH1) , wherein the VL1 / VH1 pair specifically binds to human CEACAM1, and wherein the VL1 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 61, 62 and 63, respectively, and wherein the VH1 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 64, 65, and 66, respectively; and(ii) a second light chain variable domain (VL2) and a second heavy chain variable domain (VH2) , wherein the VL2 / VH2 pair specifically binds to human VEGF; and wherein the VL2 comprises VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 67, 68, and 69, respectively, and wherein the VH2 comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 70, 71, and 72, respectively.2.The bispecific antibody of claim 1, wherein VL1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 81-85; VH1 has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 86-90; and the VL2 and VH2 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4, respectively.3.The bispecific antibody of claim 2, wherein the VL1 and VH1 have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.4.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a heavy chain constant (CH) region and a single chain variable fragment (scFv) , wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a linker, and VH2; and(2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a light chain constant (CL) region.5.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a CH region and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a linker, and VL2; and(2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a CL region.6.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a linker, and VH1; and(2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region.7.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, and an scFv, wherein the scFv comprises, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a linker, and VL1; and(2) a second peptide chain (LC) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a CL region.8.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56.9.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the scFv is connected to the CH region via a second linker.10.The bispecific antibody of claim 9, wherein the second linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56.11.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein(1) the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or(2) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) .12.The bispecific antibody of claim 11, wherein the CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) .13.The bispecific antibody of claim 11 or 12, wherein the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions.14.The bispecific antibody of claim 13, wherein the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.15.The bispecific antibody of claim 7, wherein HC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 101, and LC has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 102.16.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, VH2, and a CH region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a heavy chain constant domain 1 (CH1 domain) ; and(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.17.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, VH1, and a CH region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a CH1 domain; and(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.18.The bispecific antibody of claim 16 or 17, wherein HC2 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8.19.The bispecific antibody of claim 18, wherein the HC2 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus.20.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein(1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions;(2) the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or(3) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or any combination of (1) - (3) .21.The bispecific antibody of claim 20, wherein the first and second CL regions are both Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) .22.The bispecific antibody of claim 20 or 21, wherein the CH1 domain is human CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .23.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions.24.The bispecific antibody of claim 23, wherein the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.25.The bispecific antibody of claim 17, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 103; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 104; and LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 105.26.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.27.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a first CL region; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.28.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.29.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a second CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a first CL region; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.30.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution.31.The bispecific antibody of claim 30, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises T366S and L368A substitutions.32.The bispecific antibody of claim 30 or 31, wherein the Knob-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Hole-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.33.The bispecific antibody of claim 30 or 31, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Knob-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.34.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region further comprise L234A and L235A substitutions.35.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.36.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 26 to 35, wherein(1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or(2) the first and second CH1 domain are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or both (1) and (2) .37.The bispecific antibody of claim 36, wherein the first CL region is Cκwith R108A and T109S substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 6) .38.The bispecific antibody of claim 36 or 37, wherein the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7) .39.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein the first CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .40.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein the second CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16) .41.The bispecific antibody of claim 29, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 106; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 107; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 108; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 109.42.The bispecific antibody of claim 27, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 110; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 111; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 112; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 113.43.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.44.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a second CH1 domain; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.45.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Hole-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Knob-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.46.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2, a first CL region, and a Knob-Fc region;(2) a second peptide chain (HC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a first CH1 domain, and a Hole-Fc region;(3) a third peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a second CH1 domain; and(4) a fourth peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.47.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 43 to 46, wherein LC1 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8.48.The bispecific antibody of claim 47, wherein the LC1 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus.49.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the Knob-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a T366W substitution; and the Hole-Fc region is a human IgG1 Fc region variant having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions, including a Y407V substitution.50.The bispecific antibody of claim 49, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises T366S and L368A substitutions.51.The bispecific antibody of claim 49 or 50, wherein the Knob-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Hole-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.52.The bispecific antibody of claim 49 or 50, wherein the Hole-Fc region further comprises S354C substitution, and the Knob-Fc region further comprises Y349C substitution.53.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 49 to 52, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region further comprise L234A and L235A substitutions.54.The bispecific antibody of any one of the claims 49 to 53, wherein the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1 has a substitution or deletion in C220.55.The bispecific antibody of claim 54, wherein the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1 has deletion of E216, P217, K218, S219, and C220.56.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively.57.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the Knob-Fc region and the Hole-Fc region have the amino acid sequences of (i) SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34, respectively; (ii) SEQ ID NOs: 35 and 36, respectively; (iii) SEQ ID NOs: 37 and 38, respectively; (iv) SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40, respectively; (v) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 42, respectively; or (vi) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 44, respectively; wherein E216, P217, K218, S219, and C220 are deleted in the Knob-Fc or Hole-Fc region in HC1.58.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 43 to 57, wherein the(1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or(2) the first and second CH1 domain are independently human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions; or both (1) and (2) .59.The bispecific antibody of claim 58, wherein the first CL region is Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) .60.The bispecific antibody of claim 58 or 59, wherein the second CL region is Cκwith E123R and Q124K substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 7) .61.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 58 to 60, wherein the first CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain with K147E and K213E substitutions (SEQ ID NO: 16) .62.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 58 to 61, wherein the second CH1 domain is IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .63.The bispecific antibody of claim 44, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 114; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 115; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 116; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 117.64.The bispecific antibody of claim 46, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 118; HC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 119; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 120; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 121.65.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1, a CH region, a linker, VL2, a first CL region;(2) a second peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2 and a CH1 domain; and(3) a third peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL1 and a second CL region.66.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:(1) a first peptide chain (HC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH2, a CH region, a linker, VL1, a first CL region;(2) a second peptide chain (LC1) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VH1 and a CH1 domain; and(3) a third peptide chain (LC2) comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus, VL2 and a second CL region.67.The bispecific antibody of claim 65 or 66, wherein LC1 further comprises amino acids 1 to n of an IgG hinge region at its C-terminus; wherein n is an integer between 5 and 8.68.The bispecific antibody of claim 67, wherein the LC1 further comprises EPKSC (SEQ ID NO: 57) at its C-terminus.69.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 65 to 68, wherein the linker has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 51-56.70.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 65 to 69, wherein(1) the first and second CL region are independently Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) or Cλ (SEQ ID NO: 8) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions;(2) the CH1 domain is human IgG1 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) , IgG2 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 17) , IgG3 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 18) , or IgG4 CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 19) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or(3) the CH region is human IgG1 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 11) , IgG2 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 12) , IgG3 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 13) , or IgG4 CH region (SEQ ID NO: 14) , or a variant thereof having up to ten amino acids substitutions, additions, and / or deletions; or any combination of (1) - (3) .71.The bispecific antibody of claim 70, wherein the first and second CL regions are Cκ (SEQ ID NO: 5) .72.The bispecific antibody of claim 70 or 71, wherein the CH1 domain is human CH1 domain (SEQ ID NO: 15) .73.The bispecific antibody of any one of claims 70 to 72, wherein the CH region is human IgG1 CH region with L234A and L235A substitutions.74.The bispecific antibody of claim 73, wherein the CH region further has K447A substitution or K447 deletion.75.The bispecific antibody of claim 65, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 122; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 123; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 124.76.The bispecific antibody of claim 66, wherein HC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 125; LC1 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 126; and LC2 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%identical to SEQ ID NO: 127.77.A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.78.A polynucleotide encoding a peptide chain of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76.79.The polynucleotide of claim 78 encoding all peptide chains of the bispecific antibody.80.A plurality of the polynucleotide of claim 78 that collectively encode all peptide chains of the bispecific antibody.81.A vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim 78.82.A cell comprising the polynucleotide or plurality of polynucleotides of any one of claim 78 to 80,or the vector of claim 81.83.A method of making a bispecific antibody that specifically binds to human CEACAM1 and human VEGF, comprising culturing the cell of claim 82 under conditions that allow expression of the bispecific antibody.84.The method of claim 83 that comprises isolating the antibody or antigen-binding fragment from the culture.85.A method of inducing or stimulating immune cell activation and / or proliferation, comprising contacting an immune cell with an effective amount of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76.86.A method of reducing suppression of an immune cell comprising contacting the immune cell with an effective amount of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76.87.The method of claim 85 or 86, wherein the immune cell is a T cell, an NK cell, an NKT cell, or a myeloid cell.88.The method of claim 87, wherein the immune cell is a T cell.89.The method of claim 87, wherein the immune cell is a NK cell.90.The method of claim 87, wherein the immune cell is a myeloid cell, wherein the myeloid cell is a macrophage or a dendritic cell.91.A method of stimulating anti-cancer immunity in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76.92.A method of inhibiting cancer angiogenesis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76.93.A method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76.94.The method of any one of claims 91 to 93, further comprising administering an additional therapy to the subject.95.The method of any one of claims 91 to 94, wherein the subject is a human.96.Use of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76 in cancer treatment.97.Use of the bispecific antibody of any one of claims 1 to 76 for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cancer.98.The method or use of any one of claims 91 to 97, wherein the cancer is a hematological cancer.99.The method or use of any one of claims 91 to 97, wherein the cancer is a solid tumor.100.The method or use of any one of claims 91 to 99, wherein the cancer has a high degree of microsatellite instability.101.The method or use of any one of claims 91 to 100, wherein the cancer is a CEACAM1 expressing cancer.102.The method or use of any one of claims 91 to 101, wherein the cancer is a VEGF expressing cancer.