PAX8 lineage-driven T cell-engaging antibody for the treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) represent the most common of the ovarian malignancies. Due to the frequency of late-stage diagnosis and high rates of recurrence following standard of care treatments, novel therapies are needed to promote durable responses. We investigated the anti-tumor activity of CD3 T cell-engaging bispecific antibodies (TCBs) directed against the PAX8 lineage-driven HGSOC tumor antigen LYPD1 and demonstrated that anti-LYPD1 TCBs induce T cell activation and promote in vivo tumor growth inhibition in LYPD1-expressing HGSOC. To selectively target LYPD1-expressing tumor cells with high expression while sparing cells with low expression, we coupled bivalent low-affinity anti-LYPD1 Fabs with the anti-CD3 SP34 scFv. In contrast to the monovalent anti-LYPD1 high-affinity TCB (VHP354), the bivalent low-affinity anti-LYPD1 TCB (QZC131) demonstrated antigen density-dependent selectivity and showed tolerability in cynomolgus monkeys at the maximum dose tested of 3 mpk. Collectively, these data demonstrate that bivalent TCBs directed against LYPD1 have compelling efficacy and safety profiles supportive of consideration for treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancers.