Increased FAP expression in the TME as a result of radiotherapy can be exploited to target agonist 4-1BB immunotherapy to malignant tumor lesions using an FAP-4-1BBL antibody fusion protein.
In this work, a workflow to select binding affinities for bispecific antibodies that integrates preclinical in vitro data, mathematical modeling and simulation, and knowledge on target expression in the patient population, is provided. The early implementation of this approach can increase the probability of success with cancer immunotherapy in clinical development.
We integrated in vitro data with mathematical modeling to characterize the pharmacology of FAP-4-1BBL as a function of trimeric complex formation when combined with the T-cell engager cibisatamab. Depending on the dosing schedule and FAP-4-1BBL plasma: tumor distribution, doses between 2 and 145 mg could lead to maximum trimeric complex formation in the clinic. Due to the expected variability in both pharmacokinetic and FAP expression in the patient population, we predict that detecting a clear dose-response relationship would remain difficult without a large number of patients per dose level, highlighting that mathematical modeling techniques based on in vitro data could aid dose selection.
Findings from a phase I study of the bispecific antibody RO7122290, which targets CD137 and the fibroblast activity protein, show that it produces responses in patients with advanced solid tumors-without the liver toxicity associated with earlier therapies targeting CD137. Additional research evaluating RO7122290 in combination with atezolizumab or other immune agents is planned.
Eleven patients experienced a complete or partial response, six of whom were confirmed to be immune checkpoint inhibitor naive. These results support further evaluation of RO7122290 in combination with atezolizumab or other immune-oncology agents for the treatment of solid tumors.