T cell-engaging CD276xCD3 bispecific antibody for treatment of endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer ranks among the most prevalent gynecological malignancies, with a notable increase in incidence, especially among women under 40. Although most patients are diagnosed at an early stage and have an excellent prognosis, the outcome for metastatic and recurrent cases remains poor. Current treatment for advanced-stage disease includes chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and checkpoint inhibitors. The clinical response rate to immunotherapy varies depending on the molecular subtype of endometrial carcinoma. Novel immunotherapeutic strategies are needed to improve patient survival, particularly across molecular subtypes. CD276 (cluster of differentiation 276, B7-H3) is emerging as a promising immunotherapy target due to its expression across multiple tumor types. Therapeutic targeting of CD276 may enhance immune cell infiltration into the tumor site by affecting its expression on tumor cells and tumor vasculature, which addresses a critical challenge for the successful treatment of solid tumors.

METHODS

We developed a novel, IgG-based CD276xCD3 bispecific antibody termed CC-3, which has demonstrated pronounced preclinical efficacy in stimulating T cell antitumor responses and is presently undergoing evaluation in a Phase I clinical trial (NCT05999396). In this study, CC-3-induced T cell activation and proliferation was analyzed using flow cytometry. We also used a LegendPlex assay to measure the secretion of cytokines and effector molecules induced by CC-3. Finally, these processes culminated in target cell lysis which was analyzed using a flow cytometry-based cytotoxicity assay.

RESULTS

CD276 is abundantly expressed in endometrial cancer. Treatment with CC-3 activated T cells, stimulated degranulation, and induced the secretion of cytokines and effector molecules, demonstrating CC-3-mediated T cell reactivity against endometrial cancer cells. Furthermore, CC-3 promoted robust T cell proliferation and memory T cell subset formation, culminating in potent target cell lysis.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings highlight the potential of CC-3 for clinical evaluation as a therapeutic option for patients with endometrial cancer.