Co-phagocytosis of VEGFA with HER2-overexpressing cancer cells induced by HER2-VEGFA-bispecific antibodies improves antitumor responses.

Abstract

We conceived of a type of antitumor mechanism of action by which a soluble target in the tumor microenvironment, such as a tumor-driving growth factor, can be phagocytized along with cancer cells via antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) using an antibody bispecific for the soluble target and a solid target overexpressed on the cancer cell surface. We explored this concept through engineering bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) co-targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in an scFv-IgG format (VHS). We showed that the HER2-VEGFA BsAbs but not the parental antibodies alone or in combination induced co-phagocytosis of VEGFA and HER2-overexpressing cancer cells by tumor-associated macrophages via ADCP. In both immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice with aggressive tumors, the BsAbs demonstrated greater anti-metastasis activity and produced a greater survival benefit than the parental antibodies alone or in combination, in a manner dependent on Fcγ receptors on the macrophages. Our results provide proof of the concept that HER2-VEGFA BsAbs achieve enhanced antitumor activity by leveraging HER2 overexpressed on the cancer cell surface to induce co-phagocytosis of VEGFA. Our findings warrant clinical testing of the strategy to treat metastasis and recurrence of HER2-overexpressing solid tumors that respond to anti-VEGFA therapy.