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Anti-PD-1×IL-10M Fusion Protein for the Treatment of Solid Tumors

Combining Modified IL-10 Monomer Variant and Anti-PD-1 Antibody

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Anti-PD-1×IL-10M Fusion Protein for the Treatment of Solid Tumors

  • Overview
  • Target
  • Drug Modality
  • Indication
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Status
  • Date
Drug Name APD-IL10
Description

APD-IL10 is a first-in-class fusion protein that consists of a modified IL-10 monomer variant fused to an anti-PD-1 antibody. By reversing the exhausted CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment, this fusion protein provides a promising therapeutic strategy for solid tumors refractory to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. In vivo studies, APD-IL10 showed a potent anti-tumor effect, good druggability, and good tolerability.

An IND application for APD-IL10 is expected to be submitted to the FDA in early 2025.

Target IL-10 and PD-1
Drug Modality Fusion protein
Indication Solid tumors
Product Category Cancer immunotherapy
Mechanism of Action Blocking PD-1 signaling and rejuvenating CD8+ T cells
Status Preclinical
Patent Granted

Collaboration Opportunity

Protheragen Inc. is actively seeking partnership for APD-IL10. Potential collaboration can be strategic alliance, licensing, or marketing agreement.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10)

Introduction IL-10, a founding member of the IL-10 family of cytokines, is a noncovalent homodimeric α-helical cytokine with structural similarity to IFN-γ. IL-10 is encoded by the IL10 gene located on chromosome 1 and is primarily produced by regulatory T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. IL-10 is an immunosuppressive cytokine associated with a variety of regulatory or inhibitory immune-cell populations, such as regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B10 cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and tolerogenic dendritic cells, and it has a potent inhibitory effect on antigen presentation and immune-cell activation.
Approved Name Interleukin 10
Official Symbol IL10
Gene Type Protein coding
Synonyms CSIF; TGIF; IL10A; IL-10
Ensembl ENSG00000136634
Gene ID 3586
Refseq NM_000572
Protein Refseq NP_000563
OMIM 124092
UniProt ID P22301
Chromosome Location 1q32.1

Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD-1)

Introduction PD-1 is a type I transmembrane receptor member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is composed of 288 amino acids. PD-1 is predominantly expressed on activated T cells, B cells, NK cells, and activated monocytes in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. PD-1 on the surface of immune cells binds to programmed death ligands on tumor cells, leading to negative regulation of the proliferation and activity of immune cells and facilitating tumor immune escape.
Approved Name Programmed cell death 1
Official Symbol PDCD1
Gene Type Protein coding
Synonyms CD279; PD1; hSLE1; PD-1
Ensembl ENSG00000188389
Gene ID 5133
mRNA Refseq NM_005018
Protein Refseq NP_005009
OMIM 600244
UniProt ID Q15116
Chromosome Location 2q37.3

Fusion Protein

APD-IL10 is a first-in-class biologic candidate combining modified IL-10 monomer variant (IL-10M) and an anti-PD-1 antibody. This fusion protein can deliver IL-10M to the exhausted T cells by targeting PD-1 in tumor microenvironment. The severe hematological toxicity of wild-type IL-10 limits its clinical application. The IL-10M of APD-IL10 is engineered from the dimer of wild-type IL-10, which has reduced hematotoxicity.

Solid Tumors

Solid tumors are abnormal mass of tissue that usually does not contain cysts or liquid areas. Solid tumors may be benign or malignant. Different types of solid tumors are named for the type of cells that form them, such as breast cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma. Estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) indicate that around 1 in 5 men or women worldwide develop cancer in their lifetime, while around 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from it. Solid tumors represent approximatively 90% of adult human cancers.

The commonly used treatment for cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and some combinations of them. The best approach to treating cancer provides a balance between therapeutic effectiveness and minimization of treatment-associated side effects. Immunotherapy offers new and precise treatment options and becomes the core pillar of cancer treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a major class of cancer immunotherapies and they have been identified as promising therapeutics capable of restoring tumor immunity in carefully selected patients.

Blocking PD-1 Signaling and Rejuvenating CD8+ T cells

Both IL-10 and anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies target CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells (TILs), but their functional mechanisms are different. The antitumor effect of IL-10 may be the result of its stimulating activity on CD8+ T cells by promoting the differentiation and expansion of effector CD8+ T cells. Anti-PD-1 antibody removes the brake on antitumor cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte killing by blocking the interaction between PD-1 and its ligand, thereby maintaining the antitumor immune activity of T cells.

As a unique biological agent, APD-IL10 is a fusion protein consisting of anti-PD-1 antibody and IL-10M. This combination delivers IL-10 specifically to antitumor CD8+ TILs, which improves the efficacy of both immunotherapeutic agents while avoiding the regulatory effect of IL-10 on off-target cells. In addition, IL-10M of APD-IL10 is a modified IL-10 monomer variant with attenuated IL-10 activity and deceased peripheral toxicity.

The Status of APD-IL10

An IND application for APD-IL10 is expected to be submitted to the FDA in early 2025.

Anti-PD-1xIL-10M vs PD1 Mono-Antibody (In Vivo)

APD-IL10 showed stronger anti-tumor efficacy than anti-mPD-1 in CT26 tumor model.

Safety of Anti-PD-1xIL-10M (In Vitro)

APD-IL10 had no ADCC and CDC activity, and the risk of cytokine storm was low in vitro.

Protheragen's business is growing rapidly after founded in New York. Our business has evolved from the initial intermediary service to encompass segments in equity investment and program incubation.

Protheragen Inc.