We prepared and characterized golimumab (CNTO148), a human IgG1 tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) antagonist monoclonal antibody chosen for clinical development based on its molecular properties. Golimumab was compared with infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept for affinity and in vitro TNFα neutralization. The affinity of golimumab for soluble human TNFα, as determined by surface plasmon resonance, was similar to that of etanercept (18 pM versus 11 pM), greater than that of infliximab (44 pM) and significantly greater than that of adalimumab (127 pM, p=0.018).  The concentration of golimumab necessary to neutralize TNFα-induced E-selectin expression on human endothelial cells by 50% was significantly less than those for infliximab (3.2 fold; p=0.017) and adalimumab (3.3-fold; p=0.008) and comparable to that for etanercept. The conformational stability of golimumab was greater than that of infliximab (primary melting temperature [Tm] 74.8 °C vs. 69.5 °C) as assessed by differential scanning calorimetry.  In addition, golimumab showed minimal aggregation over the intended shelf life when formulated as a high concentration liquid product (100 mg/mL) for subcutaneous administration.  In vivo, golimumab at doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg significantly delayed disease progression in a mouse model of human TNFα-induced arthritis when compared with untreated mice, while infliximab was effective only at 10 mg/kg. Golimumab also significantly reduced histological scores for arthritis severity and cartilage damage, as well as serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines associated with arthritis. Thus, we have demonstrated that golimumab is a highly stable human monoclonal antibody with high affinity and capacity to neutralize human TNFα in vitro and in vivo.

Integrins of the ␣v family, such as ␣v␤3 and ␣v␤5, are implicated in tumor-induced angiogenesis; but their role in tumor growth has not been fully explored. CNTO 95 is a fully human antibody that recognizes the ␣v family of integrins and is likely to be less immunogenic in humans compared to chimeric or humanized antibodies. CNTO 95 bound to purified ␣v␤3 and ␣v␤5 with a

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In vivo models have demonstrated that interleukin-13 (IL-13) plays an important role in asthma; however, few studies have evaluated the effect of inhibition of IL-13 on established and persistent disease. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of a therapeutic dosing regimen with an anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a chronic mouse model of persistent asthma. BALB/c mice were sensitized to allergen [ovalbumin (OVA); on days 1 and 8] and challenged with OVA weekly from day 22. Anti-IL-13 mAb or vehicle dosing was initiated following two OVA challenges when disease was established. At this time, mice exhibited airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), increased mucus production, inflammation, and initiation of subepithelial fibrosis compared with saline-challenged mice. Mice received four additional OVA challenges. Treatment with anti-IL-13 mAb inhibited AHR and prevented the further development of subepithelial fibrosis and progression of inflammation. Furthermore, mAb treatment reversed the mucus hyperplasia to basal levels. These effects were associated with an inhibition of cytokines, chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinase-9. These data demonstrate that neutralization of IL-13 can inhibit the progression of established disease in the presence of repeated allergen exposures.Asthma is characterized by the presence of reversible bronchoconstriction, increased sensitivity to specific and nonspecific bronchospasmic agents, and excessive mucus production. These clinical features are accompanied by an underlying pathology of inflammation and airway remodeling. The pathological changes are thought to contribute to the clinical symptoms of the disease (Fireman, 2003). Current therapies for asthma provide symptomatic control but do not halt the underlying disease, highlighting the unmet medical need. Patients are continually exposed to allergens or other bronchospasmic agents that may contribute to the maintenance or progression of persistent disease. Evidence to date suggests that interleukin-13 (IL-13) has an important role in asthma; it is associated with human disease, and preclinical models have demonstrated that it induces many of the features associated with human asthma.Elevated levels of IL-13 mRNA and protein (Huang et al., 1995) have been described in human disease pathogenesis, and polymorphisms in the IL-13 gene have been associated with asthma (Wills-Karp, 2000). Multiple studies have demonstrated that administration of recombinant murine (rm) IL-13 to the lungs of mice induces airway mucus hyperplasia, eosinophilia, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) (Grunig et al., 1998;Wills-Karp et al., 1998;Singer et al., 2002;Kibe et al., 2003; Vargaftig and Singer, 2003a,b). These effects of IL-13 are reproduced in transgenic mouse systems where IL-13 overexpression is induced in a constitutive or inducible manner (Zhu et al., 1999Lanone et al., 2002). Chronic transgenic overexpression of IL-13 also induces subepithelial fibrosis and emphysema. Mice deficient in the IL-13 (and IL-4) signalin...

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