Purpose: We investigated the antitumor effect of murine/human chimeric CD138-specific monoclonal antibody nBT062 conjugated with highly cytotoxic maytansinoid derivatives against multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro and in vivo. Experimental Design: We examined the growth inhibitory effect of BT062-SPDB-DM4, BT062-SMCC-DM1, and BT062-SPP-DM1 against MM cell lines and primary tumor cells from MM patients. We also examined in vivo activity of these agents in murine MM cell xenograft model of human and severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice bearing implant bone chips injected with human MM cells (SCID-hu model). Results: Anti-CD138 immunoconjugates significantly inhibited growth of MM cell lines and primary tumor cells from MM patients without cytotoxicity against peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers. In MM cells, they induced G 2 -M cell cycle arrest, followed by apoptosis associated with cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Nonconjugated nBT062 completely blocked cytotoxicity induced by nBT062-maytansinoid conjugate, confirming that specific binding is required for inducing cytotoxicity. Moreover, nBT062-maytansinoid conjugates blocked adhesion of MM cells to bone marrow stromal cells. The coculture of MM cells with bone marrow stromal cells protects against dexamethasone-induced death but had no effect on the cytotoxicity of immunoconjugates. Importantly, nBT062-SPDB-DM4 and nBT062-SPP-DM1 significantly inhibited MM tumor growth in vivo and prolonged host survival in both the xenograft mouse models of human MM and SCID-hu mouse model. Conclusion: These results provide the preclinical framework supporting evaluation of nBT062-maytansinoid derivatives in clinical trials to improve patient outcome in MM.The cell surface proteoglycan CD138 (syndecan-1) is an integral membrane protein acting as a receptor for the extracellular matrix. Within the normal human hematopoetic compartment, CD138 is expressed on differentiated plasma cells and is a primary diagnostic marker of multiple myeloma (MM; ref. 1). The large extracellular domain of CD138 binds via its heparin sulfate chains to soluble extracellular molecules, including the growth factors epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor, and to insoluble extracellular molecules, such as collagen and fibronectin (2, 3). CD138 also mediates cell-cell adhesion through interactions with heparinbinding molecules. Studies of plasma cell differentiation show that CD138 is a differentiation antigen (4) and a coreceptor for MM growth factors (5).Several monoclonal antibodies (mAb; i.e.,

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a specialized subpopulation of T cells, which are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. The immunomodulatory effects of Tregs depend on their activation status. Here we show that, in contrast to conventional anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the humanized CD4-specific monoclonal antibody tregalizumab (BT-061) is able to selectively activate the suppressive properties of Tregs in vitro. BT-061 activates Tregs by binding to CD4 and activation of signaling downstream pathways. The specific functionality of BT-061 may be explained by the recognition of a unique, conformational epitope on domain 2 of the CD4 molecule that is not recognized by other anti-CD4 mAbs. We found that, due to this special epitope binding, BT-061 induces a unique phosphorylation of T-cell receptor complex-associated signaling molecules. This is sufficient to activate the function of Tregs without activating effector T cells. Furthermore, BT-061 does not induce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results demonstrate that BT-061 stimulation via the CD4 receptor is able to induce T-cell receptor-independent activation of Tregs. Selective activation of Tregs via CD4 is a promising approach for the treatment of autoimmune diseases where insufficient Treg activity has been described. Clinical investigation of this new approach is currently ongoing.

4042 Background: CD138 (Syndecan-1) is highly overexpressed in various solid tumors and hematological malignancies, and represents one of the most specific target antigens for identification of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. BT062 (Biotest AG Dreieich, Germany) is an antibody-drug conjugate, comprised of the anti-CD138 chimerized MAb (nBT062) and the cytotoxic agent DM4. Once bound to CD138 on a target cell, the conjugate is internalized and releases DM4, leading to target cell death. Data from the first in human study (969) of BT062 demonstrated an acceptable toxicity profile and evidence of clinical activity in heavily pretreated relapsed and/or refractory MM patients(1). Based on these data, a Phase I/IIa study in MM (975) was initiated to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of BT062 when given more frequently. Objectives: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), pharmacokinetics (PK), and anti-MM activity of increasing doses of BT062, when administered on a repeated, multiple dose schedule (Days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks) in patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. Methods: This is a prospective, open label, dose-escalation, multicenter Phase I/IIa study. The Phase I part includes dose escalation, and the Phase IIa the expansion of the MTD or Recommended Phase II Dose (RPTD) cohort. Patients aged ≥18 years with relapsed or relapsed/refractory MM who have failed previous treatment, including an immunomodulatory agent and a proteasome inhibitor, were eligible to participate. Patients with clinical response (or no evidence of progressive disease) and without unacceptable toxicities were eligible for further treatment cycles. Patients were enrolled in cohorts of at least 3 at each dose level; DLT in the first cycle triggered cohort expansion. Toxicities were assessed by CTCAE v4 and clinical response was assessed according to the international myeloma working group criteria. Results: A total of 29 patients have been treated with BT062, receiving 1 of the first 8 dose levels ranging from 40 mg/m2 to 160 mg/m2. One out of 6 patients treated at 140 mg/m2 experienced a palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome that was assessed as DLT (SAE, CTC grade 3). Dose was escalated to 160 mg/m2, and 1 of the 2 patients treated experienced an elevation of liver enzymes that was reported as DLT (non-serious, CTC grade 3). Maximum administered dose has not been reached and recruitment into the 160 mg/m2 cohort is ongoing. About 90% of the reported Adverse Events (AE) are grades 1–2. The most frequently reported AEs are anemia, diarrhea, and fatigue. Among the 23 patients evaluable for efficacy, 1 patient achieved a partial response (PR) and has been on study treatment for more than 1 year. Stable disease (SD) for at least 3 months was noted in an additional 11 patients, with median progression free survival of 112 (90–245) days. Thus disease control (PR + SD) was noted in more than 50% (12/23) of patients. The most common reason for discontinuation was disease progression. Preliminary pharmacokinetic results indicate rapid early clearance of BT062 from plasma consistent with rapid delivery and binding of BT062 to the MM cells. No significant accumulation of BT062 was noted, even after the end of the 2nd and 3rd infusions within a cycle. Conclusion: Preliminary data from this ongoing study indicate that BT062 is well tolerated even in this multiple dose schedule and provide further evidence of its clinical activity. Dose escalation is ongoing (now at 160 mg/m2) to define the MTD/RPTD, with cohort expansion then planned to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of BT062 at this dose. Based on the favorable safety profile, a Phase I/IIa study (983) has been initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BT062 in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. Disclosures: Heffner: Millennium: Research Funding. Jagannath:Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Zimmerman:Novartis: Consultancy; Millennium: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Lonial:Onyx: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy; Merck and Co: Consultancy. Lutz:ImmunoGen, Inc.: Employment. Czeloth:Biotest AG: Employment. Osterroth:Biotest AG: Employment. Ruehle:Biotest AG: Employment. Beelitz:Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Employment. Wartenberg-Demand:Biotest AG: Employment. Haeder:Biotest AG: Employment. Anderson:Celgene: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Acetylon: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopep: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Munshi:Oncopep: Patents & Royalties; Merck: Consultancy; Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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