Enhanced sensitivity to Wnts is an emerging hallmark of a subset of cancers, defined in part by mutations regulating the abundance of their receptors. Whether these mutations identify a clinical opportunity is an important question. Inhibition of Wnt secretion by blocking an essential post-translational modification, palmitoleation, provides a useful therapeutic intervention. We developed a novel potent, orally available PORCN inhibitor, ETC-1922159 (henceforth called ETC-159) that blocks the secretion and activity of all Wnts. ETC-159 is remarkably effective in treating RSPO-translocation bearing colorectal cancer (CRC) patient derived xenografts. This is the first example of effective targeted therapy for this subset of CRC. Consistent with a central role of Wnt signaling in regulation of gene expression, inhibition of PORCN in RSPO3-translocated cancers causes a marked remodeling of the transcriptome, with loss of cell cycle, stem cell, and proliferation genes and an increase in differentiation markers. Inhibition of Wnt signaling by PORCN inhibition holds promise as differentiation therapy in genetically defined human cancers.

(2015) Cleavage efficient 2A peptides for high level monoclonal antibody expression in CHO cells, mAbs, 7:2, 403-412, DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2015 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10. 1080/19420862.2015 Abbreviations: CHO, Chinese hamster ovary; HC, heavy chain; LC, light chain; mAb, monoclonal antibody; F2A, 2A peptide derived from the foot-and-mouth disease virus; E2A, 2A peptide derived from the equine rhinitis virus; P2A, 2A peptide derived from the porcine teschovirus-1; T2A, 2A peptide derived from the Thosea asigna virus; GF2A, F2A with the GSG linker; GE2A, E2A with the GSG linker; GP2A, P2A with the GSG linker; GT2A, T2A with the GSG linker; IgG, immunoglobulin G; IRES, internal ribosome entry site; G, glycine; P, proline; K, lysine; MTX, methotrexate; SEC, size exclusion chromatography; MS, mass spectrometry; PFM, protein-free medium; HT, hypoxanthine and thymine; GFP, green fluorescence protein; PVDF, polyvinylidene difluorideLinking the heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) genes required for monoclonal antibodies (mAb) production on a single cassette using 2A peptides allows control of LC and HC ratio and reduces non-expressing cells. Four 2A peptides derived from the foot-and-mouth disease virus (F2A), equine rhinitis A virus (E2A), porcine teschovirus-1 (P2A) and Thosea asigna virus (T2A), respectively, were compared for expression of 3 biosimilar IgG1 mAbs in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines. HC and LC were linked by different 2A peptides both in the absence and presence of GSG linkers. Insertion of a furin recognition site upstream of 2A allowed removal of 2A residues that would otherwise be attached to the HC. Different 2A peptides exhibited different cleavage efficiencies that correlated to the mAb expression level. The relative cleavage efficiency of each 2A peptide remains similar for expression of different IgG1 mAbs in different CHO cells. While complete cleavage was not observed for any of the 2A peptides, GSG linkers did enhance the cleavage efficiency and thus the mAb expression level. T2A with the GSG linker (GT2A) exhibited the highest cleavage efficiency and mAb expression level. Stably amplified CHO DG44 pools generated using GT2A had titers 357, 416 and 600 mg/L for the 3 mAbs in shake flask batch cultures. Incomplete cleavage likely resulted in incorrectly processed mAb species and aggregates, which were removed with a chromatin-directed clarification method and protein A purification. The vector and methods presented provide an easy process beneficial for both mAb development and manufacturing.

No abstract