Human and Improved Murine Monoclonal Antibodies Against CD22

Background:
The National Cancer Institute's Nanobiology Program is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize human monoclonal antibodies expressed in types of lymphoma.

CD22 is a cell surface protein that is highly expressed in a number of B cell lymphomas, such as hairy cell leukemia (HCL), non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Several clinical trials using anti-CD22 antibodies are ongoing. However, all of these antibodies are murine in nature, and have the potential to elicit immune responses in patients. The immunogenicity may adversely affect the ability to provide patients with repeated doses of a therapeutic comprising the antibody, limiting the clinical application of those therapeutics.

Technology:
In order to address the issue of immunogenicity in patients, NIH inventors have generated two anti-CD22 antibodies of human origin. Each antibody has the ability to recognize CD22 on the surface of Raji cells. Thus, these antibodies represent an attractive alternative to the murine anti-CD22 antibodies currently being tested in clinical trials. Additionally, the inventors have generated a modified murine anti-CD22 antibody with increased binding affinity and solubility. This antibody could also be a suitable alternative for the murine antibodies currently available.

This invention has numerous potential applications including use as an antibody or immunotoxin therapeutic for B cell lymphomas or as a diagnostic for the detection of CD22 positive tumors. Because this technology describes fully human antibodies, it could provide viable alternatives to current humanized or chimeric anti-CD22 antibodies in the treatment of CD22 related diseases.

Value Proposition Solution:

• Fully-human antibody and with high affinity that may have reduced immunogenicity, thereby allowing repeated dosing
• Modified murine anti-CD22 antibody with increased binding affinity and solubility
• Ability to develop antibody or immunotoxin therapeutics for B cell lymphomas
• Ability to develop antibody or immunotoxin diagnostics for the detection of CD22-positive tumors

Further R&D Needed:

• Conjugate antibodies with various cancer drugs and drug-loaded nano-liposomes for targeted delivery
• Test antibodies in combination with other clinically-approved antibodies.

R&D Status:
Pre-clinical, in vitro. In vivo are planned.

IP Status:
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/042,329 filed 04 April 2008.

Contact Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov

Reference:  #658 JH

Posted 05/08/2008