Bispecific and oligospecific, mono- and oligovalent receptors, production and applications thereof.

The invention relates to bispecific and oligospecific, mono- and oligovalent receptors which are produced genetically by fusion of DNA coding for F (ab) fragments of antibodies of two or more different specificities by means of suitable linkers. A specificity is preferably directed either against an epitope of a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) located on the cell membrane or in the interstitium or against an epitope in the tumor endothelium (TE), while the other specificities relate to high-molecular or low-molecular ligands and, for example, with the complexones ethylenediaminetetraacetate or diethylenetriaminepentaacetate in Y90 complexed form (EDTA-Y90 or DTPA-Y90). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the binding to the complexones on the complexone receptor arm takes place via fos-jun interaction (or also avidin-biotin interaction). Other preferred specificities have catalytic properties.

Bispecific antibodies have so far been produced using the following methods - chemical coupling of antibodies of different specificity via heterobifunctional linkers (H. Paulus, Behring Inst. Mitt. 78, (1985), 118-132) - Fusion of existing hybrids that secrete various monoclonal antibodies (MAK) and isolation of the bispecific-monovalent part (US Staerz and MJ Bevan, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, (1986) 1453-1457 - Transfection of the light and heavy chain genes of two different MAK (4 genes) in murine myeloma cells or other eukaryotic expression systems and isolation of the bispecific-monovalent part (U. Zimmermann, Rev. Physio. Biochem. Pharmacol. 105 (1986), 176-260; J. van Dijk et al., Int. J. Cancer 43, (1989), 944-349).

Such bispecific antibodies are used for the therapy and diagnosis of malignant tumors. The principle of the method is that in the first step, by injecting the bispecific macromolecule over long periods of time and with high doses, the epitopes that are recognized by one of the two specificities on the target cells are saturated. In the second step, which consists of interrupting the treatment for several days, the non-specifically adsorbed bispecific antibody is auto-eliminated from the non-target tissues.

This auto-elimination can be accelerated by injection of an anti-idiotypic antibody coupled with sugar residues, preferably galactose, which is directed against the anti-tumor arm of the bispecific receptor.

The third step of the process consists of the iv injection of a radiolabeled, hydrophilic, non-cell-accumulating, low molecular weight ligand with short residence time in the organism, which has high complex constants for beta and gamma emitters such as Y⁹⁰, Re¹⁸⁶, Re¹⁸⁸, Re¹⁸⁹, ^99mTc or ¹¹¹In and to which the second specificity of the bispecific antibody binds with high affinity. This step leads to an enrichment of the radioactive ligand, combined with longer retention on the target tissue, which results in the selective destruction of the target tissue or enables diagnosis of, for example, metastases.

The invention now provides bispecific or oligospecific receptors which, depending on requirements, have mono- or oligovalent bonds to the respective epitopes and are generated by genetic engineering using suitable "linkers". The gene fragments for the V_H and C_H1 Sections of antibodies a and b encode, by means of suitable synthetic oligonucleotides as exemplified in Table 1, linked in such a way that the N-terminus of the V_H Domains of the MAK b via a polypeptide spacer with the C-terminus of the C_H1 Domain of the MAK a is covalently linked (Fig. 1). The gene construct from V_HaC_H1a polypeptide spacer V_HbC_H1b is transfected together with the genes for the light chains of antibodies a and b into eukaryotic cells (eg mouse myeloma cells). The C_H1a, C_H1b, C_ka and C_kb Domains are modified so that opposite charges meet at the contact areas of the constant domains (C_H1a (+) C_ka (-); C._H1b (-) C_kb (+)) (+ = positive, - = negative) or that hydrophobic or hydrophilic contact surfaces face each other. As a result, the transfectomas preferentially express hybrid molecules in which the correct pairings of heavy and light chains are present (FIG. 2).

Antibody a here is an example of an anti-tumor antibody, antibody b of an antibody against a low molecular weight ligand, preferably the complexones DTPA-Y90 or EDTA-Y90.

Bi- or oligo-specific receptor therefore means a genetic engineering construction from V_H and C_H1 Domains of antibodies of different specificity via suitable linkers, so that the required mobility for association with the corresponding light chains is given and the antigen binding is not hindered.

Valences or binding sites denote the antigen binding sites. A bispecific monovalent receptor has two specificities, one antigen binding site each. A bispecific trivalent receptor thus has one antigen binding site for one specificity and two antigen binding sites for the other.

Bispecific receptors that are bivalent for the tumor antigen (MAK a) and monovalent for EDTA-Y90 (MAK b) are produced by linking the heavy chain gene construct described above to the gene section that is responsible for the V. Using the oligonucleotide linker mentioned above_H and C_H1 Domain of the MAK a coded (Fig. 3) so that the C-terminal end of the C_H1 Domain of the MAK b with the N-terminal end of the V_H Domain of the MAK a is connected by a polypeptide spacer. These gene constructs are transfected into eukaryotic cells (eg myeloma cells) together with the genes for the light chains belonging to the MAK a and b. The C_H1 and C_k As described above, domains are provided with complementary charges or respectively hydrophobic or hydrophilic contact surfaces. Fusion molecules consisting of two F (ab) fragments of the MAK a and one F (ab) fragment of the MAK b are preferably expressed from the transfectomas (FIG. 4). The mobility of the peptide linker enables the two F (ab) arms of the MAK a to be aligned with the tumor cell while the F (ab) arm of the MAK b is aligned with the intercellular space. Accordingly, additional binding sites of identical or different specificity can be added. The order of the specificities in the constructs can be freely combined.

The invention consequently relates to bispecific or oligospecific, mono- or oligovalent receptors which both have specificity for an epitope located on the cell membrane or in the interstitium, for example TAA or TE, and also have specificity for a low or high molecular weight ligand which is exclusive distributed in the extracellular space. One specificity is preferably formed by the tumor-specific antibodies, as proposed in German patent application P 39 09 799.4, while the other specificity is preferably directed against DTPA-Y90 or EDTA-Y90. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the binding to complexones on the complexon receptor arm takes place via fos-jun interaction (see example 5). Another preferred variant of the invention consists in the incorporation of catalytically active specificities. The order of the specificities or binding valences is freely selectable, as shown by way of example in FIG. 4 for three valences with two specificities.

Particularly preferred in the constructs according to the invention are those which contain a V gene from Tables 2, 3, 4 and / or 5. Antibodies with these sequences and their properties are described in German patent application P 39 09 799.4. The "Complementarity Determining Regions" (CDR's) can be identified according to Kabat and Wu (Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, US Government Printing Office (1987)). Constructs are also preferred which contain specificities against the epitopes defined by the monoclonal antibodies described above.

In addition, the invention relates to genetic engineering methods for producing the above-described constructs and to the use of the above-mentioned constructs for producing medicaments for combating and diagnosing target cells. In a first step after injection of the constructs, the affected epitopes are saturated on target cells; in a subsequent interval, non-specifically adsorbed or unbound constructs are eliminated. The subsequent step consists in the injection and subsequent specific binding of a low or high molecular weight ligand which does not accumulate in the target cells and which is cytotoxic per se or, if appropriate, is "activated" by extracorporeal effects for cytotoxicity in a further step. Methods of this type are, for example, enzymatic activation, activation by microwave irradiation of a “pro-drug” or activation by laser light.

The invention is also contained in the examples and the claims.

Example 1:

Production of an anti-DTPA-Y90 or EDTA-Y90-MAK

As a hapten, isothiocyanato-benzyl-DTPA (formula 2) was used on human serum albumin (HSA as carrier) with a degree of derivatization of 19 benzyl-DTPA molecules per HSA molecule according to the method described in (NW Brechbiel et al., Inorganic Chemistry 25, (1986) 2772-2781) described methodology covalently coupled. 20 µg of this hapten-carrier complex, in which cold Y was complexed, were sc injected on day 0 with Freund's adjuvant, on days 7 and 14 with incomplete Freund's adjuvant and on day 21 with PBS in Balb / c mice. On day 24, the spleens of the mice with the highest anti DTPA antibody titers were fused with the SP2 / 0-Ag14 myeloma cell line (Shulman et al., Nature 276, (1978) 269). The resulting hybridomas were checked in a DTPA-specific ELISA for the production of high-affinity MAb against DTPA and EDTA. The ELISA consisted of a solid phase which was loaded with a solution containing HSA-benzyl-DTPA-Y. The supernatant to be tested containing the MAb was preincubated with free complexon or its metal ion complexes and its binding to the specific solid phase was measured. For this purpose, an enzyme amplification system was used, which is coupled to an anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibody. The details of this methodology are described in Appendix 1a and 1b.

Using this test system, MAb were obtained that have the properties described in Appendix 1e.

In contrast to many other anti DTPA / EDTA MAbs, these MAbs do not bind to normal human tissues, as determined by means of the APAAP technique (Cordell et al., J. Histochem. Cytochem. 32: 219, 1984) on cryopreserved tissues. An in vivo use of this MA in the field of diagnostics and therapy is therefore possible.

The complexones DTPA and EDTA were used as competitors in both non-complexed and complexed form (Appendix 1c). In addition, the structurally related compounds transaconitic acid and 1,2 diaminoethane were used as inhibitors (see Appendix 1e). The MAb BW 2050/174 is particularly suitable for in vivo use. In contrast to all other MAb, it shows preferential binding to EDTA-Y (see Appendix 1e, lower competitor excess for EDTA-Y (100-fold) higher excess for other EDTA- Complexones, which is why the Hybrid 2050/174 was stabilized and used for the development of the EDTA-Y arm in the bispecific receptor.

Example 2:

Production and Expression of a V

H

1a C

H

1-linker-V

H

1B C

H

1 Gene construct

Unless otherwise indicated, the techniques used here have been derived from Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual; Sambrook, Fritsch, Maniatis; Cold Spring Habor Laboratory, 1982 (pp. 11 - 44, 51 - 127, 133 - 134, 141, 146, 150 - 167, 170, 188 - 193, 197 - 199, 248 - 255, 270 - 294,310 - 328, 364 - 401, 437 - 506) and from Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition; Sambrook, Fritsch, Maniatis; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, (p. 16.2 - 16.22, 16.30 - 16.40, 16.54 - 16.55).

A human IgG₃ C gene was isolated from a human gene bank in EMBL3 phages (AM Frischauf et al., J. Mol. Biol. 170, 827-842 (1983) and GHA Seemann et al., The EMBO Journal 5 (1986) , 547-552).

From this IgG₃ C gene, constructions were made as described in German patent application P 38 25 615.0, which on the one hand only the C_H1 Exon and a hinge exon (Fig. 5) and the other the C_H1 Exon and the 3'NT region of an HLA B27 gene contain (Fig. 6, fragment M in plasmid M).

The V_Ha and V_Hb Genes were amplified from mRNA of hybrid clones a and b as described by Orlandi et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA 86, (1989), 3833-3837) and cloned into an M13 vector (V_Ha PCR or V_Hb PCR) (Fig. 7). The V_Ha gene was inserted as a HindIII BamH1 fragment in the eukaryotic expression vector pEV_H cloned (Simon et al., Nucl. Acids. Res. 16, (1988), 354) (Fig. 8). The plasmid PEV is formed_H a C.

The human IgG C gene subclone with the C_H1 and the one hinge exon (Fig. 5) contains between C_H1 Exon and Hinge Exon a Pst1 interface. The V_H Genes contain a Pst1 site at the 5 ′ end. The linker oligonucleotide is designed so that it is at the 5 ′ end with the region of the Pst1 interface on the C_H1 + 1H subfragment of the IgG C gene and overlapped at the 3 ′ end with the Pst1 site of the VHb gene. The linker oligonucleotide is cloned into the Pst1 interface of a PUC 18 plasmid by means of its Pst1 cleavage sites (FIG. 9). The plasmid clone L. is formed

The plasmid with the IgG₃ C gene subfragment with C_H1 Exon and a hinge exon is cleaved with Pst1 and BamH1 and with the Pst1 BamH1 fragment from V_Hb PCR excised V_Hb Gene fragment ligated (Fig. 10). The plasmid X is formed.

The plasmid X is cleaved with Pst1 and ligated with the linker fragment likewise cut out of the plasmid L with PstI (FIG. 11). With the help of nucleic acid sequence analysis, clone Z is identified, in which the linker is in the correct orientation between C_H1 and V_Hb is cloned, without the intron / exon transition between intron 3 and linkerexon and without the reading frame at the transition between linker and V_Hb disrupt gene.

The plasmid pEVa C is cleaved with BamH1 and ligated with the fragment M cut out of the plasmid M with BamH1. The clone Y which contains the fragment M in the correct orientation is identified by restriction analysis (FIG. 12).

The plasmid Y is partially cleaved with BamH1 and with the fragment cut out of the plasmid X by HindIII and BamH1 cleavage (C_H1-linker-V_Hb) ligated after filling all ends. The plasmid clone PEVT is identified by nucleotide sequence analysis and restriction mapping, which the fusion gene V_Ha C_H1-linker-V_Hb C_H1 with the correct orientation of all exons (Fig. 13).

The plasmid PEVT is transfected together with plasmids which carry the genes for the light chains of antibodies a and b into suitable eukaryotic expression cells in order to express the antibody a F (ab) antibody b F (ab) fusion protein.

Example 3:

Transfection of the light and heavy chain genes of two different MAb (4 genes)

The isolation of immunoglobulin genes is described in German patent application P 39 09 799.4.

The genes cloned in vectors were transfected by electroporation after linearization of the vectors in X63Ag8.653 myeloma cells (H. Stopper et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta 900 (1987), 38-44). The transfectomes grown in selective media were checked for the production of bispecific-monovalent MAb in a specific RIA. This RIA consisted of solid-phase-adsorbed TAA, on which the transfectome supernatants to be tested were added after the unspecific "sites" had been blocked by casein. After adding with Y⁹⁰ or^99mWith complexed DTPA or EDTA and washing away the excess, those transfectomes that excreted bispecific-monovalent anti TAA x anti EDTA MAk could be detected on an increased radioactive signal on the solid phase.

Transfectome 9 was stabilized by "limited dilution" cloning and built up in cell culture. Cell culture supernatants were concentrated 10-fold, the MAb portion was chromatographed on protein A (PL Ey et al., Immunochemistry 15, (1978), 429) and the portion containing the bispecific-monovalent MAb was purified by means of anion exchange chromatography. (J. Van Dijk et al., Int. J. Cancer 43, (1989), 344-349).

Example 4:

Biological effectiveness

Purified protein containing the bispecific monovalent MAb (BW 431/26 x BW 2050/174) was injected iv in 500 µg doses on days 0, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 into human nude mice carrying CoCa 4 . On days 27-30, the animals were injected with 50 µCi EDTA-Y90 iv. A second group of animals received 500 µg of MAb BW 431/26 and, as described above, EDTA-Y90 injections on the same days instead of the bispecific MAb.

A third group equipped with tumors received injections of PBS (tumor growth control) instead of the MAb and the EDTA-Y90. The tumor growth was followed over 6 weeks. Injection of EDTA-Y90 resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition in the group receiving the bispecific monovalent MAb, whereas the animals injected with MAb BW 431/26 and treated with EDTA-Y90 showed no tumor growth inhibition compared to the animals, who only received PBS.

These data indicate the selective tumor therapeutic efficacy of the bispecific-monovalent MAb in combination with EDTA-Y90 as a toxic principle.

Even more favorable tumor therapeutic effects are obtained by the oligovalent / bispecific or oligospecific receptors, since they remain on the tumor longer due to the bivalent binding to TAA and thus the ligand is also retained longer and in higher concentrations on the tumor.

Example 5:

Optimization of the biological effectiveness of bi- or oligo-specific macromolecules by increasing the avidity of the anti-complexon arm.

A decisive factor influencing the efficient attachment of the hydrophilic, extracellularly distributing complexon to the anti-complexon arm of the oligospecific macromolecule is the avidity of this arm to the complexon. The avidities of monoclonal antibodies to their corresponding epitopes are in the range of 10⁵ - 10¹¹ l / mol. Since these binding strengths may not be sufficient to localize the complexon mass on the tumor that is required for efficient radioimmunotherapy, the extremely strong interaction of the fos-leucine zipper peptide (fos peptide) with the jun-leucine zipper peptide (jun peptide ) (Erin K. O'Shera et al., Science, 245, 1989) to fix the complexon as firmly as possible on the anti complexon arm. In order to be able to use this strong fos-jun interaction, the fos peptide must preferably be covalently linked to the complex (DTPA). For this purpose, isothiocyanatobenzyl DTPA can be reacted with hydrazine (or a diaminoalkane) in the first step. The resulting DTPA-benzyl-thiocarbazide can be reacted in a second step with N- (gamma-maleimidobutyryloxy) succinimide or an analogue to DTPA-benzyl- (gamma-maleimidobutyryl) thiocarbazide. In a 3rd In this step, this compound is then linked to the fos peptide (Figure 1) which has been extended by glycine-glycine cysteine ​​via the free SH group of the amino-terminal cysteine. The resulting fos-peptide-DTPA conjugate is complexed with yttrium chloride in a fourth step. The resulting fos-peptide-DTPA-Y conjugate complex can then be used for in vivo attachment to the jun peptide arm of the bi- or oligo-specific macromolecule. The synthesis of the example outlined above is described in detail below:

A) Preparation of the fos-EDTA-Y conjugate complex

Step 1:

Synthesis of EDTA-benzyl-thiocarbazide

Isothiccyanatobenzyl-EDTA (SCN-Bn-ETPA) (30 mg, 54 µmol) was stirred in 10% (v / v) aqueous hydrazine for 1 h. The solvent was then removed in a high vacuum, the residue was dried over phosphorus pentoxide in a high vacuum and finally lyophilized. The product was neutralized with DOWEX WX 2 (H + form) and lyophilized again (yield 28 mg).

Step 2:

Synthesis of EDTA-benzyl- (gamma-maleimidobutyryl) thiocarbazide

The ETPA-benzyl-thiocarbazide (20 mg; 34 µmol) and N- (gamma-maleimidobutyryloxy) succinimide (8 mg, 29 µmol = 0.9 equiv.) Prepared in step 1 were stirred in anhydrous dimethylformamide for 1 hour. The mixture was then evaporated to dryness and the residue was dried under high vacuum.

Step 3:

Coupling of EDTA-benzyl- (gamma-maleimidobutyryl) thiocarbazide to amino-terminal cysteine ​​in the fos peptide

A solution of the fos peptide (4.8 mg, 1 µmol) (see step 3.1) in phosphate-buffered saline (2 ml) was mixed with a suspension of the product mixture obtained according to step 2 (4 mg) in dimethylformamide (400 µl) and 1 h incubated at room temperature. Then the reaction mixture was gel filtered over a Sephadex G15 column in phosphate buffered saline. The protein-containing eluate was collected and preserved at -30 ° C (yield 4.2 mg).

Step 3.1:

Amino acid sequence of the fos peptide (| |) with N-terminal GGC extension.

Ac-CGGyLTDTLQAETDQLEDKKSALQTEIANLLKEKEKLEFILAAYy The letters stand for the following amino acids: A = alanine, C = cysteine, D = aspartic acid, E = glutamic acid, G = glycine, I = isoleucine, K = lysine, L = leucine, M methionine, Q = = Glutamine, R = arginine, S = serine, T = threonine, V = valine, Y = tyrosine.

The oligopeptide synthesis was carried out using an automatic peptide synthesizer (Applied Biosystems Model 430A) according to the Merryfield solid phase method (Stewart and Young. Solid Phase Synthesis. Pierce Chemical Company. 2nd Edition. Rockford III.) With the tert-butyloxycarbonyl protective group. The oligopeptides were cleaved from the phenylacetamidomethylpolystyrene carrier. After the protective groups have been split off (Tom et al. 1983, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105, 6442-6455) the oligopeptides were reversed phase chromatographed (PepRPC column, Pharmacia) as in Rivier et al. (J. Chromatography 288, 303-328, 1984).

Step 4:

Preparation of a fos-peptide-EDTA-yttrium chelate with a fos-peptide-EDTA conjugate prepared according to step 3

The fos-peptide-EDTA conjugate (4.2 mg) prepared according to step 3 was dialyzed against isotonic saline / 0.1 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0, in a dialysis tube with exclusion limit, mw 1000 (spectrum) and with 6 mg yttrium chloride, which in 3 ml isotonic saline / 0.1 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0, were added. After 1 h, dialyzed back against phosphate-buffered saline and the chelate solution was preserved at -30 ° C. The fos-peptide-EDTA-yttrium chelate described in the example above is then used as ligand in order to bind with high avidity to the jun-peptide arm of the bi- or oligospecific macromolecule. The construction of a bispecific macromolecule that is particularly suitable for this interaction is described in the following example.

B) Construction of the MAk-jun fusion molecule

Unless otherwise indicated, the techniques used here were derived from Maniatis et al. (Laboratory Manual EMBL (1982), Heidelberg, and Sambrook (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual).

Step 1:

A human IgG3 C gene was isolated from a human gene bank in EMBL 3 phages (AM Frischauf et al., J. Mol. Biol. 170, 827-842, 1983 and GHA Seemann et al., The EMBO Journal 5, 547- 552, 1986). As described in German patent application P 3825615.0, a construction (D) was produced from this IgG3 C gene which only contains the CH1 exon and the first hinge exon of the IgG3 C gene (FIG. 14).

A human HLA B27k gene was isolated from the same gene bank, as also described in German patent application P 3825615.0. A construct (E) was produced from this HLA B27w gene, which only contains the C3 exon and the 3 ′ NT region of the HLA B27k gene (FIG. 15).

Step 2:

The C1 exon and the 3 ′ NT region of the HLA B27k gene were excised from plasmid E with Xba1, the fragment isolated and cloned into the Xba1 site of construct D. The clone F was identified by restriction analysis and nucleic acid sequence analysis and contains the C3 exon and the 3 ′ NT region of the HLA B27c gene in the correct 5′-3 ′ orientation 3 ′ from the IgG3 C gene fragment (FIG. 16).

Step 3:

The insert of clone F is cut out of the plasmid using the endonucleases Hind III and Eco RI and cloned between the Hind III and Eco RI sites of an M13mp18 double-strand (DS) phage. The phage clone G containing the antibody / HLA fusion gene fragment is isolated (FIG. 17).

Step 4:

Phage clone G is made according to the method of TA Kunkel, 1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Science, USA, 82, 488-492, uracil single strands. The single-stranded phages were hybridized with the mutagenic oligonucleotides 1 and 2 (Table 6) and the gaps between the oligonucleotides were closed with Klenon DNA polymerase and T4 ligase. After transformation into E. coli was identified by restriction analysis and nucleic acid sequence analysis (G), in which the Sst1 restriction site at the 5 ′ end of the hinge exon was deleted. At the same time, an Sst1 and a Sph1 restriction site were introduced at the 3 ′ end of the hinge exon (FIG. 18). To delete the Sst1 interface, the third base of the 2nd codon of the hinge exon was converted from C to G and for the introduction of the Sst1 and Sph1 interfaces between the 15th and 16. Codon of the hinge exon introduced the bases 5′GAGCTCGGGGCA3 ′ (Tab. 7).

Step 5:

Double stranded DNA of the phage clone G ′ is cleaved completely with Sph1 and partially with Sst1. The synthetic oligonucleotides Jun I and Jun II (Tab. 8) are joined to form a double-stranded DNA fragment, which contains a cut Sph1 and Sst1 restriction site at its ends and codes for a peptide that contains the Jun leucine zipper (O'Shea et al., Science, 245, 646-648, 1989).

The double-stranded DNA fragment is cloned into the Sst1 and Sph1 restriction sites of the F ′ phage clone and the phage clone H is identified, which contains a gene construct in which the sequence for the Jun zipper peptide is inserted in the hinge exon (FIG. 19).

Step 6:

The insert of the dS phage H was cut out with the restriction endonucleases Hind III and Eco RI, the ends were filled in with T4 polymerase and cloned into an Sma1-cleaved KsF vector (Stratagene, 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla California 92037). Plasmid clone I was identified which contains the antibody / Jun / HLA fusion gene in the orientation (FIG. 20) in which it is flanked on both sides by a BamH1 site.

Step 7:

The antibody / Jun / HLA fusion gene was cut out of the KS clone H1 with BamH1 and cloned into the expression plasmid pABStop (Behringwerke AG), which contains a specific functional immunoglobulin V gene. The specific V gene was obtained as described in patent application P 3909799.4. Expression plasmid I was identified, which the antibody / Jun / HLA fusion gene construct in the correct orientation behind the V_H Contains gene (Fig. 21).

The cotransformation of plasmid I with a plasmid which contains the light chain gene of the specific MAb and a plasmid which carries a resistance gene leads to the expression of a specific antibody F (ab ′) 2 fragment which is in the hinge region two Jun Zipper contains peptides, the Jun Zipper peptide being modified so that homodimer formation (Jun / Jun) no longer takes place.

Example 6:

Optimizing the bi- or oligo-specific amount of receptors on the tumor and minimizing them in the blood or normal tissues.

Scientific studies by others have shown that the penetration of solid tumors with macromolecules> 50 kDa takes place slowly and usually only the peripheral region or a few areas in the tumor are reached. These studies are based on experiments involving a single injection of low amounts of macromolecules. In contrast, we have found that repetitive iv injection of large amounts of bi- or oligo-specific receptors (10 x 250 µg receptor / mouse for 10 days) enables extensive penetration of the entire tumor mass in nude mouse xenografts. Furthermore, the bi- or oligo-specific receptors remain in large quantities on the tumor cell membrane and in the tumor interstitium due to their specific binding to TAA for long periods (> 20 days). These findings were obtained using the indirect alkaline phosphatase technique on cryopreserved thin sections of human colon and pancreatic tumor xenografts.

During this time (already after 10 days), the bi- or oligo-specific receptor molecules from the TAA-negative normal tissues and the blood were already eliminated by degradation and excretion. To shorten this elimination period, an anti-idiotypic MAb (anti Id), which only reacts with the anti TAA arm of non-bound bi- or oligospecific receptor molecules, was administered 24 hours after the 10 x injection of bi- or oligospecific receptors was complete injected (1 x50 µg anti Id). This single injection resulted in an accelerated elimination of the unbound bi- or oligo-specific receptor molecules from the blood and a faster metabolism in the liver and spleen.

Due to this manipulation, the complexone (EDTA-Y90) can be injected as early as 4 days after the end of the penetration and binding phase of the bi- or oligo-specific receptor. The following treatment scheme (for nude mice) is derived from these tests:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>a) Day 1-10, iv injection of 1x250 µg bi- or oligo-specific receptor</li><li>b) Day 11, iv injection of 1x50 µg anti Id</li><li>c) Day 14, iv injection of a therapeutic dose of EDTA-Y90.</li></ul>

Based on comparative immunoscintigraphic data in nude mice and tumor patients, this scheme should also be suitable for tumor therapy in humans. However, the quantities to be injected in the human system are of a different order. 10x 5-10 g bispec. Receptor, 1x1 g anti Id. The injection of the anti Id is not mandatory for the therapy.

Appendix 1a

Quantitative inhibition ELISA for MAb by DTPA or EDTA complexes

Material: Divisible 96-well polystyrene microtiter plates (U-shape) type B, Nunc, No. 4-60445<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li>1) 50 μl of Y benzyl-DTPA-HSA 19 conjugate with a concentration of 1 μg of conjugate per ml of PBS, pH 7.2, are pipetted into each well and incubated overnight at room temperature (RT).</li><li>2) The supernatant is suctioned off and washed 3 times with 0.05 M Tris citrate buffer, pH 7.4, (washing solution 1); (Wash once = fill in 250 µl washing solution per well, leave for 2 min, vacuum)</li><li>3) If the microtiter plate is not required directly, it is left overnight on cellulose at RT (opening downwards). The plate is then welded into foils with dry cartridges (Gaplast, Postfach 529, 8100 Garmisch-Partenkirchen). Under these conditions, the plates can be kept for at least 8 weeks at + 4 ° C.</li><li>4) 250 µl block solution are applied per well and incubated at 37 ° C for 30 min.</li><li>5) During the blocking, the diluted hybridoma supernatant is preincubated with the competitor (see Appendix 2).</li><li>6) 50 .mu.l of the hybridoma supernatants to be tested, correspondingly prediluted and pre-incubated, are applied and incubated at RT for 30 min.</li><li>7) Then wash 3 times with washing solution 2.</li><li>8) 50 µl 1: 500 diluted in block solution, labeled with alkaline phosphatase goat anti mouse IgG 1 antibody per well and then incubated at RT for 30 min.</li><li>9) Then wash 3 times with washing solution for Enzygnost.</li><li>10) 50 μl of 0.1 mM NADP are then added.</li><li>11) Then incubate at RT for 30 min.</li><li>12) During the incubation with NADP, the amplifier system is set up as follows: per plate, 2 parts of INT and 1 part of PBS, pH 7.2, are added, further 1 part of diaphorase, and 1 part of ADH are added by pipette.</li><li>13) 50 µl of this amplifier system are added per well.</li><li>14) If the color changes significantly from transparent to red, the reaction is stopped with 100 μl of a 0.1 N H₂SO₄ solution per well.</li><li>15) The absorbances are at 492 nm in the TITERTEK^R Measure MULTISCAN. 50 µl NADP with 50 µl amplifier solution and 100 µl 0.1 N H₂SO₄ are used as blank values.</li></ul>

NADP - Sigma order no. N-0505 INT - Sigma order no. I-8377 ADH - Sigma order no. A-3263 DIAPHORASE - Sigma order no. D-2381 Washing solution 2 - Behring, order no. OSEW96, contains Tween / PBS

Block solution:

PBS, pH 7.2, is made 3% casein by adding casein and stirring for 30 minutes and adjusted to pH 7.4. Then particles 10 'are centrifuged off at 4000 rpm.

Diluted goat anti-mouse IgG 1 antibody labeled with alkaline phosphatase (Southern Biotechnology Associates, Cat. No. 1080-04) Preparation of 0.1 mM NADP: Dissolve 7.65 mg of NADP in 100 ml of 20 mM Tris, 0.1 mM MgSO₄, pH 9.5; the solution can be stored at -20 ° C for several months. Production of INT (P-IODO NITROTETRAZOLIUM Violet): Dissolve 2.5 mg / ml 30% ethanol in an ultrasonic bath; always start fresh. Production of diaphorase: 1 mg diaphorase / ml PBS, pH 7.2, is stored in portions at -20 ° C. Production of alcohol dehydrogenase: 0.5 mg ADH / ml PBS, pH 7.2, are stored in portions at -20 ° C.

Appendix 1b

Pre-incubation of the hybridoma supernatant with the competitor

The mouse IgG concentration determination in hybridoma supernatants can be determined using commercially available quantitative ELISA test systems and is state of the art.

Using the ELISA concentration determination, the hybridoma supernatants are diluted to 1.25 µg / ml in PBS without Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺. Conversion from gram to mole: 150,000 g - 1 mol MAb 1.25 x 10⁻⁶ g- x mol 1.25 µg = x = 8.33 10⁻¹² mol

In order to have a 1 + 1 ratio of MAb and inhibitor, 50 µl of hybridoma supernatant with a concentration of 8.33 x 10⁻¹² mol /<u style="single">ml</u> 10 µl inhibitor with a concentration increased by a factor of 5 of 8.33 x 10⁻¹² mol /<u style="single">200 µl</u> given.

The hybridoma supernatant is incubated with 100,000 times, 50,000 times, 10,000 times, 5,000 times, 1,000 times and 100 times excess of competitor for 30 'at RT. 50 µ1 of this are pipetted into the ELISA (see Appendix 1a, point 6).

Appendix 1c

Generation of the DTPA or EDTA complexes

The complex constant of DTPA or EDTA to the metal ions shown in Table I is extremely high, so that complete saturation can be expected when DTPA or EDTA is mixed with these metal ions in an equimolar manner. The corresponding metal ions were therefore incubated in a 3-fold molar excess with the DTPA or EDTA. As an example, 170 µl of a 10 mM cadmium sulfate solution in bidist (see Appendix 1d) with 30 µl of a 0.028 molar DTPA stock solution in bidest for 5 'were incubated at RT. Addition of 10 μl of this competitor solution to the hybridoma supernatant leads to a 100,000-fold excess of competitor over the MAb contained in the hybridoma supernatant. Lower competitor to MA ratios were achieved by diluting the competitor solution in the respective salt ion solution in accordance with the desired molar excess (see Appendix 1b).

Appendix 1d

Source and relevant physicochemical parameters of the metal ions used

10m molar solutions of the following metal ions were prepared in bidist: <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="3" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="52.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="52.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="52.50mm" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Manganese chloride (?)</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">MG 161.88</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" /></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Merck</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">No. 5934</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">Ion radius Mn: 80 pm</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Cadmium sulfates</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">MG 256.5</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" /></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Riedel de Haen</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">No. 31145</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">Ion radius Cd: 97 pm</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Zinc chloride</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">MG 136.28</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" /></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Merck</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">No. 8816</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">Ion radius Zn: 74 pm</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Copper sulfate</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">Mg 159.61</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" /></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Riedel de Haen</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">No. 31294</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">Ion radius Cu: 96 pm</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Yttrium chloride</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">MG 303.36</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" /></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Aldrich</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">No. 20,491-9</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">Ion radius Y: 92 pm</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Lead (II) nitrate</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">MG 331.20</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" /></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">Riedel de Haen</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="left">No. 31137</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">Ion radius Pb: 120 pm</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

Appendix 1e

Quantitative MAb inhibition test by DTPA or EDTA

molar excess <u style="single">Competitor</u> which results in 50% inhibition of binding to the solid phase antigen. <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="7" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="22.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">MAK No.</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">DTPA-Y</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">DTPA</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">DTPA-Mn</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">DTPA-Cd</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="center">DTPA-Zn</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">DTPA-Cu</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/174</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10⁴</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">5x10³</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/531</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">5x10⁴</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">5x10³</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/532</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">5x10⁴</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">5x10³</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/534</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">5x10⁴</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">5x¹⁰³</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/535</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10⁴</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">10³</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="7" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="22.50mm" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="22.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">MAK No.</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">DTPA-Pb</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">1.2 Diaminoethane</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">Transaconitic acid</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">EDTA-Y</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="center">EDTA</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="center">EDTA-Mn</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/174</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">no inhibition up to 10⁵</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="left">no inhibition up to 10⁵</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">10³</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/531</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">10³</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/532</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">10³</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/534</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">10²</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/535</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="left">"</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col6" nameend="col6" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col7" nameend="col7" align="right">10²</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="31.50mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="31.50mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="31.50mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="31.50mm" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="31.50mm" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="center">MAK No.</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="center">EDTA-Cd</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="center">EDTA-Zn</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="center">EDTA-Cu</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="center">EDTA-Pb</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/174</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">5x10³</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/531</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10⁵</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/532</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">5x10³</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10⁵</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/534</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10³</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">5x10³</entry></row><row rowsep="1"><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="right">2050/535</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col3" nameend="col3" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col4" nameend="col4" align="right">10²</entry><entry namest="col5" nameend="col5" align="right">10²</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><img file="EP0404097A2_D0001.tif" /><img file="EP0404097A2_D0002.tif" /><img file="EP0404097A2_D0003.tif" /><img file="EP0404097A2_D0004.tif" /><img file="EP0404097A2_D0005.tif" />

Tab. 6

Mutagenic oligonucleotides:

<ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li>1) 5′CTTACCTGGG.CATGCCCCGA.GCTCCCGTGG.GCATGT3 ′</li><li>2) 5′AGTGGGGTTT.TCAGCTCTGCAGAG3 ′</li></ul><img file="EP0404097A2_D0006.tif" /><img file="EP0404097A2_D0007.tif" /><chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0404097A2_D0008.tif" /></chemistry>