JP4745242B2 - CD20 binding molecule - Google Patents

Description

This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 471,958, filed May 20, 2003.
The present invention relates to CD20 binding molecules and nucleic acid sequences encoding CD20 binding molecules. In particular, the present invention relates to CD20 binding molecules having high binding affinity and low dissociation rate for human CD20. Desirably, the CD20 binding molecules of the invention comprise light and / or heavy chain variable regions having a fully human framework (eg, a human germline framework).

  Methods for using antibodies to the CD20 antigen as a diagnostic and / or therapeutic agent for diseases such as B cell lymphoma have been reported previously. CD20 is an antigen that is expressed at high density on the surface of malignant B cells, ie, B cells whose unlimited amplification causes B cell lymphomas, and thus is useful as a marker or target for B cell lymphomas.

  CD20 (also known as Bp35) is a differentiation antigen restricted to B lymphocytes that is expressed early in B precursor cell growth and remains until plasma cell differentiation. Some believe that the CD20 molecule coordinates a step in the B cell activation process necessary for cell cycle initiation and differentiation. Furthermore, as noted above, CD20 is usually expressed at very high levels on neoplastic (“tumor”) B cells. The CD20 antigen is suitable for targeted therapy because it does not reduce, modulate, or absorb [other substances].

  Previously reported treatments for anti-CD20 antibodies include administration of therapeutic anti-CD20 antibodies alone or in combination with a second radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibody or chemotherapeutic agent. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of one such anti-CD20 antibody, RITUXAN, in the treatment of previously treated and relapsed low-grade non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). However, although Rituxan is generally reported to be effective in treating B-cell lymphoma, treated patients often tend to relapse.

Recently, the safety, tolerability, and preclinical therapeutic effects of Rituxan for the treatment of 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (non-immunosuppressed patients) were tested. Some of the results of this study were presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in October 2002. Of the 18 patients treated, 6 patients received 100 mg / m ² (low dose) infusion of Rituxan once a week, and 6 patients received 375 mg / m ² (medium dose) once a week. Rituxan infusion and 6 patients were given weekly 375 mg / m ² (high dose) Rituxan infusion for 4 weeks. Three out of 12 (25%) who received low or medium doses developed high levels of human anti-chimeric antibody (HACA) at 2 months, but high dose patients are still being evaluated is there.

  Thus, CD20 binding molecules with a high binding affinity and a low dissociation constant so that treated B-cell lymphoma patients do not relapse, and do not cause or cause a HACA response when administered to non-immunosuppressed patients CD20 binding molecules that reduce the properties are required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides CD20 binding molecules and nucleic acid sequences that encode CD20 binding molecules. In particular, the present invention provides CD20 binding molecules with high binding affinity and low dissociation rate for human CD20. Desirably, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention comprises a light chain and / or heavy chain variable region having a fully human framework (eg, a human germline framework).

  In certain embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising a CD20 binding molecule, wherein the CD20 binding molecule comprises a) a light chain variable region, or a portion of a light chain variable region, wherein the light chain variable The region (or part of the light chain variable region) is i) a CDRL1 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, ii) SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11, A CDRL2 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13, and iii) a CDRL3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 21, and b) a heavy chain variable region, Or a part of the heavy chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable region (or part of the heavy chain variable region) is i) from SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 25 A CDRH1 amino acid sequence selected from the group comprising: ii) a CDRH2 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 39, And iii) a CDRH3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 57.

  In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprising a light chain variable region (or portion thereof), or a nucleic acid sequence (or portion thereof) encoding a light chain variable region, wherein the light chain The variable region (or part thereof) is a) a CDRL1 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, b) SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: A CDRL2 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of 13, and c) a CDRL3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 21.

  In certain embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising a heavy chain variable region (or part thereof) or a nucleic acid sequence (or part thereof) encoding a heavy chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable region (Or part thereof) is a) a CDRH1 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 25, b) SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, CDRH2 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 39, and c) SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: A CDR-H3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of number 57 is included.

  In another embodiment, the invention is a) a light chain variable region or a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a light chain variable region, wherein the light chain variable region is SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 21 A sequence comprising a CDRL3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: b) a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region or a heavy chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable region is SEQ ID NO: 43, sequence A composition comprising a CDRH3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 57 is provided.

  In certain embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the light chain variable region of a CD20 binding molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises a) SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6 B) a CDRL1 nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 14, and c) SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 20, A CDRL3 nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 22. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the heavy chain variable region of a CD20 binding molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises a) the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 24 and SEQ ID NO: 26. A CDRH1 nucleic acid molecule selected from: b) a CDRH2 nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 40, and c ) Comprising a CDRH3 nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 48, SEQ ID NO: 50, SEQ ID NO: 52, SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 56, SEQ ID NO: 58.

  In certain embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising a CD20 binding molecule, wherein the CD20 binding molecule comprises a) a CDRL1 amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 5, b) a CDRL21 amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 13, c) a CDRL31 amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 19, d) a CDRH11 amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 25, e) a CDRH21 amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 39, and f) a CDRH31 amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 57. In another embodiment, the invention includes a nucleic acid molecule that encodes the light chain variable region of a CD20 binding molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises a) a CDRL1 nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 6, b) SEQ ID NO: 14 A CDRL2 nucleic acid sequence comprising, and c) a CDRL3 nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 20.

  In yet another embodiment, the invention includes a nucleic acid molecule that encodes the heavy chain variable region of a CD20 binding molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is a) a CDRH1 nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 26, b) SEQ ID NO: 40. A CDRH2 nucleic acid sequence comprising: and c) a CDRH3 nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 58. In another embodiment, the invention provides: a) a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a light chain variable region, wherein the first nucleic acid sequence is from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 20 and SEQ ID NO: 22 One comprising a selected CDRL3 nucleic acid sequence, and b) a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region, wherein the second nucleic acid sequence is SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 48, SEQ ID NO: A composition comprising a CDRH3 nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of 50, SEQ ID NO: 52, SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 56 and SEQ ID NO: 58 is provided.

  In one embodiment, the invention is a) a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a light chain variable region, wherein the light chain variable region consists of i) SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5 A CDRL1 amino acid sequence selected from the group, ii) a CDRL2 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, and iii) SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: One comprising a CDRL3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of 21 and b) a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable region is i) SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: CDRH1 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of 25, ii) SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, CDRH2 amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 39, and iii) SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 55 A CDRH3 amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 57).

  In certain embodiments, the invention provides a group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 21 Peptides comprising at least two (or at least three or four) CDRs selected from are provided. In another embodiment, the invention provides SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: Contains at least two (or at least three or four) CDRs selected from the group consisting of No. 45, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 51, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 57 A peptide is provided.

  In certain embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising a light chain variable region and a heavy chain variable region, wherein the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, Comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 21, and at this time, the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 25, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 49, SEQ ID NO: 51 , Comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 55, SEQ ID NO: 57.

  In certain embodiments, the light chain variable region comprises a portion of a framework (eg, two to three subregions such as FR2 and FR3). In certain embodiments, the light chain variable region comprises a fully human framework. In another embodiment, the light chain variable region comprises a human germline framework. In certain embodiments, the light chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 63. In certain embodiments, the heavy chain variable region comprises a portion of a framework (eg, two to three subregions such as FR2 and FR3). In certain embodiments, the heavy chain variable region comprises a fully human framework. In another embodiment, the heavy chain variable region comprises a human germline framework. In another embodiment, the heavy chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from 61 and 65.

  In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule comprises an antibody or antibody fragment (eg, Fv, Fab, etc.). In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule comprises AME 33 Fv or Fab. In another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule comprises AME 5 Fv or Fab. In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule is an Fv selected from the group consisting of AME 21E1 Hum, AME 6F1, AME 2C2, AME 1D10, AME 15, AME 18, AME 5-3, AME 1C2, AME 4H5. Includes Fab.

  In certain embodiments, the present invention provides fusion constructs comprising CD20 binding molecules (eg, antibodies and antibody fragments) and fusion partners such as enzymes, detectable labels, carbohydrate molecules, lipids. In certain embodiments, the fusion construct comprises a Fab or Fab'2 that binds human CD20 and an enzyme that converts the prodrug to an active form.

  In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule is contained within a host cell (eg, a eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cell). In another embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the light and / or heavy chain is contained in a plasmid or other expression vector.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a CD20 binding molecule that has a binding affinity (K _d ) for human CD20 of 5.0 × ^{10 −10} M or less (eg, 5.0 × ^{10 −10} M to 5.0 × ^{10 −11} M). A composition comprising In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprising a CD20 binding molecule, wherein the CD20 binding molecule has a binding affinity (K _d ) of 5.0 × ^{10 −10} M or less for human CD20, and It has a dissociation rate (koff) that is 5.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ or less.

In another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule has a binding affinity (K _d ) for human CD20 of 1.5 × ^{10 −10} M or less. In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule has a binding affinity (K _d ) for human CD20 of 1.0 × ^{10 −10} M or less. In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule has a dissociation rate (koff) of 2.5 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ or less for human CD20. In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule has a dissociation rate of 1.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ or less (eg, 1.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ^{−1 to} 1.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ s ⁻¹ ) for human CD20 ( koff). In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule has a dissociation rate (koff) of 8.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ s ⁻¹ or less for human CD20. In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule is 1.0 × 10 ⁵ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ or more (eg 1.0 × 10 ⁵ M ⁻¹ s ^{−1 to} 1.0 × 10 ⁶ M ⁻¹ s) relative to human CD20. ^-1 ) has an association rate (kon). In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule has an association rate (kon) of 5.0 × 10 ⁵ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ or greater for human CD20.

  In certain embodiments, the invention comprises B comprising: a) i) a subject and ii) providing a composition comprising a CD20 binding molecule of the invention, and b) administering the composition to the subject. Methods of treating cell lymphoma are provided. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a) i) a subject complaining of a symptom of the disease and ii) providing a composition comprising a CD20 binding molecule of the invention, and b) reducing or eliminating the symptom. To provide a method for treating a disease comprising administering the composition to the subject. In certain embodiments, the disease is relapsed Hodgkins disease, high-grade resistant Hodgkins disease, low-grade and moderate-grade non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), B-cell chronic lymphocyte leukemia (B-CLL). Lymphoma plasma cell malignant lymphoma (LPL), capsule cell lymphoma (MCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL), AIDS-related lymphoma, monocytic B cells Lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, small lymphocyte type, follicular diffuse large cell, diffuse small cleaved cell, large cell immunoblastic lymphoma, small non-cleavage type, Burkitt and non-Burkitt type, Selected from the group consisting of follicular predominantly large cells, predominantly small follicular cleavage cells, and follicular small and large mixed cell lymphomas.

  In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of treating a disease (eg, cancer) in an animal in need of treatment comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of a CD20 binding molecule of the invention. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a CD20 binding molecule of the invention for use as a medicament. In other embodiments, the invention provides a CD20 binding molecule of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease (eg, NHL). In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides an agent characterized in that it comprises a CD20 binding molecule of the present invention as an active ingredient for the treatment of a disease (eg cancer).

In preferred embodiments, the subject (patient) is not immunosuppressed. For example, the patient has a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). When a CD20 binding molecule is administered to a non-immunosuppressed subject, it is desirable that a HACA reaction (human anti-chimeric antibody reaction) does not occur (or is negligible even if it occurs). In certain embodiments, the dose administered to a subject is about 375 mg / m ² per week for 4 weeks (without producing a HACA response). In certain embodiments, the dosage (to, for example, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)), by about 100 to 200 mg / m ² to about 50 to 300 mg / m ² or week week is four weeks.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a) i) a subject and ii) a binding affinity (K _d ) for human CD20 of 5.0 × ^{10 −10} M or less and a dissociation rate (koff) for human CD20. A method of treating B-cell lymphoma, comprising: providing a composition comprising a CD20 binding molecule wherein is a CD20 binding molecule that is 5.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ or less; and b) administering the composition to a subject provide.

In certain embodiments, the present invention depletes peripheral B cells in a subject in need of the above treatment, a) i) the subject and ii) a binding affinity (K _d ) for human CD20 of 5.0 × ^{10 −10} M Providing a composition comprising a CD20 binding molecule that is or less than that and has a dissociation rate (koff) for human CD20 of 5.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ or less, and b) its composition A method comprising administering a product to a subject.

  In certain embodiments, the light chain variable region comprises a fully human framework. In another embodiment, the light chain variable region comprises a human germline framework. In certain embodiments, the light chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 63. In certain embodiments, the heavy chain variable region comprises a fully human framework. In another embodiment, the heavy chain variable region comprises a human germline framework. In yet another embodiment, the heavy chain variable region comprises an amino acid sequence selected from 61 and 65.

  In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule comprises an antibody or antibody fragment (eg, Fv, Fab, etc.). In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule comprises AME 33 Fv or Fab. In another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule comprises AME 5 Fv or Fab. In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule is an Fv selected from the group consisting of AME 21E1 Hum, AME 6F1, AME 2C2, AME 1D10, AME 15, AME 18, AME 5-3, AME 1C2, AME 4H5. Includes Fab.

  In other embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule mediates antibody-dependent cytotoxic activity (ADCC) at about the same EC50 level as the C2B8 antibody. In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule mediates antibody-dependent cytotoxic activity (ADCC) at approximately the same EC50 level as C2B8 antibody, targeting human peripheral vascular mononuclear cells and targeting B lymphoma. In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule mediates antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) at an EC50 level of about 1.5 to 2 times that of the C2B8 antibody (the C2B8 antibody is deposited on the ATCC as number 69119). . In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule targets human peripheral vascular mononuclear cells and targets B lymphomas with an antibody-dependent cytotoxic activity (with an EC50 level of about 1.5 to 2 times that of C2B8 antibody). ADCC). In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule mediates antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) at an EC50 level that is 10 or more times that of the C2B8 antibody. In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule targets human peripheral vascular mononuclear cells and targets B lymphomas, with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) at an EC50 level of 10 or more times that of C2B8 antibody. Mediate.

  In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule comprises a human germline light chain framework. In certain embodiments, the human germline light chain framework is V1-11, V1-13, V1-16, V1-17, V1-18, V1-19, V1-2, V1-20, V1- 22, V1-3, V1-4, V1-5, V1-7, V1-9, V2-1, V2-11, V2-13, V2-14, V2-15, V2-17, V2-19, V2-6, V2-7, V2-8, V3-2, V3-3, V3-4, V4-1, V4-2, V4-3, V4-4, V4-6, V5-1, V5- 2, V5-4, and V5-6.

  In another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule comprises a human germline heavy chain framework. In certain embodiments, the heavy chain human germline framework is VH1-18, VH1-2, VH1-24, VH1-3, VH1-45, VH1-46, VH1-58, VH1-69, VH1. -8, VH2-26, VH2-5, VH2-70, VH3-11, VH3-13, VH3-15, VH3-16, VH3-20, VH3-21, VH3-23, VH3-30, VH3-33 , VH3-35, VH3-38, VH3-43, VH3-48, VH3-49, VH3-3, VH3-64, VH3-66, VH3-7, VH3-72, VH3-73, VH3-74, VH3 -9, VH4-28, VH4-31, VH4-34, VH4-39, VH4-4, VH4-59, VH4-61, VH5-51, VH6-1 and VH7-81 It is.

In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule is a CD20 binding peptide or polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding peptide comprises an anti-CD20 antibody or a fragment of an anti-CD20 antibody (eg, Fv, Fab, F (ab ′) _2, etc.). In another embodiment, the peptide includes light and / or heavy chain variable regions. In certain embodiments, the light chain variable region and / or heavy chain variable region includes a framework region or at least a portion of the framework region (eg, two to three subregions such as FR2 and FR3). In certain embodiments, at least FRL1, FRL2, FRL3 or FRL4 is fully human. In another embodiment, at least FRH1, FRH2, FRH3 or FRH4 is fully human. In certain embodiments, at least FRL1, FRL2, FRL3, or FRL4 is a germline (eg, human germline) sequence. In another embodiment, at least FRH1, FRH2, FRH3 or FRH4 is a germline (eg, human germline) sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the framework region is a fully human framework region (eg, the human framework region shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 8-9). In some embodiments, the framework region includes SEQ ID NOs: 71, 72, 73, 74, 79, 80, 81, 82, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the framework region includes SEQ ID NOs: 87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, or combinations thereof.

  In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a computer readable medium encoding the expression of a nucleic acid, an amino acid, a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-70, or complements thereof. In certain embodiments, the expression of these sequences is displayed to the user (eg, via the Internet) when sent to a computer processing device.

  In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence found in SEQ ID NO: 1-70, or a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence found in SEQ ID NO: 1-70, and (less stringent, moderate or higher) Nucleic acid sequences that hybridize (under conditions) are provided.

  In certain embodiments, the present invention provides complements of the nucleic acid sequences described in this application (see, eg, Table 1-2 and FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11). In certain embodiments, the invention provides sequences that hybridize to nucleic acid sequences described in this application under high stringency, moderate, or low conditions (eg, Table 1-2 and FIGS. 2, 3, 6). , 7, 10 and 11).

In certain embodiments, affinity constants (K _d ) and association rates (Kon) are determined using an IgG cell binding assay using KinExa equilibration software (eg, Sepidyne Instruments, Boise, Idaho). (That is, cells expressing human CD20 on the surface). In certain embodiments, affinity constants and association rate constants are determined by kinetic exclusion assay (eg, Chiu et al., Anal. Chem., 73, 5477-5484 (2001), breaks). (Blake) et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry, 271,27677-27685 (1996), Hongo et al., Hybridoma, 19, 303-315 (2000), Koslaviani et al. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 11, 267-277 (2000), Powers et al., Journal of Immunology (Journal of Immunolo) ical Methods), see 251,123-135 (2001), which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). In a particular embodiment, the kinetic exclusion assay uses a KinExA device (eg, KinExA® 3000 from Sepynene Instruments, Boise, Idaho) or similar equipment. It is done.

  In other embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule includes a Fab and further includes one or more constant regions (eg, CH2 and / or CH3, see FIGS. 10-11). In certain embodiments, a CD20 binding molecule includes an antibody (eg, an antibody having a synthetic CDR sequence and comprising a fully human framework). In certain embodiments, the antibody includes an altered (eg, mutated) Fc region. For example, in certain embodiments, the Fc region is altered to improve or decrease the effector function of the antibody. In certain embodiments, the Fc region is an isotype selected from IgM, IgA, IgG, IgE, and others.

  In certain embodiments, amino acid modifications are introduced into the CH2 domain of the Fc region of the CD20 binding molecule. Amino acid positions useful for modification to create IgG Fc variant regions with altered binding affinity or activity of the Fcγ receptor (FcγR) include 268, 269, 270, 272, 276 of the Fc region of the CD20 binding molecule. 278, 280, 283, 285, 286, 289, 290, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 298, 300, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 331, 333, 334, 335, 337, 338, One or more of the amino acid positions 340, 360, 373, 376, 416, 419, 430, 434, 435, 437, 438 or 439 are included. In a preferred embodiment, the parent Fc region used as a template for creating such variants comprises a human IgG Fc. In certain embodiments, to generate Fc region variants with reduced binding to FcγR, 252, 254, 265, 268, 269, 270, 272, 278, 289, 292 of the Fc region of the CD20 binding molecule, 293, 294, 295, 296, 298, 300, 301, 303, 322, 324, 327, 329, 333, 335, 338, 340, 373, 376, 382, 388, 389, 414, 416, 419, 434, Amino acid modifications can be introduced at one or more of the 435, 437, 438 or 439 amino acid positions. In certain embodiments, Fc region variants with improved binding to one or more FcγRs may be generated. Such Fc region variants are 280, 283, 285, 286, 290, 294, 295, 298, 300, 301, 305, 307, 309, 312, 315, 331, 333, of the Fc region of the CD20 binding molecule, One or more of the amino acid positions at 334, 337, 340, 360, 378, 398 or 430 contain amino acid modifications. In certain embodiments, the amino acid modification is Y300I.

  In another embodiment, the amino acid modification is Y300L. In certain embodiments, the amino acid modification is Q295K or Q295L. In certain embodiments, the amino acid modification is E294N. In another embodiment, the amino acid modification at position 296 is Y296P. In certain embodiments, the amino acid modification at position 298 is S298P. In another embodiment, the amino acid modification is S298N, S298P, S298V or S298D.

  In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule comprises a heavy chain constant region mutation. In another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule comprises a mutated heavy chain constant region selected from D280H and K290S.

  Alternatively or additionally, it is useful to combine the amino acid modification with one or more additional amino acid modifications that alter the complement dependent cytotoxic function of the Fq region of the C1q binding and / or CD20 binding molecule. . Particularly relevant starting polypeptides may be those that bind to C1q and exhibit complement-dependent cytotoxic function (CDC). Amino acid substitutions described in this application alter the function of the starting polypeptide that binds C1q and / or modifies complement-dependent cytotoxic function (eg, reduces and desirably eliminates the function of these agonists). Work. However, polypeptides comprising substitutions with better C1q binding and / or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) at one or more of the above positions are also contemplated in this application. For example, the starting polypeptide may not be able to bind C1q and / or mediate CDC and may be modified according to the content of this application to obtain these effector functions. In addition, a polypeptide having an existing C1q binding activity, and optionally a CDC-mediated function, may be modified to improve one or both of these activities. Amino acid modifications that alter C1q and / or modify its complement dependent cytotoxic function are described, for example, in WO0042072, incorporated herein by reference.

  As described above, the Fc region of a CD20 binding molecule with altered effector function is designed, for example, by modifying C1q binding and / or FcγR binding, thereby altering CDC activity and / or ADCC activity It is possible. For example, it is possible to generate various Fc regions of a CD20 binding molecule with improved C1q binding and improved FcγRIII binding (eg, with both improved ADCC activity and improved CDC activity) It is.

  Alternatively, if it is desired to reduce or eliminate effector function, Fc variant regions with reduced CDC activity and / or reduced ADCC activity may be created. In another embodiment, improving only one of these activities and optionally reducing other activities (eg, improving ADCC activity and reducing CDC activity, or vice versa) Creation) is also possible.

  Fc variants can also be introduced into the CD20 binding molecules of the invention to alter the interaction with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and improve pharmacokinetic properties. Several experiments have shown that the interaction between the Fc region of an antibody and FcRn plays a role in the persistence of serum immunoglobulins. For example, an abnormally short half-life of serum has been observed in mouse IgG molecules lacking functional FcRn. Mutations in Fc that improve binding to FcRn appear to increase serum half-life, while mutations in rat FcRn that result in enhanced IgG binding also increase serum half-life. A collection of human Fc variants with improved binding to FcRn has also been described (Shields et al., High resolution mapping of the FCγRI, FcγRII, FcγRIII, and FcRn binding regions of human IgGI and binding to FcγR. Improved IgG1 variant design, J. Biol. Chem., 276, 6591-6604 (2001)). It has been reported that increased binding affinity between IgG molecules and FcRn affects serum half-life observed at low pH (eg during drinking or liquid phase eating and drinking by IgG molecules from serum) (Getty (Ghetie et al., Increasing Serum Persistence of IgG Fragments by Random Mutagenesis, Nat. Biotechnol. 15, 637-640 (1997), Medesan et al., Rat IgG to explain the Fc: FcRn interaction region. Eur. J. Immunol. 28, 2092-2100 (1998), Kim et al., Human IgG region mapping for binding of MHC class I related receptors, FcRn, Eur. J. Immunol. 29, 2819. -2825 (1999), Dall'Acqua Et al., Increased affinity of human IgGI related neonatal Fc receptor: biological consequences, J.Immunol.169,5171-5180 (2002)). However, mutations that enhance binding at high pH appear to adversely affect serum half-life (Daraqua et al., Increased affinity of human IgGI for neonatal Fc receptors: biological results, J. Immunol. 169, 5171-5180 (2002)). All of the above documents are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, Fc variants can be introduced into the CD20 binding molecules of the invention to increase the affinity of FcRn at low pH and maintain or decrease the affinity of FcRn at high pH.

  Another type of amino acid substitution serves to alter the glycosylation pattern of the CD20 binding molecule Fc region. This can be accomplished, for example, by removing one or more glycosylation regions within the polypeptide and / or by adding one or more glycosylation regions that are not present in the polypeptide. The sugar chain formation in the Fc region is usually N-link or O-link. N-link means that part of the carbohydrate is attached to the side chain of an asparagine residue. The peptide sequences asparagine-X-serine and asparagine-X-threonine (X is an amino acid other than proline) are recognition sequences when a part of the carbohydrate is enzymatically bound to the asparagine side chain. Thus, the presence of any such peptide sequence in a polypeptide forms a potential glycosylation region. In O-linked sugar chain formation, one of N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose or xylose sugar is a hydroxy amino acid (usually serine or threonine, but 5-hydroxyproline or 5-hydroxylysine may also be used. It means to be combined with (Yes).

  Addition of a sugar chain forming region to the Fc region of a CD20 binding molecule can be easily achieved by changing the amino acid sequence so as to include one or more of the above-described tripeptide sequences (N-linked sugar chain forming regions). it can. A typical glycosylation variant has an amino acid substitution at residue Asn297 in the heavy chain. It can also be altered by adding or substituting one or more serine or threonine residues to the sequence of the initial polypeptide (for the O-linked glycosylation region).

  In certain embodiments, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention is a form in which GnT III adds GlcNAc to a CD20 binding molecule in cells expressing β (1,4) -N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT III). Expressed in Methods for making binding molecules in this manner are described in WO9954342, WO03011878, published application 20030003097A1, and Umana et al., Nature Bio, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technology (Nature Biotechnology), 17, 176-180, published in February 1999.

  In certain embodiments, the present invention provides for: a) a CD20 binding molecule of the invention; and b) a user's handbook or scientific research or diagnostic purpose (eg, ELISA analysis) of using a CD20 binding molecule to treat a subject's disease. A set of tools is provided that includes instructions for using CD20 binding molecules. In certain embodiments, the invention provides cell lines that are permanently or transiently transfected with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD20 binding molecule of the invention.

Definitions For the purposes of assisting in understanding the present invention, a number of terms are defined as follows.

  As used herein, the term “antibody” refers to an immunoglobulin molecule composed of four peptide chains, two heavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains linked by disulfide bonds. To do. Each heavy chain is composed of a heavy chain variable region (abbreviated as HCVR or VH in this application) and a heavy chain constant region. The heavy chain constant region is comprised of three domains, CH1, CH2 and CH3 (see FIG. 1). Each light chain is comprised of a light chain variable region (abbreviated as LCVR or VL in this application) and a light chain constant region. The light chain constant region is composed of one domain CL (see FIG. 1). The VH and VL regions are further subdivided into hypervariable regions called complementarity determining regions (CDRs) that incorporate more conserved regions called framework regions (FR). Each variable region (VH or VL) contains three CDRs designated CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). Each variable region contains a framework that is four subregions designated FR1, FR2, FR3 and FR4 (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 5).

As used in this application, the term “antibody fragment” means a portion of an intact antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, linear antibodies, single chain antibody molecules, Fv, Fab and F (ab ′) ₂ fragments, multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments, and the like. . Desirably, the antibody fragment retains at least a portion of a heavy and / or light chain variable region.

  The terms “complementarity determining region” and “CDR” as used in this application are regions that play a major role in antigen binding. There are three CDRs (CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3) in the light chain variable region and three CDRs (CDRH1, CDRH2 and CDRH3) in the heavy chain variable region. The residues making up these six CDRs are characterized by Kabat and Chothia as follows: light chain variable region residues 24-34 (CDRL1), 50-56 Proteins of immunological interest such as (CDRL2) and 89-97 (CDRL3) and heavy chain variable regions 31-35 (CDRH1), 50-65 (CDRH2) and 95-102 (CDRH3); Kabat Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Intersect (1991), 5th edition, National Institutes of Health Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD a, MD) (incorporated into this application by reference), and residues 26-32 (CDRL1), 50-52 (CDRL2) and 91-96 (CDRL3) of the light chain variable region, and 26- 32 (CDRH1), 53-55 (CDRH2) and 96-101 (CDRH3); Chothia and Lesk J. et al. Mol. Biol. 196, 901-917 (1987), incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise noted, the terms “complementarity determining region” and “CDR” as used in this application include residues contained in both Kabat and Chothia (ie, light weights). Residues 24-34 (CDRL1), 50-56 (CDRL2) and 89-97 (CDRL3), and 26-35 (CDRH1), 50-65 (CDRH2) and 95-102 (CDRH3) of the chain variable region ). In this application, unless otherwise specified, CDR residue numbers are based on the Kabat method.

  The term “framework” as used in this application refers to the variable region residues other than the CDR residues as defined in this application. There are four subregions of FR1, FR2, FR3 and FR4 that make up the framework (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). To distinguish whether a framework subregion is a light chain variable region or a heavy chain variable region, the abbreviation of the subregion can be affixed with “L” or “H” (for example, “FRL1” is light). The framework subregion 1 of the chain variable region is shown). Unless otherwise specified, CDR residue numbers are based on the Kabat method. In certain embodiments, a CD20 binding molecule of the present application may have a framework that is not complete (eg, the CD20 binding molecule has a portion of a framework that includes only one or more of four subregions). It is known).

  As used in this application, the term “fully human framework” means a framework having an amino acid sequence found naturally in humans. Examples of fully human frameworks include, but are not limited to, KOL, NEWM, REI, EU, TUR, TEI, LAY, POM, etc. (eg, Kabat et al., Immune Proteins of Proteins of Immunological Intersect (1991), US Department of Health and Human Services, NIH, USA, and Wu, et al., J. 132. 211-250 (1970), both of which are incorporated herein by reference)).

  The terms “subject” and “patient” as used in this application are animals, including mammals such as dogs, cats, birds, livestock, and preferably humans.

  The term “codon” or “triplet” as used in this application refers to a group of three adjacent nucleotide monomers that identify one of the natural amino acids contained in a polypeptide. The term also includes codons that do not specify any amino acid. It is also known that there are multiple codons encoding the same amino acid due to degeneracy of gene codons. Thus, many bases of nucleic acid sequences of the invention (see, eg, Tables 1 and 2) can be altered without changing the actual amino acid sequence encoded. The present invention is intended to include all such nucleic acid sequences.

  The terms “oligonucleotide having a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide”, “polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide” and “nucleic acid sequence encoding a peptide” as used in this application are specific Means a nucleic acid sequence comprising the coding region of the polypeptide. The coding region is present in the form of cDNA, genomic DNA or RNA. When present in the form of DNA, the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide may be single stranded (ie, the sense strand) or double stranded. When required for proper initiation of transcription and / or correct processing of the primary RNA transcript, appropriate regulatory elements such as enhancer promoters, splice sites, polyadenylation signals, etc. are in close proximity to the coding region of the gene. It can also be arranged. Alternatively, the coding region used in the expression vector of the invention includes an endogenous enhancer promoter, splice site, intervening sequence, polyadenylation signal, etc., or a combination of endogenous and exogenous regulatory elements. Sometimes.

  There is no size limitation or distinction between the terms “oligonucleotide” and “polynucleotide” as used in this application. Both terms simply refer to molecules consisting of nucleotides. Similarly, there is no size distinction between the terms “peptide” and “polypeptide”. Both terms simply refer to molecules composed of amino acid residues.

  As used in this application, the terms “complementary” or “complementarity” are used for polynucleotides (ie, sequences of nucleotides) that are related by base-pairing rules. For example, the sequence “5′-AGT-3 ′” is complementary to the sequence “3′-TCA-5 ′”. Complementarity may be “partial” in which only part of the nucleobases are matched according to the rule of base pairing, or may be “completely” or “completely” complementary between nucleic acids. The degree of complementarity between nucleic acid strands has an important effect on the efficiency and strength of hybridization.

  As used in this application, the term “complement” of a given sequence is used in reference to a sequence that is perfectly complementary to the sequence over its entire length. For example, the sequence “5′-AGT-3 ′” is the “complement” of the sequence “3′-TCA-5 ′”. The invention also provides the complement of the sequences described in this application (eg, the complement of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1-70).

As used in this application, the term “hybridization” is used in reference to the pairing of complementary nucleic acids. Hybridization and the strength of hybridization (ie, the strength of binding between nucleic acids) is determined by the degree of complementarity between nucleic acids, the degree of stringency of the conditions, the T _{m of} the hybrid formed, and the G: C ratio within the nucleic acid. Influenced by such factors.

  The term “stringency” as used in this application is used in reference to conditions such as the temperature at which nucleic acid hybridization takes place, ionic strength, the presence of other compounds such as organic solvents, and the like. Those skilled in the art understand that the “strictness” of a condition can be changed by changing the above parameters alone or in combination. Under “high stringency” conditions, nucleobase pairing occurs only between nucleic acid fragments that have a high frequency of complementary base sequences (eg, “high stringency”). -100% identical, desirably occurring between about 70-100% identical homologs). Under moderate stringency conditions, nucleobase pairing occurs between nucleic acid fragments with moderate frequency of complementary nucleotide sequences (eg, hybridization under “medium stringency” conditions) Occurs between about 50-70% identical homologues). Therefore, under stringent conditions of “weak” or “low”, since the frequency of complementary base sequences is low, nucleic acids derived from organisms that are usually genetically diverse are required.

When the term “stringent conditions” is used in the context of nucleic acid hybridization, 5 × SSPE (pH adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH when using a probe of about 500 nucleotides in length 43. 8 g / l NaCl, 6.9 g / l NaH ₂ PO ₄ .H ₂ O and 1.85 g / l EDTA), 0.5% SDS, 5 × Denhart solution (50 × Denhart solution is 5 g Ficoll (500 × 500 ml) Bind or hybridize at 42 ° C. in a solution of type 400, Pharmacia, 5 g BSA (with fraction V, containing Sigma)), and 100 μg / ml denatured salmon sperm DNA, then 0 Include conditions for washing at 42 ° C. in a solution of 1XSSPE and 1.0% SDS.

  When the term “medium stringency conditions” is used in the context of nucleic acid hybridization, when using a probe of about 500 nucleotides in length, 5XSSPE, 0.5% SDS, 5X Denharz solution, And conditions of binding or hybridizing at 42 ° C. in a solution of denatured salmon sperm DNA at 100 μg / ml, followed by washing at 42 ° C. in a solution of 1.0XSSPE and 1.0% SDS.

  When the term “less stringent conditions” is used in the context of nucleic acid hybridization, when using a probe of about 500 nucleotides in length, 5XSSPE, 0.1% SDS, 5X Denhards solution, and Conditions include binding or hybridizing at 42 ° C. in a solution of 100 g / ml denatured salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing at 42 ° C. in 5XSSPE and 0.1% SDS solution.

  The term “isolated” refers to “isolated oligonucleotide”, “isolated polynucleotide”, “isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD20 binding molecule” (see, eg, Table 1-2) As used in the context of nucleic acids means a nucleic acid sequence that has been identified and separated from at least one contaminant nucleic acid with which it is normally associated (eg, a host cell protein).

  As used in this application, the term “portion” when used in the context of a nucleotide sequence (eg, “a portion of a nucleotide sequence”) means a fragment of that sequence. Fragment sizes can vary from 10 nucleotides to the entire nucleotide sequence minus one nucleotide (eg, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200 nucleotides, etc.).

  As used in this application, the term “portion” when used in the context of an amino acid sequence (eg, “a portion of an amino acid sequence”) means a fragment of that sequence. Fragment sizes can vary from six amino acids to the entire amino acid sequence minus one amino acid (eg, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 75, 200 amino acids, etc.).

  The term “purified” or “purify” as used in this application means removing contaminants from a sample. For example, CD20-specific antibodies are purified by removing contaminant non-immunoglobulin proteins. They can also be purified by removing immunoglobulins that do not bind to the same antigen. Removing non-immunoglobulin proteins and / or immunoglobulins that do not bind to a specific antigen results in an increased proportion of antigen-specific immunoglobulin in the sample. In another example, an antigen-specific recombinant polypeptide is expressed in a bacterial host cell, and the polypeptide is purified by removing host cell proteins, resulting in a ratio of the antigen-specific recombinant polypeptide in the sample. Will increase.

  As used in this application, the term “vector” is used in reference to nucleic acid molecules that transfer DNA fragments from one cell to another. The term “vehicle” is sometimes used interchangeably with “vector”.

  The term “expression vector” as used in this application means a recombinant DNA molecule comprising the desired coding sequence and the appropriate nucleic acid sequence necessary for expression of the operably linked coding sequence in a particular host organism. . Nucleic acid sequences required for expression in prokaryotes include promoters, operators (optional) and ribosome binding sites along with other sequences. Eukaryotic cells are known to use promoters, enhancers, termination signals, and polyadenylation signals.

  The term “host cell” as used in this application refers to any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell in vivo or in vitro (eg, bacteria such as E. coli, yeast, PER.C6®). (Mammalian cells such as Crucell, the Netherlands) and CHO cells, bird cells, amphibian cells, plant cells, fish cells and insect cells). For example, the host cell may be present in a transgenic animal.

  The terms “computer memory” and “computer memory device” as used in this application mean any storage medium readable by a computer processor. Examples of computer memory include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, computer chip, digital video disk (DVD), compact disk (CD), hard disk drive (HDD), magnetic tape, and the like. Is included.

  The term “computer-readable medium” as used in this application refers to any device or system that stores and provides information (eg, data and instructions) to a computer processor. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, for example, a DVD, CD, hard disk drive, magnetic tape, network stream media server, and the like.

  As used in this application, the term “computer-readable medium encoding the expression” of a nucleic acid or amino acid sequence displays the nucleic acid or amino acid sequence to a user (eg, a printout or screen display) when delivered to a processor. Means a computer readable medium having stored thereon information that enables the user to

  As used in this application, the terms “processor” and “central processing unit” or “CPU” are used interchangeably and read a program from a computer memory (eg, ROM or other memory) and follow a sequence of steps according to that memory. Means a device capable of performing

  The term “Fc region” as used in this application refers to the C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain (see, eg, Table 1). The “Fc region” may be a native sequence Fc region or a variant Fc region (eg, with reduced or increased function of an agonist).

  As used in this application, the Fc region may have an “actor function” that is responsible for the activation or decline of biological activity (eg, in a subject). The function of the agonist is not limited to this, but includes, for example, C1q binding, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), Fc receptor binding, antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC), phagocytic activity , Down regulation of cell surface receptors (eg B cell receptor (BCR)) and the like. The function of such agonists requires that the Fc region bind to a binding domain (eg, an antibody variable domain) and is evaluated using various assays (eg, Fc binding analysis, ADCC analysis, CDC analysis, etc.). The

  As used herein, an “isolated” peptide, polypeptide, or protein is one that has been identified, separated and / or recovered from a component of the natural environment. Contaminants in the natural environment are substances that hinder the use of the polypeptide for diagnosis or treatment, and include enzymes, hormones, other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous solutes. In certain embodiments, the isolated polypeptide is (1) until the weight ratio of the polypeptide is 95% or more, preferably 99% or more, as measured by the Lawry method, (2) Sufficient to obtain at least 15 residues of the N-terminal or internal amino acid sequence using a spinning cup sequencer, or (3) reduced or non-reduced using Coomassie blue or silver stain Purified to a level until uniform by SDS-page under conditions. Isolated polypeptide includes the polypeptide in its original location in the recombinant cell since at least one component of the polypeptide's natural environment is not present. However, an isolated polypeptide is usually produced through at least one purification step.

  The term “therapy” as used in this application refers to both therapeutic and prophylactic treatment. Those in need of treatment include those who already have a disease and those who wish to prevent the disease.

  The term “under conditions that reduce symptoms” means any degree of qualitative or quantitative alleviation of detectable symptoms of any disease that can be treated with a CD20 binding molecule. It includes, but is not limited to, a detectable effect on disease recovery rate (eg, rate of weight gain), or at least one alleviation of symptoms normally associated with a particular disease.

  As used in this application, the term “human CD20” (abbreviated as hCD20 in this application) means a human B lymphocyte restricted differentiation antigen (also referred to as Bp35). CD20 is expressed early in B precursor cell growth and remains until plasma cell differentiation. CD20 molecules may regulate one step of the B cell activation process required for cell cycle initiation and differentiation and are usually expressed at very high levels in neoplastic B cells. CD20 is present on both “normal” B cells and “malignant” B cells (ie, B cells whose unlimited amplification causes B cell lymphoma).

The terms “affinity”, “binding affinity” and “K _d ” mean the dissociation equilibrium constant (expressed in units of concentration) associated with the complex of CD20 binding molecule / CD20 protein. Binding affinity is directly related to the ratio of the off-rate constant (generally reported in reciprocal time, eg, seconds- ¹ ) to the on-rate (generally reported in units of concentration per time unit, eg, moles / second). Involved. The binding affinity is determined by, for example, ELISA analysis, kinetic exclusion assay, surface plasmon resonance, and the like. Certain epitopes may occur repeatedly (multivalent) on the cell surface, and the dissociation constant (koff) of the binding between the antibody and the repetitive epitope is significantly reduced compared to the dissociation constant of the reaction between the monovalent ligand and the antibody. It is known that there may be. When one antibody / ligand bond is dissociated, the other bond anchors the divalent (or multivalent) antibody to the multivalent ligand, and the dissociated bond is formed again, resulting in a reduction in the dissociation constant. The dissociation constant of the reaction between a divalent (or multivalent) Ab and a multivalent ligand is called functional affinity to distinguish it from intrinsic affinity, which is the association constant of a typical site of an antibody. .

The terms “dissociation”, “dissociation rate” and “k _off ” as used in this application refer to the off-rate constant at which the CD20 binding molecule dissociates from the antigen-antibody complex.

The terms “association”, “association rate” and “k _on ” as used in this application refer to the _on- rate constants that a CD20 binding molecule associates with an antigen to form an antigen-antibody complex.

As used in this application, the terms “effective concentration” and “EC ₅₀ ” refer to CD20 binding molecules that can interact with a sufficient amount of CD20 molecules to affect about 50% of the treated cells. Mean concentration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides CD20 binding molecules and nucleic acid sequences encoding CD20 binding molecules. In particular, the present invention provides a CD20 binding molecule that has a high binding affinity and a low dissociation rate for human CD20. Desirably, the CD20 binding molecules of the invention comprise light and / or heavy chain variable regions with a fully human framework (eg, a human germline framework). The description of the invention is provided for convenience in CD20 binding molecule, II. Creation of CD20 binding molecule, III. Therapeutic preparations and uses, and IV. It is classified into the use of other CD20 binding molecules.

I. CD20 Binding Molecules The present invention provides CD20 binding molecules with desirable properties. In particular, in certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule has a high binding affinity (K _d ) for human CD20. In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule has a low dissociation rate (k _off ) for human CD20. In a preferred embodiment, the CD20 binding molecules of the invention have high affinity and low dissociation rate and are effective at low concentrations. Thus, without the need for practicing or understanding the present invention, the CD20 binding molecules of the present invention with high affinity and low dissociation rate are particularly well suited for human therapy and other anti-CD20s such as Rituxan (C2B8). It is understood that it is less likely to cause a HACA reaction than a molecule.

  In yet another embodiment, the CD20 binding molecules of the invention bind to human CD20. In another embodiment, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention binds to CD20 on the surface of B cells of cynomolgus macaques.

  In a preferred embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule of the invention preferably comprises a light chain and / or heavy chain variable region and has a fully human framework. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is desirable that the CD20 binding molecules of the invention comprise light chain and / or heavy chain variable regions and have a human germline framework. Thus, without having to practice or understand the present invention in detail, if the framework regions are fully human, the CD20 binding molecule of the present invention (eg, the implementation described below) when administered to a human (eg, treatment of disease). See example) is considered to cause little or no immunogenic reaction.

  As shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, the present invention provides a number of CDRs that are effective in making CD20 binding molecules. For example, to generate a CD20 binding peptide or a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD20 binding peptide, one or more of the displayed CDRs can be represented by subregions of the framework (eg, fully human FR1, FR2, FR3 or FR4 ). Alternatively, the CDRs shown in the following table may be combined, for example, such that three CDRs are present in the light chain variable region and / or three CDRs are present in the heavy chain variable region.

＊ 残基の番号付けにはカバット（Ｋａｂａｔ）の方法を採用した。ＣＤＲはカバット（Ｋａｂａｔ）およびコチア（Ｃｈｏｔｈｉａ）の残基を含む。

表２ 重鎖ＣＤＲ

＊ 残基の番号付けにはカバット（Ｋａｂａｔ）の方法を採用した。ＣＤＲはカバット（Ｋａｂａｔ）およびコチア（Ｃｈｏｔｈｉａ）の残基を含む。
To create a CD20 binding molecule or a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD20 binding molecule, the CDRs shown below are used (eg, using recombinant technology) to form a human framework, ie, FIGS. 4-5 and 8-9: It may be inserted into light and heavy chain frameworks as indicated. For example, replacing CDRL1 shown in FIG. 4A (or 8A) with SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 or 21 as shown in Table 1 it can. Similarly, CDRL1 shown in FIG. 4B (or 8B) is replaced by SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, or 22 as shown in Table 1. Can be replaced. The same method can be used for all CDRs shown in Table 1-2. Tables 1 and 2 are shown below.
Table 1 Light chain CDRs

* The Kabat method was adopted for residue numbering. CDRs include Kabat and Chothia residues.

Table 2 Heavy chain CDRs

* The Kabat method was adopted for residue numbering. CDRs include Kabat and Chothia residues.

  The present invention also provides sequences that are substantially the same as the CDR sequences (amino acids and nucleic acids) shown in the table above. For example, one or two amino acids in the sequences shown in the table may be replaced. Further, for example, multiple nucleotide bases can be substituted in the sequences shown in the table. The amino acid sequence may be changed by changing the nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence. Nucleic acid sequences encoding variants of a given CDR can also be generated by methods known to those skilled in the art using the guidance herein for a particular sequence. These methods include, but are not limited to, production by site-specific (or oligonucleotide-mediated) mutagenesis, PCR mutagenesis, cassette mutagenesis of previously generated nucleic acids encoding CDRs, and the like. included. Site-directed mutagenesis is desirable as a method for generating substitutional variants. This method is well known in the art (eg Carter et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 13, 4431-4443 (1985), Kunkel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 488-492 (1985), both of which are incorporated herein by reference).

  Briefly, when site-directed mutagenesis of DNA is performed, the starting DNA is altered by first hybridizing an oligonucleotide encoding the target mutation with a single strand of the starting DNA. After hybridization, the entire second strand is synthesized by DNA polymerase using the hybridized oligonucleotide as a primer and a single strand of the starting DNA as a template. In this way, the oligonucleotide encoding the mutation of interest is incorporated into the resulting double-stranded DNA.

  PCR mutagenesis is also suitable for making amino acid sequence variants of the starting CDR (eg, Vallette et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 17, 723-733 (1989), incorporated herein by reference). ). Briefly, when a small amount of template DNA is used as a starting material in PCR, a primer slightly different in sequence from the corresponding region in the template DNA is used, and only the position where the primer and the template are different. A relatively large amount of DNA fragments different from the template sequence can be prepared.

  Cassette mutagenesis, another method of generating variants, is a technique described in Wells et al., Gene 34, 315-323 (1985), incorporated herein by reference. Is based. The starting material is a plasmid (or other vector) containing the starting CDR DNA to be mutated. The starting DNA codon to be mutated is identified. There must be a unique restriction endonuclease site on each side of the identified mutation site. If no such restriction site exists, the restriction site may be introduced at an appropriate location in the starting polypeptide DNA using the oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis method described above. The plasmid DNA is cut at that site for linearization. Double-stranded oligonucleotides that encode the DNA sequence between the restriction sites and contain the mutation of interest are synthesized using standard methods. In this case, the oligonucleotide duplexes are synthesized separately and hybridized using standard techniques. This double-stranded oligonucleotide is called a cassette. This cassette is designed to have 5 'and 3' ends that are compatible with the ends of the linearized plasmid so that it can be directly ligated to the plasmid. In this way, a plasmid containing the mutated DNA sequence is created.

Alternatively or additionally, an amino acid sequence of interest encoding a polypeptide variant may be determined and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a variant of such amino acid sequence may be synthesized. Conservative modifications may be made to the amino acid sequence of the CDR. Natural residues are classified into several classes based on side chain properties.
(1) Hydrophobicity: norleucine, met, ala, val, leu, ile
(2) Neutral hydrophilicity: cys, ser, thr
(3) Acidity: asp, glu
(4) Basicity: asn, gln, his, lys, arg
(5) Residues affecting chain orientation: gly, pro
(6) Aromatic: trp, tyr, phe
Similar substitution replaces a member of one class with another member of the same class. The present invention also provides the complements of the nucleic acid sequences shown in Tables 1 and 2, and nucleic acid sequences that hybridize to such nucleic acid sequences under low, moderate and high conditions.

  The CDRs of the present invention may be used with any type of framework. CDRs are preferably used with a fully human framework, or subregion of the framework. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the framework is a human germline sequence. Examples of fully human frameworks are shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 8-9. Other fully human frameworks or subregions of the framework may be used. For example, the NCBI website contains an array of currently known framework regions. The human VH sequence is not limited to this, but for example, VH1-18, VH1-2, VH1-24, VH1-3, VH1-45, VH1-46, VH1-58, VH1-69, VH1 -8, VH2-26, VH2-5, VH2-70, VH3-11, VH3-13, VH3-15, VH3-16, VH3-20, VH3-21, VH3-23, VH3-30, VH3-33 , VH3-35, VH3-38, VH3-43, VH3-48, VH3-49, VH3-53, VH3-64, VH3-66, VH3-7, VH3-72, VH3-73, VH3-74, VH3 -9, VH4-28, VH4-31, VH4-34, VH4-39, VH4-4, VH4-59, VH4-61, VH5-51, VH6-1, VH7-81, etc. , Which are incorporated into this application by reference Mazda (Matsuda) et, J. Exp. Med. 188, 1973-1975 (1998), which contains the complete nucleotide sequence of the human immunoglobulin chain variable region locus. The human VK sequence is not limited to this. For example, Al, A10, A11, A14, A17, A18, A19, A2, A20, A23, A26, A27, A3, A30, A5, A7, B2 , B3, L1, L10, L11, L12, L14, L15, L16, L18, L19, L2, L20, L22, L23, L24, L25, L4 / 18a, L5, L6, L8, L9, O1, O11, O12 , O14, O18, O2, O4, O8, etc., which are incorporated by reference into the present application, Kawasaki et al., Eur. J. et al. Immunol. 31, 1017-1028 (2001), Schable and Zachau, Biol. Chem. Hope Seyler 374, 1001-1022 (1993), and Brensing-Kuppers et al., Gene 191, 173-181 (1997). The human VL sequence is not limited to this. For example, V1-11, V1-13, V1-16, V1-17, V1-18, V1-19, V1-2, V1-20, V1 -22, V1-3, V1-4, V1-5, V1-7, V1-9, V2-1, V2-11, V2-13, V2-14, V2-15, V2-17, V2-19 , V2-6, V2-7, V2-8, V3-2, V3-3, V3-4, V4-1, V4-2, V4-3, V4-4, V4-6, V5-1, V5 -2, V5-4, V5-6, etc., which are incorporated by reference into the present application, Kawasaki et al., Genome Res. 7, 250-261 (1997). A fully human framework is selected from these functional germline genes. Usually these frameworks differ from each other by a limited number of amino acid changes. These frameworks may be used with the CDRs described in this application. Additional examples of human-type frameworks for use with the CDRs of the present invention include, but are not limited to, KOL, NEWM, REI, EU, TUR, TEI, LAY, POM, etc. ( For example, Kabat et al., (1991) Sequence of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Department of Health and Human, both incorporated herein by reference. Services), NIH, USA, and Wu et al., J. Exp. Med., 132, 211-250 (1970)).

  The reason why the use of germline sequences is expected to eliminate adverse immune responses in most individuals without the need to practice or understand the invention again is believed to be as follows. Affinity maturation steps that occur during normal immune responses frequently result in somatic mutations in the variable regions of immunoglobulins. These mutations occur primarily around hypervariable CDRs, but also affect framework region residues. These framework mutations are not present in germline genes and are unlikely to be immunogenic in patients. On the other hand, the general population is exposed to the majority of framework sequences expressed by germline genes, and as a result of immune tolerance, these germline frameworks are less immunogenic or immune in patients. Expected to be intrinsic. In order to maximize the potential for immune tolerance, the gene encoding the variable region can be selected from a set of commonly present functional germline genes, and further the genes encoding the VH and VL regions can be selected. It can also be selected to be consistent with a known association between the heavy and light chains of an immunoglobulin molecule.

II. Generation of CD20 binding molecules In a preferred embodiment, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention comprises an antibody or antibody fragment (eg, one or more CDRs described in this application). The antibody or antibody fragment of the present invention can be produced, for example, by recombinantly expressing and expressing immunoglobulin light and heavy chain genes in a host cell. In order to recombinantly express the antibody, for example, the light and heavy chains are expressed in the host cell, and preferably the host cell is cultured and secreted into the medium from which the antibody is recovered. One or more recombinant expression vectors containing DNA fragments encoding the immunoglobulin light and heavy chains of the antibody may be introduced into the host cell. Standard recombinant DNA techniques can be used to obtain antibody heavy and light chain genes, which can be inserted into recombinant / expression vectors and the vectors introduced into host cells. Such methods are described in Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis, Molecular Cloning, Laboratory Manual, all incorporated herein by reference. Manual, 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, (1989), edited by Ausubel, FM, et al., Current experimental records of molecular biology ( Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates (1989), and Boss It is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,816,397 by.

  In order to express an antibody having one or more CDRs of the present invention, DNA fragments encoding the light and heavy chain variable regions are first obtained. Such DNA can be obtained by amplifying and modifying germline light and heavy chain variable sequences using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Germline DNA sequences for human heavy and light chain variable region genes are well known in the art (see above).

  Once the germline VH and VL fragments are obtained, the sequences can be mutated to encode one or more of the CDR amino acid sequences disclosed in this application (see, eg, Table 1-2). Amino acid sequences encoded by germline VH and VL DNA sequences are compared to CDR sequences to distinguish amino acid residues that differ from germline sequences. Next, using the genetic code to determine which nucleotide to mutate, so that the mutated germline sequence encodes the selected CDR (eg, six CDRs selected from Table 1-2), The appropriate nucleotide of the germline DNA sequence is mutated. Germline sequence mutagenesis can be performed using standard methods such as PCR-mediated mutagenesis (where mutated nucleotides are introduced into PCR primers such that the PCR product contains the mutant) and site-directed mutagenesis. It may be done using a method. In another embodiment, the variable region is newly synthesized (eg, using a nucleic acid synthesizer).

  Once the DNA fragment encoding the desired VH and VL portions is available (eg, using germline VH and VL gene amplification and mutagenesis or synthesis as described above), for example, the variable region gene can be Such DNA fragments can be further manipulated using standard recombinant DNA techniques, such as conversion to full-length chain genes, Fab fragment genes, scFv genes, and the like. In such an operation, a DNA fragment encoding VL or VH is operably linked to a DNA fragment encoding another polypeptide such as an antibody constant region or a flexible linker. To operably link an isolated DNA encoding the VH region to another DNA molecule encoding the heavy chain constant region (CH1, CH2 and CH3, see FIGS. 10-11). Can be converted into a full-length heavy chain gene. The sequence of the human heavy chain constant region gene is well known in the art (eg, Kabat, EA et al., Proteins of Proteins of Immunological Interest), 5th edition, US Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242) (1991), and DNA fragments containing such regions can be obtained by standard PCR amplification. The heavy chain constant region is, for example, an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, IgE, IgM or IgD constant region, most preferably an IgG1 or IgG4 constant region. For the Fab fragment heavy chain gene, the DNA encoding VH is operably linked to another DNA molecule that encodes only the heavy chain CH1 constant region. In a preferred embodiment, the heavy chain constant region is similar to or identical to the constant region shown in FIG.

  The isolated DNA encoding the VL region is operably linked to another DNA molecule encoding the light chain constant region CL, thereby producing the full-length light chain gene (and the Fab light chain gene). ) Can be changed. The sequence of the human light chain constant region gene is well known in the art (eg, Kabat, EA, et al., Proteins of Proteins of Immunological Interest), The fifth edition, US Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242 (1991), and DNA fragments containing such regions can be obtained by standard PCR amplification. The light chain constant region is, for example, a kappa or lambda constant region, more preferably a kappa constant region. In a preferred embodiment, the light chain constant region is similar to or identical to the constant region shown in FIG.

To create an scFv gene, VH and VL sequences are expressed as adjacent single chain proteins, and VL and VH are linked by their flexible linker (eg, all incorporated by reference into this application). (See Huston et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85, 5879-5883 (1988), and McCafferty et al., Nature, 348, 552-554 (1990)). A DNA fragment encoding VH and VL is operably linked to another fragment encoding a flexible linker (eg, encoding the amino acid sequence (Gly ₄ -Ser ₃ )).

  To express an antibody or antibody fragment, one encodes partial or full-length light and heavy chains such that the gene is operably linked to transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences (eg, the methods described above). DNA (obtained in step 1) is inserted into an expression vector. As used herein, the term “operably linked” refers to antibody gene in such a way that the transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences in the vector can regulate the transcription and translation of the antibody gene, ie, perform its original function. Is linked to a vector. Expression vectors and expression control sequences are chosen to be compatible with commonly used expression host cells. The antibody light chain gene and the antibody heavy chain gene can be inserted into separate vectors, but more commonly both are inserted into the same expression vector. The antibody gene may be inserted into the expression vector using standard methods (eg, ligation of complementary restriction sites into the antibody gene fragment, or blunt end ligation if no restriction sites are present). Prior to inserting the light or heavy chain sequence, the expression vector may already contain antibody constant regions. For example, one method of changing VH and VL sequences to full-length antibody genes is that the H portion is operably linked to the CH portion in the vector and the VL portion is operably linked to the CL portion in the vector. As such, each is inserted into an expression vector that already encodes the heavy and light chain constant regions. Alternatively or additionally, the recombinant expression vector can encode a signal peptide that facilitates secretion of the antibody chain from a host cell. The antibody chain gene can be cloned into the vector such that the signal peptide is linked in frame to the amino terminus of the antibody chain gene. The signal peptide may be an immunoglobulin signal peptide or a heterologous signal peptide (that is, a signal peptide derived from a non-immunoglobulin protein).

  In addition to the antibody chain gene, the recombinant / expression vector of the present invention may contain a regulatory sequence that controls the expression of the antibody chain gene in the host cell. The term “regulatory sequence” is intended to include promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements (eg, polyadenylation signals) that control the transcription or translation of the antibody chain genes. Such regulatory sequences are described in, for example, Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology, 185 (1990), Academic Press, incorporated herein by reference. (Academic Press), San Diego, Calif. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of an expression vector including the selection of regulatory sequences depends on factors such as the host cell to be transformed and the expression level of the protein of interest. Preferred regulatory sequences for mammalian host cell expression include viral elements that direct protein expression at high levels in mammalian cells, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) (such as CMV promoter / enhancer), simian virus 40 (SV40) Promoters and / or enhancers such as (eg, SV40 promoter / enhancer), adenovirus (eg, adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP)), polyoma virus. For details on the regulatory elements of the virus and their sequences, see US Pat. No. 5,168,062 by Stinski, US Pat. No. 4,510,245 by Cousens et al. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,615 by Koszinowski.

  In addition to the antibody chain gene and the regulatory sequence, the recombinant / expression vector of the present invention may contain sequences such as a sequence that regulates replication of the vector in a host cell (for example, a replication source) and a selectable marker gene. The selectable marker gene facilitates selection of host cells into which the vector is introduced (see, eg, US Pat. Nos. 4,399,216, 4,634.665 and 5,179,017 by Axel et al.). . For example, a selectable marker gene typically confers resistance to drugs such as G418, hygromycin, or methotrexate on a host cell into which the vector has been introduced. Preferred selectable marker genes include the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene (used in dhfr host cells with methotrexate selection and amplification) and the neomycin gene (G418 selection).

  For light and heavy chain expression, expression vectors encoding the heavy and light chains may be transfected into host cells using standard techniques. Various forms of the term “transfection” refer to a wide variety of techniques commonly used to introduce exogenous DNA into prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells, such as electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, DEAE. -Is intended to include dextran transfection and the like.

  In certain embodiments, the expression vector used to express the CD20 binding molecule of the invention is a viral vector, such as a retroviral vector. Such viral vectors may be used to generate stably transduced cell lines (eg, a continuous source of CD20 binding molecules). In certain embodiments, the GPEX gene product expression technology (Gala Design, Inc., Middleton, Wis.) Is used to generate CD20 binding molecules (and stable cell lines that express CD20 binding molecules). (Middleton, WI)). In a specific embodiment, the expression techniques described by Blek in WO0202783 and WO0202738, both of which are all incorporated herein by reference, are utilized.

  Preferred mammalian host cells that express the recombinant antibodies of the invention include, for example, PER. C6® cells (Crucell, The Netherlands), Chinese hamster uterus (CHO cells) (Urlaub and Chasin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77, 4216-4220 (1980) and used with DHFR selectable markers as described, for example, in RJ Kaufman and PA Sharp, Mol. Biol., 159, 601-621 (1982). Dhfr-CHO cells), NSO myeloma cells, COS cells, SP2 cells and the like. In other preferred embodiments, the expressed CD20 binding molecule enhances ADCC activity, as described in WO9954342 and US Patent Application Publication 2003030003097, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The host cell expresses GnT III. When a recombinant / expression vector encoding an antibody gene is introduced into a mammalian host cell, the antibody is usually cultured in the host cell for a period necessary for the expression of the antibody, or more preferably, Produced by secreting the antibody into the medium in which the host cells are cultured. The antibody is recovered from the culture medium using standard protein purification methods.

  Host cells can also be used to produce some intact antibodies, such as Fab fragments and scFv molecules. It is understood that variations on the above method are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, it may be desirable to transfect a host cell with DNA encoding either the light chain or the heavy chain of an antibody of the invention. Recombinant DNA technology may also be used to remove some or all of the DNA encoding the light and / or heavy chain that is not required for binding to hCD20. Molecules expressed from such cleaved DNA molecules are also included in the antibodies of the present invention. Furthermore, bifunctional antibodies may be produced in which one heavy chain and one light chain are antibodies of the invention, and the other heavy and light chain are specific for an antigen other than hCD20 (eg, The antibody of the invention is cross-linked to the second antibody using standard chemical cross-linking techniques).

  In one preferred system for recombinant or expression of an antibody or fragment thereof, a recombinant / expression vector encoding both antibody heavy and light chains is introduced into dhfr-CHO cells by calcium phosphate mediated transfection. The Within the recombination / expression vector, antibody heavy and light chain genes are derived from SV40, CMV, and adenovirus, such as enhancer / promoter regulatory elements (for example, CMV enhancer / AdMLP promoter regulatory elements and SV40 enhancer / AdMLP promoter regulatory elements). Multi-elements) and operably linked to increase the level of gene transcription. Recombination and expression vectors may also contain an HFR gene, which uses selection and amplification of methotrexate to allow selection of CHO cells transfected with the vector. The selected transformed host cells are cultured for expression of antibody heavy and light chains and intact antibody is recovered from the medium. Standard techniques of molecular biology are used for the production of recombinant and expression vectors, transfection into host cells, selection of transformants, culture of host cells and recovery of antibodies from the culture medium.

  In certain embodiments, the antibodies and antibody fragments of the invention are produced in transgenic animals. For example, transgenic sheep or cows can be used to produce antibodies or antibody fragments in their milk (eg, Pollock DP et al., Incorporated herein by reference, for the production of recombinant antibodies). One method is transgenic milk, see J. Immunol. Methods, 231, 147-157 (1999)). Antibodies or antibody fragments of the present invention may be produced in plants (eg, Larick et al., Incorporated by reference in this application, using plants to produce IgA-secreting antibodies, Biomol. Eng., 18 87-94 (2001)). Other methods and purification protocols are described in Humphreys et al., Therapeutic Antibody Production Techniques: Molecular Applications, Expression and Purification, Curr. Opin. Drug Discov. Dev. 4, 172-185 (2001). In certain embodiments, an antibody or antibody fragment of the invention is produced by a transgenic chicken (see, eg, US Patent Application Publication Nos. 200201008132 and 20020028488, both incorporated herein).

III. Therapeutic Formulations and Uses CD20 binding molecules (eg, antibodies and antibody fragments) of the present invention are effective in treating subjects suffering from a disease. CD20 binding molecules are also used for diagnosis (eg, using labeled CD20 binding molecules for tissue imaging). In a preferred embodiment, the CD20 binding molecule is administered to a patient with B cell lymphoma characterized by infinite B cell proliferation.

In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecule is conjugated with various radiolabels for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Radiolabeled materials allow for "imaging" of tumors and other tissues and are useful for tumor radiotherapy. Typical radiolabeling materials include, but are not limited to, ¹³¹ I, ¹²⁵ I, ¹²³ I, ⁹⁹ Tc, ⁶⁷ Ga, ¹¹¹ In, ¹⁸⁸ Re, ¹⁸⁶ Re, etc., preferably ⁹⁰ Y It is.

  The disease treated in certain embodiments is non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). In certain embodiments, the disease is recurrent Hodgkins disease, high-grade resistant Hodgkins disease, low-grade and moderate-grade non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), B-cell chronic lymphocyte leukemia (B-CLL), lymphoid trait Cellular malignant lymphoma (LPL), capsule cell lymphoma (MCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL), AIDS-related lymphoma, monocytic B-cell lymphoma, blood vessel Immunoblastic lymphadenopathy, small lymphocyte type, follicular diffuse large cell type, chronic chronic small cleaved cell type, large cell immunoblastic lymphoma, small non-cleaved type, Burkitt and non-Burkitt type, follicle Large cell type, follicular small cleaved cell type, follicular small cleaved / large cell mixed lymphoma, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In certain embodiments, the disease to be treated is Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) or chronic lymphocyte leukemia (CLL).

  In certain embodiments, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention may be used when CD20 + cell depletion is therapeutically beneficial, eg, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, plasma cell cachexia, chronic lymph It is used to treat diseases such as bulbar leukemia, transplanted tissue treatment, hairy cell leukemia, ITP, Epstein-Barr virus lymphoma after stem cell transplantation, and kidney transplantation. See US Patent Application Publication No. 20020128448, which is incorporated into this application. In another embodiment, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention comprises a group consisting of B cell lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, autoimmune disease, transplantation, graft versus host disease, B cell related infection and lymphoproliferative disease. And the treatment of diseases and conditions for which suppression of B cell activity and / or humoral immunity is desired. In certain embodiments, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention is used to treat a disease selected from the group consisting of B cell lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, transplantation, graft-versus-host disease, autoimmune disease, lymphoproliferative condition, or It is used to treat diseases and conditions where inhibition of humoral immunity, B cell function and / or proliferation is beneficial therapeutically. In yet another embodiment, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention comprises B-ALL, hairy cell leukemia, multiple myeloma, Rictor's syndrome, acquired factor VIII inhibitor gene, antiphospholipid syndrome, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Autoimmune thrombocytopenia, bullous pemphigoid, cold hemagglutinin disease, Evans syndrome, Goodpasture syndrome, idiopathic membranous nephropathy, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, IgM-related polyneuropathy, capoji sarcoma-related herpes Virus (KSHV) -related multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), myasthenia gravis, pemphigus vulgaris, primary biliary cirrhosis, erythroblastoma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic immune complex vascular Inflammation, systemic lupus erythematosus, type II mixed cryoglobulinosis, Wegener's granulomas, allograft rejection and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease Treatment, or for the purification of stem cells for bone marrow transplantation.

  In preferred embodiments, the subject being treated is not immunocompromised (eg, a SLE patient). Without being limited to any mechanism, the CD20 binding molecule of the present invention is believed to be less likely to elicit a HACA response, especially in non-immunosuppressed patients, compared to previously known anti-CD20 antibodies. . Thus, non-immunosuppressed patients can be treated without worrying about harmful HACA reactions. Further, since the binding ability of the CD20 binding molecule of the present invention is improved, a low dose may be administered to the patient (to further avoid the risk of HACA reaction), or there is no risk of HACA reaction related to life and death High doses can also be administered. In another preferred embodiment, the subject is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disease (eg, Edwards et al., Rheumatology (Oxford) 2001 2, incorporated herein). Month; see 40 (2): 205-11).

  The CD20 binding molecules of the invention may be administered with other therapeutic agents. For example, a CD20 binding molecule may be administered as part of a chemotherapy program (eg, CHOP). CD20 binding molecules may also be administered with cytokines, G-CSF or IL-2 (see US Pat. No. 6,455,043 incorporated in this application).

  The CD20 binding molecule of the present invention may be administered by any method including, for example, parenteral, oral, subcutaneous, topical, intraperitoneal, intrapulmonary, intranasal, intralesional administration (eg, local immunosuppressive therapy) and the like. Parenteral injection includes, but is not limited to, intramuscular, intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous administration, and the like. In addition, CD20 binding molecules may be administered by pulse infusion, particularly at low doses. Depending in part on whether the administration is short-term or long-term, administration is by injection, or most preferably by intravenous or subcutaneous injection.

  Dosage regimens are adjusted to provide the most desired response (eg, a therapeutic or prophylactic response). For example, the bolus may be administered once, or may be administered in several times over time, or the dose may be increased or decreased according to the needs of the treatment state. It is advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. The dose of the CD20 binding molecule of the present invention usually synthesizes such active ingredients for (a) the unique nature of the active ingredient and the intended therapeutic or prophylactic effect, and (b) treatment of individual susceptibility. Determined by the inherent limitations of the technology.

A typical and limited range for a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment (or other CD20 binding molecule of the invention) is 0.1-20 mg / kg, more preferably 1-10 mg. / Kg. In certain embodiments the dose is 50 to 600 mg / m ² (e.g. 375mg / m ^2). It should be noted that dosage varies depending on the type and severity of symptoms being alleviated. Still further, the dosage should be adjusted over time according to the needs of any subject and the professional judgment of the person administering or supervising the composition, and the present application It should also be noted that the dose ranges set forth in are illustrative only and do not limit the invention.

  The dose, as well as the pharmacokinetic characteristics of a particular drug, the method and route of administration, the age, health status and weight of the recipient, the nature and severity of the symptoms, the type of combination therapy, the frequency of treatment, It varies depending on known factors such as the desired effect. For example, the daily dosage of active ingredient is about 0.01 mg to 100 mg per kg body weight. Generally, 1.0 to 5 mg / kg body weight per day, preferably 1 to 10 mg divided into 1 to 6 doses or administered in sustained release form may be more effective in obtaining the desired result.

  The CD20 binding molecule of the present invention can also be incorporated into a pharmaceutical composition suitable for administration to a subject. For example, a pharmaceutical composition may include a CD20 binding molecule (eg, an antibody or antibody fragment) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used in this application includes physiologically compatible solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic agents, absorption delaying agents, and the like. included. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include one or more of the following materials. Water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol and combinations thereof. In many cases, it is desirable to include isotonic agents such as sugar, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride, etc. in the composition. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may also contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as humidifiers, emulsifiers, preservatives, buffers that enhance the shelf life or effectiveness of the CD20 binding molecule.

  The compositions of the present invention exist in various forms. These include liquid, semi-solid and solid dosage forms such as solutions (eg, injectable and injectable solutions), dispersions or suspensions, tablets, pills, powders, liposomes and suppositories. The preferred form is determined based on the method of administration and the content of the therapeutic application. Commonly preferred compositions are injectable and injectable solutions, such as those similar to those used for passive human immunization with other antibodies.

  A therapeutic composition is usually sterile and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The composition can be formulated into solutions, microemulsions, dispersions, liposomes, or other ordered forms suitable for high concentrations of the drug. Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the required amount of active compound (ie, antibody or antibody fragment) into the appropriate solvent together with the above-described components or combinations thereof, and then sterile filtering as required. Generally, dispersions are produced by incorporating the active compound into a dispersion medium and a sterile solvent that contains the necessary ingredients as described above. The preferred method of producing a sterile powder used to produce an injectable sterile solution is by vacuum drying and lyophilization to produce a powder of additional desired ingredients obtained from a previously sterile filtered solution in addition to the active ingredient. is there. The proper fluidity of the solution is maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the defined size of the particles in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prolonged absorption of injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent that delays absorption, such as monostearate salts or gelatin.

  In certain embodiments, the active compound is produced using a carrier that prevents rapid release of the compound, such as a controlled release formulation including implants, transdermal patches, microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid can be used. Many methods for the preparation of such formulations are patented and generally known to those skilled in the art (eg, sustained and modified release drug delivery systems, JR Robinson Edition, Marcel). • See Decker, Inc., New York, 1978).

  In certain embodiments, the CD20 binding molecules of the invention are administered orally, such as with an inert diluent or an assimilable edible carrier. The compound (and other ingredients as needed) may also be encapsulated in hard or soft gelatin capsules, compressed into tablets, or incorporated directly into the subject's diet. For therapeutic oral administration, the compounds are incorporated with excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, cachets, and the like. In order to administer a compound of the invention in a manner other than parenteral administration, it may be necessary to administer or coat with a substance that prevents inactivation.

  The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention contains “therapeutically effective amount” or “prophylactically effective amount” of the antibody or antibody fragment of the present invention. “Therapeutically effective amount” means an effective amount to obtain a favorable therapeutic result in terms of dose and duration. The therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment will depend on factors such as the disease state, age, sex and weight of the individual, the effect of the antibody or antibody fragment eliciting a favorable response. Further, a therapeutically effective amount is also an amount such that the therapeutic effect exceeds the toxic or adverse effects of the antibody or antibody fragment. By “prophylactically effective amount” is meant an effective amount to obtain a favorable prophylactic result in terms of dose and duration. In general, since a prophylactic dose is used in subjects prior to or at an early stage of illness, the prophylactically effective amount is usually less than the therapeutically effective amount.

IV. Other Uses of CD20 Binding Molecules The CD20 binding molecules of the invention, such as anti-CD20 peptides and / or antibodies, are useful in immunoassays to detect or quantify CD20 in a sample or B cell containing CD20. CD20 immunoassays typically involve the cultivation of adult samples in the presence of detectable labeled high affinity anti-CD20 peptides and / or antibodies of the invention capable of selectively binding to CD20, and Detection of labeled peptides or antibodies bound in the sample is included. Various clinical analysis methods are known in the art.

  Thus, it is possible to capture the anti-CD20 peptide or antibody on nitrocellulose or other solid support capable of immobilizing soluble proteins. The sample containing CD20 is then added to the support and then washed with an appropriate buffer to remove unbound protein. A second detectable labeled CD20-specific peptide or antibody is added to the solid phase support and washed again with buffer to detectably labeled unbound peptide or antibody Remove. The amount of labeled compound bound to the solid support can be detected using known methods.

  By “solid phase support” or “carrier” is meant any support capable of binding to a peptide, antigen or antibody. Well known supports or carriers include glass, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, amylase, natural and modified cellulose, polyacrylamide, agarose and magnetite. For purposes of the present invention, the carrier may be soluble to some extent or insoluble. The support material can be virtually any structure as long as the bound molecule can maintain its ability to bind CD20. Therefore, the structure of the support may be a sphere like a bead, or may be cylindrical like the inner surface of a test tube or the outer surface of a rod. Alternatively, the surface may be flat, such as a plate, culture dish, test strip, microtiter plate, and the like. Preferred supports include polystyrene beads. Those skilled in the art will know many other suitable carriers for binding antibodies, peptides, or antigens, which can be confirmed through routine experimentation. Known methods can be used to measure the binding activity of anti-CD20 peptides and / or antibodies. Those skilled in the art can determine the optimal analytical conditions that can be carried out through routine experimentation.

  Detectable labeling of CD20-specific molecules of CD20-specific peptides and / or antibodies can be accomplished by conjugation with enzymes used in enzyme immunoassays (EIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The bound enzyme reacts with the exposed substrate to produce, for example, a spectrophotometer, a fluorimeter, or a chemical that can be detected visually. Enzymes used for detectable labeling of the CD20 binding molecules of the present invention are not limited to these, but include, for example, malate dehydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease, δ-5-steroid isomerization. Enzyme, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucose oxidase, β-galactosidase, RNase, urease, catalase, glucose-6 -Phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase, acetylcholinesterase and the like are included.

  By labeling the CD20 binding molecule with a radioactive substance, it becomes possible to detect CD20 using a radioimmunoassay (RIA) (for example, Work et al., Experimental techniques in molecular biology). And Biochemistry (Biotechnology in Biochemistry in Molecular Biology) (1978), North Holland Publishing Company, New York). The radioactive isotope is detected by a method using a gamma counter, a scintillation counter, autoradiography or the like.

  It is also possible to label the CD20 binding molecule with a fluorescent compound. When a fluorescently labeled molecule is exposed to light of the appropriate wavelength, its presence can be detected due to fluorescence. The most commonly used fluorescent labeling compounds are fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde, fluorescamine and the like.

¹²⁵ Eu and other lanthanide series fluorescent emitting metals can also be used to detectably label CD20 binding molecules. These metals are bound to the CD20 binding molecule using metal chelating groups such as diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

  In addition, the CD20 binding molecule can be detectably labeled by binding to a chemiluminescent compound. The presence of the chemiluminescent label molecule is then determined by detecting the presence of luminescence that occurs during the chemical reaction. Examples of particularly effective chemiluminescent labeling compounds include, for example, luminol, isoluminol, telomatic acridinium ester, imidazole, acridinium salt, oxalate ester and the like.

  Similarly, bioluminescent compounds can be used to label the CD20 binding molecules of the present invention. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence found in biological systems where catalytic proteins increase the reaction efficiency of chemiluminescence. The presence of a bioluminescent protein is determined by detecting the presence of luminescence. Important bioluminescent compounds used for labeling are luciferin, luciferase and aequorin.

  Detection of the CD20 binding molecule can be accomplished, for example, with a scintillation counter when the detectable label is a radioactive gamma emitter, for example with a fluorometer when the label is a fluorescent material. In the case of an enzyme label, detection is performed by a colorimetric method using an enzyme substrate. Detection can also be performed by visually comparing the degree of enzymatic reaction of the substrate with a standard substance produced in the same manner.

  In certain embodiments of the invention, CD20 detected in the above analysis can be present in a biological sample. Any sample containing CD20 can be used. The sample is preferably a biological fluid such as blood, serum, lymph, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, synovial fluid, tissue extract, and homogenate. However, engineers with ordinary skill in the art can determine the appropriate conditions that allow the use of other samples, so the present invention can be used for analysis using only these samples. It is not limited.

  In situ detection can be achieved by taking a histological specimen from the patient and combining the labeled CD20 binding molecule of the present invention with the specimen. It is desirable to provide a labeled CD20 binding molecule by matching or overlaying on a biological sample. By using such a method, it is possible to determine not only the presence of CD20, but also the distribution of CD20 in the tissue being examined. Utilizing the present invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of histological methods (such as staining methods) can be modified to achieve in situ detection.

  The CD20 binding molecules of the invention can be tailored for use in immunoassays also known as “two-site” or “sandwich” assays. In a normal immunoassay, an appropriate amount of an unlabeled CD20 binding molecule (such as an anti-CD20 antibody) is bound to a solid support insoluble in a test liquid, and an appropriate amount of a soluble antibody labeled by a detectable method is added to the solid support. Phase antibodies, ternary complexes formed between antigen and labeled antibody are detected and / or quantified.

  In a typical and preferred immunoassay, a solid phase bound CD20 binding molecule (eg, an antibody) is first contacted with a test sample to form a binary solid phase antibody CD20 complex to extract CD20 from the sample. A “proactive” analysis is included. After an appropriate incubation period, the solid support is washed, including unreacted CD20, if present, to remove liquid sample residues. It is then contacted with a solution containing a known amount of labeled antibody (functioning as a “reporter molecule”). After a second culture period, a complex is formed between the labeled antibody and CD20 bound to the solid support through an unlabeled antibody, and then the solid support is washed once again to remove the unreacted labeled antibody. This type of forward sandwich analysis may be a simple “yes-no” type analysis that determines the presence of CD20, but compares the measured value of labeled antibody with a standard sample containing a known amount of CD20. It is also possible to make it a quantitative amount.

  Another type of “sandwich” analysis useful for CD 20 is the so-called “simultaneous” or “retrograde” analysis. Simultaneous analysis involves a single culture in which the antibody bound to the solid support and the labeled antibody are added simultaneously to the test sample. After completion of the culture, the solid support is washed to remove the residue of the liquid sample and the labeled antibody that did not form a complex. The presence of labeled antibody bound to the solid support is determined to be performed in a normal “forward” sandwich analysis. In “retrograde” analysis, a stepwise addition method is used, in which a labeled antibody solution is first added to a fluid sample and then unlabeled antibody is added to a solid sample after an appropriate incubation period. After the second incubation period, the solid phase is washed in a conventional manner to remove test sample residues and unreacted labeled antibody solution. The labeled antibody bound to the solid support is then determined in a manner similar to “simultaneous” and “forward” analysis.

  In certain embodiments, a CD20 binding molecule of the invention coupled to a solid support can be utilized to remove CD20 (or B cells containing CD20) from fluid, tissue or cell extracts. In preferred embodiments, they are used to remove CD20 from blood or plasma products. In another preferred embodiment, CD20 binding molecules are effectively used in in vitro immunosorbent devices known in the art (eg, Seminars in Hematology, 26 (2 Suppl. 1) (1989). )). Contacting the patient's blood or other bodily fluid with the attached CD20 binding molecule results in partial or complete removal of circulating CD20 (free or immunocomplex), after which the fluid returns to the body. It is. This immunoadsorption method can be performed in a continuous flow process with or without an intermediate cell centrifugation step. For example, Terman et al. Immunol. 117, 1971-1975 (1976).

  The following examples are provided to demonstrate some preferred embodiments and various aspects of the invention and are intended to further illustrate the invention and are in no way construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Should not.

  In the experiments disclosed below, the following abbreviations are used: M (mole), mM (mmol), nM (nanomol), pM (picomole), mg (milligram), μg (microgram), pg (Picogram), ml (milliliter), μl (microliter), ° C. (Celsius), OD (optical density), nm (nanometer), BSA (bovine serum albumin) and PBS (phosphate buffered saline).

Example 1 CD20 Binding Molecules This example illustrates how to make several CD20 binding molecules. In particular, this example shows that 11 different CD20 binding molecules (AME 21E1 Hum, AME 6F1, AME 2C2, AME 1D10, AME 15, AME 18, AME 33, AME 5-3, AME 1C2, AME 4H5 and AME 5). A production method and a method of expressing it as, for example, Fab or complete IgG will be described.

The light chain and heavy chain variable regions of 11 different CD20 binding molecules are constructed as follows. A collection of six CDRs for each CD20 binding molecule is shown in Table 3. The amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO is shown first, and the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO is shown next.
Table 3 Light and heavy chain CDRs in typical CD20 binding molecules

The CDRs in Table 3 are combined with any framework, such as a human germline framework, to create a variable region (eg, may be expressed as Fvs). For example, the CDRs of Table 3 were combined with the human germline framework in the manner shown in Table 4 to create the variable regions of the 11 anti-CD20 molecules named in this example.
Table 4 Human germline frame lines used to produce named CD20 binding molecules

  The complete light chain and heavy chain variable region sequences for two of the eleven CD20 binding molecules are shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 6-7. In particular, FIGS. 2 and 3 show the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of the light and heavy chain variable regions of AME33 (both provide the complete Fv sequence of AME33). Figures 6 and 7 show the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of the light and heavy chain variable regions of AME5.

  The light and heavy chain variable regions of the eleven CD20 binding molecules described in this example may be combined with light and heavy chain constant regions and expressed as Fabs or intact antibodies (eg, IgG). These sequences desirably bind to the leader sequence (eg, the first leader sequence of the light chain sequence). One example of a leader sequence is METAQLLFLLLLLWLPDTTG (SEQ ID NO: 105). Other leader sequences may be used. Any human constant region allotype may be used. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 show the complete light and heavy chains of AME33, including the light and heavy chain constant regions. These figures also provide a source for the constant regions used to generate Fab and IgG for the other CD20 binding molecules specified in this example. 10A and 11A, the steady region is underlined. Furthermore, the anti-CD20 molecule of this example may selectively use the heavy chain constant region shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 with the exception of amino acid substitution in the Fc region. In particular, the heavy chain constant region shown in FIG. 11 may include a D280H mutation or a K290S mutation (FIG. 11A shows 280 and 290 without mutation in bold). FIG. 11B shows “GAC” in bold and underlined. This “GAC” may be replaced with “CAT” to encode the D280H mutation.

  Methods well known in the art may be used to express anti-CD20 binding molecules (as Fab or IgG) in this example. For example, the 11 CD20 binding molecules of this example may be expressed as Fab or IgG in a mammalian expression system (or bacterial, fungal, plant expression system) using a single vector or double vector system. In a single vector system, both heavy and light chains are produced or cloned in an expression cassette that contains all the regulatory elements necessary for expression. The double vector system simply has the two expression cassettes in separate plasmids. As is well known in the art, single plasmids or double vector system combination plasmids are transfected into Chinese hamster uterus (CHO) cells or host cells such as the retinal cell line PerC6, selected, expanded and cultured. Alternatively, Fab or IgG protein may be expressed (Antibody expression and treatment: San Diego [ACS Symposium Series, 604] from the American Chemical Society 207th National Congress, Symposium hosted by Biochemical Technology Division) ).

  Fabs can be expressed in bacterial expression systems because they require less time and money than mammalian systems. Here, Fab can be inserted into the M13 virus expression system for expression. The Fab expressed by the bacteria is secreted and accumulated in the surrounding cytoplasmic space between the bacterial cell wall and the cell membrane. The Fab can be released from the surrounding cytoplasmic space using many techniques common in the art, such as hypotonic shock and freeze-thaw methods. Fab is also produced from intact IgG by degrading proteins using a protease such as papain. The Fab portion of the degradation product is then purified from the Fc portion of the degradation product. Fab and IgG are purified using a variety of chromatographic and specific adsorption techniques that are also well known in the art (antibodies: laboratory manual, Ed Harlow (editor), David. Lane (Editor), Cold Spring Harbor Press (see Cold Spring Harbor Press). For example, IgG is readily purified from cell supernatants by specific binding using rProtein A affinity chromatography followed by Mono S cation exchange chromatography.

<Example 2> Fixed Ramos cell ELISA
This example describes a fixed Ramos cell ELISA binding assay using CD20 binding molecules. In this example, AME 4H5, AME 15, AME 18, AME 33 and AME 1D10 expressed as Fab and IgG were assayed to specifically measure overall binding, off-rate and on-rate. This example tested our C2B8 fab and whole antibody, and a commercially available Rituxan (Oncology Supply Co.) under the same analytical conditions for comparison. C2B8 antibody is stored at ATCC under storage number 69119.

Ramos cells (ATCC) were grown in RPMI 1640 containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum. Pipette 50 μl of Ramos cells (2-4 × 10 ⁶ / ml) into each well of Poly-D-Lysine coated 96 well plate (BIOCAT Becton Dickinson Labware) using a pipette, The cells were cultured at 37 ° C. and 5% CO ₂ for 18 hours. The medium was gently aspirated and 100 ml of buffered zinc formalin aqueous solution (Anatech, Ltd.) was added to each well for 15 minutes at room temperature. Z-fix was removed and the plate was washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.05% Tween20. Plates were blocked with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBS for 1 hour. Fab or IgG dilutions were incubated with fixed and blocked Ramos cells for 1 hour at room temperature. The plate was washed 3 times with PBS 0.05% Tween 20, and 50 ml of anti-His6 peroxidase mouse monoclonal antibody (Roche Diagnostics Corporation) (1: 500 dilution) was added to the wells and 1 ml at room temperature. Incubate for hours. The plate was washed as described above, developed with tetramethylbenzidine, and the reaction was stopped using 5N H ₂ SO ₄ . Plate absorbance was read at OD 450 nm. 1% BSA / PBS was used for dilution of the Fab and complex.

  IgG analysis was performed in the same manner, but IgG binding was detected using goat anti-human IgG-HRP. For antibody off-rate comparison, after culturing with Fab or IgG, the plate was incubated overnight in PBS / BSA before proceeding to the second antibody step. In the antibody on-rate comparison, the incubation period for the Fab / IgG binding and the second antibody step were 5 minutes.

  The results of this example are shown in FIGS. As shown, the overall binding of Fab AME 4H5, 15, 18, 33 and 1D10 is more effective than C2B8 Fab. The dose response curve of AME antibody is shifted to the left compared to C2B8 antibody and commercially available Rituxan, and the maximum OD is about 1.5 times that of C2B8 antibody. In terms of off-rate, the AME 4H5, 15, 18, 33 and 1D10 Fabs are significantly reduced compared to the C2B8 Fabs (FIG. 12B). The off-rate of AME antibody expressed as total IgG is similar to that of C2B8 antibody and commercial Rituxan (FIG. 13A). In terms of on-rate, the AME 4H5, 15, 18, 33 and 1D10 Fabs are similar to those of the C2B8 Fab, with increased binding overall (maximum OD achieved) (FIG. 12C). The dose response curve of AME antibody expressed as total IgG is shifted to the left of all C2B8 antibodies (FIG. 13B).

Example 3 Immunofluorescent Living B Lymphoma Binding Analysis This example describes an immunofluorescent living B lymphoma binding assay. In particular, AME 33, AME 5 and C2B8 Fabs were analyzed as shown below.

Fab staining of PBMC for CD20 FACS analysis Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from normal human blood by floatation on Ficol-Hypaque (Sigma-1077). Cells were counted and resuspended in PBS + 1% BSA to give 2-5 × 10 ⁶ cells / ml. 100 μl of diluted cells was placed in a polystyrene tube (Falcon # 2058) and anti-CD20 Fab antibody diluted in PBS + 1% BSA was added. Tubes were incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. 4 ml of PBS + 1% BSA was added to each tube and centrifuged at 300 × G for 10 minutes. The supernatant was removed and the cells were resuspended in 100 μl PBS + 1% BSA. Anti-Penta-His AlexaFluor 488 complex (Qiagen # 35310) was added in an amount of 2 μl per tube, mixed, and incubated in the dark at room temperature for 1 hour. Samples were washed as previously described. The supernatant was removed and the cells were again suspended in PBS + 1% BSA + 2 μg / ml propidium iodide. Fluorescence was analyzed on a Becton Dickinson FACScan or FACSort flow cytometer and data was analyzed using Cell Quest (Becton Dickinson) or WinMDI software.

  The results are shown in FIG. The results for Daudi cells are shown in FIG. 14A, the results for Wi12-S cells are shown in FIG. 14B, and the results for Ramos cells are shown in FIG. 14C. As shown in the figure, the Fabs of AME5 and 33 are more effective than C2B8 in binding to living B lymphoma cell tumors. The dose response curves for AME5 and AME33 are shifted to the left compared to C2B8.

Example 4 IgG Binding by KinExA Measurement This example describes an analysis to measure Kd, Kon and Koff of various CD20 IgGs. In particular, this analysis tested the AME 33, AME 5, AME 6F1 and C2B8 antibodies in terms of binding to SKW6.4 B lymphoma cells and determined the Kd, Kon and Koff of such molecules using KinExa equilibration software. It was measured. In addition, AME 33 and C2B8 were tested for binding to primary human peripheral blood B cells.

Kd measurement:
SKW6.4 cells were grown in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FCS and harvested at 5-10 × 10 ⁵ cells / ml. Cells were washed with 5 volumes of PBS and resuspended in PBS containing 1% BSA (1 × 10 ⁸ cells / ml). For human peripheral blood B cells, fresh CD19 sorted B cells were obtained from Allcells. The cells were washed twice with PBS containing 1% BSA and resuspended at a concentration of 8 × 10 ⁷ / ml.

Three-fold serial dilutions were performed 12 times and 100 μl of each dilution was added to a 96 well plate. 100 ml of antibody was added to each diluted solution (100 ng / ml), and the plate was incubated at 37 ° C. under 5% CO ₂ for 4 hours. The sample was filtered through a 96 well 1μ filter (Millipore) to remove cells and bound antibody. Free antibody in the solution was quantified using ELISA. Briefly, free IgG was captured in 96-well plates coated with 1 mg / ml anti-human kappa antibody (Southern Biotechnology) and anti-human Fc antibody conjugated with HRP (Southern Biotechnology). It was detected using (Southern Biotechnology)). Plates were developed using Fast TMB substrate (Pierce) and read at 450 nm.

Next, the Kd of the antibody was measured using KinExA equilibration software for subjects with unknown antigen concentrations. The OD450 value of each serial dilution was consistent with the estimated antigen concentration and the actual antibody concentration. Kd and actual antigen concentration were calculated. The results of SKW6.4 cell analysis are shown in Table 5. The results show that the Kd of AME 33 and AME 5 is improved 10 times compared to the C2B8 antibody. The results for primary human peripheral blood B cells indicate that the Kd of AME 33 is 113 pM and the Kd of C2B8 is 1500 pM. Here too, it is shown that the Kd of AME 33 is 10 times or more (almost 15 times) the Kd of the C2B8 antibody.
Table 5

Reaction rate measurement:
SKW6.4 cells were grown in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FCS and harvested at 5-10 × 10 ⁵ cells / ml. The cells were washed with 5 volumes of PBS, resuspended in PBS containing 1% BSA (approximately 1 × 10 ⁷ cells / ml) and maintained in a 37 ° C. water bath. The same volume of antibody (100 ng / ml in PBS containing 1% BSA) was added at 37 ° C., and the timing of the experiment was started. Samples of antibody cell solution were taken at intervals of 60 to 10800 seconds and filtered to remove cells and bound antibody. The remaining free antibody was quantified using the ELISA described above for each time unit.

  The reaction rate of antibody cells was calculated using direct reaction rate KinExA software. The OD450 value at each time was adjusted using the previously calculated Kd, antigen concentration, calculated reaction values Kon and Koff. The results are shown in Table 5.

<Example 5> ADCC analysis using CD20 binding cells In this example, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used as agonists and B lymphoma cell lines were used as targets for the ability to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Used to test AME5, AME33, AME6F1 IgG and C2B8 antibodies. This analysis was performed by the method described below.

Isolation of PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells):
Peripheral blood obtained from healthy donors was diluted 1: 2 using phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.0). Place 12 ml of Histopaque-1077 (Sigma, catalog number 1077-1) carefully in the lower phase of the diluted sample and centrifuge at 1000 rpm for 10 minutes using a Sorvall RT6000B centrifuge with horizontal rotor (brake off) separated. The intermediate phase containing PBMC was collected and washed 3 times with Hank's solution (Gibco). The washed cell pellet was suspended in 20 mL of RPMI 1640 medium (ATCC) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Omega Scientific). The resuspended PBMC was divided into two T-175 culture flasks and 30 mL RPMI / 10% FBS was added to each. The flask was cultured in a 37 ° C / 5% CO ₂ incubator. The next day, unattached PBMCs were collected, centrifuged as described above, resuspended in RPMI containing 1% FBS, and counted using a hemocytometer.

Target cell line:
A B lymphoma cell line was obtained from ATCC and grown according to the instructions. The day before the experiment, cells were split 1: 2. The next day concentration was adjusted from 0.5 to 1 × 10 ⁶ cells / mL and 50 μL (25,000 to 50,000 cells / well) was added to a Becton Dickinson 96 well U-bottom tissue culture plate.

IgG titration:
IgG dilutions were generated by diluting the samples with RPMI containing 1% FBS. 50 μl of IgG was added to target cells in a 96-well microtiter plate and mixed gently using a pipette. IgG was incubated with target cells for 15 minutes under conditions of 37 ° C./5% CO ₂ before adding agonist cells.

Actuator cells:
100 μl of resuspended PBMC was added to each well of the target cell / IgG plate. The concentration of PBMC was adjusted so that the ratio of agonist to target was 10-20: 1. The plate was 3 to 4 hours incubation under the conditions of 37 ℃ / 5% CO _2.

LDH release detection:
After incubation, the plate was centrifuged at 1000-2000 rpm for 5-10 minutes. Carefully removed 50 μl of supernatant while avoiding pelleted cells. This supernatant was added directly to a Dynax Immulon 2HB flat bottom plate containing 50 pl PBS per well. 100 μl of LDH detection reagent (Roche) was added to the plate. Plates were incubated for about 15-30 minutes and OD was read at 490 nm using a Molecular Devices Vmax Kinetic Microplate Reader.

Data analysis:
Data were written as log IgG concentration vs. A490 (see FIG. 15). A490 was converted to% cytotoxicity using the following formula:
% Cytotoxicity = (experiment A490−basal A490) / (maximum A490−basal A490) × 100
Here, maximum A490 was determined by adding 2% Triton X-100 to the target cells. Basal-release was measured for a mixture of agonist and target cells in the absence of sensitized IgG. The data shown in FIG. 15 shows that the EC50 of AME33 containing Fc variants D280H and K290S was consistently 1.5-2.0 times lower than C2B8. This data is also shown in Table 6 below.
Table 6 Estimated EC50s, μg / ml (target: Wil-2 cells)

Example 6 Sugar Chain Engineering of CD20 Binding Molecules This example describes a sugar chain engineering method applied to certain CD20 binding molecules. In particular, by expressing AME 1C2 IgG containing a wild-type or mutant (D280H or K290S) Fc region in CHO cells together with β (1-4) -N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III enzyme, Fc Increased expression of oligosaccharides cleaved at the region. The combination of glycoengineering and the Fc variant region reduced the EC50 of 1C2 in ADCC analysis compared to unmodified 1C2 or commercially available Rituxan antibodies. The method is described below.

  The β (1-4) -N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III gene obtained from rat kidney cDNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) Was amplified by PCR. The PCR primer introduced an NheI site at the 5 ′ end of the gene and an EcoRI site at the 3 ′ end (the forward primer was 5′-GGCGGCTAGCATGAGAGCGCTACAGCTTTTTCTCATGTTCTGTG-3 ′; ', SEQ ID NO: 104). After restriction digestion and purification of the PCR product, it was ligated with a similarly cleaved pcDNA3.1 NEO (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). The ligated plasmid DNA was used for transformation of E. coli by electroporation. Using colony PCR, ampicillin resistant E. coli colonies were screened to detect the presence of rat β (1-4) -N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III gene. Plasmid DNA was isolated from positive clones and sequenced. Sequencing confirmed that the plasmid DNA was linear with BspHI. Approximately 10 mg of linear DNA was used for transfection of CHO K1 cells using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) According to the manufacturer's experimental records. After G418 selection, isolated resistant colonies were grown in tissue culture. mRNA was isolated and qualitatively screened for rat β (1-4) -N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III mRNA production. The transfected cell line yielded the expected size of the PCR product, but did not yield untransfected CHOK1 cells. DNA encoding anti-CD20 IgG was used for transfection of stable cell lines. Approximately 3 days after transfection, cell culture supernatants were collected and IgG analogs were purified using protein A chromatography. After IgG was eluted from the protein A column, the sample was dialyzed and the protein concentration was quantified by measuring the absorbance at 280 nm.

  Using the method described in Example 5, IgG samples expressed in various CHOK1 cell lines were tested for the effect of antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In this experiment, peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from fresh human blood were used as agonist cells, and WIL. 2s B cells were used as target cells. Target cell lysis was measured using a standard lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Regarding the effect of eliciting ADCC, IgG expressed in the processed CHOK1 cell line and IgG expressed in the unprocessed CHOK1 cell line were compared directly with the commercially available Rituxan antibody. Furthermore, the presence of the cleaved N-acetylglucosamine sugar was confirmed by direct sugar chain formation analysis. The results of the ADCC analysis for AME 1C2 are shown in FIG.

Example 7 In vitro apoptosis analysis This example describes in vitro apoptosis analysis performed using various CD20 binding molecules. In particular, AME 5, AME 33, AME 6F1 (all antibodies whole) and C2B8 antibodies were used to test the ability to induce apoptosis of Ramos B lymphoma cell lines by cross-linking with anti-human IgG. The analysis method is as follows.

Annexin V-FITC staining:
Ramos B lymphoma cell line (ATCC) was split 1: 2 24 hours before use. On the day of analysis, Ramos cells were centrifuged (5 minutes at 1,000 rpm), washed with PBS, and resuspended in RPMI and 10% heat-inactivated FBS (medium) (cell concentration: 5 × 10 ⁵ cells / ml). ). One million cells were added per well to a 6-well tissue culture plate. Primary antibody was added to the cells at the indicated concentration and the plate was gently shaken for 15 minutes and returned to 37 ° C. for an additional 45 minutes. Prewarmed goat anti-human IgG (10 μg / ml) or media was added to specific wells and the plates were incubated at 37 ° C. for 6 hours.

  Cells were harvested by centrifugation (5 minutes at 1,000 rpm) and resuspended in 100 μl of chilled 1 × binding buffer (diluted from 10 × strain with water) and 10 μl of Annexin V-FITC (Southern Biotech). . The sample was transferred to a polystyrene round bottom tube (Falcon 2058) and incubated at room temperature in the dark for 15 minutes. Add binding buffer containing propidium iodide (2 μg / ml), analyze samples with Becton Dickinson Facscan flow cytometer and analyze data using CellQuest or WinMDI software did. Cell death (% of apoptosis and necrotic cells) was determined by measuring the percentage of cells that stained with Annexin V. As a result of this analysis, AME 5, 33 and 6F1 proved to induce cell death at a level similar to that of C2B8 antibody treatment.

Example 8 Complement-Mediated Cytotoxic Activity Analysis This example uses human complement and the Wil-2B lymphoma cell line (target) for the effect of mediating complement-dependent cytotoxicity on the C2B8 antibody The results of testing Synergis (control) and AME antibodies 6F1, 2C2, 1D10, 15, 18 and 33 are described.

Wil2-SB lymphoma cells (ATCC) were resuspended in RPMI + 10% heat inactivated FBS (5 × 10 ⁵ / ml). Mix 50 μl of Wil2-S cell suspension, 50 μl of IgG (concentration range: 1 ng / ml to 75 μg / ml), and 50 μl of human dilution [1: 5] complement in a 96 well plate (Costar 3917). did. Both antibody and complement were diluted with RPMI + 10% FBS. The cells were incubated for 90 minutes at 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ . Alamar Blue was added at 15 μl per well and the plate was incubated overnight at 37 ° C., 5% CO ₂ . Fluorescence (reflecting the number of living cells) was recorded by exciting at 560 nm and detecting at 590 nm. The results of the analysis showed that the EC50 of all AME antibodies is similar to that of C2B8 antibody.

Example 9 In Vivo Administration of CD20 Binding Molecules This example describes the analysis used to test many CD20 binding molecules in vivo.

Antibodies AME45H, 1C2, 5-3 and C2B8 antibodies were analyzed by mice as follows. 5 × 10 ⁶ raji cells (ATCC) were obtained from 6-8 week old C.I. B. A 17-SCID mouse male (Taconic) was injected into the left and right flank (sc). Approximately 2-3 hours later (day 0), antibodies were injected intraperitoneally (0.01 mg / kg, 0.05 mg / kg, 0.1 mg / kg and 0.5 mg / kg). Tumor length, width, and height were measured with a calpas every month, water, gold and tumor volume was calculated. EC ₅₀ values were determined from dose response curves. The EC50 of AME4H5, 1C2 and 5-3 was not consistently different from that of C2B8.

The antibodies AME33 and C2B8 antibody were also analyzed using mice injected with 5 × 10 ⁶ radio cells. Mice were treated on day 3 with 0.5 mg / kg AME 33 or C2B8. A control group of mice received saline. The results (shown in FIG. 17) indicate that AME 33 and C2B8 inhibit raj tumors as well, and that AME 33 has less tumor growth in the long term compared to C2B8.

Example 10 Use of CD20 Binding Molecules for the Treatment of Human Diseases This example is selected from, but not limited to, non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Describes the use of CD20 binding molecules for the treatment and prophylactic treatment of diseases in human patients, including but not limited to diseases.

For example, a patient suffering from any of the above mentioned diseases may be AME 21E1 Hum, AME6F1, AME 2C2, AME 1D10, AME 15, AME 18, AME 33, AME 5-3, AME 1C2, AME 4H5 or AME 5 CD20 binding molecule is injected intravenously from 0.4 to 20.0 mg / kg body weight. A typical dosing regimen is, for example, 375 mg / m ² of antibody administered as a slow intravenous infusion once a week for 4 or 8 doses. Another dosing regimen is described in US Pat. No. 6,399,061 by Anderson, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For therapeutic and / or in vivo imaging, the antibody or Fab fragment may be labeled with a radioisotope (eg, yttrium [90]) (see US Pat. No. 6,399,061). Response to treatment is monitored to determine whether the dosage should be increased or decreased or whether repeated treatment is required. Additional instructions regarding response to treatment and dosing schedules are described in US Pat. No. 6,399,061.

  All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, the claimed invention should not be unduly limited by those specific embodiments. Of the methods described for carrying out the invention, various modifications that are apparent to those skilled in the art of chemistry, medicine, molecular biology, or those skilled in the art are included within the scope of the following claims.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an IgG molecule with various labeled regions and sections. The framework of the CDR and one of the two variable region light chains and one of the two variable region heavy chains are also labeled.

FIG. 2A shows the amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 59), and FIG. 2B shows the nucleic acid sequence of the light chain variable region of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 60).

FIG. 3A shows the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 61), and FIG. 3B shows the nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 62).

FIG. 4A shows the amino acid sequence of the fully human light chain framework region VkIII (A27) (DPK22) interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as follows: FRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 71), FRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 72), FRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 73) and FRL4 (SEQ ID NO: 74). FIG. 4B shows the nucleic acid sequence of human light chain framework region VkIII (A27) (DPK22) interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as follows: FRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 75), FRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 76), FRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 77) and FRL4 (SEQ ID NO: 78).

FIG. 5A shows the amino acid sequence of human heavy chain framework region VH5-51 (DP-73) interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as follows: FRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 79), FRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 80), FRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 81) and FRH4 (SEQ ID NO: 82). FIG. 5B shows the nucleic acid sequence of human heavy chain framework region V5-51 (DP-73) interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as follows: FRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 83), FRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 84), FRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 85) and FRH4 (SEQ ID NO: 86).

FIG. 6A shows the amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region of AME5 (SEQ ID NO: 63). FIG. 6B shows the nucleic acid sequence of the light chain variable region of AME5 (SEQ ID NO: 64).

FIG. 7A shows the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of AME5 (SEQ ID NO: 65). FIG. 7B shows the nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region of AME5 (SEQ ID NO: 66).

FIG. 8A shows the amino acid sequence of human light chain framework region VkI (DPK4) (A20) interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as FRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 87), FRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 88), FRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 89) and FRL4 (SEQ ID NO: 90). FIG. 8B shows the nucleic acid sequence of the human light chain framework region VkI (DPK4) (A20) interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as FRL1 (SEQ ID NO: 91), FRL2 (SEQ ID NO: 92), FRL3 (SEQ ID NO: 93) and FRL4 (SEQ ID NO: 94).

FIG. 9A shows the amino acid sequence of human heavy chain framework region VHI DP7 / 21-2, interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as FRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 95), FRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 96), FRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 97) and FRH4 (SEQ ID NO: 98). FIG. 9B shows the nucleic acid sequence of human heavy chain framework region VHI DP7 / 21-2 , interspersed with CDRs. The four subregions of the framework are labeled as FRH1 (SEQ ID NO: 99), FRH2 (SEQ ID NO: 100), FRH3 (SEQ ID NO: 101) and FRH4 (SEQ ID NO: 102).

FIG. 10A shows the complete amino acid sequence of the light chain of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 67), and FIG. 10B shows the complete nucleic acid sequence of the light chain of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 68).

FIG. 11A shows the complete amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 69), and FIG. 11B shows the complete nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain of AME33 (SEQ ID NO: 70).

FIG. 12 shows the results of the ELISA binding analysis described in Example 2.

FIG. 13 shows the results of the ELISA binding analysis described in Example 2.

FIG. 14 shows the results of the biological B lymphoma Fab binding analysis described in Example 3.

FIG. 15 shows the results of ADCC analysis described in Example 5.

FIG. 16 shows the ADCC activity of the sugar chain synthetic CD20 binding molecule described in Example 6.

FIG. 17 shows the results of an in vivo tumor inhibition assay involving AME33 antibody and C2B8 antibody described in Example 9.

Claims (8)

The anti- CD20 antibody or antibody fragment has a binding affinity (K _d ) of 5.0 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ M or less for human CD20 and 5.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ s ⁻¹ or less for human CD20. An anti- CD20 antibody or antibody fragment having a dissociation rate (k _off ):
a) i) the CDRL1 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;
ii) a CDRL2 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; and iii) a light chain variable region comprising the CDRL3 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19;
b) i) the CDRH1 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;
A composition comprising an anti- CD20 antibody or antibody fragment comprising: ii) a CDRH2 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39; and iii) a heavy chain variable region comprising the CDRH3 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57.   2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the light chain variable region comprises a fully human framework or a human germline framework.   2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the heavy chain variable region comprises a fully human framework or a human germline framework.   The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59, and the heavy chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61.   The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light chain variable region consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59, and the heavy chain variable region consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61.   Use of the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for the preparation of a composition for treating B-cell lymphoma.   Use of a composition according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.   A pharmaceutical preparation comprising the composition according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

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