oNKo-001: A reduced potency IL-12 Fc fusion protein with enhanced therapeutic index

Introduction

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent inflammatory cytokine that exhibits broad acting immunomodulatory effects including the activation and proliferation of T and NK cells, induction of Th1 differentiation, inhibition or reprogramming of suppressive cells such as TAMs and Tregs, and induction of MHC-I expression on tumour cells (Figure 1). While IL-12 displays remarkable anti-tumour activity in syngeneic tumour models, its clinical development has been hampered by severe toxicities associated with the activation of circulating immune cells. Here, we present a series of reduced potency IL-12 Fc fusion proteins engineered to minimise toxicity whilst retaining on-tumour activity and exhibiting an enhanced pharmacokinetic profile.

Conclusions:

  • A series of human IL-12 Fc reduced potency variants were generated in a monovalent Fc fusion format.
  • Reduced potency IL-12 Fc variants demonstrate superior pharmacokinetics and exhibit robust anti-tumour activity in in vivo models, whilst reducing toxicity associated with the activation of circulating immune cells.
  • Compared to WT IL-12 Fc, reduced potency variants increase the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g. IFN-ɣ) in the tumour relative to the periphery, indicating that potency reductions in IL-12 are associated with an increase in its therapeutic index.

For the full poster PDF click here or on the image below.

Author
Richard Berry

VP, Biotherapeutics

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