HDP-101, anti-BCMA antibody-drug conjugate, safely delivers amanitin to induce cell death in proliferating and resting multiple myeloma cells

Abstract

Despite major treatment advances in recent years, patients with multiple myeloma inevitably relapse. The RNA polymerase II complex has been identified as a promising therapeutic target in both proliferating and dormant cancer cells. Alpha-amanitin, a toxin so far without clinical application due to high liver toxicity, specifically inhibits this complex. We here describe the development of HDP-101, an anti-BCMA antibody conjugated with an amanitin derivative. HDP-101 displayed high efficacy against both proliferating and resting myeloma cells in vitro, sparing BCMA negative cells. In subcutaneous and disseminated murine xenograft models, HDP-101 induced tumor regression at low doses, including durable complete remissions after a single iv dose. In cynomolgus monkeys, HDP-101 was well-tolerated with a promising therapeutic index. In conclusion, HDP-101 safely and selectively delivers amanitin to myeloma cells and provides a novel therapeutic approach to overcome drug resistance in this disease.