Dual Blockade of Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-17A Reduces Murine Arthritis Pathogenesis but Also Leads to Spontaneous Skin Infections in Nonhuman Primates

Despite the efficacy of biologics for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many patients show inadequate responses and likely require neutralization of multiple mediators. Neutralization of both interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-17A with monoclonal antibodies showed greater efficacy than either agent alone in a mouse arthritis model with cooperative inhibition of key inflammatory factors, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)1. Given the potential clinical benefit in RA, we generated a human dual variable domain antibody Ig, ABBV-615, capable of simultaneous binding and neutralization of IL-1 β and IL-17A. ABBV-615 was characterized and evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys for pharmacokinetics and toxicity to enable clinical development. ABBV-615 exhibited affinities (K D ) of 12 and 3 pM on human IL-1 β and IL-17A, respectively, and potencies (IC 50 ) of 3 and 58 pM, respectively, as well as excellent drug-like properties. ABBV-615 pharmacokinetics in cynomolgus monkeys was dose proportional from 20 to 100 mg/kg with a mean half-life of 16 days. However, a 13-week repeat-dose toxicity study in cynomolgus monkeys revealed time-dependent spontaneous infections exclusively in skin at all doses tested and not historically seen with single-agent anti–IL-1 α / β or anti–IL-17A. Consistent with reduced resistance to skin infections, IL-1 β – and IL-17A–stimulated human keratinocytes demonstrate cooperative or compensatory production of key antibacterial and inflammatory mediators such as lipocalin-2, G-CSF, CXCL1, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor, and IL-6, which aid in defense against skin bacterial infections. These results illustrate the skin-specific antimicrobial mechanisms of IL-1 β and IL-17A and highlight the importance of understanding unique combinatorial effects of biologic agents.