Mesothelin/CD3 Half-Life–Extended Bispecific T-Cell Engager Molecule Shows Specific Tumor Uptake and Distributes to Mesothelin and CD3-Expressing Tissues

BiTE ^® (bispecific T-cell engager) molecules exert antitumor activity by binding one arm to CD3 on cytotoxic T-cells and the other arm to a tumor-associated antigen. We generated a fully mouse cross-reactive mesothelin (MSLN)-targeted BiTE molecule that is genetically fused to a Fc-domain for half-life extension, and evaluated biodistribution and tumor targeting of a zirconium-89 (⁸⁹Zr)-labeled MSLN HLE BiTE molecule in 4T1 breast cancer bearing syngeneic mice with positron emission tomography (PET). Biodistribution of 50 µg ⁸⁹Zr-MLSN HLE BiTE was studied over time by PET imaging in BALB/c mice and revealed uptake in tumor and lymphoid tissues with an elimination half-life of 63.4 hours. Compared to a non-targeting ⁸⁹Zr-control HLE BiTE, the ⁸⁹Zr-MLSN HLE BiTE showed a 2-fold higher tumor uptake and higher uptake in lymphoid tissues. Uptake in the tumor colocalized with mesothelin expression, while uptake in the spleen colocalized with CD3 expression. Evaluation of the effect of protein doses on the biodistribution and tumor targeting of ⁸⁹Zr-MSLN HLE BiTE revealed for all dose groups that uptake in the spleen was faster than in the tumor (day 1 vs day 5). The lowest dose of 10 µg ⁸⁹Zr-MSLN HLE BiTE had higher spleen uptake and faster blood clearance compared to higher doses of 50 µg and 200 µg. ⁸⁹Zr-MSLN HLE BiTE tumor uptake was similar at all doses. Conclusion: The MSLN HLE BiTE showed specific tumor uptake and both arms contributed to the biodistribution profile. These findings support the potential for clinical translation of HLE BiTE molecules.