Faculty Collaboration Database

NNKTT120, an anti-iNKT cell monoclonal antibody, produces rapid and sustained iNKT cell depletion in adults with sickle cell disease. PLoS One 2017;12(2):e0171067

Date

02/06/2017

Pubmed ID

28152086

Pubmed Central ID

PMC5289534

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0171067

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85011371566 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   26 Citations

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells can be activated to stimulate a broad inflammatory response. In murine models of sickle cell disease (SCD), interruption of iNKT cell activity prevents tissue injury from vaso-occlusion. NKTT120 is an anti-iNKT cell monoclonal antibody that has the potential to rapidly and specifically deplete iNKT cells and, potentially, prevent vaso-occlusion. We conducted an open-label, multi-center, single-ascending-dose study of NKTT120 to determine its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety in steady-state patients with SCD. Doses were escalated in a 3+3 study design over a range from 0.001 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg. Twenty-one adults with SCD were administered NKTT120 as part of 7 dose cohorts. Plasma levels of NKTT120 predictably increased with higher doses. Median half-life of NKTT120 was 263 hours. All subjects in the higher dose cohorts (0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, and 1 mg/kg) demonstrated decreased iNKT cells below the lower limit of quantification within 6 hours after infusion, the earliest time point at which they were measured. In those subjects who received the two highest doses of NKTT120 (0.3, 1 mg/kg), iNKT cells were not detectable in the peripheral blood for a range of 2 to 5 months. There were no serious adverse events in the study deemed to be related to NKTT120. In adults with SCD, NKTT120 produced rapid, specific and sustained iNKT cell depletion without any infusional toxicity or attributed serious adverse events. The next step is a trial to determine NKTT120's ability to decrease rate of vaso-occlusive pain episodes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01783691.

Author List

Field JJ, Majerus E, Ataga KI, Vichinsky EP, Schaub R, Mashal R, Nathan DG

Author

Joshua J. Field MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Anemia, Sickle Cell
Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Child
Cohort Studies
Female
Half-Life
Humans
Lymphocyte Depletion
Male
Natural Killer T-Cells
Young Adult