Anti CCR8 antibody therapy: biomarkers and combination therapies

The present invention relates to tools and methods for the generation of antibodies which specifically bind chemokine receptors, such as CC or CXC chemokine receptors. Provided are isolated sulfated polypeptides and conjugates thereof, which can be used for example as antigens or for off target panning to facilitate the generation of anti-human, anti-cynomolgus, and/or anti-mouse chemokine receptor antibodies, e.g. for the generation of antibodies with fully human CDRs and/or other favorable properties for therapeutic use. The present invention furthermore relates to antibodies and conjugates thereof which can be obtained by applying the aforementioned tools and methods. Provided are antibodies specifically binding to human, cynomolgus and/or murine CCR8 with favorable properties for therapeutic use, such as cross-reactive antibodies, fully human antibodies, low internalizing (including non-internalizing) antibodies, and antibodies efficiently inducing ADCC and/or ADCP in Treg cells. Also provided are medical uses of the inventive antibodies or conjugates and/or treatment methods comprising the administration of these antibodies to a patient or subject, either alone or in combination. Biomarkers, stratification methods and diagnostic methods are finally provided to predict or evaluate responsiveness to anti-CCR8 antibody monotherapy or combination therapy. The invention furthermore provides tools and methods for producing the foregoing antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic uses of the antibodies, and kits with instructions for use.