Characterization of a novel anti-human lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) antibody for cancer immunotherapy

Lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) is expressed on activated T cells, natural killer cells or B cells, and functions to negatively regulate homeostasis of these cells. Anti-LAG-3 antibodies might be useful for antitumor immunotherapy. In this study, we characterized a novel anti-LAG-3 antibody, LBL-007, which was isolated from a human antibody phage display library. LBL-007 was found to specifically bind to human LAG-3 antigen, but not to human CD4 or mouse LAG-3. LBL-007 bound activated T cells and promoted interleukin-2 secretion. LBL-007 internalization efficacy by endocytosis into different cells was better than that of another anti-LAG-3 antibody, relatlimab analog. Moreover, LBL-007 was able to block LAG-3 binding to MHC class II molecules and liver sinusoidal endothelial cell lectin, and block LAG-3-induced downstream signaling. In mice transplanted with colorectal cancer cells, treatment with either anti-PD-1 antibody or LBL-007 (10 mg/kg per mouse twice a week for three weeks) resulted in a significant delay in tumor growth compared with control IgG treatment, and their combination was even more effective. Serum LBL-007 levels were highly stable in monkeys after a single intravenous injection of LBL-007 at 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg. This study demonstrated that the combination of LBL-007 with an anti-PD-1 antibody is a promising antitumor regimen for immunotherapy of solid tumors in future that deserves further study.