What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to develop and characterize a bispecific antibody-drug conjugate that targets both NECTIN4 and PD-L1 to treat locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma.

April 5, 2026

Abstract 5855: NECTIN4×PD-L1 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate integrating checkpoint blockade and targeted cytotoxicity for urothelial carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma

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This research aims to develop and characterize a bispecific antibody-drug conjugate that targets both NECTIN4 and PD-L1 to treat locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Engineered a bispecific ADC using the Dong-A ST platform.
Conducted binding affinity and internalization studies in NECTIN4-positive cells.
Utilized scRNA-seq and multiplex IHC to analyze NECTIN4/PD-L1 co-expression and tumor heterogeneity.
Tested in vitro cytotoxicity across different tumor models with MMAE and exatecan payloads.
Preliminary in vivo testing for tumor growth inhibition in xenograft models.
Observed intra-patient and inter-patient variability in NECTIN4 and PD-L1 expression.
The bispecific ADC showed high-affinity binding and efficient internalization in target cells.
Confirmed potent PD-1/PD-L1 blockade activity in reporter assays.
In vitro studies demonstrated effective cytotoxicity against NECTIN4-high and PD-L1-high tumors.
Preliminary in vivo results indicated dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition with acceptable tolerability.

Resumen

Abstract Background: The first-line approval of enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab validates the clinical rationale for combining ADCs with ICIs. However, administering two separate agents poses challenges in cost, compliance, toxicity management, and in achieving comprehensive coverage of target and immune heterogeneity. To address these limitations, we engineered a NECTIN4×PD-L1 bispecific ADC using Dong-A ST BsAb platform with an enhanced knob-into-hole (eKiH) interface that integrates NECTIN4-directed cytotoxic delivery with PD-L1 axis blockade in a single molecule. The molecule was designed to overcome resistance and spatial heterogeneity in locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) and LUSC. Methods: High-affinity NECTIN4 and PD-L1 antibody leads were identified and assembled into Dong-A ST BsAb platform. Site-selective conjugation was applied to generate ADCs bearing MMAE, exatecan, or dual-payload configurations. Functional characterization included: (i) binding affinity and competition to both targets, (ii) internalization and payload release in NECTIN4-positive cells, and (iii) PD-1/PD-L1 reporter assays and T-cell co-culture cytotoxicity. To support clinical translation, scRNA-seq and tissue microarray-based mIHC were performed on bladder cancer and LUSC cohorts to evaluate NECTIN4/PD-L1 co-expression, spatial heterogeneity, and correlations with immune infiltration and checkpoint pathways. Results: scRNA-seq revealed intra-patient coexistence of NECTIN4-only, PD-L1-only, and co-expressing tumor subpopulations, with notable inter-patient variability. Multiplex IHC confirmed mosaic and cluster-type spatial heterogeneity. The bispecific ADC maintained high-affinity binding to both targets, exhibited efficient internalization and payload release in NECTIN4-positive cells, and preserved potent PD-1/PD-L1 blockade activity in reporter assays. ADCs carrying MMAE, exatecan, or dual payloads demonstrated consistent in vitro cytotoxicity across NECTIN4-high, PD-L1-high, and co-expressing tumor models, along with enhanced T cell-mediated tumor killing in co-culture. Preliminary in vivo studies showed dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition in bladder cancer and LUSC xenograft models with acceptable tolerability (detailed results pending final analysis). Conclusions: This NECTIN4×PD-L1 bispecific ADC integrates targeted cytotoxicity (NECTIN4) and checkpoint blockade (PD-L1) into a single therapeutic agent, rationally designed to provide catch-all activity against target and immune microenvironment heterogeneity in la/mUC and LUSC. The preclinical data support evaluation as an early-line therapeutic strategy that could complement or substitute separate ADC+ICI combinations. Citation Format: Kyoung-Ho Pyo, Seong-Hyun Park, Dongsop Lee, Haneol Kim, Younggyu Kong, Younggeun Lee, Hojin Yeom, Sowon Aum, Sun Hee Park, Huijo Oh, Cheyeon Kim, Hyeonseok Jin, Aera Lee, Hojeong Hong, Ju Hwan Kim, Hyungseok Choi, Mi-Kyung Kim, Taedong Han. NECTIN4×PD-L1 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate integrating checkpoint blockade and targeted cytotoxicity for urothelial carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 5855.

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