CD20/TNFR1 dual-targeting antibody enhances lysosome rupture-mediated cell death in B cell lymphoma

Obinutuzumab is a therapeutic antibody for B cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (BNHL), which is a glyco-engineered anti-CD20 antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and causes binding-induced direct cell death (DCD) through lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP). Tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), a pro-inflammatory death receptor, also evokes cell death, partly through lysosomal rupture. As both obinutuzumab- and TNFR1-induced cell deaths are mediated by LMP and combining TNFR1 and obinutuzumab can amplify LMP-mediated cell death, we made dual-targeting antibody for CD20 and TNFR1 to enhance DCD of obinutuzumab. Obinutuzumab treatment-induced CD20 and TNFR1 colocalisation, and TNFR1-overexpressing cells showed increased obinutuzumab-induced DCD. Two targeting modes, anti-CD20/TNFR1 bispecific antibodies (bsAbs), and obinutuzumab-TNFα fusion proteins (OBI-TNFα WT and OBI-TNFα MUT ), were designed to cluster CD20 and TNFR1 on the plasma membrane. OBI-TNFα WT and OBI-TNFα MUT showed significantly enhanced LMP, DCD, and ADCC compared with that induced by obinutuzumab. TNFR1 expression is upregulated in many BNHL subtypes compared to that in normal B cells; OBI-TNFα MUT specifically increased DCD and ADCC in a B cell lymphoma cell line overexpressing TNFR1. Further, OBI-TNFα MUT blocked NF-κB activation in the presence of TNF-α, implying that it can antagonise the proliferative role of TNF-α in cancers. Our study suggests that dual targeting of CD20 and TNFR1 can be a new therapeutic strategy for improving BNHL treatment. The OBI-TNFα MUT fusion protein enhances DCD and ADCC and prevents the proliferating effect of TNFα signalling; therefore, it may provide precision treatment for patients with BNHL, especially those with upregulated TNFR1 expression. Graphical Abstract