Methods of using immunotherapeutics that bind folate receptor alpha
This disclosure describes methods of using proteins that specifically bind human folate receptor alpha (FRalpha) with high affinity. These proteins include a recombinant human anti-FRalpha IgG1 that is suitable for use as a therapeutic antibody to treat cancers that express FRalpha. Other FRalpha-binding proteins are also described including antibody fragments, antibody conjugates, and fusion proteins.
1. A method of treating cancer in a human subject, comprising:
administering an immunotherapeutic agent to the human subject, wherein the immunotherapeutic agent comprises an antibody that binds human folate receptor alpha, wherein said antibody comprises:
a first variable domain that further comprises a VH CDR1 region comprising SEQ ID NO: 5, a VH CDR2 region comprising SEQ ID NO: 6, and a VH CDR3 region comprising SEQ ID NO: 7; and
a second variable domain that further comprises a VL CDR1 region comprising SEQ ID NO: 8, a VL CDR2 region comprising SEQ ID NO: 9, and a VL CDR3 region comprising SEQ ID NO: 10.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first variable domain of the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 90 percent sequence homology with SEQ ID NO: 3; and
the second variable domain of the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence that has at least 90 percent sequence homology with SEQ ID NO: 4.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody is an IgG antibody.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the antibody comprises two heavy chains and two light chains;
each of the two heavy chains has at least 90 percent sequence homology with SEQ ID NO: 11; and
each of the two light chains has at least 90 percent sequence homology with SEQ ID NO: 12.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is epithelial ovarian cancer.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising identifying that a tissue sample of the human subject comprises either RNA encoding folate receptor alpha or folate receptor alpha protein prior to the administering.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the tissue sample is a blood sample.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the tissue sample is a biopsy.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administering is selected from intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, intraocular, parenteral, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, intralesional, and intratumoral administering.