CD47-CD38 BISPECIFIC ANTIBODIES
Novel bispecific heterodimeric immunoglobulins that target both a component of the human CD47 antigen and human CD38 antigen are provided and in particular those comprising an anti-CD38 heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region and an anti-CD47 heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region. The present invention also relates to the use of this novel class of bispecific heterodimeric immunoglobulins to treat autoimmune and proliferative diseases and in particular cancers such as hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
1 . An antibody or an antibody fragment, which specifically binds to a conformational epitope on a human CD38 consisting of 4 to 20 amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 304 selected from the group consisting of amino acids at positions 198, 202, 228, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, and combination thereof, or selected from the group consisting of amino acids at positions 61, 64, 65, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83.
2 . The antibody or an antibody fragment of claim 1 , wherein said conformational epitope consists of Glu198, Asp202, His228, Gln231, Pro232, Glu233, Lys234, Val235, Gln236, Ile265, Ser267, Lys268, Arg269 and Asn270.
3 . The antibody or an antibody fragment of claim 1 , wherein said conformational epitope consists of Glu61, Leu64, Ala65, Val68, Lys69, Thr71, Glu72, Ile73, Pro75, Arg78, His79, Val80, Asp81, Cys82 and Gln83.
4 . The antibody or an antibody fragment of claim 4 , comprising a heavy chain of amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 or 57, and/or a light chain of amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10.
5 . An antibody or an antibody fragment which specifically binds to a confirmational epitope on a human CD38, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment is capable of inhibiting the binding to human CD38 the antibody of claim 4 .