The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alters barrier function in 2D static and 3D microfluidic in-vitro models of the human blood-brain barrier.

As researchers across the globe have focused their attention on understanding SARS-CoV-2, the picture that is emerging is that of a virus that has serious effects on the vasculature in multiple organ systems including the cerebral vasculature. Observed effects on the central nervous system include neurological symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness), fatal microclot formation and in rare cases encephalitis. However, our understanding of how the virus causes these mild to severe neurological symptoms and how the cerebral vasculature is impacted remains unclear. Thus, the results presented in this report explored whether deleterious outcomes from the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein on primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMVECs) could be observed. The spike protein, which plays a key role in receptor recognition, is formed by the S1 subunit containing a receptor binding domain (RBD) and the S2 subunit. First, using postmortem brain tissue, we show that the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 or ACE2 (a known binding target for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein), is ubiquitously expressed throughout various vessel calibers in the frontal cortex. Moreover, ACE2 expression was upregulated in cases of hypertension and dementia. ACE2 was also detectable in primary hBMVECs maintained under cell culture conditions. Analysis of cell viability revealed that neither the S1, S2 or a truncated form of the S1 containing only the RBD had minimal effects on hBMVEC viability within a 48 h exposure window. Introduction of spike proteins to invitro models of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) showed significant changes to barrier properties. Key to our findings is the demonstration that S1 promotes loss of barrier integrity in an advanced 3D microfluidic model of the human BBB, a platform that more closely resembles the physiological conditions at this CNS interface. Evidence provided suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins trigger a pro-inflammatory response on brain endothelial cells that may contribute to an altered state of BBB function. Together, these results are the first to show the direct impact that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could have on brain endothelial cells; thereby offering a plausible explanation for the neurological consequences seen in COVID-19 patients

Results from a phase 1a/1b study of botensilimab (BOT), a novel innate/adaptive immune activator, plus balstilimab (BAL; anti-PD-1 antibody) in metastatic heavily pretreated microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS CRC)

LBA8 Background: BOT promotes optimized T cell priming, activation and memory formation by strengthening antigen presenting cell/T cell co-engagement. As an Fc-enhanced next-generation anti–CTLA-4 antibody, BOT also promotes intratumoral regulatory T cell depletion and reduces complement fixation. We present results from patients with MSS CRC treated with BOT + BAL in an expanded phase 1a/1b study; NCT03860272. Methods: Patients (pts) with metastatic MSS CRC received BOT 1 or 2 mg/kg every 6 weeks (Q6W) + BAL 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Crossover from monotherapy to combination therapy was permitted (rescue) as well as fixed-dosing (150 mg BOT Q6W + 450 mg BAL every 3 weeks). Results: Fifty-nine combination pts were evaluable for efficacy/safety (treated as of 19 May 2022 with ≥1 Q6W imaging assessment), including one rescue and one fixed-dose pt. Median pt age was 57 (range, 25-83), 58% were female, and 76% received at least three prior lines of therapy including prior immunotherapy (34%). Median follow-up was 6.4 months (range, 1.6-29.5). In all pts, objective response rate (ORR) was 22% (95% CI, 12-35), disease control rate (DCR) was 73% (95% CI, 60-84), and median duration of response (DOR) was not reached (NR), with 9/13 responses ongoing. The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 61% (95% CI, 42-75), with median OS NR. Of the 13 responders, 9 had RAS mutations (7 KRAS, 2 NRAS), 0 had BRAF mutations, 0/10 had a TMB of ≥10 mutations/Mb, and 1/7 was PD-L1 positive (≥1% combined positive score). A subgroup analysis was conducted by the dose of BOT received . In 1 mg/kg pts (n=8), ORR was 38% (3/8; 95% CI, 9-76) and DCR was 100% (8/8; 95% CI, 63-100); in 2 mg/kg pts (n=50), ORR was 20% (10/50; 95% CI, 10-34) and DCR was 70% (35/50; 95% CI, 55-82). All grade treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 88% of pts, including grade 3 in 32%, and grade 4 in 2% of pts. Diarrhea/colitis was the only grade 3/4 TRAE occurring in more than three pts (15% grade 3, 2% grade 4). The most common grade 3 TRAEs outside of diarrhea/colitis were fatigue (5%) and pyrexia (5%). There were no grade 5 TRAEs reported. Fifteen percent of pts had a TRAE leading to discontinuation of BOT alone and 12% had a TRAE leading to discontinuation of both BOT + BAL. Conclusions: In heavily pretreated metastatic MSS CRC pts, BOT + BAL continues to demonstrate promising clinical activity with durable responses and was well tolerated with no new immune-mediated safety signals. A larger pt set, analyses by subgroup, and additional translational data will be presented at the meeting. A randomized phase 2 trial in MSS CRC pts is enrolling (NCT05608044). Clinical trial information: NCT03860272