First studies on tumor associated carbonic anhydrases IX and XII monoclonal antibodies conjugated to small molecule inhibitors

We report for the first time Antibody-Drug-Conjugates (ADCs) containing human (h) Carbonic Anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) directed Monoclonal Antibodies (MAbs) linked to low molecular weight inhibitors of the same enzymes by means of hydrophilic peptide spacers. In agreement with the incorporated CA directed MAb fragments, in vitro inhibition data of the obtained ADCs showed sub-nanomolar KI values for the tumour associated CAs IX and XII which were up to 10-fold more potent when compared to the corresponding unconjugated MAbs. In addition, the introduction of the CA inhibitor (CAI) benzenesulfonamide allowed the ADCs to potently inhibit the housekeeping tumoral off-target human CA II isoform. Such results are supporting the definition of an unprecedented reported class of ADCs able to hit simultaneously multiple hCAs physiologically cooperative in maintaining altered cellular metabolic pathways, and therefore ideal for the treatment of chronic diseases such as cancers and inflammation diseases.