Generation and evaluation of cancer binding capacity of HLA-A2-WT1 complex-targeting antibody

Wilms' tumor (WT1), a transcription factor highly expressed in various leukemias and solid tumors, is a highly specific intracellular tumor antigen, requiring presentation through complexation with HLA-restricted peptides.. WT1-derived epitopes are able to assemble with MHC-I and thereby be recognized by T cell receptors (TCR). Identification of new targetable epitopes derived from WT1 on solid tumors is a challenge, but meaningful for the development of therapeutics that could in this way target intracellular oncogenic proteins. In this study, we developed and comprehensively describe methods to validate the formation of the complex of WT1_126-134 and HLA-A2. Subsequently, we developed an antibody fragment able to recognize the extracellular complex on the surface of cancer cells. The single chain variable fragment (scFv) of an established TCR-mimic antibody, specifically recognizing the WT1-derived peptide presented by the HLA-A2 complex, was expressed, purified, and functionally validated using a T2 cell antigen presentation model. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of the WT1-derived peptide as a targetable extracellular antigen in multiple solid tumor cell lines. Our study describes methodology for the evaluation of WT1-derived peptides as tumor-specific antigen on solid tumors, and may facilitate the selection of potential candidates for future immunotherapy targeting WT1 epitopes.