Exploiting mesothelin in thymic carcinoma as a drug delivery target for anetumab ravtansine

Background Thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) are rare tumours comprised of thymomas and thymic carcinoma. Novel therapies are needed, especially in thymic carcinoma where the 5-year survival rate hovers at 30%. Mesothelin (MSLN), a surface glycoprotein that is cleaved to produce mature MSLN (mMSLN) and megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), is expressed in limited tissues. However, its expression is present in various cancers, including thymic carcinoma, where it is expressed in 79% of cases. Methods We utilised flow cytometry, in vitro cytotoxicity assays, and an in vivo xenograft model in order to demonstrate the ability of the MSLN targeting antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) anetumab ravtansine (ARav) in inhibiting the growth of thymic carcinoma. Results Thymoma and thymic carcinoma cell lines express MSLN, and anetumab, the antibody moiety of ARav, was capable of binding MSLN expressing thymic carcinoma cells and internalising. ARav was effective at inhibiting the growth of thymic carcinoma cells stably transfected with mMSLN in vitro. In vivo, 15 mg/kg ARav inhibited T1889 xenograft tumour growth, while combining 7.5 mg/kg ARav with 4 mg/kg cisplatin yielded an additive effect on inhibiting tumour growth. Conclusions These data demonstrate that anetumab ravtansine inhibits the growth of MSLN positive thymic carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.