| abstract |
The present invention provides an isolated monoclonal antibody that specifically binds LAG-3 and has optimized functional properties compared to previously described anti-LAG-3 antibodies (eg, antibody 25F7, US 2011/0150892 A1). These properties include reduced deamination sites and physical (ie, thermal and chemical) stability while retaining high affinity binding to human LAG-3. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells, and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided, as well as immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules, and pharmaceutical compositions including the antibodies. The invention also provides a method for detecting LAG-3 and a method for stimulating an immune response using the anti-LAG-3 antibody of the invention. Combination therapies are also provided in which the antibodies are co-administered with at least one other immunostimulatory antibody. |