The Anti-ROR1 Monoclonal Antibody Zilovertamab Inhibits the Proliferation of Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer Cells

Abstract

The non-canonical Wnt signalling receptor ROR1 is aberrantly expressed in numerous cancers, including ovarian and endometrial cancer. We previously reported that silencing ROR1 could inhibit the proliferation and metastatic potential of ovarian and endometrial cancer cells in vitro. Zilovertamab is an ROR1-targeting humanised monoclonal antibody, with demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials of several ROR1-related malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of zilovertamab alone, or in combination with commonly utilised gynaecological cancer therapies (cisplatin, paclitaxel and the PARP inhibitor—Olaparib) on high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), including models of platinum resistance and homologous recombination deficiency (CaOV3, CaOV3CisR, PEO1 and PEO4) and endometrial cancer (EC) cell lines (Ishikawa and KLE). The effect of zilovertamab (at 25 µg/mL or 50 µg/mL) +/− agents was investigated using the IncuCyte S3 Live Cell imaging system. Zilovertamab alone inhibited the proliferation of HGSOC and EC cells in vitro, including in models of platinum resistance and homologous recombination deficiency. In general, the addition of commonly used chemotherapies to a fixed dose of zilovertamab did not enhance the observed anti-proliferative activity. This study supports the potential of zilovertamab, or other ROR1-targeting therapies, for treating women with HGSOC and EC.

Keywords

• ROR1
• zilovertamab
• cirmtuzumab
• ovarian cancer
• endometrial cancer