Methods for treating cancer using anti-PD-1 antibodies in combination with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies

• US 9,358,289 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2014
• Issued: 06/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ER Squibb & Sons LLC (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company), ONO Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• Original Assignee: ER Squibb & Sons LLC (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company), ONO Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• Inventors: Korman, Alan J., Srinivasan, Mohan, Wang, Changyu, Selby, Mark J., Chen, Bingliang, Cardarelli, Josephine M., Huang, Haichun
• Primary Examiner(s): OUSPENSKI, ILIA I
• Application Number:
  US14/227,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20140212422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/505 comprising antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/507 Comprising a combination of two or more separate antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/00 Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies materials for immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/3955 against proteinaceous materials, e.g. enzymes, hormones, lymphokines
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/39558 against tumor tissues, cells, antigens
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6849 the antibody targeting a receptor, a cell surface antigen or a cell surface determinant
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/10 Antibodies or immunoglobulins; Fragments thereof , the carrier being an antibody, an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, e.g. a camelised human single domain antibody or the Fc fragment of an antibody
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/06 Antianaemics
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/18 against material from animals or humans
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/28 against receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/2803 against the immunoglobulin superfamily
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/2818 against CD28 or CD152
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/468 Immunoglobulins having two or more different antigen binding sites, e.g. multifunctional antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/21 from primates, e.g. man
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/24 containing regions, domains or residues from different species, e.g. chimeric, humanized or veneered
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/33 Crossreactivity, e.g. for species or epitope, or lack of said crossreactivity
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/52 Constant or Fc region; Isotype
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/56 variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/565 Complementarity determining region [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/73 Inducing cell death, e.g. apoptosis, necrosis or inhibition of cell proliferation
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/732 : Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity [ADCC]
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/74 : Inducing cell proliferation
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/75 : Agonist effect on antigen
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/76 : Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/92 : Affinity (KD), association rate (Ka), dissociation rate (Kd) or EC50 value
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/94 : Stability, e.g. half-life, pH, temperature or enzyme-resistance
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/30 : Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change

Abstract

The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that specifically bind to PD-1 with high affinity. 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. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for detecting PD-1, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, using anti-PD-1 antibodies. The present invention further provides methods for using a combination immunotherapy, such as the combination of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies, to treat hyperproliferative disease, such as cancer. The invention also provides methods for altering adverse events related to treatment with such antibodies individually.

Claims

1. A method of inhibiting tumor growth in a subject having a tumor that does not express PD-L1 comprising administering to the subject a combination of a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof inhibits growth of the tumor in the subject.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof exhibits a synergistic effect on inhibiting tumor growth compared to the tumor growth inhibition exhibited by administering a therapeutic dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone or a therapeutic dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone.

3. A method of reducing the size of a tumor that does not express PD-L1 in a subject having said tumor comprising administering to the subject a combination of a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof reduces the size of the tumor in the subject.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof exhibits a synergistic effect on reducing the tumor size compared to the tumor size reduction exhibited by administering a therapeutic dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone or a therapeutic dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone.

5. A method of treating cancer in a subject having a tumor that does not express PD-L1 comprising administering to the subject a combination of a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof treats cancer in the subject.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof exhibits a synergistic therapeutic effect on cancer treatment compared to the cancer treatment effect exhibited by administering a therapeutic dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone or a therapeutic dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

9. A method of inhibiting tumor growth in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a combination of a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof;

wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof, the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof, or both doses are subtherapeutic doses; and

wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof inhibits tumor growth in the subject.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof exhibits a synergistic effect on inhibiting tumor growth compared to the tumor growth inhibition exhibited by administering a therapeutic dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone or a therapeutic dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a therapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

13. A method of reducing the size of a tumor in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a combination of a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof;

wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof, the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof, or both doses are subtherapeutic doses; and

wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof reduces the tumor size in the subject.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof exhibits a synergistic effect on reducing the tumor size compared to the tumor size reduction exhibited by administering a therapeutic dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone or a therapeutic dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a therapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

17. A method of treating cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a combination of a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof;

wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof, the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof, or both doses are subtherapeutic doses; and

wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof treats cancer in the subject.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof exhibits a synergistic therapeutic effect on cancer treatment compared to the cancer treatment effect exhibited by administering a therapeutic dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone or a therapeutic dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof alone.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a therapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

29. The method of claim 5 or 17, wherein the cancer is selected from melanoma, lung cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and fibrosarcoma.

30. The method of claim 5 or 17, wherein the cancer is bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the head or neck, cutaneous or intraocular malignant melanoma, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, rectal cancer, cancer of the anal region, stomach cancer, testicular cancer, uterine cancer, carcinoma of the fallopian tubes, carcinoma of the endometrium, carcinoma of the cervix, carcinoma of the vagina, carcinoma of the vulva, Hodgkin'"'"'s Disease, non-Hodgkin'"'"'s lymphoma, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the small intestine, cancer of the endocrine system, cancer of the thyroid gland, cancer of the parathyroid gland, cancer of the adrenal gland, sarcoma of soft tissue, cancer of the urethra, cancer of the penis, chronic or acute leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, solid tumors of childhood, lymphocytic lymphoma, cancer of the bladder, cancer of the kidney or ureter, carcinoma of the renal pelvis, neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS), primary CNS lymphoma, tumor angiogenesis, spinal axis tumor, brain stem glioma, pituitary adenoma, Kaposi'"'"'s sarcoma, epidermoid cancer, squamous cell cancer, T-cell lymphoma, environmentally induced cancers including those induced by asbestos, and combinations of said cancers.

31. The method of any one of claims 5, 17, and 24, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is administered concurrently as a single composition or as separate compositions.

32. The method of any one of claims 5, 17, and 24, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is administered sequentially.

33. The method of any one of claims 5, 17, and 24, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof cross-competes for binding to human PD-1 with a reference antibody comprising:

(a) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

15;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

22;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

29;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

36;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

43; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

50;

(b) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

16;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

23;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

30;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

37;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

44; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

51;

(c) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

17;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

24;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

31;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

38;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

45; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

52;

(d) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

18;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

25;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

32;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

39;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

46; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

53;

(e) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

19;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

26;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

33;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

40;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

47; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

54;

(f) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

20;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

27;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

34;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

41;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

48; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

55;

or

(g) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

21;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

28;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

35;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

42;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

49; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

56.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the reference antibody comprises:

a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

1 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

8;

b) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

2 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

9;

c) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

3 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

10;

d) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

4 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

11;

e) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

5 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

12;

f) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

6 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

13;

or

g) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

7 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEO ID NO;

14.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the reference antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

4 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

11.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof exhibits one or more of the following properties:

(i) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 1×

10<sup>−

8</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis;

(ii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an on rate (k_on) of about 0.76×

10⁵ I/Ms or more, wherein the on rate (k_on) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis; and

(iii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an off rate (k_off) of about 4.5×

10<sup>−

4</sup> l/s or less, wherein the off rate (k_off) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 5×

10<sup>−

9</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof has the following properties:

(i) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis;

(ii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an on rate (k_{on) of about} 0.76×

10⁵ I/Ms or more, wherein the on rate (k_on) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis; and

(iii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an off rate (k_off) of about 4.5×

10<sup>−

4</sup> l/s or less, wherein the off rate (k_off) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

40. The method of any one of claims 5, 17, and 24, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprises:

(a) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

15;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

22;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

29;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

36;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

43; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

50;

(b) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

16;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

23;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

30;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

37;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

44; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

51;

(c) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

17;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

24;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

31;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

38;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

45; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

52;

(d) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

18;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

25;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

32;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

39;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

46; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

53;

(e) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

19;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

26;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

33;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

40;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

47; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

54;

(f) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

20;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

27;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

34;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

41;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

48; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

55;

or

(g) a heavy chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

21;

a heavy chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

28;

a heavy chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

35;

a light chain CDR1 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

42;

a light chain CDR2 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

49; and

a light chain CDR3 comprising amino acids having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

56.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprises:

a) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

1 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

8;

b) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

2 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

9;

c) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

3 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

10;

d) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

4 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

11;

e) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

5 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

12;

f) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

6 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

13;

or

g) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

7 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

14.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

4 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

11.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof has one or more properties:

(i) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 1×

10<sup>−

8</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis;

(ii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an on rate (k_on) of about 0.76×

10⁵ I/Ms or more, wherein the on rate (k_on) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis; and

(iii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an off rate (k_off) of about 4.5×

10<sup>−

4</sup> l/s or less, wherein the off rate (k_off) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 5×

10<sup>−

9</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof has the following properties:

(i) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with a K_D of 1×

10<sup>−

9</sup> M or less, wherein the K_D is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis;

(ii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an on rate (k_on) of about 0.76×

10⁵ I/Ms or more, wherein the on rate (k_on) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis; and

(iii) the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds to human PD-1 with an off rate (k_off) of about 4.5×

10<sup>−

4</sup> l/s or less, wherein the off rate (k_off) is measured by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) analysis.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, which comprises EIVLTQSPATLSLSPGERATLSC (SEQ ID NO:

75) containing one amino acid mutation.

48. The method of any one of claims 5, 17, and 24, wherein the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

4 and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO;

11.

49. The method of any one of claims 5, 17, and 24, wherein the anti-CTLA-4 antibody is human monoclonal antibody 10D1.

21. A method of conferring persistent immunity to tumor relapse in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a combination of a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof, wherein the combination of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof and the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof confers persistent immunity to tumor relapse.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a therapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the dose of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose and the dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof is a subtherapeutic dose.

24. A method of reducing the incidence of an adverse event induced by a therapeutic dose of an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof in treating a hyperproliferative disease, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering (i) a dose of an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof and (ii) a subtherapeutic dose of the anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof to the subject, wherein the subject exhibits a reduction in the adverse event after the administration.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the adverse event induced by the anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof comprises colitis, diarrhea, rash, pruritis, esophagitis, duodenitis, ileitis, or any combination thereof.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising administering a non-absorbable steroid to the subject.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the non-absorbable steroid is a corticosteroid.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the non-absorbable steroid is administered prior to the administration of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof or the anti-CTLA-4 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof.