Phase I study of immunization with dendritic cells modified with fowlpox encoding carcinoembryonic antigen and costimulatory molecules.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and immunologic and clinical efficacy of a dendritic cell vaccine modified to hyperexpress costimulatory molecules and tumor antigen.


METHODS
In this phase I study, we administered one or two cycles of four triweekly s.c./intradermal injections of ex vivo generated dendritic cells modified with a recombinant fowlpox vector encoding carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and a triad of costimulatory molecules [rF-CEA(6D)-TRICOM]. Controls consisted of immature dendritic cells loaded with tetanus toxoid and a HLA A2-restricted peptide derived from cytomegalovirus pp65 protein.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients (11 with colorectal cancer and 3 with non-small cell lung cancer) were enrolled and 12 completed at least one cycle of immunization. There were no grade 3/4 toxicities directly referable to the immunizations. One patient had a decrease in the CEA level from 46 to 6.8 and a minor regression in adenopathy that occurred several months after completion of the immunizations. Five other patients were stable through at least one cycle of immunization (3 months). Direct analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the ELISpot assay showed an increase in the frequency of CEA-specific T cells in 10 patients (range, 10-541 CEA-specific cells/10(5) peripheral blood mononuclear cells). There was a trend for a greater peak frequency of CEA-specific T cells among those with either a minor response or a stable disease following at least one cycle of therapy. A second cycle was not associated with higher T-cell frequencies. Cytokine flow cytometry showed CEA-specific immune response among both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in all immune responders.


CONCLUSIONS
This immunization strategy is safe and activates potent CEA-specific immune responses.
Morse
Michael A
MA
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. michael.morse@duke.edu
Clay
Timothy M
TM
Hobeika
Amy C
AC
Osada
Takuya
T
Khan
Shubi
S
Chui
Stephen
S
Niedzwiecki
Donna
D
Panicali
Dennis
D
Schlom
Jeffrey
J
Lyerly
H Kim
HK
D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018968:CD58 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005587:Fowlpox virus / Q000235:genetics; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000379:methods; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1