title: Immuno-gene therapy of cancer with tumour-mRNA transfected dendritic cells.
abstract: We have developed immuno-gene therapy for malignant melanoma and prostate cancer. The therapy is based on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) that are transfected with autologous melanoma-mRNA or mRNA from three prostate cancer cell lines (DU-145, LN-CaP and PC-3). A broad spectrum of tumour-associated antigens will be included in both DC-vaccines. The use of autologous melanoma-mRNA moreover allows targeting of individual tumour antigens that are specific to each patient. Effective protocols have been established for mRNA-transfection by square wave electroporation and for the generation of clinical grade DCs. A full scale preclinical evaluation demonstrated in vitro T cell responses in 6/6 advanced melanoma patients. The responses were specific to antigens encoded by the transfected tumour-mRNA. Recently, we have conducted two phase I/II trials, in advanced malignant melanoma and androgen-resistant prostate cancer. Successful vaccine preparations were obtained for all 41 patients elected. No serious adverse effects were observed. Specific T cell responses (T cell proliferation and/or IFNgamma ELISPOT) were demonstrated in 9/19 evaluable melanoma patients and in 12/19 prostate cancer patients. The response rates were higher for patients receiving intradermal vaccination, compared to intranodal injection. Thirteen prostate cancer patients developed a decrease in log-slope PSA. The PSA-response was significantly related to the T cell response (P=0.002). We conclude that the DC-vaccine is feasible and safe, and that T cell responses are elicited in about 50% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Section for Immunotherapy, Department of Immunology, Cancer Research Institute, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, University of Oslo, 0310 Oslo, Norway. j.a.kyte@klinmed.uio.no
authors.forename: Jon A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kyte
authors.forename: Gustav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gaudernack
mesh_terms: D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000737:chemistry; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D012333:RNA, Messenger