A phase II trial of vaccination with autologous, tumor-derived heat-shock protein peptide complexes Gp96, in combination with GM-CSF and interferon-alpha in metastatic melanoma patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the immunogenicity and antitumor activity of autologous, tumor-derived heat shock protein gp96-peptide complex vaccine (HSPPC-96; Oncophage given with GM-CSF and IFN-alpha in pre-treated metastatic (AJCC stage IV) melanoma patients. Patients underwent surgical resection of metastatic lesions for HSPPC-96 production. HSPPC-96 was administered subcutaneously (s.c.) in four weekly intervals (first cycle). Patients with more available vaccine and absence of progressive disease received four additional injections in 2-week intervals (second cycle) or more. GM-CSF was given s.c. at the same site at days -1, 0 and +1, while IFN-alpha (3 MU) was administered s.c. at a different site at days +4 and +6. Antigen-specific anti-melanoma T and NK lymphocyte response was assessed by enzyme-linked immunospot assay on peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained before and after vaccination. Thirty-eight patients were enrolled, 20 received at least four injections (one cycle) of HSPPC-96 and were considered assessable. Toxicity was mild and most treatment-related adverse events were local erythema and induration at the injection site. Patients receiving at least four injections of HSPPC-96 were considered evaluable for clinical response: of the 18 patients with measurable disease post surgery, 11 showed stable disease (SD). The ELISPOT assay revealed an increased class I HLA-restricted T and NK cell-mediated post-vaccination response in 5 out of 17 and 12 out of the 18 patients tested, respectively. Four of the five class I HLA-restricted T cell responses fall in the group of SD patients. Vaccination with autologous HSPPC-96 together with GM-CSF and IFN-alpha is feasible and accompanied by mild local and systemic toxicity. Both tumor-specific T cell-mediated and NK cell responses were generated in a proportion of patients. Clinical activity was limited to SD. However, both immunological and clinical responses were not improved as compared with those recorded in a previous study investigating HSPPC-96 monotherapy.

Fig. 1

Scheme of treatment and of time of blood withdrawal of stage IV melanoma patients

Fig. 2

Recognition of autologous (a) or allogeneic HLA-A/-B compatible (b) melanoma lines by PBMCs of vaccinated patients. PBMCs were obtained from the blood of each patient before (V2) and after (V6 or 7) treatment and tested by IFN-γ-ELISPOT assay. Gray columns indicate statistically significant differences at P< 0.05

Fig. 3

Class I HLA-restricted release by recognition of melanoma cells as evaluated by inhibition of IFN-γ anti-class I HLA mAb (ELISPOT assay). In all but one (01-023, boxed) case target cells were autologous (01-007, 01-008, 01-013, 01-031) melanoma cells. * indicates statistically significant inhibition

Fig. 4

NK activity of patient PBMCs as evaluated by ELISPOT assay before and after treatment. Gray columns indicate statistically significant differences at P< 0.05–0.01

Fig. 5

Time course of the HLA-A-restricted T cell-mediated immune response against melanoma during vaccination in two patients (# 01-007 and 01-023 tested on autologous and allogeneic melanoma cells, respectively) selected because of their showing a long stable disease. V2 visit 2, before starting vaccination; V6 visit 6, end of the first cycle of vaccination; V7 onset of the second cycle; V10 end of the second cycle, V17 additional infusions after the second cycle. Syringes refer to injection of the vaccine