Marker Therapeutics Inc (MRKR)

[JJSeabrook]

HERE'S THE ABSTRACT: http://abstracts.asco.org/156/AbstView_156_148110.html

A phase I trial of the safety and immunogenicity of a multi-epitope folate receptor alpha peptide vaccine used in combination with cyclophosphamide in subjects previously treated for breast or ovarian cancer.

Sub-category:
Vaccines

Category:
Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy

Meeting:
2015 ASCO Annual Meeting

Abstract No:
e14028

Citation:
J Clin Oncol 33:5s, 2015 (suppl; abstr e14028)

Author(s): Pashtoon Murtaza Kasi, Kimberly Kalli, Matthew Stephen Block, Timothy J. Hobday, Travis J. Dockter, Vera J. Suman, Courtney L. Erskine, Daniel W. Visscher, Glynn Wilson, Barath Shreeder, Keith L. Knutson; Mayo School of Graduate Medcl Education, Rochester, MN; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN; TapImmune, Seattle, WA; Cancer Vaccines and Immune Therapies Program, Center for Diseases of Aging, Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, FL; Vaccine and Gene Thrpy Inst of Florida, Port St Lucie, FL

Abstract Disclosures
Abstract:

Background: Folate receptor alpha (FRa) is overexpressed by multiple cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. Endogenous T-cell immunity to each of five degenerate peptides from FRa (FR30, FR56, FR76, FR113 and FR238) has been demonstrated in both breast and ovarian cancer patients, suggesting the feasibility of targeting FRa via a vaccine approach. Metronomic oral cyclophosphamide (CTX) has been demonstrated to reduce immunosuppressive T regulatory cells (Tregs) and might thereby improve vaccine efficacy. We therefore conducted a Phase I clinical trial testing safety and immunogenicity of a multi-epitope FRa peptide vaccine after 1 cycle of CTX. Methods: Twenty-two patients with breast or ovarian cancer who had undergone standard surgery and adjuvant treatment were treated with 1 cycle of CTX (given days 1-7 and 15-22 of 28). Following this, patients were vaccinated intradermally at 3 sites with a mixture of the 5 FRa peptides on day 1 of a 28 day cycle for a maximum of 6 vaccination cycles. Patients were monitored for toxicity at each visit. Peripheral blood samples were collected for immune monitoring purposes at baseline, at the completion of each cycle of treatment, and at during observation at 3, 6, and 12 months after vaccine completion. The number of Tregs was assessed via flow cytometry, and the number of antigen-specific T cells was assessed via ELIspot. Results: Of 22 patients evaluable for toxicity, one patient developed a grade 3 injection site reaction. Grade 2 reactions were observed in 14 patients and included lymphopenia (5), neutropenia (4), injection site reactions (2), and leukopenia (2). The median frequency of Tregs did not significantly change after CTX use. However, FRa-specific T cell responses were observed in 20 of 21 patients with immune response data. Of these, 16 of 16 patients with observation data had demonstrable T cell responses persisting into the observation phase. Conclusions: Vaccine treatments were associated with mild to moderate toxicity. FRa specific T cell responses were induced in the majority of patients and frequently persisted after completion of vaccine therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT01606241

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