A Phase I/II Study of an Antitumor Vaccination Using Alpha(1,3)Galactosyltransferase Expressing Allogeneic Tumor Cells in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer
According to statistics of the American Cancer Society, an estimated 31,000 individuals will
be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 25,000 will die of the disease, making it the fifth
leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths this year despite all current therapy. This protocol
attempts to exploit an approach to pancreatic cancer immunotherapy using a naturally
occurring barrier to xenotransplantation in humans in an attempt to vaccinate patients
against their pancreatic cancer. The expression of the murine alpha (1,3)
galactosyltransferase [alpha (1,3) GT] gene results in the cell surface expression of alpha
(1,3) galactosyl-epitopes (alpha-gal) on membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids. These
epitopes are the major target of the hyperacute rejection response that occurs when organs
are transplanted from non-primate donor species into man. Human hosts often have
pre-existing anti-alpha-gal antibodies that bind alpha-gal epitopes and lead to rapid
activation of complement and cell lysis. The pre-existing anti-alpha-gal antibodies found in
most individuals are thought to be due to exposure to alpha-gal epitopes that are naturally
expressed on normal gut flora leading to chronic immunological stimulation. These antibodies
may comprise up to 1% of serum IgG. In this Phase I/II trial, patients with surgically
resected pancreatic cancer will undergo a series of twelve intradermal injections with a
vaccine composed of irradiated allogeneic pancreatic cancer cell lines (HAPa-1 and HAPa-2)
that have been transduced with a recombinant Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV)-based
retroviral vector expressing the murine alpha (1,3) GT gene. Endpoints of the study include
determination of dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), tumor and
immunological responses.
Interventional
Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
To assess the side effects, dose-limiting toxicity and maximum tolerated dose.
6 months
Mary Mulcahy, M.D.
Principal Investigator
Northwestern University
United States: Food and Drug Administration
NLG0105
NCT00255827
November 2005
September 2007
Name | Location |
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Northwestern University | Chicago, Illinois 60611 |