Journal of immunotherapy
-
Journal of immunotherapy · Jun 2009
The novel chimeric anti-NCAM (neural cell adhesion molecule) antibody ch.MK1 displays antitumor activity in SCID mice but does not activate complement-dependent cytolysis (CDC).
A monoclonal chimeric antibody ch. MK1 was generated by immunizing F004 mice expressing human instead of murine IgG1/kappa immunoglobulin constant regions. The novel antibody specifically binds cell surface-expressed human neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) as shown by immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry and cytospins. ⋯ In ch. MK1 the cellular component of the immune system seems to be the dominant effector mechanism, whereas complement-dependent cytolysis seems not to be necessarily required for antitumor activity. These observations help us to understand immunotherapeutic mechanisms of native anti-NCAM antibodies and may additionally contribute to the understanding of results of currently ongoing clinical studies with conjugated anti-NCAM antibodies.
-
Journal of immunotherapy · Sep 2008
Effector T cell analysis of melanoma tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte cultures using HLA-ABC semimatched melanoma cell lines.
The generation of T cells with specific reactivity against tumor-associated antigens is prerequisite for adoptive transfer therapy. Melanoma-specific lymphocyte cultures can be established from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) by in vitro culture with high levels of interleukin-2. In this report, we present TIL data originating from 728 attempted cultures from 33 consecutive melanoma biopsy specimens originating from 30 patients. ⋯ Tumor material was collected via needle biopsy in 16 cases and surgery in 18 cases. Overall, surgical material generated more cultures positive for T cells. The described methods are efficient in characterizing clinically relevant melanoma-reactive TILs.
-
Journal of immunotherapy · Feb 2008
Clinical grade generation of hexon-specific T cells for adoptive T-cell transfer as a treatment of adenovirus infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Adenovirus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is still causing significant morbidity and mortality, especially in children. It has been demonstrated that a sufficient host T-cell response is essential to clear the virus. Adoptive transfer of specific T-cell immunity from the donor to the recipient has become a new treatment option for patients with systemic adenoviral infection who lack specific T-cell responses. ⋯ The availability for isolation of hexon-specific T cells among 76 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation donors showed in > 72% a sufficient T-cell response (0.05% of T cells). In conclusion, Good Manufacturing Practice-grade selection of adenovirus-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy by hexon-induced secretion of interferon-gamma has been established. Adoptive T-cell transfer could potentially restore T-cell immunity against adenovirus after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
-
Journal of immunotherapy · Oct 2007
Multicenter StudyVaccination of metastatic colorectal cancer patients with matured dendritic cells loaded with multiple major histocompatibility complex class I peptides.
Developing a process to generate dendritic cells (DCs) applicable for multicenter trials would facilitate cancer vaccine development. Moreover, targeting multiple antigens with such a vaccine strategy could enhance the efficacy of such a treatment approach. We performed a phase 1/2 clinical trial administering a DC-based vaccine targeting multiple tumor-associated antigens to patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). ⋯ ELISPOT after in vitro restimulation detected responses to multiple peptides in 2 patients. All patients showed progressive disease. This pilot study in advanced CRC patients demonstrates DC-generated granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-13 matured with Klebsiella-derived cell wall fraction and IFN-gamma can induce immune responses to multiple tumor-associated antigens in patients with advanced CRC.
-
Journal of immunotherapy · Jan 2007
ReviewA clinical development paradigm for cancer vaccines and related biologics.
Therapeutic cancer vaccines are a heterogeneous group of complex biologics with distinctly different clinical characteristics than cytotoxic agents. The current clinical development paradigm used for oncology drug development is based on criteria developed for cytotoxic agents. More flexible and focused developmental guidelines are needed to address the unique characteristics of therapeutic cancer vaccines. ⋯ The concept of efficacy trials allows for an early assessment of vaccine efficacy based on credible prospective data. This 2-phase developmental paradigm supports a more flexible, expeditious, and focused clinical developmental process with early and informed decision making. In addition, this report addresses clinical development challenges and issues for combination therapies.