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Safety Study of Adjuvant Vaccine to Treat Melanoma Patients

Phase I/Phase II Open Label Study of the TLR3 Agonist Poly-ICLC as an Adjuvant for NY-ESO-1 Protein Vaccination With or Without Montanide ® ISA-51 VG in Patients With High Risk Melanoma in Complete Clinical Remission

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01079741
Enrollment
34
Registered
2010-03-03
Start date
2010-09-30
Completion date
2013-03-11
Last updated
2018-02-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Melanoma

Keywords

Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Adjuvant Therapy, Oncogenesis, LAGE, Cancer Immunity, Neoplasms, Immunogenicity, Vaccine, Immunotherapy

Brief summary

The incidence of melanoma is increasing with an estimated incidence of 59,940 cases and an annual death rate of 8110 in 2007. Although patients diagnosed with early stage disease have an excellent clinical outcome, patients diagnosed with advanced or recurrent disease, continue to have a high mortality rate, even with initial optimal surgical resection. Effective adjuvant strategies are needed to increase the time to progression and to decrease the recurrence rate. Immunotherapy has long been recognized as a potential therapy for melanoma; the goal of adjuvant vaccine therapy is to train the endogenous immune system to recognize and target minimal residual disease.

Detailed description

This is a Phase I open label dose escalation study of the TLR3 agonist Poly-ICLC as an adjuvant for NY-ESO-1 protein vaccination in patients with high risk melanoma in clinical complete remission (cCr), followed by a randomized Phase II component in which patients will be randomized to subcutaneous vaccination of NY-ESO-1 protein with Poly-ICLC alone dose TBD (Arm A) or with NY-ESO-1 protein, Poly-ICLC dose TBD and Montanide® ISA-51 VG (Montanide) (Arm B). Patients with histological confirmed malignant melanoma, AJCC Stages: IIB, IIC, III or IV, who are in complete clinical remission (cCr) but at high risk of disease recurrence, will be eligible for enrollment, regardless of whether antigen expression in the autologous tumor can be demonstrated by either PCR or immunohistochemistry. Primary Objectives: * Phase I: To define the safety of subcutaneous vaccination with NY-ESO-1 protein, Montanide and escalating doses of Poly-ICLC. * Phase II: To evaluate the induction of humoral and T cell (CD4+ and CD8+) immunity to subcutaneous vaccination with NY-ESO-1 protein in combination with Poly-ICLC when given with or without Montanide. Exploratory analyses: * Evaluation of primary tumor expression of NY-ESO-1 by IHC or RT-PCR. * Histologic quantitation of original tumor TILs (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes), CD3+ cells, evaluation of mitotic index and correlation of this data with immunologic response. * Correlation of NY-ESO-1 specific T cell responses with HLA type * Investigation of polymorphisms for TLR3 through germline SNP analysis. * Clinical Outcome (Time to Progression) reported descriptively. * Skin section analysis of protein/adjuvant treated sites for immune cell infiltration and gene expression analysis

Interventions

BIOLOGICALNY-ESO-1 protein; Poly-ICLC; Montanide

Phase I represents the dose-escalation component with Poly-ICLC given in combination with NY-ESO-1 and Montanide in an open-label fashion. The dose of Poly-ICLC will be increased stepwise from 0.35mg to 1.4mg while the dose of NY-ESO-1 antigen (100µg) and Montanide (1.1mL) will be held constant. Phase II: The doses of NY-ESO-1 and Montanide will remain the same as in Phase I; the highest tolerated Phase I dose of Poly-ICLC will become the Phase II Poly-ICLC dose. In Phase II, patients will be randomized to a subcutaneous vaccination of NY-ESO-1 protein with Poly-ICLC alone dose TBD (Arm A) or with NY-ESO-1 protein, Poly-ICLC dose TBD and Montanide (Arm B).

Sponsors

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
CollaboratorOTHER
Oncovir, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Cancer Research Institute, New York City
CollaboratorOTHER
Nina Bhardwaj
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Histological diagnosis of malignant melanoma, stages IIB-IV in radiologically confirmed cCr without clinical evidence of disease. 2. At least 4 weeks since surgery prior to first dosing of study agent. 3. Laboratory values within the following limits: 1. Hemoglobin \> 10.0 g/dL 2. Neutrophil count \> 1.5 x l09/L 3. Lymphocyte count \> Lower limit of institutional normal 4. Platelet count \> 80 x l09/L 5. Serum creatinine \< 2.0 mg/dL 6. Serum bilirubin \< 2 x upper limit of institutional normal 7. AST/ALT \< 2 x upper limit of institutional normal 4. Patients must have an ECOG performance status of \<2 (ECOG criteria published in \[67\]. 5. Life expectancy \> 6 months. 6. Age \> 18 years. 7. Able and willing to give written informed consent for participation in the trial (see Section 12.2).

Exclusion criteria

1. Serious illnesses, e.g., serious infections requiring antibiotics. 2. Previous bone marrow or stem cell transplant. 3. History of immunodeficiency disease (such as HIV) or autoimmune disease except vitiligo. 4. Metastatic disease to the central nervous system. 5. Other malignancy within 3 years prior to entry into the study, except for treated early-stage melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer, or cervical carcinoma in situ. 6. Prior chemotherapy or vaccine therapy. 7. Radiation therapy, biological therapy or surgery within 4 weeks prior to first dose of study agent. 8. Concomitant treatment with systemic corticosteroids greater than physiologic doses. Topical (but not at the proposed vaccination sites) or inhalational steroids are permitted. 9. Participation in any other clinical trial involving another investigational agent within 4 weeks prior to first dose of study agent. 10. Pregnancy or lactation. 11. Women of childbearing potential not using a medically acceptable means of contraception. 12. Psychiatric or addictive disorders that may compromise the ability to give informed consent. 13. Lack of availability of the patient for immunological and clinical follow-up assessment. 14. Children \<18 years of age who cannot undergo the leukapheresis procedure, do not meet the disease staging and/or the size criteria for frequent blood donations

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Phase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLT52 weeksSafety measured by number of Serious Adverse Events per the CTEP v4.0 of the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
CD4+ and CD8+ ResponseUp to 52 weeksCellular response evaluated for the induction of cellular T cell (CD4+ and CD8+) immunity to subcutaneous vaccination with NY-ESO-1 protein in combination with Poly-ICLC when given with or without Montanide. Number of participants with increase CD4+ and CD8+ levels.
NY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCup to 52 weeksAnalysis of immune cell infiltration at the injection site by IHC. IHC analysis of immune cell infiltration was performed for each arm using a scoring system. 0: No expression of the marker of interest, 1: single cells or small clusters (\<5 cells together) expressing marker of interest, 2: medium size clusters of cells expressing marker of interest, and 3: huge and homogeneously positive clusters of cells expressing marker of interest.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mg
Cohort 1 100µg NY-ESO-1 protein + 1.1 mL Montanide + 0.35mg Poly-ICLC. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks for a total of 4 cycles.
3
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mg
100 µg NY-ESO-1 protein + 1.1 mL Montanide + 0.7mg Poly-ICLC.The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks for a total of 4 cycles.
4
Poly-ICLC 1.4mg
100 µg NY-ESO-1 protein + 1.1 mL Montanide + 1.4 mg Poly-ICLC. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks for a total of 4 cycles.
3
NY-ESO-1 Protein and Poly-ICLC
100μg NY-ESO-1 protein, 1.4mg Poly-ICLC.
12
NY-ESO-1 Protein, Poly-ICLC and Montanide
100μg NY-ESO-1 protein, 1.4mg Poly-ICLC and 1.1mL Montanide.
12
Total34

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003FG004
Cohort 2: Dose Level 2 (Weeks 13-24)Disease Progression01000
Phase 2 (Weeks 37-48)Withdrawal by Subject00003

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPoly-ICLC 0.35 mgPoly-ICLC 0.70 mgPoly-ICLC 1.4mgNY-ESO-1 Protein and Poly-ICLCNY-ESO-1 Protein, Poly-ICLC and MontanideTotal
Age, Continuous64 years65 years73 years50 years57 years55 years
Pathologic Staging
IIA
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Pathologic Staging
IIB
0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Pathologic Staging
IIC
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Pathologic Staging
IIIA
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Pathologic Staging
IIIB
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants4 Participants3 Participants9 Participants
Pathologic Staging
IIIC
0 Participants3 Participants2 Participants4 Participants4 Participants13 Participants
Pathologic Staging
IV
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants2 Participants0 Participants5 Participants6 Participants13 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants2 Participants3 Participants7 Participants6 Participants21 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
EG004
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 30 / 40 / 30 / 120 / 12
other
Total, other adverse events
3 / 34 / 43 / 312 / 1212 / 12
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 30 / 41 / 30 / 120 / 12

Outcome results

Primary

Phase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLT

Safety measured by number of Serious Adverse Events per the CTEP v4.0 of the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT).

Time frame: 52 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgPhase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLTSerious Adverse Events0 Participants
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgPhase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLTDLT0 Participants
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgPhase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLTSerious Adverse Events0 Participants
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgPhase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLTDLT0 Participants
Poly-ICLC 1.4mgPhase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLTSerious Adverse Events1 Participants
Poly-ICLC 1.4mgPhase I, Number of Participants With SAE and DLTDLT0 Participants
Secondary

CD4+ and CD8+ Response

Cellular response evaluated for the induction of cellular T cell (CD4+ and CD8+) immunity to subcutaneous vaccination with NY-ESO-1 protein in combination with Poly-ICLC when given with or without Montanide. Number of participants with increase CD4+ and CD8+ levels.

Time frame: Up to 52 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgCD4+ and CD8+ ResponseCD4 Responder10 Participants
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgCD4+ and CD8+ ResponseCD8 Responder1 Participants
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgCD4+ and CD8+ ResponseCD4 Responder9 Participants
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgCD4+ and CD8+ ResponseCD8 Responder4 Participants
Secondary

NY-ESO-1 Expression by IHC

Analysis of immune cell infiltration at the injection site by IHC. IHC analysis of immune cell infiltration was performed for each arm using a scoring system. 0: No expression of the marker of interest, 1: single cells or small clusters (\<5 cells together) expressing marker of interest, 2: medium size clusters of cells expressing marker of interest, and 3: huge and homogeneously positive clusters of cells expressing marker of interest.

Time frame: up to 52 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD4 lymphocytes1.318 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.643
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD8 lymphocytes1.091 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.437
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD20 B cells0.773 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.518
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD11c dendritic cells1.455 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.611
Poly-ICLC 0.35 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD3 lymphocytes1.500 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.707
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD3 lymphocytes1.944 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.682
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD11c dendritic cells2.111 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.741
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD8 lymphocytes1.222 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.565
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD4 lymphocytes2.167 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.661
Poly-ICLC 0.70 mgNY-ESO-1 Expression by IHCCD20 B cells1.500 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.5

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 8, 2026