HER-2/neu vaccine-primed autologous T-cell infusions for the treatment of advanced stage HER-2/neu expressing cancers

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2014 Feb;63(2):101-9. doi: 10.1007/s00262-013-1489-4. Epub 2013 Oct 26.

Abstract

This phase I study evaluated the feasibility of expanding HER-2/neu (HER2) vaccine-primed peripheral blood T-cells ex vivo and assessed the safety of T-cell infusions. Eight patients with HER2(+) treatment refractory metastatic cancers were enrolled. T-cells could be expanded to predefined parameters in seven patients (88%). Ninety-two percent of adverse events were grade 1 or 2. Three of seven patients developed infusion-related inflammatory reactions at their disease sites. HER2-specific T-cells significantly increased in vivo compared to pre-infusion levels (p = 0.010) and persisted in 4/6 patients (66%) over 70 days after the first infusion. Partial clinical responses were observed in 43% of patients. Levels of T-regulatory cells in peripheral blood prior to infusion (p < 0.001), the level of HER2-specific T-cells in vivo (p = 0.030), and development of diverse clonal T-cell populations (p < 0.001) were associated with response. The generation of HER2 vaccine-primed autologous T-cells for therapeutic infusion is feasible and well tolerated. This approach provides a foundation for the application of T-cell therapy to additional solid tumor types.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer / adverse effects
  • Adoptive Transfer / methods*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Receptor, ErbB-2