Immunotherapy with Whole Cell Cancer Vaccines Shows Promising Results in Prostate Cancer Treatment

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have made a breakthrough in the treatment of prostate cancer using immunotherapy with whole cell cancer vaccines. In a phase I/II trial, 30 patients with progressive and castration-resistant prostate cancer were injected with an allogeneic prostate carcinoma cell line expressing recombinant human interleukin-2 and human interferon-gamma. The results showed that this vaccine strategy was safe and well-tolerated, and was accompanied by a significant prolongation of prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSA-DT) compared to the prevaccination period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trial involved 30 patients with progressive and castration-resistant prostate cancer who received four intradermal injections of an allogeneic prostate carcinoma cell line expressing recombinant human interleukin-2 and human interferon-gamma.
  • The primary study criteria were safety and the difference in PSA-DT, which was determined in the pretreatment phase and during vaccination.
  • No dose-limiting or autoimmune toxicity was seen during the trial, and immune monitoring revealed T cell stimulation in the majority of patients.
  • The median overall survival time from first vaccination was 32 months (mean value, 34 months), and a significant prolongation of PSA-DT was observed.
  • The results of this trial warrant clinical development of this vaccine, according to the researchers.

Statistics:

  • 30 patients with progressive and castration-resistant prostate cancer participated in the trial.
  • The vaccine was administered in four intradermal injections: days 1, 15, 29, and 92, and then every 90 days as long as no tumor progression occurred.
  • 3 patients received a dose level of 7.5 million cells, and 27 patients received 15 million cells per injection.
  • The median overall survival time from first vaccination was 32 months (mean value, 34 months).
  • A significant prolongation of PSA-DT was observed from 63 to 114 days during vaccination.

Sources:

  • T.H. Brill et al., "Therapeutic Vaccination with an Interleukin-2-Interferon-gamma-Secreting Allogeneic Tumor Vaccine in Patients with Progressive Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Phase I/II Trial." Human Gene Therapy. (2009);20(12):1641-1651.
  • Mary Ann Liebert Inc., publisher of the journal Human Gene Therapy, 140 Huguenot Street, 3RD FL, New Rochelle, NY 10801, USA.
  • Cancer Gene Therapy Week, "Immunotherapy with Whole Cell Cancer Vaccines Shows Promising Results in Prostate Cancer Treatment." (2010).