Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy of Metastatic Endometrial Cancer Patients (DECENDO)

January 9, 2024 updated by: Radboud University Medical Center

An Exploratory Study: Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy of Metastatic Endometrial Cancer Patients

Prevention of infectious diseases through immunization is one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine. Nonetheless, considerable challenges remain for improving the efficacy of existing vaccines for therapeutic immunizations for diseases such as cancer. The investigators were amongst the first groups worldwide that introduced tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines in the clinic1-3. Effective immune responses and favorable clinical outcomes have indeed been observed4-7. Thus far, mainly conventional in vitro generated monocyte-derived DCs (moDC) have been used in clinical trials worldwide. In the past 14 years the investigators have treated more than 375 patients and proven that DC therapy is feasible and non-toxic. The investigators observed that long lasting tumor specific T cell-mediated immunological responses are clearly linked to increased progression free survival as well as overall survival8.

In conclusion, based on all these observations the investigators are convinced that pDC and myDC employ different, and probably more optimal mechanisms to combat cancer. In addition, based on in vitro data and preclinical studies that suggest that blood pDC and myDC act synergistically, the investigators hypothesize that the combination of myDC and pDC may induce stronger anti-tumor immune responses as compared to pDC or myDC alone, or moDC.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Dendritic cell vaccination Prevention of infectious diseases through immunization is one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine. Nonetheless, considerable challenges remain for improving the efficacy of existing vaccines for therapeutic immunizations for diseases such as cancer. The investigators were amongst the first groups worldwide that introduced tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines in the clinic1-3. Effective immune responses and favorable clinical outcomes have indeed been observed4-7. Thus far, mainly conventional in vitro generated monocyte-derived DCs (moDC) have been used in clinical trials worldwide. In the past 14 years the investigators have treated more than 375 patients and proven that DC therapy is feasible and non-toxic. The investigators observed that long lasting tumor specific T cell-mediated immunological responses are clearly linked to increased progression free survival as well as overall survival8.

However, moDC may not be the optimal source of DCs for DC vaccination studies, due to extensive culture periods and compounds required to obtain mature moDC. Peripheral blood-derived DC (plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and myeloid dendritic cells (myDC)) are possibly a better alternative since they do not require extensive culture periods. The investigators recently completed a clinical trial in stage IV melanoma patients using plasmacytoid pDC. The results on both immunological outcome as well as clinical outcome are promising. These freshly isolated natural pDC prolonged median overall survival to 22 months in comparison to 7.6 months in matched historical melanoma patients who had received standard chemotherapy9. In patients receiving moDC-vaccinations, the investigators did not observe such a clear increase in overall survival, suggesting that pDC-vaccines may induce even more potent anti-tumor responses than moDC-vaccines. In terms of immunological outcome transcription of both interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and interferon-beta (IFN-β) genes was clearly induced 4 hours after vaccination and decreased 20 hours later. An IFN gene signature is known to be highly important for eradication of viruses. This signature is indicative for a temporal systemic induction of type I IFNs. Type I IFN might also stimulate myDC and enhance their ability to cross-prime CD8+ T cells, thereby inducing more efficient anti-tumor T cell responses when compared with in vitro generated DC. This is supported by studies in mice: type I IFN were critical for the induction of anti-tumor immune responses10,11. In the 14 stage IV melanoma patients included in our myDC trial the investigators observed already in 3 patients highly functional tumour-specific T-cells in peripheral blood and in DTH sites coinciding with tumour regression12. For comparison: in the investigators trials with monocyte-derived DC, less bonafide T cell responses were seen after DC vaccination, suggesting that blood myDC induce more potent immune responses compared to monocyte-derived DC.

In conclusion, based on all these observations the investigators are convinced that pDC and myDC employ different, and probably more optimal mechanisms to combat cancer. In addition, based on in vitro data and preclinical studies that suggest that blood pDC and myDC act synergistically, the investigators hypothesize that the combination of myDC and pDC may induce stronger anti-tumor immune responses as compared to pDC or myDC alone, or moDC.

Immunotherapy in endometrial cancer Endometrial cancer is the only gynaecologic malignancy with a rising incidence and mortality. While cure is routinely achieved with surgery alone or in combination with adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy when disease is confined to the uterus, patients with metastatic or recurrent disease exhibit limited response rates to cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted agents, or hormonal therapy. Some figures: at the time of diagnosis, 67% of women have disease confined to the uterus and an associated 5-year survival rate of 95%. In contrast, the 8% of patients with distant metastases at the time of diagnosis have a 5-year survival rate of 17% and face the prospect of cytotoxic chemotherapy (primarily with taxanes, platinum and anthracyclines).

Given the unmet clinical need in this patient population, exploration of novel therapeutic approaches is warranted, and attention is turning to immunomodulation. Existing evidence suggests that endometrial cancer is sufficiently immunogenic to be a reasonable candidate for immunotherapy.

Dendritic cell vaccination after chemotherapy Tumors exploit several mechanisms to suppress anti-tumor immune responses, including the recruitment of suppressive cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), into the tumor microenvironment13. The presence of MDSCs in the suppressive tumor microenvironment is correlated with decreased efficacy of several immunotherapies, including DC vaccination and ipilimumab14,15. Data obtained in the investigators lab indicates that MDSCs can be targeted with platinum-based chemotherapeutics. In head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with six weekly dosages of cisplatin, the frequency as well as suppressive capacity of MDSCs were significantly inhibited two weeks after the last dose. Treating the patients with DC vaccination after six cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin, might therefore have a positive impact on the clinical outcome of DC vaccination.

Antigen loading of dendritic cells To be effective as an antigen-presenting cell, the MHC molecules of a DC must be loaded with antigenic cargo. The investigators selected well-defined common tumor antigens in the form of long peptides of two tumor associated antigens frequently shared by endometrial cancer, survivin and MUC1. This DC antigen-loading strategy allows accurate monitoring of the ensuing immunity against the defined peptides.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

8

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Nijmegen, Netherlands, 6500 HB
        • Radboud University Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion criteria

  • women ≥ 18 years old with histologically confirmed stage IV or metastatic carcinoma of the endometrium of the endometroid, serous or carcinosarcoma type.
  • Hormone receptor negative or
  • resistant to hormonal therapy
  • ineligible for hormonal therapy because of other reasons
  • eligible for treatment with carboplatin paclitaxel combination chemotherapy
  • Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
  • WHO/ECOG performance status 0-1 (Karnofsky index 100-70)
  • WBC >2.0 -109/l, neutrophils >1.5-109/L lymphocytes >0.8-109/L, platelets >100-109/L, hemoglobin >5,6 mmol/L (9.0 g/dL), serum creatinine <150 µmol/L, AST/ALT <3 x ULN, serum bilirubin <1.5 x ULN (exception: Gilbert's syndrome is permitted)
  • Expression of survivin and/or muc1 on tumor material
  • Expected adequacy of follow-up
  • Postmenopausal or evidence of non-childbearing status or for women of childbearing potential: negative urine or serum pregnancy test, within 28 days of study treatment and confirmed prior to treatment on day 1

Postmenopausal is defined as:

  • Amenorrheic for 1 year or more following cessation of exogenous hormonal treatments;
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the post menopausal range for women under 50,
  • radiation-induced oophorectomy with last menses >1 year ago,
  • chemotherapy-induced menopause with >1 year interval since last menses
  • or surgical sterilisation (bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy).
  • Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Uncontrolled hypercalcemia
  • History of any second malignancy in the previous 5 years, with the exception of adequately treated basal cell carcinoma
  • Known allergy to shell fish
  • Heart failure (NYHA class III/IV)
  • Serious active infections
  • Active hepatitis B, C or HIV infection
  • Active syphilis infection
  • Autoimmune diseases (exception: vitiligo is permitted)
  • Organ allografts
  • An uncontrolled co-morbidity, e.g. psychiatric or social conditions interfering which participation
  • Concurrent use of systemic corticosteroids > 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent
  • Any serious clinical condition that may interfere with the safe administration of DC vaccinations
  • Unable to undergo a tumor biopsy
  • Pregnancy or insufficient anti-conception if reproduction is still possible

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: exploratory
single arm exploratory, single-centre study
Our study population consists of 8 mEC patients who receive carboplatin / paclitaxel chemotherapy in a weekly schedule on weeks 1, 2, 3 and weeks 5,6 and 7. In week 8, myeloid and plasmacytoid DC (nDC) are loaded with tumor lysate and MUC1 and survivin PepTivators, injected intranodally. An extensive immuno-motoring will be performed on all patients. Patients who show stable disease, partial response, or full response continue with extended three-week chemotherapy regimens with intranodal injections of nDC at weeks 17, 20, and 23.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Immunologic efficacy of tumor-peptide loaded nDC in mEC patients
Time Frame: 1 year
Immunomonitoring including: a) functional response and tetramer analysis of DTH infiltrating lymphocytes against tumor peptides
1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
toxicity: Adverse Events
Time Frame: study start till week 26
Toxicity will be assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0
study start till week 26
Health- related Quality of Life
Time Frame: Baseline, week 15 and week 26
Health-related quality of life, assessed using a composite of the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core quality of life questionaire (QLQ C-30) of life will be assessed by the general EORTC-QLQ C30
Baseline, week 15 and week 26

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Assessment of T cell responses against tumor peptides
Time Frame: Baseline, week 8, week 17 and week 24 and week 26
number of subjects with a successful vaccination on CT scan
Baseline, week 8, week 17 and week 24 and week 26

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Jolanda de Vries, Prof. Dr., Radboud Umiversity Medical Center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

April 8, 2019

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 9, 2021

Study Completion (Actual)

March 9, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 20, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 23, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

December 27, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

January 11, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 9, 2024

Last Verified

December 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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