Helper T-cell responses and clinical activity of a melanoma vaccine with multiple peptides from MAGE and melanocytic differentiation antigens
Craig L Slingluff Jr, Gina R Petroni, Walter Olson, Andrea Czarkowski, William W Grosh, Mark Smolkin, Kimberly A Chianese-Bullock, Patrice Y Neese, Donna H Deacon, Carmel Nail, Priscilla Merrill, Robyn Fink, James W Patterson, Patrice K Rehm, Craig L Slingluff Jr, Gina R Petroni, Walter Olson, Andrea Czarkowski, William W Grosh, Mark Smolkin, Kimberly A Chianese-Bullock, Patrice Y Neese, Donna H Deacon, Carmel Nail, Priscilla Merrill, Robyn Fink, James W Patterson, Patrice K Rehm
Abstract
Purpose: A phase I/II trial was performed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a novel melanoma vaccine comprising six melanoma-associated peptides defined as antigenic targets for melanoma-reactive helper T cells. Source proteins for these peptides include MAGE proteins, MART-1/MelanA, gp100, and tyrosinase.
Patients and methods: Thirty-nine patients with stage IIIB to IV melanoma were vaccinated with this six-peptide mixture weekly at three dose levels, with a preceding phase I dose escalation and subsequent random assignment among the dose levels. Helper T-lymphocyte responses were assessed by in vitro proliferation assay and delayed-type hypersensitivity skin testing. Patients with measurable disease were evaluated for objective clinical response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.
Results: Vaccination with the helper peptide vaccine was well tolerated. Proliferation assays revealed induction of T-cell responses to the melanoma helper peptides in 81% of patients. Among 17 patients with measurable disease, objective clinical responses were observed in two patients (12%), with response durations of 1 and 3.9+ years. Durable stable disease was observed in two additional patients for periods of 1.8 and 4.6+ years.
Conclusion: Results of this study support the safety and immunogenicity of a vaccine comprised of six melanoma helper peptides. There is also early evidence of clinical activity.
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Source: PubMed