Tumor-specific recombinant idiotype immunisation after chemotherapy as initial treatment for follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Leuk Lymphoma. 2009 Jan;50(1):37-46. doi: 10.1080/10428190802563355.

Abstract

Tumor-specific variable regions of the clonal immunoglobulin (idiotype, Id) expressed by B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can be targeted by active immunotherapy. We conducted a phase I/II trial to determine the safety and immunogenicity of a patient-specific, recombinant, mammalian cell-derived Id protein conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (Id-KLH; MyVax personalised immunotherapy) in 22 patients with follicular NHL in first remission after chemotherapy. Subjects received five subcutaneous immunisations with MyVax plus locally administered granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Among 21 evaluable patients, 62% mounted Id-specific immune responses. Evoked anti-Id antibodies recognised both recombinant Id and native Id, and could specifically stain autologous tumor cells. At median follow-up of more than 6 years, median progression-free survival is 38 months. Immunisation of follicular lymphoma patients with MyVax Id-KLH is safe and patients often mount tumor-specific immune responses. These results form the basis of a pivotal phase 3 trial of MyVax in follicular NHL.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cancer Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Cancer Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy* / adverse effects
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / immunology*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes
  • Recombinant Proteins