Intranodal immunization with a vaccinia virus encoding multiple antigenic epitopes and costimulatory molecules in metastatic melanoma

Publication

Intranodal immunization with a vaccinia virus encoding multiple antigenic epitopes and costimulatory molecules in metastatic melanoma

Journal Paper/Review - Mar 1, 2010

Adamina Michel, Spagnoli Giulio C, Marti Walter, Oertli Daniel, Heberer Michael, Jacob Augustinus L, Huegli Rolf W, Bolli Martin, Viehl Carsten T, Frey Daniel M, Weber Walter P, Rosenthal Rachel, Zajac Paul

Citation

Adamina M, Spagnoli G, Marti W, Oertli D, Heberer M, Jacob A, Huegli R, Bolli M, Viehl C, Frey D, Weber W, Rosenthal R, Zajac P. Intranodal immunization with a vaccinia virus encoding multiple antigenic epitopes and costimulatory molecules in metastatic melanoma. Mol Ther 2010; 18:651-9.

Project

Assessment of a novel lyophilizable virosome formulation as an adjuvant to the induction of effector cells specific for Melan-A/MART-1 melanoma associated antigen

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Mol Ther 2010; 18

Publication Date

Mar 1, 2010

Issn Electronic

1525-0024

Pages

651-9

Brief description/objective

Recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) encoding tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and adhesion or costimulatory molecules may represent important immunogenic reagents for cancer immunotherapy. Recently, intranodal (IN) antigen administration was suggested to be more immunogenic than intradermal (ID) vaccination. However, IN rVV administration has not been attempted so far. We used a rVV encoding gp100(280-288), Melan-A/MART-1(27-35) and tyrosinase(1-9) HLA-A0201 restricted epitopes and CD80 and CD86 costimulatory molecules in stage III and IV melanoma patients in a phase 1/2 trial. Of 15 patients initiating treatment, including two cycles of IN immunization, each comprising one rVV administration and three recall injections of the corresponding peptides, accompanied by subcutaneous granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor supplementation, five withdrew due to progressing disease. Of 10 remaining patients seven showed evidence of induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) directed against at least one epitope under investigation, as detectable by limiting dilution analysis (LDA) of specific precursors and multimer staining. Adverse reactions were mild (National Cancer Institute (NCI) grade 1-2) and mainly represented by fever, skin rashes, and pruritus. These data indicate that IN administration of rVV encoding melanoma-associated epitopes and costimulatory molecules is safe and immunogenic.