Vaccines contain substances that help us make antibodies. Different antibodies help protect us against a variety of harmful things. GD2 and GD3 gangliosides are substances found on the surface of most melanoma cells. They are also occasionally found on some normal cells. Large quantities of antibodies called monoclonal antibodies have been prepared in the laboratory against GD2 and GD3 and given to patients with metastatic melanoma. In about 10% of cases this has resulted in clinically relevant regression of melanomas. These monoclonal antibodies are not currently available or used in the clinic but studies in the laboratory indicate that vaccines against GD2 and GD3 can be as effective as monoclonal antibodies. In this trial we wish to raise the level of antibodies in your blood against GD2 and GD3. We will vaccinate you with the modified forms of GD2 called GD2 lactone and GD3 called GD3 lactone (GD3L), all attached to the antibody booster KLH, and mixed with the immune booster (immunologic adjuvant) QS-DG. While over a thousand patients have received vaccines with QS-21, the QS-DG used here is synthesized for the first time at MSKCC and is referred to as QS-DG rather than QS-21 which is purified from tree bark. QS-21 and QS-DG are, to the best of our knowledge chemically identical. It is unknown if using this bivalent vaccine will raise the level of antibodies in your blood to either ganglioside. It is unknown if raising the level of antibodies in your blood will lower your risk of relapse. This study will check your blood for production of antibodies, and check you for side effects.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
34
6 vaccinations (on weeks 1, 2, 3, 8, 20 and 32) which will contain the same KLH conjugates with GD2L and GD3L. All vaccines contain KLH conjugates containing 30mcg of GD2L and 30mcg of GD3L and QS-DG or OPT-821. The initial 8 patients will receive the same QS-DG or OPT-821 vaccine dose in all of their vaccines. This dose will be 50 mcg for the first patient, 75 mcg for the second patient and 100 mcg for the third through eighth patients. In all subsequent patients the 1st, 4th and 5th vaccinations will include 150 mcg of OPT-821. The 2nd and 3rd vaccinations will contain 100 mcg of OPT-821 and the 6th vaccination will contain 200 mcg of OPT-821.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States
Toxicity
Toxicity will be graded in accordance with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 3.0.
Time frame: 2 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.