Transfection with siRNA targeting the immunoproteasome alters proteasome-mediated antigen processing by the dendritic cell, generating TAA-derived peptides that we hypothesize, based on preclinical results, will induce enhanced anti-melanoma immune responses. This phase I study, open to subjects with metastatic melanoma, will assess the safety of vaccination with melanoma tumor associated antigen-encoding RNA-transfected mature dendritic cells derived from monocytes that have been either untreated, transfected with control siRNA, or transfected with siRNA targeting the inducible immunoproteasome beta subunits LMP2, LMP7, and MECL1. A combination of RNAs encoding melanoma tumor associated antigens MART-1, tyrosinase, gp100, and MAGE-3 will be utilized for dendritic cell transfection. The vaccine will be administered by intradermal injection in the extremities. Clinical and laboratory toxicities will be characterized for each study arm. As a secondary objective, this phase I study will also assess the anti-melanoma immune responses, as well as clinical responses, induced by vaccination with this dendritic cell-based product.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
The safety and toxicity of vaccination with tumor antigen RNA-transfected dendritic cells (DC), derived from either untransfected or siRNA-transfected monocytes, will be evaluated in subjects with metastatic melanoma. Subjects will undergo leukapheresis and monocytes will be isolated. These monocytes will then be left untreated (Study Arm A) or transfected with either control siRNA (Study Arm B) or siRNA targeting immunoproteasome subunits LMP2, LMP7, and MECL1 (Study Arm C), then differentiated into DC in vitro . After the induction of maturation, these DC will be transfected with RNA encoding defined melanoma antigens MART, MAGE-3, tyrosinase, and gp100. These RNA-transfected autologous DC will be cryopreserved, then used to vaccinate subjects with metastatic melanoma, each of whom will receive a total of six intradermal (ID) injections using 1x10e7 DC at each cycle, administered weekly.
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, United States
For this Phase I study, subjects will be evaluated both clinically and with laboratory testing for any signs of toxicity associated with vaccination.
Time frame: 3 months after last vaccination
For each subject, the induction of anti-melanoma immune responses will be assessed by in vitro testing.
Time frame: At least 3 months after final vaccination
For each subject, clinical responses to vaccination will also be assessed.
Time frame: At least 3 months, and up to 5 years
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