This study will determine the safety and efficacy of expanded activated autologous NK cells administered after Trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive breast or gastric cancer. It will also provide valuable insights of the role of NK cell infusions in adult solid tumors.
Recently, targeted immunotherapies have become part of the therapeutic arsenal in adult solid tumors, and have shown promising activity in melanomas and prostate cancers. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets HER2 and is used routinely in combination with chemotherapy in HER2 over-expressing breast and gastric cancer. Trastuzumab is known to induce antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC), among its various mechanisms for tumor cell kill. As such, trastuzumab may suitably be combined with immunotherapy as a strategy to harness the host's immune system against HER2-positive tumor cells.There is mounting evidence that natural killer (NK) cells have powerful anti-cancer activity. In patients with leukemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, several studies have demonstrated NK-mediated anti-leukemic activity. Allogeneic NK cell infusions in patients with primary refractory or multiple-relapsed leukemia have been shown to be well tolerated and void of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) effects. In this study, we seek to enhance the antitumor activity of a commonly used antibody to treat HER2+ breast and gastric cancer, trastuzumab, administered in combination with infusion of activated and expanded autologous NK cells.This is a lead-in phase I followed by a phase II study. Up to 9 patients will be enrolled in phase I to test two different doses of NK cells to be infused into the patient. This will then be followed by a phase II study where 20 patients will be enrolled. Eligible patients will undergo apheresis about 9 days (up to 11 days) prior to cycle 1 therapy to harvest NK cells. The collected NK cells will be expanded and activated ex vivo. On day 1 of cycle 1, the patient will receive herceptin and subcutaneous IL2, followed by NK cell infusion on day 2 of cycle 1. This will then be followed by 5 doses of s/c IL2 three times a week to keep the NK cells activated in vivo. The patient will then receive three more cycles of herceptin (every 21 days). In patients who achieve objective tumor response after cycle 2 or cycle 4, a second NK cell infusion along with s/c IL2 will be administered with cycle 4 or cycle 6 herceptin respectively.This study will determine the safety and efficacy of this novel therapeutic strategy in HER2 positive breast and gastric cancer. It will also provide valuable insights of the role of NK cell infusions in adult solid tumors.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
29
National University Hospital
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNational University Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
RECRUITINGNumber of Participants with Serious and Non-Serious Adverse Events
During cycle 1 (21 days) and for at least 21 days following a second NK cell infusion if administered: \- Patients will be reviewed twice a week with * Limited physical examination to include blood pressure, heart rate, weight * Full blood count, renal function and liver function tests * Toxicity rating using the NCI CTC scale * Concomitant medication notation and number of units required for transfusions Any significant abnormalities or significant toxicities have to be followed until recovery to baseline or 30 days after patient withdraws from the study, whichever occurs later. During other cycles when only trastuzumab is administered (without NK cells infusion or IL-2) Patients will be reviewed once every cycle of every 3-weekly cycle
Time frame: Up to 12-18 weeks
Duration of Tumor Response Measure
Among tumor responders, the duration of tumor response is measured from the date of enrolment until the first date of documented disease progression or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Duration of tumor response will be censored at the date of the last follow-up visit for tumor responders who are still alive and who have not progressed.
Time frame: Up to 36 months
Time-to-Event Outcome Measure
Time to documented disease progression is defined as the time from the date of enrolment to the first date of documented disease progression. Time to documented disease progression will be censored at the date of death for patients who have not had documented disease progression. For patients who are still alive at the time of analysis and who have not had documented disease progression, time to documented disease progression will be censored at the date of the last follow-up visit.
Time frame: Up to 36 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.