Infection with Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV, or human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)) causes Kaposi sarcoma (KS). These virally associated diseases occur more frequently in HIV-infected individuals, but can also be found in HIV-uninfected population. Evolution of immunosuppressive mechanisms presumably plays a permissive role in the development, progression and recurrence of these virus-associated cancers and pre-cancers. Currently, available treatment options for these lesions are imperfect and there is no clear treatment for patients with limited cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma (KS). Radiation and injection of vinblastine both have side effects that may not be acceptable. Nivolumab has been used to treat more extensive KS when given intravenously. To the best of the investigator's knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the safety of intra-lesional injections of nivolumab in patients with KS.
This is a single-center, phase I safety/expansion trial of nivolumab in HIV-infected (with stable, treated HIV on cART) and HIV-uninfected patients with limited cutaneous KS. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: \- To determine the safety and tolerability of four intra-lesional injections of nivolumab given every two weeks to treat KS. They will be assessed by NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5 (NCI CTCAE v. 5). SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: * To determine the changes in cytotoxic T cells and regulatory T cells in the lesions as determined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. * To determine the changes in cytotoxic T cells and regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood as determined by flow cytometry. * To determine the changes in PD-1/PD-L1 expression as determined by immunohistochemistry in lesions. OUTLINE: Participants with treatment-experienced KS will be enrolled into Cohort A (initial safety cohort). If there are no grade 3 or higher adverse events, enrollment into the expansion cohort (Cohort) B will be available to participants with either treatment-experienced or treatment-naïve KS, including those previously enrolled in the safety cohort. Patients will receive one intra-lesional injection of nivolumab into one cutaneous KS lesion every 2 weeks for up to a total of 4 doses until completed or intolerable toxicity, request to withdraw, or withdrawal per the Principal Investigator. Participants will be followed for an additional 5 months after completing the 4 treatment doses.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
Given via intralesional injection
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
San Francisco, California, United States
Number participants with Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLT) (Cohort A)
The number of participants with DLTs will defined as treatment-related, grade 3-5 adverse events assessed using the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0
Time frame: 6 months
Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) (Cohort A)
The MTD is defined as the dose at which no more than 1/6 patients experience a DLT
Time frame: 6 months
Median percent change in absolute CD3 cells (CD3+) / CD4+ cells
Treatment induced, tumor infiltrating immune cells will be evaluated in pre-treatment and post-treatment tissue via immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Time frame: 6 months
Median percent change in cytotoxic T cells with CD8 surface protein (CD8+) T cells /Granzyme+ T cytotoxic T cells
Treatment induced, tumor infiltrating immune cells will be evaluated in pre-treatment and post-treatment tissue via immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Time frame: 6 months
Median percent change in CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells
Treatment induced, tumor infiltrating immune cells will be evaluated in pre-treatment and post-treatment tissue via immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Time frame: 6 months
Median percent change in CD4+FOXP3-effector T cells
Treatment induced, tumor infiltrating immune cells will be evaluated in pre-treatment and post-treatment tissue via immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Time frame: 6 months
Median percent change in CD4+FOXP3+regulatory T cells
Treatment induced, tumor infiltrating immune cells will be evaluated in pre-treatment and post-treatment tissue via immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Time frame: 6 months
Changes in Circulating plasma cytokines
Circulating plasma cytokines will be evaluated in pre-treatment and post-treatment
Time frame: 6 months
Changes in frequency of circulating activated T cells in the peripheral blood
Frequency of circulating activated T cells in the peripheral blood induced by intra-lesional nivolumab therapy will be assessed via flow cytometry
Time frame: 6 months
Median change in number of circulating activated T cells in the peripheral blood
Changes in number of circulating activated T cells in the peripheral blood induced by intra-lesional nivolumab therapy will be assessed via flow cytometry
Time frame: 6 months
Changes in PD-1 expression as determined by immunohistochemistry in lesions
Changes in PD-L1 expression induced by intra-lesional nivolumab therapy will be assessed via IHC, using commercially available PD-1 antibody.
Time frame: 6 months
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