Abstract CT066: Dendritic cell based cryoimmunotherapy associates with clinical variables and changes in T-cell receptor expression in a prospective phase I trial of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Thomsen Liv Cecilie V. , Honorè Alfred , Almås Bjarte , Reisæter Lars A. , Frugård Jannicke , Kristoffersen Einar K. , Melve Guro , Haslerud Torjan , Rørvik Jarle , Biermann Martin , Helle Svein Inge , Kvalheim Gunnar , Azeem Waqas , Olsen Jan Roger , Halvorsen Ole Johan , Akslen Lars , Bahn Duke K. , Pantel Klaus , Riethdorf Sabine , Ragde Haakon , Gjertsen Bjørn Tore , Øyan Anne M. , Kalland Karl-Henning , Beisland Christian 
Published: August 2018

Interim analysis data are presented for 13 patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer treated with dendritic cell based cryoimmunotherapy (CryoIT) and at least three months follow-up (FU). In CryoIT autologous immature dendritic cells (iDCs) mature in cryoablated tumor tissue and engulf tumor associated antigens and thereafter migrate to lymph nodes to instruct systemic immune attacks on heterogenous cancer cells.

Primary endpoint of the trial is to investigate safety of CryoIT while secondary aims include clinical, radiological and immunological responses to treatment.

Adverse events (AEs) and blood analyses were registered at all visits and imaging performed before and three months post-treatment. Norwegian regulatory authorities have approved the study.

CryoIT of the prostate was performed as a freeze-thaw process under anesthesia and autologous iDCs injected after last thawing cycle. Radiologic responses according to RECISTv1.1 could categorize participants into either Group 1; stable disease (n=5) or Group 2; progressive cancer (n=4). Three patients showed mixed response and one had no follow-up imaging. Hematologic and immunologic values were evaluated according to response group.

To identify peripheral blood leukocyte subsets and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), ultradeep T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain sequences of complementarity-determining region 3, we utilized flow / mass cytometry, Cellsearch System, and TCRSafe Technology, respectively.

At inclusion median age was 69 (62-73) years, BMI 25.9 (25-35), ECOG score 0 (0-1) and median PSA 8 (5-11). Group 2 demonstrated higher PSA (p=0.03), median 3.9 (IQR 2.7-6.8) and 74.6 (IQR 47.4-99.0) for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.

In total, 13 possible iDC-related AEs were reported by 10 individuals, whereof one severe and 12 mild-to-moderate, with urinary retention in seven subjects. All but one resolved by use of indwelling urinary catheter for median 8 (1-40) days.

Participants with high CTC numbers (&gt;5) before therapy had higher rates of progression, moderate pre-treatment CTC counts (3-5) decreased and no patient acquired CTCs after therapy.

Ultradeep TCR-sequencing showed more prevalent and higher expression (&gt;5-fold) of new TCR clonotypes 2-6 weeks after treatment in Group 1.

The treatment seems safe and well tolerated. Higher PSA indicates more advanced disease at baseline for Group 2. The data indicate immune responses to treatment with higher increases in TCR clonotypes in radiologic stable disease. Clinical trial ID: NCT02423928.

Citation Format: Liv Cecilie V. Thomsen, Alfred Honorè, Bjarte Almås, Lars A. Reisæter, Jannicke Frugård, Einar K. Kristoffersen, Guro Melve, Torjan Haslerud, Jarle Rørvik, Martin Biermann, Svein Inge Helle, Gunnar Kvalheim, Waqas Azeem, Jan Roger Olsen, Ole Johan Halvorsen, Lars Akslen, Duke K. Bahn, Klaus Pantel, Sabine Riethdorf, Haakon Ragde, Bjørn Tore Gjertsen, Anne M. Øyan, Karl-Henning Kalland, Christian Beisland. Dendritic cell based cryoimmunotherapy associates with clinical variables and changes in T-cell receptor expression in a prospective phase I trial of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT066.