Efficacy of Recombinant Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Vaccine in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Cancer Who Had Residual EBV DNA Load After Conventional Therapy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy (clinical benefit rate) of MVA EBNA1/LMP2 vaccine in patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and its impact on disease progression.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) (either at initial diagnosis or at recurrence).
* NPC associated with EBV infection, determined as:

  * NPC occurred in association with a raised serum titre of IgA to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) in a patient living in an area of high incidence of EBV+ undifferentiated NPC, or
  * The presence of EBV has been confirmed in the tumour by immunohistochemistry for EBV antigens or in situ hybridization for EBV early RNA (EBER), or
  * NPC with persistent or recurrent disease occurs in the context of an elevated circulating EBV genome level
* Patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic NPC that have residual EBV DNA following completion of conventional therapy (chemotherapy or radiotherapy).

  * Patients with residual masses at the site(s) of previous disease that are not progressing and for whom no standard therapy is currently appropriate.
  * Patients with residual or recurrent disease that is low volume, that is causing minimal or no symptoms and for whom no standard therapy is currently appropriate.
* Disease must be not amenable to potentially curative radiotherapy or surgery.
* Completion of standard therapy for malignancy at least 4 weeks before trial entry.
* Written informed consent and the ability of the patient to co-operate with treatment and follow up must be ensured and documented.
* Age greater than 18 years.
* World Health Organisation (WHO) performance status of 0 or 1
* Life expectancy of at least 4 months.
* Female patients of child-bearing potential are eligible, provided they have a negative pregnancy test prior to enrolment and agree to use appropriate medically approved contraception during the study up to six months after the last vaccination.
* Male patients must agree to use appropriate medically approved contraception during the study up to six months after the last vaccination.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or major surgery received within 4 weeks of trial entry.
* Known chronic active infection with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
* Current active autoimmune disease.
* Current active skin diseases requiring therapy (psoriasis, eczema etc).
* Ongoing active infection.
* History of anaphylaxis or severe allergy to vaccination.
* Allergy to eggs or egg products.
* Previous myeloablative therapy followed by an autologous or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant.
* Patients who have had a splenectomy or splenic irradiation, or with known splenic dysfunction.
* Receiving current immunosuppressive medication, including corticosteroids (inhaled steroids are acceptable).
* Pregnant and lactating women.
* Ongoing toxic manifestations of previous treatment. Exceptions to this are alopecia or certain Grade 1 toxicities which in the opinion of the Investigator should not exclude the patient.
* Patients with any other condition which in the Investigator's opinion would not make the patient a good candidate for the clinical trial.