Dendritic Cell Vaccination in Melanoma Patients Scheduled for Regional Lymph Node Dissection

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Dendritic cells (DCs) are the professional antigen-presenting cells of the immune system. As such they are currently used in clinical vaccination protocols in cancer patients, and both immunological and clinical responses have been observed. For these therapies accurate delivery to target organs is essential. Correct delivery and subsequent migration of vaccinated DCs to regional lymph nodes is of paramount importance for effective stimulation of the immune system. Currently it is not known what the best route of administration is for DC vaccines. Using magnetically labeled DCs, we investigate the potential of MRI cell tracking to monitor DC therapy. This is investigated in stage III/IV melanoma patients in whom a regional lymph node dissection is scheduled. Autologous monocyte-derived DCs are labeled with the clinically approved superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) formulation Endorem and 111In-oxine and injected either in the skin or directly in lymph nodes under ultrasound guidance. Two days after vaccination patients are monitored with scintigraphy and MR imaging. Lymph nodes are then resected. Subsequently patients receive 3 more vaccination with DCs. During and after therapy immune responses against the used melanoma peptides are monitored.

Official Title
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Active Immunization of Patients With Stage III and IV Melanoma in Whom a Regional Lymph Node Dissection is Planned, With Peptide-Pulsed Dendritic Cells: Evaluation of in Vivo Immune and Clinical Response and Migration

Conditions
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Melanoma Stage III or IV

Intervention / Treatment
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* Biological: Peptide-pulsed dendritic cells


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: Histologically documented evidence of melanoma Stage III-IV melanoma according to the 2001 AJCC criteria Radical lymph node dissection planned, either with curative (stage III) or palliative (stage IV) intent Melanoma expressing gp100 (compulsory) and tyrosinase (non-compulsory) HLA-A2.1 phenotype according to lymphocyte HLA typing ECOG performance status 0-1, life expectancy > 3 months Age 18-75 years Interval since last prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy at least 4 weeks, no residual toxicity of prior treatment. WBC > 3.0 x 109/l, lymphocytes > 0.8 x 109/l, platelets > 100 x 109/l, serum creatinine < 150 μmol/l, serum bilirubin < 25 μmol/l Written informed consent Expected adequacy of follow-up Exclusion criteria: No clinical signs of CNS metastases, in patients with a clinical suspicion of other metastases diagnostic tests should be performed to exclude this. No concomitant use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents No history of second malignancy within the last 5 years. Adequately treated basal carcinoma of skin or carcinoma in situ of cervix is acceptable within this period No serious concomitant disease, no active infections. No autoimmune disease or organ allografts, no clinical suspicion of HIV or Hepatitis B No contra-indications for MRI-scanning: claustrophobia, pacemaker or pacemaker threads, cerebral clips or artificial heartvalves, internal hearing prosthesis No known allergy to shell fish (contains KLH) No pregnant or lactating women

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Biological: Peptide-pulsed dendritic cells|peptide-pulsed dendritic cells|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Immune response |  | during the first 10 years | 
| Migration efficacy |  | during the first 1-2 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Clinical response |  | during the first 10 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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MRI, Dendritic cells, Immunotherapy, Vaccination, Melanoma, Peptides, Scintigraphy, Immune response