Modulation of lymphocyte regulation for cancer therapy: a phase II trial of tremelimumab in advanced gastric and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Ralph, C, Elkord, E, O'Dwyer, J and Austin, E 2010, 'Modulation of lymphocyte regulation for cancer therapy: a phase II trial of tremelimumab in advanced gastric and esophageal adenocarcinoma' , Clinical Cancer Research, 16 (5) , pp. 1662-1672.

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Abstract

Purpose: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), a key negative regulator of T-cell activation, is targeted by the antibody tremelimumab to release potentially useful antitumor activity. Experimental design: This phase II trial investigated tremelimumab as a second-line treatment for patients with metastatic gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas. Tremelimumab was given every 3 months until symptomatic disease progression. Safety, clinical efficacy, and immunologic activity were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighteen patients received tremelimumab. Most drug-related toxicity was mild; however, there was a single death due to bowel perforation that complicated colitis. Four patients had stable disease with clinical benefit; one patient achieved a partial response after eight cycles (25.4 months) and remains well on study at 32.7 months. Markers of regulatory phenotype, forkhead box protein 3 and CTLA4, doubled transiently in CD4(+)CD25(high) lymphocytes in the first month after tremelimumab before returning to baseline. In contrast, CTLA4 increased in CD4(+)CD25(low/negative) lymphocytes throughout the cycle of treatment. De novo proliferative responses to tumor-associated antigens 5T4 (8 of 18 patients) and carcinoembryonic antigen (5 of 13) were detected. Patients with a posttreatment carcinoembryonic antigen proliferative response had median survival of 17.1 months compared with 4.7 months for nonresponders (P = 0.004). Baseline interleukin-2 release after T-cell activation was higher in patients with clinical benefit and toxicity. CONCLUSION: Despite the disappointing response rate of tremelimumab, one patient had a remarkably durable benefit for this poor-prognosis disease. In vitro evidence of enhanced proliferative responses to relevant tumor-associated antigens suggests that combining CTLA4 blockade with antigen-targeted therapy may warrant further investigation.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Health and Wellbeing
Schools:	Schools > School of Environment and Life Sciences
Journal or Publication Title:	Clinical Cancer Research
Publisher:	American Association for Cancer Research
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	1078-0432
Depositing User:	E Elkord
Date Deposited:	12 Oct 2011 10:33
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 12:53
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/18234

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