In situ vaccination against mycosis fungoides by intratumoral injection of a TLR9 agonist combined with radiation: a phase 1/2 study

Blood. 2012 Jan 12;119(2):355-63. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-05-355222. Epub 2011 Nov 1.

Abstract

We have developed and previously reported on a therapeutic vaccination strategy for indolent B-cell lymphoma that combines local radiation to enhance tumor immunogenicity with the injection into the tumor of a TLR9 agonist. As a result, antitumor CD8(+) T cells are induced, and systemic tumor regression was documented. Because the vaccination occurs in situ, there is no need to manufacture a vaccine product. We have now explored this strategy in a second disease: mycosis fungoides (MF). We treated 15 patients. Clinical responses were assessed at the distant, untreated sites as a measure of systemic antitumor activity. Five clinically meaningful responses were observed. The procedure was well tolerated and adverse effects consisted mostly of mild and transient injection site or flu-like symptoms. The immunized sites showed a significant reduction of CD25(+), Foxp3(+) T cells that could be either MF cells or tissue regulatory T cells and a similar reduction in S100(+), CD1a(+) dendritic cells. There was a trend toward greater reduction of CD25(+) T cells and skin dendritic cells in clinical responders versus nonresponders. Our in situ vaccination strategy is feasible also in MF and the clinical responses that occurred in a subset of patients warrant further study with modifications to augment these therapeutic effects. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00226993.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycosis Fungoides / immunology*
  • Mycosis Fungoides / radiotherapy*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / administration & dosage*
  • Prognosis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / agonists*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / immunology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vaccination
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • CpG ODN 2216
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00226993