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Tumor Regression and Autoimmunity in Patients Treated With Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte–Associated Antigen 4 Blockade and Interleukin 2: A Phase I/II Study

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Abstract

Background

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen (CTLA)-4 can inhibit T-cell responses and is involved in tolerance against self antigens. We previously reported autoimmune manifestations and objective cancer regressions in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with CTLA-4 blockade. The possibility of activating tumor-reactive T cells while removing inhibitory activity with CTLA-4 blockade has stimulated interest in using anti–CTLA-4 antibodies in combination with other cancer immunotherapies to improve clinical outcomes. In this study, we assessed the antitumor activity and autoimmune toxicity of CTLA-4 blockade in combination with an immune-activating stimulus, interleukin (IL)-2, in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Methods

Thirty-six patients received anti–CTLA-4 antibody every 3 weeks. Three patients per cohort received doses of .1, .3, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg. Twenty-four patients received 3.0 mg/kg. All patients received IL-2 therapy (720,000 IU/kg every 8 hours to a maximum of 15 doses).

Results

Eight patients (22%) experienced objective tumor responses (three complete and five partial), including metastases in the lungs, lymph nodes, mediastinum, and subcutaneous tissues. Six of the eight patients have ongoing objective responses at 11 to 19 months. Five patients (14%) developed grade III/IV autoimmune toxicities secondary to anti–CTLA-4 administration, including four patients with enterocolitis and one with arthritis and uveitis.

Conclusions

There is not evidence to support a synergistic effect of CTLA-4 blockade plus IL-2 administration, because the 22% objective response rate is that expected from the sum of these two agents administered alone. Durable cancer regressions were seen in patients treated with this combination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, CRC Room 3-3940, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1201, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814

    Ajay V. Maker MD, Giao Q. Phan MD, Peter Attia MD, James C. Yang MD, Richard M. Sherry MD, Suzanne L. Topalian MD, Udai S. Kammula MD, Richard E. Royal MD, Leah R. Haworth RN, Catherine Levy RN, David Kleiner MD, Sharon A. Mavroukakis RN & Steven A. Rosenberg MD, PhD

  2. Medarex, Inc., 519 Route 173 West, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, 08804

    Michael Yellin MD

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  1. Ajay V. Maker MD
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  2. Giao Q. Phan MD
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  3. Peter Attia MD
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  4. James C. Yang MD
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  5. Richard M. Sherry MD
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  6. Suzanne L. Topalian MD
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  14. Steven A. Rosenberg MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven A. Rosenberg MD, PhD.

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Maker, A.V., Phan, G.Q., Attia, P. et al. Tumor Regression and Autoimmunity in Patients Treated With Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte–Associated Antigen 4 Blockade and Interleukin 2: A Phase I/II Study. Ann Surg Oncol 12, 1005–1016 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2005.03.536

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2005.03.536

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