Phase Ib Trial of Two Folate Binding Protein Peptide Vaccines (E39 and J65) in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patients (J65)

Phase Ib Trial of Two Folate Binding Protein Peptide Vaccines (E39 and J65) in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patients

Phase Ib Trial of Two Folate Binding Protein (FBP) Peptide Vaccines (E39 and J65) in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patients

This is a single-center, randomized, single-blinded, three-arm phase Ib study of the folate binding protein vaccines E39 and J65. The study target population are patients with breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis who have been treated and are without evidence of disease. Disease-free subjects after standard of care multi-modality therapy will be screened and HLA typed. E39 and J65 are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-eliciting peptide vaccines that are restricted to HLA-A2+ patients (approximately 50% of the U.S. population).

The study is a prospective, randomized, non-blinded, single-center Phase Ib trial. Patients will be identified that have a diagnosis of breast or ovarian cancer, have completed their standard courses of therapy and are disease-free. They will be properly screened, counseled and consented prior to enrollment. Once enrolled, each patient's blood will be tested for HLA-A2 status (approximately 50% will be HLA-A2+). Additionally, their tumors will be tested for FBP-expression and this information will be tracked for purposes of correlative science. Patients who are HLA-A2+ will be stratified based on cancer diagnosis (breast versus ovarian), then randomized by computer tables to one of three arms for the PVS. Each arm will receive 6 monthly injections of peptide + GM-CSF. Arm A will receive six inoculations with E39 peptide; arm B will receive three inoculations with E39 followed by three with J65; and arm C will receive three inoculations with J65, followed by three of E39. Since J65 has not been previously used in humans, a two week waiting period will be instituted between the first and second patients enrolled in either Arm B or C. Immunologic data will be assessed at 1 month and 6 months (±2 wks) after the PVS, specifically ex vivo immunologic recognition of E39 and J65 will be assessed by clonal expansion using a dextramer assay and the in vivo response will be assessed by Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH). Immunologic recognition of E39 will be the primary endpoint, with recognition of J65 serving as an additional data point. The 6 month post-PVS immunologic data will then be used to assess each patient for significant residual immunity (SRI), defined as ≥2-fold increase in E39-specific CD8+ T-cells from the pre-vaccination level. Patients will then be sorted into two groups: those with SRI and those without. Patients within each group will then be randomized to receive one booster of either J65 or E39. Each patient will return to clinic within 1-2 weeks of their 6mo post-PVS visit to receive their single booster inoculation. This second randomization will result in four groups: 1) patients with SRI receiving E39; 2) patients with SRI receiving J65; 3) patients without SRI receiving E39; 4) patients without SRI receiving J65. Immunologic data will then again be gathered at 1 month (±2 wks) and 6 months (±2 wks) post-booster. This final immunologic data will be analyzed for differences between the four groups. Additionally, toxicity data will be gathered. Patients will be monitored closely for one hour after each inoculation with questioning, serial exams, and vital signs every 15 minutes. Patients will then be asked to return to the vaccine clinic 48-72 hours after each inoculation for questioning regarding any local or systemic toxicity and to examine and measure the local reaction at the vaccination sites. The graded toxicity scale (NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v4.03) will be utilized to assess local and systemic toxicity. GM-CSF dose reduction may be required if >10cm of erythema and induration is seen at the injection site after any given inoculation.

Stage I breast cancer, Stage II breast cancer, Stage IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC breast cancer, Male breast cancer, Ovarian cancer

Patients receive 6 monthly injections of E39 peptide + GM-CSF. Immunologic data is assessed at 1 month and 6 months (+/- 2 weeks) after the primary vaccine series (PVS), specifically ex vivo immunologic recognition of E39 and J65 is assessed by clonal expansion using a dextramer assay and the in vivo response is assessed by delayed type hypersensitivity. The 6-month post-PVS immunologic data is then used to assess each patient for significant residual immunity. Patients are then sorted into two groups: those with SRI and those without. Patients within each group will be randomized to receive 1 booster inoculation of the J65 vaccine or the E39 vaccine. Patients return to the clinic within 1-2 weeks of their 6-month post-PVS visit to receive their booster inoculation.

Patients receive 3 inoculations with the E39 vaccine followed by 3 inoculations with the J65 vaccine. Immunologic data is assessed at 1 month and 6 months (+/- 2 weeks) after the primary vaccine series (PVS), specifically ex vivo immunologic recognition of E39 and J65 is assessed by clonal expansion using a dextramer assay and the in vivo response is assessed by delayed type hypersensitivity. The 6-month post-PVS immunologic data is then used to assess each patient for significant residual immunity. Patients are then sorted into two groups: those with SRI and those without. Patients within each group will be randomized to receive 1 booster inoculation of the J65 vaccine or the E39 vaccine. Patients return to the clinic within 1-2 weeks of their 6-month post-PVS visit to receive their booster inoculation.

Patients receive 3 inoculations with the J65 vaccine followed by 3 inoculations with the E39 vaccine. Immunologic data is assessed at 1 month and 6 months (+/- 2 weeks) after the primary vaccine series (PVS), specifically ex vivo immunologic recognition of E39 and J65 is assessed by clonal expansion using a dextramer assay and the in vivo response is assessed by delayed type hypersensitivity. The 6-month post-PVS immunologic data is then used to assess each patient for significant residual immunity. Patients are then sorted into two groups: those with SRI and those without. Patients within each group will be randomized to receive 1 booster inoculation of the J65 vaccine or the E39 vaccine. Patients return to the clinic within 1-2 weeks of their 6-month post-PVS visit to receive their booster inoculation.

500mcg of lyophilized E39 peptide is suspended in bacteriostatic saline for injection and then frozen. At the time of vaccine administration, one vial of frozen suspended peptide is thawed and mixed with 250mcg GM-CSF in the syringe. This constitutes the E39 peptide vaccine. For patients randomized to the E39 vaccine arm, the primary vaccine series (PVS) consists of E39 vaccine administered intradermally every three to four weeks for six total vaccinations. After completion of the PVS, patients are assessed for significant residual immunity (SRI). Patients with SRI will be randomized to receive one inoculation of either the E39 vaccine or the J65 vaccine. Patients without SRI will be randomized to receive one inoculation of either the E39 vaccine or the J65 vaccine.

J65 peptide (EIWTFSTKV, Folate Binding Protein), GM-CSF (Sargramostim), E39 peptide (EIWTHSYKV, Folate Binding Protein, 191-199)

The E39 vaccine is prepared as noted above. For the J65 vaccine, 500mcg J65 peptide is suspended in bacteriostatic saline for injection and then frozen. At the time of vaccine administration, one vial of frozen suspended E39 peptide is thawed and mixed with 250mcg GM-CSF in the syringe. This constitutes the J65 vaccine. For patients randomized to this arm, the primary vaccine series (PVS) consists of the E39 vaccine administered intradermally every 3-4 weeks for 3 total vaccinations. Patients are then administered the J65 vaccine every 3-4 weeks for a total of 3 vaccinations. After completion of the PVS, patients are assessed for significant residual immunity (SRI). Patients with SRI will be randomized to receive 1 inoculation of either the E39 vaccine or the J65 vaccine. Patients without SRI will be randomized to receive 1 inoculation of either the E39 vaccine or the J65 vaccine.

J65 peptide (EIWTFSTKV, Folate Binding Protein), GM-CSF (Sargramostim), E39 peptide (EIWTHSYKV, Folate Binding Protein, 191-199)

The E39 and J65 vaccines are prepared as noted above. For patients randomized to this arm, the primary vaccine series (PVS) consists of the J65 vaccine administered intradermally every 3-4 weeks for 3 total vaccinations. Patients are then administered the E39 vaccine every 3-4 weeks for a total of 3 vaccinations. After completion of the PVS, patients are assessed for significant residual immunity (SRI). Patients with SRI will be randomized to receive 1 inoculation of either the E39 vaccine or the J65 vaccine. Patients without SRI will be randomized to receive 1 inoculation of either the E39 vaccine or the J65 vaccine.

Determine which of the following primary vaccination strategy maximizes long-term specific immunity defined as E39-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) six months following completion of the primary vaccination series.

To determine the most effective vaccination strategy to maximize short-term immunity defined as E39-specific CTLs one month following completion of the primary vaccination series.

To determine the most effective booster inoculations (i.e., E39 or J65 peptides) to maximize long-lasting immunity defined as E39-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes six months following administration of the booster inoculations.

Mean change in size of Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions from baseline to 12 months post-completion of the primary vaccination series. Measurements of DTH reactions will be taken at baseline, then at month 7, 12, 17 and 18.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients must have breast or ovarian cancer Patients must have completed primary breast or ovarian cancer therapy (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and/or radiation therapy as appropriate per standard of care for patient's specific cancer) Patients must be without evidence of residual disease as assessed by their treatment team Patients must be either post-menopausal or surgically post-menopausal Patients must be HLA-A2 positive Patients must have a good performance status (ECOG<2) Exclusion Criteria: HLA-A2 negative patients Currently receiving immunosuppressive therapy to include chemotherapy, steroids, or methotrexate In poor health (Karnofsky <60%, ECOG >2) Total bilirubin >1.5, creatinine >2, hemoglobin <10, platelets <50,000, WBC <2,000 Active pulmonary disease requiring medication to include multiple inhalers Of child-bearing age with intact reproductive organs Involved in other experimental protocols (except with permission of the other study PI) History of autoimmune disease

Vreeland TJ, Litton JK, Qiao N, Philips AV, Alatrash G, Hale DF, Jackson DO, Peace KM, Greene JM, Berry JS, Clifton GT, Peoples GE, Mittendorf EA. Phase Ib trial of folate binding protein (FBP)-derived peptide vaccines, E39 and an attenuated version, E39': An analysis of safety and immune response. Clin Immunol. 2018 Jul;192:6-13. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.03.010. Epub 2018 Mar 21.