Gene Therapy Using Anti-Her-2 Cells to Treat Metastatic Cancer

Summary

Background: * Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2) is a gene found in both normal cells and cancer cells. Extra copies of the gene (overexpression) can cause too many Her-2 proteins (receptors) to appear on the cell surface and cause tumors to grow. * An experimental procedure developed for treating patients with cancer uses blood cells found in their tumors or bloodstream. The cells are genetically modified using the anti-Her-2 gene and a type of virus. The modified cells (anti-Her-2 cells) are grown in the laboratory and then given back to the patient to try to decrease the size of the tumors. This is called gene therapy. Objectives: * To determine whether advanced cancers that overexpress Her-2 can be treated effectively with lymphocytes (white blood cells) that have been genetically engineered to contain an anti-Her-2 protein. Eligibility: * Patients 18 years of age and older with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread beyond the original site) and for whom standard treatments are not effective. * Patient's tumor overexpresses Her-2. Design: * Workup with scans, x-rays and other tests. * Leukapheresis to obtain cells for preparing the anti-Her-2 cells for later infusion. * 1 week of chemotherapy to prepare the immune system for receiving the anti-Her-2 cells. * Infusion of anti-Her-2 cells, followed by interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment. The cells are given as an infusion through a vein. IL-2 is given as a 15-minute infusion through a vein every 8 hours for a maximum of 15 doses. * Periodic follow-up clinic visits after hospital discharge for physical examination, review of treatment side effects, laboratory tests and scans every 1 to 6 months.

Timeline

Start

2008-11

Primary completion

2010-12

Completion

2010-12

Publications

• Background Kawakami Y, Eliyahu S, Sakaguchi K, Robbins PF, Rivoltini L, Yannelli JR, Appella E, Rosenberg SA. Identification of the immunodominant peptides of the MART-1 human melanoma antigen recognized by the majority of HLA-A2-restricted tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. J Exp Med. 1994 Jul 1;180(1):347-52. doi: 10.1084/jem.180.1.347.
• Background Dudley ME, Wunderlich J, Nishimura MI, Yu D, Yang JC, Topalian SL, Schwartzentruber DJ, Hwu P, Marincola FM, Sherry R, Leitman SF, Rosenberg SA. Adoptive transfer of cloned melanoma-reactive T lymphocytes for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. J Immunother. 2001 Jul-Aug;24(4):363-73. doi: 10.1097/00002371-200107000-00012.
• Background Dudley ME, Wunderlich JR, Yang JC, Hwu P, Schwartzentruber DJ, Topalian SL, Sherry RM, Marincola FM, Leitman SF, Seipp CA, Rogers-Freezer L, Morton KE, Nahvi A, Mavroukakis SA, White DE, Rosenberg SA. A phase I study of nonmyeloablative chemotherapy and adoptive transfer of autologous tumor antigen-specific T lymphocytes in patients with metastatic melanoma. J Immunother. 2002 May-Jun;25(3):243-51. doi: 10.1097/01.CJI.0000016820.36510.89.

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