Study of a DNA Immunotherapy to Treat Melanoma

Summary

The study is an investigation of a novel immunotherapy, SCIB1, for the treatment of melanoma. SCIB1 is a solution of plasmid DNA molecules which will express a modified antibody in human cells. The antibody modifications are designed to stimulate the patient's immune T cells to have a strong and specific reaction against melanoma cells which should then be eliminated. SCIB1 is injected into muscle using a device which simultaneously delivers an electrical impulse to enhance the transfer of SCIB1 into muscle cells. The trial will assess the safety and tolerability of SCIB1, the safety and performance of the injection device and the immunological effects of SCIB1. This is the first study of SCIB1 in humans and the trial has two parts, in the first part the dose will be escalated to determine a safe and tolerable level up to a maximum of 8 mg per dose. In the second part patients will receive the dose determined in the first part. Patients will have stage III or IV melanoma, be HLA type A2 and have a life expectancy of at least three months. All patients will receive 5 injections of SCIB1 over 5.5 months. At the discretion of the investigator, patients may continue to receive SCIB1 at 3-6 month intervals for 5 years. The study will be conducted at major cancer centres in the UK only and is expected to last for seven years. Patients will be followed up for five years after they have completed the trial.

Timeline

Start

2010-05

Primary completion

2017-07-07

Completion

2017-07-07

Drugs

Indications