Anti-EGFR Immunoliposomes in Solid Tumors

Summary

Background: Site-specific delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics is paramount for both reducing nonspecific toxicities and increasing efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Due to their small molecular size and nonspecific mechanisms of action, most conventional chemotherapies result in significant toxicities that limit the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the overall quality of life for cancer patients. Encapsulation of these toxic agents inside lipid-based carrier systems (so-called liposomes) results in passive targeting of the compounds to solid tumors. The preferential delivery of liposomal drugs to solid tumors is mostly due to altered barrier-properties of tumor-associated vessels. This results in both an improved delivery and at the same time a significantly milder toxicity profile. Recently, the specificity of delivery was further increased by attaching monoclonal antibodies or antibody fragments to the surface of liposomes (=immunoliposomes, antibody-linked nanoparticles). Antibody-coated immunoliposomes attach more selectively to antigens expressed on the target cells and they are internalized more efficiently. Furthermore, there is evidence that drug resistance, a major challenge in cancer treatment, may be overcome by such delivery systems. A logical and accessible target, such as EGFR, is overexpressed on a variety of primary human cancer cells and it is involved in signaling pathways that contribute both to tumor initiation and tumor progression. Recently, the investigators have tested immunoliposomes against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a preclinical setting. Based on the preclinical results we have initiated this phase I clinical trial. Study hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that anti-EGFR-immunoliposomes selectively deliver cytotoxic compounds to EGFR-overexpressing tumors cells. Specific delivery is supposed to increase efficacy while reducing side-effects of the compound. The primary objective of this phase 1 trial is the determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for future phase 2 trials of this nanoparticle.

Timeline

Start

2007-01

Primary completion

2010-03

Completion

2010-03

Publications

• Background Mamot C, Drummond DC, Greiser U, Hong K, Kirpotin DB, Marks JD, Park JW. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted immunoliposomes mediate specific and efficient drug delivery to EGFR- and EGFRvIII-overexpressing tumor cells. Cancer Res. 2003 Jun 15;63(12):3154-61.
• Background Mamot C, Drummond DC, Noble CO, Kallab V, Guo Z, Hong K, Kirpotin DB, Park JW. Epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted immunoliposomes significantly enhance the efficacy of multiple anticancer drugs in vivo. Cancer Res. 2005 Dec 15;65(24):11631-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-1093.
• Mamot C, Ritschard R, Wicki A, Stehle G, Dieterle T, Bubendorf L, Hilker C, Deuster S, Herrmann R, Rochlitz C. Tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded anti-EGFR immunoliposomes in advanced solid tumours: a phase 1 dose-escalation study. Lancet Oncol. 2012 Dec;13(12):1234-41. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70476-X. Epub 2012 Nov 13.

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Indications