P10s-PADRE vaccine(University of Arkansas)

Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) support cell survival that could be interrupted by anti-TACA antibodies. Among TACAs that mediate cell survival signals are the neolactoseries antigen Lewis Y (LeY) and the ganglioside GD2. To induce sustained immunity against both LeY and GD2, we developed a carbohydrate mimicking peptide (CMP) as a surrogate pan-immunogen that mimics both. This CMP, referred to as P10s, is the N-terminal half of a peptide vaccine named P10s-PADRE, the C-terminal half of which (PADRE) is a Pan-T-cell epitope. A Phase I dose-escalation trial of P10s-PADRE plus adjuvant MONTANIDE™ ISA 51 VG was conducted in subjects with metastatic breast cancer to test 300 and 500 μg/injection in two cohorts of 3 subjects each. Doses of the P10s-PADRE vaccine were administered to research participants subcutaneously on weeks 1, 2, 3, 7 and 19. Antibody responses to P10s, GD2, and LeY were measured by ELISA. The P10s-PADRE vaccine induced antibodies specifically reactive with P10s, LeY and GD2 in all 6 subjects. Serum antibodies displayed Caspase-3-dependent apoptotic functionality against LeY or GD2 expressing breast cancer cell lines. Immunization with the P10s-PADRE vaccine was well-tolerated and induced functional antibodies, and the data suggest potential clinical benefit.

Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Antigens (TACAs) are broad-spectrum targets for immunotherapy. Immunization with Carbohydrate Mimetic Peptides (CMPs) is a strategy to induce broad-spectrum TACA-reactive antibodies hypothesized to interfere with cellular pathways involved in tumor cell survival. A Phase I study was conducted with a first-in-man CMP referred to as P10s, conjugated to the Pan T cell carrier PADRE, along with MONTANIDE(™) ISA 51 VG as adjuvant over a course of 5 immunizations. While designed as a safety and tolerability study, the potential for therapeutic impact was observed in a subject with metastatic lesions as evaluated before and after vaccine treatment. The subject received Vinorelbine and Trastuzumab (VT) for two months prior to study eligibility. PET scans showed partial response in the lungs and complete resolution of a previously enlarged subpectoral lymph node. Immunization with P10s vaccine resulted in responses to P10s, with serum and plasma antibodies reactive with and cytotoxic to human breast cancer cells in vitro, including the Trastuzumab-resistant HCC1954 cell line. However, the patient developed cystic masses in the brain parenchyma with no apparent evidence of metastases. The subject was switched to Docetaxel, Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab a year later, and her last PET scan showed a complete response in the lungs and lymph nodes. Incubation of cancer cells with a combination of vaccine-induced serum and docetaxel suggests that the induced antibodies sensitize tumor cells for more efficient killing upon administration of docetaxel. The data suggest that P10s-PADRE induces anti-tumor antibody response that in combination with chemotherapy can affect metastatic lesions in breast cancer patients.