Chemotherapy, Irradiation, Cell Infusions, and Interleukin-2 to Treat Metastatic Melanoma

Background:

The use of immunosuppression prior to adoptive transfer of lymphocytes from tumor bearing mice was based on a variety of murine models demonstrating improved therapeutic effectiveness of the adoptive transfer of lymphocytes following immunosuppression of the host.

Because the degree of immunosuppression has been highly correlated with the ability to eliminate large tumors in murine models, we have been conducting a clinical trial, 04-C-0288, in which 200cGy of total body irradiation is used in conjunction with the same cyclophosphamide and fludarabine regimen used in our prior adoptive cell therapy trials which have demonstrated significant clinical responses.

We have measured T-regulatory cells in patients participating in 04-C-0288 and have demonstrated that despite the addition of 200cGy total body irradiation (TBI), T-regulatory cells promptly reconstituted in the host. Complete clinical responses have not been significantly improved over other adoptive cell therapy regimens.

Thus, in this trial we would like to more adequately test our hypothesis that more intensive lymphodepletion will increase complete responses and persistence of the transferred cells.

Objective:

To determine whether tumor reactive lymphocytes infused in conjunction with the administration of high-dose IL-2 in patients who have received prior therapy with IL-2 and those who have not may result in complete clinical tumor regression in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving a myeloablative lymphoid depleting preparative regimen.

To evaluate the safety of the treatment in patients receiving the myeloablative conditioning regimen, cell transfer and IL-2.

To determine the survival in patients, of infused cells following the administration of the myeloablative regimen, using analysis of the sequence of the variable region of the T cell receptor or flow cytometry (FACS).

Eligibility:

Patients who are greater than or equal to 18 years of age who have tumor reactive cells available, with metastatic melanoma, and are physically able to tolerate high-dose IL-2.

Design:

Patients will be assigned to one of two cohorts, those having received prior therapy with IL-2 and those who have not.

Patients will receive a myeloablative lymphocyte depleting preparative regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg/day x 2 days IV), fludarabine (25mg/m^2/day IV X 5 days) and 1200 cGy total body irradiation (TBI).

Patients will receive intravenous adoptive transfer of tumor reactive lymphocytes (minimum 3 X 10 (9) and up to a maximum of 3 X 10(11) lymphocytes) followed by high-dose intravenous (IV) IL-2 (720,000 IU/kg/dose every 8 hours for up to 15 doses).

On day 1 of patients will receive intravenous administration of cryopreserved autologous CD34+ cells.

A complete evaluation of evaluable lesions will be conducted 4-6 weeks after cell infusion. Patients will be enrolled into two strata, using a phase II optimal design to rule out a modest CR rate of 24%, with 33-54 patients enrolled in each strata.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients must have tumor reactive cells obtained and evaluated while participating in the Surgery Branch protocol, "Cell Harvest and Preparation for Surgery Branch Adoptive Cell Therapy Protocols" or on another Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved Surgery Branch adoptive cell therapy study, i.e. 99-C-0158 or 03-C-0162.

The first ten patients enrolled must have previously received interleukin-2 (IL-2) and have been either non-responders (progressive disease) or have recurred.

Patients must be greater than or equal to 18 years of age and must have measurable metastatic melanoma.

Patients of both genders must be willing to practice birth control during treatment and for four months after receiving the preparative regimen.

Clinical performance status of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0, 1.

Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1000/mm^3 without support of filgrastim.

Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3.

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) less than three times the upper limit of normal.

Serum creatinine less than or equal to 1.6 mg/dl.

Total bilirubin less than or equal to 2 mg/dl, except in patients with Gilbert's Syndrome who must have a total bilirubin less than 3 mg/dl.

Must be willing to sign a durable power of attorney.

Patients must be able to understand and sign the Informed Consent document.

Patients with resected or stable brain metastases will be eligible.

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than or equal to 45%.

Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) greater than or equal to 60% predicted.

CELL INFUSION EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Less than 30 days has elapsed since any prior systemic therapy at the time the patient receives the preparative regimen, or less than six weeks since prior nitrosurea therapy. All patients' toxicities must have recovered to a grade 1 or less or as specified in the eligibility criteria. Patients may have undergone minor surgical procedures within the past 3 weeks, as long as all toxicities have recovered to grade 1 or less or as specified in the eligibility criteria.

Women of child-bearing potential who are pregnant or breastfeeding because of the potentially dangerous effects of the preparative chemotherapy on the fetus or infant.

Life expectancy of less than three months.

Systemic steroid therapy required.

Hemoglobin less than 8 g/dl unable to be corrected with transfusion.

Any active systemic infections, coagulation disorders or other active major medical illnesses of the cardiovascular, respiratory or immune system, as evidenced by a positive stress thallium or comparable test, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disease.

Any form of primary or secondary immunodeficiency. Must have recovered immune competence after chemotherapy or radiation therapy as evidenced by normal ANC greater than 1000/mm^3 and absence of opportunistic infections. (The experimental treatment being evaluated in this protocol depends on an intact immune system. Patients who have decreased immune competence may be less responsive to the experimental treatment and more susceptible to its toxicities.)

Seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody. (The experimental treatment being evaluated in this protocol depends on an intact immune system. Patients who are HIV seropositive can have decreased immune competence and thus be less responsive to the experimental treatment and more susceptible to its toxicities.)

Patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C will be excluded.

Seronegative for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Patients who are not willing to complete a durable power of attorney (DPA) will be excluded.

Patients who have received prior preparative regimens with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine on prior Surgery Branch adoptive cell therapies will be excluded.

The following patients will be excluded because of inability to receive high dose IL-2:

Patients will be excluded if they have a history of electrocardiogram (EKG) abnormalities, symptoms of cardiac ischemia or arrhythmias and have a LVEF less than 45% on a cardiac stress test (stress thallium, stress multi-gated acquisition scan (MUGA), dobutamine, echocardiogram or other stress test).

Similarly, patients who are 50 years old or greater with an LVEF less than 45% will be excluded.

Patients who have a prolonged history of cigarette smoking or symptoms of respiratory dysfunction will be excluded if they have an abnormal pulmonary function test as evidenced by a forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1) less than 60% predicted.