Combination of CAR-DC Vaccine and ICIs in Malignant Tumors

Therapeutic cancer vaccines, especially DC-based vaccines, are extensively pursued immune approaches in addition to immune checkpoint blockade antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. DCs can engulf, process and present tumor antigens to T cells, thereby initiating a potent and tumor-specific immune response. However, clinical outcomes of therapeutic cancer vaccines still remain poor, with objective response rates that rarely exceed ~15%. The maturation and activation of DCs are necessary steps to trigger the antitumor responses. However, it is increasingly clear that tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (TIDCs) usually have an immature or tolerated phenotype that plays central roles in developing tumor microenvironment (TME). As a consequence, malfunction of TIDCs could suppress the infiltration and function of tumor infiltrating T cells and convert them into immune suppressive regulatory T cells.

In our previous research, we constructed novel CAR-DCs (Chimeric antigen receptor engineered dendritic cells) containing a scFv domain targeting EphA2 antigen, CD8a transmembrane, tandem DC-specific activation domains. The engineered CAR-DCs were activated when contacting with tumor targets in TME, and consequently, augmented the cytotoxicity of antigen specific T cells in immune system humanized solid tumor mouse models. Our design of CAR-DCs provides an effective vaccine strategy for malignant tumors. Therefore, we designed an autologous CAR-DC vaccine engineered with anti-EphA2 CAR and TP53 mutant peptide (TP53-EphA-2-CAR-DC), which can suppress the growth of tumors expressing the correlated TP53 mutant in animal models. In addition, the combination of the immune checkpoint inhibitors could further reverse immunosuppressive TME and globally activate T cell responses. In this pilot study, we aim to assess the safety, efficacy and immune response of TP53-EphA-2-CAR-DC combined with anti-PD-1 antibody/anti-CTLA4 antibody in patients with local advanced/metastatic solid tumors or R/R lymphomas.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-75 (inclusive).
• ECOG performance status ≤2 and Estimated life expectancy of more than 3 months.
• Local advanced/metastatic solid tumors or R/R lymphomas confirmed by histopathology or cytology with documentation of tumor EphA2 positive (≥20%) and TP53 mutation (R273H or R175H or R248Q or R249S) within 6 months prior to screening. The second malignancy is allowed.
• No clinical response to standard frontline therapy or no standard therapy exists for solid tumors. Relapse after treatment with ≥2 lines systemic therapy or refractory disease for lymphomas. Patients who have declined standard therapy or have no access to standard therapy may be enrolled and the reasons for a lack of access need to be documented. Previous treatment with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies or anti-CTLA4 antibody are allowed, regardless of the level of PD-1/PD-L1 expression, dMMR and TMB.
• At least one measurable lesion at baseline per RECIST version 1.1 or Lugano response criteria 2014.
• Adequate organ function as defined by the following criteria: ANC ≥1000 cells/μL; Platelet count ≥80,000/μL; Hemoglobin ≥8.0 g/dL (hemocytopenia caused by lymphoma invasion of bone marrow is not subject to conditions); Serum AST and serum ALT, ≤3.0 x ULN (≤5 x ULN for patients with liver metastases); Total serum bilirubin ≤3.0 x ULN); Serum creatinine ≤2 x ULN or creatinine clearance of ≥45 mL/min.
• Willing to undergo either excised or large-needle lymph node or tissue biopsy, or provide formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue block or freshly cut unstained slides.
• Willing to complete all scheduled visits and assessments at the institution administering the therapy.
• Able to read, understand and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Having TP53 (R273H or R175H or R248Q or R249S) germline mutation.
• Active central nervous system disease involvement (but allow patients with prior brain metastases treated at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment that are clinically stable and do not require intervention), or prior history of NCI CTCAE Grade ≥3 drug-related CNS toxicity.
• Prior organ allograft transplantations or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• Evidence of active uncontrolled viral, bacterial, or systemic fungal infection.
• Known positive test result for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Active infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV).
• Patients with history (within the last 5 years) or risk of autoimmune disease who have immunosuppressive medications or immunosuppressive doses of systemic corticosteroids (>10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) within 28 days prior to enrollment. However, patients who received a short course of corticosteroids (eg, premedication prior to antibody drug) will be eligible for study entry.
• Major trauma or major surgery within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
• Previous treatment involving TP53 mutant (R273H or R175H or R248Q or R249S) and EphA2.
• Systemic chemotherapy and other intervene within 2 weeks prior to vaccination.
• Being participating or withdrew any other trials within 4 weeks.
• Any serious underlying medical (eg, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, or neurological) or psychiatric condition or any issue that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• Vaccination within 30 days of study enrollment.
• Pregnant, lactating, or breastfeeding females.
• Researchers believe that other reasons are not suitable for clinical trials.