Efficacy and safety of first-line avelumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: results from a phase Ib cohort of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor study

Introduction

Avelumab, an antiprogrammed death ligand-1 antibody, is approved as a monotherapy for treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and advanced urothelial carcinoma, and in combination with axitinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma. We report the efficacy and safety of first-line avelumab in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

In a phase I expansion cohort of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial, patients with treatment-naive, metastatic, or recurrent NSCLC received 10 mg/kg avelumab intravenously every 2 weeks. Endpoints included best overall response, duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results

Overall, 156 patients were enrolled and treated. Median duration of follow-up was 18.6 months (range, 15 to 23 months). The objective response rate was 19.9% (95% CI, 13.9 to 27.0), including complete response in 3 (1.9%) and partial response in 28 (17.9%). Median DOR was 12.0 months (95% CI, 6.9 to not estimable). Median PFS was 4.0 months (95% CI, 2.7 to 5.4) and the 6-month PFS rate was 38.5% (95% CI, 30.7 to 46.3). Median OS was 14.1 months (95% CI, 11.3 to 16.9) and the 12-month OS rate was 56.6% (95% CI, 48.2 to 64.1). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 107 patients (68.6%), including grade ≥3 TRAEs in 19 (12.2%). Immune-related adverse events and infusion-related reactions occurred in 31 (19.9%) and 40 patients (25.6%), respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

Conclusion

Avelumab showed antitumor activity with a tolerable safety profile as a first-line treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC. These data support further investigation of avelumab in the phase III JAVELIN Lung 100 study.

Trial registration details

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01772004; registered January 21, 2013.

TRITON3: An international, randomized, open-label, phase III study of the PARP inhibitor rucaparib vs. physician’s choice of therapy for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)

TPS389

Background: Recent data have shown that up to 25% of patients with advanced prostate cancer, including mCRPC, have a deleterious germline or somatic mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, or another homologous recombination DNA repair gene. Such mutations can be used as a molecular marker to select patients for targeted treatment with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis), which are lethal to cells with HRD. Treatment with PARPis has shown preliminary evidence of antitumor activity in patients with mCRPC and a mutation in a homologous recombination DNA repair gene (Mateo et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:1697-708). These data provide a compelling rationale for evaluating rucaparib, a potent inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2, and PARP3, in patients with mCRPC associated with HRD. Methods: TRITON3 (NCT02975934) is a randomized, phase 3 study evaluating rucaparib 600 mg BID vs physician’s choice of abiraterone, enzalutamide, or docetaxel in patients with mCRPC and a deleterious germline or somatic BRCA1, BRCA2, or ATM mutation (identified by prior local testing or central testing during screening). Patients must have progressed on androgen receptor signaling–directed therapy in the mCRPC setting; prior PARPi treatment or chemotherapy for mCRPC are exclusion criteria. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to either rucaparib or physician’s choice, with the possibility for cross over from the comparator treatment to rucaparib upon radiographic progression confirmed by independent radiology review. The primary endpoint is radiographic progression-free survival (modified RECIST v1.1/PCWG3 criteria) assessed by independent radiology review. Secondary endpoints include objective response rate, duration of response, patient-reported outcomes, overall survival, and safety. Pretreatment blood samples collected from all patients will enable development of a noninvasive plasma-based companion diagnostic to select patients who may benefit from rucaparib treatment. Patients (≈400) will be enrolled at > 100 sites worldwide. Clinical trial information: NCT02975934.

Single agent activity of DS-8201a, a HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, in heavily pretreated HER2 expressing solid tumors

108

Background: Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) is a potential strong tumor driver for breast (BC) and gastric cancer (GC) as well as other HER2 expressing tumors. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) provide wider therapeutic window by more efficient and specific drug delivery. DS-8201a is a HER2 targeting ADC of high drug to antibody ratio (7 to 8) with a novel topoisomerase I inhibitor. In preclinical studies, DS-8201a showed a broader antitumor spectrum than T-DM1, including efficacy against low HER2 expressing tumors. Current trial includes dose escalation (Part 1) and expansion (Part 2) focusing on HER2 expressing solid tumors (NCT02564900). Methods: Part 1 used a modified continuous reassessment method to identify the expansion dose in patients (pts) with BC or GC. Part 2 was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy in 4 expansion cohorts: T-DM1 treated HER2+ BC, trastuzumab treated HER2+ GC, BC with low HER2 expressing and other HER2 expressing solid tumors. Adverse events (AEs), objective response rate (ORR) and durability of responses were assessed. Results: 89 pts were administered in total: 24 pts in Part 1 and 65 pts (BC, GC, colorectal, salivary and non-small cell lung cancer) in Part 2 with median prior therapies of 4. DS-8201a was administered up to 8.0 mg/kg in Part 1, and dose levels of 6.4 and 5.4 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks were chosen for Part 2. There was no dose limiting toxicity, and maximum tolerated dose was not reached in Part 1. The most common AEs in Part 1 and Part 2 were nausea (62%), anorexia (56%) and platelet count decreased (28%). 29% pts experienced ≥ Gr3 AEs (Gr3: 25% Gr4: 4%). The ORR and disease control rate (DCR: CR + PR + SD) are shown in the table. ORR and DCR were 40% and 90%, respectively in evaluable 73 pts including 14 low HER2 expression. One T-DM1 treated BC pt achieved CR. 4 PRs were achieved in pts with low HER2 expression. 63 pts in total are currently being treated. Median duration of treatment was ≥27 weeks in Part 1 and not reached in Part 2. Conclusions: DS-8201a was well tolerated and is remarkably active in heavily pretreated HER2 expressing cancers. Clinical trial information: NCT02564900. [Table: see text]

Long-term follow-up from STAMP, a phase II trial, evaluating sipuleucel-T and concurrent (CON) vs sequential (SEQ) abiraterone acetate + prednisone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients (pts)

190

Background: The optimal sequence and combination of life-extending anticancer therapies in mCRPC pts remains unknown. Sipuleucel-T (sip-T), an autologous cellular immunotherapy approved for the therapy of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) pts, was evaluated in combination with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (abi) in the phase II STAMP trial (NCT01487863), with pts randomly assigned to receive CON sip-T + abi or SEQ sip-T followed by abi. The combination was well-tolerated and did not alter the immune response parameters that correlate with overall survival (OS) (Small Clin Can Res 2015). Here, we present long-term follow-up of clinical outcomes, including OS. Methods: mCRPC pts were randomized 1:1 to CON or SEQ therapy with sip-T and abi. Abi began 1 day after (CON) or at wk 10 (SEQ) after the first sip-T infusion and continued for 26 wk of therapy, after which continued abi therapy was permitted. Long-term clinical outcomes included OS, disease-specific death (DSS), progressive disease (PD), time to first anticancer intervention (tACI), and safety. Results: 69 pts were enrolled (35 CON; 34 SEQ). Median OS was 34.0 mo (95% CI, 24.4-not estimable [NE]; 30.0 mo CON; 34.2 mo SEQ; p = 0.921), and median time to DSS was not reached (CON vs SEQ; p = 0.733). Median time to PD was 17.3 mo (95% CI, 9.7–NE; 17.7 mo CON vs 13.9 mo SEQ; p = 0.914; consistent with higher rates of abi discontinuation due to PD in SEQ [26.5% vs 14.3% in CON]). tACI was similar between arms at 15.4 mo (95% CI, 11.0–19.9). No new safety signals were observed with the combination, and no discernable difference in clinical outcomes was observed with CON or SEQ treatments. Conclusions: Long-term follow-up data confirm that sip-T + CON or SEQ abi is well-tolerated, with no new safety signals. No clear differences were observed in clinical outcomes between arms, although the study was not powered to detect these differences. Future and more appropriately powered studies on the effect of sip-T + continuous abi for responding pts may provide further insights on the benefit of combination therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT01487863.

Trastuzumab, in combination with carboplatin and docetaxel, does not prolong the QT interval of patients with HER2-positive metastatic or locally advanced inoperable solid tumors: results from a phase Ib study

Purpose

This study evaluated the potential effect of trastuzumab on the electrocardiogram (ECG) QT interval and assessed the potential pharmacokinetic interaction between trastuzumab and carboplatin. Here, we report the QT and safety results.

Methods

Patients with metastatic or inoperable HER2-positive solid tumors received docetaxel and carboplatin on Day 1 of each 3-week (q3w) cycle. Trastuzumab was administered intravenously, as an accelerated loading dose regimen, on Cycle 1, Day 2 and Cycle 1, Day 8, and then on Day 1 of each subsequent q3w cycle. ECG assessments were performed pre- and posttrastuzumab infusion in the first two cycles. Fridericia’s correction was applied to QT intervals (QTcF). Baseline-adjusted QTcF intervals (the change from baseline) and their 90 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

The study enrolled 59 patients. At all time points, the 90 % CI upper bound for the mean baseline-adjusted QTcF was <10 ms. At steady-state serum trastuzumab concentrations, the mean baseline-adjusted QTcF interval was −8.4 ms (90 % CI −11.1, −5.7). No patient exhibited an absolute QTcF interval of >480 ms. No relationship was observed between trastuzumab concentration and baseline-adjusted QTcF interval. At data cutoff, 84.5 % of patients had experienced grade ≥3 adverse events, the most common of which were hematologic and as expected. Left ventricular ejection fraction remained ≥45 % in all patients during the study.

Conclusions

The results suggest that trastuzumab had no clinically relevant effect on QTcF interval. The safety profile of trastuzumab in combination with carboplatin and docetaxel was consistent with the known safety profile of this combination.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00280-014-2603-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A randomized phase II trial of sipuleucel-T with concurrent or sequential abiraterone acetate (AA) plus prednisone (P) in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

5047^

Background: Sipuleucel-T and AA + P are FDA-approved for asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic mCRPC. Suppression of the androgen axis can be immunostimulatory and AA suppresses circulating androgen levels; AA plus sipuleucel-T may therefore be synergistic. However P used with AA, which may be immunosuppressive, has not been studied with concurrent sipuleucelET and could impair sipuleucel-T production and/or immunologic response. P11-3 (NCT01487863) is the 1st study to evaluate the combination of sipuleucel-T and AA + P Methods: Patients (pts) with asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic mCRPC were randomized (1:1) to sipuleucel-T (3 infusions at approx 2-wk intervals) with up to 26 wks of AA + P (AA 1000mg QD + P 5mg BID) starting 1 day after the 1st sipuleucel-T infusion (concurrent, arm A) or at 10 wks following the 1st sipuleucel-T infusion (sequential, arm B). Endpoints included the effect of AA + P on product (sipuleucel-T) characteristics eg antigen presenting cell (APC) activation, measured as CD54 upregulation (primary endpoint), APC (measured as CD54+ cells) and total nucleated cell (TNC) counts, as well as safety and immunologic responses. Results: 31 pts in arm A and 32 pts in arm B completed sipuleucel-T treatment by the interim analysis (Nov 2012). Baseline characteristics were similar in the 2 arms. 60/63 pts received all 3 infusions of sipuleucel-T. No significant differences in median cumulative APC activation, APC count or TNC count were seen between the arms. Increased CD54 upregulation with the 2nd and 3rd treatments were indicative of a prime boost effect in both arms. Similar profiles of antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses were generated with no difference in magnitude of response between the arms (p>0.05). The incidence of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs was similar in both arms. Conclusions: These data suggest sipuleucel-T can be successfully manufactured during concurrent AA + P. Product potency and prime boost effect were similar to sipuleucel-T alone. Immune responses and AEs were similar in both arms. It is not known if sipuleucel-T will provide similar efficacy with concurrent or sequential AA + P. Clinical trial information: NCT01487863.

A randomized phase II, open-label study of sipuleucel-T with concurrent or sequential abiraterone acetate (AA) in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

114

Background: Sipuleucel-T and AA are both FDA approved for mCRPC. Given that androgen deprivation therapy is immunostimulatory, increased suppression of the androgen axis with AA could provide synergy in combination with sipuleucel-T; however, AA is given with prednisone (P), which may be immunosuppressive. In order to evaluate the impact of concurrent AA + P on product characteristics, a study of sipuleucel-T with concurrent or sequential AA + P was undertaken. Methods: Pts aged ≥18 yrs with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic mCRPC, and ECOG PS 0/1 were randomized (1:1) to sipuleucel-T (3 infusions at approx 2-week intervals) with up to 26 weeks of AA + P (AA 1000mg QD + P 5mg BID) starting 1 day after the first sipuleucel-T infusion (concurrent arm) or at week 10 (sequential arm). The primary endpoint was cumulative CD54 upregulation (measure of antigen presenting cell activation); secondary and tertiary endpoints included CD54+cell and total nucleated cell (TNC) counts (measures of product potency), safety and efficacy. Results: 29 pts have been enrolled. 16 pts in the concurrent arm (A) and 13 pts in the sequential arm (B) have completed sipuleucel-T treatment at the time of this interim analysis (7 Sept 2012). 27/29 pts received all 3 infusions of sipuleucel-T; 2 pts (both arm A) received only 1 infusion due to insufficient TNC count (n=1) and disease progression 8 days after randomization (n=1). No significant differences in median cumulative CD54 upregulation (31.6 vs 36.6) and CD54+ count (1.9 vs 2.1 x109) were observed between arms A and B, respectively. Increased CD54 upregulation with the 2nd and 3rd treatments were indicative of a prime boost effect in both arms. Similarly, the TNC profile over time was similar for both arms. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was similar in arms A (81%) and B (77%). Common all-grade AEs included muscle spasms (31% vs 23%), oral paresthesia (19% vs 31%), chills (31% vs 8%) and cough (19% vs 15%). Conclusions: These data suggest that sipuleucel-T can be manufactured during treatment with AA + P with product potency and prime boost similar to that of sipuleucel-T alone. Clinical trial information: NCT01487863.

A phase II study of the androgen signaling inhibitor ARN-509 in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)

TPS4697

Background: ARN-509 is a novel small molecule androgen signaling inhibitor that impairs AR nuclear translocation and binding to DNA, inhibiting tumor growth and promoting apoptosis, with no partial agonist activity. Preclinical data suggests that the maximal therapeutic index of ARN-509 can be achieved at low steady state plasma levels with minimal toxicity (Clegg et al, 2012). Enrollment in the Phase 1 dose escalation study of ARN-509 in patients with progressive CRPC with and without prior chemotherapy was completed in January 2012. The recommended Phase 2 dose of 240 mg was determined based on safety, PSA kinetics, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis (Rathkopf et al, GU ASCO, 2012). Methods: The primary objective of this Phase 2 study is to determine the PSA response at 12 weeks according to Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 (PCWG2) Criteria (Scher et al, 2008). Three expansion cohorts will enroll a total of 80-90 patients for treatment with 240 mg continuous oral ARN-509 daily. These cohorts include: 1) non-metastatic treatment-naïve CRPC (50 patients); 2) chemotherapy-naïve metastatic (m) CRPC (20 patients); and 3) chemotherapy-naïve, post abiraterone mCRPC (10-20 patients). The effect of food on the PK of ARN-509 and the effect of ARN-509 on ventricular repolarization will also be evaluated. Phase 2 enrollment is ongoing. DOD/PCF PCCTC trial sponsored by Aragon Pharmaceuticals. NCT01171898.

Sipuleucel-T immunotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Sipuleucel-T, an autologous active cellular immunotherapy, has shown evidence of efficacy in reducing the risk of death among men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

METHODS

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 512 patients in a 2:1 ratio to receive either sipuleucel-T (341 patients) or placebo (171 patients) administered intravenously every 2 weeks, for a total of three infusions. The primary end point was overall survival, analyzed by means of a stratified Cox regression model adjusted for baseline levels of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and lactate dehydrogenase.

RESULTS

In the sipuleucel-T group, there was a relative reduction of 22% in the risk of death as compared with the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 0.98; P=0.03). This reduction represented a 4.1-month improvement in median survival (25.8 months in the sipuleucel-T group vs. 21.7 months in the placebo group). The 36-month survival probability was 31.7% in the sipuleucel-T group versus 23.0% in the placebo group. The treatment effect was also observed with the use of an unadjusted Cox model and a log-rank test (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.97; P=0.02) and after adjustment for use of docetaxel after the study therapy (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.98; P=0.03). The time to objective disease progression was similar in the two study groups. Immune responses to the immunizing antigen were observed in patients who received sipuleucel-T. Adverse events that were more frequently reported in the sipuleucel-T group than in the placebo group included chills, fever, and headache.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of sipuleucel-T prolonged overall survival among men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. No effect on the time to disease progression was observed. (Funded by Dendreon; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00065442.)

Double-blinded randomized study of high-dose calcitriol plus docetaxel compared with placebo plus docetaxel in androgen-independent prostate cancer: a report from the ASCENT Investigators

PURPOSE

To compare the safety and activity of DN-101, a new high-dose oral formulation of calcitriol designed for cancer therapy, and docetaxel with placebo and docetaxel.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with progressive metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer and adequate organ function received weekly docetaxel 36 mg/m2 intravenously for 3 weeks of a 4-week cycle combined with either 45 microg DN-101 or placebo taken orally 1 day before docetaxel. The primary end point was prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response within 6 months of enrollment, defined as a 50% reduction confirmed at least 4 weeks later.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty patients were randomly assigned. Baseline characteristics were similar in both arms. Within 6 months, PSA responses were seen in 58% in DN-101 patients and 49% in placebo patients (P = .16). Overall, PSA response rates were 63% (DN-101) and 52% (placebo), P = .07. Patients in the DN-101 group had a hazard ratio for death of 0.67 (P = .04) in a multivariate analysis that included baseline hemoglobin and performance status. Median survival has not been reached for the DN-101 arm and is estimated to be 24.5 months using the hazard ratio, compared with 16.4 months for placebo. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 58% of DN-101 patients and in 70% of placebo-treated patients (P = .07). Most common grade 3/4 toxicities for DN-101 versus placebo were neutropenia (10% v 8%), fatigue (8% v 16%), infection (8% v 13%), and hyperglycemia (6% v 12%).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that DN-101 treatment was associated with improved survival, but this will require confirmation because survival was not a primary end point. The addition of weekly DN-101 did not increase the toxicity of weekly docetaxel.

Placebo-controlled phase III trial of immunologic therapy with sipuleucel-T (APC8015) in patients with metastatic, asymptomatic hormone refractory prostate cancer

PURPOSE

Sipuleucel-T (APC8015) is an investigational immunotherapy product designed to stimulate T-cell immunity against prostatic acid phosphatase. A phase III study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sipuleucel-T in a placebo-controlled study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 127 patients with asymptomatic metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive three infusions of sipuleucel-T (n = 82) or placebo (n = 45) every 2 weeks. On disease progression, placebo patients could receive APC8015F, a product made with frozen leukapheresis cells.

RESULTS

Of the 127 patients, 115 patients had progressive disease at the time of data analysis, and all patients were followed for survival for 36 months. The median for time to disease progression (TTP) for sipuleucel-T was 11.7 weeks compared with 10.0 weeks for placebo (P = .052, log-rank; hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95%CI, 0.99 to 2.11). Median survival was 25.9 months for sipuleucel-T and 21.4 months for placebo (P = .01, log-rank; HR, 1.70; 95%CI, 1.13 to 2.56). Treatment remained a strong independent predictor of overall survival after adjusting for prognostic factors using a Cox multivariable regression model (P = .002, Wald test; HR, 2.12; 95%CI, 1.31 to 3.44). The median ratio of T-cell stimulation at 8 weeks to pretreatment was eight-fold higher in sipuleucel-T-treated patients (16.9 v 1.99; P < .001). Sipuleucel-T therapy was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

While the improvement in the primary end point TTP did not achieve statistical significance, this study suggests that sipuleucel-T may provide a survival advantage to asymptomatic HRPC patients. Supportive studies are underway.

Phase II trial of idiotype vaccination in previously treated patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma resulting in durable clinical responses

PURPOSE

To evaluate idiotype (Id) vaccination as a single agent in previously treated patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients underwent biopsy for determination of their lymphoma-specific Id sequence. Recombinant Id protein was manufactured and covalently linked with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) to generate Id/KLH. Patients received Id/KLH 1 mg on day 1 subcutaneously, with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor 250 mug on days 1 to 4, monthly for 6 months. Booster injections were administered until progression. Both clinical and immune responses were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-two previously treated patients received at least one injection of Id/KLH, and 31 were assessed for efficacy. Responses were observed in four patients (one complete response and three partial responses). Median time to onset of response was 5.9 months (range, 2.3 to 14.1 months). Median duration of response has not been reached but should be at least 19.4 months (range, 10.4 to 27.2+ months). Median time to progression is 13.5 months. The most common adverse events were mild to moderate injection site reactions. Six (67%) of nine patients tested demonstrated a cellular immune response, and four (20%) of 20 patients demonstrated an antibody response against their Id.

CONCLUSION

This trial demonstrates that Id/KLH alone can induce tumor regression and durable objective responses. Further study of Id/KLH is recommended in other settings where efficacy may be further enhanced as in first-line therapy or after cytoreductive therapy.

Phase III trial of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin plus either 3H1 anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody or placebo in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The monoclonal antibody 3H1 mimics the external structure of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It therefore has the potential, via the anti-idiotypic network, to stimulate immune responses to CEA that may benefit colorectal cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 630 patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer were randomised in a 2:1 fashion to receive bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) plus either 3H1 (n = 422) or placebo (n = 208).

RESULTS

The addition of 3H1 to 5-FU and LV did not result in increased toxicity. Survival for the full intent-to-treat population was 14.7 months for the 3H1 arm and 15.2 months for the placebo arm (P = 0.80). Anti-CEA antibody responses were observed in 70% of patients treated with 3H1. Patients with a negative CEA response had a median survival of 8.3 months (95% CI 7.5-11.0) compared with patients with a strong response: median survival not reached (P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

3H1 is safe and effectively induces immune responses to CEA. Addition of 3H1 to 5-FU and LV was not shown to improve overall patient outcomes. However, improved survival in patients developing anti-CEA responses to 3H1 are provocative and should be studied in further clinical trials.

Engineering receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSLs)

The functional and molecular diversity of G-protein-coupled receptors presents a significant challenge to understanding the connection between a single receptor signaling pathway and a specific physiological or pathological response. To gain control over the timing and specificity of a G-protein signal, receptors activated solely by synthetic ligands (RASSLs) have been developed. These engineered receptors no longer respond to endogenous peptides, but can still be activated by a specific small-molecule drug. Further control over the location of the signal can be achieved by using RASSLs in conjunction with tissue-specific expression systems in vivo. Existing RASSLs have clarified the role of G(i) signaling in cardiac physiology and are currently being used to study cardiomyopathy, muscle remodeling, sensory transduction and complex neurobehavioral responses.

Abnormal contraction caused by expression of G(i)-coupled receptor in transgenic model of dilated cardiomyopathy

Although increased G(i) signaling has been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in humans, its role is not clear. Our goal was to determine the effects of chronically increased G(i) signaling on myocardial function. We studied transgenic mice that expressed a G(i)-coupled receptor (Ro1) that was targeted to the heart and regulated by a tetracycline-controlled expression system. Ro1 expression for 8 wk resulted in abnormal contractions of right ventricular muscle strips in vitro. Ro1 expression reduced myocardial force by >60% (from 35 +/- 3 to 13 +/- 2 mN/mm(2), P < 0.001). Nevertheless, sensitivity to extracellular Ca(2+) was enhanced. The extracellular [Ca(2+)] resulting in half-maximal force was lower with Ro1 expression compared with control (0.41 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.88 +/- 0.05 mM, P < 0.001). Ro1 expression slowed both contraction and relaxation kinetics, increasing the twitch time to peak (143 +/- 6 vs. 100 +/- 4 ms in control, P < 0.001) and the time to half relaxation (124 +/- 6 vs. 75 +/- 6 ms in control, P < 0.001). Increased pacing frequency increased contractile force threefold in control myocardium (P < 0.001) but caused no increase of force in Ro1-expressing myocardium. When stimulation was interrupted with rests, postrest force increased in control myocardium, but there was postrest decay of force in Ro1-expressing myocardium. These results suggest that defects in contractility mediated by G(i) signaling may contribute to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conditional expression of a Gi-coupled receptor causes ventricular conduction delay and a lethal cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Ventricular conduction delay, as shown by prolonged deflections in the electrocardiogram caused by delayed ventricular contraction (wide QRS complex), is a common feature of cardiomyopathy and is associated with a poor prognosis. Although the G(i)-signaling pathway is up-regulated in certain cardiomyopathies, previous studies suggested this up-regulation was compensatory rather than a potential cause of the disease. Using the tetracycline transactivator system and a modified G(i)-coupled receptor (Ro1), we provide evidence that increased G(i) signaling in mice can result in a lethal cardiomyopathy associated with a wide QRS complex arrhythmia. Induced expression of Ro1 in adult mice resulted in a >90% mortality rate at 16 wk, whereas suppression of Ro1 expression after 8 wk protected mice from further mortality and allowed partial improvement in systolic function. Results of DNA-array analysis of over 6,000 genes from hearts expressing Ro1 are consistent with hyperactive G(i) signaling. DNA-array analysis also identified known markers of cardiomyopathy and hundreds of previously unknown potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for this syndrome. Our system allows cardiomyopathy to be induced and reversed in adult mice, providing an unprecedented opportunity to dissect the role of G(i) signaling in causing cardiac pathology.

Conditional expression and signaling of a specifically designed Gi-coupled receptor in transgenic mice

To control G protein signaling in vivo, we have modified G protein-coupled receptors to respond exclusively to synthetic small molecule agonists and not to their natural agonist(s). These engineered receptors are designated RASSLs (receptor activated solely by a synthetic ligand). A prototype RASSL (Ro1) based on the Gi-coupled K opioid receptor was expressed in transgenic mice under the control of the tetracycline transactivator (tet) system. Activation of Ro1 expressed in the heart decreased heart rate by up to 80%, an expected effect of increased Gi signaling. Maximal heart rate changes occurred in less than 1 min, demonstrating the speed of this inducible signaling system. This Ro1-mediated slowing of heart rate was also subject to desensitization, which lasted more than 24 h. Both the initial effect on heart rate and the desensitization occurred, even though Ro1 is derived from a human opioid receptor not normally involved in heart rate control. In addition, the tet system was used to induce Ro1 expression in hepatocytes and salivary gland, where Gi signaling is known to control physiologic events such as proliferation and secretion. These studies demonstrate that a RASSL can be inducibly expressed in several mouse tissues and used in vivo to activate G protein signaling in a controllable fashion.

In vivo-like drug responses of human tumors growing in three-dimensional gel-supported primary culture

An in vitro test of cell sensitivity to drugs that indicates in vivo response is an important need in cancer therapy and cancer drug development. Toward this end, we previously developed a collagen gel-supported culture system for growth of human tumors. This three-dimensional culture system is general and grows tumors at high frequency directly from surgery or biopsy that maintain important in vivo properties in vitro, including tissue architecture. We report here that with autoradiographic techniques measuring cellular DNA synthesis the drug responses of individual cells within the tissue structure of in vitro-grown tumors can be determined. Twenty tumor classes, including all the major ones, have been measured in toto at greater than 50% frequency. Quantitative and qualitative results show increasing cell kill with rising cytotoxic drug concentration, differential drug sensitivities of multiple cell types within individual cultured tumors, differential sensitivities of a series of tumors of the same histopathological classification to a single drug, differential sensitivities of individual tumors to a series of drugs, and sensitivity patterns of various tumor types similar to the sensitivities found in vivo. Therefore, the results indicate that potentially important therapeutic data can be obtained from tumor specimens growing in vitro for the individual cancer patient as well as for rational and relevant screening for new agents active against human solid tumors.