Subcutaneous Granulocyte-macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Research Articles

Experience with Treatment of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis from a Tertiary Care Centre in North India

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a disorder characterised by accumulation of lipids and proteins in the alveoli, with the resultant symptoms ranging from indolent subclinical disease to progressive respiratory failure. We retrospectively studied five patients with PAP managed at our center between January 2007 and April 2010, with whole lung lavage (WLL) and/or subcutaneous granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) therapy. Patients undergoing WLL under general anaesthesia were supplemented with three months of GM-CSF therapy. Pre- and post-lavage symptom assessment was performed with a 10-point, symptom-based visual analogue scale. Their mean age was 37.6-7.0 years; there were four males. Diagnosis of PAP [idiopathic (n=3); secondary to Nocardia (n=1)] was established by surgical lung biopsy in four patients who presented with respiratory failure. Three patients with idiopathic PAP (n=3) were treated with a combination of GM-CSF and WLL; one patient with secondary PAP was treated with antibiotics alone. In another patient transbronchial lung biopsy was used to diagnose PAP and GM-CSF alone was administered. All patients were followed up for a median period of two years (range 0.5-3 years). Significant improvement was achieved in all the patients with therapeutic WLL and/or GM-CSF. Whole lung lavage appeared to be an effective and safe therapy in patients with PAP. Efficacy of simultaneous administration of GM-CSF and WLL in the treatment of PAP merits further study.

The innate immune system stimulating cytokine GM-CSF improves learning/memory and interneuron and astrocyte brain pathology in Dp16 Down syndrome mice and improves learning/memory in wild-type mice

Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by chronic neuroinflammation, peripheral inflammation, astrogliosis, imbalanced excitatory/inhibitory neuronal function, and cognitive deficits in both humans and mouse models. Suppression of inflammation has been proposed as a therapeutic approach to treating DS co-morbidities, including intellectual disability (DS/ID). Conversely, we discovered previously that treatment with the innate immune system stimulating cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which has both pro- and anti-inflammatory activities, improved cognition and reduced brain pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), another inflammatory disorder, and improved cognition and reduced biomarkers of brain pathology in a phase II trial of humans with mild-to-moderate AD. To investigate the effects of GM-CSF treatment on DS/ID in the absence of AD, we assessed behavior and brain pathology in 12–14 month-old DS mice (Dp[16]1Yey) and their wild-type (WT) littermates, neither of which develop amyloid, and found that subcutaneous GM-CSF treatment (5 μg/day, five days/week, for five weeks) improved performance in the radial arm water maze in both Dp16 and WT mice compared to placebo. Dp16 mice also showed abnormal astrocyte morphology, increased percent area of GFAP staining in the hippocampus, clustering of astrocytes in the hippocampus, and reduced numbers of calretinin-positive interneurons in the entorhinal cortex and subiculum, and all of these brain pathologies were improved by GM-CSF treatment. These findings suggest that stimulating and/or modulating inflammation and the innate immune system with GM-CSF treatment may enhance cognition in both people with DS/ID and in the typical aging population.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in children

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of conditions that have a very characteristic appearance on computed tomography. There is outlining of the secondary pulmonary lobules on the background of ground-glass shadowing and pathologically, filling of the alveolar spaces with normal or abnormal surfactant. PAP is rare and the common causes in children are very different from those seen in adults; autoimmune PAP is rare and macrophage blockade not described in children. There are many genetic causes of PAP, the best known of which are mutations in the genes encoding surfactant protein (SP)-B, SP-C, thyroid transcription factor 1, ATP-binding cassette protein 3, and the granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor α- and β- chains. PAP may also be a manifestation of rheumatological and metabolic disease, congenital immunodeficiency, and haematological malignancy. Precise diagnosis of the underlying cause is essential in planning treatment, as well as for genetic counselling. The evidence base for treatment is poor. Some forms of PAP respond well to whole-lung lavage, and autoimmune PAP, which is much commoner in adults, responds to inhaled or subcutaneous GM-CSF. Emerging therapies based on studies in murine models of PAP include stem-cell transplantation for GM-CSF receptor mutations.Educational aimsTo understand when to suspect that a child has pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and how to confirm that this is the cause of the presentation.To show that PAP is an umbrella term for conditions characterised by alveolar filling by normal or abnormal surfactant, and that this term is the start, not the end, of the diagnostic journey.To review the developmental differences in the spectrum of conditions that may cause PAP, and specifically to understand the differences between causes in adults and children.To discuss when to treat PAP with whole-lung lavage and/or granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and review potential promising new therapies.

Cutaneous melanoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up†.

Cutaneous melanoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up†.

Combined-modality therapy for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a remote setting: a case report

BackgroundPulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease characterized by accumulation of phospholipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli. The presentation is nonspecific but typically includes dyspnea; the spectrum of disease includes rapidly progressive hypoxic respiratory failure. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the treatment of choice in symptomatic PAP, but transient worsening of oxygenation sometimes requires salvage modalities of support such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plays a role in the pathophysiology of PAP. We highlight a case of severe PAP treated with exogenous GM-CSF and sequential lobar lavage due to the unavailability of salvage methods of oxygenation.Case presentationA 36 year old female was admitted with fevers, chills, and progressive dyspnea. On presentation she was tachypneic, tachycardic, and hypoxemic; labs revealed leukocytosis and lactic acidosis. Chest CT identified diffuse ground glass opacities in a ‘crazy-paving’ pattern. Following intubation due to impending respiratory failure, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The lavage return stained positive with Periodic Acid Schiff, confirming the diagnosis of PAP. Continued deterioration necessitated treatment; however, at this geographically remote center without ECMO services WLL was judged to carry significant risk. Nebulized GM-CSF was administered without significant improvement. Subcutaneous GM-CSF was administered and isolated subsegmental lavages of the bilateral upper lobes were performed, with rapid improvement in oxygenation. Additional sequential lobar lavage and continued GM-CSF therapy as an outpatient resulted in complete resolution of oxygen requirement and return to normal pulmonary physiology.ConclusionsThe autoimmune form of PAP is the most common, indicating that therapy with GM-CSF may play an important role for many patients. Treatment with WLL may be impractical in some clinical settings due to the expertise and salvage modalities required. Sequential lobar lavage requires less specialized expertise and may incur less risk of refractory hypoxemia. We posit that this combined-modality therapy is ideally suited to geographically-remote centers such as our own.

Better approach for autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis treatment: inhaled or subcutaneous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: a meta-analyses

BackgroundAutoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is a rare pulmonary disease caused by functional deficiency of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). GM-CSF therapy in aPAP has been reported effective in some studies. This meta-analyses aimed to evaluate whether GM-CSF therapy, including inhaled and subcutaneous GM-CSF have therapeutic effect in aPAP patients.MethodsWe analyzed 10 studies searched from PubMed, EmBase, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library and Cochrane Collaboration databases to evaluate the pooled effects of GM-CSF treatment in aPAP patients.ResultsTen observational studies involving 115 aPAP patients were included. The pooled analyses of response rate (81%, p < 0.001), relapse rate (22%, p = 0.009), PaO2 (13.76 mmHg, p < 0.001) and P(A-a)O2 (19.44 mmHg, p < 0.001) showed that GM-CSF treatment was effective on aPAP patients. Further analyses showed that inhaled GM-CSF treatment was more effective than subcutaneous GM-CSF therapy, including a higher response rate (89% vs. 71%, p = 0.023), more improvements in PaO2 (21.02 mmHg vs. 8.28 mmHg, p < 0.001) and P(A-a)O2 (19.63 mmHg vs. 9.15 mmHg, p < 0.001).ConclusionsAs two routes of exogenous GM-CSF treatment, inhaled and subcutaneous were both proven to have effect on aPAP patients. Furthermore, inhaled GM-CSF therapy showed a higher response rate, more improvements on PaO2 and P(A-a)O2 than subcutaneous GM-CSF treatment in aPAP patients, suggesting inhaled GM-CSF therapy could have more benefits on aPAP patients. Therefore, GM-CSF therapy, especially inhaled GM-CSF, might be a promising therapeutic option in treating aPAP.

Randomised controlled trial of GM-CSF in critically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis

BackgroundCritically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis have significantly increased risk of nosocomial infection. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) improves phagocytosis by neutrophils ex vivo. This study tested the hypothesis that...

Quadruple immunotherapy of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, interferon, interleukin-2, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as salvage therapy for non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer

BackgroundBacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the most effective initial intravesical therapy for high-grade non–muscle invasive bladder cancer, but many patients still fail. Combination intravesical BCG and interferon (IFN) will salvage some patients but results remain suboptimal. ObjectiveWe hypothesized that further immunostimulation with intravesical interleukin-2 and subcutaneous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor may improve response to intravesical BCG and IFN in patient with prior BCG failure(s). MethodsA retrospective review was performed. Patients received 6 treatments of quadruple immunotherapy (intravesical solution with one-third dose BCG, 50 million units IFN, and 22 million units interleukin-2, along with a 250-mcg subcutaneous sargramostim injection). Surveillance began 4 to 6 weeks after treatment completion. Patients received maintenance if recurrence-free. Success was defined as no recurrence (bladder or extravesical) and bladder preservation. Analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method (P<0.05). ResultsFifty-two patients received treatment with a median recurrence follow-up of 16.3 months and overall follow-up of 41.8 months. All patients had at least 1 prior BCG failure and 13% had 2 or more prior failures. Only 3 patients (6%) were unable to tolerate full induction. Treatment success was 55% at 1 year, and 53% at 2 years. Thirteen patients (25%) underwent cystectomy at a median time of 17.3 months with disease progression to T2 in 1 patient and T3 in 2 patients. No patients had positive surgical margins or positive lymph nodes. ConclusionsIn patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer with prior BCG failure, quadruple immunotherapy demonstrated good treatment success in some patients and warrants further evaluation.

Successful treatment of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis with whole lung lavage and subcutaneous GM-CSF

Abstract Introduction Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease characterized by the accumulation of a periodic acid-Shiff-positive lipoproteinaceous material (surfactant) in the distal airways. The standard treatment is whole lung lavage (WLL), however, not all patients respond well to WLL. Aim We present an exciting case report on the successful treatment of the rare disease PAP with WLL and subcutaneous granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) therapy for 12 weeks. Case study A 20 year-old woman with a 7-month history of progressive shortness of breath was referred to us. Computed tomography of the chest revealed typical geographic ground-glass opacity combined with interlobular septal thickening (crazy paving). Pulmonary function tests showed restriction with severe impairment of diffusion capacity (DLCO 20%). Milky bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected during bronchoscopy. The cytology of the BALF was consistent with PAP. WLL was performed and subcutaneous GM-CSF was started immediately and continued for 12 weeks. At the end of treatment, the patient's lung function was clearly improved (DLCO 62%). Results and discussion One year after the withdrawal of treatment, the patient remains in good health, with no recurrence of hypoxemia and respiratory symptoms. Different treatment modalities have been applied since PAP was first defined, and WLL has been the preferred first line of treatment. Although our patient‘s condition improved after WLL, her respiratory insufficiency persisted. Consequently, we initiated treatment with subcutaneous GM-CSF. Conclusions WLL significantly improved our patient's condition, and GM-CSF was effective at prolonging pulmonary washout from excess surfactant.

Efficacy and safety of talimogene laherparepvec versus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with stage IIIB/C and IVM1a melanoma: subanalysis of the Phase III OPTiM trial.

ObjectivesTalimogene laherparepvec is the first oncolytic immunotherapy to receive approval in Europe, the USA and Australia. In the randomized, open-label Phase III OPTiM trial (NCT00769704), talimogene laherparepvec significantly improved durable response rate (DRR) versus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in 436 patients with unresectable stage IIIB–IVM1c melanoma. The median overall survival (OS) was longer versus GM-CSF in patients with earlier-stage melanoma (IIIB–IVM1a). Here, we report a detailed subgroup analysis of the OPTiM study in patients with IIIB–IVM1a disease.Patients and methodsThe patients were randomized (2:1 ratio) to intralesional talimogene laherparepvec or subcutaneous GM-CSF and were evaluated for DRR, overall response rate (ORR), OS, safety, benefit–risk and numbers needed to treat. Descriptive statistics were used for subgroup comparisons.ResultsAmong 249 evaluated patients with stage IIIB–IVM1a melanoma, DRR was higher with talimogene laherparepvec compared with GM-CSF (25.2% versus 1.2%; P<0.0001). ORR was also higher in the talimogene laherparepvec arm (40.5% versus 2.3%; P<0.0001), and 27 patients in the talimogene laherparepvec arm had a complete response, compared with none in GM-CSF-treated patients. The incidence rates of exposure-adjusted adverse events (AE) and serious AEs were similar with both treatments.ConclusionThe subgroup of patients with stage IIIB, IIIC and IVM1a melanoma (57.1% of the OPTiM intent-to-treat population) derived greater benefit in DRR and ORR from talimogene laherparepvec compared with GM-CSF. Talimogene laherparepvec was well tolerated.

Radiation lays down covering fire for viral shock troops

Radiation lays down covering fire for viral shock troops

OPTiM: A randomized phase III trial of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) versus subcutaneous (SC) granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for the treatment (tx) of unresected stage IIIB/C and IV melanoma.

LBA9008 Background: T-VEC is an oncolytic immunotherapy (OI) derived from herpes simplex virus type-1 designed to selectively replicate within tumors and to produce GM-CSF to enhance systemic antitumor immune responses. OPTiM is a randomized, phase III trial of T-VEC or GM-CSF in patients (pts) with unresected melanoma with regional or distant metastases. We report the primary results of the first phase III study of OI. Methods: Key criteria: age ≥18 yrs; ECOG ≤1; unresectable melanoma stage IIIB/C or IV; injectable cutaneous, SC, or nodal lesions; LDH ≤1.5X upper limit of normal; ≤3 visceral lesions (excluding lung), none &gt;3 cm. Pts were randomized 2:1 to intralesional T-VEC (initially ≤ 4 mL x106 pfu/mL then after 3 wks, ≤ 4 mL x108 pfu/mL Q2W) or SC GM-CSF (125 µg/m2qd x 14 days q28d). The primary endpoint was durable response rate (DRR): partial or complete response (CR) continuously for ≥6 mos starting within 12 mos. Responses were per modified WHO by blinded central review. A planned interim analysis of overall survival (OS; key secondary endpoint) was performed. Results: 436 pts are in the ITT set: 295 (68%) T-VEC, 141 (32%) GM-CSF. 57% were men; median age was 63 yrs. Stage distribution was: IIIB/C 30%, IVM1a 27%, IVM1b 21%, IVM1c 22%. Objective response rate with T-VEC was 26% (95% CI: 21%, 32%) with 11% CR, and with GM-CSF was 6% (95% CI: 2%, 10%) with 1% CR. DRR for T-VEC was 16% (95% CI: 12%, 21%) and 2% for GM-CSF (95% CI: 0%, 5%), p&lt;0.0001. DRR by stage (T-VEC, GM-CSF) was IIIB/C (33%, 0%), M1a (16%, 2%), M1b (3%, 4%), and M1c (8%, 3%). Interim OS showed a trend in favor of T-VEC; HR 0.79 (95% CI: 0.61, 1.02). Most common adverse events (AEs) with T-VEC were fatigue, chills, and pyrexia. Serious AEs occurred in 26% of T-VEC and 13% of GM-CSF pts. No ≥ grade 3 AE occurred in ≥ 3% of pts in either arm. Conclusions: T-VEC demonstrated both a statistically significant improvement in DRR over GM-CSF in pts with unresectable stage IIIB-IV melanoma and a tolerable safety profile; an interim analysis showed a trend toward improved OS. T-VEC represents a novel potential tx option for melanoma with regional or distant metastases. Clinical trial information: NCT00769704.

Addition of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor does not improve response to early treatment of high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia with alemtuzumab and rituximab

Thirty-three previously untreated patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were treated before meeting standard criteria with alemtuzumab and rituximab. Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was added to the regimen to determine whether it would improve treatment efficacy without increasing toxicity. High risk was defined as at least one of the following: 17p13−; 11q22.3−; unmutated IGHV (or use of VH3–21) together with elevated expression of ZAP-70 and/or CD38. Treatment was subcutaneous GM-CSF 250 μg Monday–Wednesday–Friday for 6 weeks from day 1, subcutaneous alemtuzumab 3 mg–10 mg–30 mg from day 3 and then 30 mg Monday–Wednesday–Friday for 4 weeks, and intravenous rituximab (375 mg/m2/week) for 4 weeks from day 8. Patients received standard supportive care and were monitored weekly for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. Using standard criteria, 31 (94%) patients responded to treatment, with nine (27%) complete responses (one with persistent cytopenia) and nine (27%) nodular partial responses. Median progression-free survival was 13.0 months and time to next treatment was 33.5 months. No patient died during treatment, seven (21%) had grade 3–4 toxicities attributable to treatment, and 10 (30%) had CMV viremia. Addition of GM-CSF to therapy with alemtuzumab and rituximab decreased treatment efficacy and increased the rate of CMV reactivation compared to a historical control.

Murine Anti-GD2 Monoclonal Antibody 3F8 Combined With Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor and 13-Cis-Retinoic Acid in High-Risk Patients With Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in First Remission

Anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) combined with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has shown efficacy against neuroblastoma (NB). Prognostic variables that could influence clinical outcome were explored. One hundred sixty-nine children diagnosed with stage 4 NB (1988 to 2008) were enrolled onto consecutive anti-GD2 murine MoAb 3F8 ± GM-CSF ± 13-cis-retinoic acid (CRA) protocols after achieving first remission (complete remission/very good partial remission). Patients enrolled in regimen A (n = 43 high-risk [HR] patients) received 3F8 alone; regimen B (n = 41 HR patients), 3F8 + intravenous GM-CSF + CRA, after stem-cell transplantation (SCT); and regimen C (n = 85), 3F8 + subcutaneous GM-CSF + CRA, 46 of 85 after SCT, whereas 28 of 85 required additional induction therapy and were deemed ultra high risk (UHR). Marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Survival probability was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic variables were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression model. At 5 years from the start of immunotherapy, progression-free survival (PFS) improved from 44% for HR patients receiving regimen A to 56% and 62% for those receiving regimens B and C, respectively. Overall survival (OS) was 49%, 61%, and 81%, respectively. PFS and OS of UHR patients were 36% and 75%, respectively. Relapse was mostly at isolated sites. Independent adverse prognostic factors included UHR (PFS) and post-cycle two MRD (PFS and OS), whereas the prognostic factors for improved outcome were missing killer immunoglobulin-like receptor ligand (PFS and OS), human antimouse antibody response (OS), and regimen C (OS). Retrospective analysis of consecutive trials from a single center demonstrated that MoAb 3F8 + GM-CSF + CRA is effective against chemotherapy-resistant marrow MRD. Its positive impact on long-term survival can only be confirmed definitively by randomized studies.

Activation of Peripheral-Blood Granulocytes Is Strongly Correlated With Patient Outcome After Immunotherapy With Anti-GD2 Monoclonal Antibody and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

Adjuvant therapy using anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has shown treatment success for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). Although there is ample evidence on how the antibody targets NB, in vivo contribution by GM-CSF remains unclear. This report investigates granulocyte activation and its correlation with treatment outcome. Patients enrolled onto NCT00072358 received multiple treatment cycles, each consisting of anti-GD2 antibody 3F8 plus subcutaneous (SC) GM-CSF. Peripheral-blood (PB) samples from 151 patients were collected on day 0 and day 4 of cycle 1. PB from a subgroup of 35 patients had intravenous (IV) instead of SC GM-CSF during cycle 4. Samples were analyzed by flow cytometry for CD11a, CD63, CD87, and CD11b and its activation epitope CBRM1/5. Comparing cycle 1 day 4 PB samples with day 0 PB samples, five of five activation marker-positive granulocytes were significantly higher. The change in frequency and mean fluorescence intensity of CBRM1/5-positive granulocytes correlated with progression-free survival (PFS; P = .024 and P = .008, respectively). A multivariable analysis identified increasing CBRM1/5-positive granulocytes and missing killer immunoglobulin-like receptor ligand as positive independent prognostic factors for PFS, whereas second-line cyclophosphamide-based therapy before protocol entry negatively influenced outcome. Thirty-five patients who received SC GM-CSF at cycle 1 and IV GM-CSF at cycle 4 had significantly less CBRM1/5 activation after IV GM-CSF. In contrast, 63 patients who received SC GM-CSF at both cycles had comparable CBRM1/5 activation. GM-CSF-induced granulocyte activation in vivo is associated with improved patient outcome. This activation was more apparent when GM-CSF was given by the SC route instead of IV route.

Localized cutaneous eruption with enlarged histiocytes induced by subcutaneous granulocyte macrophage colony–stimulating factor injections

Localized cutaneous eruption with enlarged histiocytes induced by subcutaneous granulocyte macrophage colony–stimulating factor injections

Rituximab Plus CHOP Given Every 15 Days with GM-CSF (sargramostim) In Patients Withnewly Diagnosed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

AbstractAbstract 4886 Background:The R-CHOP regimen administered every three weeks has become the standard of care for treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Previous studies have not shown an advantage of dose dense (cycles given every 2 weeks) R-CHOP therapy. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), in addition to stimulating hematopoetic recovery augments dendritic cell numbers and promotes antigen presentation, induces immune recognition of tumor cells, causes antibody dependent cytotoxicity, and upregulates activity of rituximab. In a Phase II study, we analyze the efficacy and tolerability of R-CHOP given every 15 days with GM-CSF administered on days 3 through 13 of each cycle. Methods:All patients were treated with Rituximab, 375 mg/m2; Cyclophosphamide, 750 mg/m2; Doxorubicin, 50 mg/m2; Vincristine, 1.4 mg/m2, all given IV on day 1; oral prednisone 100 mg given orally on days 1–5 and subcutaneous GM-CSF, 250 mg/m2 on days 3–13. Chemotherapy cycles were repeated every 15 days. Results:In this mid-study evaluation, thus far 36 patients with a median age of 53 (range 22–81) have been accrued. All patients were previously untreated and had CD20+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma. 26 (72%) patients had stage III (8) or IV (18) disease. Thirteen (36%) patients had bone marrow involvement. Twenty eight (77%) had elevated serum LDH levels, and 16 (44%) patients had an intermediate or high risk IPI score. Toxicities have been primarily hematologic with transient grade 3 or 4 neutropenia in 27 (74%) patients; grade 3 anemia in 6 (16%) patients; and grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 4 (11%) patients. In addition, 4 patients experienced neutropenic fever. Non-hematologic side effects of note were grade 3 mucositis/stomatitis in 2 patients; grade 3(n=1) and grade 4 (n=1) cardiac dysfunction in 2 patients. IgG, IgA, IgM levels were all decreased after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Further cycles did not affect immunoglobulin levels. Of the 34 patients evaluable for response, 24 (71%) achieved complete remission, 7 (21%) achieved partial remission, 1 (3%) had stable disease, and 2 (6%) had progression of disease. Conclusion:The mid study evaluation confirms that R-CHOP given every 15 days with GM-CSF (sargramostim) administered on days 3 through 13 of each cycle provides promising response rates with tolerable toxicity. Disclosures:Tulpule: Genzyme, I am the PI on this study funded by Genzyme.: Research Funding.

Acute Myocardial Rescue with Endogenous Endothelial Progenitor Cell Therapy

Post-myocardial infarction heart failure is a major health concern with limited therapy. Molecular revascularisation utilising granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) mediated endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) upregulation and stromal cell derived factor-1α (SDF) mediated myocardial EPC chemokinesis, may prevent myocardial loss and adverse remodelling. Vasculogenesis, viability, and haemodynamic improvements following therapy were investigated. Lewis rats (n=91) underwent LAD ligation and received either intramyocardial SDF and subcutaneous GMCSF or saline injections at the time of infarction. Molecular and haemodynamic assessments were performed at pre-determined time points following ligation. SDF/GMCSF therapy upregulated EPC density as shown by flow cytometry (0.12±0.02% vs. 0.06±0.01% circulating lymphocytes, p=0.005), 48hours following infarction. A marked increase in perfusion was evident eight weeks after therapy, utilising confocal angiography (5.02±1.7×10(-2)μm(3)blood/μm(3)myocardial tissue vs. 2.03±0.710(-2)μm(3)blood/μm(3)myocardial tissue, p=0.00004). Planimetric analysis demonstrated preservation of wall thickness (0.98±0.09mm vs. 0.67±0.06mm, p=0.003) and ventricular diameter (7.81±0.99mm vs. 9.41±1.1mm, p=0.03). Improved haemodynamic function was evidenced by echocardiography and PV analysis (ejection fraction: 56.4±18.1% vs. 25.3±15.6%, p=0.001; pre-load adjusted maximal power: 6.6±2.6mW/μl(2) vs. 2.7±1.4mW/μl(2), p=0.01). Neovasculogenic therapy with GMCSF-mediated EPC upregulation and SDF-mediated EPC chemokinesis maybe an effective therapy for infarct modulation and preservation of myocardial function following acute myocardial infarction.

Intranodal Immunization With a Vaccinia Virus Encoding Multiple Antigenic Epitopes and Costimulatory Molecules in Metastatic Melanoma

Recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) encoding tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and adhesion or costimulatory molecules may represent important immunogenic reagents for cancer immunotherapy. Recently, intranodal (IN) antigen administration was suggested to be more immunogenic than intradermal (ID) vaccination. However, IN rVV administration has not been attempted so far. We used a rVV encoding gp100(280-288), Melan-A/MART-1(27-35) and tyrosinase(1-9) HLA-A0201 restricted epitopes and CD80 and CD86 costimulatory molecules in stage III and IV melanoma patients in a phase 1/2 trial. Of 15 patients initiating treatment, including two cycles of IN immunization, each comprising one rVV administration and three recall injections of the corresponding peptides, accompanied by subcutaneous granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor supplementation, five withdrew due to progressing disease. Of 10 remaining patients seven showed evidence of induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) directed against at least one epitope under investigation, as detectable by limiting dilution analysis (LDA) of specific precursors and multimer staining. Adverse reactions were mild (National Cancer Institute (NCI) grade 1-2) and mainly represented by fever, skin rashes, and pruritus. These data indicate that IN administration of rVV encoding melanoma-associated epitopes and costimulatory molecules is safe and immunogenic.

Results of First-in-Man Phage Idiotype Vaccine Study in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

Abstract 1858Poster Board I-883 Objective:Idiotypes (Id) expressed by tumor cells in B-cell malignancies can be regarded as tumor-specific antigens and may therefore be used as a target for vaccine immunotherapy. In this phase I/II study we have evaluated the feasibility, safety and response of phage idiotype vaccination in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) using phage displayed Id-specific proteins as immunogens and low doses of subcutaneous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as immunoadjuvants. Study Design:Patients received a total of 6 intradermal/subcutanous (i.d./s.c) immunizations of phage idiotype vaccines at day 1, 7, 14 and at week 4, 8 and 12. The vaccine dose started from 0.25 mg for the first 5 patients and was escalated to 1.25 mg (patient 6-10) and 2.5 mg (patient 11-15) if no dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Each vaccine contained 0.2 mg GM-CSF (Leukomax®) as adjuvant and 0.2 mg KLH (Immucothel®) as control antigen. They received all subcutaneous injections of Id vaccines and immunoadjuvants in an outpatient setting. Patient Characteristics:15 patients who had previously been treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) followed by peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation entered this study. All patients were in a beginning relapse after high dose therapy at the time of vaccination. Patients with fulminant relapse or patients with active infection and hematopoetic insufficiency after HDT were excluded. Results:The results of this first-in-man phase I/II trial for phage-based idiotype vaccination clearly demonstrated the feasibility, safety and excellent tolerability of the phage vaccination whereas local skin reactions were the most frequent side effects. Furthermore, we were able to gather precious data regarding the immunology of phage vaccines in man. We could confirm our preclinical data, that phages are good immunogens, capable of inducing a strong immune response mainly of IgG1-type and therefore enabling ADCC and CDC immune response. Altogether these data suggest, that phage idiotype vaccines has the potential to exert a beneficial effect especially in patients with minimal residual disease. Strikingly, the immune response of phages compared to the well-known KLH particles showed > 10 time higher antibody titer than KLH, which emphasize the prominent immunogenicity of the phages. Overall these data pinpoint to a promising role of phage vaccination for the immunotherapy of cancer but further studies are necessary to evaluate the full potential of phage vaccines. Disclosures:Roehnisch:Apalexo Biotechnologie GmbH: Research Funding. Nagel:Apalexo Biotechnologie GmbH: Research Funding. Donceau:Apalexo Biotechnologie GmbH: Research Funding. Bourquin:Apalexo Biotechnologie GmbH: Research Funding.