Immunological evaluation of personalized peptide vaccination in combination with UFT and UZEL for metastatic colorectal carcinoma patients

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2009 Nov;58(11):1843-52. doi: 10.1007/s00262-009-0695-6. Epub 2009 Apr 26.

Abstract

To investigate the safety and immunological responses of personalized peptide vaccination in combination with oral administration of UFT and UZEL for metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC), fourteen patients were enrolled in the present study. Peptides were determined based on the presence of peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors and IgG in each patient. A maximum of four peptides were subcutaneously administered weekly with UFT (300 mg/m2 day(-1)) and UZEL (75 mg/day) for 4 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest. This therapy was well-tolerated although there was a grade-3 skin reaction at the vaccination site in one patient. An increase in peptide-specific interferon-gamma production or peptide-specific IgG after the tenth vaccination was observed in nine of ten or eight of ten patients tested, respectively. IgG responses were well correlated with overall survival (P = 0.0215). The safety and immunological responsiveness of the present therapy suggest that this combination would be of clinical benefit for mCRC patients, and further trials are merited.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • HLA-A Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology*
  • HLA-A24 Antigen
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage*
  • Leucovorin / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Tegafur / administration & dosage
  • Tegafur / adverse effects
  • Uracil / administration & dosage
  • Uracil / adverse effects
  • Vaccination*

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • HLA-A24 Antigen
  • Tegafur
  • Uracil
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Leucovorin

Supplementary concepts

  • 1-UFT protocol