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  • Immunologic escape after pr...
    Sampson, John H; Heimberger, Amy B; Archer, Gary E; Aldape, Kenneth D; Friedman, Allan H; Friedman, Henry S; Gilbert, Mark R; Herndon, 2nd, James E; McLendon, Roger E; Mitchell, Duane A; Reardon, David A; Sawaya, Raymond; Schmittling, Robert J; Shi, Weiming; Vredenburgh, James J; Bigner, Darell D

    Journal of clinical oncology, 11/2010, Volume: 28, Issue: 31
    Journal Article

    Immunologic targeting of tumor-specific gene mutations may allow precise eradication of neoplastic cells without toxicity. Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is a constitutively activated and immunogenic mutation not expressed in normal tissues but widely expressed in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and other neoplasms. A phase II, multicenter trial was undertaken to assess the immunogenicity of an EGFRvIII-targeted peptide vaccine and to estimate the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of vaccinated patients with newly diagnosed EGFRvIII-expressing GBM with minimal residual disease. Intradermal vaccinations were given until toxicity or tumor progression was observed. Sample size was calculated to differentiate between PFS rates of 20% and 40% 6 months after vaccination. There were no symptomatic autoimmune reactions. The 6-month PFS rate after vaccination was 67% (95% CI, 40% to 83%) and after diagnosis was 94% (95% CI, 67% to 99%; n = 18). The median OS was 26.0 months (95% CI, 21.0 to 47.7 months). After adjustment for age and Karnofsky performance status, the OS of vaccinated patients was greater than that observed in a control group matched for eligibility criteria, prognostic factors, and temozolomide treatment (hazard ratio, 5.3; P = .0013; n = 17). The development of specific antibody (P = .025) or delayed-type hypersensitivity (P = .03) responses to EGFRvIII had a significant effect on OS. At recurrence, 82% (95% CI, 48% to 97%) of patients had lost EGFRvIII expression (P < .001). EGFRvIII-targeted vaccination in patients with GBM warrants investigation in a phase III, randomized trial.