Trial Information

Summary: This study involves the injection of certain peptides and an immune system stimulating substance to try to stimulate the immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells.

Study Description

Tumors may produce specific proteins that are not produced in normal tissue. Fragments of these proteins, called peptides, can be used as a vaccine to try and stimulate the immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells.

One such protein called NY-ESO-1, and a very similar protein called LAGE, have been shown to be produced by a variety of tumors. It is produced by the testis but not in any other tissue.

GM-CSF is a substance that can stimulate the immune system in a non-specific manner. When used together with tumor specific peptides, the specific immune response to the peptide may be enhanced.

For the immune system to recognize the specific peptides, they must be associated with specific molecules on the cell surface called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HL-A). The HLA molecule relevant to the present study is HLA-A2.

Patient Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Adult patients over 18 years old that are HLA-A2 positive with tumors that express NY-ESO-I/LAGE will be eligible for this study (Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Malignant Mesothelioma, and other NY-ESO-1/LAGE antigen expressing cancers). The tumor must be high-risk stage II, stage III or IV. Patients will have completed or declined further standard therapy and are HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C negative.

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Trial listings updated: June 1, 2008 at 5:43:19 AM