MDX-010
A report from ASCO via Yahoo!
ASCO Day 2
by: mouse_dropping (M/Southern California) 06/01/03 01:31 am
Msg: 74917 of 74919
I am impressed with the MDX-010 results. The first presentation by Jeff Weber was nicely done. The patient population was Stage III/IV melanoma patients with completely resected disease (tumors surgically removed). Received MDX-010 at 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg in combo with melanoma Tyrosinase, gp100, and MART1 melanoma vaccines (the usual suspects). IFA was the adjuvant. Primarily a safety study, but time to relapse was evaluated. Gastrointestinal DLTs were observed, but these were manageable and reversible. This report lessened my safety concerns. They saw an encouraging dose response. No relapses in the high dose group. None of the patients with autoimmune events have suffered relapse.
The NCI presentation was impressive. 14 melanoma patients at 3 mg/kg MDX-010 + 2 gp100 peptides. 3/14 responses. 2 of these were COMPLETE responses, which is almost unheard of in melanoma patients. All responders had autoimmune events. The NCI backed down in dose to 1 mg/kg. Preliminary results show 3/24 partial responses and 4 grade III/IV autoimmune events.
IMO the results are very encouraging. In cancer therapy, toxicity and efficacy go hand in hand. The toxicity, which seems to be manageable, may be the marker of activity. Nice job by the authors.
The development of MDX-010 seems to become a balancing act between the support of vaccine responses and the avoidance of autoimmune side-effects.
An unrelated question to Rick, if he is listening.
Medarex are planning to test MDX-010 in a HIV setting. Is it possible that the main thrust of such a trial would not be to get the HIV-virus, but to act as a general booster for the immune system, which is degraded by the virus?
Erik |
