CTIM-28. MDNA55, AN INTERLEUKIN-4 RECEPTOR TARGETED IMMUNOTHERAPY, FOR RECURRENT GBM DELIVERED BY CONVECTION ENHANCED DELIVERY (CED)

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi56-vi57
Author(s):  
John Sampson ◽  
Achal Singh Achrol ◽  
Manish K Aghi ◽  
Krystof Bankiewiecz ◽  
Martin Bexon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
External Control ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Convection Enhanced Delivery ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Dose Volumes

Abstract BACKGROUND MDNA55 is an IL4R-targeted toxin in development for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). MDNA55 binds to IL4R expressed by tumor cells and non-malignant cells of the tumor microenvironment. METHOD MDNA55-05 was an open-label, single-arm study of MDNA55 delivered by CED as a single treatment in patients with 1st or 2nd recurrence following de novo GBM, IDH wild type status and not indicated for resection at relapse. Dose volumes (up to 60mL) and concentration of MDNA55 (1.5 to 9.0 μg/mL) were studied. RESULTS MDNA55 showed an acceptable safety profile at all doses tested. Median OS (mOS) amongst all subjects was 11.9 months, OS-24 was 20%, and PFS-12 was 27%. Among subjects expressing high levels of IL4R (irrespective of MDNA55 dose) and low levels of IL4R expression administered high dose (≥ 180μg) of MDNA55 (IL4Rhi + IL4Rlo/hd), mOS further improved to 14.0 months with OS-24 of 20%. Unmethylated MGMT promoter status did not affect MDNA55 treatment outcomes. In the IL4Rhi + IL4Rlo/hd population (N=17), mOS was 14.9 months with OS-24 of 22%. Following treatment with high concentrations of MDNA55 (6.0 or 9.0 μg/mL), transient (median of 3 cycles) low dose Avastin (5mg/kg q2w or 7.5mg/kg q3w) was used for symptom control and steroid sparring. Among these subjects, mOS amongst all comers (N=9) and the IL4Rhi + IL4Rlo/hd group (N=8) increased to 21.8 and 18.6 months with OS-24 of 44% and 38%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS MDNA55 shows potential to benefit all rGBM patients treated at high dose irrespective of IL4R expression. In the 1:1 randomized Phase 3 trial, the study will enrol two-thirds of subjects in the SOC arm from a matched external control arm. Unlike conventional RCTs, the hybrid design sets a new precedent for GBM trials, allowing robust OS analysis while significantly reducing the number of subjects randomized to SOC arm.

scholarly journals CTIM-13. CLINICAL EFFICACY OF MDNA55, AN INTERLEUKIN-4 RECEPTOR TARGETED IMMUNOTHERAPY, IN RECURRENT GBM DELIVERED BY CONVECTION ENHANCED DELIVERY (CED)

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii35-ii35
Author(s):  
John Sampson ◽  
Achal Achrol ◽  
Manish Aghi ◽  
Krystof Bankiewiecz ◽  
Martin Bexon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Synthetic Control ◽  
Patient Registries ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Convection Enhanced Delivery ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Interleukin 4 Receptor

Abstract BACKGROUND MDNA55 is an IL4R-targeted toxin in development for GBM, a universally fatal disease. IL4R is over-expressed in GBM, the tumor microenvironment, and high expression is associated with poor outcomes in GBM. METHOD MDNA55-05 is an open-label, single-arm study of MDNA55 delivered by CED as a single treatment in rGBM patients at 1st or 2nd recurrence with an aggressive form of GBM (de novo GBM, IDH wild-type, not-resectable at recurrence, ~ 50% expressing high levels of IL4R). Primary endpoint is mOS, secondary endpoint includes impact of IL4R status on mOS. A Synthetic Control Arm (SCA) served as an external comparator constructed from patient registries at neurosurgery centers under IRB-approved protocols. Propensity score weighting corrected for imbalances in baseline characteristics between the two groups. RESULTS MDNA55 showed an acceptable safety profile at doses up to 240μg. In all evaluable subjects (n=44) mOS was 11.6 and OS-12 was 46%. A sub-population (n=32) consisting of all IL4RHigh subjects + only IL4RLow subjects treated with high dose (median 180µg) showed most benefit: mOS is 15 months, OS-12 is 55%. Tumor control, assessed by mRANO criteria, was seen in 81% (26/32) of this sub-population, including those that had pseudo-progression (15/26). In these subjects, tumor control was associated with longer mPFS (4.7 months) and mOS (15.0 months) than those with progressive disease (mPFS 1.0 month, mOS 7.7 months). Comparison against the SCA demonstrated > 100% increase in mOS: 15.7 months vs 7.2 months (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30, 0.91). CONCLUSIONS MDNA55 demonstrates improved survival and tumor control in this study design and has potential to benefit all rGBM patients treated at high dose irrespective of IL4R expression. There are no approved therapies for rGBM that can extend survival by 50%; the potential for MDNA55 to extend survival by > 100% is promising for this devastating disease.

scholarly journals ATIM-30. COMBATING RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA WITH MDNA55, AN INTERLEUKIN-4 RECEPTOR TARGETED IMMUNOTHERAPY, THROUGH MRI-GUIDED CONVECTIVE DELIVERY

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi8-vi8
Author(s):  
John Sampson ◽  
Achal Singh Achrol ◽  
Manish Aghi ◽  
Krystof Bankiewicz ◽  
Steven Brem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Cerebral Blood Volume ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Convection Enhanced Delivery

Abstract MDNA55, an IL4R-directed toxin, is being studied in a Phase 2b trial in recurrent GBM (rGBM) patients at first or second relapse. MDNA55 is co-infused with Gadolinium-based contrast agent and delivered as a single intratumoral infusion using Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED). Primary endpoint is median Overall Survival (mOS) and secondary endpoint is objective response rate (ORR) assessed by mRANO-based criteria incorporating advanced imaging modalities. Enrollment is complete (n=46). Current safety data show similar profile to previous MDNA55 trials with no systemic toxicities or drug related deaths. Current mOS in subjects treated with low doses of MDNA55 (median 63µg; n=21) is 11.8 months. When stratified by IL4R expression, a biomarker for more aggressive GBM, IL4R+ve subjects (mOS 15.2 months; n=8) show a survival advantage of 7 months compared to IL4R-ve subjects (mOS 8.1 months; n=10). Updated survival and response outcomes including subjects receiving the high dose (median 180µg; n=25) and stratification by IL4R expression will be reported. Review of serial imaging within 90 days following MDNA55 treatment demonstrated tumor shrinkage or stabilization from baseline in 19/42 evaluable subjects (disease control rate of 45%). To account for initial pseudo-progression in some subjects, tumor response was also assessed from nadir: 83% (35/42) showed disease control. Multi-parametric MRI biomarkers including relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements demonstrated distinct imaging phenotypes among different disease states (pseudo-progression vs true-progression, pseudo-response vs true-response) and improved response staging. This trial is advancing neurosurgical methods for CED, potential of IL4R expression as a biomarker to select GBM patients most likely to benefit from MDNA55 treatment, and optimal use of multi-parametric MRI as an adjunct to clinical decision making. The improved survival and disease control seen after only a single infusion of MDNA55, especially in IL4R+ve subjects, may provide promising clinical benefit for rGBM patients.

MDNA55 survival in recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) patients expressing the interleukin-4 receptor (IL4R) as compared to a matched synthetic control.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2513-2513
Author(s):  
John H. Sampson ◽  
Achal Achrol ◽  
Manish K. Aghi ◽  
Krystof Bankiewicz ◽  
Martin Bexon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Tissue Banks ◽  
Synthetic Control ◽  
Single Treatment ◽  
Patient Registries ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Convection Enhanced Delivery ◽  
Pseudomonas Exotoxin A ◽  
The Impact

2513 Background: MDNA55 is an engineered IL-4 fused to pseudomonas exotoxin A being developed for GBM, an aggressive, universally fatal disease. No curative therapy exists and 75% of patients are not eligible for resection at recurrence. MDNA55 targets IL4R overexpressed in GBM, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and high expression is associated with poor survival outcomes in GBM. A Ph 2b trial of MDNA55 was completed in rGBM using convection-enhanced delivery to bypass the BBB. Here we report results from the Ph 2b trial and comparison against a matched Synthetic Control Arm (SCA). Methods: MDNA55-05 is an open-label, single-arm study of intratumoral delivery of ≤ 240 μg MDNA55 as a single treatment via ≤ 4 catheters in de novo GBM without IDH1/2 mutation at 1st or 2nd recurrence not eligible for resection, tumors ≤ 4 cm, KPS ≥ 70. IL4R expression in GBM tissues was determined by H-Score using a validated IHC assay. 1o endpoint is median overall survival (mOS); 2o endpoint includes the impact of IL4R status on mOS. An eligibility-matched SCA was identified retrospectively from patient registries at major neurosurgery centers with access to GBM tumor tissue banks under IRB-approved protocols. Results: 44 subjects comprise the MDNA55 per protocol analysis population: median age 56 (35 - 77); median dose 177 mg (range 18 – 240 mg), 50% had KPS ≤ 80. No systemic toxicities observed, drug-related AEs were primarily neurological and characteristic of GBM, no deaths attributed to MDNA55. Median OS was 11.6 months (95% CI 7.9 – 15.2). When stratified by IL4R expression, mOS in IL4R High (n = 21) was 15 vs. 8.4 months in IL4R Low (n = 19); p = 0.2175. OS12 is 57% vs. 33%. When compared to the SCA (n = 81), MDNA55 subjects survived significantly longer: mOS 12.4 vs. 7.7 months; p = 0.0077. When comparing IL4R High groups, mOS in MDNA55 (n = 21) was 15.8 vs. 6.2 months in the SCA (n = 17); p = 0.0626. Subgroup analysis in unmethylated MGMT subjects also show better survival with MDNA55 (n = 23) than the SCA (n = 31); mOS 12.3 vs. 7.7 months (p = 0.0268), indicating that MDNA55 may be beneficial in patients resistant to temozolomide. Conclusions: MDNA55 subjects represent a difficult to treat population ( de novo GBM, IDH wild-type, not eligible for surgery at recurrence). Single treatment with MDNA55 prolongs survival by nearly 10 months in a subset of rGBM expressing high levels of IL4R when compared to a matched SCA, providing an unprecedented outcome for this highly lethal disease. Clinical trial information: NCT02858895 .

scholarly journals High dose pollen intralymphatic immunotherapy: two RDBPC trials question the benefit of dose increase

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Olaf Cardell ◽  
Laila Hellkvist ◽  
Eric Hjalmarsson ◽  
Dan Weinfeld ◽  
Alsog Dahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grass Pollen ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Dosing Schedule ◽  
Intralymphatic Immunotherapy ◽  
Specific Igg4 ◽  
Immunological Effects ◽  
High Doses

Background The same dosing schedule, 1000 SQ-U times three, with one-month intervals, have been evaluated in most trials of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). The present studies evaluated if a dose escalation in ILIT can enhance the clinical and immunological effects, without compromising safety. Methods Two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials of ILIT for grass pollen induced AR were performed. The first included 29 patients that had recently ended 3 years of SCIT and the second contained 39 not previously vaccinated patients. An up-dosage of 1000-3000-10 000 (5000 + 5000 with 30 minutes apart) SQ-U with one month in between was evaluated. Results Doses up to 10 000 SQ-U was safe after recent SCIT. The combined symptom-medication scores (CSMS) were reduced by 31% and the grass specific IgG4 levels in blood were doubled. In ILIT de novo, the two first patients that received active treatment developed serious adverse reactions at 5000 SQ-U. A modified up-dosing schedule; 1000-3000-3000 SQ-U appeared to be safe but failed to improve the CSMS. Flow cytometry analyses showed increased activation of lymph node derived dendritic but not T-cells. Quality of life and nasal provocation response did not improve in any study. Conclusion ILIT in high doses after SCIT appears to further reduce grass pollen induced seasonal symptoms and may be considered as an add-on treatment for patients that do not reach full symptom control after SCIT. Up-dosing schedules de novo with three monthly injections that exceeds 3 000 SQ-U should be avoided.

scholarly journals CLRM-09. INCORPORATING EXTERNAL CONTROL ARM IN MDNA55 RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA REGISTRATION TRIAL

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv3-iv3
Author(s):  
Ruthanna Davi ◽  
Antara Majumdar ◽  
Martin Bexon ◽  
Nicholas Butowski ◽  
Chandtip Chandhasin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Propensity Scores ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
External Control ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Propensity Score Weighting

Abstract BACKGROUND Drug development in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (rGBM) is challenging. For randomized controlled trials (RCTs) short survival horizons and limited life-prolonging treatment options may delay accrual and introduce bias through differential dropout of control patients. Comparing results of a single-arm Phase 2b trial of intratumoral delivery of MDNA55 (an interleukin-4 receptor targeted fusion protein) to an external control arm, we sought early efficacy insights and consideration by the FDA of incorporating an ECA in a Phase 3 registrational trial. METHODS Using propensity score weighting, we compared rGBM patients from the Phase 2b trial (NCT02858895) (2017-2019) to patients from rGBM registries who had received standard of care therapies (2011-2019) and met eligibility requirements. Propensity scores were estimated using a logistic regression model with 11 covariates. We compared the propensity score weighted groups according to demographic and disease attributes before and after weighting and compared overall survival between the two groups. RESULTS Through propensity score weighting, 43 (98%, 43/44) MDNA55 patients and 40.80 weighted ECA patients (from 62 unweighted registry patients) were identified for comparison. MDNA55 and ECA patients were balanced on all baseline characteristics (i.e., standardized mean difference ≤ 0.15). Compared to ECA patients, MDNA55 patients had a 37% lower hazard of death (hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval: 0.39,1.02). CONCLUSION In advance of a Phase 3 trial, comparison of Phase 2b trial results to an ECA suggests that MDNA55 may be efficacious in rGBM. In view of the known challenges associated with drug development for rGBM, these results provided a proof-of-concept for the design of a novel hybrid Phase 3 trial. This planned Phase 3 trial incorporates propensity score weighting to create a composite hybrid randomized and external control arm, an approach preferred by the FDA over full replacement of a randomized control with an external control.

scholarly journals Multiparametric MRI assessment of response to convection-enhanced intratumoral delivery of MDNA55, an interleukin-4 receptor targeted immunotherapy, for recurrent glioblastoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
Suyash Mohan ◽  
Sumei Wang ◽  
Sanjeev Chawla ◽  
Kalil Abdullah ◽  
Arati Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Blood Volume ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
Perfusion Mri ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Convection Enhanced Delivery ◽  
Dismal Prognosis ◽  
Interleukin 4 Receptor ◽  
Recurrent Gbm

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor and carries a dismal prognosis. Attempts to develop biologically targeted therapies are challenging as the blood–brain barrier can limit drugs from reaching their target when administered through conventional (intravenous or oral) routes. Furthermore, systemic toxicity of drugs often limits their therapeutic potential. To circumvent these problems, convection-enhanced delivery (CED) provides direct, targeted, intralesional therapy with a secondary objective to alter the tumor microenvironment from an immunologically “cold” (nonresponsive) to an “inflamed” (immunoresponsive) tumor. Case Description: We report a patient with right occipital recurrent GBM harboring poor prognostic genotypes who was treated with MRI-guided CED of a fusion protein MDNA55 (a targeted toxin directed toward the interleukin-4 receptor). The patient underwent serial anatomical, diffusion, and perfusion MRI scans before initiation of targeted therapy and at 1, 3-month posttherapy. Increased mean diffusivity along with decreased fractional anisotropy and maximum relative cerebral blood volume was noted at follow-up periods relative to baseline. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that diffusion and perfusion MRI techniques may be useful in evaluating early response to CED of MDNA55 in recurrent GBM patients.

MDNA55: A locally administered IL4 guided toxin as a targeted treatment for recurrent glioblastoma.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2039-2039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Randazzo ◽  
Achal Achrol ◽  
Manish K. Aghi ◽  
Martin Bexon ◽  
Steven Brem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
Survival Outcomes ◽  
Tissue Banks ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Convection Enhanced Delivery ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Recurrent Gbm

2039 Background: IL4 receptor (IL4R) is frequently and intensely expressed on a variety of human cancers and is associated with poor survival outcomes. Determining the role of the IL4R biomarker in glioblastoma (GBM) will be important for treatment with targeted therapies such as the IL4 fusion toxin MDNA55. Methods: A classification for IL4Rα expression in GBM tissues by H-Score was developed using a validated immunohistochemistry-based approach. MDNA55-05 is an open-label study of MDNA55 administered intratumorally via convection enhanced delivery in recurrent GBM. Levels of IL4Rα expression were assessed retrospectively in 24 subjects in the clinical trial and were correlated with GBM history, imaging responses and survival outcomes following treatment with MDNA55 to explore clinical validation. Results: Range, linearity, specificity and sensitivity testing using a rabbit polyclonal antibody to IL4Rα were performed using normal cortex (negative control) and a panel of normal human tissues and GBM cases from tissue banks. A total of 41 GBM samples were screened and grouped by reactivity thresholds: H-Scores ≥50 were observed in 95% of cases (39/41), H-Scores ≥200 were observed in 51% of cases (21/41), and H-Scores ≥250 were observed in 24% of cases (10/41). GBM tissues obtained at initial diagnosis from subjects enrolled in the trial show that moderate/high IL4R expression (H-Score > 75) was associated with shorter time to first relapse when compared to subjects with low IL4R expression (H-Score ≤ 75) (10.3 mos vs. 16.7 mos, respectively) after upfront standard-of-care treatment, consistent with published findings that IL4R expression is associated with more aggressive disease. Remarkable decreases in tumor size seen in some subjects following MDNA55 treatment were associated only with moderate/high IL4R expression and survival rate at 12 months in this group was also improved (OS12 = 55%) compared to subjects with low IL4R expression (OS12 = 30%). Conclusions: Treatment options for patients with recurrent GBM are very limited and positive outcomes remain rare. Targeting therapies such as MDNA55 by IL4R status may improve patient outcomes and help guide patient selection strategies for future clinical studies. Clinical trial information: NCT02858895.

LUMINOS-101: Phase 2 study of PVSRIPO with pembrolizumab in recurrent glioblastoma.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS2065-TPS2065
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Sloan ◽  
Robin Arthur Buerki ◽  
Christopher Murphy ◽  
Andrea True Kelly ◽  
Prakash Ambady ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Type I ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Cerebral Herniation

TPS2065 Background: The prognosis for patients (pts) with recurrent (r) glioblastoma (GBM) is poor, with no highly effective approved therapies. Treatment failure may result from poor penetration of drugs through the blood-brain barrier and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME). PVSRIPO, a recombinant poliovirus (PV):rhinovirus chimera, is a novel, non-neurovirulent, intratumoral immunotherapy. Trial results in rGBM pts show greater long-term survival with PVSRIPO monotherapy (21%, 36-60 months [mos]) vs criteria-matched external controls (4%, 36 mos; 2%, 60 mos; Desjardins 2018 NEJM). PVSRIPO targets CD155 (PV receptor), expressed on solid tumors and on APC. PVSRIPO infection results in inflammatory-mediated destruction of tumor cells but non-lethal lingering infection in TME APC. This leads to type I/III interferon-dominant inflammation and, ultimately, tumor antigen-specific T cell activation and recruitment (Brown 2017 Sci Transl Med), which is potentiated by immunologic recall to intratumoral replicating virus via prior vaccination. Induction of type 1 IFN dominant inflammation and compensatory activation of the PD-1:PD-L1 immune checkpoint (IC) pathway support investigation of PVSRIPO in combination with PD-1/L1 IC inhibitors. Immunologically cold mouse glioma models show PVSRIPO+anti-PD-1 therapy resulted in greater anti-tumor response than either agent. Methods: LUMINOS-101 is a phase 2, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of intratumoral infusion of PVSRIPO (Day 1: 5x107 TCID50) followed by the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab (200mg IV q3w) in adult pts with rGBM. The trial objective is to evaluate anti-tumor activity and safety and tolerability of the combination. Eligibility criteria include pts ≥18 years who had prior PV and boost IPOL® immunizations, histologically confirmed supratentorial rGBM, infusible 1 to ≤5.5cm enhancing disease, confirmed disease progression following prior therapies, and KPS ≥70. Key exclusion criteria include multifocal disease; discontinuation of prior anti-PD-1/L1 agent for toxicity; prior intratumoral therapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy within 12 weeks; high-dose systemic corticosteroids; chemotherapy, anti-VEGF, or TTF therapy ≤1-6 weeks depending on the therapy; serious cerebral herniation syndrome; extensive leptomeningeal, subependymal, or ≥1cm enhancing disease crossing the midline; and severe active comorbidities. Primary endpoints are objective response rate, duration of response, and safety. Secondary endpoints include overall and progression-free survival and disease control rate and duration. Exploratory endpoints include assessment of tumor and blood for biomarkers of response. The initially planned safety lead-in period is now fully enrolled. Recruitment is ongoing in the US, and results will inform the design of a randomized phase 3 trial. Clinical trial information: NCT04479241.

scholarly journals High dose pollen intralymphatic immunotherapy: two RDBPC trials question the benefit of dose increase

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laila Hellkvist ◽  
Eric Hjalmarsson ◽  
Dan Weinfeld ◽  
Alsog Dahl ◽  
Agneta Karlsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grass Pollen ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Dosing Schedule ◽  
Intralymphatic Immunotherapy ◽  
Immunological Effects ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Cell Changes

Background The same dosing schedule, 1000 SQ-U times three, with one-month intervals, have been evaluated in most trials of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). The present studies aimed to evaluate if a dose escalation in ILIT can enhance the clinical and immunological effects, without compromising safety. Methods Two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials of ILIT for grass pollen induced AR were performed. The first included 29 patients that had recently ended 3 years of SCIT and the second contained 39 not previously vaccinated patients. An up-dosage of 1000-3000-10 000 SQ-U with one month in between was evaluated. Results ILIT in doses up to 10 000 SQ-U was safe after recent SCIT. The combined symptom-medication scores (CSMS) were reduced by 31% and the grass specific IgG4 levels in blood were doubled. In ILIT de novo, the two first patients that received active treatment developed serious adverse reactions at 5000 SQ-U. A modified up-dosing schedule; 1000-3000-3000 SQ-U appeared to be safe but failed to improve the CSMS, quality of life and nasal provocation response. Flow cytometry analyses could not detect any T-cell changes, while lymph node derived dendritic cells showed increased activation. Conclusion ILIT in high doses after SCIT appears to further reduce grass pollen induced seasonal symptoms and may be considered as an add-on treatment for patients that do not reach full symptom control after SCIT. Up-dosing schedules de novo with three monthly injections that exceeds 3 000 SQ-U should be avoided.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document