First-in-Human Phase I Clinical Trial of an SFV-Based RNA Replicon Cancer Vaccine against HPV-Induced Cancers

Fenne L. Komdeur, Amrita Singh, Stephanie van de Wall, Janneke J.M. Meulenberg, Annemarie Boerma, Baukje Nynke Hoogeboom, Sterre T. Paijens, Cesar Oyarce, Marco de Bruyn, Ed Schuuring, Joke Regts, Ruben Marra, Naomi Werner, Jessica Sluis, Ate G.J. van der Zee, Jan C. Wilschut, Derk P. Allersma, Coba J. van Zanten, Jos G.W. Kosterink, Annelies Jorritsma-SmitRefika Yigit, Hans W. Nijman, Toos Daemen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

A first-in-human phase I trial of Vvax001, an alphavirus-based therapeutic cancer vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cancers was performed assessing immunological activity, safety, and tolerability. Vvax001 consists of replication-incompetent Semliki Forest virus replicon particles encoding HPV16-derived antigens E6 and E7. Twelve participants with a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were included. Four cohorts of three participants were treated per dose level, ranging from 5 × 105 to 2.5 × 108 infectious particles per immunization. The participants received three immunizations with a 3-week interval. For immune monitoring, blood was drawn before immunization and 1 week after the second and third immunization. Immunization with Vvax001 was safe and well tolerated, with only mild injection site reactions, and resulted in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses against E6 and E7 antigens. Even the lowest dose of 5 × 105 infectious particles elicited E6/E7-specific interferon (IFN)-γ responses in all three participants in this cohort. Overall, immunization resulted in positive vaccine-induced immune responses in 12 of 12 participants in one or more assays performed. In conclusion, Vvax001 was safe and induced immune responses in all participants. These data strongly support further clinical evaluation of Vvax001 as a therapeutic vaccine in patients with HPV-related malignancies. Komdeur, Singh, et al. report on a first-in-human phase I clinical trial of a Semliki Forest virus-based cancer vaccine. The trial shows that the vaccine is safe and well tolerated, inducing strong HPV16 E6- and E7-specific CD8 and CD4 T cell responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)611-625
Number of pages15
JournalMolecular Therapy
Volume29
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3-Feb-2021

Keywords

  • alphavirus replicon vaccine
  • cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
  • human papillomavirus
  • immunotherapy
  • recombinant Semliki Forest virus vector
  • therapeutic vaccine
  • Vvax001

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