Before starting treatment some of the cancer cells will be taken from the patient and separated in the laboratory. A specially produced human virus (adenovirus) that carries the IL-2 gene will be put into the cells. The rest of the cancer cells will be stimulated to express on their surface a substance called the human CD40 ligand. These substances (IL-2 and CD40L), already naturally present in the body, are meant to help the immune system fight the cancer.
In this study, the modified cancer cells will be injected under the skin. There will be up to six shots. We do not know the best amount of special cells to use, so different patients will get different numbers of cells.
After the first three shots (if more modified cancer cells are available), patients may be able to have three additional shots. After they have received six shots, they may be able to have additional shots if the cancer has gotten smaller and more of the cells are available.
A complete history and physical examination is necessary before a patient can be enrolled in the study. A physical examination will also be performed weekly for ten weeks after the injection, then on week twelve, then monthly for one year. Patients will then have yearly checkups for the next fifteen years. After the first and second shots, we will remove some of the modified cells that have been injected under the skin, to study them. We will do this by removing a section of skin (referred to as a skin biopsy) at the place where the cells were injected. These tests will help us to see whether or not the modified cells are killing cancer cells and whether or not the cancer cells are growing. If we suspect the cancer cells are growing, we may repeat this procedure after the third and fourth shots.
To study how the immunity is working in the patients system, we will take blood samples before the first injection, then weekly for 10 weeks, on week 12, once a month for a year, and then eventually once a year for fifteen years. These blood samples must be taken at The Methodist Hospital. The total amount of blood that will be obtained is approximately two to three tablespoonfuls, which is considered a safe amount. If the patient has additional injections, blood will be drawn prior to each injection. Additional office visits may be necessary.
If the patient decides to withdraw at any time during the study both samples and data collected during the study will be maintained with identifiers for safety reasons.
