1. ¹James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
2. ²University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
3. ³Transgene, Inc., Rockland, Massachusetts, USA
4. ⁴University of Miami School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Fl

Correspondence: Dr Joseph D Rosenblatt, University of Miami School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1475 NW 12th Ave. (D8-4), Miami, FL 33136, USA. E-mail: jrosenblatt@med.miami.edu

Received 29 May 2002.

Abstract

Aims: Interferon-gamma (IFN-) has been shown to upregulate MHC class I and II expression, and to promote generation of specific antitumor immune responses. We hypothesized that intratumoral administration of an IFN- gene transfer vector facilitates its enhanced local production and may activate effector cells locally. We conducted a phase I dose-escalation study of a replication-deficient adenovirus–interferon-gamma construct (TG1041) to determine safety and tolerability of intratumoral administration, in advanced or locally recurrent melanoma. Methods: Patients were enrolled at four successive dose levels: 10⁷ infectious units (iu) (n=3), 10⁸ iu (n=3), 10⁹ iu (n=3), and 10¹⁰ iu (n=2) per injection per week for 3 weeks. TG1041 was injected in the same tumor nodule weekly in each patient. Safety, toxicity, local and distant tumor responses and biologic correlates were evaluated. Results: A total of 11 patients were enrolled and received the planned three injections per cycle. One patient with stable disease received a second cycle of treatment. A maximum tolerated dose was not reached in this study. No grade 4 toxicities were observed. Two grade 3 toxicities, fever and deep venous thrombosis were observed in one patient. The most frequently reported toxicities were grade 1 pain and redness at the injected site (n=8), and grade 1 fatigue (n=5) patients. Clinical changes observed at the local injected tumor site included erythema (n=5), a minor decrease in size of the injected lesion (n=5) and significant central necrosis by histopathology (n=1). Systemic effects included stable disease in one patient. Correlative studies did not reveal evidence of immunologic activity. Conclusion: Weekly intratumoral administration of TG1041 appears to be safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced melanoma.