Purpose: DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency is a hallmark of Lynch syndrome, the most common inherited cancer syndrome. MMR-deficient cancer cells accumulate numerous insertion/deletion mutations at microsatellites. Mutations of coding microsatellites (cMS) lead to the generation of immunogenic frameshift peptide (FSP) neoantigens. As the evolution of MMR-deficient cancers is triggered by mutations inactivating defined cMS-containing tumor suppressor genes, distinct FSP neoantigens are shared by most MMRdeficient cancers. To evaluate safety and immunogenicity of an FSP-based vaccine, we performed a clinical phase I/IIa trial (Micoryx).Patients and Methods: The trial comprised three cycles of four subcutaneous vaccinations (FSP neoantigens derived from mutant AIM2, HT001, TAF1B genes) mixed with Montanide ISA-51 VG over 6 months. Inclusion criteria were history of MMR-deficient colorectal cancer (UICC stage III or IV) and completion of chemotherapy. Phase I evaluated safety and toxicity as primary endpoint (six patients), phase IIa addressed cellular and humoral immune responses (16 patients).Results: Vaccine-induced humoral and cellular immune responses were observed in all patients vaccinated per protocol. Three patients developed grade 2 local injection site reactions. No vaccination-induced severe adverse events occurred. One heavily pretreated patient with bulky metastases showed stable disease and stable CEA levels over 7 months.Conclusions: FSP neoantigen vaccination is systemically well tolerated and consistently induces humoral and cellular immune responses, thus representing a promising novel approach for treatment and even prevention of MMR-deficient cancer.

BackgroundAs a multi-targeted anti-angiogenic receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor sunitinib (SUN) has been established for renal cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In advanced refractory esophagogastric cancer patients, monotherapy with SUN was associated with good tolerability but limited tumor response.MethodsThis double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase II clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of SUN as an adjunct to second and third-line FOLFIRI (NCT01020630). Patients were randomized to receive 6-week cycles including FOLFIRI plus sodium folinate (Na-FOLFIRI) once every two weeks and SUN or placebo (PL) continuously for four weeks followed by a 2-week rest period. The primary study endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Preplanned serum analyses of VEGF-A, VEGF-D, VEGFR2 and SDF-1α were performed retrospectively.ResultsOverall, 91 patients were randomized, 45 in each group (one patient withdrew). The main grade ≥3 AEs were neutropenia and leucopenia, observed in 56 %/20 % and 27 %/16 % for FOLFIRI + SUN/FOLFIRI + PL, respectively. Median PFS was similar, 3.5 vs. 3.3 months (hazard ratio (HR) 1.11, 95 % CI 0.70–1.74, P = 0.66) for FOLFIRI + SUN vs. FOLFIRI + PL, respectively. For FOLFIRI + SUN, a trend towards longer median overall survival (OS) compared with placebo was observed (10.4 vs. 8.9 months, HR 0.82, 95 % CI 0.50–1.34, one-sided P = 0.21). In subgroup serum analyses, significant changes in VEGF-A (P = 0.017), VEGFR2 (P = 0.012) and VEGF-D (P < 0.001) serum levels were observed.ConclusionsAlthough sunitinib combined with FOLFIRI did not improve PFS and response in chemotherapy-resistant gastric cancer, a trend towards better OS was observed. Further biomarker-driven studies with other anti-angiogenic RTK inhibitors are warranted.Trial registrationThis study was registered prospectively in the NCT Clinical Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) under NCT01020630 on November 23, 2009 after approval by the leading ethics committee of the Medical Association of Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz, in coordination with the participating ethics committees (see Additional file 2) on September 16, 2009.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2736-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The infiltration of tumors by T cells has been shown to correlate with prolonged patients' survival. However, it remains unclear why only some tumors are infiltrated with T cells. This study was designed to investigate possible correlations between intratumoral T-cell infiltrates and the expression of cancer-associated antigens and MHC class I and II molecules in patients with melanoma. Fresh frozen samples from 124 stage IV melanoma patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of Melan-A/MART-1, tyrosinase, gp100, NY-ESO-1, and MHC class I and II. Intratumoral T-cell and B-cell infiltrates were detected by staining with anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD3, and L26 antibodies. The NY-ESO-1 serum antibody status was assessed by Western blot analysis. Intratumoral CD8 + and CD4 + T cells were detected in 63.9% and 71.3% of patients, respectively. We observed a significant heterogeneity of the expression of the melanocyte differentiation antigens, NY-ESO-1, and MHC class I and II molecules. The only significant correlation was found between the expression of MHC class I and the presence of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells (P < 0.0001). There was a strong association between these two variables with respect to the density and distribution of infiltrating T cells and the pattern of MHC class I expression ( focal versus homogenous). Intratumoral T-cell infiltration is closely correlated with the MHC class I expression but not with the expression of differentiation antigens, cancerassociated antigens, or MHC class II molecules. These results may have implications for the definition of prognostic variables and for the identification of patients who may benefit from antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(9): 3937-41)

BackgroundTrifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102, Lonsurf®), a novel oral anti-tumor agent combining an anti-neoplastic thymidine-based nucleoside analogue (trifluridine, FTD) with a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (tipiracil hydrochloride, TPI) presents a new treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients refractory or intolerant to standard therapies. FTD/TPI was approved in the European Union (EU) in April 2016 and launched on the German market in August 15, 2016.MethodsWe investigated the characteristics of patients (pts) with mCRC treated with FTD/TPI at 118 centers in Germany from January 12 to August 14, 2016 and analyzed the safety in a clinical real-world setting.ResultsIn Germany, a total of 226 mCRC patients were included into a compassionate-use-program (CUP) and received FTD/TPI. For 45.5% of patients (n = 101), 253 adverse events (AE) were documented, most of them drug-related (n = 135). From January 12 (2016) to March 2 (2017), 124 serious adverse events (SAE) were reported (74 drug related). The most common serious adverse drug reactions (SADR) were leukopenia (12 events), neutropenia (8 events), anemia (7 events), diarrhea and nausea (5 events each) (observation period January 12 2016 to October 7 2016). In total, 122 patients (54%) discontinued FTD/TPI treatment, mostly due to progression (n = 75) followed by AEs (n = 21), deaths (n = 16), and non-specified reasons (n = 16). Interestingly, 12 patients with ECOG PS ≥2 achieved up to 3 cycles of FTD/TPI and in this patient population only 3 treatment discontinuations due to AEs were documented and the safety profile was comparable to the entire population.ConclusionThe patient characteristics as well as the safety profile of FTD/TPI documented in the German CUP were consistent with those reported in the pivotal trial RECOURSE without unexpected safety signals.

3099 Background: Stratum D of the INSIGHT study investigates the feasibility and safety of s.c. application of IMP321 (eftilagimod alpha) combined with the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab in advanced stage solid tumors. The MHC class II agonist IMP321 activates antigen-presenting cells followed by CD8 T-cell activation. The addition of avelumab aims at enhancing activity by combining IMP321’s activating effects on immune cells with the release of immune inhibitory effects caused by interruption of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Methods: This investigator-initiated phase I trial consists of four strata: intratumoral (A) or intraperitoneal IMP321 (B); s.c. IMP321 with SOC (C) or with PD-L1 inhibition (D). This abstract focuses on Stratum D. Patients (pts) receive 800mg avelumab i.v. q2w along with s.c. IMP321 injections (6mg IMP321 in cohort 1 and 30mg IMP321 in cohort 2). 12 pts are planned in stratum D : 6 pts in cohort 1 and 6 pts in cohort 2. Primary endpoint is safety. Results: So far, 8 pts have been enrolled (6 in cohort 1 and 2 in cohort 2). In 6 pts (cohort 1) treated for different tumor indications (gastric, gallbladder, colon cancer, pleural mesothelioma), no dose limiting toxicities occurred. 3 serious adverse events (SAEs) (1 acute kidney injury grade 5 in 1 pt, 2 preileus grade 3 in 1 pt) were reported, none of them was related to any of the study drugs. In total, 34 adverse events (AEs; grade 1-2, 21; grade 3, 12; no grade 4; grade 5, 1) have been documented in 5 pts. Most common grade 1-2 AEs were pain, nausea, and injection site reaction in 50%, 33%, and 17% of the pts. Most common grade 3 AEs were nausea/vomiting, preileus/ileus, and ascites in 33%, 33%, and 17% of the pts. One AE grade 5 (acute kidney injury) was reported. 4 AEs grade 1-2 were possibly or definitely related to IMP321 (injection site reaction 2x; fever; lipohypertrophy), 6 AEs grade 1-2 were possibly or definitely related to avelumab (nausea 2x; chills; fever; dyspnea; lipohypertrophy). All AEs grade 3-5 were unrelated to any of the study drugs. Of the 8 pts enrolled so far, 4 had disease progression (acc. to RECIST 1.1), 1 partial response, 1 stable disease with some extent of tumor shrinkage, and 2 have not had tumor assessment yet. Conclusions: Combination treatment with avelumab 800mg and IMP321 6mg is safe and well tolerated. Cohort 2 will be presented at the meeting. Clinical trial information: NCT03252938 .