1 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Background: The p53 gene normally suppresses tumor growth, but when it is mutated, or damaged, tumors can grow unchecked. In cancers where the p53 gene has mutated, an increased level of p53(overexpression of p53) can be measured in the tumor. Objectives To determine whether advanced cancers that overexpress p53 can be treated effectively with lymphocytes (white blood cells) that have been genetically engineered to contain an anti-p53 protein. Eligibility Patients 18 years of age and older with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread beyond the original site) Patient's tumor overexpresses p53 Patient's leukocyte antigen type is HLA-A 0201 Design Patients undergo the following procedures: Leukapheresis (on two occasions). This is a method of collecting large numbers of white blood cells. The cells obtained in the first leukapheresis procedure are grown in the laboratory, and the anti-p53 protein is inserted into the cells using an inactivated (harmless)virus in a process called transduction. Cells collected in the second leukapheresis procedure are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the study treatment. Chemotherapy. Patients are given chemotherapy through a vein (intravenously, IV) for 1 week to suppress the immune system so that the patients immune cells do not interfere with the treatment. Treatment with anti-p53 cells. Patients receive an IV infusion of the transduced cells containing anti-p53 protein, followed by infusions of a drug called IL-2, which helps boost the effectiveness of the transduced white cells. Patients may undergo a tumor biopsy (removal of a small piece of tumor tissue). Patients are evaluated with laboratory tests and imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans 4 to 6 weeks after treatment and then once a month 3 to 4 months to determine the response to treatment. Patients have blood tests at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and then annually for the next 10 years.