NY-ESO-1b peptide, 100 μg mixed with 1 mg CpG 7909 and 0.5mL of Montanide® ISA-51 was administered to patients with cancer expressing NY-ESO-1 or LAGE-1 antigen. The injections were given subcutaneously beginning on week 1 and repeated every three weeks for 4 injections total. There was a 3 week follow-up period after the last injection. In the absence of toxicity and progressive disease (PD), a second cycle was offered to patients who received 4 vaccinations.

Blood samples were obtained at baseline (prior to the first dose), prior to the second, third and fourth injection and 2 weeks after the fourth injection in both cycles 1 and 2 for the assessment of NY-ESO-1 specific antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A positive response was a readable optical density at 280 nm.

Blood samples were obtained at baseline, prior to the second, third and fourth injection and 2 weeks after the fourth injection in both cycles 1 and 2 for the assessment of NY-ESO-1b specific CD8+ T-cells by ELISPOT assays.

10 mcg NY-ESO-1b peptide was injected intradermally at a separate site from the vaccination at baseline and after the second and fourth injection of each cycle.

Assessment of DTH reactions as evidenced by redness and induration was performed 48 h after injection.

The number of patients with DTH positive skin reactions was reported at each timepoint.

DLT was defined as the following toxicities definitely, probably, or possibly related to the administration of NY-ESO-1b peptide, 100 μg mixed with 1 mg CpG 7909 and 0.5mL of Montanide® ISA-51:

• ≥ Grade 2 autoimmune phenomena
• Asymptomatic bronchospasm or generalized urticaria
• ≥ Grade 3 hematological and non hematological toxicities.

Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed at screening, and during weeks 13 and 28. Response was assessed using RECIST version 1.0 (Therasse et al, J Natl Cancer Inst 2000; 92:205-16). Per RECIST, target lesions are categorized as follows: complete response (CR): disappearance of all target lesions (no evaluable disease); partial response (PR): ≥ 30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; progressive disease (PD): ≥ 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; stable disease (SD): small changes that do not meet above criteria. No evidence of disease (NED): no target or non-target lesions at baseline and no new lesions identified on post-baseline scans.

NY-ESO-1b peptide, 100 μg mixed with 1 mg CpG 7909 and 0.5mL of Montanide® ISA-51 was administered to patients with cancer expressing NY-ESO-1 or LAGE-1 antigen. The injections were given subcutaneously beginning on week 1 and repeated every three weeks for 4 injections total. There was a 3 week follow-up period after the last injection. In the absence of toxicity and progressive disease (PD), a second cycle was offered to patients who received 4 vaccinations.

Blood samples were obtained at baseline (prior to the first dose), prior to the second, third and fourth injection and 2 weeks after the fourth injection in both cycles 1 and 2 for the assessment of NY-ESO-1 specific antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A positive response was a readable optical density at 280 nm.

All patients who received at least one dose of NY-ESO-1b peptide, 100 μg mixed with 1 mg CpG 7909 and 0.5mL of Montanide® ISA-51 and had pre- and post-treatment samples taken.

NY-ESO-1b peptide, 100 μg mixed with 1 mg CpG 7909 and 0.5mL of Montanide® ISA-51 was administered to patients with cancer expressing NY-ESO-1 or LAGE-1 antigen. The injections were given subcutaneously beginning on week 1 and repeated every three weeks for 4 injections total. There was a 3 week follow-up period after the last injection of peptide. In the absence of toxicity and PD, a second cycle was offered to patients who received 4 vaccinations.