Combination Trastuzumab With Expanded Natural Killer Cells for Treating HER2-positive Gastric Cancer

Combination Trastuzumab With Expanded NK Cells for Treating HER2-positive Gastric Cancer

This trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of activated and expanded in vitro autologous NK cells following trastuzumab treatment for patients Human Epidermal Receptor-2 overexpressing advanced gastric cancer.

Tumor antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies, block oncogenic signaling and induce Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated cytotoxicity, are considered to be one of the most successful strategies in cancer therapy. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against HER2, was investigated in combination with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. The use of cellular immunotherapy has increased significantly over the past two decades. Natural killer cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that have the ability to recognize and kill malignant cells. There is growing evidence show antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) by NK cells contributes to the efficacy of Herceptin. Therefore, methods to enhance ADCC, such as stimulating the innate immune response, may clinically translate to improved antitumor activity. In this study, the investigators sought to enhance the clinical activity of trastuzumab, administrated in combination with expanded autologous NK cells. The enrolled patients are diagnosed HER2+ advanced gastric cancer. The eligible patient will administrate herceptin on 2 days prior to blood collection. The initial dose of herceptin is 8 mg/kg over 90 minutes IV infusion. On day 0 peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from 40-50ml blood by density gradient centrifugation. Then were cultured with human NK cell culture medium and stimulation cytokines in a humidified, 5% carbon dioxide incubator for about 14 days. After NK expansion and verification that the resulting NK cells meet purity, gram stain, and endotoxin release criteria, NK cells were washed and resuspended in isotonic sodium chloride. NK cellular therapy conduct 2 cycles per year. The maintenance dose of herceptin monotherapy is 6 mg/kg over 30 to 90 minutes IV infusion every 3 weeks. This study will determine the safety and efficacy of this novel combinational therapeutic strategy in HER2 positive gastric cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age equal to 18 years or older;
• Patients with histologically confirmed HER2 positive advanced gastric cancer through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH);
• Normal marrow hematopoiesis function: Hemoglobin≥90g/L, White Blood Cell count≥4000/μL, absolute Neutrophil Cell count (ANC)≥1500/μL, Platelet≥100000/μL;
• Normal important organ function: Total bilirubin≤1.5-fold institutional upper limit of normal (ULN), Aspartate aminotransferase and Alanine aminotransferase≤2.5-fold ULN, Creatinine clearance≥80mL/min;
• Life expectancy≥6 months;
• No other serious heart, lung, kidney dysfunction;
• Quality of life (Karnofsky performance score)≥60;
• Patient must be able to understand and be willing to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to cytokines (eg.Interleukin-2);
• Patients with systemic or local infection requiring anti-infections treatment;
• Patients currently treated with systemic immunosuppressive agents, including steroids;
• Patients with active autoimmune disease or history of transplantation requiring steroid treatment;
• Tested positive for HIV;
• Pregnant or lactating women;
• Patients with coagulation disorders;
• Patients with important organ dysfunction, including cardiac, lung, liver;
• Patients experiencing a cardiac events (acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction or ischemia) within the 3 months;
• Any reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, contraindicates that the patient participates in the study.