ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8998-7141
Current Organisations
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre
,
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Future Medicine Ltd
Date: 05-2022
Abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been incorporated into the treatment of various malignancies. An increasing body of literature is reporting rare but potentially fatal adverse events associated with these agents. In this case series, the authors report the clinical features and outcomes of seven patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors for different solid organ malignancies and developed a tetrad of immune-related myocarditis, myositis, myasthenia gravis and transaminitis. Herein the authors review the literature and describe the current diagnostic and management approach for this overlapping syndrome. The authors' series highlights the importance of a high index of clinical suspicion, prompt comprehensive investigations, early multidisciplinary team involvement and initiation of immunosuppressive therapy when immune-related adverse events are suspected.
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Date: 20-05-2021
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_SUPPL.E14574
Abstract: e14574 Background: Oncolytic virus (OV) can specifically replicate in cancer cells causing cell lysis. Together with the expression of immune stimulating payloads, OV can induce an anti-tumor immune response. The aim of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, and PK profile of VG161, a novel HSV-1 OV armed with IL12, IL15 with its receptor α unit, and PD-L1 antagonist (Fc-fused 14 amino acid peptide), after single intra-tumoral injection (IT) in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Methods: This is an open label, single-arm, accelerated titration design pilot trial. Based on preclinical NOAEL, the first cohort dose level was calculated as 5×10 7 /subject, followed with 2 cohorts (1×10 8 and 2×10 8 PFU), 1-3 patients per cohort. One patient was treated in each cohort and the subsequent cohorts were initiated only after the safety observation of the current cohort was completed (21 days) with no DLT and no 2 moderate toxicity events deemed possibly, probably, or definitely related to VG161, otherwise, it would be expanded per the 3+3 design. DNA copy number of VG161 was measured with qPCR in the tumor biopsy and blood, in urine for virus shedding, as well as swabs of injection site and mouth. Immune cytokines were measured with MSD assay (electrochemiluminescence detection) in blood. Peripheral lymphocyte subsets were analyzed with flowcytometry. Results: Three patients (1 per cohort) were treated and completed safety observation. No DLT, and 10 AEs (fever, low neutrophils and lymphocytes, etc.) were possibly, probably, or definitely related. Grade 3 fever was the only related SAE, which recovered in 3 days. Dose dependent increase of VG161 DNA copy was detected in the tumor 2-3 days after treatment (C-max: 10, 1000, and 1000000 times increase from low to high dose), in contrast, it remained undetectable in blood, oral swab, and urine. Virus DNA was detected in injection site swab for the patient at the highest dose level but not for those treated at lower dose levels. After dosing, increases of IL-12 (C-max: 2.0, 2.4, and 21 times of baseline), IL-15 (C-max: 1.6, 3.2, and 2.5 times of baseline), IFN-γ (C-max: 49, 638, and 236 times of baseline) and TNF-α (C-max: 2.3, 3.7, and 2.2 times of baseline) from low to high dose were seen. Peripheral lymphocyte subset analysis and immune profiling of injected tumor are ongoing. Interestingly, partial regression of multiple visible non-injected lesions was observed in 1 patient shortly after dosing, however no durable direct or abscopal responses were seen to date. Conclusions: Single IT injection of VG161 up to 2×10 8 PFU/subject is safe and well tolerated, with no unexpected viral spread or shedding. The post-dose increase in cytokines and the transit regression of non-injected lesions imply the activation of anti-cancer immunity induced by VG161. This holds potential for further dose optimization to assess the safety and efficacy. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12620000244909.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJCA.2018.09.017
Abstract: Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 rogrammed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immunotherapy is now routinely used to treat several cancers. Clinical trials have excluded several populations, including patients with solid organ transplant, HIV infection and hepatitis B/C infection. We examined the safety outcomes of these populations treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment in a multicentre retrospective study. Patients from 16 centres with advanced cancer and solid organ transplant, HIV infection or hepatitis B/C infection were included. Demographic, tumour, treatment, toxicity and outcome data were recorded. Forty-six patients were included for analysis, with a median age of 60 years, and the majority of patients diagnosed with melanoma (72%). Among six patients with solid organ transplants, two graft rejections occurred, with one resulting in death, whereas two patients achieved partial responses. There were four responses in 12 patients with HIV infection. In 14 patients with hepatitis B, there were three responses, and similarly, there were three responses in 14 patients with hepatitis C. There was no unexpected toxicity in any viral infection group or an increase in viral load. Patients with HIV or hepatitis B/C infections treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy may respond to treatment without increased toxicity. Given the risk of graft rejection in solid organ transplant patients and also the potential for response, the role of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy needs to be carefully considered.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 23-06-2021
Abstract: Taxane-based chemotherapy regimens are in widespread use as standard of care treatment for patients with early breast cancer, though rarely its use can be complicated by taxane-induced pneumonitis (TIP). While breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, TIP remains under-described in this setting. Key questions relate to its incidence, diagnosis and management, potential predictive biomarkers, and the balance between this life-threatening toxicity and curatively intended treatment. At a single Australian institution, 6 cases of TIP are identified among 132 patients treated with a paclitaxel-containing regimen for early breast cancer (4.55%, 95% confidence interval 1.69-9.63%). This review first outlines the presentation, management, and outcomes for these cases, then answers these questions and proposes an approach to suspected TIP in patients with breast cancer.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-04-2020
Publisher: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited
Date: 02-04-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-06-2020
DOI: 10.1002/RCR2.610
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-05-2022
DOI: 10.1111/AJD.13866
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2017
No related grants have been discovered for Luke Ardolino.