Background:~In this Phase I study, patients with hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer (PC) and lymph node metastases are treated with the cancer vaccine Bcl-xl_42-CAF09b. The aim of the study is to clarify the safety and toxicity of the vaccine and also the immunological effect.~Patients included should be on Bicalutamid treatment upon inclusion. The vaccine Bcl-xl_42-CAF09b is composed of the peptide Bcl-xl_42 and the adjuvant CAF09b. The B-cell lymphoma extra large protein (Bcl-xl) protein plays a vital role in the cancer cell's ability to avoid programmed cell death (apoptosis) and is upregulated in a variety of cancerous diseases. Bcl-xl_42 is a peptide fragment of the full protein and preclinical studies have shown that vaccination with this peptide (Bcl-xl) can activate the immune system and thereby lead to the death of cancer cells.~In order to improve the activation of the immune system, adjuvant CAF09b is added; Preclinical studies have shown that special intraperitoneal (IP) injections of CAF09b improve the activation of the immune system.~The CAF09 adjuvant has been developed by Statens Serum Institut (SSI). It is a three-component adjuvant system, composed of cationic liposomes (DDA-MMG1) with complex bound synthetic double-stranded RNA (Poly(I:C)2). The adjuvant was developed as a means to induce cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell responses against vaccine antigens and intended for use in vaccines against disease targets such as cancers, human immunodeficiency virus or Hepatitis C virus. The Poly(I:C) component has previously been in clinical studies as a cancer treatment. Poly(I:C) is known for its pyrogenic activity but upon formulation in the cationic liposome system, CAF09, the pyrogenic effect is significantly reduced.~Methods:~20 patients will be included in this phase I trial. 10 patients will be included in arm A and 10 patients in arm B. Arm a will recieve 3 vaccines every second week IM and thereafter 3 vaccines every second week IP. Arm B will first receive 3 vaccines every second week IP and thereafter every second week IM. All 20 patients will recieve 6 vaccines all in all. This is not randomized - the first 10 patients included will be in arm A and the last 10 patients included will be in arm B.~Patients will be followed with clinical controls every second week.
In this Phase I study, patients with hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer (PC) and lymph node metastases are treated with the cancer vaccine Bcl-xl_42-CAF09b. The aim of the study is to clarify the safety and toxicity of the vaccine and also the immunological effect.~The vaccine Bcl-xl_42-CAF09b is composed of the peptide Bcl-xl_42 and the adjuvant CAF09b. The B-cell lymphoma extra large protein (Bcl-xl) protein plays a vital role in the cancer cell's ability to avoid programmed cell death (apoptosis) and is upregulated in a variety of cancerous diseases. Bcl-xl_42 is a peptide fragment of the full protein and preclinical studies have shown that vaccination with this peptide (Bcl-xl) can activate the immune system and thereby lead to the death of cancer cells. In order to improve the activation of the immune system, adjuvant CAF09b is added; Preclinical studies have shown that special intraperitoneal (IP) injections of CAF09b improve the activation of the immune system.