Immunotherapy with Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Induced Cervical Dysplasia In HIV Patients

Taylor G1,2, Ely L1, Wolff T2, Davis C1,2, Ioffe O1,

Talor E3, Khanna N2, Redfield R1,2, and Tramont E4.

Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD1;

University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD2

CEL-SCI Corporation, Vienna, VA3 and NIAID, Bethesda, MD4

ABSTRACT

HPV causes greater than 90% of pre-cancerous cervical lesions leading to cervical cancer. Co-

infection with HPV in HIV-infected patients is common and cervical cancer is considered an AIDS

defining illness. Local immune responses associated with inflammation can clear cervical HPV

infection. Therefore, we hypothesized that local immunity with Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection

(MultikineTM) a natural mixture of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines [containing: IL-2, IL-

1ß, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, among others], can improve and/or cure HPV-induced cervical

disease. Preliminary results from this on-going Phase I, dose-escalating study, in which 200 IU (as IL-

2) [lowest dose tested] was administered by endocervical/perilesional injections 16-20 times over a 6

week period to 5 dually infected (HPV/HIV) patient volunteers with moderate to severe cervical

dysplasia. All of the patient volunteers tolerated the injections well and without any associated serious

adverse reactions. Five out of five patient volunteers had clinical improvement by colposcopic

visualization; 3/4 had no evidence of residual dysplasia on punch biopsy 7-8 weeks after the final

injection. Biopsies on the remaining patient volunteer had no change in the histopathology. One patient

was lost to follow-up. Quantitative HPV PCR data are pending. Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection did

not increase peripheral blood HIV levels by PCR. Dose-ranging studies are proceeding.

A pivotal trial is in the planning stage.

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HPV-ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

• Skin warts

• Anogenital warts

• Cervical cancer (>90% HPV positive)

• Vulvar cancer

• Penile cancer

• Respiratory papillomas

• Conjunctival papillomas

• Oral cavity lesions

HPV and HIV

• Immunosuppression inhibits clearance of papillomaviruses• Immunosuppression promotes HPV reactivation• Prevalence of HPV is ~ 5 times higher in the HIV-infected

than in the general population• Usually more persistent HPV infection• Patients have a greater number of precancerous lesions• More likely to be infected with multiple types

(independent risk factors for progression)• Correlation between lower CD4 levels and a higher

number of HPV types

HPV/HIV CO-INFECTION

• HPV detection in HIV infected women may be as high as 83%

• HIV infected women undergoing colposcopy after an abnormal PAP smear, the detection of HPV is greater than 90%

• 20% of dually infected women with no evidence of cervical disease will develop cervical disease within 3 years

HPV/HIV CO-INFECTION

• HIV infected women are less likely to clear HPV and hence are at a greatly increased risk for developing cervical cancer caused by HPV infection.

• Recurrence rates after traditional therapy is much greater in HIV-infected women than in those who are HIV negative; i.e., >50%, including those whose HIV is under good control.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

• Signed informed consent• 18-70 years of age• HIV/HPV infected women with LSIL, HSIL on

histopathology following colpo-directed biopsy for an abnormal PAP smear

• No prior therapy with any biological response modifiers• No immunosuppressive therapy in the previous 3 months• Not taking aspirin or NSAID in the previous 7 days• CD4 >50 and HIV RNA <55,000, on or off Highly Active

Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

• Invasive cervical carcinoma

• Concurrent, untreated vaginal/cervical infection/lesion

• History of asthma, requiring medical treatment within the previous 24 months

• Any medical condition that at the discretion of the investigator precludes participation

PROCEDURE

• Leukocyte Interleukin is injected into the submucosa

• Daily injections X 5 for 2 weeks; 2 week rest period; then, daily injections X 5 for 2 weeks

• Follow-up cervical biopsy 7-8 weeks after the last injection

LEUKOCYTE INTERLEUKIN, INJECTION

• Interleukin-2

• GM-CSF

• TNF-alpha

• IFN-gamma

• IL-1-beta

Added material:

• Human Serum Albumin, USP added as a carrier/stabilizer

RESULTS of 200 IU

• No complaint of pain, pelvic discomfort, or significant bleeding. One volunteer was hospitalized for lactic acidosis, secondary to antiretroviral drugs.

• Clinical response - 5/5 improved, visually

There was complete clearing, visually, in 3/4. One volunteer was lost to follow-up.

• Biopsy results - In 3/4, there was resolution of dysplasia by histopathology. In 1/4, the histopathological results were unchanged.

• HPV results are pending

CONCLUSION

• Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection at the 200 IU dose appears to be safe.

• In a small number of subjects Leukocyte Interleukin appears to be effective at improving cervical lesions, visually and histopathologically. It is still too early to determine if there is sustainable clearance of the HPV infection.

• Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection had no detrimental effect on plasma HIV-1 RNA.