Immunization of Patients With Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

This is an uncontrolled, non-randomized trial to evaluate safety, immunogenicity and feasibility of a new vaccine, consisting of semi-allogeneic fibroblasts transfected with autologous tumor-derived DNA. Briefly, the plan is to use a two-stage trial design and to initially enroll 15 patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over a period of 2 years. The patients will undergo surgery and a portion of the primary tumor specimen not necessary for the pathologic diagnosis will be obtained to serve as a source of tumor DNA. Each DNA-based vaccine will contain 1 x 10e7 DNA-transfected human allogeneic fibroblasts. The vaccine will be lethally irradiated before it is used for immunization. It will be administered intradermally in the Outpatient Clinic. Patients delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses will be tested but will not be an eligibility criterion. Immunologic response to the vaccine will be evaluated. If there is no evidence of toxicity, and \>3 of the 15 initial patients show immunologic response, the second stage of the study will be opened for accrual of 22 patients. All patients will be monitored by IFN-g secretion in ELISPOT assays prior to and after vaccination for the frequency of T-cells responsive to autologous tumor (if available) and/or to the vaccine. The patients will also be evaluated before and after vaccination for the capability of their T cells to respond to activating signals delivered via the T cell receptor (TcR).