Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key regulator of cell-mediated immunity that has therapeutic potential in cancer and infectious disease. In a previous Phase I dose escalation study of a single test dose of recombinant human IL- 12 (rhIL-12) followed 14 days later by cycles of five consecutive daily intravenous injections every 3 weeks, we showed that a dose level up to 500 ng/kg could be administered with acceptable levels of safety. Based on these results, a Phase 2 study was conducted. In the Phase 2 study, however, administration of rhIL-12 at this same dose level resulted in severe toxicities with some patients unable to tolerate more than two successive doses. Of the 17 patients receiving rhIL-12 in the Phase 2 study, 12 patients were hospitalized and two patients died. A thorough scientific investigation to determine the cause of this unexpected toxicity failed to identify any difference in the drug products used or the patient populations enrolled in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies that could have accounted for the profound difference in toxicity. The focus of the investigation therefore shifted to the schedule of rhIL-12 administration. We determined that a single injection of rhIL-12 2 weeks before consecutive dosing included in the Phase 1 study, but not in the schedule of administration in the Phase 2 study, has a profound abrogating effect on IL-12-induced interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production and toxicity. This observation of schedule-dependent toxicity of IL-12 has been verified in mice, as well as nonhuman primates. In this regard, a single injection of IL-12 before consecutive daily dosing protected mice and cynomolgus monkeys from acute toxicity including mortality and was associated with an attenuated IFN-γ response. Because of this unique biologic response, careful attention to the schedule of administration is required to assure safe and effective clinical development of this highly promising cytokine.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2541-2548 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Blood |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 7 |
State | Published - Oct 1 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Cell Biology