Originally published as JCO Early Release 10.1200/JCO.2005.11.437 on August 1 2005

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Phase I Trial of Recombinant Immunotoxin RFB4(dsFv)-PE38 (BL22) in Patients With B-Cell Malignancies

From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, and Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

Address reprint requests to Robert J. Kreitman, MD, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg 5124b, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892; e-mail: kreitmar{at}mail.nih.gov

PURPOSE: To conduct a phase I trial of recombinant immunotoxin BL22, an anti-CD22 Fv fragment fused to truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six pretreated patients with CD22+ non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; n = 4), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; n = 11), and hairy cell leukemia (HCL; n = 31) received 265 cycles at 3 to 50 µg/Kg every other day x 3 doses.

RESULTS: BL22 was active in HCL, with 19 complete remissions (CRs; 61%) and six partial responses (PRs; 19%) in 31 patients. Of 19 CRs, 11 were achieved after one cycle and eight after two to 14 cycles. All 25 responders benefited clinically with one cycle. The CR rate was 86% in patients enrolled at 40 µg/Kg every other day x 3, and 41% at lower doses (P = .011). The median duration for CR was 36 months (range, 5 to 66 months), and eight patients remain in CR at 45 months (range, 29 to 66 months). Lower but significant activity occurred in CLL. Neutralizing antibodies occurred in 11 (24%) of 46 patients (all HCL). A reversible hemolytic uremic syndrome requiring plasmapheresis was observed in one patient with NHL during cycle 1 and in four patients with HCL during cycle 2 or 3. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) evaluated at cycle 1 was 40 µg/Kg IV. QOD x 3. The most common toxicities at 30 to 50 µg/Kg every other day x 3 included hypoalbuminemia, transaminase elevations, fatigue, and edema.

CONCLUSION: BL22 was well tolerated and highly effective in HCL, even after one cycle. Phase II testing is underway to define the efficacy with one cycle and to study safety when additional cycles are needed for optimal response.

Supported by the intramural program of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Authors' disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.

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