A Phase Ib Trial Of Pembrolizumab (Pembro) Following Adoptive Cell Therapy (Act) In Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer; The Activate (Adoptive Cell Therapy Invigorated To Augment Tumor Eradication) Trial.

TPS5611Background: ACT is based on the in vitro expansion of T cells with anti-tumor activity, followed by transfer of large numbers of T cells back to the patient. T cells for ACT can be obtained from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which represent a source of tumor-specific T cells. Evidence supports that epithelial ovarian carcinoma (OC) is immunogenic and has the potential to respond to immunotherapy. Pembro, a PD-1 monoclonal antibody, was shown to have activity in metastatic ovarian cancer with a response rate of 11.5% (Varga, ASCO 2015;33:5510). There is limited data regarding the efficacy of combining ACT with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. However, ACT may synergize with checkpoint inhibitors to overcome immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment, and dramatic clinical responses have been observed anecdotally. Based on these observations, a Phase 1b study of ACT followed by Pembro in advanced OC was initiated. Methods: This is a single-centre, non-randomized trial of Pembro following ACT ...