Autologous Tumor/Dendritic Cell Vaccine(Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center)

Immune therapies, such as a IL-2, for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) are designed to mobilize immune effector cells that recognize and destroy cancer. The investigators have recently observed a 50% objective response rate (16% CR) in mRCC patients treated with autologous tumor lysate -dendritic cell (DC)-vaccine, IL-2 and interferon alfa (IFN). New agents inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathways have demonstrated significant benefit in mRCC patients as well, but rarely induce CRs. High blood VEGF is associated with poor response to IL-2 and can cause tumor specific immune dysregulation. To test whether complementary mechanisms of immune activation and disruption of regulatory pathways enhance outcome the investigators plan to treat 24 mRCC patients in a phase II trial using bevacizumab, DC vaccine, IL-2, and IFN. Observations from this project will be used in the development of novel cancer therapies which, if successful, will decrease the burden of cancer on the public.
The investigators propose to determine 1) the objective clinical response rate to treatment and progression free survival, 2) the clinical and autoimmune related toxicity profile of therapy, and 3) the treatment related tumor-specific immune response and the relationship of tumor-specific immune response and objective clinical response.