Phase 1 Studie: Immuntherapie bei biochemischem Rezidiv des Prostatakarzinoms

Patients interested in participating in the study described here can contact Dr. Heitmann, study director: [email protected] Please note: This is a collaboration between the University Hospital of Tübingen and the Strube Foundation. Neither receives any financial benefit from this. About the study: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men in Germany. If the tumor progresses and forms secondary tumors in other organs (so-called metastases), prostate cancer is currently incurable. The blood test PSA (prostate-specific antigen [an antigen can be understood as a biological structure or target]) is currently considered the most reliable biomarker for detecting prostate cancer and can provide early indications of disease recurrence during follow-up care. If the PSA level rises during follow-up visits, for example, with a urologist, this is a sign that the tumor is recurring. The detection of PSA at this early stage, where imaging (e.g., computed tomography or ultrasound) usually does not yet reveal tumor manifestations, is referred to as biochemical recurrence (BCR). The KKE Translational Immunology in Tübingen, as part of the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), is evaluating a bispecific antibody (CC-1) developed in Tübingen. Antibodies are proteins of the body's immune system (the body's defense system), and CC-1 is called bispecific because it binds to two different targets simultaneously. This activates the immune system specifically against tumor cells, thereby treating prostate cancer and achieving significant long-term improvement for patients. An initial clinical trial in patients with metastatic prostate cancer is currently being completed. The upcoming Phase I trial with the bispecific antibody for treatment in the early stages of the disease (biochemical recurrence) aims to investigate this immunotherapy in a situation where, to date, only treatment options with significant side effects have been available. Bispecific antibodies are protein molecules that have two different binding sites. In the case of the bispecific PSMAxCD3 antibody CC-1, one binding site targets the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is displayed on the surface of malignant prostate cancer cells, and the other targets CD3, a surface marker on immune cells, so-called T cells. Binding of CC-1 to both binding sites activates the T cells specifically against prostate cancer cells, leading to their destruction.