Anti-Tac(Fv)-PE38 (LMB-2) to Treat Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Study Summary

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental drug called LMB-2 for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in patients who have a protein called cluster of differentiation 25 (CD25) on their cancer cells. LMB-2 is a recombinant immunotoxin. It is made up of two parts: a genetically engineered monoclonal antibody that binds to cancer cells with CD25 on their surface, and a toxin produced by bacteria that kills the cancer cells to which it binds. LMB-2 has killed CD 25-containing cells in laboratory experiments and has caused tumors in mice to shrink. Preliminary studies in humans have shown some effectiveness in shrinking tumors in patients with various types of lymph and blood cancers. Patients 18 years of age and older with CLL who have CD25 receptor proteins on their cancer cells and whose disease has progressed within 2 years of treatment with fludarabine may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, and a bone marrow biopsy. Participants receive up to six cycles of LMB-2 therapy. Each 28-day cycle consists of 30-minute infusions of LMB-2 on cycle days 1, 3, and 5. The drug is infused through an intravenous (IV) catheter (plastic tube placed in a vein) or a central venous line-an IV tube placed in a large vein in the neck or chest that leads to the heart. Patients are admitted to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center for the first treatment cycle. If the infusion is well tolerated, subsequent cycles may be given on an outpatient basis. In addition to drug therapy, patients undergo the following procedures: * Blood draws: Blood is drawn before, during, and after each LMB-2 infusion to measure blood levels of the drug, evaluate its effects on the cancer cells, and monitor side effects. Blood tests are also done before and duri

Primary Outcome

Response is measured by the 1996 National Cancer Institute (NCI) Working Group Criteria (NCIWG). Complete response is defined as no hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, or lymphadenopathy by physical examination and appropriate radiographic techniques. Lymph nodes must resolve to \<1.0cm of 1-1.5cm at baseline, or \<1.5cm if \>1.5cm at baseline. Partial response is \>=50% decrease in peripheral blood lymphocytes count from the pretreatment baseline value. Progressive disease is \>=50% increase in the sum

Interventions

• DRUG LMB-2