Efficacy of Recombinant Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Vaccine in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Cancer Who Had Residual EBV DNA Load After Conventional Therapy

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically confirmed diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) (either at initial diagnosis or at recurrence).

• NPC associated with EBV infection, determined as:

  • NPC occurred in association with a raised serum titre of IgA to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) in a patient living in an area of high incidence of EBV+ undifferentiated NPC, or
  • The presence of EBV has been confirmed in the tumour by immunohistochemistry for EBV antigens or in situ hybridization for EBV early RNA (EBER), or
  • NPC with persistent or recurrent disease occurs in the context of an elevated circulating EBV genome level

• Patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic NPC that have residual EBV DNA following completion of conventional therapy (chemotherapy or radiotherapy).

  • Patients with residual masses at the site(s) of previous disease that are not progressing and for whom no standard therapy is currently appropriate.
  • Patients with residual or recurrent disease that is low volume, that is causing minimal or no symptoms and for whom no standard therapy is currently appropriate.
• Disease must be not amenable to potentially curative radiotherapy or surgery.
• Completion of standard therapy for malignancy at least 4 weeks before trial entry.
• Written informed consent and the ability of the patient to co-operate with treatment and follow up must be ensured and documented.
• Age greater than 18 years.
• World Health Organisation (WHO) performance status of 0 or 1
• Life expectancy of at least 4 months.
• Female patients of child-bearing potential are eligible, provided they have a negative pregnancy test prior to enrolment and agree to use appropriate medically approved contraception during the study up to six months after the last vaccination.
• Male patients must agree to use appropriate medically approved contraception during the study up to six months after the last vaccination.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or major surgery received within 4 weeks of trial entry.
• Known chronic active infection with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Current active autoimmune disease.
• Current active skin diseases requiring therapy (psoriasis, eczema etc).
• Ongoing active infection.
• History of anaphylaxis or severe allergy to vaccination.
• Allergy to eggs or egg products.
• Previous myeloablative therapy followed by an autologous or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant.
• Patients who have had a splenectomy or splenic irradiation, or with known splenic dysfunction.
• Receiving current immunosuppressive medication, including corticosteroids (inhaled steroids are acceptable).
• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Ongoing toxic manifestations of previous treatment. Exceptions to this are alopecia or certain Grade 1 toxicities which in the opinion of the Investigator should not exclude the patient.
• Patients with any other condition which in the Investigator's opinion would not make the patient a good candidate for the clinical trial.