PHASE I STUDY OF T-CELL LARGE GRANULAR LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA USING THE MIK-BETA 1 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY DIRECTED TOWARD THE IL-2R BETA SUBUNIT

OBJECTIVES:

• Evaluate the toxicity of murine monoclonal antibody Mik-beta-1 (MOAB Mik-beta-1) in patients with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia associated with granulocytopenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia.
• Determine the clinical response in patients treated with this drug.
• Assess the effect of this drug on the number of circulating CD3+, CD8+ expressing granular lymphocytes and the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, red blood cells, and platelets in this patient population.
• Monitor patients for the time course of decline in circulating infused MOAB Mik-beta-1 and for the production of human antibodies to IV infused murine MOAB Mik-beta-1.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study.

Patients receive monoclonal antibody Mik-beta-1 (MOAB Mik-beta-1) IV over 2 hours on days 1, 4, 7, and 10. Patients achieving a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) may receive 1 additional course beginning no sooner than 4 weeks after completion of the first course, in the absence of antibodies to MOAB Mik-beta-1. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or severe allergic reaction.

Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of MOAB Mik-beta-1 until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity.