Table of Contents
- What is ADP-A2M4CD8?
- How Does ADP-A2M4CD8 Work?
- Target Patient Group
- Clinical Trial Details
- Eligibility Criteria
- Potential Benefits and Risks
- Administration and Dosage
What is ADP-A2M4CD8?
ADP-A2M4CD8 is an innovative treatment being studied for recurrent ovarian cancer. It is classified as a type of cell therapy, specifically an autologous T cell therapy. “Autologous” means that the treatment uses the patient’s own cells, which are modified to fight cancer[1].
The full name of this treatment is “Autologous T Cells Expressing CD8A and a T-Cell Receptor Targeting MAGE-A4.” This long name describes how the therapy works:
- Autologous T Cells: These are immune cells taken from the patient’s own body.
- CD8A: This is a protein that helps T cells recognize and attack cancer cells.
- T-Cell Receptor Targeting MAGE-A4: The T cells are genetically modified to recognize a specific protein called MAGE-A4, which is found on some cancer cells.
How Does ADP-A2M4CD8 Work?
ADP-A2M4CD8 works by enhancing the body’s natural immune response against cancer. Here’s a simplified explanation of the process:
- T cells are collected from the patient’s blood.
- These cells are genetically modified in a laboratory to express CD8A and a receptor that targets MAGE-A4.
- The modified cells are then multiplied to create a large number of cancer-fighting cells.
- These cells are infused back into the patient’s body.
- The modified T cells can now recognize and attack cancer cells that express the MAGE-A4 protein.
This approach is a form of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer[1].
Target Patient Group
ADP-A2M4CD8 is being studied specifically for patients with:
- Recurrent ovarian cancer: This means ovarian cancer that has come back after initial treatment.
- MAGE-A4 positive tumors: The cancer cells must express the MAGE-A4 protein for this treatment to be effective.
- HLA-A2 positive: Patients must have a specific genetic marker called HLA-A2 for this treatment to work[1].
Clinical Trial Details
A clinical trial called SURPASS-3 (also known as GOG-3084) is currently studying ADP-A2M4CD8. This is a Phase 2 trial, which means it’s testing how well the treatment works and continues to monitor its safety. The trial has two main parts:
- ADP-A2M4CD8 Monotherapy: Some patients will receive ADP-A2M4CD8 on its own.
- ADP-A2M4CD8 in combination with Nivolumab: Other patients will receive ADP-A2M4CD8 along with another immunotherapy drug called Nivolumab[1].
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in this clinical trial, patients must meet certain criteria. Some key requirements include:
- Age between 18 and 75 years
- Confirmed diagnosis of recurrent high-grade serous or high-grade endometrioid ovarian carcinoma
- Previous treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy
- Positive for HLA-A2 and MAGE-A4 expression in tumor cells
- Adequate overall health status
There are also several exclusion criteria, such as certain autoimmune conditions or other cancers[1].
Potential Benefits and Risks
As with any experimental treatment, there are potential benefits and risks:
Potential Benefits:
- Improved anti-tumor activity against recurrent ovarian cancer
- A new treatment option for patients who have not responded to other therapies
Potential Risks:
- Side effects from the treatment itself
- Risks associated with the lymphodepletion process (a preparatory treatment)
- Potential for severe immune reactions
The clinical trial is carefully monitoring for any adverse events or side effects[1].
Administration and Dosage
ADP-A2M4CD8 is administered as an intravenous infusion, which means it’s given directly into the bloodstream. The maximum dose being studied is 10 billion cells, given as a single infusion[1].
Before receiving the treatment, patients undergo a process called lymphodepletion, which helps prepare the body to receive the modified T cells.
It’s important to note that this treatment is still experimental and is only available through clinical trials. Patients interested in this therapy should discuss it with their oncologist to determine if they might be eligible for the trial.



