T-lymphocyte responses to the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

3061 Background: hTERT is a potential target for cancer immunotherapy because it is highly expressed in tumor cells. To assess the applicability of hTERT-based immunotherapy in NSCLC, we aimed to analyse the natural anti-hTERT T-lymphocyte responses in advanced NSCLC pts. Methods: We included in a prospective, monocentric study chemonaive NSCLC pts. Pts were required to present stage III or IV tumor, without any immune deficiency or immunosuppressive drug. Before start of chemotherapy, the anti-hTERT T-lymphocyte responses were assessed in whole blood by ELISPOT and thymidine proliferation test. We evaluated the presence or absence of hTERT-specific T lymphocytes. Thereafter, we analyzed its link with age (< 60 vs. ≥ 60 yrs), ECOG performance status PS (0–1 vs. 2–3), tumoral stage (III vs. IV), histological subtype (adenocarcinoma vs. other), and smoking status (never smoker vs. smoker). Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square or Fischer test. Results: Between February and September 2008, 31 NSCLC pts were included. They presented a stage III (n = 6) or IV (n = 27) disease. Median age was 65 yrs (33–89). Eighteen pts presented anti-hTERT T lymphocytes (54%); among them we found 12 pts ≥ 60 yrs (70%), 14 adenocarcinoma (77%), 13 stage IV (72%), 7 pts with PS 2/3 (41%), and 13 smokers (72%). So far, univariate analysis showed no relationship between presence of anti-hTERT T-cell responses and pts’ characteristics. Conclusions: These preliminary results demonstrate that natural anti-hTERT immune response exists in NSCLC pts, even in case of poor prognosis. Thus, clinical trial using telomerase-based therapeutic vaccine may include NSCLC pts with advanced disease. The study is ongoing to evaluate if baseline anti-hTERT immune response could be used as selection criteria for telomerase vaccination in NSCLC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.