DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Leader, Kidney Cancer Program
Member, Cancer Immunology Program
Member, Translational Pharmacology and Early Therapeutic Trials Program
Member, Cutaneous Oncology and Melanoma Program

DF/HCC Associations

Principal Investigator, DF/HCC Renal SPORE
Member, Center Scientific Council

Research Abstract

Dr. Atkins is a clinical investigator with a primary interest in biologic therapies for malignant disease. Dr. Atkins played a key role in the clinical development of IL-2 from the early Phase I trials to its eventual approval by the FDA as the standard therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. His group has also conducted both Phase I and Phase II trials with interelukin-4 interleukin-6, and interleukin-12. Current clinical research efforts focus on defining the role of IL-2 and chemotherapy combinations (biochemotherapy) in melanoma, the need for high-dose IL-2 in metastatic RCCA, the role of IL-2 in the adjuvant setting in RCCA, and further approaches to modulate cytokine related toxicity. Additional activities include the first clinical trials combining IL-2 and IL-12 and the investigation of dendritic cell:tumor cell fusion vaccines in patient with melanoma. Related laboratory investigations are examining the mechanisms underlying IL-12 induced tolerance, IL-12 and IL-2 synergy, the resistance of RCCA to IL-2, and the factors responsible for synergy between biologic agents and chemotherapy in melanoma. These clinical and laboratory studies are providing considerable insight into the complex biologic and immunologic effects of this important new class of cancer therapies.

Publications

• Atkins MB, Elder DE, Essner R, Flaherty KT, Gajewski TF, Haluska FG, Hwu P, Keilholz U, Kirkwood JM, Mier JW, Ross MI, Slingluff CL, Sondak VK, Sosman JA, Weinstock MA, King L. Innovations and challenges in melanoma: summary statement from the first Cambridge conference. Clin Cancer Res 2006 Apr 1; 12(7 Pt 2):2291s-2296s
  PMID: 16609047
• Atkins MB, Robertson MJ, Gordon M, Lotze MT, DeCoste M, DuBois JS, Ritz J, Sandler AB, Edington HD, Garzone PD, Mier JW, Canning CM, Battiato L, Tahara H, Sherman ML. Phase I evaluation of intravenous recombinant human interleukin 12 in patients with advanced malignancies. Clin Cancer Res 1997 Mar; 3(3):409-17
  PMID: 9815699
• McDermott DF, Trehu EG, Mier JW, Sorce D, Rand W, Ronayne L, Kappler K, Clancy M, Klempner M, Atkins MB. A two-part phase I trial of high-dose interleukin 2 in combination with soluble (Chinese hamster ovary) interleukin 1 receptor. Clin Cancer Res 1998 May; 4(5):1203-13
  PMID: 9607578