Articles tagged with: Cancer Vaccine
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This article is the second in a five-part series about emerging vaccines for multiple myeloma. It provides an introduction to the various types of vaccines that are currently under development for myeloma. The first article in the series provided an introduction to the concept of a myeloma vaccine. The third article describes vaccines for which clinical trials have been completed, the fourth article focuses on ongoing vaccine research, and the fifth article tells the story of a patient who participated in a myeloma vaccine clinical trial.…
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This article is the first in a five-part series about emerging vaccines for multiple myeloma. It provides an introduction to the concept of a myeloma vaccine. The second article provides an introduction to the various types of vaccines that are currently under development for myeloma, the third article describes vaccines for which clinical trials have been completed, the fourth article focuses on ongoing vaccine research, and the fifth article tells the story of a patient who participated in a myeloma vaccine clinical trial.
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The results of a recent Phase 1 trial demonstrate that a multiple myeloma vaccine produced disease stabilization in the majority of enrolled myeloma patients with advanced disease.
Researchers from Beth Isreael Deaconess Medical Center and Dana Farber Cancer Institute designed an anti-myeloma vaccine by combining myeloma tumor cells with dendritic cells, a type of cell that helps activate the immune system. When administered to patients, the vaccine stimulates the immune system to form a response against myeloma proteins. As a result, the immune system recognizes myeloma cells as “foreign” and…
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LLS Increases Financial Support For Myeloma Patients – As of Feb 1, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will provide multiple myeloma patients with up to $10,000 to cover insurance-related expenses such as co-payments and insurance premiums. The new limit is an increase from the previous limit of $5,000 and is retroactive for expenses beginning July 1, 2009. For more information or to apply, please see the LLS Co-Pay Assistance Web site.
Carfilzomib Phase 3 Clinical Trial Design Is Approved – Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration on the design and analysis of a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating carfilzomib in relapsed myeloma. The study follows up a Phase 1B trial that examined carfilzomib in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron) (see related Beacon news). The Phase 3 trial is expected to begin in early to mid 2010, and the Phase 1b/2 study of this combination regimen is still recruiting participants. For more information, please see the Onyx press release.
Cancer Vaccine Produces Positive Results In Multiple Myeloma Patient – Results from a study evaluating the effects of a high dose cancer vaccine in patients with multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and acute myeloid leukemia showed positive immune responses in several patients. The vaccine helps the immune system kill cancer cells by building up antibodies to a protein called RHAMM, which is associated with cancer progression. In one of the three myeloma patients, the vaccine led to a decrease of the patient’s free light chains, from 10.3 mg/L to 2.26 mg/L. Side effects were limited to mild redness and infection of the skin. For more information, please see the journal Haematologica (pdf).
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Panobinostat In Combination With Velcade Shows Potential For Relapsed Multiple Myeloma (ASH 2009) – Researchers presented results at the American Society of Hematology Meeting (ASH) from a Phase 1 clinical trial that show that oral panobinostat (LBH589) in combination with intravenous Velcade (bortezomib) has anti-myeloma effects. Researchers tested different doses of both panobinostat (10 mg to 30 mg) and Velcade (1.0 mg/m2 to 1.3 mg/m2). They found frequent blood-related adverse events, such as thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) and neutropenia (low white blood cell count). They concluded that dosing will be modified for future Phase 2/3 studies. For more information, please see abstract 3852 on the ASH Meeting Web site.
Afinitor Is Safe In Relapsed And Refractory Multiple Myeloma; Drug Will Move To Phase 2 Clinical Trials (ASH 2009) – Afinitor (everolimus) is safe in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, according to preliminary results from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial presented at the 2009 Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Afinitor was given orally at 5 mg to 10 mg daily. Researchers observed only one case of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). A sufficient amount of anti-myeloma activity was observed for this drug to continue to Phase 2 testing, which puts more emphasis on the efficacy of the drug. For more information, see abstract 3850 on the ASH Meeting Web site.
ACE-011 Increases Hemoglobin And Helps Build Bone In Multiple Myeloma Patients Receiving Chemotherapy (ASH 2009) – Preliminary results from a study presented at the 2009 Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) reveal that ACE-011 increases hemoglobin (an iron-rich protein in red blood cells) and bone formation, decreases bone pain, and has anti-tumor activity in multiple myeloma patients receiving chemotherapy. A low hemoglobin count indicates a low red blood cell count (anemia), which is a common complication in multiple myeloma, as are bone lesions, and bone pain. All participants were on a regimen of melphalan (Alkeran), prednisone, and thalidomide (Thalomid). For more information, see abstract 749 on the ASH Meeting Web site.
Researchers Demonstrate Feasibility And Safety Of Vaccine In Multiple Myeloma (ASH 2009) – Preliminary results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of a multiple myeloma vaccine, presented at the 2009 Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), indicate that using a vaccine in multiple myeloma is possible and that it is safe and tolerable. The study included 15 patients who had undergone peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation – a treatment in which stem cells are collected from the bloodstream of a healthy donor and delivered to the myeloma patient after high-dose chemotherapy. The most frequent side effects were local skin reactions, typical of most vaccines. Further studies will evaluate the vaccine’s full potential. For more information, see abstract 1858 on the ASH Meeting Web site.
For more information about myeloma-related studies covered at ASH, please see the Myeloma Beacon coverage of the ASH 2009 Meeting.
