Vaccine Application Extends Life of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 24 Feb 2010 |
|
In a newly published clinical trial, patients with metastatic prostate cancer who received a vaccine of harmless poxviruses engineered to trigger an immune system attack on prostate tumor cells lived considerably longer than patients who received a placebo vaccine.
The study's findings were published by the Journal of Clinical Oncology on its website in January 2010, and scheduled for later print publication. The randomized phase II study was performed by researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA, USA) and affiliated organizations. The study involved the PROSTVAC-VF vaccine, a combination of two weakened poxviruses that have been genetically programmed to produce slightly irregular versions of prostate specific antigen (PSA)--a protein on the surface of prostate cells that is abnormal in many prostate cancers--and three costimulatory molecules that spur the immune system to a more vigorous attack on tumor cells.
The double-blinded trial included 125 patients with metastatic prostate cancer who did not respond to standard, hormone-lowering therapy. Eighty-two of the participants received the vaccine, produced by BN ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc. (Mountain View, CA, USA), and 40 received a placebo.
At the three-year point after the study, 30% of the PROSTVAC-VF patients were alive, versus 17% of the control group. The median survival of the vaccine group was 24.5 months, compared to 16 months for the control group, an 8.5-month increase.
Patients tolerated the vaccine well; only a small number experienced side effects such as fatigue, fevers, and nausea. "Although this study is relatively small, it offers encouraging evidence of a clinically meaningful benefit from this vaccine approach,” said lead investigator and lead author Philip Kantoff, M.D., of Dana-Farber, who helped design the trial.
Investigators are now planning a phase III trial that will enroll about 600 patients to evaluate further the vaccine's effectiveness.
Related Links:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
BN ImmunoTherapeutics
The study's findings were published by the Journal of Clinical Oncology on its website in January 2010, and scheduled for later print publication. The randomized phase II study was performed by researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA, USA) and affiliated organizations. The study involved the PROSTVAC-VF vaccine, a combination of two weakened poxviruses that have been genetically programmed to produce slightly irregular versions of prostate specific antigen (PSA)--a protein on the surface of prostate cells that is abnormal in many prostate cancers--and three costimulatory molecules that spur the immune system to a more vigorous attack on tumor cells.
The double-blinded trial included 125 patients with metastatic prostate cancer who did not respond to standard, hormone-lowering therapy. Eighty-two of the participants received the vaccine, produced by BN ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc. (Mountain View, CA, USA), and 40 received a placebo.
At the three-year point after the study, 30% of the PROSTVAC-VF patients were alive, versus 17% of the control group. The median survival of the vaccine group was 24.5 months, compared to 16 months for the control group, an 8.5-month increase.
Patients tolerated the vaccine well; only a small number experienced side effects such as fatigue, fevers, and nausea. "Although this study is relatively small, it offers encouraging evidence of a clinically meaningful benefit from this vaccine approach,” said lead investigator and lead author Philip Kantoff, M.D., of Dana-Farber, who helped design the trial.
Investigators are now planning a phase III trial that will enroll about 600 patients to evaluate further the vaccine's effectiveness.
Related Links:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
BN ImmunoTherapeutics
New
Gold Member
Genetic Type 1 Diabetes Risk Test
T1D GRS Array
HBV DNA Test
GENERIC HBV VIRAL LOAD VER 2.0
Hemodynamic System Monitor
OptoMonitor
Latest BioResearch News
- Genome Analysis Predicts Likelihood of Neurodisability in Oxygen-Deprived Newborns
- Gene Panel Predicts Disease Progession for Patients with B-cell Lymphoma
- New Method Simplifies Preparation of Tumor Genomic DNA Libraries
- New Tool Developed for Diagnosis of Chronic HBV Infection
- Panel of Genetic Loci Accurately Predicts Risk of Developing Gout
- Disrupted TGFB Signaling Linked to Increased Cancer-Related Bacteria
- Gene Fusion Protein Proposed as Prostate Cancer Biomarker
- NIV Test to Diagnose and Monitor Vascular Complications in Diabetes
- Semen Exosome MicroRNA Proves Biomarker for Prostate Cancer
- Genetic Loci Link Plasma Lipid Levels to CVD Risk
- Newly Identified Gene Network Aids in Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Link Confirmed between Living in Poverty and Developing Diseases
- Genomic Study Identifies Kidney Disease Loci in Type I Diabetes Patients
- Liquid Biopsy More Effective for Analyzing Tumor Drug Resistance Mutations
- New Liquid Biopsy Assay Reveals Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Method Developed for Enriching Trophoblast Population in Samples
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Test Could Predict and Identify Early Relapses in Myeloma Patients
Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the bone marrow, and while many patients now live for more than a decade after diagnosis, a significant proportion relapse much earlier with poor outcomes.... Read more
Compact Raman Imaging System Detects Subtle Tumor Signals
Accurate cancer diagnosis often depends on labor-intensive tissue staining and expert pathological review, which can delay results and limit access to rapid screening. These conventional methods also make... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Blood Test Predicts Crohn’s Disease Years Before Symptoms Appear
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that causes persistent digestive symptoms, pain, and fatigue, often leading to lifelong treatment. Incidence rates are rising... Read more
DNA Testing of Colorectal Polyps Improves Insight into Hereditary Risks
Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in Western countries, and hereditary factors are involved in about 5–10% of cases, particularly in younger patients. Individuals with large numbers of... Read more
Hematology
view channel
AI Algorithm Effectively Distinguishes Alpha Thalassemia Subtypes
Alpha thalassemia affects millions of people worldwide and is especially common in regions such as Southeast Asia, where carrier rates can reach extremely high levels. While the condition can have significant... Read more
MRD Tests Could Predict Survival in Leukemia Patients
Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive blood cancer that disrupts normal blood cell production and often relapses even after intensive treatment. Clinicians currently lack early, reliable markers to predict... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Whole-Genome Sequencing Approach Identifies Cancer Patients Benefitting From PARP-Inhibitor Treatment
Targeted cancer therapies such as PARP inhibitors can be highly effective, but only for patients whose tumors carry specific DNA repair defects. Identifying these patients accurately remains challenging,... Read more
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
New Test Measures How Effectively Antibiotics Kill Bacteria
Antibiotics are typically evaluated by how well they inhibit bacterial growth in laboratory tests, but growth inhibition does not always mean the bacteria are actually killed. Some pathogens can survive... Read more
New Antimicrobial Stewardship Standards for TB Care to Optimize Diagnostics
Antibiotic resistance is rising worldwide, threatening the effectiveness of treatments for major infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). Resistance to key TB drugs, such as bedaquiline, is of... Read more
Pathology
view channel
AI-Powered Label-Free Optical Imaging Accurately Identifies Thyroid Cancer During Surgery
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and its rising detection rates have increased the number of patients undergoing surgery. During tumor removal, surgeons often face uncertainty in distinguishing... Read more
Deep Learning–Based Method Improves Cancer Diagnosis
Identifying vascular invasion is critical for determining how aggressive a cancer is, yet doing so reliably can be difficult using standard pathology workflows. Conventional methods require multiple chemical... Read more
ADLM Updates Expert Guidance on Urine Drug Testing for Patients in Emergency Departments
Urine drug testing plays a critical role in the emergency department, particularly for patients presenting with suspected overdose or altered mental status. Accurate and timely results can directly influence... Read more
Technology
view channel
AI-Generated Sensors Open New Paths for Early Cancer Detection
Cancers are far easier to treat when detected early, yet many tumors remain invisible until they are advanced or have recurred after surgery. Early-stage disease often produces signals that are too weak... Read more
Pioneering Blood Test Detects Lung Cancer Using Infrared Imaging
Detecting cancer early and tracking how it responds to treatment remains a major challenge, particularly when cancer cells are present in extremely low numbers in the bloodstream. Circulating tumor cells... Read more
Industry
view channel
WHX Labs Dubai to Gather Global Experts in Antimicrobial Resistance at Inaugural AMR Leaders’ Summit
World Health Expo (WHX) Labs in Dubai (formerly Medlab Middle East), which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-13 February, will address the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance... Read more
