UM JOINS EXCLUSIVE MULTI-CENTER GROUP IN PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL OF IMPORTANT NEW TREATMENT TECHNIQUE
UM JOINS EXCLUSIVE MULTI-CENTER GROUP IN PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL OF IMPORTANT NEW TREATMENT TECHNIQUE
The University of Miami will be joining an exclusive multi-center group to complete phase II of a clinical trial using heat shock protein vaccine (HSPPC-96) for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).1 The trial revolves around cancer immunotherapy, an important new treatment technique, with SPPC-96 offering the potential for specifically targeting tumor cells without injury to normal neural and glial2 structures. The preliminary results have been promising, nearly ubling life expectancy in this patient population, thereby supporting the concept of active, tumor and patient-specific immunization with autologous,3tumor-derived heat-shock protein-peptide complex.
The Miami team is one of only 10 medical centers in the country, and the only one in Florida, to offer this treatment. During surgery to remove suspected GBMs, our neurosurgeons will collect tumor tissue as part of their resection technique. The tissue sample will then be used to develop a vaccine specific to each patient’s tumor type through isolation and purification of the heat shock protein peptide complex. After pathologic confirmation of GBM, patients will receive standard of care diotherapy and chemotherapy. The vaccine will be administered on a weekly basis along with maintenance temozolamide. The vaccine offers a significantly greater survival benefit than any other currently available management paradigm. Most importantly, it has a favorable side effect profile, with no serious adverse events being
reported to date. By targeting the immune system and activating a patient-specific T-cell response, the vaccine offers a well-tolerated and effective adjuvant therapy4.
1 A highly malignant brain tumor.
2 Supporting cells of the nervous system
3 The donor and the patient is the same person.
4 Treatment that is given in addition to the primary (initial) treatment.
