Trial to evaluate custom vaccine for chronic lymphatic leukemia initiated by M.D. Anderson

06-05-2006

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has initiated a clinical trial to evaluate the use of an idiotype active immunotherapy, also referred to as idiotype vaccine therapy, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a type of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow.

MyVax idiotype immunotherapy, manufactured by Genitope Corporation (GTOP), is based on the unique genetic makeup of a patient's own tumor and is designed to activate the patient's immune system to fight cancer.

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is one of nine cancer centers that will register approximately 70 patients in a phase 1/2 clinical trial to investigate an idiotype vaccine therapy for treating CLL. Men and women 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with CLL Rai stage 0, I and II, and who are untreated, may be eligible for the study. Eligible patients will receive a series of 16 injections of their custom-made vaccine over a 52-week period.

"This study will assess whether MyVax idiotype immunotherapy can induce antitumor immune responses that can eradicate or block the progression of leukemia and ascertain the safety of this treatment in patients with CLL," said Dan W. Denney, Jr., PhD, chief executive officer of Genitope.

CLL is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. It is characterized by an uncontrolled accumulation of large numbers of lymphocytes in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes and other organs. CLL, which is currently incurable, affects approximately 70,000 patients in the United States.

Genitope Corporation, Redwood City, California, is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.