A potential novel vaccine to prolong a patient's survival from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most dangerous type of brain tumor, has been developed by researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Duke University Medical Center. The vaccine, which contains a synthesized piece of epidermal growth factor variant III (EGFRvIII), a protein found on 30-50% of brain tumors, as well as some breast and non-small-cell lung cancers. The vaccine--administered in three injections over a two-week period, followed by monthly booster shots-- has been shown to increase the life expectancy of patients with GBM to at least 19 months.

[The lead researcher] describes the vaccine as an easy to use "off-the-shelf" treatment that can potentially help up to 50 percent of all GBM patients keep their cancer at bay for a period of time. Interim results of the Phase II clinical trial show that the vaccine significantly delays progression of tumors until the cancer finds a new growth pathway.

"This is a proof of concept, and optimal use of the vaccine may be with chemotherapy to further retard progression," says Heimberger. "Still, this is exciting to us because people have been trying to use immunotherapy against gliomas for a long time."

A yet undisclosed pharmaceutical company has already acquired the rights to the drug, and more extensive clinical trials are being planned.

The results of the study will be presented at the ongoing AANS Annual Meeting. Read more from the MD Anderson Cancer Center: Study Finds Novel Vaccine Curbs Brain Tumor Growth, Increases Survival