Epitope Vaccination Clinical Trials
Led by Hideho Okada, MD, PhD at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

The pilot clinical study focuses on a new vaccine for patients with slow-growing brain tumors (which have a tendency to progress to aggressive malignant brain tumors). The median survival time for patients with these kinds of tumors is approximately 6-7 years and there are no standard radiation or chemotherapy regimens that can improve survival in these cases.

Unlike previous vaccines, which could only be effective in 45% of patients due to a genetic limitation, this trial will determine the safety and immune response of a new vaccine that should prove effective in 100% of the population. The vaccine acts on epitope peptides (components of peptides) that are producedby glioma cells.

If this Phase I clinical trial is successful, a Phase II trial will assess clinical response.

 
Click here for a full list of research grants funded by Voices Against Brain Cancer.