Breast Cancer Vaccine

Vaccines are under development to help fight breast cancer. These vaccines do not prevent cancer, but are designed to stimulate the immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells in patients who are already diagnosed with breast cancer.National Cancer Institute: Modified Virus Vaccine Shows Promise in Mouse Model... The aim of the vaccines is to reduce mortality and prevent a recurrence of the disease.MedicineNet.com: Breast Cancer Vaccine Works Against Deadlier Form of Disease CBS News: Breast Cancer Survivor Develops Vaccine Several pharmaceutical companies and researchers are working on different vaccines and approaches.Caring4Cancer: Breast Cancer Vaccine Helps Body Fight Tumors

The University of Arkansas, under a Department of Defense grant, has developed a vaccine that is scheduled to begin clinical trials in spring 2009. It has developed a synthetic peptide that mimics the carbohydrate antigens that coat cancer cells, but is more apt to trigger an immune response than the natural cancer cell antigens are. The theory is that the antibodies produced in response to the synthetic peptides will also attack the cancer cells.FOXNews: Arkansas Scientists Developing Breast Cancer 'Vaccine' (January 5, 2009)

1. NeuVax uses a small peptide (E75) derived from Her2 protein which recruits the killer T-cells of the immune system to attack Her2 positive tumors.Apthera, Inc: Neuvax
2. Has once monthly intradermal (under the skin) dosing.Apthera, Inc: Neuvax
3. Cheaper and more convenient than typical immunotherapy of frequent I.V. infusions.Apthera, Inc: Neuvax
4. Recent studies showed reduced mortality by 50% in female patients with high expression HER2-positive breast cancer, and by 100% in medium or low expression HER2-positive breast cancerMedicineNet.com: Breast Cancer Vaccine Works Against Deadlier Form of Disease
5. Phase III trials are being planned.MedicineNet.com: Breast Cancer Vaccine Works Against Deadlier Form of Disease

1. Neuvenge is designed to stimulate cellular immune responses against HER2.Dendreon: Dendreon Presents Integrated Analysis of Clinical Data from NEUVENGE Trials
2. A complete course of treatment is 3 infusions over a one-month period.Dendreon: Dendreon Presents Integrated Analysis of Clinical Data from NEUVENGE Trials
3. Phase I trials: Out of 18 patients with advanced breast cancer who received Neuvenge, 1 patient showed partial response for 6 months and 3 patients had stable disease lasting more than a year.BreastCancer.org: Breast Cancer Vaccine Looks Safe, Study Shows (August 20, 2007)
4. Phase II trials not currently approved.BreastCancer.org: Breast Cancer Vaccine Looks Safe, Study Shows (August 20, 2007)

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor for more information about breast cancer vaccines.