Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., developed SurVaxM vaccine to fight glioblastoma brain tumors, according to News-Medical.
The vaccine is in its phase II study. Fifty patients with glioblastoma brain tumors are receiving the vaccine along with temozolomide chemotherapy.
Here are five points:
1. Robert Fenstermaker, MD, and Michael Ciesielski, PhD, created the vaccine.
2. SurVaxM, which mimics peptide, attacks survivin cell-survival protein.
3. Researchers saw positive results from the vaccine in preclinical studies.
4. Exhibiting low toxicity, SurVaxM was used in preclinical studies that saw the patients living for more than a year. Many patients with glioblastoma tumors don't survive more than eight months.
5. If the studies continue to show positive results, researchers may apply the vaccine in melanoma, ovarian and prostate tumor cases, as well.