Antitumor vaccination safely improves prognosis of glioblastoma

Following surgery, vaccination with virus-modified autologous tumor cells is a safe method of improving survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, according to the results of a pilot study reported in the November 1st issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The findings are based on a comparison of 23 patients who received the vaccine and 87 who did not. Although the main goal of the study was to determine feasibility and safety, the researchers also assessed overall and progression-free survival.Tumor cell cultures were successfully established in roughly 90% of patients, lead author Dr. Hans Herbert Steiner, from the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and colleagues note. Vaccination was not associated with any adverse effects.The median overall and progression-free survival periods for the vaccine group were 100 and 40 weeks, respectively. In contrast, the corresponding periods in the control group were much lower, just 49 and 26 weeks (p < 0.001 and 0.024).Ninety-one percent of vaccinated subjects survived at least 1 year compared with only 45% of controls. Moreover, 4% of vaccinated subjects survived at least 3 years, whereas no long-term survivors were seen in the control group.Serologic testing revealed significant increases in delayed-type hypersensitivity and numbers of tumor-specific T cells in the vaccinated group, the investigators note."We are aware of the fact that this pilot study has limitations regarding its patient number and the nonrandomized study design," the authors state. "However, the results are remarkable because the treatment is well tolerated, has no major side effects, and therefore does not negatively affect the quality of life of the patients."Still, randomized trials are needed to rule out potential confounders, the researchers note.(Source: J Clin Oncol 2004;22:4272-4281: Reuters Health: Oncolink: November 2004.)