Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's disease and Hodgkinlymfomen

Information on current developments in both regular and alternative and / or complementary treatments and resources for lymphoma - non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease at all stages.

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Vaccines in lymphoma: a vaccination with BiovaxID shows significantly longer disease-free time with lymphoma (non-Hodgkin - FL) Phase III study shows. Article posted January 17, 2010

January 17, 2010: Source: Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

BiovaxID called a vaccine made of tumor tissue from the patient himself gives significantly longer disease-free time with lymphoma - non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Follicular of type (FL) in patients with chemotherapy have six months disease-free period had been reached.

117 participants received the vaccine with an immune stimulant GM-CSF (76 participants) or placebo (41 participants). They all had stage II to IV and had at least 6 months remission with the help of chemotherapy (PACE regimen). The study is still only an interim evaluation of these results are released. The median follow-up time in between this evaluation was 56.6 months. The median time to recurrence was 44.2 months for the vaccine group compared with 30.6 months for placebgroep. This is statistically significant (p = 0.045). The overall survival was not reached by more than 95% of the vaccine group and 91% of the placebo group still living at the time of this interim evaluation. No serious adverse events were attributed to the vaccine and adverse events were similar in both groups. originally had 234 registered participants only 25% fell declines because they are the disease-free period reached 6 months. The researchers call now studies with and without chemotherapy or Rituxan prior to chemo. Still a good result in an immune therapy that closely resembles dendritic cell therapy as fresh tumor tissue available.

Original abstract:

Title: idiotype vaccine therapy (BiovaxID) in follicular lymphoma in first complete remission: Phase III clinical trial results
Presenter: SJ Schuster, MD
Affiliation: University of Pennsylvania

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) is the common type of cancer must 6th in the U.S.. There Will Be approximately 65,980 news cases diagnosed in the U.S. in 2009.

Follicular Lymphoma (FL) is the 2nd common type of NHL and must account for 25% of all NHL. It is a B-cell derived neoplasms, Which expresses a marker on the surface specifies idiotype or tumor cells. Despite chemotherapy effectivement record man, this type of lymphoma recurs and Becomes Typically resistant to therapy. This study evaluated the use of a vaccine created from the patient's tumor cells.

Participants had leg in remission for at least 6 months after standard chemotherapy (though not Rituxan, as this was not standard yet When The study started). A 'personalized' vaccine Was Made For Each patient using tissue from lymph node biopsies. Unique markers Were Identified For Each Person's lymphoma and, from this, a vaccine That target this marker was created. The vaccine was then Given in conjunction with an immune stimulating agent Called GM-CSF, Which Help to an immune response stimulation. Normal cells are spared Any damage Because They Do not Have the target marker.

One-hundred and seventeen Participants Received Either vaccine (76 patients) or placebo (41 pts). They had stage IV FL-IIx and had at least a 6 month Achieved remission after chemotherapy (regimen was overused PACE). Participants are still Being Monitored, but as is common in trials, an interim analysis was done. The median follow up time was 56.6 months at this analysis. The median time to relapse was 44.2 months (vaccine) vs 30.6 (placebo), Which was statistically significant (p = 0.045). The overall survival HAS not yet reached leg with about 95% and 91% of the vaccine or the placebo arm alive at this follow up. No serious side effects attributed to the vaccine Were And The Side Effects Were Similar groups in bone healing.

Although "Similar types of vaccines Have Been Tested Previously, this was the first trial to show a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival in follicular lymphoma Patients Treated with the vaccine. Patients Who had previous trials included partial or complete responses, whereas this trial only Vaccinated Patients Who had no detectable tumor printable Remaining after chemotherapy. Undergraduate thesis conditions, the investigators hypothesized That Could Hold the vaccine minimal residual disease in check. Also it is important to point out the That trial had enrolled Originally 234 participants, but 25% did not Achieve the 6 month remission. Those Patients Require Further therapy options.

The study is exciting for the field of vaccines, but New Questions Arise Some, including: How Does the now standard Rituxan fit Into this regimen and is there a better time point to give a vaccine (pre-chemo, in conjunction with chemo).