Immunotherapies for GBM: Tumor Vaccines by Linda Liau, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A. This is a video about the DCVax trial, given by one of my all time favorite brain tumor doctors, Dr. Liau. This looks very promising. We are hoping to hear the results of the big phase 3 trial soon.
In the earlier trials and in the early progressors which were excluded from this trial but were followed as they took the vaccine, about 25% of the patients went on to be long term survivors, with many alive and progression free 5-10 years later. That is unheard of with the standard treatments. Some other immunotherapies have also reported similiar results (although not as long follow up). We are hoping this large phase 3 trial shows something close to that so it can be approved quickly and all patients can benefit from it. Best of all it had no serious side effects.
Dr. Liau is on the Musella Foundation Medical Advisory Board. The Musella Foundation has supported Dr Liau's immunotherapy research with $375,000 in grants and we have never received any financial support from the company developing this treatment, Northwest Biotherapeutics.
