Surgery and adjuvant dendritic cell-based tumour vaccination for patients with relapsed malignant glioma, a feasibility study

Br J Cancer. 2004 Nov 1;91(9):1656-62. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602195.

Abstract

Patients with relapsed malignant glioma have a poor prognosis. We developed a strategy of vaccination using autologous mature dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumour homogenate. In total, 12 patients with a median age of 36 years (range: 11-78) were treated. All had relapsing malignant glioma. After surgery, vaccines were given at weeks 1 and 3, and later every 4 weeks. A median of 5 (range: 2-7) vaccines was given. There were no serious adverse events except in one patient with gross residual tumour prior to vaccination, who repetitively developed vaccine-related peritumoral oedema. Minor toxicities were recorded in four out of 12 patients. In six patients with postoperative residual tumour, vaccination induced one stable disease during 8 weeks, and one partial response. Two of six patients with complete resection are in CCR for 3 years. Tumour vaccination for patients with relapsed malignant glioma is feasible and likely beneficial for patients with minimal residual tumour burden.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Astrocytoma / pathology
  • Astrocytoma / surgery
  • Astrocytoma / therapy*
  • Brain Edema / etiology
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / surgery
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy*
  • Vaccination*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Cancer Vaccines