Could a vaccine prevent smoldering myeloma from progressing to active myeloma? An early Phase I clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center is developing a personalized vaccine for smoldering myeloma patients. Vaccines made from a person's blood and bone marrow may help the body build an effective immune response to kill cancer cells. The goals of the study are:
Smoldering myeloma patients will undergo the collection of blood and bone marrow to make the vaccine. Patients will then receive the personalized vaccine subcutaneously (as a shot) on days 1 and 15 of courses 1-2 and on day 1 of courses 3-6. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study treatment, participants are followed up at 3 and 12 months.
You must have intermediate or high risk smoldering myeloma to participate. This includes:
This is a very interesting approach to use our own immune system to protect against multiple myeloma. It will be exciting to see what is learned.
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about the author
Jennifer Ahlstrom
Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of Myeloma Crowd by HealthTree and the HealthTree Foundation.
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