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: 

1. To demonstrate that developing a custom vaccine for smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is feasible.
2. To show that a custom peptide-based vaccine in smoldering multiple myeloma is safe.

How it Works

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: 

1. Blood monoclonal protein (IgG or IgA) ≥ 3 g/dL or urinary monoclonal protein ≥ 500 mg per 24 hours
2. Bone marrow plasma cells more or equal to 10% (b) Absence of myeloma defining events or amyloidosis

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. 

Learn More about this Trial