Recently, a study shows that Prophage, a new brain cancer vaccine, can double life expectancy for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The median life expectancy in 50% of patients newly diagnosed with GBM increased to 2 years when the drug was given in addition to standard treatment. After 2 years 33% of patients remain alive and continue to have survival rates followed.

46 newly diagnosed GBM patients, treated at 8 centers across the US, were recruited into the Phase 2, single-arm and open-label study. In addition to Prophage vaccination the patients were given the standard forms of treatment which included radiation, surgical resection and temozolomide.

Therapeutic prospect of new cancer vaccine

The new autologous cancer vaccine Prophage is derived from each patient’s own tumor tissue that has been surgically removed, implying that the vaccine is customized to each individual. Most cancers result from random mutations that leads to heterogeneity of patient group. Since Prophage is made from the patient’s tissue, it’s possible to assist immune system to specifically target each tumor.

The study data suggests that the immune response generated by Prophage is resulting in an increase in survival rates that are significantly longer than what has historically been seen in GBM patients. Additionally, a median progression-free survival of nearly 18 months is approximately 2-3 folds longer than with traditional treatments alone. These support a conclusion that the new vaccine can play an important role in changing the standard treatment options for patients with GBM.

Summary of brain tumor vaccines

Insight into glioblastomas

Glioblastomas can grow rapidly, resulting in that median survival can be as low as 14.6 months and two-year survival rates are only about 30 percent. As we know, the tumors grow from astrocytes, the star-shaped cells that make up the brain’s supportive tissue. They are generally highly malignant because they reproduce quickly.

GBM tumors account for about 17 percent of all primary brain tumors, affect more men than women, and increase in frequency with age. Their cause is unknown, and they are very difficult to remove because of their finger-like tentacles. Treatment of GBM is also difficult because of the many different types of cells present in the tumors. Some of the cells respond well to treatment, while others may show no effect.