To Lolly and Others on the Uof W vaccine

[Susie]

I have been trying for over six months to get into the vaccine study at UofW but have been excluded because of 1) I am not HLA-A Pos. 2) I am on Herceptin and 3) I have had more than 2 recurrences. There is now one that I can be in if I qualify again as having stable disease (which I did a few months ago), can be on Herceptin and do not have to be HLA_A Pos.
It is DNA rather than Plasmid-based, I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. But three DR.'s I respect and my own "intuition" told me to be careful of Phase I trials. I realize they are for safety of dosage. I do alot of thing (for cancer) but I pick the hills I fight on carefully. What do you think? I have worked hard for this state of health which is good--my husband likens it to living in a glass house---Have you gone into an early phase study?
thanks!

[mamacze]

Dear Susie,

I have finished my round of vaccines from the U of W vaccine study which was the Phase I/II study. I am not familiar with the particular one you are describing; but if I were you I would talk it over with one of the docs or Patty Fintak .. they are very knowledgeable and are happy to answer any of your questions.
love Kim from CT

[Lolly]

Hi Susie,

I was in the Phase I/II CTL peptide-based vaccine study which did require HLA A2 positivity. UW has several different vaccines they're testing, and like Kim I'm not familiar with the DNA vaccine...BUT, only you will be able to decide if it's something you want to pursue. When I was thinking about the study I got into, I asked my oncologist to look into it for me; even with all the info available from this site and from the UW site I wanted to make sure he was comfortable with me being in the trial. He talked with Dr. Disis, and had all his questions answered so felt good about my participation, and that's what tipped the scales for me. You should ask one of your doctors who you trust (or all three!) to put in a call to Dr. Disis. She's very available, and her number is located on the UW Tumor Vaccine Group site, on the "About Us" page I think. I think you're wise to think it over carefully, and in the final analysis you'll have to make the call. Good luck with your decision.

<3 Lolly