Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Through searching for old threads, I've read on this site that quite a few of us have participated in clinical trials for various breast cancer vaccines. I just recently enrolled in a vaccine trial at the University of Washington and I was curious as to how everyone is doing post-vaccine trial.

If you participated in a vaccine trial, would you mind sharing an update of how you are doing now and what your experience with the vaccine was like (i.e. Did you suffer any side effects? Is your disease stable? In remission? Progressing?). Any other anecdotal information you'd like to share is also welcome.

Thank you in advance for sharing! I know several people here are considering joining vaccine trials so hopefully this information would be helpful to them as well.

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

I participated in the UW vaccine trial. Finished my sixth visit about 1 1/2 months ago. Not aware of any side effects from the vaccine. Have side effects from Herception, but they have been the same since before the trial.

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Courtney,

Should you speak to Drs. Disis or Salazar, please say hello to them from Christine and Joe..We'll see them at ASCO.

Regards
Joe

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Hi Courtney,

I participated in a U of Wash vaccine trial (Peptide/Phase II) from January 2007-July 2007. I was stage IV liver mets, but NED at the time of the trial. I stayed NED until March of 2009 with a single liver tumor. After a brief run on navelbine and a resection; back to NED again for now. I met "fullofbeans" while in Seattle. She is still NED and posts often on this site.

I had no side affects at all from the vaccine; aside from a little jet lag. (I came from Wash. DC to Seattle). However, the original tetnus vaccine hurt a lot (I know, what's with that?!) Dr. Salazar and Dr. Disis were awesome! Doreen and "Becks" are amazing. Even though I didn't get my miracle, the experience was wonderful. It gave me the most precious gift a cancer patient can get...hope. I'll never know if the vaccine bought me more time, but i can tell you i am doing great now and continue to live on that hope from every new development out there.

I wish you all the best,
Missy

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Hi everyone
I am hoping to travel to the States for a bc vaccine once I have sifted through the ones that are available and the ones that I am eligible for!
I would also value any info to help with the decision.It appears that there are vaccines that specifically target her 2 and others that target other cancer cell proteins such as OFA.
I read some earlier posts about some trials only taking patients with specific immune responses but am struggling to understand what terms like HLA mean?
Cheers Ellie

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Hi Courtney - I was in a vaccine trial at UW from 1/2004-10/2004. I had no side effects and really enjoyed interacting with Dr. Disis (mainly) and occasionally with Dr. Salazar. I did annual follow-ups for 5 years and now I'm still in their database but it is all just a pleasant memory.

I live a 3 hour train ride south of Seattle so it was no big deal to travel there every 3 weeks while in the main part of the trial. My sons were at UW and I loved getting to know the city.

-Marianne

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Another UW DNA plasmid vaccine trialer here, 01/07- 10/07

Stage IIIA at diagnosis, NED for almost 5 years now (knock on wood)

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Hi Courtney-

I participated in the Peptide Based Vaccine Trial (Phase II) at UW. I took my final vaccine last May, so I am now a year out from the study. I have remained NED and am a little over two and half years out from inital Stage IV diagnosis. I have not had any side effects from the vaccine that I am aware of.

Suzanne

Re: Vaccine Participants - Check In
 

Finishing the six monthly injections in the:

"Prospective, Randomized, Single-blinded, Multi-Center, Phase II trial of the Her2/neu Peptide GPII + GM-CSF Vaccine vs GM-CSF alone in HLA-A2+ or the Modified Her2/neu Peptide AE37 + GM-CSF Vaccine vs GM-CSF alone in HLA-A2- Node positive and high risk Node negative Breast Cancer patients to prevent recurrence.

I'm in the GP2 arm and SandraGA is starting the AE37 arm.

I'm doing fantastic. There are short term side effects like headache and flu-like symptoms. After chemo it is like a walk in the park.