New HER2 vaccine trial to watch for

[StephN]

Mayo Clinic
Cancer
TapImmune Inc. has signed an exclusive Licensing Option agreement with Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, for clinical development of a breast cancer vaccine technology. The option to license this technology can be exercised after Phase I clinical trials under terms agreed between Mayo Clinic and TapImmune. Mayo Clinic will conduct a Phase I clinical trial in breast cancer patients who have a form of breast cancer that express Her2/neu receptors (also called Her2/neu breast cancer). Keith Knutson, M.D. will serve as Principal Investigator.
Her2/neu receptor related cancer is a very aggressive form of breast cancer that affects a subset of breast cancer patients. It is a well established therapeutic target, which helps our development goals from a regulatory standpoint. For example, Herceptin (a Her2/neu inhibitor by Genentech) is an approved drug with annual sales in excess of $4 Billion. </STRONG>
There are ongoing vaccine trials targeting Her2/neu. The major disadvantage (as we understand) of technologies that are currently in development are their inability to cover all or a majority of Her2/neu cancer patients and their ability for long-term protection. Some of them seem to be effective only in a subset of Her2/neu cancer patients due to the nature of the peptide epitopes used. Along with Mayo we believe this technology is could cover up to 90% of the Her2/neu patients and last a very long time (if not a life time), which is an improvement that could cover an additional 30% of the population who may not be covered by the other technologies that are currently in development. </STRONG>
Dr Glynn Wilson, Executive Chairman of TapImmune, stated, “The option to license this technology from Mayo Clinic represents a significant opportunity to add to our cancer vaccine portfolio and clinical research programs. We believe that this technology offers a number of advantages in the development of a breast cancer vaccine for a broad patient population

[ElaineM]

Thanks for sharing the news about another upcoming her2 option.
We need alot of ammunition to fight her2 breast cancer.

[Ellie F]

Thanks Steph
Life long immunity! Wow that would be a quantum leap for her 2 breast cancer.
Ellie

[Jackie07]

Thanks, Steph.

['lizbeth]

Yeah, another cancer vaccine!
However, ladies, there are current trials that you may be able to participate in with the peptide vaccines. If you are less than 6 months from the end of Herceptin you can still enroll, and get the benefit of a vaccine, and help move science along for the rest of us!

I am so grateful to all of you who participated in a clinical trial. I had my nose in every medical journal I could find when I first was diagnosed.

[feonad]

Is this for stage 4 breast cancer?

[Cure4Cat]

Thank you Steph!! I am new to this site and this is my first post. I want to thank you and Lani and all the others for your research skills! I am a young Mom who was diagnosed Jul 2010, with stage 2b her2+, ER+, PR- breast cancer. My son was 6 months old. I am currently in a clinical trial for pertuzumab but I have been looking for a vaccine trial for when I finish Herceptin.

[Jackie07]

Cat (?),

You probably already known this website:

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/

Other threads of Clinical Trials discussion/listing can be located either by using the 'Search' box, or by clicking on the Hot Link of 'Clinical Trials'.

There are quite a few 'young' women on the Board. One of them (Laurie=Laureen)had given birth to a boy a couple of years after she had completed her treatment and will have another girl delivered in June. She stops by every once in a while, and I hope you all can get connected soon.

I think you can also find the Conference schedule of the Young Women's Coalition somewhere.

Good luck to your treatment. Be sure to arrange for help for both you and your baby. (Check with your local American Cancer Society chapter. Also check and see if there's a chapter of 'cleaning for a reason' http://www.cleaningforareason.org/ in your area.

[Cure4Cat]

Thank you Jackie07! I have checked the trials link but so far they are only for later stage Her2. I will keep checking though. Thank you for all the great advice! I live in Ottawa, Canada. I have contacted the Canadian Cancer Society and they have some programs. My parents have been a big help. I also have a wonderful husband. I will try and find Lauren. I hope to attend the next Young Survivor Conference. I should mention, I am willing to participate in US trials. You guys seem to get them before we do in Canada. All the best to you.

Cat

[Jackie07]

Here's a site where you can input your information to find a match:

https://www.breastcancertrials.org/bct_nation/home.seam

After you enter your information, it will also notify you when a new clinical trial matches your profile if you choose to have such option.