HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Novel Vaccine Decreases Recurrence in HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Patients
http://immuno-oncologynews.com/2014/...ncer-patients/

The GP2 vaccine was injected subcutaneously every month for the first six months, followed by four cycles of booster shots every six months thereafter, with a follow-up period of approximately three years...

Among all patients, the disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 88% among those who received the vaccine and 81% in the control group, translating in a 37% reduction in recurrence. However, if patients who did not complete the trial were excluded, the results proved higher, with a 94% DFS rate in patients receiving combination therapy versus 85% in controls, a 57% risk reduction.

According to the team, women with HER2 +3 who were administered trastuzumab (a monoclonal antibody targeting the HER2/neu receptor) before receiving the vaccine, did not experience cancer recurrence, leading researchers to hypothesize that trastuzumab may act as a primer for the vaccine, since it stimulates CD4 T cells to initiate a complex immune response.

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

HER2-specific T cells As An Immunotherapy In HER2-Positive Sarcoma (2015)
http://immuno-oncologynews.com/2015/...itive-sarcoma/


Dr. Gottschalk explained that T cells have been used as a cancer immunotherapy over the last 10 to 15 years, but there not been many CAR T-cell therapy studies for solid tumors have been developed so far, mainly for those expressing the HER2 protein. Dr. Gottschalk added that HER2-CAR T cells are safe in high doses, and because HER2 is expressed in a wide variety of tumors, this strategy can be applied to many patients. Dr. Gottschalk added that “If you look at the history of cancer therapy, there are few examples of ‘magic bullets’ that can cure cancer alone.” As such, combining HER2-CAR T cells with other types of cancer therapeutics can prove efficient in the future of cancer research.

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Persistent immunity and survival after immunization with a HER2/neu (HER2) vaccine. (2009)
http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/content/35603-65

Results: Median follow-up time for the 21 patients still alive was 112 months (range, 104-126 months). Blood samples were collected in 10/21 subjects and 6/8 (75%) evaluble patients had persistent T-cell immunity to immunizing HER2 peptides; and 7/8 patients (88%) had T-cell immunity specific for HER2 protein and peptides not contained in their immunizing mix (defined as ES). In multivariate analysis, number of chemotherapy regimens prior to vaccination (HR=5.7 (CI 95%, 1.5-23; p=<0.001)), and development of ES after HER2 vaccination (HR=0.34 (CI 95%, 0.12-1.0; p=0.05)) were independent predictors of OS. Median OS for 33 subjects who developed ES was 84 months vs 25 months for 16 subjects who did not develop ES

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

agness - Thanks for the vaccine information. I believe they are capable of making vaccines for preventing breast cancer in our near future.

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Great post. Thanks agness.

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Here is a great link to pull up a current breast cancer immunotherapy trials. Some are for HER2, some stage 4. Take a look.

https://www.breastcancertrials.org/b...ATMENT_VACCINE

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

This page has a great overview of the different immunotherapy agents being studied for breast cancer

http://www.cancerresearch.org/cancer.../breast-cancer

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Great info. Some really interesting & promising trials going on.

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Fantastic news! Can't wait until this available!

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

I got the sense from speaking with someone from the University of Washington Tumor Vaccine Group that more breast cancer immunotherapy trials would be going on if there was more funding. I don't know how to get the main funding groups to give more but if you want to donate directly to make an impact with the work going on in Seattle (22 years already and still in stage I and II trials!) you can donate here:

https://www.washington.edu/giving/ma...&source=NDBCFD

Right now they need another $125K to complete their study group for the Anti-HER2 PSK trial as the NCI Complementary Medicine funding arm had its budget cut by 30%. If you go to the above link and specify PSK-HER2Vaccine Trial then you can help push for more studying of this important treatment advance. Dr Salazar promised me that they are very precise with how they spend their funds.

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

A little out there for the topic but has some of the most detailed explanations I've found about what makes HER2+ cancers. They are looking for immunotherapies that can be given when the tumor burden is high. Cancer cells evolve our immune systems to work against that which is hurting us.

HER2 Carcinogenesis: New Mouse Models for Novel Immunotherapies
http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs-wm/42313.pdf

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

This link should bring up HER2 immunotherapy trials on the Translational Medicine website:

http://www.translational-medicine.co...0immunotherapy

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Cancer cells exploit the PD-1 pathway to create an immunosuppressive environment. There is often an increase in the production of inhibitory pathways and suppression of stimulatory pathways, allowing cancer cells to dampen down the immune response at inappropriate times to create an immunosuppressive environment in which they are able to thrive. Cancer cells drive high expression levels of PD-L1 on their surface, allowing activation of the inhibitory PD-1 receptor on any T cells that infiltrate the tumor microenvironment, effectively switching those cells off.5,8,22 Indeed, upregulation of PD-L1 expression levels has been demonstrated in many different cancer types (eg, melanoma [40%-100%], NSCLC [35%-95%], and multiple myeloma [93%]), and high levels of PD-L1 expression have been linked to poor clinical outcomes.7,25-28 Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating T cells have been shown to express significantly higher levels of PD-1 than T cells that infiltrate normal tissue. It is thought that the tumor microenvironment may secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferon-gamma (IFNg) to upregulate the expression of PD-1 on tumor-infiltrating T cells to ensure that they can respond to the high levels of PD-L1 expressed on the tumor. -

The Role of Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy in Cancer (2014)
http://www.onclive.com/web-exclusive....BeYj8sEl.dpuf

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

This is the reality, and part of the ad campaign running in Seattle that my friend was griping about.

https://www.fredhutch.org/content/da...rint_FINAL.PDF

The fact is that there isn't enough money and immunotherapy is only just coming back into favor after being considered a dead horse easily 30 years ago. My family friend, a great-grandfather in the field of oncology medicine praised the doctors at Fred Hutch and Seattle Cancer Care for sticking with it in the Tumor Vaccine Group. They need more money for us to see more happen with these drugs.

These drugs might be what saves our lives.

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Summary of articles about PD-1 (Keytruda):

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/tags/pd-1

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

A great summary of what's happening. Thank you.

Merck's Keytruda and Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo may be two of the most watched drugs in pharma right now.

That's not only because both are breakthrough immunotherapy cancer treatments, but also because both are racing to win additional indications.

Excited by these. Keep hearing the names and they are familiar yet I didn't totally get it. Well, still don't totally get it but I am learning that they are WOOHOO drugs out there for those who really need something!

Again, thanks.

Andi

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

This is all so encouraging! Thanks so much for posting!

Carol Ann

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

Most of the trials that I have found are designed for stages 3-4 and very very few include stages 0-2. Does anyone know of immuno. trials for early stages? Thanks,

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

I wish. Those of us unlucky enough to be stage 3-4 have easier access unfortunately and you are correct in your assumption that you need to try these drugs sooner rather than later.

I honestly don't know what they are waiting for. I get that some immunotherapies cause issues with the immune system but surely in a younger population that is less of a risk - no?

Re: HER2 and Immunotherapy Studies for reference
 

For the immunotherapy trials you must stop all chemo for 3 - 6 wks???

Can you take supplements??

Do they give you any progress results. Can they see if your body is responding? Are there side effects?

Do they only accept you if you do not have active cancer?

As you can see, I am full of questions.

Just went through this with Karen and am so sorry she went for it midst her tx.