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03-21-2007, 10:34 AM

This is further to Cynthia's post on the Windber up and coming trial. I extracted from the response I received from the Windber research team. I will add that I have no idea what HLA-A2 or 3 blood factor is, but I will try to find out. I should also mention that although I meet the preliminary guidelines, it doesn't mean that you don't meet the guidelines if you have a different pathology from mine. You will need to contact Windber for that information. See Cynthia's post for contact information. Also, I am finishing my year of herceptin at the end of August (a requirement of the trial is that you are no longer on herceptin), and it appears I will fit into the Windber timeline.

Windber is conducting a Phase II trial of two Her2 Peptides GP2 and AE37, both peptides with GM-CSF or with GM-CSF alone. GM-CSF is an already approved immune stimulator that is known to have some anti-tumor properties. The two peptides are the newer generation, coming after the earlier E75 Her2 peptide. The E75 trial is near to completion and the outcomes were announced at the 2006 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The downside of the E75 trial, is that those who did not have an HLA-A2 or 3 blood factor (determined by a blood test) could not receive anything at all and served only on observation. The newer peptides may even be more efficient, and have gone through safety testing at Walter Reed. The way the radomization works, everyone gets something that has anti-tumor properties, but you will not know whether you get the GM alone or GM plus one of the peptides.

By preliminary screening, I meet the high risk node negative criteria, by the ER/PR negativity along with Her2 positivity. Further screening, I gather, is required.

Hope this helps those of you who are considering vaccine trials and are node negative.

03-21-2007, 10:34 AM	#24
Grace Guest Posts: n/a	Windber Trial This is further to Cynthia's post on the Windber up and coming trial. I extracted from the response I received from the Windber research team. I will add that I have no idea what HLA-A2 or 3 blood factor is, but I will try to find out. I should also mention that although I meet the preliminary guidelines, it doesn't mean that you don't meet the guidelines if you have a different pathology from mine. You will need to contact Windber for that information. See Cynthia's post for contact information. Also, I am finishing my year of herceptin at the end of August (a requirement of the trial is that you are no longer on herceptin), and it appears I will fit into the Windber timeline. Windber is conducting a Phase II trial of two Her2 Peptides GP2 and AE37, both peptides with GM-CSF or with GM-CSF alone. GM-CSF is an already approved immune stimulator that is known to have some anti-tumor properties. The two peptides are the newer generation, coming after the earlier E75 Her2 peptide. The E75 trial is near to completion and the outcomes were announced at the 2006 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The downside of the E75 trial, is that those who did not have an HLA-A2 or 3 blood factor (determined by a blood test) could not receive anything at all and served only on observation. The newer peptides may even be more efficient, and have gone through safety testing at Walter Reed. The way the radomization works, everyone gets something that has anti-tumor properties, but you will not know whether you get the GM alone or GM plus one of the peptides. By preliminary screening, I meet the high risk node negative criteria, by the ER/PR negativity along with Her2 positivity. Further screening, I gather, is required. Hope this helps those of you who are considering vaccine trials and are node negative.