Vaccines for Stage I ???

mts · 06-14-2006, 05:23 AM

I was just wondering... if no physical imaging modality can discern cancers 3 millimeters or smaller - how can one be sure that we are accurately staged? Granted, with chemo and radiation, the chances of a tumor surviving are lessened but we all know that all it takes is one errant cell to escape the grips of chemo so it can do its thing. With all this in mind, why are vaccines only provided to the higher stages?

I just think any meds/vaccines that show positive effects in higher stages should be available to the rest of us.

Are their any vaccine trials for Stage I? or "off label"?

Maria

Becky · 06-14-2006, 08:24 AM

At ASCO, Dr Dsis from the Seattle vaccine program stopped by our booth. I had the same question (since I am Stage 2 and all the programs are for Stage 3 & 4) and she said in the next year or 2 it will be available via trial for early bc.

Becky

Lani · 06-14-2006, 11:52 AM

I believe the Walter Reed/Joyce Murtha program has one vaccine trial for Stage Is but it depends on the patient's HLA2/3 status. Dr. Peoples is in charge of the trial (google his papers or search for them on this site) One either has to be related to or in the armed services for Walter Reed or available to go for one to two days at a time monthly to a rather remote part of Pennsylvania (not near major airports, train stations, etc) I am sure others can give you more info.