Astrocytoma

Treatment.

Astrocytoma Treatment. Anti-tumor immunotherapy is based on applying the anti-tumor xenogenic polyantigenic vaccine (ÕPV) that has been developed in the Institute of Clinical Immunology (a patent of RF ¹ 2192884). The structural distinctions of the xenogenic tumor-associated antigens from the human homological analogs render these antigens highly immunogenic for human. As a consequence, XPV is highly efficient in inducing anti-tumor reactions in cancer patients (a patent of RF ¹. RF ¹ 2192883).

The inducing course of vaccinotherapy consists of 10 subcutaneous immunizations (five at weekly and five at fortnight intervals) and takes about 3 months. The further vaccination schedule is determined depend upon both a disease stage and a health state of a patient.

The treatment is conducted on an outpatient basis.

Infectious safety.

XPV is prepared from murine tumor cells not containing infectious agents which could potentially be pathogenic for humans.

Side effects.

The development of an influenza-like syndrome in the form of a body temperature rise up to 380 C and musculoskeletal discomfort is possible. Those symptoms are usually self- limited. The immunotherapy has no severe side effects attributable to conventional chemoradiotherapy.

Clinical effect.

The vaccine-induced, immune processes destroy the tumor cells and suppress the development of residual disease.

XENOVACCINOTHERAPY FOR ASTROCYTOMA

Therapeutic vaccination is a strategy that uses tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) to induce an tumor-specific immune process. The xenogenic (murine) polyantigenic vaccine (XPV) -in which there are main families of common tumor associated antigens (TAA)- has been developed in the Institute of Clinical immunology (a patent RF ¹ 2192884). Xenovaccinotherapy has significant advantages over the vaccinal approaches based on applying homologous (autological or allogeneic) tumor cells or their antigenic derivates. First, immediately after being entered the human body, xenogenic cell membranes are opsonized with natural antibodies and further –via the FcR-mediated mechanism- phagocytized by professional antigen-presenting cells (macrophage, dendritic cell) which are capable of effectively generating the development of antitumor T-cell responses ( a patent RF ¹219283). Second, the small structural distinctions of xenogenic TAA from their human analogues render these TAA highly immunogenic and capable of inducing immune-mediated, antitumor responses in a patient not only at early, but also at late stages of a disease, when tumor-derived immunosuppression is significant.

The specific immunotherapy is able to generate a selective and long-term antitumor effect. Such therapy incorporates the possibility of a complete recovery from residual disease and has no complications attributable to chemotherapy.

Six children, 4 male and 2 female, aged from 2-to-7 years underwent vaccinotherapy. Before the immunotherapy all patients had the signs of continued tumor growth. Throughout follow-up time the patients received no any systemic therapy other than immunotherapy. A follow-up of 3 years clearly showed apparent, long-term benefits from vaccinotherapy in all patients.clear . In the final analysis, all vaccine-treated patient were alive and lead an active life.

These results are very impressive. Nevertheless, they must be interpreted with caution because they are based on a very small number of patients.

For more information see the publications.

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