Grant Details
Grant Number: |
3P01CA012582-35S2 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
Morton, Donald |
Organization: |
Saint John'S Cancer Institute |
Project Title: |
Surgery, Immunology and Immunotherapy of Human Cancer |
Fiscal Year: |
2010 |
Abstract
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant)
The overall goal of this Program is to improve the survival of cancer patients
by active specific immunotherapy. To achieve this goal, we will utilize
melanoma as a model neoplasm. This renewal application represents a
continuation of our previous studies with polyvalent melanoma cell vaccine
(PMCV) and investigates the in vivo and in vitro mechanisms of PMCV anticancer
activity.
The first project is a new project for this renewal which will build on the past
successes of this program by utilizing both adoptive and active immunotherapy
and targeted vaccine designs to induce antigen specific immune responses.
Patients? dendritic cells will be fused with the autologous tumor cells
present in the PMCV by electrofusion. Phase I/II clinical trials will be
conducted.
The second project will continue to utilize already established, as well as developing
new, molecular assays using both RNA and DNA markers present in blood and
tumors as surrogates to predict disease progression, outcome and treatment
efficacy.
The third project will complete a randomized Phase III trial in AJCC stage III
melanoma to compare PMCV plus BCG compared to BCG alone measuring disease free
and overall survival after surgery. This project will also develop an
immunological response model for predicting outcomes following vaccine
therapy, undertake studies utilizing cytokines to improve vaccine
immunotherapy and develop new tumor markers to detect subclinical metastatic
disease.
All projects rely upon the support of four cores: Administrative and Clinical
Support Services, Biostatistics, Serum, Lymphocyte and Tissue Collection, and
Molecular Support.
Publications
None. See parent grant details.