Cell Genesys immunotherapy positive for pancreatic cancer

The study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GVAX immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Patients that were examined had operable pancreatic cancer who received the immunotherapy after surgical resection of their tumor and adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy.

The updated results showed a median survival of 26.8 months. This compares favorably with published data from studies in patients undergoing pancreatic cancer surgery and adjuvant therapy where the median survival has been in the range of 17 to 22 months.

“We are encouraged by the updated survival data of GVAX immunotherapy in this phase II study compared to previously reported results for surgery and adjuvant therapy of resectable pancreatic cancer and we are currently reviewing plans for further development,” said Kristen Hege, vice president of Clinical Research at Cell Genesys.

An earlier phase I trial of GVAX immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer was conducted in 14 patients who also received the immunotherapy following surgical resection of their tumor and standard adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. Three of eight patients who received the therapeutic dose levels of the immunotherapy had prolonged disease-free survival for a period of at least eight years.

Clinical trials of GVAX cancer immunotherapies are under way for multiple types of cancer in addition to pancreatic cancer, including prostate cancer and leukemia.