New Vaccine ICT-107 Shows Promise in Brain Tumors

Findings shared at the World Federation of Neuro-Oncology meeting showed that, with ICT-107 vaccination, among 16 glioblastoma multiforme patients, 8 survived more than 5 years after diagnosis.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, a malignant central nervous system tumor) is aggressive and more common in adults. Though the commonest brain tumor, among 100.000 people, 2 or 3 are diagnosed. Surgery is primary, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Average survival after diagnosis with standard treatment is 15 months. Survival beyond 5 years does not exceed %10. Limited survival despite aggressive therapy drives continued research.

Scientists examined ICT-107 for more effective glioblastoma treatment. The ICT-107 vaccine is designed to activate immunity and kill tumors, using dendritic antigen-presenting cells recognizing invaders. Derived from white cells in patients' blood, it targets 6 antigens involved in glioblastoma growth. Cells were produced with synthetic peptides from these 6 antigens, training dendritic cells to target tumor antigens. Injected “new” cells seek and destroy tumors. ICT-107 is scheduled three times at two-week intervals after standard radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Results shared at the World Federation meeting held every four years showed that after ICT-107 vaccination, among 16 patients, 8 survived more than 5 years after diagnosis.

Initial safety findings showed among 16 patients, 8 survived beyond 5 years and 7 remained alive, with survival ranging 60.7 to 82.7 months. Among them, 6 had progression-free survival beyond 5 years, and 4 living with good quality of life were disease-free for 65.1 to 82.7 months. Of the patients, 1 remained free of brain cancer for 5 years but died after 5 years from leukemia.

In conclusion, standard average survival is 15 months, whereas ICT-107 achieved 38.4 months. Progression-free survival rose from 7 months with standard treatment to ICT-107's 16.9 months. Research continues.

Encouraging results in such aggressive cancer offer hope to patients and doctors. Sustained research will produce more favorable outcomes in the near future.