Summary:
Colorectal Cancer Vaccine Trial
Cancer of the
colon and rectum is the second most common cancer in this country. The mainstay
of treatment is surgical. However not all cases are suitable for surgery or
recur afterwards. These patients are offered chemotherapy with or without
radiotherapy that can control the disease for a period of time. Its ability to
control the disease is not always long-lasting. Once the cancer 'escapes'
control by chemotherapy, there is no treatment that prolongs survival.
The department of
Oncology at St. George's Hospital has developed a cancer vaccine for the use in
colorectal cancer. A vaccine in this sense, is a method of stimulating the
immune system to fight the disease itself. The vaccine is produced from a
number of colorectal cancer cell lines that are irradiated to make them
inactive or an antibody that attacks colon cancer cells or the two combined.
The vaccine is given into the skin, initially every 2 weeks for 6 weeks, then
monthly for up to a year.
We are looking for
45 patients to participate in this trial. The patient must have been diagnosed
with colon or rectal cancer and have been treated with chemotherapy, such as
5-fluorouracil injections or similar agents, but have evidence of progression,
by a rising CEA or by X-ray or CT scan. They must be relatively fit, as there
are frequent visits to St. George's Hospital. Patients must not be taking any
other medications that may suppress the immune system, such as steroids, and
not have been treated for any other cancer.
Patients will be
monitored with regular out patients visits for symptoms, CEA level and
measurements of the immune response to vaccination, as well as any side effects
to vaccination. A similar approach in patients with the skin cancer, malignant
melanoma, and prostate cancer has shown that side effects were minimal and
these were usually skin itching and rashes related to the injections and
'flu-like symptoms.' We expect the side effects of this trial to be similar but
we do not know exactly what side effects we will see following injection of
this colorectal cancer vaccination.
Patient
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
- The patient must have been diagnosed with colon
or rectal cancer
- Have been treated with chemotherapy, such as
5-fluorouracilinjections or similar agents, but have evidence of
progression, by a rising CEA or by X-ray or CT scan.
- Must be relatively fit, as there are frequent
visits to St. George's Hospital, London.
- Must not be taking any other medications that
may suppress the immune system, such as steroids
- Must not have been treated for any other cancer.
If you are
eligible for this trial please contact your GP and ask to be referred to
Contact:
Dr. Fiona Lofts, Consultant
Oncologist
St. George's Hospital
Blackshaw Road
Tooting, London, England, SW17 0QT
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8682 9131
