MimiVax Inc. and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have started a Phase 2 clinical trial to test the cancer vaccine SurVaxM in patients with worsening neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The study will compare SurVaxM plus the chemotherapy drug temozolomide with temozolomide alone.
SurVaxM is designed to help the immune system attack survivin, a protein linked to aggressive tumor growth that is found in about half of NET cases. Earlier Phase 1 results showed the vaccine was safe and successfully triggered an immune response in patients.
Neuroendocrine tumors are rare cancers that can produce hormones and are often difficult to treat after they spread. Researchers hope the vaccine could offer a new treatment option for these patients. SurVaxM is also being studied in other cancers, including glioblastoma, multiple myeloma, and pediatric brain tumors.