As previously reported, in a clinical study, the GVAX CML vaccine was administered to 19 CML patients with measurable cancer cells, despite taking Gleevec?® for at least one year (range of 13-53 months). Each patient was given a series of four vaccines administered in three-week intervals while remaining on a stable dose of Gleevec. After a median of 72 months of follow-up, the number of remaining cancer cells declined in 13 patients, eight of whom had increasing disease burden before vaccination. Twelve patients reached their lowest levels of residual cancer cells to date following vaccination. Seven CML patients had complete remission. Patients receiving the GVAX CML vaccine experienced relatively few side effects that included injection site pain and swelling, occasional muscle aches and mild fevers.

SOURCE BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc.