A trial looking at DNA vaccine therapy after stem cell transplant for myeloma (MMIFTT)
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This trial looked at DNA vaccine therapy after a stem cell transplant to help treat people with myeloma.
More about this trial
Myeloma is a type of cancer that develops from cells in the bone marrow called plasma cells. Most patients will have chemotherapy for myeloma and this can get the cancer under control (
Some patients have a stem cell transplant using their own stem cells. This is called an
This trial looked into using a DNA vaccine, which was made from a sample of the patient’s cancer cells. The patients had this vaccine as injections after their transplant. The researchers hoped that the vaccine increased the body’s ability to fight cancer if it came back. The aim of this trial was to find out if
- It was possible to make the DNA vaccine and to vaccinate patients
- The patient’s immune system could recognise and kill the cancer cells
Summary of results
The team found they could make and use the DNA vaccine for people who had previously had a stem marrow transplant for their myeloma.
This was a phase 1 trial. Of the 15 people recruited, 14 had the full course of treatment.
Of these 14 people, the immune system of 10 people responded to the vaccine.
For 13 of the 14 people recruited the researchers found that the overall average time it took for their myeloma to come back after the stem cell transplant was 3 years and 2 months.
After an average follow up of just over 7 years they looked at how many people were still alive. They found that 9 out of the 14 people were.
The most common side effects from the vaccine were
- Flu like symptoms
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Skin reactions at the injection site
The trial team concluded that they could make and safely give the DNA vaccines. The immune system did respond to the vaccines.
The team said that their results would be useful to other research teams when they are looking at developing clinical trials to look at vaccines to help people with cancer.
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Prof Christian Ottensmeier
Supported by
Bloodwise
Cancer Research UK
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040