As most here know, Immunotherapies have not so far proven to be especially effective in PCa. Here is info on a new viral agent that, while not targeting PCa specifically, is starting clinical trials focused on "Metastatic or Advanced Solid Tumours (MAST)". With 100 participants, it will hopefully include some PCa patients. As usual, only those patients who have been heavily treated need apply. It is a non-randomized Phase One interventional study and has just started recruiting.
Yuman Fong, Director of Surgical Oncology at City of Hope hospital, said, “Interestingly, the same characteristics that eventually make cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy or radiation treatment actually enhance the success of oncolytic viruses, such as CF33-hNIS.” We are hoping to harness the promise of virology and immunotherapy for the treatment of a wide variety of deadly cancers.”
Below are links to: 1. City of Hope Press Release about the drug, 2. An interesting interview with Leslie Chong from the drug developer, Imugene, LTD, and Yuman Fong, Director of Surgical Oncology at City of Hope hospital in LA, & 3. The clinicaltrials.gov description of the trial:
1. City of Hope Press Release - By Zen Vuong - May 18, 2022
3. A Study of CF33-hNIS (VAXINIA), an Oncolytic Virus, as Monotherapy or in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Adults With Metastatic or Advanced Solid Tumors (MAST)
As Mr. Fish would say, "The science is coming" - and now at an ever accelerating rate. Stay tuned to this channel, while also Staying Safe & Being Well.
Ciao - Captain K9
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cujoe
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Is very interesting of course... This avenue has been explored with varying results, and some problems. One that I've watched in the past because it was tried directly towards PCa, was the NDV, or Newcastle Disease Virus. It was used because it replicates at a phenomenal rate and programmed to as a carrier for delivery of an oncological agent was used. The interesting thing is the NDV doesn't effect humans like it does birds, with little much other than mild symptoms or sore throats, etc. It was noted the virus in some patients killed the cancer cells directly, but other issues appeared though if it was used repeatedly, a person might have an immune response attacking the virus itself. But the real problem, even in some clinical trials was the lack of controls used, and sometimes this led to contradicting results, etc. Problematic because some showed efficiency, and then the very same formula not being shown effective by others. But maybe they've learned from it since then...
Again, I find the use of a virus very interesting and hope that they can figure a way to reprogram one and make it useful to our benefit, and all cancer patients, etc.
Thanks to you for expanding the knowledgebase. The downside for all these sorts of experimental trials (as expounded on in npfisherman's recent post here) is that the lack of funding and time to access for non-trial patients is such that many of us will be pushing up daisies before the promise of immunotheraphy for PCa is ever realized.
Patience is a virtue, but you have still be alive to benefit from it . . . while we see our governments spend obscene amounts of money on blowing stuff up and our richest individuals spend their fortunes on going to Mars or buying up social media companies. Who'd a thunk it would be the way of the world in the 21st Century?
In spite of it all, we still need to keep the faith in those dedicated to pushing the edges of medical science and our own n=1 patients putting their own skin in the game in a world of personal risk management. (aka most recently, MateoBeach's travels to AU for non-SOC treatment.)
We learn from each other's experience and are, therefore, stronger together than we are individually.
Great find.... I have been following Dr Fong and his development towards a cancer vaccine for a while. Imugene is an Australian Company developing oncolytic virus with CAR-T response in a couple of different ways--see below:
It is part of my frustration....Advaxis and their virus plus Keytruda passed Phase 2 and the company is out of money. You hit the nail on the head about space travel and buying social media... A chance exists to change the course of PCa with the development of 2 drugs...a vaccine good against several cancers and a drug infusion against bone metastases that would save tens of thousands of lives annually and nope... no money for that... guess I gotta hit the lottery...
This guy (who obviously put together the team and resources for the VAXINIA trial) seems to be one of the good guys in advancing the science that we all need. I'm sure he has made some small change along the way, but it is apparent he also has a passion for the space:
Curiously interesting choice of name chosen for that virus. Vaxinia vs the virus used to wipe out natural small pox that came from the cow pox virus, Vaccinia. And origin of the word vaccination.
Agreed - When I was doing the post I did a search and came up with the Wiki link to Vaccina (as a corrected spelling for my entry of "VAXINIA"). Not initially catching the discrepancy, I had originally included the link below in the post, but removed it when it became apparent it was not one and the same viral agent being used. While I have not dug any deeper into CF33-hNIS story, I was also a bit interested and even confused about the similarity between the two words.
If not, here is link to a good 2019 podcast by the somewhat eccentric couple who do the People's Pharmacy Program that airs on NPR. (Coley discussion starts at about 6:15 mins in)
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