Rick Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I think this is important for everyone to look at, however, have not seen to many individuals take a look. We are working with Mary Crowley Medical Research Center as well as our current resident experts to create an area offering sound medical insight and information with the help of specialized Doctors and healthcare specialists. Doctor such as DALLAS, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- John Nemunaitis, M.D., oncologist andresearcher at the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center (MCMRC) at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, has developed a vaccine that eradicates lung cancer in some patients. Results of the clinical trial are published in today's Journal of the National Cancer Institute in a paper titled "Phase I/II Study of GVAX® in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)." NSCLC is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States. More than 150,000 people die from the disease each year. In Dr. Nemunaitis' research trial 43 patients with early and advanced stage NSCLC were injected with the vaccine, called GVAX®. Vaccines were administered every two weeks for a total of three to six vaccinations. "While it's premature to call this a cure, we found that in a small number of people who were sensitive to this approach, the cancer hasn't come back. And, for a number of patients, it has been more than three years since they received the vaccine," said John Nemunaitis, M.D., principal investigator of the study at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. Researchers developed the vaccine using cells obtained from each patient's tumor. A gene, called GM-CSF, is placed into the cancer cells to change the surface of the cells so the body can identify the cells as cancerous. Once the vaccine is injected, the body's immune cells come to the injection site and start to work with lymphocytes, immune cells that help rid the body of an infection. "We're trying to turn on the lymphocytes so they can identify the cancer cells and clear it, just like the body clears the cold or flu virus or an infection," Dr. Nemunaitis said. Three patients with advanced stage lung cancer experienced complete remission of their disease lasting six months, 18 months and ongoing at 22 months. For two of these patients, prior treatment with chemotherapy had failed. One patient experienced a 30-percent decrease in the size of a lung nodule, and for seven patients, their disease remained stable and did not progress for a period ranging from almost five months to more than 28 months. "These results are very promising for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, which is frequently resistant to chemotherapy," Dr. Nemunaitis said. "We believe this study is the first time immune therapy has been the sole treatment associated with complete and durable regression of metastatic NSCLC lesions, particularly those lasting more than one year, as observed in two patients in our study." While chemotherapy is an option for patients with advanced disease, results show a 15 to 21 percent response rate, median survival of 7.4 to 8.2 months and one year overall survival of 31 to 36 percent. Early-stage patients undergoing complete surgical resection have a greater than 75 percent chance of surviving one year, but survival is reduced to 35 to 50 percent at five years largely as a result of disease that recurs. Dr. Nemunaitis conducted his research through the Baylor Research Institute and the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center at Baylor. The center is one of the largest patient treatment sites for gene therapy in the country. For more information about cancer research studies at the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, visit http://www.MCMRC.com . Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas is a leading patient care and research center for the Southwest. With more than 1,000 beds and 900 physicians on staff, Baylor is recognized by U.S. News & World Report among America's best hospitals in a range of medical specialties. Currently at Baylor, more than 500 research protocols are under way. For more information about Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com . SOURCE Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas Web Site: http://www.BaylorHealth.com http://www.MCMRC.com are participating in this effort. This is such a break through in that it allows Doctors helping patients and caregivers and also advising on clinical trials like the GVAX and finding the right clinical trial that is best suited for the individual. In this effort it is very important to keep your signature updated in your profile, stating the diganosis as well as current treatment process. We will bring this site live this weekend and just want everyone to be aware of what this will offer. I will be updating with more information when the opening of the area happens. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisa Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Thanks, you guys (and this site) are the best!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Rick,I think this is amazing and wonderful.Again many thanks to you and Katie for all the both o fyou do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 I am currently being treated at Mary Crowley's and hopefully will start my second trial there soon. Dr. Nemunaitis is a pretty impressive guy and very down to earth. I believe the G-Vax is closed for good now, but there are other gene trials set to begin. I am trying the Epimmune trial and will report to you all about it. Hopefully, my blood counts will climb back up, so I can begin the trial. A blood test is required to see if you are a carrier of certain proteins that bond with the vaccine. You receive one shot for a period of six months. I have heard this vaccine is also treating Hep C and AIDS patients to boost their immune systems. I have asked about side effects and there appears to be few. I will keep you guys posted. Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Rick, I think the new Ask the Experts link is great. I've checked it out almost every day to see if there is anything new there. I thank you for creating this helpful link for us. I am just wondering why Dr. Joe (oncodoc), Teresa and John's bios aren't in the list. They have been our rock-solid experts here and helped many of us with our questions, and been very dependable. I've come to greatly trust their responses and am sure hoping they are going to continue to be BIG contributors to the new forum. Dr. Woodward is another one who, although he doesn't post often, has been helpful in the past. Thanks again. Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 I posted a question on the Ask the Experts site. Hope I didn't jump in too soon, but I figured what the heck...I can type tonight, and I may not be able to do so tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted December 18, 2004 Author Share Posted December 18, 2004 fay, they have already acknowledged your post with excitement... they should get back with you soon... I however havent discussed weekends with them yet... Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 I would like to ask, along with Peggy, why our own experts are not listed. Is there some kind of deal that makes Mary Crawly exclusive to this site? I would like to see it include our OWN if at all possible. Its a great idea..I hope it can include all of the experts that are or want to join at a later date. Rick, as usual you are doing a great job. I depend on this site for information, moral support and friendships that I have made here. You can PM me if you like. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted December 18, 2004 Author Share Posted December 18, 2004 not at all, if you look in the bio section there is a space for their bios as well and they will be gven the exact same rights and resources. I am just awaiting responses from emails that I have sent them in order to get them updated into the new site. This was just too important to wait and havent gotten any replies back as of today. I have been trying to get all of our current experts bios and etc. Mary Crowley is just 1 resource and we forsee it growing with many. && The site was read only until this evening is why there was nothing being posted. I only turned on the ability to post this evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Rick, You must be a late nighter, like me. I appreciate the quick response. As always, you are on the ball. Thanks so much. You have no idea how much we all depend on you and KatieB. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 More KUDOS for the marvelous Browns. Thanks millions, guys. Love 'ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 Such beautiful people to volunteer their time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 Katie & Rick, You are both awesome. We are all soblessed to have and know you and Rick. I cannot say THANK YOU Enough. God Bless and always in my prayers, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted December 20, 2004 Author Share Posted December 20, 2004 Bumping it to the top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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