LONDON (AFX) - Initial results from a trial of GlaxoSmithKline PLC's early-stage cancer vaccine MAGE-A3 failed to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in risk of cancer recurrence, but the drug maker said it plans to continue investigating the experimental therapy.
GSK was showcasing the jab, which harnesses a patient's own immune response to attack cancer cells, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting today.
MAGE-A3 is an antigen that is expressed in 35-50 pct of all early non-small cell lung cancers, the most common form of the disease.
Initial results from the phase II trial of GSK's vaccine produced a one third reduction in the risk of cancer recurring following surgery, compared to placebo.
While the result was not clinically significant, the drug maker described the result as 'very encouraging'.
'This trial demonstrates the feasibility of developing novel cancer immunotherapies that with continuing research may expand into a new approach to cancer treatment,' Paul A. Bunn Jr, a professor of oncology and director at the University of Colorado Cancer Center said.
Final results are expected later this year. amy.brown@afxnews.com ab COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited