Dear friends,
If the DCVax is available at presentation, would this be a favoured option (in addition to standard chemoradiotherapy). Some are suggesting waiting until relapse, though I don't see the point of waiting.
Thanks for your thoughts
Matthew.
Immunotherapy has the best chance of working with minimal tumor burden. An actively growing tumor is actively putting out immunosuppressive cytokines which limit the effectiveness of immunotherapy. I don't see the point of waiting either.
ReplyDeleteHowever the availability of the DCVax (Northwest Biotherapeutics version of a tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell vaccine) is limited to the phase 3 trial (recruiting only in the USA, Canada, Germany and the UK) and to people who are able to travel to Germany or pay for it themselves ($100,000+). You may be able to get similar vaccines made elsewhere (though not going by the brand name "DCVax").
dcvax is the vaccine made from your tumor and made dendritic cell vaccine, so if you not have tumor frozed from last surgery, you can not made this?
ReplyDeleteMelinda
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI was in contact with people from NWBio (company which makes DCVax) and they told me it is not possible to get DCVax, unless you enter a trial. Hospital exemption in Germany is also closed at the moment.
Anyone has experience with other vaccines? I found Hallwang clinic to have immunotherapy option - DC vaccines, checkpoint antibodies,...
http://www.hallwang-clinic.com/your-oncological-journey-cancer-treatment/physicians-oncology.html
Melinda - yes, DCVax is personalized vaccine from your own tumor lysate. If you don't have any you can still consider peptide vaccines which target antigens, associated with brain tumors. But as I read personalized vaccines are supposed to be more effective.
I read that DCVax is approved in Switzerland. I am wondering how much it costs there. Lets say if the patient has a tumor tissue in the bank can he just go to Switzerland and get the vaccine there. I am wondering how much would it cost.
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteDo you have further informaiton about which hospital in Switzerland?
Thanks
Luyeza
Please see the answer regarding costs from Ms. Carol Powers (I guess she is reponsible for public/patient relations) at NWBio:
ReplyDeleteDCVax-L is a labor intensive, custom-made vaccine based on the patient’s unique biomarkers, using the patient’s own dendritic cells. The vaccine is made in a "batch" manufacturing process, meaning the entire course of vaccine doses is manufactured at one time. In addition, DCVax-L must pass strict quality control standards before it can be released. The charges are as follows:
Total cost €53,000 (Euros) for the Tumor Lysate, DCVax Production and first 3 injections
• Deposit of €19,000 (Euros) due at time of Tumor Lysate production
• Balance of €34,000 (Euros) due at time of Leukapheresis processing
· Subsequent injections (injection 4 and following) cost €17,000 (Euros) each, due at the time of injection
• Leukapheresis costs range from $3,500 to $5,000 depending on the apheresis center and if a central line is required
· Initial consultation fee with UK physician £275 - £500 (British Pounds Sterling) * fees vary with the physician
• Shipping fees for tumor tissue, lysate, and DCVax-L are variable based on location but can be in the range of $1,200 to $1,800 or more
· VAT tax 20% - €10,600 (Euros) paid when the first three doses of vaccine are shipped
· Subsequent doses cost €17,000 (Euros) each and the VAT tax is 20% - €3,400 (Euros) paid prior to administration of the vaccine
• Physician’s charge for administering each dose of DCVax-L in the UK £1,125 - £1,500 * (British Pounds Sterling) * fees vary with the physician
DCVax Update
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nwbio.com/nw-bio-provides-update-about-phase-3-trial-of-dcvax-l-for-newly-diagnosed-glioblastoma-multiforme-brain-cancer/
Mike B