Phase 1/2 trial in Japan: dendritic cell + glioma cell fusion immunotherapy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27688162  (the full study will be added to the Immunotherapy folder of the Library)

This trial recruited 22 newly diagnosed and 10 recurrent GBM patients.  The therapy consisted of autologous glioma cells (lethally irradiated) chemically fused with autologous dendritic cells.  The fusion cells were also transfected with poly I:C (a synthetic double-stranded RNA analog) and small interfering RNA for IL-10 (IL-10 is an immunosuppressive cytokine).  For the newly diagnosed patients this treatment was added onto standard treatments (radiation and temozolomide).

Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the 22 newly diagnosed patients was 17 and 30 months.  Average age of these patients was 56.7 years.

Median PFS and OS (from recurrence) for the 10 recurrent GBM patients was 11 and 17 months. Average age was 50.1 years.

This is certainly one of the best phase 2 outcomes for newly diagnosed GBM yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, and the results for recurrent GBM are also impressive (though only 10 recurrent patients were treated and the average age was on the low side).