|
Archived Press Releases
February, 1999
Press Release issued by St. George's Hospital
announcing a clinical trial using Onyvax's vaccine.
St. George's Hospital
Establishes Vaccine Trial for Prostate Cancer
Urology and Oncology doctors at St. George's Hospital have developed
a cancer vaccine for use in prostate cancer. Sixty patients are
being recruited over the next twelve months to take part in a prostate
cancer vaccine trial. To be considered for the trial, patients must
have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have been treated with
hormones which are no longer effective in controlling the disease.
Mr Roger Kirby, consultant urologist, says "We have previously
seen good results with cancer vaccines for malignant melanoma, with
an increase in survival from eight months to two years for this
aggressive disease. We hope that the results of the prostate trial
will be available within twelve months."
Prostate cancer is a major cause of death in this country and the
number of men suffering from the disease continues to rise. Hormones
are usually prescribed to try to keep the cancer growth under control
but once the cancer "escapes" there is no treatment which
prolongs survival.
Although skin cancer vaccines have shown minimal side effects,
it is not yet known what the side effects will be following injection
of the prostate cancer vaccine. Patients must be available to receive
a series of injections over a six month period.
It is expected that patients will be recruited to the trial via
referrals from GPs and Urology Departments at other hospitals. An
answerphone service has been set up to enable callers to leave their
name and address so that further details can be sent to them.
The number is +44 (181) 682 9494
|
