Use of the anti-idiotype antibody vaccine TriAb after autologous stem celltransplantation in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Between April 1997 and March 1998 we evaluated the immune response and outc ome in 11 chemosensitive patients who were treated with the anti-idiotype a ntibody vaccine TriAb after recovery from intensive therapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), Triab was commenced after recovery from the ac ute effects of ASCT; a minimum interval of 1 month was required from comple tion of consolidation radiotherapy, if given, Nine patients (82%) manifest anti-anti-idiotype antibody (Ab3) responses post ASCT, The maximal Ab3 resp onse was seen after a median of 10 doses (range 5-20), which corresponded t o a median of 14 months (range 5-19) post ASCT, Evidence of a T cell prolif erative response was seen in eight patients; the response was modest in mos t of these. At a median follow-up of 24 months (range 22-33) after ASCT, fo ur patients are alive without evidence of disease progression. All four of these patients were in the subgroup with more vigorous immune responses, Su bsequent efforts have been directed toward the achievement of higher levels of immune responses more rapidly post ASCT.