Preliminary results of active specific immunization with modified tumor cell vaccine in glioblastoma multiforme

Object Treatment for glioblastoma multiforme has failed to show any progres s for decades. While specific immunization with tumor cells modified with N ewcastle-Disease-Virus (NDV) has been reported successful in some extracere bral tumors, its effect on glioblastoma is unknown. We report on 11 patient s, in whom this approach was analyzed. Methods A vaccine was produced from autologous tumor cell cultures of 11 pa tients with glioblastoma. After completed surgery and radiotherapy an intra cutaneous vaccination was performed 4 times with a 2 week interval and fina lly after 3 months. Local reactions, general side effects and survival were monitored closely. Results The local reaction of the skin after injection of vaccine increased from 1.67 to 4.05 cm(2) in 8 weeks. The skin reaction after parallel injec tion of inactivated, untreated tumor cells increased from 0.11 to 1.09 cm(2 ). The median survival was 46 weeks (mean 60 weeks). No side effects were n oted. Conclusion Active specific immunization with NDV-modified glioblastoma cell s produced a noticeable peripheral immune response. In this preliminary ser ies survival of patients was not significantly longer after active specific immunization than after combined treatment of surgery, radiotherapy and ch emotherapy. As there were no side effects, however, active specific immuniz ation may be nobreak considered an alternative in the management of gliobla stoma.