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  • A randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial of racotumomab-alum vaccine as switch maintenance therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

A randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial of racotumomab-alum vaccine as switch maintenance therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (2014-05-03)
Sailyn Alfonso, Anet Valdés-Zayas, Eduardo R Santiesteban, Yoanna I Flores, Fernando Areces, Maurenis Hernández, Carmen E Viada, Ivis C Mendoza, Pedro P Guerra, Elena García, Ramón A Ortiz, Ana V de la Torre, Meylán Cepeda, Kirenia Pérez, Eric Chong, Ana María Hernández, Darien Toledo, Zuyén González, Zaima Mazorra, Tania Crombet, Rolando Pérez, Ana María Vázquez, Amparo E Macías
ABSTRACT

Racotumomab-alum is an anti-idiotype vaccine targeting the NeuGcGM3 tumor-associated ganglioside. This clinical trial was conducted to provide a preliminary estimate of efficacy and safety of racotumomab as switch maintenance for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with stage IIIb/IV NSCLC who have at least stable disease after first-line chemotherapy were randomized 1:1 to racotumomab-alum (5 immunizations every 2 weeks and re-immunizations every 4 weeks) or placebo. Treatment was administered beyond progressive disease, until severe performance status worsening or toxicity. At progression, only five patients per group received further anticancer therapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). One-hundred and seventy-six patients were randomized to racotumomab-alum (n = 87) and placebo (n = 89). Median OS was 8.23 and 6.80 months, respectively [HR, 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.46-0.87; P = 0.004]. Median progression-free survival (PFS) in vaccinated patients was 5.33 versus 3.90 months for placebo (HR, 0.73; 95% CI 0.53-0.99; P = 0.039). The most common adverse events in the racotumomab-alum arm were burning and pain at the injection site, bone pain, and asthenia. A high antibody response of IgM and IgG isotype against the NeuGcGM3 ganglioside was obtained. Hyperimmune sera were able to specifically recognize and kill the NeuGcGM3-expressing L1210 cell line. Patients who developed anti-NeuGcGM3 antibodies capable to bind and kill ≥30% L1210 cells showed longer median survival times. Switch maintenance with racotumomab-alum is an effective and a well-tolerated treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
1-Propanol, ≥99% (GC), purum
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1-Propanol, ACS reagent, ≥99.5%
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1-Propanol, suitable for HPLC, ≥99.9%
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1-Propanol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
USP
1-Propanol, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Propidium iodide, ≥94.0% (HPLC)
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1-Propanol, ≥99%, FG
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1-Propanol, natural, ≥98%, FG
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Propidium iodide, ≥94% (HPLC)
Supelco
1-Propanol, analytical standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Propidium iodide solution