M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER BEGINS CLL TRIAL

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has initiated a clinical trial to evaluate the use of an idiotype active immunotherapy, also referred to as idiotype vaccine therapy, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a type of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. MyVax idiotype immunotherapy is based on the unique genetic makeup of a patient's own tumor, and is designed to activate the patient's immune system to fight cancer.

The trial involves men and women 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with CLL Rai stage 0, I and II, and who are untreated, may be eligible for the study. Eligible patients will receive a series of 16 injections of their custom-made vaccine over a 52-week period.