Nordic breast cancer vacc shows strong data

BN ImmunoTherapeutics, Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic's cancer research unit, has completed an interim analysis of two clinical studies with MVA-BN-HER2, a vaccine immunotherapy for breast cancer.

Evaluation of samples from 18 patients revealed that 12 developed a humoral and/or cellular response. These preliminary results show that MVA-BN-based, HER2 directed vaccination is a biologically-active treatment for patients with HER2 positive breast cancer, said the firm. With 27 out of 30 patients vaccinated, no drug-related severe adverse events have been reported thus far. The vaccine has been shown to be well tolerated and immunogenic. Final study data are expected around the turn of the year 2008/2009.

Anders Hedegaard, chief executive of Bavarian Nordic, commented: "I am pleased that we once again can confirm the unique safety profile of MVA-BN and that we have been able to show immunogenicity in this patient group suffering from this severe disease."