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    J Immunother. 2007 Nov-Dec;30(8):847-54.

    Immunization with a recombinant MAGE-A3 protein after high-dose therapy for myeloma.

    Szmania S, Gnjatic S, Tricot G, Stone K, Zhan F, Moreno A, Thuro B, Melenhorst J, Barrett J, Shaughnessy J, Old LJ, Barlogie B, Brichard VG, van Rhee F.

    Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.

    MAGE-A3 is frequently expressed in high-risk multiple myeloma (MM). We immunized a healthy donor with MAGE-A3 protein formulated in AS02B to transfer immunity to her identical twin, diagnosed with MAGE-A3-positive MM. After a melphalan 200 mg/m syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant, primed donor cells collected after immunizations were transferred and followed by repeated patient immunizations. MAGE-A3 immunizations were well tolerated. Strong MAGE-A3-specific antibody, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), and T-helper responses were induced in both twins. A humoral response was transferred to the patient with the donor peripheral blood stem cells and increased by booster immunization. The CTL response targeted a previously undescribed HLA-A*6801 binding MAGE-A3115-123 peptide. MAGE-A3115-123 CTLs were detected in the patient more than 1 year after the last immunization. Multiple T-helper cellular responses were detected with the dominant response to an HLA-DR11 restricted MAGE-A3 epitope. The patient remains in remission 2.5 years after the second transplant. This report shows for the first time that immunization of a healthy donor with a defined cancer-testis protein induces immune responses that can be transferred and expanded posttransplant in the recipient. MAGE-A3 immunization may be a useful adjunct to high dose melphalan-based peripheral blood stem cell transplant, providing a new therapeutic option for high-risk MM.

    PMID: 18049337 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Patient drug information

    • Melphalan (Alkeran®)

      Your doctor has ordered the drug melphalan to help treat your illness. The drug can be taken as tablets by mouth on an empty stomach or it can be given by injection into a vein.