Smallpox Vaccine Extends Life in Cancer Trial
- By BSTQ Staff
A genetically engineered smallpox vaccine, known as JX-594, reduced the risk of death for patients with advanced liver cancer by nearly 60 percent in a mid-stage study, which has prompted the launch of a later-stage trial. In the small 30-patient study, patients given a high dose of JX-594 lived for a median of 13.8 months compared with 6.7 months for patients treated with onetenth of that dose. The main side effect of high doses of JX-594 was temporary flu-like symptoms. JX-594 is derived from a strain of the virus vaccinia, once commonly used to vaccinate children against smallpox.
A Phase IIb study, which will allow for more continuous dosing than in earlier studies, will compare JX-594 with standard care in 120 liver cancer patients who have stopped responding to Nexavar, also known as sorafenib, sold by Onyx Pharmaceuticals. These patients will be given an intravenous infusion of JX-594, followed by direct injections into the tumor. A Phase III head-to-head trial comparing JX-594 with Nexavar will be launched next.