NHL - Idiotype Vaccine Study

debinniagara
debinniagara Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I was diagnosed Nov 2002 and am currently in watch & wait. I have been recommended to go into the Idiotype Vaccine Study. I have B Cell, Level III, Stage 4, and many lymph nodes with bone marrow involvement. I am 48 years old. I will be getting 6 months of CVP Chemo every 3 weeks, then a 6 month rest period. If all is stable, I will then hopefully get the Vaccine. It is a blind study and only 2 out of 3 people get the real vaccine, but all get the Chemo and an Immune booster. The vaccine is made from your own cancer and The Genitope corporation attaches markers to the cells. Hopefully your Immune System will recognize the cancer that it did not recognize previously and the immune booster will allow your system to attack and kill it. My Dr. feels that this is the best thing for me and feels it is about time to start. Is there anyone else out there that is in this study and how are you doing. I am a little apprehensive. I have had no prior Chemo and I understand that this is quite strong - 1 step down from CHOP. I have been on an emotional roller coaster along with all other NHL patients. I hope to get some success stories, send them my way. I pray to God for all with NHL that soon there will be a cure. Hopefully this study is a start. Debbie

Comments

  • bianne
    bianne Member Posts: 1
    #2
    My husband was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in Jan. 04 and he is starting the vaccine trial (through UCLA) next March I think. He will have the CVP treatments starting next week and after a 6 month rest period he will start the vaccine trial. We are hoping this is the "cure" for lymphomas eventually. The trial seems promising and our oncologist at UCLA seems to think my husband is a very good candidate for it. We'll see how it goes and pray for the best.
  • singall
    singall Member Posts: 1
    #3
    It sounds like you are writing about the same study I am in. I was disgnosed at age 39 and was also Stage 4 at that time. CVP was not easy for me, but the macroscopic response for me was 100%. No lymph nodes showed readable signs of lymphoma and no bone marrow involvment after treatment.

    I am currently in the 6 month rest period of treatment and loving it!

    My best wishes go with you that you receive a good response and that this vaccine is the 'cure.'

    I would suggest respecting your own body's response to treatment and do what you need to do to take really good care of yourself.
  • debinniagara
    debinniagara Member Posts: 4
    #4
    singall said:

    It sounds like you are writing about the same study I am in. I was disgnosed at age 39 and was also Stage 4 at that time. CVP was not easy for me, but the macroscopic response for me was 100%. No lymph nodes showed readable signs of lymphoma and no bone marrow involvment after treatment.

    I am currently in the 6 month rest period of treatment and loving it!

    My best wishes go with you that you receive a good response and that this vaccine is the 'cure.'

    I would suggest respecting your own body's response to treatment and do what you need to do to take really good care of yourself.

    I was so happy to hear you response. I am so happy for you. How much bone marrow involvement did you have prior?
    That's what I fear is the CVP - I think it is going to be a very rough road. Any suggestions on coping with it? I hope this is the cure.

    Take care Debbie, Drop me and E-Mail sometime.

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