In a study conducted by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists, the researchers found that high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or advanced myelodysplasia (a blood disorder) patients who received a cancer vaccine shortly after a stem cell transplant not only had few complications but also mounted a strong immune system attack on the disease. Moreover, the rate of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a potentially severe aftereffect of immune system-based therapies, was no higher than with that from stem cell transplants alone. The study is to be published in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the week of August 24.

Iomai Corporation has announced positive interim results from its immunostimulant adjuvant patch phase 1/2 trial. The patch was used with the injected H5N1 influenza vaccine. A single 45-microgram dose of an H5N1 influenza vaccine with a single 50-microgram Iomai patch produced a sufficient protective response in 73% of tested patients. The figure showed substantial improvement over those who were administered the H5N1 influenza vaccine alone.