In the previous cohort the researchers had very positive biological results and patient outcomes. In this second group, the researchers hope to treat 30 new patients over a period of two years. Each patient receives two injections of the dendritic cells, one month apart. It takes seven days to make the vaccine. Following careful monitoring to insure the vaccine is safe, the antigen loaded dendritic cells are injected into the patient. The second dose is administered a month later.

Initially, the Kentucky Lung Cancer Tobacco Settlement Foundation gave the researchers $200,000 to start the project and an additional; $500,000 was secured from the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation. They have recently secured another grant for $700,000 to further their efforts.

Kentucky has the highest incidence of lung cancer in the country. "Kentucky has such a devastating problem, developing vaccines research here is really important. A seemingly endless stream of lung cancer patients seen in our clinics continually reinforces the importance of this research. " said Hirschowitz "UK is one of the prevailing lung cancer vaccine centers in the U.S."

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Contact: Louise DuPont
mldupo00@email.uky.edu
859-323-6363
University of Kentucky
5-Apr-2005