Abstract
Purpose
To present an updated survival analysis of an open-label, parallel-group, phase IIB trial of BLP25 liposome vaccine (L-BLP25) in patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods
Patients were randomized to either L-BLP25 plus best supportive care (BSC) or BSC alone. Patients in the L-BLP25 arm received subcutaneous vaccinations of L-BLP25 930 μg weekly for 8 weeks, followed by maintenance vaccinations at 6-week intervals.
Results
Median survival time was 4.2 months longer in patients receiving L-BLP25 plus BSC (n = 88) than in those receiving BSC alone (n = 83; 17.2 months vs. 13.0 months, respectively; hazard ratio [HR] 0.745, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.533–1.042). The 3-year survival rate was 31% in patients receiving L-BLP25 plus BSC and 17% in those receiving BSC (P = 0.035). In the stratified subset of patients with stage IIIB loco-regional (LR) disease, median survival time was 17.3 months longer in patients receiving L-BLP25 plus BSC (n = 35) than in those receiving BSC (n = 30; 30.6 months vs. 13.3 months, respectively; HR 0.548, 95% CI 0.301–0.999). In this subgroup, 3-year survival was 49% in patients receiving L-BLP25 plus BSC and 27% in those receiving BSC (P = 0.070).
Conclusions
Confirming the initial results, further follow-up continues to show that survival time for patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC was longer with L-BLP25 plus BSC compared with BSC alone, with the greatest difference seen in patients with stage IIIB LR disease.
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Acknowledgments
This trial was supported by Biomira Inc., Edmonton, Canada, in collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The authors take full responsibility for the content of this publication. Editorial assistance, including drafting and revision of the manuscript as directed by the authors, was provided by Ian Faulkner, International Medical Press, funded by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Conflict of interest
Frank Beier is employed as a Senior Biostatistician at Merck KGaA in Darmstadt. Martin Falk is an employee of Merck KGaA. Charles Butts has provided consultancy and served on Speakers' Bureaux for Merck Serono.
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Butts, C., Maksymiuk, A., Goss, G. et al. Updated survival analysis in patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer receiving BLP25 liposome vaccine (L-BLP25): phase IIB randomized, multicenter, open-label trial. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 137, 1337–1342 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-011-1003-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-011-1003-3