Phase II trial with TroVax in colorectal cancer

Oxford BioMedica announced that Cancer Research UK (CR UK) had received approval from the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC) to conduct a Phase II study of TroVax in colorectal cancer patients who are to undergo surgery for resectable liver metastases.

Twenty Stage IV patients will receive injections of TroVax followed by surgery approximately ten days later.

Biopsies of the tumour will be taken at surgery and analysed for TroVax stimulated immune activity.

Further vaccinations will be given after surgery.

Patients' management will then continue as standard and they will be followed after the final vaccination to assess immune responses and toxicity and then monitored over the longer term for clinical benefit.

In August 2003, Oxford BioMedica announced that Cancer Research UK had agreed to conduct and sponsor this open label Phase II trial.

The decision by Cancer Research UK followed extensive review of the successful Phase I/II data of TroVax in colorectal cancer patients.

Commenting on the news Oxford BioMedica's chief executive, Alan Kingsman said "This is the third Phase II TroVax study that has been approved by GTAC and we are delighted to be working with Cancer Research UK in this important aspect of colorectal cancer".