Capital Health Teams with TVAX Biomedical for Brain Cancer Immunotherapy Trial

Capital Health Cancer Center in Hopewell, New Jersey, has declared its participation in a clinical trial led by TVAX Biomedical, Inc. This trial aims to explore a potential innovative treatment for glioblastoma (GBM), the most prevalent type of malignant brain cancer. Capital Health is the sole clinical site in the Northeast United States, specifically north of Florida, to offer access to this trial.

Dr. Navid Redjal, director of Neurosurgical Oncology at Capital Health, emphasized the significance of participating in clinical trials to deliver personalized care to patients. He expressed excitement about offering this groundbreaking trial, which could potentially lead to a novel GBM therapy.

For the past two decades, various trials have attempted to harness the immune system's power to combat GBM, though none have achieved definitive success. The TVAX approach involves creating a vaccine from a patient's own tumor cells to stimulate a targeted immune response. The laboratory processes these tumor cells to activate and expand anti-tumor immune cells, aiming to create a more robust immune response when reintroduced to the patient. This study seeks to determine if this method can bypass the natural tumor immune suppression seen in GBM and enable the immune system to destroy residual tumor cells.

Dr. Michael Salacz, director of Medical Neuro-Oncology at Capital Health, expressed enthusiasm about being part of studies like the TVAX trial, highlighting the personalized nature of this treatment. By using a patient's own tumor to activate their immune system, the approach holds the promise of better outcomes for patients and their families battling glioblastoma within the region and beyond.

Dr. Wayne Carter, CEO of TVAX Biomedical, expressed his satisfaction with including Capital Health and the expertise of Drs. Redjal and Salacz in the study. The hope is that this late-stage clinical study will significantly improve clinical outcomes for patients with limited treatment options.

The TVAX clinical trial at Capital Health Cancer Center is open to adults aged 18 to 80 who have been newly diagnosed with glioblastoma with active or "unmethylated" methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT). Since the initial step involves collecting sufficient cells to create the vaccine, patients need to undergo surgery at Capital Health. Screening is required to determine if candidates meet the full criteria for participation.

TVAX Biomedical, Inc., based in Lenexa, Kansas, is pioneering a novel cancer treatment approach aiming for enhanced clinical outcomes, low toxicity, and potentially transformative changes in cancer treatment. The TVAX immunotherapy trial combines cancer vaccine pretreatment to generate cancer-specific T cells with activated "killer" T cell treatment. Other trial sites include locations in Los Angeles, California, Orlando, Florida, and Kansas City, Kansas.

Capital Health is a prominent health care provider in the Central New Jersey/Lower Bucks County region, encompassing two hospitals—Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell—along with outpatient facilities in Bordentown and Hamilton and various primary and specialty care practices. Accredited by DNV – Healthcare and a five-time Magnet-designated health system for nursing excellence, Capital Health stands as a dynamic health care resource.

The Center for Neuro-Oncology at Capital Health Cancer Center offers comprehensive care for brain and spine cancer patients. Patients benefit from experienced physicians, nurses, and staff working in state-of-the-art facilities. The center also engages in clinical trials to develop improved cancer treatments.

This participation aligns with Capital Health's commitment to advancing neuro-oncologic and neuroscience care. By taking part in clinical trials, Capital Health aims to contribute to the development of enhanced cancer treatment methods.