Effect of blockade of the EGF system on wound healing in patients vaccinated with CIMAvax® EGF.

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling system is frequently unbalanced in human malignancies due to increased ligand production, receptor overexpression, receptor mutations, and/or cross-talk with other receptor systems. For this reason, the EGFR is an attractive target for anticancer therapy. The epidermal growth factor also plays an important role in regulating multiple facets of cutaneous wound healing, including inflammation, wound contraction, proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis.

Phase II randomized controlled trial of an epidermal growth factor vaccine in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: We show the result of a randomized phase II clinical trial with an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-based cancer vaccine in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, evaluating immunogenicity, safety, and effect on survival.

Patients And Methods: Eighty patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC after finishing first-line chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive best supportive care or EGF vaccinations.

Results: Vaccination was safe.