Tumor Lysate Pulsed Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy for Patients With Brain Tumors

Phase ll Trial of Tumor Lysate-Pulsed Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy for Patients With Atypical or Malignant, Primary or Metastatic Brain Tumors of the Central Nervous System

This research is being determine whether vaccinations with your own immune cells called " dendritic cells " can activate your immune system to fight your brain tumor.

To become eligible for therapy the following criteria must be fulfilled:

• No age or gender limit
• Patients with atypical malignant brain tumors.
• Must have a Karnofsky performance of at least 60%
• Hematologic studies and chemistry profiles will be within the parameters of the protocol
• Tumor specimen of adequate size to yield protein concentration, tumor lysate peptide must be generated in sufficient quantity and patient must have no prior sensitivity to the components of the dendritic cell vaccine.
• Patients are excluded if they have systemic disease, presence of acute infection, known history of autoimmune disorder and pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• No age or gender limit, though minimal weight limitations for apheresis is about 15 - 20 Kg.
• Both male and female of childbearing age entering the protocol must use a medically accepted form of birth control during the study, will be required to have a negative pregnancy test for female.
• patients with atypical malignant brain tumor will be eligible.
• Patients must have a Karnofsky performance score of at least 60%
• patients may be maintained on glucocorticoid therapy at the lowest possible dose.
• Baseline hematologic studies and chemistry profiles must meet the criteria.
• Tumor specimen of adequate size to yield protein concentration in sufficient quantity.
• Tumor-lysate peptide must be generated in sufficient quantity to pulse the APC's for vaccination.
• Patient must have no prior sensitivity to the components of the dendritic cell vaccine.
• Patient must agree to consider an autopsy in the event of death in an attempt to learn more concerning the nature of this treatment and tumor biology.
• Patient must be capable of signing IRB approved Research Consent and Release of medical Records form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe pulmonary, cardiac or other systemic disease associated with an unacceptable anesthetic or operative risk.
• The presence of an acute infection requiring active treatment will be criteria for delay or exclusion.
• Patients with a known history of an autoimmune disorder.
• Inability to give informed consent.
• Pregnancy.