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A Vaccine (DC/MM Fusion Vaccine) for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Trial Status: active

This phase I trial studies the safety and side effects of the dendritic cell/multiple myeloma (DC/MM) fusion vaccine in treating patients with multiple myeloma that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed) or has not responded to previous treatment (refractory). Cancer cells are foreign to the body and have unique markers that distinguish them from normal cells. These markers can potentially serve as targets for the immune system. An immune response is any reaction by the immune system. The immune system is a complex system that is responsible for distinguishing us from everything foreign to us and for protecting us against infections for foreign substances. The DC/MM fusion vaccine is an investigational agent that tries to help the immune system to recognize and fight against cancer cells. Unlike a standard vaccine that is used to prevent infections, cancer vaccines are being studied to see if they can fight cancers that are already in the body. This vaccine is individualized for patients using their own dendritic cells (a type of immune cell). Laboratory studies have shown that when dendritic cells and tumor cells are brought together, the dendritic cells can stimulate immune responses against the tumor and, in some cases, cause the tumor to shrink. Patients also receive granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). GM-CSF contains a substance that helps make more white blood cells, especially granulocytes, macrophages and cells that become platelets. It is a cytokine that is a type of blood forming agent. A cytokine is a type of protein that is made by certain immune and non-immune cells and influences the immune system. This cytokine stimulates the immune system. This medication is being used to possibly increase the effectiveness of the DC/MM fusion vaccine. The DC/MM fusion vaccine, along with GM-CSF, may be a safe treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.