The Survivin protein is the smallest member of the Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins, involved in inhibition of apoptosis (cell death) and regulation of cell cycle. Substantial data suggests that immunotherapy could serve as a powerful weapon to prevent metastatic spread of cancer. Immunotherapy specifically targets tumor cells thereby avoiding collateral damage to non-tumor cells. Induction of anti-tumor response has the potential to eradicate tumor at distant sites in the body which may not be possible by surgical resection. Targeting this then makes sense, especially when it comes to fighting Glioblastoma. Dr. Michael Ciesielski is a co-inventor of one such immunotherapy that may hopefully do just that!
Dr. Ciesielski is the CEO of MimiVax, a company formed to develop the SurVaxM vaccine for clinical use. He is a co-inventor of the survivin vaccine technology on which MimiVax was founded. After having obtained a BS in Biology and Biotechnology as well as a Masters degree, he joined the Academic Faculty of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. There, he and Dr. Fenstermaker established the Neuro-Oncology laboratory.
In this episode, he explains the vital importance of their Phase 2b clinical trial for the SurVaxM vaccine and his hope in giving GBM patients a fighting chance against this deadly disease.
You can learn more about the SurVaxM Vaccine at mimivax.com
You can also support this and many other clinical trials by donating to Traphagen’s Trail Ride 4 Brain Cancer (click on the image to go to donation page).
Season 2 Sponsor:
Episode Sponsors:
Resources from SEASON 2 Ep. 5:
Articles/blogs:
Mimivax Blog- Roswell Park Starts Phase 2b Clinical Trial,
BioMed Central, Cancer International- Survivin: a unique target for tumor therapy,
Nature, Structural & Molecular Biology: Structure of the human anti-apoptotic protein survivin reveals a dimeric arrangement,
Precision Vaccinations.com: SurVaxM Vaccine
Clinical Trials:
CURRENTLY RECRUITING! OncoSynergy and Moffit Cancer Center (FL)- Phase 1 Clinical Trial for Recurrent Glioblastoma,
CURRENTLY RECRUITING! Hillman Cancer Center- Olaparib in Treating Patients With Advanced Glioma, Cholangiocarcinoma, or Solid Tumors With IDH1 or IDH2 Mutations,
CURRENTLY RECRUITING! Roswell Cancer Center- SurVaxM Vaccine-Brain Cancer Immunotherapy
Videos:
Learn more about SurVaxM:
Poem by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage referenced in episode:
For more resources, visit our resource page here.
Hosted by Shannon Traphagen 
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