Kicking Cancer's Butt

A breast cancer breakthrough at M.D. Anderson? New vaccine helps prevent relapse

Good news for breast cancer patients: A post-treatment vaccine currently in its second phase of clinical trial at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has proven to prevent disease recurrence by a significant margin.

Patients on the vaccine were 43 percent less likely to have a cancer recurrence. The secret weapon is AE37, a peptide vaccine that helps the body to raise immunity against HER2, the growth-promoting oncoprotein present in nearly 80 percent of breast cancer tumors.

Cassady flies to Houston once a month, receives two AE37 shots in her leg, then stays for 48 hours to check up with the doctors.

Dr. Elizabeth Mittendorf, assistant professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at M.D. Anderson and principal investigator for the nation-wide study, told CultureMap that preliminary results suggest the AE37 vaccine may benefit patients with low levels of HER2 expression as well, when used in conjunction with other adjuvant treatments.

"The vaccination has been met with enthusiasm by the researchers and the patients," Mittendorf tells CultureMap.

After completing treatment from an oncologist, the patient begins receiving the primary vaccination series — monthly inoculations for six months. To increase efficacy, booster shots are given to the patient every six months over the next three years (the window of time that patients see the greatest risk of recurrence). Side effects are typically minimal.

Such is the case with Ann Cassady, an M.D. Anderson patient from Knoxville, Tenn., who underwent a double mastectomy, one lymphadenectomy, six months of chemotherapy and a month and a half of radiation before signing up for the study in February.

"I just had a treatment this morning," Cassady says. "I've experienced no side effects whatsoever."

Cassady flies to Houston once a month, receives two AE37 shots in her leg, then stays for 48 hours to check up with the doctors. Cassady said the after-effects of the inoculation are comparable to a mosquito bite itch.

The study finds that, at a 22-month follow up, former breast cancer patients had a 10.3 percent recurrence rate (compared to 18 percent in a control group). Those conclusions will be presented on June 4 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

A third phase of the study will follow after Antigen Express, the company that licenses the AE37 technology, applies for a special protocol assessment from the FDA.

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Shaq surprises Houston restaurant with $1,000 tip and more top stories

Courtesy of Ninfa's

Shaquille O'Neal had lunch at Ninfa's Uptown.

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, starting with a surprise visit — and big tip — from Shaq. Plus, Houston ranks among America's most overpriced cities, and rents rise in Sugar Land. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then find the best things to do this weekend here.

1. Shaquille O'Neal leaves $1,000 tip at Houston Tex-Mex institution. NBA Hall of Famer and media personality Shaquille O’Neal surprised the crowd at The Original Ninfa’s Uptown when he stopped by for lunch, posing for pics and leaving a very big tip.

2. Veteran Houston bartender shakes up the Heights with new tropical bar. The woman behind your favorite bartender’s favorite bar has quietly opened a new cocktail spot in the Heights. Called Berwick’s Birds of Paradise, it’s the latest project from Double Trouble owner Robin Berwick.

Berwick's Birds of Paradise bar Robin Berwick Owner Robin Berwick took inspiration from hotel bars for BBOP. Photo by Vivian Leba

3. Houston is one of America's most overpriced cities, study finds. In what may come as a surprise to some local residents, a new study ranks Houston among the 10 most overpriced cities in America.

4. This Houston suburb had the highest apartment rent prices in June. Apartment rent prices in June were more expensive in Sugar Land than anywhere else in Houston, according to the latest monthly rent report from Zumper.

5. Houston influencer opens an antiques-filled boutique hotel in Montrose. 109 Stratford Street in Historic East Avondale has recently opened as a nine-room boutique hotel, The Marlene Inn, from owner and Instagram influencer Lily Barfield.