Phase III Trial of Lung Ca Vaccine Opens

DARMSTADT, Germany—Merck KGaA has opened enrollment in its global phase III clinical study, known as START, assessing the efficacy and safety of Stimuvax (BLP25 liposome vaccine) as a potential treatment for patients with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have had a response or stable disease after at least two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. The study will enroll more than 1,300 patients from approximately 30 countries.

Stimuvax is designed to induce an immune response to cancer cells that express MUC1. "Patients with advanced lung cancer are in need of new therapies that effectively target cancer cells while providing better safety and tolerability," said Frances Shepherd, MD, director of medical oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, and lead investigator of the START study.

To find a participating center, go to www.nsclcstudy.com. The study is also listed on www.clinicaltrials.gov, study ID EMR 63325-001 or NCT00409188.