May 6, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Melanoma Cancer Vaccine Nearing Advanced Clinical Trials

Small Biotech Company to Carry out Million-Dollar Research

By Keemia Zhang

Dr. Thomas Wagner, founder of biotech company Orbis Health Solutions, has developed a cancer treatment that harnesses the immune system’s natural abilities in the form of a vaccine that has been studied for decades. 

Wagner’s vaccine, personalized to each patient, is tumor lysate particle only, which indicates that the immune system will detect cancer cells like an infection, permitting it to fight against it. 

As part of phase 2 clinical trials, the vaccine has been tested on hundreds of patients with advanced melanoma. According to Wagner’s data, 95% of people given the vaccine – without other treatment – were still alive after three years, with 64% of patients being cancer-free. Cancer-free survival was 60% for stage III patients and 68% for stage IV patients.

Common side effects included redness, pain, fever, and fatigue – typical for vaccine injections.

The vaccine has been under study for over two decades – one patient, Mary Carol Abercrombie, was told twenty years ago that her melanoma was terminal. Abrecrmboe remarked, “I guess that was the first time that I thought, OK, I might not be there to see my son get married. I’m a very positive person, and that was like the cold water in my face.”

After a year-long conventional medical treatment with “horrendous” side effects, her cancer metastasized. Her oncology surgeon, who was working with Dr. Wagner, administered Abercrombie a shot every other month for a year and a half – and has had no reoccurrences since.

According to ABC News, a $100 million Phase 3 clinical trial with a larger scope would ultimately prove that the cancer vaccine would be a “game changer in the field.”  The FDA-sanctioned Phase 3 of the trial, set to launch later this year, will last three years and treat an estimated 500 patients.

Riley Polk, President of Orbis Health Solutions, told the outlet that his father, a victim of lung cancer, tried Wagner’s vaccine and lived for an additional ten years before dying of other causes. 

Orbis Health Solutions’ Status as a privately-held, smaller company has led them to face more financial limitations than investor-backed pharmaceuticals. The success of a phase 3 trial and approval from the FDA will permit the vaccine to treat melanoma patients, while its use for broader cancer is contingent upon the results of an ongoing ‘basket trial’ that treats general tumor patients, as well as specific clinical trials that require years of study and millions of dollars in funding.

Related Posts

(Video) Billy Francesca and the Ever-Glamorous Derby Divas Perform at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood’s Derby Day Party

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

A great time was had by all at The Godfrey Hotel’s Derby Day where the mint juleps flowed all afternoon...

Loyola High School Senior Athlete Killed in Suspected DUI Crash in Manhattan Beach

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Former Palisades Resident Moved to the South Bay After Losing Home in Fire Braun Levi, a senior at Loyola High...

Actress Jennifer Aniston Home During Gate Crash; Suspect Detained by Security

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Investigation Underway After Intruder Breaches Star’s Property An unnamed man was arrested Monday after driving his vehicle through the front...

Camp Integem: Step into the Future

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Explore, Create, and Launch Beyond! This summer, kids are invited to make magic as they journey into the fun-filled, hands-on...

‘A Wonderful Place for the Community’: Urban Jungle Celebrates One Year Anniversary

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

From soil to sanctuary, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, is celebrating one year of business this spring....

Los Angeles County Declares Hepatitis A Outbreak as Case Numbers Triple Over Previous Year

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Health Officials Urge Residents to Get Vaccinated Amid Rising Infections  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has declared...

Bruce Willis’ Former Beverly Hills Canyon Property Listed for $15 Million

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Eight-Lot Mulholland Estate Includes a 1950s Ranch Home. 31 Acres A sprawling canyon estate in the Beverly Hills Post Office...

Prices Spike in Brentwood, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica Amid Post-Fire Housing Rush

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Displaced Families Are Reshaping Los Angeles’ Housing Market on the Westside Home sales and prices across Los Angeles surged in...

Summer at Crossroads: Students Create, Grow and Learn Over the Summer

May 4, 2025

May 4, 2025

A catalog of programs and classes has opened for Summer at Crossroads, an immersive experience for students to continue to...

‘Missing Puzzle Piece’: Santa Monica Fire Department Partners with Wise & Healthy Aging

May 4, 2025

May 4, 2025

Support Services Lead to Reduction in Frequent Emergency Calls A collaborative effort between the Santa Monica Fire Department and Wise&Healthy...

Jessica Alba’s “Dream Home” Hits the Market for $19M Amid Split from Cash Warren

May 4, 2025

May 4, 2025

After 16 Years, the Couple Parts Ways and Prepares to Sell Their Family Estate. Actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba and...

Golfers Stunned as Plane Lands at Golf Course Instead of Santa Monica Airport

May 4, 2025

May 4, 2025

No injuries reported after unexpected landing in Pacific Palisades On Friday, a Cessna 172  that was unable to complete its...

LADWP Hosts Women’s Career and Wellness Expo to Highlight Utility Jobs

May 4, 2025

May 4, 2025

IBEW Teams Up with LADWP to Advance Gender Equity in Public Utilities The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power...

Film Review: The Accountant 2

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHE ACCOUNTANT 2Rated R124 MinutesReleased April 25th   I’m impressed with The Accountant 2. It’s intelligently written, tightly paced, and...

Driver in Fatal PCH Crash That Killed Four Pepperdine Students Ordered to Stand Trial

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

Man Accused of Driving 104 MPH in Fatal Malibu Crash  Fraser Michael Bohm, 23, was held to answer on four...