LIBRA announces Leukaemia vaccine

The Lions International Blood Research Appeal (LIBRA) is delighted to announce that a vaccine for leukaemia is about to be tested for the first time. The South East based charity, supported by Lions Clubs, raises funds to equip the research laboratories at King’s College Hospital in London, where experts have developed a treatment that can be used to stop the disease returning after chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.

The study is led by Professors Ghulam Mufti & Farzin Farzaneh. LIBRA has a strong relationship with the Professors and Trustees have supported their work for more than thirty years.

Andrew Lodge, LIBRA Chairman, commented: “This is such a wonderful breakthrough and will give hope to thousands of patients. It’s hoped the drug, which activates the body's own immune system against the leukaemia, could be used to treat other types of cancers. “

Patients will be enrolled in this trial if they have had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. If early trials are successful the vaccine may be tested in patients who cannot have a bone marrow transplant because they are unsuitable or a match cannot be found.