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Captain Bob's HSP 70 Trial Adventure
As narrated by his mate, Kelly
Now the Vaccines
Rob returned six weeks later for his first vaccine on January 3, 2003. Again, the weather was cold and snowy. After having his blood pressure, pulse and temperature taken, he received the injection. There was an observation period for 30 minutes after the injection to make sure there were no immediate, adverse reactions. Rob returned to Homewood Suites feeling quite cheerful. He did notice a couple of hours later that the arm in which the vaccine was injected began to itch.
Unfortunately, Rob had picked up a virus in the airport and some congestion started to set in the next day (Saturday). By Sunday, he was feeling pretty bad and starting to cough. He was staying in Connecticut until the following vaccine on Friday, January 10, 2003 so the rest of the week was pretty lonely as he battled a cold in his hotel room with heavy snow weather outside. It was hard to tell whether he had any side effects from the vaccine as the virus, with terrible congestion and cough, seemed to be gaining momentum. He met with Elizabeth who carefully documented every symptom. He then received the second vaccine and, again, noticed an itching in the injected arm a couple of hours after receiving the injection. He was not feeling his best when he returned to San Diego the next day!
After five days at home, it was back to Connecticut for his third vaccine. The virus symptoms still persisted and Rob had decided to fly back and forth for each vaccine, rather than stay at Homewood Suites for the week in between. It is a very nice hotel, but there is not much to do there as it is rather isolated in a rural part of Connecticut and the weather was not cooperating for any outdoor activities. So we decided it was worth the extra money to travel more often. He alleviated some of my anxieties about the airport germs by agreeing to wear a mask while in the air. The third vaccine came off with the usual pattern, a bit of itching in the injected arm, but no other immediate side effects. This time, he flew home the following day. Exactly three days after the third vaccine, Rob woke up feeing extremely lightheaded and weak, almost flu-like. But the worst of it passed within 24 hours.
The fourth vaccine took place without a hitch. This time, he did not experience any itching in the injected arm, but did have the lightheadedness and weakness approximately three days after the vaccine. Again, Elizabeth carefully documented all these symptoms. That evening, the three current HSP70 trial participants, along with several CML comrades who lived in Connecticut or nearby, met for pizza at Homewood Suites. Two of the Connecticut friends were previous HSP70 trial participants. The group talked for hours, sharing their histories, treatment horror stories and triumphs, hopes and fears.
Before Rob's fifth vaccine the following week, Dr. Li conducted a bone marrow biopsy to conduct conventional cytogenetic analysis, FISH and PCR. He also prescribed Augmentin, an antibiotic, for Rob since he had developed bronchitis and a sinus infection secondary to the virus. Rob then received his fifth vaccine. Again, no itching in the arm, but mild symptoms three days after the vaccine.
I flew back to Connecticut with Rob for his six-week visit. I was hoping the BMB/BMA cytogenetic analysis and FISH results would be ready and I wanted to meet Dr. Li and Elizabeth, who had been so patient about answering questions and reassuring any concerns we had. I was impressed with how smoothly the transportation to the hotel worked and how comfortable the hotel was. We had made arrangements to meet with HSP70 Patient H for breakfast. He was to receive his last vaccine that day and we discussed the results of the trial so far. None of us knew the results of three of the first five patients. Of the remaining two (Patient D and Patient E), both obtained molecular remission during the trial. Patient D entered the trial on 400 mg of Gleevec at 8% Ph+, and Patient E entered the trial on 400 mg of Gleevec at 18% Ph+. The sixth patient, Patient F, chose not to complete the trial. She had received six vaccines, but her counts were escalating and her midpoint BMB cytogenetics showed an increase in her Ph+ count. She opted for a matched, unrelated donor transplant and we are all hoping and praying for her full recovery. The seventh patient, Patient G,
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