Antigenics cancer vaccine misses study goal

CHICAGO – Antigenics Inc. Monday said a late-stage human trial of its investigational vaccine for melanoma showed a “potential survival benefit” but did not reach its primary goal of proving the vaccine could beat a standard treatment.

The study of 322 patients found that patients fared similarly on its drug, Oncophage, as on a standard treatment.

Patients getting at least 10 doses of the drug showed a trend toward survival, the company said.

The drug is being testing to treat metastatic melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Results were discussed at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Atlanta, Ga.