Vb17 peptide vaccine data

Phase I results in 15 patients with moderate to severe RA who were immunized with the Vb17 peptide have been published in the Journal of Rheumatology. Two intramuscular injections were given four weeks apart, and the patients were observed for 48 weeks. A decrease in joint swelling and pain was observed in the open label trial, with no serious adverse events.

Doses tested were 10, 30, 100, and 300 µg. Decreases in activated Vb17 T cells were seen in 3 of 5 patients given 100 µg, and in 3 of 4 patients given 300 µg at two and three weeks after immunization, respectively. Proliferation of lymphocytes in response to the peptide was detected at six weeks or later after the first inoculation in 6 of the 15 patients. Two patients did not complete the study. ...