A Los Angeles-based biotechnology company, ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (IMUC) ^[1], has developed a vaccine against glioblastoma (brain cancer) stem cells. This vaccine targets a specific "tag" that is found on the surface of glioblastoma, multiple myeloma ^[2], and several other types of cancer stem cells (CSCs), making multiple myeloma a potential target for the vaccine.

CSCs continually renew themselves and have the ability to give rise to all cell types found in a particular cancer, causing tumors to rapidly spread and grow. CSCs are thought to persist in tumors by resistance to chemotherapy. Targeting CSCs with a vaccine may destroy the cells at their source, while remaining non-toxic to the patient.

IMUC's stem cell vaccine is designed to stimulate the body's immune system to attack specific CSCs. Subject to FDA approval, IMUC will test the safety of their vaccine in a Phase 1 clinical trial. This trial is scheduled to start in the second quarter of next year.

IMUC presented these findings at the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer Conference ^[3] in San Diego.