Army doctor develops breast cancer vaccine

Army doctor develops breast cancer vaccine
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 13, 2012 13:05:59 EST
Kellie Trombitas fought through surgery and two rounds of chemotherapy for 10 long, difficult months before she was declared cancer-free Dec. 21.

But one thought always lingers in her mind.

“I hope it never comes back,” said Trombitas, the wife of Maj. Gen. Simeon Trombitas, commanding general of Army South at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. “That’s always on our minds. Thinking about doing all of this again is sometimes too much.”

Trombitas volunteered to join a worldwide clinical trial — being conducted by her doctor among others — for a breast cancer vaccine that could erase her fears for good. On Jan. 19, she became the first patient in the study, which is still looking for other volunteers.

Developed by Col. (Dr.) George Peoples, chief of surgical oncology at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, NeuVax is a vaccine that targets breast cancer patients who have been treated and are in remission. Its goal is to reduce or eliminate the risk of the cancer recurring.
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