Antigenics has received Russian regulatory approval for its Oncophage vaccine for kidney cancer patients at intermediate risk for disease recurrence. Oncophage, the first personalized cancer vaccine to be available in any major market, is expected to be launched in Russia in the second half of the year. The company also plans to file for conditional approval of marketing the vaccine in Europe.

Doctors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have shown that children suffering from bilateral Wilms tumor, a kidney cancer, may retain normal function in both kidneys after bilateral nephron-sparing surgery. The procedure may be used to retain normal kidney functioning even if scans have earlier indicated that the tumors are inoperable.