Testing the SurVaxM Vaccine for Lung Cancer Prevention

This phase II trial tests how well a survivin peptide vaccine called SurVaxM works in preventing lung cancer in high risk patients. Upon administration, the SurVaxM vaccine activates the immune system to produce an immune cell response against cancer cells that express a protein called survivin. This may result in decreased tumor cell proliferation and lead to tumor cell death. SurVaxM is given with montanide, a substance that helps the immune system respond to the SurVaxM vaccine, followed by sargramostim, which is given to increase the number of white blood cells in the body. The SurVaxM vaccine may help the body make special proteins called antibodies, which may be helpful in preventing the development of lung cancer.