[Infowarrior] - Universal cancer vaccine on horizon after genetic breakthrough

[Richard Forno]

(c/o EP)

Universal cancer vaccine on horizon after genetic breakthrough

Sarah Knapton, Science Editor 1 June 2016 • 8:10pm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/06/01/universal-cancer-vaccine-on-horizon-after-genetic-breakthrough/

The team focussed on a class of immune cells call dendritic cells which are constantly on the look-out for foreign invaders in the body. Once a dendritic cell spots a rogue cell like cancer, it captures molecules from the surface and presents it to killer T-cells to instruct it to begin fighting the disease.

However cancer cells look very similar to normal cells and so the immune system often avoids them.

The new technology involves placing a small piece of genetic code in a nanoparticle and giving it a slightly negative charge so it is drawn to dendritic immune cells in the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow.

Once there it orders the creation of a cancer molecule – known as an antigen – which is then used as a biological mugshot so that immune cells know what to look out for.

The authors proved that it triggers a strong T-cell response and starts fighting tumours.

Dr Aine McCarthy, Cancer Research UK’s senior science information officer: “By combining laboratory-based studies with results from an early-phase clinical trial, this research shows that a new type of treatment vaccine could be used to treat patients with melanoma by boosting the effects of their immune systems.

“Because the vaccine was only tested in three patients, larger clinical trials are needed to confirm it works and is safe, while more research will determine if it could be used to treat other types of cancer.

The research was published in the journal Nature. 

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