A team of international scientists has announced a new direction in the development of prostate cancer vaccines. Nature Medicine reports more than 75% of mice have been cured using a vaccine created from healthy cell DNA.
Scientists say these same principles can be applied to other forms of the disease and have begun research on melanoma. Cancer Research UK states this is a significant development, although trials in humans would need to be made.
These cancer vaccines work by encouraging the immune system to attack tumors present in the body, unlike other vaccines which defend the body against infection. They attack the markers on the diseased, cancerous cells which are known as Antigens.
According to Professor Alan Melcher of the University of Leeds, it is one of the most difficult challenges in immunology and developing suitable Antigens that will attack the tumour but not cause any other harm, is a problem.
The Mayo Clinic, as well as Leeds University Researchers, have used healthy prostate cell DNA and placed this into a virus. Mice were then repetitively infected with the virus. The prostate DNA then made the virus produce Antigens which in turn assisted the immune system to fight the virus, and then attack the cancerous cells of the prostate.
In laboratory conditions the mice were given a number of injections containing the virus and the majority were cured of prostate tumours. No other body parts or healthy prostate tissue was affected in the mice.
Professor Melcher has warned that although this is exciting news, human tests are years away. Some doctors have said that the immune system stimulant drug, Ipilimumab, can increase life span. According to Dr. Kate Holmes, of the Prostate Cancer Charity, this research has given new hope to would be sufferers.
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