May 24 2008
Scope looms high for targeted cancer vaccine
May 24: Researchers are inching closer to develop a targeted vaccine that can effectively kill the cancer creating cells. UK researchers have identified a protein on immune cells that are attached to the immune system and are capable of restricting the tumour. The vaccine will convey the message to the immune system to fight against the invading cancer cells.
The findings of the research are published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. This research will boost the cancer research for developing targeted cancer vaccines in the future. For over three decades scientists are searching for proteins on dendritic cells. According to the research team at London Research institute the vaccines carrying a foreign molecule from a cancer cell could be targeted to the dendritic cells that would encourage the immune system to attack the cancer causing cells. Using the same method HIV or malaria could be treated.
The lead of the study Dr Caetano Reis e Sousa opined that his team had spotted out a particular protein named DNGR-1 that could be used to transfer such vaccine to the dentritic cell. The vaccines will trigger the immune cells known as T cells that are capable of attacking dangerous foreign molecules like those found on pathogens. Dendritic cells are like messengers that hint T cells who to attack.
He further added that, “Vaccines will have a sample of the offending molecule and will transfer to DNGR-1 on the dendritic cells that will offer the molecules to the armies of T cells and instruct them to attack.”
The findings of the research will simplify the cancer treatment as it will help to understand and develop targeted cancer vaccines in the future.
