"Extreme survival advantage": German researchers develop "power vaccination" against cancer
Scientists in Hanover have developed a cancer vaccine that resulted in an extremely strong immune response in mouse studies. Colon cancer tumors completely regressed after just two vaccinations.
The body does an impressive job of fighting pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system can also fend off cancer cells. However, this fight can sometimes prove difficult because some tumor cells camouflage themselves and hide.
This is where therapeutic cancer vaccinations come in. Cancer patients receive injections of their own immune cells containing tumor antigens. An injection of the tumor antigen protein is also possible.
A German research team led by Dr. Thomas Wirth and Dr. Dimitrij Ostroumov from the Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) has now addressed this problem – and developed a “power vaccination,” as the press release states.
According to the scientists, just two doses of the vaccine are enough to strengthen the immune system against cancer cells within two weeks. The study was published in the journal Cellular and Molecular Immunology .
"The key lies in the dendritic cells," explains Wirth. These are phagocytes of the innate immune system. They constantly scan the body for pathogens and tumor cells. If they detect foreign structures, they consume them, either completely or partially.
The phagocytes then convert the foreign structures into mini-proteins and present them on their cell surface. The mini-proteins show the T cells of the adaptive immune system how to identify the foreign structures, thus activating targeted immune defense.
To accelerate and increase the efficiency of this process, the researchers used a primary vaccination and a booster. Both injections administered the same antigens, but in different compositions. The researchers also packaged the mini-proteins together with an immune activator in a lipid envelope, which enhanced the immune response.
“During the boost a week later, we also add an antibody, which acts as an additional stimulator to ensure that the T cells directed against the tumor multiply ultra-rapidly,” said Wirth.
The research team eventually tested the vaccination regimen for colon cancer in mice – with great success. "After just two vaccinations, we observed an extremely strong immune response that led to complete tumor regression," said Ostroumov.
Both the rapid production of the vaccines and the early anti-tumor effect would mean “an extreme time and thus also a survival advantage” for cancer patients.
Furthermore, the vaccination schedule is straightforward, as the mini-proteins can be exchanged as needed. This also makes it possible to produce personalized cancer vaccines "that are individually tailored to each patient," Wirth said. Furthermore, the vaccine could also be used to treat bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
However, it will still be some time before the vaccine is actually used in cancer therapy. Clinical trials must first prove the vaccine's efficacy and safety in humans.
- Avoid being overweight
- move every day
- do not smoke
- drink as little alcohol as possible
- avoid carcinogenic substances
- protect against UV radiation
- Vaccinate against cancer (hepatitis B; HPV)
- Use offers for early cancer detection
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