Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Published : April 4, 2015 10:19 AM IST
Cancer kills over a lakh Indian every year. According to a study published by the journal Science a new vaccine can go a long way in improving the immune system's response to cancer by using altered forms of proteins from the patient.
'Vaccines against cancer tend to be generalised,' said the study's lead author, Beatriz Carre o. 'This is one of the first personalised vaccines,' the Venezuelan researcher said. 'General vaccines employ normal, non-altered proteins and for that reason the immune response is not very strong.' 'In our vaccine we have used altered proteins from the patient with a tumour and proved that they caused a stronger reaction in T cells, increasing in number and frequency their ability to recognise isolated substances in tumours,' she said.
T-cells detect abnormal substances on the surface of other cells and kill them by producing soluble substances that act on tumours and virus-infected cells.'The use of altered proteins has proved to have an increased capacity to activate the immune system,' Carre o said, based on clinical trials involving three patients. The researchers say this type of vaccine would be more effective for patients with types of cancer with a high immunological and mutational component, such as melanoma and cancer of the lung, bladder and colon. Vaccination is also a key to combat cervical cancer.
'The higher the number of mutations, the more altered proteins we find that can be used to trigger the immune system,' said Carre o, a researcher at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
With inputs from IANS
Image source: Getty Images
For more articles on diseases & conditions, visit our diseases & conditions section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.