Roswell Park Cancer Institute is launching a clinical trial to evaluate a cancer vaccine designed to eradicate cancer cells and prevent relapse of disease.
The experimental dendritic cell vaccine, which was developed at Roswell Park, will be manufactured at the cancer center in a custom-made unit that can maintain control of temperature and gases, officials were to announce today.
The immune system protects the body against harmful invaders, such as viruses. Dendritic cells, acting somewhat like messengers, play a key role in this defense mechanism.
Dendritic cells are removed from a patient and stimulated with a specialized protein. The treated cells are then given back to the patient as a vaccine designed to recruit killer immune cells that seek and destroy cancer, Dr. Kunle Odunsi, director of Roswel Park’s Center for Immunotherapy and principal investigator, said in a statement.
The new study will test the vaccine in combination with rapamycin, a compound used to prevent rejection of organ transplants. Research at the cancer center indicates that rapamycin prevents the immune system from using up its cancer-killing T-cells in a quick burst.
The study is expected to enroll about 20 patients. The vaccine is being considered for a host of cancers, including ovarian, bladder, brain and breast.
In theory it may work but with all new science discoveries there’s always unintended consequences. These “specialized” dendritic cells needs to be able to identify cancer cells and present cancer cells as foreign-invaders to t-cells in order to activate the immune system. From this mechanism, I foresee autoimmune diseases as a serious side effect where the body’s immune system is fighting against its own cells like Type 1 diabetes or a host of other diseases besides “curing” cancer.
Sounds promising…too late for many of my loved ones unfortunately but more and more people are getting it these days. Hearing stuff like this keeps me doing the Ride for Roswell though, definitely encouraging to have a place making potential breakthroughs like this in our own backyard.
This is great news and seems like they should get any funding needed. Has anyone ever figured why so many people in WNY get cancer? Roswell is in the perfect place for a cure.
On the radio yesterday they were talking about Buffalo Bills funding vs. Roswell funding. It kind of put football in perspective.
I believe the CEO of Roswell sad something to the affect of “We would love to be forced out of business because cancer no longer existed.”
To all the people fighting cancer and even a fellow speeder, Stay strong and pray which I’m sure you already are.
My Dad had prostate cancer last year and roswell did an amazing job and was VERY happy with them.
Niagara county, Highest cancer rates in the good ole US of A! Something to be proud of for sure!
