The Roswell Park Cancer Institute, in Buffalo city, New York has developed a vaccine that is showing much effect when used for treating ovarian cancer in preliminary trial. The vaccine enhances the body’s immune response to cancer; claim US scientists. Though the vaccine trials have shown promise, it is too early to conclude anything right now. This vaccine was tested on women having epithelial ovarian cancer, which originates in the covering of the ovaries.
It is estimated that more than 70% patients die from recurrence of ovarian cancer within five years of diagnosis. The Cancer Research UK welcomed the study as it showed encouraging results but has also emphasized on the fact that further trials were needed before they could arrive at a standpoint. This vaccine essentially contains an ovarian cancer protein fragment that is coupled with a molecule to encourage immune response. It does not affect healthy cells, instead affects a protein, which is produced in a high proportion of ovarian cancer cells.
This vaccine generates more production of anti-bodies and mobilizes special T cells that affect cancer cells, which produce the key protein. The vaccine had a long lasting effect, as the researchers were able to detect vaccine induced immune cells in the patients even after 12 months of immunization. This has led the researchers to conclude that the immune system has the capacity to recognize and destroy ovarian cancer cells.
