'Universal' cancer vaccine developed

[n2doc]

By Richard Gray, Science Correspondent8:00AM BST 08 Apr 2012

The therapy, which targets a molecule found in 90 per cent of all cancers, could provide a universal injection that allows patients' immune systems to fight off common cancers including breast and prostate cancer.

Preliminary results from early clinical trials have shown the vaccine can trigger an immune response in patients and reduce levels of disease.

The scientists behind the vaccine now hope to conduct larger trials in patients to prove it can be effective against a range of different cancers.

They believe it could be used to combat small tumours if they are detected early enough or to help prevent the return and spread of disease in patients who have undergone other forms of treatment such as surgery.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9191848/Universal-cancer-vaccine-developed.html

[ZombieHorde]

1. Holy shit. I hope this works out. nt

[xchrom]

2. Du rec. Nt

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Brilliant idea

Find something that's on the surface of most tumors and teach the immune system to attack it.

Let's hope it works!

[skepticscott]

4. Unfortunately, what is described in the article is nowhere near

being a "universal cancer vaccine".

Preliminary results from early clinical trials have shown the vaccine can trigger an immune response in patients and reduce levels of disease.

The scientists behind the vaccine now hope to conduct larger trials in patients to prove it can be effective against a range of different cancers.

They believe it could be used to combat small tumours if they are detected early enough or to help prevent the return and spread of disease in patients who have undergone other forms of treatment such as surgery.

That's a long way from this treatment being proven as generally effective, not to mention safe.

[shawn703]

5. Seems like I hear about "cures for cancer" every once in a while

I never hear about them again though.

Seems like I also heard that there's more money to be made in treating cancer rather than preventing it, so if I put on my tinfoil hat it would seem a vaccine would be something not so profitable for someone to develop.

[MineralMan]

6. Actually, such a vaccine has not been 'developed.'

It is being researched and may turn into something. It could provide a universal injection... Preliminary results show...The scientists behind the vaccine now hope to conduct larger trials...They believe it could be used...

It's important when reading medical stories written for laymen to read closely, and to avoid paying much attention to headlines. This is all very preliminary and is research designed to see if the theory these researchers have pans out. If it does, then a vaccine could be developed and might actually work.

[drm604]

8. Absolutely correct.

But there will be many DUers who will assume this is a universal cure and, when that doesn't happen, will assume that big pharma is suppressing it.

[stlsaxman]

7. We'll never get it here in the states- Big Pharma would NEVER allow it.

WAY too much money to be made on deadly chemo-therapy.

This fucking SUCKS!

... to know that there is the slightest possibility that something like this exists and that it will NEVER be available here.

[spartan61]

9. How I hope this turns into a realty.

Right now I am in Tampa where my husband will be having cancer surgery in the morning at Moffitt Cancer Center. All prayers are gratefully accepted.

[RagAss]

11. Your husband is in my prayers tonight.

[CoffeeCat]

12. Sounds like a movie starring Will Smith...

I don't want to be a rabid, sunlight-sensitive zombie who hunts by night!

[BadgerKid]

13. At least one US company has been working on similar. n/t