Cancer Vaccine Trials In Humans Have Started

Even though the study is still in its early stages, this vaccine may require a change in design. on cancer, as well as in its treatment.

Cancer is a disease that presents the most challenges to the scientific community, and has been for decades. However, the cancer vaccine may not be that far away.

A lot of investigations are being carried out on cancer and its consequences. But this news is very promising because an effective treatment has still not been found.

Today very important discoveries have been made. This has increased life expectancy in diagnosed patients.

Recently, a group of British scientists developed a vaccine that seeks to strengthen the immune system. This must have the ability to fight cancerous tumors, even when they are already at an advanced stage.

Clinical trials in humans have already started. The first patients were injected with the drug. The effects will be analyzed over the next two years.

In total, the reactions will be observed in more than 30 cancer patients who will receive the vaccine in the various research centers.

The cancer vaccine, a promising treatment

Clinical trials of the cancer vaccine have started in the UK under the supervision of a group of scientists from King’s College London.

Thus, the VAPER test was carried out in several universities and research institutes in London. A Surrey hospital and investigation center are expected to get in touch with the patients involved to begin the study that same year.

In the next 18 and 24 months, we will know the results of the first two patients who received the vaccine.

The main objective is to establish what are the benefits of this treatment, what are the side effects and what is its impact on the quality of life of patients.

The researchers are waiting for the results to bring them ever closer to an effective cancer therapy that is non-toxic and can be used in clinical practice.

How this vaccine works is very similar to those that protect us against certain infections and diseases.

Its purpose is to activate the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells formed by tumors. 

Development

In general, components of the immune system have the ability to protect us against cancer. In particular by destroying tumor cells.

However, some of them are able to avoid natural defenses. They develop at an advanced stage of the disease. They then prevent the immune response from taking place properly.

It is believed to happen because malignant cells are successful in destroying immune cells. But the production of white blood cells also decreases after the cancer has successfully spread to the bone marrow.

Vaccines contain small doses of antigens. These are substances that cause an immune response: the presence of antibodies specialized in the detection and destruction of harmful agents increases.

The ability to produce these antibodies lasts for a while, which indicates that the immune system will be able to defend itself against the same diseases in the future.

In this way, the new vaccine is made up of small pieces of an enzyme found in cancer cells.

It is known as Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and is responsible for regulating the length of the ends of chromosomes, which protect them and are called telomeres, which allows cells to continuously divide.

Experts believe that it will stimulate the patient’s immune system to increase the production of antibodies that will go to this enzyme, thereby facilitating the destruction of cancer cells.

Conclusion

In order for the process to run smoothly, the vaccine is combined with small doses of chemotherapy. This in order to eliminate some of the tumor cells and to stimulate immune function.

Scientists expect it to be effective for all types of solid tumors. Today, patients diagnosed with terminal cancer are trying this vaccine.

One of them is called Kelly Potter. She’s a 35-year-old woman diagnosed with cervical cancer last summer.

In statements published in various British media, the patient said:

“Being a part of this essay has changed my life. It was a very positive and very interesting experience. I feel privileged. It’s fantastic to be able to be part of a pioneering trial ”.

The results of the first studies are successful. However, the investigation will continue to reach a larger number of patients to confirm its effectiveness.