Scientists claim discovery of a potential cancer-eradicating inoculation.
Stanford Researchers Develop Vaccine Using Stem Cells to Combat Breast, Lung, and Skin Cancer
In a significant stride towards cancer treatment, researchers at Stanford University have successfully created a vaccine using stem cells that has proven effective in eradicating breast, lung, and skin cancer in mice.
The vaccine was developed using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a type of stem cell generated from adult cells. The concept of converting adult cells into pluripotent stem cells was first introduced over a decade ago by Japanese scientists. These cells have the unique ability to transform into any type of cell the body requires.
The team, led by Joseph C. Wu of the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University, aimed to test the hypothesis that iPSCs could serve as an effective cancer vaccine. Their findings were published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
Using the mice's own cells to create the iPSCs, the researchers vaccinated the rodents. The vaccine targeted multiple tumor antigens simultaneously. This strategy offers an advantage over traditional anti-cancer vaccines, as the vaccine no longer needs to identify a specific antigen for each type of cancer.
Instead, the researchers presented the immune system with a broader range of tumor antigens found in iPSCs. This approach makes their strategy less susceptible to immune evasion by cancer cells. Many of the antigens found on the iPSCs were also found in cancer cells.
When the mice received the iPSCs shot, their immune system reacted to the iPSCs antigens, leading to a stronger immune response against cancer cells. Approximately 70% of the treated mice completely rejected breast cancer cells, while 70% of lung and skin cancer models saw a reduction in tumor size.
Researchers were surprised by the vaccine's efficacy in reactivating the immune system to target cancer. Joseph C. Wu, the study's lead author, said, "This approach may have clinical potential to prevent tumor recurrence or target distant metastases."
In the future, this vaccine could be used to prevent tumor recurrence in patients diagnosed with cancer. Healthy individuals may also benefit from this vaccine in preventing cancer altogether.
Although the direct use of iPSCs as a cancer vaccine for breast, lung, or skin cancer in mice is not yet well-established, the immunogenic properties of iPSCs are being explored for potential cancer vaccination strategies. Other advances in immunotherapy, such as the use of CAR-NK and CAR-T cells, have shown strong preclinical promise for cancer therapy.
- The research team aims to further explore the clinical potential of the stem cell vaccine in preventing tumor recurrence in patients diagnosed with breast, lung, or skin cancer.
- The immunogenic properties of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are being investigated for potential preventative cancer vaccination strategies.
- In addition to the stem cell vaccine, advances in medical-conditions like immunotherapy, such as the use of CAR-NK and CAR-T cells, have shown strong preclinical promise for cancer therapy.
- This preventative vaccine approach could potentially enhance the health-and-wellness of individuals by reducing susceptibility to cancer.
