Implantable Cancer Vaccine

A device to prevent cancer has been developed and can actually be implanted into the body, anywhere under the skin of the patient. These polymer disks have an 8.5 mm diameter and are packed with “tumor specific antigens.” These disks are able to “reprogram” the immune system into attacking cancerous tumor cells. The device does this by releasing cytokines, which then recruit dendritic cells (immune-system messengers). These dendritic cells then go into the implant and become exposed to the tumor specific antigens discussed previously. After exposure, the dendritic cells “report” to the lymph nodes, where they tell the T cells of the immune system to seek and destroy the tumor cells. This fingernail-size device has eliminated melanoma tumors in mice a recent study has shown.

This is a fascinating new development in the field of cancer treatment. I am particularly interested in this topic because my aunt had a cancerous tumor diagnosed and treated some years ago. This treatment is much less invasive than they chemotherapy/ surgery alternative, and does not damage healthy cells at all as it only targets tumor cells.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20091125/hl_hsn/implantablecancervaccineshowspromise

Charlcie Northrop
VTPP 434-502