Cancer vaccine finds success in second-round trials
Combining a cancer vaccine with “ helper ” molecules may boost its effectiveness
Avaccine that prevents the recurrence of melanoma is about twice as effective when patients also receive two components that boost immune system cells , according to phase 2 clinical trial results published in Nature Cancer in November .
The results are important because most cancer vaccine trials have failed to show clinical efficacy . They show that adding the immuneboosting components can heighten the immune response for not only melanoma patients but possibly also for others whose cancers express a protein called the vaccine antigen , which is common in some cancers .
When added to the vaccine , the small molecule Flt3L boosted its effectiveness at producing antibodies and T-cells that can later fight melanoma , while a second component , poly-ICLC , also strengthened the body ’ s ability to promote antibodies as well as helper and killer T-cells .
“ This is the first randomised clinical trial to show that an immune response to a cancer vaccine can be potentiated by the addition of Flt3L ,” said Dr Nina Bhardwaj from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York , who led the research .
“ The response was achieved because Flt3L mobilised dendritic cells , which are the gold standard in promoting cancer immunity , and improved the overall immunogenicity of the vaccine . This may change the approach of increasing efficacy in other cancer vaccines in the future ,” she said while revealing the findings .
The research provides a basis for adding immunotherapies called checkpoint inhibitors , which have been successful in treating metastatic melanoma , to vaccines in order to prevent the recurrence of melanoma .
Researchers also plan to follow trial participants over time and measure how many have cancer recurrence .
Current lung cancer screening method found to have drawbacks
Risk of false positives could lead to unnecessary surgery after low-dose CT scan
L
ung cancer screening can save lives but can also harm patients , a comprehensive review of hundreds of academic publications has revealed .
Nearly a decade ago , a 10-year study showed that low-dose spiral computed tomography ( LDCT ) could detect lung cancer better than conventional x-rays in current or previous heavy smokers .
The study led health authorities around the world to recommend low-dose screening for potential lung cancer patients .
Based on the new review , however , researchers are now questioning whether the current guidance is still valid .
“ People considering screening should know that a relatively small number of people who are screened benefit , and that screening can also lead to real harms ,” said Dr Daniel Reuland , a professor at the University of North Carolina and author of the review , while revealing the findings .
In CT screening , doctors look for lung spots or nodules that might represent early lung cancer . Harms from screening can come from the fact that the large majority of the nodules found are not cancerous , leading to false positives . In some cases , these false positives lead to unnecessary surgery and procedures .
“ Applying screening tests to a population without symptoms of disease can certainly benefit some people but also has the potential for some harms ,” added lead author Dr Daniel Jonas .
“ In the case of lung cancer screening , we now have more certainty that some individuals will benefit , with some lung cancer deaths prevented , and we also know others will be harmed ,” he said .
The researchers , however , do not foresee screening recommendations changing over the next decade .
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com APRIL 2021
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