A prophylactic vaccine for breast cancer?
Cancer vaccines are the Holy Grail for patients and clinicians alike. The possibility that we can be vaccinated against common cancers is very appealing and the socioeconomic consequences are significant. A recent paper from Vincent Tuohy's group, published in the journal Nature Medicine, suggests a new approach for the development of a prophylactic vaccine for breast cancer. Their strategy was to induce mammary gland failure in mice by immunisation with an antibody specific to a milk protein that resulted in autoimmunity during lactation. This also showed some efficacy as a therapeutic vaccine. Can we look forward to the elimination of breast cancer?
Watson
Christine J
CJ
Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK. cjw53@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
Gusterson
Barry A
BA
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000276:immunology*; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D007768:Lactalbumin