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Promising vaccine for advanced melanoma
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Photo: Courtesy BFSH Foundation
Advanced Melanoma, one of the most lethal forms of cancer, now has a vaccine on its coat tails. Researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center say that the Vaccine, known as gp100:209-217 (200M), has shown improved response rates and progression-free survival for patients when combined with the immunotherapy drug, Interleukin-2.
"This vaccine activates the body's cytotoxic T cells to recognize antigens on the surface of the tumor. The T cells then secrete enzymes that poke holes in the tumor cell's membrane, causing it to disintegrate," explained Hwu. T cells (Thymus Cells) are known for controlling immune responses.
Dr. Hwu, a co-investigator on the study, states that, “While more follow up is needed, this study serves as a proof-of-principle for the vaccines' role in Melanoma and in cancer therapy overall. If we can use the body's own defense system to attack tumor cells, we provide a mechanism for ridding the body of cancer without destroying healthy tissue."
The Vaccine so far has proven a significant response rate in patients with advanced Melanoma, (22.1 percent, and progression-free survival, 2.9 months, compared to 9.7 percent and 1.6 months respectively in those that did not). It’s clear that more research is needed, as currently only about ½ of Melanoma patients are eligible for this vaccination due to tissue type and HLA, but with this being the first finding of its kind with undeniable results, it’s clear that we’re well on our way to a life saving medical breakthrough, which is critical considering that Malignant Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers of all time.
In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimated that more than 68,720 people in the U.S. are projected to be diagnosed with melanoma and 8,650 will likely die from the disease, this year alone. The five-year survival rates for those with regional and metastatic disease are approximately 65 percent and 16 percent.
Their next step? To figure out ways to broaden the approach and use mixtures of peptides so that more patients are eligible.
Stay tuned...
*For more information on Melanoma and other skin cancers, visit the Barefoot Sisterhood Foundation at www.barefootsisterhood.com.
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