Novel Cancer Vaccine Approach for Brain Tumors

Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University have released a study describing a cutting-edge vaccine being used to treat advanced-stage brain tumors following surgery, which has been shown to target surviving tumor cells. The study, published in the journal Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, details secondary testing of a technique in which a portion of a removed brain tumor is treated with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) and then packed into a diffusion chamber before being implanted into the subject’s abdomen, in order to provide easy access to immune system cells. Researchers discovered that both the collapsing tumor cells and the presence of AS-ODN stimulated the immune system and promoted the development of antibodies, which targeted the remaining tumor cells in the brain. “The immune system has great potential for helping fight cancer. This study helps give us a roadmap for future brain cancer vaccines,” said the senior author. Out of 12 subjects, six showed visible immune response from the procedure. Researchers have speculated that compromised immune systems from chemotherapy may have decreased the effectiveness of the procedure. In order to potentially augment success rates, more research is necessary in order to discover if the procedure can be performed immediately following surgery. To learn more about this study, click here.