Researchers say study results point to possible cancer ‘vaccine'

CHICAGO - New research published in a Stanford University study shows that a cure for cancer may lie in a new technique that wiped out cancer in lab mice using their own immune systems.

In the Stanford University study [https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/01/cancer-vaccine-eliminates-tumors-in-mice.html], researchers injected immune-boosting agents directly into tumors in mice. The therapy not only wiped out the tumors, it also eliminated all traces of cancer in the animals.

Dr. Timothy Kuzel is an oncologist assisting on medical trials for human cancer patients using a similar immunotherapy technique technique that works to boost the immune system. He says that because these new techniques boost the immune system rather than attacking the cancer directly, there are far fewer side effects than those associated with treatments like chemotherapy.

"These drugs are designed not to attack the cancer at all, but they're actually there to stimulate the patient's own immune system," Dr. Kuzel told FOX 32.

Current immunotherapies fight best against melanoma and kidney cancer, but Dr. Kuzel thinks the prognosis for all cancer patients is better than it has ever been, and that immunotherapy treatments could be developed for all cancers.

"Survivability is much better today than it was, certainly 10 years ago," added Dr. Kuzel.