 |
|
Head and neck cancer vaccine targets proteins to create immune response
April 18, 2007Most attempts to create therapeutic cancer vaccines are based on custom-made approaches that use a patient's own tumor cells to generate a strong immune response against cancer. However, developing these kinds of personalized vaccines is time-consuming, expensive and often impractical. Using an alternative approach, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) in collaboration with the Gunma University School of Medicine in Japan, have developed a vaccine strategy for head and neck cancer that targets multiple peptides (parts of proteins) to activate the immune system to attack tumors. Their findings, abstract number 5113, will be included in a press briefing on cancer vaccines at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, April 14-18, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The researchers created the vaccine to target a tumor suppressor gene called p53, which is mutated in most cancers and associated with poor clinical outcomes. Previous research has determined that mutated p53 also expresses unaltered, or "wild-type," p53 peptides in tumors. When presented on dendritic cells, these wild-type p53 peptides may induce an immune response to strengthen the body's natural defenses against cancer and decrease the chance of cancer recurrence and the formation of secondary tumors.
"The key to our strategy is to select those p53 peptides that can best activate the immune system and induce it to produce immune cells able to recognize and eliminate the tumor," said Theresa Whiteside, Ph.D., who in collaboration with Albert DeLeo, Ph.D., directed the study. Both investigators are professors of pathology and immunology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "Through animal models and human cells in culture, we have found that this strategy is very effective at stimulating T cells into action," said Dr. Whiteside, who also directs UPCI's Immunologic Monitoring and Cellular Products Laboratory. According to Dr. DeLeo, the vaccine based on these findings also could be relevant to other types of cancer given that the loss of p53 function is a common feature across many cancers.
The vaccine is based on three peptides derived from p53 that target killer T cells and helper T cells. Although killer T cells directly destroy tumor cells, they are assisted by helper T cells that secrete small proteins called cytokines to regulate or "help" the immune response.
Given that the proof of principle for the vaccine has been determined, a phase I clinical trial of the vaccine has begun at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute to assess its safety in head and neck cancer patients.
Head and neck cancer accounts for about 5 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers in the United States. More than two-thirds of head and neck cancer patients have a locally advanced stage when diagnosed and have a poor five-year survival rate even after treatment.
University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
The vaccine is based on three peptides derived from p53 that target killer T cells and helper T cells. Although killer T cells directly destroy tumor cells, they are assisted by helper T cells that secrete small proteins called cytokines to regulate or "help" the immune response.
Given that the proof of principle for the vaccine has been determined, a phase I clinical trial of the vaccine has begun at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute to assess its safety in head and neck cancer patients.
Head and neck cancer accounts for about 5 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers in the United States. More than two-thirds of head and neck cancer patients have a locally advanced stage when diagnosed and have a poor five-year survival rate even after treatment.
University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Immune Response Current Events and Immune Response News RSSMultiple health concerns surface as winter, vitamin D deficiences arrive
A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic."
Exposure to both traffic, indoor pollutants puts some kids at higher risk for asthma later
New research presents strong evidence that the "synergistic" effect of early-life exposure to both outdoor traffic-related pollution and indoor endotoxin causes more harm to developing lungs than one or the other exposure alone.
Common pain relief medication may encourage cancer growth
Although morphine has been the gold-standard treatment for postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two centuries, a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells.
New culprit for viral infections among elderly -- an overactive immune response
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have found that exaggerated responses of the immune system explain why the elderly succumb to viral infections more readily than younger people.
Thoughtful words help couples stay fighting fit
Couples who bring thoughtful words to a fight release lower amounts of stress-related proteins, suggesting that rational communication between partners can ease the impact of marital conflict on the immune system.
Researchers mobilizing global resources to test new treatments for severe H1N1 infection
An important, ground-breaking initiative is unfolding in the global critical care community in response to the H1N1 pandemic.
People with less education could be more susceptible to the flu
People who did not earn a high school diploma could be more likely to get H1N1 and the vaccine might be less effective in them compared to those who earned a diploma, new research shows.
Scientists successfully reprogram blood cells
Researchers have transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice so that their developing red blood cells produce a critical lysosomal enzyme -preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from the often-fatal genetic disorder Hurler's syndrome.
UCI embryonic stem cell therapy restores walking ability in rats with neck injuries
The first human embryonic stem cell treatment approved by the FDA for human testing has been shown to restore limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries - a finding that could expand the clinical trial to include people with cervical damage.
Hundreds of genes distinguish patients likely to survive advanced melanoma
Although the chances of surviving advanced melanoma aren't very good with current therapies, some patients can live for years with cancer that has spread beyond the skin to other organs.
More Immune Response Current Events and Immune Response News Articles
 |
Immune Response and the Eye (Chemical Immunology) by Jerry Y. Niederkorn (Editor), Henry J. Kaplan (Editor) In memory of J. Wayne Streilein, the pioneer in ocular immunology The second edition of Immune >Response and the Eye' highlights recent insights into the >dangerous compromise' between the immune system and the eye, which protects the eye against pathogens while limiting inflammation and immune-mediated injury to ocular tissues with little or no regenerative potential. It discusses the broad spectrum of physiological, immunological, anatomical, and biochemical adaptations that conspire to closely regulate the tone and tenor of immune responses in the eye. This volume further describes immune-mediated diseases that occur when the compromise between the immune system and the eye is breached. This breakdown in immune privilege threatens the vision of millions each year. Finally, recent... |
 |
Source Naturals Aller-Response, Tablets, 90 tablets (Pack of 2) by Source Naturals Dietary supplement. Quercetin, Ginkgo & Synephrine. Aller-Response is a seasonal formula featuring quercetin. Human cell culture studies with quercetin demonstrated its capability to inhibit the release of histamines. Ginkgolide B, in human cell culture s |
|
Understanding Hereditary Angioedema: A Mysterious Out-Of-Control Immune Response Directed By: Information Television Network | |
 |
Understanding Hereditary Angioedema: A Mysterious Out-of-Control Immune Response (Home Use) Part of the award winning public television series Healthy Body/Healthy Mind. Its called Hereditary Angioedema and its so rare popular television shows have used it as one of their mystery diagnoses. But for the people who suffer with this condition the drama associated with an episode of hereditary angioedema is anything but entertaining. It can be harrowing and horrifying because a person's face or knees or other parts of the body that once looked normal suddenly takes on grotesque proportions due to an unusual amount of swelling. This condition baffled scientists and researchers for many years but today there are new treatments for hereditary angioedema that are helping people with this condition live healthy normal lives. In this program we'll hear what the experts have discovered... |
 |
Nutrition and Immune Function (Frontiers in Nutritional Science, No. 1) by P. C. Calder (Editor), C. J. Field (Editor), H. S. Gill (Editor) Univ. of Southampton, UK. First volume in series provides a review of the roles of specific nutrients in maintaining the immune response and host protection against infection. Includes methods for studying function interactions, impact of undernutrition on immune function, antioxidant vitamins, and summaries of each topic. |
 |
Vetri-DMG Tablets for Dogs & Cats (90 Tabs) by vetri science Vetri-DMG Tablets for Dogs & Cats (90 Tabs) (Supports Performance and Immune System Function) Vetri DMG is recommended to help support proper immune response, cardiovascular and skin health, glucose metabolism and proper nerve and brain functions. |
 |
Metabolic Maintenance L-Glutamine 500 mg 100 caps by Metabolic Maintenance L-Glutamine 500 mg 100 caps |
 |
Chlamydia pneumoniae immunology: Innate Immune Responses induced by Chlamydia pneumoniae infection by Vjera Magdalenic (Author) Chlamydiae are common pathogens that cause a number of serious but preventable diseases in both humans and animals. In the recent years, Chlamydia pneumoniae has emerged as a major cause of human respiratory disease and more importantly, it has been linked to the establishment and exacerbation of serious chronic diseases including atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease, multiple sclerosis and reactive arthritis. There has been a lot of research into host responses to chlamydial infections and the development of immunopathology; but considerable gaps in our knowledge remain. The work described here aimed to analyse the early innate immune responses in the lung following C. pneumoniae infections with a view to better understanding host-pathogen interactions and the... |
 |
Bedside Emergencies: Anaphylactic Shock (Volume 3) Also With: Concept Media (Primary Contributor) Describes the body's normal immune response and how it responds physiologically to allergens. Differentiates between anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions, describing signs and symptoms. Describes initial interventions to slow down or prevent reaction from becoming life-threatening, as well as more aggressive therapy for severe, progressive reactions. |
 |
Primer to The Immune Response by Tak W. Mak (Author), Mary Saunders (Author) Primer to The Immune Response is an invaluable resource for college students, university undergraduates and students in medicine and other health professions who need a concise but complete and understandable introduction to immunology. This book is written in the same engaging conversational style as the published reference book The Immune Response: Basic and Clinical Principles and conveys the same fascinating appeal of immunology. The authors bring clarity, readability and continuity of voice to an audience that requires only a brief survey of the most fundamental concepts in basic and clinical immunology. Primer to The Immune Response is beautifully illustrated with over 200 superb figures and 36 full color plates, and further enhanced by the inclusion of 60 tables and 6... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |