'Cautious Optimism' Over Cancer Vaccine

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'Cautious Optimism' Over Cancer Vaccine

Vaccine Treats Breast, Cervical Cancers by Revving Up Immune System to Curb

Tumor Growth

By Charlene Laino

WebMD Medical News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

April 14, 2008 (San Diego) -- Vaccines that rev up the immune system to seek out

and destroy tumor cells are showing promise for the treatment of cervical and

breast cancer.

One vaccine significantly cut deaths in women with an aggressive type of breast

cancer. A second vaccine curbed or stopped the growth of tumors in women with

cervical cancer.

Unlike the vaccine that helps prevent cervical cancer in healthy women, these

vaccines are designed to help people who already have cancer.

Tumor cells often grow and spread because the body doesn't recognize them as

foreign. The vaccines aim to re-educate the immune system to recognize cancer

cells as alien invaders that need to be attacked and annihilated.

Both studies were presented here at the annual meeting for the American

Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20080414/cautious-optimism-over-cancer-vaccine?\

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