TB jab could help fight cancer
Scientists have found a potential new mechanism to stimulate the body's own ability to fight cancer using Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) – the germ commonly used to inoculate against tuberculosis (TB).
The researchers, Dr Wai Liu and Professor Angus Dalgleish from St George's, University of London, say this new data suggests a mechanism by which vaccines could enhance the anti-cancer activity of currently available therapies.
However, they warn that this is an early-stage study and that there is much more research to be done before patients will benefit.
Read the whole article at ecancermedicalscience
Reference
- Liu, W. M., Fowler, D. W., et al. (2011). Supernatants from lymphocytes stimulated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin can modify the antigenicity of tumours and stimulate allogeneic T-cell responses British Journal of Cancer DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2011.306
Keywords: BCG, cancer vaccine, immunotherapy, cytokines
16. 8. 2011 ecancermedicalscience
