A new type of cancer vaccine tested in mice appears to overcome some of the major hurdles associated with the treatment approach, according to a paper published today (November 25) in __Science Translational Medicine.__ The technology, which the researchers have already licensed to a biotechnology company, is being developed for clinical trials of melanoma.
Immune cells are attracted by chemicals
released by the polymer matrix
(shown here) to sample the
tumor molecules embedded within.

Image: Edward Doherty, Omar Ali
and MicroVision Labs Inc.
The "reliable and careful" experiments shed light on a "promising approach" for a vaccine-based treatment for cancer, said linkurl:Eli Gilboa;http://biomed.miami.edu/?p=482&pid=206&m=facultyph&mid=1&item=200 a cancer immunologist from the University of Miami, who was not involved in the work. "It's a simple paper," he said, "in a good way." The new technology consists of a small sponge, the diameter of a pencil eraser, embedded with a vaccine and inserted under the...




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