« Halloween/Halloweden | Home | Halloween »
When is Your “Not Too Distant Future?”
By Margot | October 31, 2008
I know that I am being a scary complainy and bitter person and I promise to stop but I just thought I’d post the following Google alert I received today:
Researchers develop novel anti-tumour vaccine Science Centric | 30 October 2008 14:12 GMT
A novel anti-tumour vaccine for neuroblastoma and melanoma developed by scientists and clinicians at Children’s National Medical Centre in collaboration with investigators from the University of Iowa is showing significant impact on tumour growth in mice, according to new research published in the October edition of the research journal Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy. The vaccine uses the tumour’s own protein to induce an immune system response, allowing for a personalised approach to treatment.
The vaccine and delivery system, developed in the laboratory of Children’s National Chief of General and Thoracic Surgery Anthony Sandler, MD, involves the creation of synthetic microparticles known as ‘immune stimulatory antigen loaded particles’ (ISAPs), that consist of tumour antigens (proteins) from the specific tumour to be targeted, as well as immune stimulatory agents. The ISAPs are detected and engulfed by specialised immune cells and sensed to be immune-stimulating ‘foreign bodies.’
The study shows that ISAPs are effective at blocking the growth of tumours in mice by inducing activation of immune cells that then stimulate the immune system to specifically target the tumour whose antigens match those that are loaded in the particles – known as tumour specific immunity.
The research team also discovered, however, that the impact of ISAPs on tumour growth was partially mitigated by an increased presence of regulatory t-cells (T-reg) when ISAPs are introduced into the body. The researchers believe that T-regs play a key role in how the vaccine impacts tumour growth by suppressing the development of the specific immune cells needed to combat the tumour. By adding a T-reg suppressor such as cyclosphosphamide or anti-CD25 antibody, the scientists were able to have a greater impact on preventing tumour growth using the ISAP approach.
‘For tumours like neuroblastoma, reduction to minimal residual disease with standard therapies like chemotherapy and/or surgical resection and subsequent treatment with this vaccine could quite possibly cure the patient of the disease in the not too distant future,’ said Dr Sandler, lead author of the study. ‘Creation of ISAPs allows us to target our treatments to the specific tumour of interest, a capability that will more effectively combat a wide range of these tumours in a personalised fashion.’
So my “not too distant future” is in two hours when I go to the elementary school and help two very excited boys into their Halloween costumes. I’m guessing though, that is not the kind of “not so distant future” they are talking about in this article.   I do know the realities of research and all and I really am not anti-research people. I just want it to go faster, I feel like we are in race and if, God forbid, we are ever in the position where we “just missed it” I think I will go crazy.
I’ll have Halloween pics up later this weekend. The boys are as cute as can be. We carved our pumpkins last night and are very geared up for trick or treating. Sam and Andy have been practising with Charlie so he knows what to say. Ok I’ll stop being bitter lady and enjoy our Halloween. Sam is feeling great, you should have seen him in soccer practice yesterday, he scored two goals and had fire in his eyes.
Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 4 Comments »
November 1st, 2008 at 1:21 am
Sam’s fire in his eyes comes from his daddy, Neil who will like Einstein, collapse time and space in his quest for saving Sam and all warriors like him…
Neuroblastoma has met its match…
Wish I was there to see Andy dumping his bag of goodies…
Keep the chin up and the boys positive..
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Not sure which side of the moon the “not so distant future” belongs on. I can see it belonging to both, and when I see it on the side of the moon we can see I’m pretty sure that it’s the reason the moon shines so bright! Keep the faith, Margot, and enjoy today! Good thoughts, good thoughts, good thoughts!!!
love,
Mere
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I share your pain and worries. I know I can’t help but often wonder where is the sense of urgency when it comes to these life and death matters? It’s hard not to be bitter and upset about such statements of progress when your child is potentially dying from cancer and needs viable treatments now. Especially when the current treatments are so detrimental to health in their own right. I mean, after all, how long has the medical community been researching cancer treatments anyway? Keep giving Sam those vitamins!
Doug
November 16th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
in the fight for more awareness of childhood cancers
http://www.curechildhoodcancer.ning.com
or sign our petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/curechildhoodcancer
Thanks!
Kathi