Live data from Hacker News

Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

med.stanford.edu

11–20 of 188 posts

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#11

This sounds groundbreaking. Could someone with a medical background explain what this might mean?

We have cured cancer in mice many times. The trick is getting it formulated for humans in ways that are similarly effective and non-lethal. Put another way, signs of efficacy in mice is necessary, but not sufficient, of a human-applicable treatment.

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#12

We see similar effects when we irradiate tumors with X-rays, called 'abscopal effect'. Sometimes, when you irradiate a tumor, the unirradiated metastases also shrink. It is hypothesized that the immune response is triggered by the irradiation, and there are currently studies being done that try to stimulate the immune system even more. What I wonder is why this is being discovered only now.

Have you ever seen footage of a white blood cell taking apart a cancer cell? This is worlds closer to unlocking that power than hoping a stray radioactive particle bumps the right lever. Perhaps the need for two separate medicines/agents to make this special cocktail and trigger the perfect immune response has been the elusive part?

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#13

We see similar effects when we irradiate tumors with X-rays, called 'abscopal effect'. Sometimes, when you irradiate a tumor, the unirradiated metastases also shrink. It is hypothesized that the immune response is triggered by the irradiation, and there are currently studies being done that try to stimulate the immune system even more. What I wonder is why this is being discovered only now.

Yes but can it be done with minimal side effect?

Curing cancer with a bullet works too but the host suffers some adverse side effects.

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#14

Forgive me if this sounds ignorant, but would it not be considered a 'treatment' instead of a 'vaccine' if this is a treatment to the pre-existing condition?

It is indeed a cancer treatment that needs a tumor to work. The authors call their technique "in situ vaccination" because it stimulates antibodies against that specific cancer, which can work throughout the body to destroy metastases.

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#16
post #14

Forgive me if this sounds ignorant, but would it not be considered a 'treatment' instead of a 'vaccine' if this is a treatment to the pre-existing condition?

It is indeed a cancer treatment that needs a tumor to work. The authors call their technique "in situ vaccination" because it stimulates antibodies against that specific cancer, which can work throughout the body to destroy metastases.

Cool, thanks for your reply (and those replies below also). I briefly skimmed the article however was sidetracked with work, and admittedly a lot went over my head anyway.

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#17
post #4

Wow, this stops and reverses cancer in progress (in mice). It's not just a preventative measure to eliminate the potential of possible cancers from emerging. The cancers the mice already have goes away.

If I'm understanding the article correctly, it actually can't be used as a strictly preventative measure. It relies on the fact that the subject already has a tumor and that the subject's immune system has made progress in targetting the tumor.

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#18
post #13

We see similar effects when we irradiate tumors with X-rays, called 'abscopal effect'. Sometimes, when you irradiate a tumor, the unirradiated metastases also shrink. It is hypothesized that the immune response is triggered by the irradiation, and there are currently studies being done that try to stimulate the immune system even more. What I wonder is why this is being discovered only now.

Yes but can it be done with minimal side effect? Curing cancer with a bullet works too but the host suffers some adverse side effects.

I'd be careful calling the immune approach easy. Triggering a systemic immune response can also kill you very quickly.

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#19
post #13

We see similar effects when we irradiate tumors with X-rays, called 'abscopal effect'. Sometimes, when you irradiate a tumor, the unirradiated metastases also shrink. It is hypothesized that the immune response is triggered by the irradiation, and there are currently studies being done that try to stimulate the immune system even more. What I wonder is why this is being discovered only now.

Yes but can it be done with minimal side effect? Curing cancer with a bullet works too but the host suffers some adverse side effects.

Yes, radiosurgery can be done with low risk of side effects.

Re: Cancer ‘vaccine’ eliminates tumors in mice

#20
post #11

This sounds groundbreaking. Could someone with a medical background explain what this might mean?

We have cured cancer in mice many times. The trick is getting it formulated for humans in ways that are similarly effective and non-lethal. Put another way, signs of efficacy in mice is necessary, but not sufficient, of a human-applicable treatment.

[deleted]
Post reply on HN