Healthcast: Vaccines For Lung, Prostate Cancers
G-Vax Stimulates Immune System
POSTED: 9:54 pm EST February 19,
2004
A vaccine is showing promise in suppressing lung cancer, according to researchers at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.The vaccine, called G-Vax, is designed to prompt the body to clear out the cancer."I can't say that we found a cure, but I sure can say that in a small number of people who were sensitive to this approach, the cancer hasn't come back," Dr. John Nemunaitis, a researcher at Baylor, said. "And, in a number of patients, it's been a period of over three years."
When the vaccine is injected, a body's immune cells react. In some patients, the immune cells begin to identify the cancer and help the body remove it like a cold or flu virus.Researchers hope that G-Vax eventually will work on all cancers.Trial Seeks Prostate Cancer PatientsIndiana doctors are recruiting patients in the advanced stages of prostate cancer for a vaccine study.The study, which is being conducted at the Indiana University School of Medicine, is focusing on an experimental vaccine designed to kill cancer cells by stimulating the body's immune system.Doctors also want to see whether the vaccine can stop pain caused when cancer spreads to bones.To learn more about the study, call (317) 630-8913.
Copyright 2004 by TheIndyChannel.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.






