Stanford Cancer Vaccine Update Shows Promise in Mice

Despite many milestones in cancer research and discovery, a cancer cure has eluded scientists and doctors looking to stop this disease from disrupting millions of lives each year. But now, there is renewed hope thanks to a Stanford cancer vaccine update showing inspiring progress through its effectiveness in mice.

Will There Be a Cancer Vaccine?

A cancer vaccine is on the horizon if the brilliant minds at Stanford University have their say. So far, they’ve had plenty of promising results.

The Stanford University School of Medicine is one of the many organizations worldwide working on research for a cancer cure. Now, success is emerging through a possible Stanford cancer vaccine.

In experiments at Stanford, mice with solid tumors were directly injected with small amounts of two immune-stimulating agents. The procedure resulted in the elimination of all traces of cancer, including distant, untreated metastases.

This Stanford cancer vaccine update shows promise that curing cancer in mice may pave the way for success in humans.

Dr. Ronald Levy Stanford Vaccine Study Allows for Human Trials

Stanford cancer vaccine research utilizing mouse models encourages hope in researchers because the results continue to push forward positively. A study by Stanford University researchers Dr. Ronald Levy and Dr. Idit Sagiv-Barfi shows a new way to achieve rapid, inexpensive cancer therapy.

The vaccine eliminated tumors in mice by applying small amounts of specific agents.  The Stanford cancer vaccine eliminated traces of cancer by destroying the tumor and fighting cancer cells.

Of the 90 mice injected, 87 tested negative for cancer. The remaining three mice that tested positive were treated a second time, resulting in further regression of their tumors.

From Dr. Levy: “Our approach uses a one-time application of very small amounts of two agents to stimulate the immune cells only within the tumor itself. In the mice, we saw amazing, bodywide effects, including the elimination of tumors all over the animal.”

The work of both Dr. Levy and Dr. Sagiv-Barfi was successful enough to allow for work with humans. Another Stanford cancer vaccine update should be available soon, as researchers are currently using these procedures to study people with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

This treatment is the next step in curing cancer in humans as well as setting up the potential for Stanford cancer vaccine human trial results to become a reality. Encouraging results from patients receiving the treatment continue to be a monumental development for not only the cancer vaccine at Stanford but healthcare in general.

Stanford Cancer Vaccine Breakthroughs Used in Clinical Trials

Working from the results of Dr. Levy and Dr. Sagiv-Barfi, an ongoing clinical trial is testing patients with lymphoma using a method that reactivates cancer-specific T cells by injecting small amounts of two agents directly into the tumor.

CpG oligonucleotides, short DNA segments, are the first agent. These work with other nearby immune cells by amplifying the expression of OX40, an activating receptor, on the surface of T cells.

An antibody that binds to OX40 is the second agent. This antibody activates the T cells, improving the ability to fight the cells affected by cancer.

As both agents are injected directly into the cancerous tumor, this method allows only the T cells to be activated in the subject’s body. Thus, the T cells can decipher between proteins,  recognizing and attacking only cancerous proteins.

Nearly all 29 lymphoma patients saw their tumors shrink. Additionally, there was a reduction in tumor volume in almost all cases.

In addition to the cancer vaccine study by Dr. Levy and Dr. Sagiv-Barfi, senior research assistant and lab manager Debra Czerwinski; professor of medicine Dr. Shoshana Levy; postdoctoral scholar Dr. Israt Alam;  professor of radiology Dr. Sanjiv Gambhir; and graduate student Aaron Mayer all co-wrote a study on the elimination of tumors in mice.

New Stanford Cancer Vaccine Update Builds on Previous Research

An inspiring new update involving the Stanford cancer vaccine study has led researchers to even more success in the fight against cancer.

Using the data from Dr. Ronald Levy’s Stanford vaccine study, researchers can better understand a viable solution using synthetic immunotherapy to target cancer.

Another Stanford cancer research breakthrough study shows promise for a cure through the destruction of tumors in mice with aggressive cancers through synthetic immunotherapy. Building on Dr. Ronald Levy’s Stanford cancer vaccine research, the procedure works by using a synthetic molecule that can target tumors.

Once in the bloodstream of lab mice, the molecule promoted immune activation and assisted in tumor regression.

From Dr. Jennifer Cochran, Shriram Center Chair of the Stanford Department of Bioengineering: “We essentially cured some animals with just a few injections. It was pretty astonishing. When we looked within the tumors, we saw they went from a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment to one full of activated B and T cells…similar to what happens when the immune-stimulating molecule is injected directly into the tumor…So, we’re achieving intra-tumoral injection results but with an IV delivery.”

Three doses of the new immunotherapy helped increase the lifespans of six of nine lab mice afflicted with aggressive, triple-negative breast cancer. Of the six survivors, half were cured of cancer during the study, which took place over several months.

Five of the ten mice were completely regressed after a single dose of the molecule, with the synthetic molecule achieving similar results in those suffering from pancreatic cancer.

How To Try the Stanford Cancer Vaccine

If you are interested in trying the Stanford cancer vaccine or any other treatment, you must sign up for a trial, as studies are still ongoing. The Stanford-LPCH Vaccine Program is a great place to start as it lists all current clinical vaccine trials in need of participants.

Social media channels like Facebook or Twitter can also be productive ways to stay informed on any Stanford University cancer vaccine updates.

Unfortunately, at the time of this writing and considering the latest cancer vaccine update from Stanford, it would appear that no trials involving cancer vaccines are yet available. But that doesn’t mean they won’t become available in the future. Your best bet is to visit the website often and contact the University if you fit their criteria should something become available.

The Stanford cancer vaccine update is encouraging in reimagining cancer survival. These types of advancements can save lives and revolutionize healthcare through longer life expectancies, reduced medical costs, and better quality of life.