Use immunity to reduce prostate cancer risk

Research has been carried out on rats, but more testing and extensive testing is needed in the laboratory before being applied on the human body. However, the research results are very promising for families with a history of cancer or those who carry the genetic gene for cancer.

Usually the preventive vaccine is produced based on certain antigens or immunity to a certain pathogen. This is a challenge for cancer because the strongest lymphocytes that work to create immunity to cancer will be eliminated during development. In this study, researchers sought to maintain these lymphocytes during development.

This study was published in the online newspaper Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

First, the researchers showed that lymphocytes associated with prostate cancer were removed because a gene called lymphotoxin alpha. When mice lack lymphotoxin, lymphocytes will return to function.

Later, the researchers injected a protein containing lymphotoxin into cancer-infected mice. Untreated mice, cancer will develop and by the time the mice are about 6 months old, half of them will have metastatic cancer and spread to other parts of the body.

Scientists are using immunity to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. (Photo: Ehow)

"It seems that protected lymphocytes will prevent the formation of tumors ," said Pan Zheng, associate professor of UM medical surgery and pathology . This approach may not be able to prevent cancer, but it may prevent the process and inhibit the development and spread of the disease. "

Research is underway in mice with prostate cancer, this approach offers promise for studying some other types of cancer.

"There are a certain number of people at risk of cancer, and we need stronger strategies to reduce this risk, " Zheng said . This research may be helpful for cancer patients' treatment.

Data on prostate cancer: According to the American Cancer Society's survey, in 2009, 192,280 Americans were diagnosed with the disease, of which 27,360 patients died.

The authors of this study also include: Penghui Zhou, Beth A. McNally, Lizhong Wang, Yang Liu, from UM College; Xiafeng Fang is from the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Ping Yu, Mingzhao Zhu, Yang-Xin Fu from Chicago Medical College.

The sponsors of this research program are the National Institute of Medicine, the Research Program to Prevent Prostate Cancer.