Immune cells attack cancer cells. Researchers hope that a new mRNA-based cancer vaccine could one day be used to treat the disease. (Photo: STEVE GSHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)
An animal study has shown that a universal cancer vaccine under development could help boost the immune system's ability to fight tumors and improve the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments.
Like vaccines against viral infections such as the flu, many cancer vaccines are designed to help the immune system recognize certain proteins. However, while traditional vaccines are designed to prevent disease, cancer vaccines are now being developed that kill existing cancer cells and help prevent previously treated tumors from coming back.
At the same time, traditional vaccines and cancer vaccines often work in similar ways. The flu shot trains the immune system to recognize unique proteins on the surface of flu viruses, while cancer vaccines typically train immune cells to identify unique characteristics of cancer cells.
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Sourse: www.livescience.com
