Study looks at using the immune system to reduce prostate cancer risk

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Immune therapies have been explored as a way to treat cancer after it develops. But a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that genetic risk of prostate cancer can be reduced by rescuing critical immune system cells.

The study was done in mice and would need further validation and extensive testing in the lab before being available for humans. But the results are promising for people with a strong family history of cancer or known cancer genes.

Typically, vaccines are based on specific antigens and trigger immunity for a specific pathogen. This is more challenging for cancer as the best lymphocytes that generate immunity to cancer are eliminated during development. In this new study, researchers sought to rescue these key lymphocytes – called high affinity cancer-reactive T cells – during their development.

The study appears online the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.


Read More ...

Reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi: 10.1073/pnas.0905707106

Resources:
U-M Cancer AnswerLine, 800-865-1125
U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center