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Clinical trials of an antitumor vaccine have begun
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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The patented vaccine against the cancer Immunicum activates the body's own immune system, contributing to the attack of tumor cells. Scientists for the discovery of dendritic cells and their role in immunological reactions have recently been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine. The effect of the Immunicum vaccine is based on the same type of cells.
However, this vaccine is different from other vaccines against cancer. Traditionally, cancer vaccines based on dendritic cells are made from patient cells. This means that each vaccine is made individually for the patient, and this is an expensive, complex and lengthy process. Moreover, this procedure can cause some inconveniences for a patient who is seriously ill, said the developer of the vaccine Jamal El-Mosleh.
Immunicum vaccine is based on the use of dendritic cells of healthy people, which makes it possible to organize its mass production.
The vaccine was tested in animals to study its therapeutic effect. The results showed that the tumors decreased in weight and volume. Also, studies were conducted to determine the toxicity of the vaccine to study possible side effects, especially with an emphasis on autoimmune diseases. The results of the study showed a good tolerability of the vaccine with minimal manifestations of side effects.
The Agency for Medicines has already approved the first and second phases of a clinical trial of the vaccine, which will be launched in the next few months on 12 patients with metastatic kidney cancer. "The study will last about a year and we will evaluate both the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine," Jamal El-Mosleh said.