Share

Breast cancer vaccine possible

A study in mice suggests that a preventive breast cancer vaccine might be possible in humans, scientists say.

Women may begin taking part in the next stage of research as soon as next year, they added.

"We believe that this vaccine will someday be used to prevent breast cancer in adult women in the same way that vaccines have prevented many childhood diseases," said principal investigator Vincent Tuohy, an immunologist in Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute. "If it works in humans the way it works in mice, this will be monumental. We could eliminate breast cancer."

The study authors gave vaccinations to mice that were genetically engineered to be susceptible to cancer. The mice that were vaccinated with an anti-cancer antigen didn't develop tumours, but all the others did.

Researchers say the vaccine would be targeted at women over the age of 40, because it disrupts breastfeeding and older women are less likely to become pregnant. Older women are also more likely to develop breast cancer. - (HealthDay News, May 2010)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE