(Claim) Universal cancer vaccine on horizon after genetic breakthrough

[nitpicker]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/06/01/universal-cancer-vaccine-on-horizon-after-genetic-breakthrough/

Universal cancer vaccine on horizon after genetic breakthrough

By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor
1 June 2016 • 8:10pm

A universal cancer vaccine is on the horizon after scientists discovered how to rewire immune cells to fight any type of disease. The potential new therapy involves injecting tiny particles of genetic code into the body which travel to the immune cells and teach them to recognise specific cancers.

Although scientists have shown previously that is it is possible to engineer immune cells outside the body so they can spot cancer it is the first time it has happened inside cells. And because the genetic code could be programmed for any cancer, it means the technique could be universal. All doctors would need is the genetic profile of the tumour to make a custom-made vaccine which as well as fighting the disease, would prevent it ever returning

Test in mice showed that the vaccine triggered a strong immune response while trials in three skin cancer patients demonstrated that the treatment could be tolerated.
(snip)

The new technology involves placing a small piece of genetic code in a nanoparticle and giving it a slightly negative charge so it is drawn to dendritic immune cells in the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Once there it orders the creation of a cancer molecule – known as an antigen – which is then used as a biological mugshot so that immune cells know what to look out for. The authors proved that it triggers a strong T-cell response and starts fighting tumours.
(snip)

The research was published in the journal Nature.

[FourScore]

1. I do hope this is true. I have seen so many "cancer cures" here on DU over the years...

never to hear from them again.

I wonder if it also works against brain cancer. One of my closest friends died of brain cancer. I still think of him almost every day.

[Skittles]

2. would love to see that in my lifetime

it is staggering how many people get cancer

[SheilaT]

3. This is extremely preliminary.

"Triggered a strong immune response while trials in three skin cancer patients demonstrated that the treatment could be tolerated." Three patients. One kind of cancer.

Somehow, I have a lot of skepticism that this will pan out. I actually wish research like this wouldn't get published. People misunderstand, and often the results are made to appear vastly better than they are.

It also looks as if a vaccine would have to be made for each and every kind of cancer, and maybe be specific to the individual human. But if you don't already have cancer, it's not clear how you'd engineer a response to something you don't have. It seems that using the phrase "Universal cancer vaccine" is highly misleading.

And, if they can rewire immune cells to fight any kind of disease, then we'd be talking a universal vaccine for everything, which is actually a bit scary if you ask me. Not that anyone is.