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By FIONA HUDSON, medical reporter
15nov01
MELBOURNE scientists have developed a breakthrough vaccination method, which wipes out tumours in cancer-ridden mice.
The method can also be used to ward off malaria, and shows potential for knocking out pneumonia, gastroenteritis and flu.
The respected researcher behind the technique, called DCtag, yesterday described it as one of the best ways of immunising ever seen.
Unveiling the technique, Austin Research Institute director Ian McKenzie said results of animal tests were very promising.
"I think it could be terrific," he said.
The Austin Research Institute has joined forces with Melbourne biotechnology firm Prima Biomed to develop the technique for humans.
Details of the discovery only emerged because the company had to give a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange.
Full research results are expected to be published in a major scientific journal soon.
The vaccine is unique because the strong immune response it provokes appears to help prevent disease as well as treat it.
Professor McKenzie said a cancer version of the vaccine had been tested on mice with very large tumors growing in them.
A single dose of the vaccine caused massive amounts of killer immune cells to eradicate the tumors.
The scientists also injected healthy mice and then tried to give them cancer, but the vaccine prevented it growing.
Mice injected with a single dose of a malaria version of the vaccine survived normally lethal doses of the parasite.
The technique works by attaching cancer, malaria or other disease protein to a DCtag carrier.
This carrier is injected into the body and makes its way to special immune cells, called dendritic cells. These cells process the material and activate other killer cells or antibodies to seek out and destroy the problem bacteria or virus.
Professor McKenzie said human trials of the method could begin late next year, but researchers must first prove it wasn't toxic to humans.
"It works well in mice, which is a green light to go further," he said.
"But there is a way to go yet."
Asked to rate the vaccine out of 10 for importance, Professor McKenzie said: "It's up there near to a 10. It's very promising."
The vaccine was very simple and easy to produce, he said. It could have applications for breast, prostate and colon cancer as well as an array of other conditions, he said.
