New Cancer Vaccine Could Destroy Deadly Tumors
A British woman has reportedly become one of the first patients to receive a vaccine developed to resist cancer growth. The new vaccine reportedly trains the immune system to attack tumors where they grow throughout the body.
Kelly Potter, the patient, is one of the first of about 30 people receiving a trial cancer vaccine after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in July 2015, reports Independent.
The vaccine works by training the immune system to attack the part of cancer cells that allow them to replicate. The vaccine will be supplemented with lower doses of chemotherapy to allow the body to attack its own cancer cells.
“Although I had excellent treatment at Guy’s [and St. Thomas NHS Foundation Hospital] where the cancer was stabilized, it had already spread to spots on my liver and lungs. So when I was told that I may be eligible for this trial, I was delighted,” said Potter.
Potter began the trial vaccine on Feb. 9.
“To be part of this trial has changed my life for the better. It’s been a very positive experience and really interesting. I feel honored to be involved. You get the best treatment anyway at Guy’s but it’s fantastic to be part of something that could be groundbreaking.”
Researchers working on the vaccine said that it injects an antigen into blood cells that directs the immune system to attack cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells alone.
“We know that the immune system in patients with advanced cancer is suppressed, so it’s unable to recognize and kill cancer cells,” said Hardev Pandah, a researcher at the University of Surrey.
The new system of immunotherapy is becoming more mainstream in the push to develop a cure for cancer, reports the Belfast Telegraph. Researchers in the U.S. announced their optimism in February about results of the technique used to treat patients with blood cancers.
Source: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/new-cancer-vaccine-has-potential-destroy-deadly-tumors
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Vocabulary:
1. Vaccine - noun An antigenic substance prepared from the causative agent of a disease or a synthetic substitute, used to provide immunity against one or several diseases.
2. Trial - noun A test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
3. Replicate - verb (Of genetic material or a living organism) reproduce or give rise to a copy of itself.
4. Supplement - noun A thing added to something else in order to complete or enhance it.
5. Stabilize - verb Make or become unlikely to change, fail, or decline.
6. Antigen - noun A toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
7. Suppress - verb Prevent the development, action, or expression of (a feeling, impulse, idea, etc.) restrain.
8. Mainstream - noun The ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional.
Discussion:
1. What do you know about cancer? Tell me about it.
2. Do you think a cure for cancer will soon be developed?
3. Do you think it is a good idea to test newly developed drugs on patients? Why do you think so?
4. "Prevention is better than cure." - Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?
5. Do you live a healthy lifestyle? How do you keep yourself healthy?
