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Scientists
discover how to improve Immune Response to
Cancer
Newswise — A team of scientists at The
Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer
Research (CFIBCR) at Princess Margaret
Hospital and international collaborators
have discovered how to trigger an improved
immune response to cancer that could be
included in new clinical trials that use a
patient’s own cells to destroy tumours.
In the lab study, the scientists combined
interleukin-7 (IL-7) – a key component of
the immune system – with a viral vaccine to
improve the ability of the cells of the
immune system to attack tumours.
The result was clear: The combination
boosted immunity to tumours.
“We are extremely excited because our
research has revealed the unexpected ways
IL-7 works to break down barriers that
naturally block the immune response to
tumours.
"This
is important because current vaccine
approaches for immune therapy induce a
response in just 1% to 3% of patients,” says
Dr. Ohashi, a senior scientist in signaling
biology who holds a Canada Research Chair in
Autoimmunity and Tumour Immunity.
She is also a Professor, University of
Toronto, in the Department of Medical
Biophysics and Immunology. “
Dr. Tak Mak, co-author and CFIBCR director,
says: “The promise of using the body’s own
defenses to fight cancer is enormous.
"The
day is coming when immunotherapy may help
spare cancer patients the toxic side effects
of traditional therapies and greatly improve
their quality of life while treating the
disease.
"This is why we are planning to expand our
immunotherapy research program at PMH.” Dr.
Mak is also a Professor, University of
Toronto, in the Department of Medical
Biophysics and Immunology.
This research was also financially supported
by grants and fellowships from the Canadian
Institute for Health Research, the Ontario
Institute for Cancer Research, the Terry Fox
Foundation, the National Cancer Institute of
Canada, the Boninchi Foundation (Geneva) and
the Irvington Institute with the Cancer
Research Institute (New York).
About The Campbell
Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research
The Campbell Family Institute for Breast
Cancer Research at Princess Margaret
Hospital brings together an elite team of
cancer researchers, scientists, clinicians
and staff dedicated to the ultimate goal of
conquering breast cancer by leveraging
basic, translational and clinical research
into dramatic breast cancer breakthroughs.
www.campbellfamilyinstitute.com
About Princess Margaret Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital and its research
arm Ontario Cancer Institute -- which
includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research
Institute and The Campbell Family Institute
for Breast Cancer Research -- have achieved
an international reputation as global
leaders in the fight against cancer.
Princess Margaret Hospital is a member of
University Health Network, which also
includes Toronto General Hospital and
Toronto Western Hospital. All three are
research hospitals affiliated with the
University of Toronto.
www.uhn.on.ca
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