Vaccine against skin cancer is undergoing clinical trials with patients in England | National Newspaper

Vaccine against skin cancer is undergoing clinical trials with patients in England

Patients in England have begun testing a skin cancer vaccine.

Steve is one of thousands of volunteers. Researchers say the new vaccine has the potential to bring a more definitive cure for melanoma skin cancer.

It is a disease that develops in melanocytes, which are cells in the human body responsible for producing melanin, the substance that, in addition to giving color to our skin, helps protect DNA against sun radiation.

The vaccine is developed by University College London in partnership with several laboratories, such as that of Professor Paul Lorigan, from the University of Manchester.

In an interview with National Newspaperhe explained that the vaccine brings innovative technology. It is customized according to each patient’s DNA.

In surgery, researchers remove the tumor and analyze the genetic material. By comparing with healthy cells, they identify the traits of cancer cells that are most visible to that patient’s immune system. The vaccine will teach the body to identify these targets and create antibodies to destroy them.

The scientists responsible for the study say that this vaccine could represent a milestone in this type of treatment. This because The same technique can also work against other types of cancer, such as kidney and lung cancer.

Professor Paul Lorigan states The research is in phase 3 of studies, the most advanced before reaching the market, and will undergo tests with patients from several countries, including Brazil.

Melanoma affects, on average, 9 thousand Brazilians per year and more than 130 thousand people worldwide. It is the type of skin cancer that kills the most and which is now approaching a more effective treatment.

Oncologist João Pedreira Duprat, from AC Camargo hospital, emphasizes that this vaccine will not prevent people from getting skin cancer, but will treat the disease in those who already have it. And despite the cost, the benefits are many.

“We are concerned about the cost, because this vaccine is personalized, it is not like Covid. You have to take the patient’s tumor and make the vaccine for that patient. So this increases the response even further on top of an immunotherapy that has already really revolutionized oncology, with great cure and great quality of life”, says the doctor.