Chinese scientists from the Institute of technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced the creation of a new vaccine on the basis of self-healing microcapsules of polylactic acid. Reported by the journal Science Advances.
the Use of vaccines for cancer prevention is a promising direction of the fight against this deadly disease. Now in the world there are three therapeutic cancer vaccination, but the most effective are still ongoing.
a New vaccine has already passed trial testing – so far only on models of tumors. It proved to be effective against lymphoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. Previously, scientists of the Institute have developed cancer vaccines, but they did not satisfy what was difficult in the preparation, and the need for frequent vaccinations reduces their effectiveness.
Indeed, substances acting on the abnormal cells have been known for a long time, but the main problem over which scientists work around the world – is the delivery of these drugs directly to the tumor area and the interaction of the introduced drugs to the surrounding tissues and the environment. At this time, researchers have developed a platform for the introduction of the vaccine based on self-healing microcapsules.
the Principle of operation of the polylactic acid is the activation of the immune system that produces antigens thus preventing the development of cancer cells. A therapeutic agent enclosed in microcapsule with auto recovery. After vaccination, these microcapsules remain in the injection site and form a “depot” antigens. In the process of dissolution of the microcapsules internalization of antigen consistently enhanced by its stable release. Lactic acid, in turn, creates a favorable acidic environment that contributes to the absorption of the antigen. Thus, artificially modulated microenvironment enhance the flux of activated antigens, which are sent to the lymph nodes and continuously induce the T cells to attack tumors.
following the testing, the researchers came to the conclusion that such immunization is effective in reducing swelling, helping the body to reject cancer cells, prevents the formation of metastases and protects against postoperative recurrence of the disease.
