A vaccine that kills off cancer cells?

When it infects a cell, the vaccine " a type that attacks rather than prevents disease " can produce thousands of copies of itself, which then spread to nearby cancer cells to kill them.

When it infects a cell, the vaccine " a type that attacks rather than prevents disease " can produce thousands of copies of itself, which then spread to nearby cancer cells to kill them.

Published Mar 12, 2014

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London - A vaccine has been developed to destroy cancer cells without damaging healthy ones.

When it infects a cell, the vaccine — a type that attacks rather than prevents disease — can produce thousands of copies of itself, which then spread to nearby cancer cells to kill them.

Developed by Oxford-based PsiOxus Therapeutics, the vaccine is in clinical trials for ovarian and colon cancers that have spread. Its developers say it represents a new generation of “self-amplifying” cancer therapies.

Though it has potent anti-cancer cell effects, the vaccine leaves healthy cells alone because it can’t over-ride their natural defences, a lab study suggests.

Chemotherapy drugs affect healthy cells as well as cancer, causing side-effects. - Daily Mail

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