Dear Friend,
Could a preventative vaccine for breast cancer, one of the leading cancers for women, be on the horizon? In our article for this week, we highlight the research that is starting to try to develop a preventative vaccine like the one for HPV.
It appears that there are many stumbling blocks to finding the right combination but research has made some interesting discoveries about the nature of breast cancer.
Best Regards,
Ilse Marie Issels
Wife and Collaborator of Dr. Josef Issels, Our Founder
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Research Initiative Broadens Search for a Breast Cancer Vaccine
Cancer researchers are exploring multiple avenues in their quest to develop a preventative vaccine for breast cancer. Vaccines typically target a specific virus or bacteria which has complicated development of breast cancer vaccine.
Unlike the smallpox virus or polio virus which provided researchers with a clear target for vaccine development, breast cancer appears to have multiple causes, only some of which may be viral or bacterial. For example, the human mammary tumor virus (HMTV) is found in 40% of breast tumors. While HMTV's role in tumor development is not yet understood, at best future development of a HMTV vaccine would have the potential to prevent fewer than half of breast cancers.
Despite the complexities, development of a breast cancer vaccine is a top priority among cancer researchers who are tiring of chasing treatments without addressing the cause of breast cancer. Voicing the frustration many members of the cancer community share, Fran Visco of the National Breast Cancer Coalition told USA Today that in the U.S. the vast majority of research dollars [are spent] on the next treatment for breast cancer. But we only see incremental benefits from all of these treatment drugs.
To spur research, NBCC has launched the Artemis Project, a breast cancer vaccine initiative. Some of the more promising research under way is attempting to define the tumor environment, such as the role infections and proteins play in tumor development. Once again, traditional medicine is following in the footsteps of Issels' founder. Issels Integrative Oncology already offers dendritic cell vaccines and cell therapies that target the cancer tumor microenvironment.
We invite you to contact one of our patient care specialists today to chat about how the Issels immunobiologic core treatment program may be the right choice for your health needs. We invite you to phone 1-888-447-7357 or visit us online at www.Issels.com.