American scientists have achieved a historic breakthrough in the fight against cancer. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a ‘super vaccine’ that stops cancer before it starts. This vaccine proved to be so effective in the tests conducted on rats in the laboratory that the rats who were given the vaccine did not get cancer, while the rats without the vaccine developed cancer. Scientists say that this discovery can prove to be a big step towards saving humanity from deadly diseases like cancer.
How does this ‘super vaccine’ work?
According to researchers, the vaccine activates the body’s natural immune system so strongly that it recognizes and destroys abnormal cells — before they can turn cancerous. This vaccine shows effect not on any one type of cancer, but on many dangerous types, such as
Melanoma – serious skin cancer,
Pancreatic Cancer, and
Breast Cancer.
Experiments found that most of the mice that received the vaccine showed no signs of tumors, while the cancer spread in the unvaccinated mice.
This vaccine also prevents cancer from growing and spreading
Research also revealed that this super vaccine not only prevents cancer from forming, but also prevents pre-existing tumors from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. Scientists say that if this vaccine proves to be equally effective on humans, then it can prove to be a lifeline for those cancers which metastasize i.e. spread to other parts of the body like lungs, brain or liver.
This vaccine is made from the body’s own cells
Researchers said that this vaccine has been prepared from the human body’s own cells. A special ‘Super Adjuvant’ has been used in it, which increases the immune response many times compared to the normal vaccine. Due to this adjuvant, the immune cells of the body quickly identify and destroy cancer cells.
Research is still in the initial stages
However, scientists have also made it clear that this discovery is still at the initial stage. Till now it has been tested only on rats. It will take time to start trials on humans. Researchers say that
“If the vaccine shows the same effect on humans, it will be a big step towards completely eliminating cancer in the coming decades.”
Studies are still pending regarding the safety, side effects and correct dosage of the vaccine. Scientists believe that several more years of investigation and trials will be required before its use in humans.
Will cancer become a preventable disease in the future?
Experts believe that if this vaccine is successful, it could prove to be the same turning point in the history of cancer treatment as the polio or smallpox vaccine did for humanity. Cancer is by far one of the deadliest diseases in the world — millions of people lose their lives to it every year. In such a situation, a vaccine that can eliminate cancer before it starts would definitely be a revolutionary achievement in the history of human health.
Steps towards science
This discovery by scientists at the University of Massachusetts proves that defeating cancer is no longer just a dream, but a step towards becoming a reality through science. Although there is still a long way to go in human trials, the ray of hope is now looking brighter than ever.