Joe B Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/cmi_1447329 October 10, 2005 Vienna (dpa) - A group of researchers at Vienna University said Tuesday they are trying to develop an existing influenza vaccine so that it will be effective against lung cancer. Experiments with mice have already yielded first successes, but much more research was still needed before the new therapy could be used on humans, said a university statement. "In fact it's a paradox," said research scientist Christian Kittel at the Institute of Applied Microbiology. "Influenza viruses normally cause flu in human beings, and thereby an extremely dangerous illness, which for some patients even ends fatally." "But now we want to treat an even more dangerous illness, lung cancer, with them," he said. The researchers explained that the human immune system usually stands no chance against cancer, as it cannot distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells. But now they had succeeded in altering an existing influenza vaccine so that it acted on the immune system like a sparkplug, giving it a kick-start. Then the system was so highly sensitized that it could recognize cancer cells and destroy them. The existing vaccine was attenuated - a toned-down influenza virus which could not cause the disease itself, but still infected the lungs. The researchers had developed the virus further so that it now also contained the building plan for production of the immune "messenger" Interleukin-2. This material had already previously been gene-technically manufactured and tested. "But it was administered to the patients systematically (by infection) and in high dosages. That did in fact have an effect, but also strong side-effects." This problem would be avoided by using the influenza viruses as conveyances. The virus-infected cells of the lungs would then produce and release the Interleukin-2 just where it was needed. The substance would activate the pulminary immune system to such an extent that it could recognize and fight the cancer. Copyright 2005 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 Wow, thanks, Joe. This could be awesome! Brat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 It's amazing to me what scientists can come up with!!!! Thanks for the good news. GOD BLESS!!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 Thanks Joe for sharing this exciting news. Hope to read about the results and possible use and effectiveness of this vaccine. Please keep us posted. God Bless!! Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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