Preclinical, laboratory studies suggest that a novel immunotherapy could potentially work like a vaccine against metastatic cancers, according to scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center. Results from a recent study show the therapy could treat metastatic cancers and be used in combination with current cancer therapies while helping to prevent the development of new metastatic tumors and train specialized immune system cells to guard against cancer relapse. First published online on January 18, 2013 in the journal Cancer Research, the study detailed the effects of a molecule engineered by lead author Xiang-Yang Wang, Ph.D., on animal and cell models of melanoma, prostate, and colon tumors. The molecule called Flagrp-170 consists of two distinct proteins, glucose-regulated protein 170 (Grp170), known as a "molecular chaperone," and a "danger signal" derived from flagellin, a protein commonly found in bacteria. The researchers used modified viruses, or adenoviruses, that can no longer replicate to transport Flagrp-170 directly to the tumor site to achieve localized vaccination. The novel therapy caused a profound immune response that significantly prolonged survival in animal models. "Successfully promoting antitumor immunity will help eradicate tumor cells, control cancer progression, and help prevent tumor relapse," says Dr. Wang, Harrison Scholar, member of the Cancer Molecular Genetics research program at the VCU Massey Cancer Center and associate professor of Human and Molecular Genetics at the VCU School of Medicine.Login Or Register To Read Full Story