Scientists have developed a localised cancer immunotherapy that prevents tumour recurrence after surgical removal in mice. Their findings show that applying the cancer immunotherapy in conjunction with surgery could help prevent tumour metastasis, which accounts for 90% of cancer-related deaths. The therapy involves integrating biodegradable gel discs that slowly release different types of innate immune system agonists, or molecules that trigger a response from the innate immune system. The authors then implanted the discs into the surgical sites of mice with breast cancer after removing their tumours, and monitored the mice over the next 12 weeks. They found mice that were implanted with gels containing the agonists didn’t develop tumour recurrence or secondary tumours in other regions of the body, and had higher survival rates than mice that did not receive the gel discs. Importantly, the study also showed delivering the compounds via the gel was safe and more effective at preventing tumour recurrence than intravenous administration or local injections.
Published - March 25, 2018 12:02 am IST
