Collaborative research by Dr. Jinming Gao, Professor of Pharmacology and Otorhinolaryngology, and Dr. Zhijian "James" Chen, Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of the Inflammation Research Center, is giving new hope to sufferers. cancer. The center, created in 2015, studies how the body detects infection and works with different approaches to develop new treatments for infection, immune disorders and autoimmunity.

The new technology developed by the group is a nanovacin composed of tumor antigens, tumor proteins that can be recognized by the immune system and are stored in a synthetic polymer nanoparticle. Its main goal is to stimulate the immune system to mount a response, namely to help the body fight cancer.

Nanovacin is made up of tumor antigens and boosts the immune system.

According to Dr. Gao, the great advantage of the project is the simplicity of the polymer composition that makes tumor antigens reach immune cells, boosting immunity and killing cancer cells.

Traditional vaccines require immune cells to capture tumor antigens and only then move toward lymphoid organs for T-cell activation. The newly developed vaccine system works with nanoparticles, which can travel directly to the body's lymph nodes to activate tumor-specific immune responses.

The scientists examined a variety of tumors associated with skin, colon, rectum, uterus, head and neck cancers. In most cases, nanovacin has slowed tumor growth and prolonged animal life as it activated the STING adapter protein, allowing the stimulation of immune defense in the animal's body.

Team obtained positive results during tests

Currently, there are other vaccine technologies that are used in cancer immunotherapy, however they are usually more complex and therefore more expensive. In addition, Dr. Gao points out that in some cases they are toxic and may harm the patient.

However, recent advances in nanotechnology tools coupled with an understanding of innate and adaptive immunity have led to more collaborations between immunologists and nanotechnologists. As a result, Dr. Chen says the partnerships were instrumental in driving the rapid development of this new generation of nanovacins.

The team continues the work and believes that combining nanovacins with radiation and other strategies could further enhance the fight against cancer.

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