It took about 20 years of preclinical research to begin the first stage of testing a preventive
The development targets a protein that is usuallyexpressed by triple negative breast cancer. The latter is a subtype of breast cancer. It accounts for 15% of all cancers.
Triple negative breast cancer is calledso, because it lacks one of three basic molecular characteristics: that is what modern therapies usually target. This means that triple negative breast cancer is especially dangerous.
Previously, scientists found that breast cancer cellsthe glands often express high levels of a protein called α-lactalbumin. In particular, triple negative breast cancer cells were found to commonly express the protein. Using this characteristic, a targeted vaccine can be easily made.
The general idea behind the vaccine is thatα-Lactalbumin may be a so-called immunological target—we can stimulate the immune system to attack the cells that produce this protein.
Thomas Budd, Principal Investigator
Animal tests have confirmed this theory. The authors will now test their drug in humans and test the vaccine's safety profile as well as assess the immunological responses.
According to experts, there are at least ten years left before the vaccine is used clinically, and this is provided that each stage of research is perfect.
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