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13 Teves 5760 - December 22, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Vaccine to Treat Skin Cancer

by N. Katzin

The Israel Cancer Association recently publicized information about several Israeli innovations in the field. The information focused on the developments of vaccines against the disease, particularly on a vaccine against melanoma -- malignant skin cancer -- which will hopefully be available within the next few months. The innovations were discussed by Dr. Michal Lotem, top-ranking oncologist at the Sharett Oncology Institute of Jerusalem's Hadassah-Ein Kerem Hospital.

Attempts to develop methods for activating the immune system against cancer began in the `70's, but until now efforts were unsuccessful. The cells of cancerous growths are similar to healthy cells in their makeup. However, various features which are different can serve as targets for immunization attacks. Melanoma cells were chosen as a model for studies in the area, due to the components of the cells which can serve as attack targets.

The idea is to remove cells from the growth from the body of the patient and then to create a vaccine against cancer from them. This breakthrough in the area of skin cancer was made by a team headed by Professor Tamar Peretz of the Hadassah Hospital. In 1996 the team began to vaccinate melanoma patients who ran a high risk of recurrence of the illness. The vaccine was made up of a combination of cells of the growth taken from the patients' bodies along with a chemical called dinitro phenyl as well as weakened tuberculosis bacteria.

Before returning them to the body the cells undergo radiation, so that they lose their ability to divide. The vaccination is injected into the skin of the patient in a number of places. After the inoculation, spontaneous, infectious reactions develop in the area of the injection. In a large number of those receiving the treatment, a "memory" develops which allows it to successfully prevent cancerous cells from establishing themselves.


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