Thread View: sci.life-extension
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Started by Lou Pagnucco
Wed, 14 Jun 2000 00:00
Are autologous anti-ageing vaccines possible?
Author: Lou Pagnucco
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 00:00
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 00:00
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Some researchers in cellular gerontology (e.g., refer to Judith Campisi's and Michael West's abstracts in PubMed) have suggested that much of the pathology of aging is due to the accumulation of senescent cells in our tissues. Senescent fibroblast greatly increase their production of the enzymes (such as the collagenases) which shift the body's maintanance systems for the extra cellular matrix into a catabolic, self- destructive state. This could have all sorts of unfortunate consequences, such as dermal thinning/sagging, bone/tooth loss, weakening of the vascular membranes (strokes, aneurysms, etc.) Assuming that accumulation of senescent fibroblasts is indeed responsible for many of the most irksome manifestations of aging, is it possible that using the same techniques that Avax, Inc (see below) has used to make melanoma cells visible to the immune system, we could employ the immune system to eliminate senescent fibroblasts? i.e., given enough senescent fibroblasts could we create an autologous cell vaccine that would purge our tissues of these fibroblasts? Perhaps, the suggestion is totally unworkable, or maybe, the blood supply to these cells is not sufficient enough to allow the vaccine to work. (This might be the case, given that monoclonal antibody therapies are limited to tissues with good vascular accessibility.) Any thoughts/opinions? Regards, Lou Pagnucco from URL: www.biospace.com/news_story.cfm?StoryId=3074804 AVAX Technologies (AVXT) To Market World's First Cancer Vaccine The revolution in personal products is about to reach a new level with the introduction of AVAX's personalized cancer vaccines made from a patient's own tumor. The positive results in difficult-to-treat cancers are pouring in, but the company's stock price refuses to budge. With the introduction of M-VAX� in Australia, and continued successes here in the US, this may change. from URL: www.stockhouse.com/shfn/jun00/061300com_avax.asp AVAX Technologies To Market World's First Cancer Vaccine <...> AVAX's personal cancer vaccines are increasing survivability in some very stubborn, hard-to-treat cancers. The scientific evidence suggests that a drug developed from a patient's own tumor is superior to an off-the-shelf, non-autologous product. The exciting thing for both patients and investors is the broad potential of these vaccines in many different cancers. David Berd, MD, inventor of the vaccine, said recently that in theory, the AC Vaccine� technology is applicable to any tumor. If true, AVAX will no longer be a lone voice in the wilderness.
Re: Are autologous anti-ageing vaccines possible?
Author: Aubrey de Grey
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:00
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:00
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Lou Pagnucco wrote: > Assuming that accumulation of senescent fibroblasts is indeed > responsible for many of the most irksome manifestations of aging, is it > possible that using the same techniques that Avax, Inc (see below) has > used to make melanoma cells visible to the immune system, we could > employ the immune system to eliminate senescent fibroblasts? i.e., > given enough senescent fibroblasts could we create an autologous cell > vaccine that would purge our tissues of these fibroblasts? I think this has definite potential. Vascular accessibility may be a problem but it's not obviously an insumountable one. Judy Campisi is presently investigating the targeting of pro-apoptotic stimuli to senescent cells. This has its own problems since some cell types have been reported to become resistant to apoptosis when they approach replicative senescence. AVAX's related approach could turn out to be applicable to cell types that are resistant to apoptosis, so a combination of the two might be the best approach. I was not aware of this work - thanks for posting it. I encourage people to look at the publications it has produced: the main ones seem to be Berd et al, J Clin Oncol 15:2359 and Semin Oncol 25:646. A related study by a different group -- Elias et al, J Surg Oncol 64:17 -- also seems very valuable. Aubrey de Grey
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