🚀 go-pugleaf

In <bayu.246.0012E825@euronet.nl> bayu@euronet.nl (Bayu_Prawira) writes:

>We know that the problem in treating cancers, especially in metastatic cases, 
>is closely related to immunology, that is how to recognise cancer cells to 
>attack and to save healthy cells. And we know also that the most reliable 
>'weapon' for that is our own immune system. 

>I have the idea why not trying to challenge the immune system of a cancer 
>patient with the cancer cells itself, weakened if necessary, and inject them 
>intracutaneously. I expect the immune system will be agitated by the injection 
>and start to develop cell-mediated immune reactions and attack the other 
>cancer cells in the patient's body.

Lots of people have been thinking about this, and some methods are being
tested in humans already.  The primary question is, "How to treat the
tumor cells to stimulate an effective immune response in most patients."
(Secondary questions like, are all tumors potentially immunogenic, are
also important.)  Results are variable.  Probably each tumor type,
and maybe even each patient, will have a different optimal treatment.


-- 
Tom Thatcher                          | You can give a PC to a Homo habilis,
University of Rochester Cancer Center | and he'll use it, but he'll use it
ttha@uhura.cc.rochester.edu           | to crack nuts.