New Lung Cancer Vaccine
Climavax is the first ever lung cancer vaccine, and it has been launched by Cuba. This was available to the public back in 2011, and it costs about $1. The Cuban government has decided to make the vaccine free. The Center of Molecular Immunology in Cuba, has finished agreements with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, USA, to bring the project to the US. “The chance to evaluate a vaccine like this is a very exciting prospect,” says Candace Johnson, CEO of Roswell Park. Those who have had the vaccine have shown improved survival.
The vaccine contains a protein called epidermal growth factor (EGF). This stimulates the growth of cells, and is naturally found in the body. Cancer cells can stimulate the body into making too much. This causes the tumor to expand uncontrollably. When entering the bloodstream, it encourages the immune system to produce antibodies that suppress the outcome of EGF. This stops the tumor from getting any bigger.
