IISc develops compound that can help make cancer vaccine

BENGALURU: Researchers at Indian Institute of Science ( IISc ), Bengaluru, have developed a promising new compound that could lead to more effective cancer vaccines.

"Our researchers have developed a synthetic compound ( antigen ) that can latch onto a protein in blood and hitchhike a ride to the lymph node , where it can boost production of antibodies against cancer cells," IISc stated on Monday.

During the study, they injected the compound carrying a specific antigen into mice.

"Remarkably, mice immunised with even low doses of the compound produced higher antibody levels compared to those injected with antigen carried by an alternative protein carrier. After a second immunisation with the compound, antibody levels spiked substantially higher than the initial shot," IISc has stated.

N Jayaraman, professor at the department of organic chemistry and senior author of the study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, said: "The results are very encouraging. We are hopeful this compound can progress to clinical trials for developing cancer vaccines."

Keerthana TV, PhD student with Jayaraman, and co-author of the study: "The antigen used in our study is found on most cancer cells, including breast and prostate cancers. By altering the antigen, we may be able to develop vaccines against multiple cancers."