The next big cancer breakthrough could be in progress at Loyola’s McCormick Tribune Cellular Therapy Center laboratory.
Oncologists and researchers at Loyola are studying a new way to treat cancer — with patients’ own cells.
Two clinical trials are testing cancer vaccines to treat pancreatic and ovarian cancer. The vaccines are not preventive in the traditional sense. Rather, they help the patient’s body recognize cancer cells as abnormal and attack them.
“The development of cancer is partially related to the fact that the body doesn’t recognize cancer cells as being abnormal and allows them to grow and proliferate,” explained Patrick Stiff, MD, professor, medicine, oncology, division director hematology/oncology, director Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. “So, patients are immune to their cancer, and that’s one of the reasons it develops and grows."
The clinical trials are treating cancer by replicating how our immune systems kill viruses. “We’ve learned a lot in the last few years about how the immune system works in patients with cancer,” said Dr. Stiff. “Now that we know what is abnormal, we can say, ‘What do we have in our war chest that can be used in different strategies?’”
Researchers understand that viruses are not necessarily killed directly where they are located. Instead, cancer fighting cells, known as dendritic cells, carry viral antigens to the lymph nodes where immune cells are activated and return to kill the virus.
The pancreatic cancer trial is treating cancer cells similarly. Dendritic cells are manufactured in the McCormick Tribune Cellular Therapy Center laboratory at Loyola from each patient’s blood. They are then injected after chemotherapy and radiation therapy into the dead tumor area. Dendritic cells then carry the dead tumor cell antigens to the lymph nodes and, when successful, develop an immune response that kills the remaining viable tumor. Researchers are optimistic that with chemotherapy and radiation, the vaccine will be a more effective treatment for pancreatic cancer.
“With some of the cancers we treat, we have really good results with surgery or chemotherapy and radiation. Pancreatic cancer is one of those that we don’t,” said Margo Shoup, MD, associate professor and chief, division of surgical oncology. “That’s why we have to look into something better.”
Hopeful Results
The ovarian cancer trial starts soon. And though it is early in the pancreatic cancer trial, results look promising. “Most people with unreceptible pancreatic cancer will live six or seven months. Three of the four patients that have had this injection have lived much longer. They’re doing better,” said Dr. Shoup. “Recently, one of our patients responded so well that he was able to undergo surgery, and we successfully removed his tumor.”
Cancer vaccines are still experimental and may not be the best treatment for all cancer patients. However, in the future, they may be able to provide alternatives when other treatments have not been effective.
“The hope is that we can branch out to other types of cancers,” said Dr. Shoup.
Limited Space Still Available
If you or someone you know has pancreatic or ovarian cancer, and would like to learn more about our cancer vaccine clinical trials, please call (888) LUHS-888 and ask for extension 7-1240.
Play a Role in the Fight Against Cancer
Research is the key to cancer treatment. So where do you come in? If you or someone you know currently has cancer, participating in a clinical trial or the tissue bank program can help researchers learn more about cancer.
Q. What is a tissue bank?
A. It works like any other repository, except this bank holds cancerous tissue that is removed during surgery and not needed to make a diagnosis. The work performed at tissue banks is important in helping researchers understand how cancer grows and why it does not respond to certain treatments.
Q. Who can donate?
A. People with cancers of all types.
Q. How can I donate?
A. If you are undergoing surgery at Loyola that involves tissue removal, all you need to do is sign a consent form.
Make An Appointment
If you or someone you know has cancer, call (888) LUHS-888 to make an appointment. Or visit us at www.LoyolaMedicine.org/cancer to learn more about our services.