Vaccine appears to prevent breast cancer in mice

An experimental vaccine prevents breast cancer in genetically modified mice, after a preliminary examination on the June 10 issue of Nature Medicine. The vaccine has been tested in humans.

Although the approach is appealing, it is too early to know whether a vaccine could also help women prevent breast cancer, says Massimo Cristofanilli, Department of Medical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, which was not involved 'experience.

Many promising drugs in mice, very few people to succeed, says Cristofanilli.

Receive only an average of 250 approved drugs in laboratory studies or animal models, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

In the new experiment, immunologist Vincent Tuohy at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute tested vaccine against a protein called alpha-lactalbumin, in many breast cancer cells. The mice in the experiment were genetically modified to lead them to develop breast cancer.

Although none of the 50 vaccinated mice developed cancer, everyone.

The protein was not found on normal cells of the breast tissue, except when women breastfeed, the study said. This gives researchers hope that the vaccine would not damage normal cells.

But Cristofanilli said that the human vaccine trials would be difficult, especially since women already at high risk of breast cancer has tried various options for prevention.

Women who inherit mutations in the BRCA genes - those women at highest risk of breast cancer - can virtually eliminate the risk through a preventive mastectomy.

Other high-risk women, such as a family member with breast cancer, tamoxifen or raloxifene, drugs can also reduce the risk.

Barbara Brenner, executive director of the Breast Cancer Action, said that women should not hope for a mouse vaccine.

"We have cured mice of cancer for years with drugs that are not within range for humans. Why should we wait for a "vaccine" better, based on a study of mice? "