Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.
------------------------------------------------------------
June 28, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Protective Antitumor Immunity Induced by a Costimulatory Thalidomide Analog in Conjunction With Whole Tumor Cell Vaccination Is Mediated by..." Journal of Immunology Online (www.jimmunol.org) (05/15/02) Vol. 168, No. 10, P. 4914; Dredge, Keith; Marriott, J. Blake; Todryk, Stephen M.
Scientists are looking at the usefulness of thalidomide and its novel T cell costimulatory analogs for the treatment of advanced cancer, but they have been unable to show tumor-specific T cell costimulation or effective antitumor activity in vivo. An experimental immunomodulatory drug, called CC-4047, was studied for its ability to cause a tumor-specific immune response after tumor cell vaccination. The researchers found that CC-4047's presence in the priming phase helped increase antitumor immunity in the vaccinated group, resulting in better protection from later live tumor challenges--up to 60 days after immunization. Both CD8+ and CD4+ splenocyte fraction reactions were increased as well. The study indicates that thalidomide and its analogs can produce responses in vivo and that research on the subject should be continued.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.