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Scientists have made an exciting discovery that could lead to new cancer vaccines, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances.
A research team at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona studied liver tumors and healthy tissues from over 100 liver cancer patients. They found tiny proteins, called microproteins, that are only produced by cancer cells. This discovery was made using advanced computer techniques and lab experiments.
These special microproteins might help develop new treatments for cancer. Researcher Puri Fortes from Cima University in Navarre explained that some of these microproteins can activate the immune system to attack cancer cells. Fortes said that vaccines, similar to COVID-19 vaccines, could be created to produce these microproteins, which might stop or slow down tumor growth.
"The key to cancer vaccines is the immune system recognizing and attacking foreign molecules. In cancers with few mutations, like liver cancer, this is difficult. But these microproteins could be the answer," Fortes said.
Creating these vaccines could be relatively simple, but the research and development process hasn't started yet.
This breakthrough offers hope for new and more effective treatments for liver cancer in the future.
[Source: AMPE]
