Breast Cancer Vaccine

No. Not There Yet. Ain't sure either.

The media seems to be going into a frenzy after a recent publication over a paper in Nature Medicine, in which US-based researchers described a series of experiments they had carried out with specially bred mice. Let's be clear here- mice. Although most media clearly pointed this out, some were complacent in showing the actual progress of the study.

The tests carried out involved introduction of a new vaccine that prompts the immune system to attack cells containing a protein called Alpha-lactalbumin (LALBA), which is found in most breast cancer cells. This protein is an important protein in milk and is found in breast tissues of lactating mothers. For their potential BC vaccine, the researchers selected LALBA as the protein to be targeted. Further tests needs to be done to confirm whether this protein is the main cause of BC. This point has been left out in most mainstream media outlets and covered in detail in the new media. Similarly most of the negative aspects of the research has been omitted from the reports which raises flags here about the impartiality and fairness of the reports.

Tests were conducted on two sets (six each) of mice: one set of mice that were normal and the second set injected with the breast cancer (BC) virus or tumor cells. The researchers first assessed the immune response that occurred when mice were vaccinated with a-lactalbumin. They found that mice did mount an immune response against this protein, and that this caused inflammation of breast tissue in lactating mice but not in non-lactating mice (a-lactalbumin is found in breast tissue that is producing milk).

They then tested the effect of the a-lactalbumin vaccine in a strain of mice that have a high risk (a 50% chance) of spontaneously developing breast tumors by the age of 205 days. Injections were given either 13 days before, or 5, 13 or 21 days after the mice were injected with the tumor cells. The researchers also found that the a-lactalbumin vaccine given either 5 or 13 days after, or 13 days before injection with breast tumor cells reduced the growth of tumors in the mice. The tumors of mice injected with a-lactalbumin vaccine had been infiltrated by 'immune' system cells. But the injection of mice with a-lactalbumin vaccine 21 days after the tumor cells injection did not reduce the growth of the tumors.

Alpha-lactalbumin is type of protein found in the breast milk of all mammals. It is a source of essential amino acids (building blocks for protein) to support baby's growth, easy to digest, helps to support healthy kidney functioning, a rich source of the essential amino acid trytophan which involves in sleep etc.

The study hasn't come towards any definite finding, as in, they haven't unearthed the root cause of the problem- what causes breast cancer? The study revolves around the fact that LALBA is found in the breast cancer tissues and hence attacking that will kill all cancer cells. Its like saying terrorists have guns, and all with guns are terrorists. The converse is not always true.

Vaccination is a preventive measure, i.e. the immunization is taken before the visibility of any real symptoms. In such a scenario women would be required to take the vaccine at a young age and this might affect their child bearing capabilities or motherhood. The current results only shows the discovery of a potential cure for an ailment- not a vaccine for breast cancer, with side effects that are yet to be discovered.

The current research is in a very premature state and any definite or concrete solution towards breast cancer is not likely in the near future, especially for trials on humans. The fact that the vaccine did cause the immune system to respond to lactating breast tissue means that (should this type of vaccination ever reach human testing) it would probably be appropriate only for women unlikely or unable to become pregnant.

Indeed, no vaccine against cancer has successfully been developed so far. Gardasil and other 'cervical cancer vaccine' has been tested and approved by the US department of Health and Human services, its side effects include epileptic fits, blood disorders, arthritis, neurological problems and seizures. Furthermore, the well-known 'cervical cancer vaccine' isn't actually a cancer vaccine in this sense – it protects against a virus, HPV, that can lead to cancer in certain women. These researchers are very much in uncharted territory.