UMass Amherst researchers say they developed a cancer prevention vaccine

AMHERST, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - News out of UMass Amherst on Thursday as researchers say they have developed a vaccine that can effectively prevent several different types of cancer in mice.

The nanoparticle-based vaccine has been proven to prevent melanoma, pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancer in mice. Scientists said it teaches the immune system to recognize and attack cancer molecules, similar to the flu shot.

Nearly all of the vaccinated mice who were tested on remained tumor-free after being exposed cancerous cells and survived until the study ended at 250 days. in some cases, the vaccine also completely prevented the cancers’ spread.

However, all of the mice vaccinated with traditional vaccines or the ones who remained unvaccinated developed tumors with none surviving longer than 35 days. One of the biggest things the researchers noticed in this study was the tumor rejection rate, after the vaccinated mice were exposed to cancer.

Researchers said they believe today’s announcement could lead to new ways in preventing and treating cancer, especially for people who are most at risk of the disease.