How to remove the remnants of cancer cells? Cancer treatment is usually still have cancer cells in the body that are not killed. Now a research to find vaccines for cancer treatment. Found that the vaccine is a medicine that can eliminate the remnants of cancer cells, especially in patients with CML (Chronic myeloid Leukemia)

This vaccine can help some patients with CML who took the drug Gleevec. But the researchers revealed that the results of this research is still tentative or not yet reached the final.

This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and led by Dr. Hyam Levitsky, a professor yaiu oncology, medicine and urology from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The results of this research has appeared in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Gleevec drug marketed by Novartis as Gleevec in the U.S. and Glivec in Europe and Australia, is one of the targeted cancer drugs successfully treat patients with CML.

These drugs are destroying most of the cancer cells, but for certain patients the cancer cells can still be detected by using a sensitive molecular test. The remaining cancer cells can cause the growth of the cancer returning.

Researchers explain the majority of patients with CML in the Gleevec should consume most of his life, although approximately 90 percent of patients get relief. But about 10-15 percent of patients can not tolerate for long-term use.

“Often patients with CML have blood cell count is low, fluid retention, significant nausea and other digestive problems,” said Dr B Douglas Smith of Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, as quoted from Medicalnewstoday, Friday (8/1/2010).

Levitsky disclose this vaccine is made to shine CML cells that do not turn into cancer. After that change the genetic material of these cells to produce immune system stimulators known as GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) is a substance that can help make white blood cells a particular type.

These cells will also carry antigens that would destroy the CML cells are still circulating in the body. Researchers involving 19 CML patients who were given the vaccine. All patients measured by its level of CML cells and have been taking Gleevec for more than 12 months. Patients are given the vaccine with 4 times the chance of 10 shots in every opportunity.

Cells acquired the remaining cancer has decreased, ie 12 patients found to reach the lowest levels of the cancer cells remaining, and 7 other people is not detected at all remaining cancer cells in the body.

But the researchers realized that the study is still limited, such as the limited number of patients and the lack of comparison with other therapies.

Because it still needs further research to ensure that this vaccine can actually lower the cancer cells that remain. The test was conducted also showed side effects such as pain at the injection site, swelling, sometimes pain in the muscles and a mild fever.