Vaccine development against cancer

The application of the DNA vaccine technology is not limited to infectious diseases and is currently being used in therapeutic vaccines against cancer. Table 18.4 presents the therapeutic DNA vaccines under development (Powell, 2004). 

Besides the attention that has been given to the development of therapeutic vaccines in the fight against cancer, therapeutic vaccines are also in development against the use of addictive drugs such as nicotine or for the treatment of autoimmune diseases [6]. 

Over the years, researchers have unraveled some of the mysteries of the immune system and have used its properties as a therapeutic aid. The first vaccine, that against smallpox, was developed about 200 years ago. Since that time it has been used so effectively as a preventive measure that smallpox has been eradicated. The action of vaccines of this sort depends on exposure to the infectious agent in a weakened form. The immune system mounts an attack, and the immune system retains memory of the exposure. In subsequent encounters with the same pathogen, the immune system can mount a quick and effective defense. This ability to retain memory is another major characteristic of the immune system. It is hoped that current research can be carried to the point of developing vaccines that can treat AIDS in people who are already infected. Other strategies are directed at finding treatments for autoimmune diseases. StiU others are attempting to use the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. 

Several TLR-4 adjuvants for vaccines have been developed to date. An example of these is monopho-sphoryl lipid A (MJPL) a modified version of lipid A found in LPS [4]. It has been used extensively in clinical trials as it is far less toxic than LPS. It is hoped to use MPL in vaccines against infectious diseases, allergies and cancer. Derivatives of MPL have now been... 

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