World first New Zealand cancer vaccine

New Zealand scientists are working on what they hope will be a world-first vaccine for colorectal cancer that tricks the immune system into thinking tumours are invading viruses.

Initial tests by the University of Otago researchers show that, when tested on mice, the vaccine boosted colorectal cancer survival to 60 per cent and completely cured the mice of their primary tumours.

The work is described as being particularly important for New Zealanders, who suffer twice the incidence of colorectal cancer compared to the world average.

Colorectal cancer kills 700,000 globally each year.

Lead author on the study Braeden Donaldson said their new ‘‘therapeutic’’ vaccine was not like a traditional vaccine, which simply prevented the disease before it had occurred.

‘‘This vaccine re-educates the immune system to allow it to locate, target, and destroy the cancer cells whereever they are found throughout the body,’’ Donaldson said.

The new vaccine fell under the emerging field of immunotherapy cancer treatment, which was far less invasive than the common treatments of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

‘‘Immunotherapy is our best chance for identifying new treatments for cancer with limited adverse side-effects.’’