Dana Paravati
Many of us think of a shot to prevent the flu… but not necessarily cancer. Now researchers are on the cutting edge of a new treatment. It seems they found a way to use the body's own arsenal… to change a patient's diagnosis. 7's Christa Delcamp shows us how researchers are developing customized vaccines.
Tom Berthold was diagnosed in 1996 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma… a cancer of the immune system. He underwent chemotherapy, but a CT scan revealed it was not enough.
Tom Berthold - Lymphoma Patient
"Initially after chemotherapy it showed, I think what they call residual disease."
So he participated in a clinical trial where doctors used cancer cells from his own tumor to create a vaccine customized just for him.
Dr. Ronald Levy - Internal Medicine
"Most recently we're using vaccines to create antibodies by the person themselves against their own cancer."
And it appears the vaccine triggered Berthold's own immune system to wipe out his cancer.
Tom Berthold - Lymphoma Patient
"A year later after I had the vaccine the CT scan showed no there was remaining cancer cells."
And 50 other patients who received a customized vaccine also saw a detectable improvement in the way their body fought their cancer. But...50 other patients saw no measurable difference in their immune system after getting the vaccine.
Dr. Ronald Levy - Internal Medicine
"If this works we'll be able to avoid some of the bad side effects of usual chemo delaying the need for chemotherapy or delaying the number of times for chemotherapy."
CT scans show after his vaccine Berthold has been cancer free for eight years, preventing him from having to undergo follow-up chemo.
Tom Berthold - Lymphoma Patient
"I'm so fortunate to be able to participate and have had a successful response."
But he's just one patient.
Dr. Ronald Levy - Internal Medicine
"We need to that show it can work every time we try it and that we can produce a product that's consistent..."
Researchers are working on a way to create a customized vaccine in just days… that could potentially enable patients to get the vaccine soon after they're diagnosed with cancer. Christa Delcamp, 7News.
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