Novel therapies against tumors
using cell vaccines
by Jose A. Henriquez M.D.
Tijuana, Mexico

The development of vaccines against disease has been one of medicine's high-water marks.

And now a new era in vaccinology which includes customized vaccines made from tumors and traditionally prepared cells which stimulate immune response (antigens).

Tumors vaccinations can be subdivided into two different areas.

In the first one, a vaccine is developed which is biochemically specific for the tumor. The limitations here are that direct tumor samples (meaning the need for an active tumor from which fresh cells can be produced) may be unattainable, so patients in remission or those seeking the vaccines for cancer prevention are not candidates. Such vaccines work better with the help of other cancer therapies, nutrition, supplementation and detoxification, so they are not ideal "magic bullets" to treat an active tumor.

In the second strategy are "non-specific" vaccines which prevent, manage and control tumors. These have particularly captured the attention of research groups associated with the International BioCare Hospital (IBC). This form of therapy is useful from the earliest-stage cases right on through remission. By lengthening and enhancing tumor control through human immune/defense systems while remaining completely free of side effects over long periods of use, they are the most nature-similar ways of controlling malignant growths. Innovative immunological programs in which such vaccines play a central role are becoming increasingly important in the prevention and control of cancer.

Humans normally produce cancer cells throughout their lives. Malignant cells exposed to a healthy, active immune system will either be attacked and destroyed (phagocytosis) or genetically programmed for self-destruction (apoptosis).

These mechanisms help rid the body of cancer cells throughout life. On closer examination, science has shown that cells derived from the specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes and monocytes produce tentacle-like elongations which trap tumors cells and expose them to the immune system for destruction. They are called denditric cells (DC's).

Many factors in modern life may affect the maturation process of denditric cells, rendering the body more susceptible to the growth, maturation and proliferation of tumor cells.

Since the relatively recent discovery of DC's, the challenge to medicine in an area of cancer therapy which until now has been essentially ignored was haw to make DC's functional and active.

It was learned that denditric cells can in fact pick up normal cells and will migrate with them to lymph nodes where they will be exposed to a high concentration of immune system cells. DC's can stimulate a response in which the immune system increases the activity of such "fighter" units as T-cells. In experimental models this exposure to tumor-derived proteins resulted in dramatic protective immunity.

The procedure involves drawing from the patient blood containing mature and immature DC's and tumor cells. A bio-chemist induces the maturation and activation of DC's in the presence of proteins derived from the patient's tumor.

At this point a weapon has been created which, when administered to the patient, will act as a cellular vaccine - a "smart-bomb" in modern defence parlance - which will actively seek out, entrap and expose to the immune system tumor cells developed at every stage of malignancy.

The vaccine, being non-toxic, sterile and customized from the patient's own blood, is thus a safe and effective form of therapy.

International BioCare is proud of its association with research centers from around the world which have brought to our patients this novel and rational treatment program which is so much in tune with the workings of the immune system.