Synthetic protein offers potential as cancer therapy

Immunologists have previously used synthetic peptides to stimulate immunity to viruses and cancers where naturally-occurring peptides were failing. However, many of these peptides have been unstable and degraded in the blood and peripheral tissues.

Researchers from Monash and Melbourne have now developed technology that stabilizes synthetic peptides, increasing their ability to reach the target area and improve the immune response. The technology, which has been tested in mice, will soon be tested in laboratories on peptides designed to target immune responses to human melanoma cancer cells.

During infection, or the transformation of cells into tumor cells, virus or tumor specific peptides are presented on the surface of cells. T cells (white blood cells that help fight infection) are able to recognize these peptides and eradicate the dangerous cells.

Synthetic peptides accurately mimic these naturally-occurring peptides, and could be used to stimulate an immune response to tumor cells. The researchers believe the vaccine could be applicable to a range of cancers, including breast, ovarian and bladder cancer.

As well as developing the cancer vaccine, the researchers are investigating why their peptides appear to be superior to current synthetic peptides. This will help determine whether the technology could be used to develop other vaccines.