Articles and interviews
08.08.2011
A vaccine against cancer still exists
We increase the vigilance of the organism
- About a sensation in oncology can not speak, - says Director of Institute, Doctor of Medical Sciences, corresponding member of NAS of Ukraine Vasyl Chekhun - this is a problem-century, and with the development of science and society, people have tried to solve it, but until today not decided yet. The fact that the pathological process of cancer are so closely fused with normal saline, which are difficult to detect its very beginning. So do not talk about the sensations, the best of a long, painstaking labor, modern technology, the development of molecular oncology, which allow today to reach an entirely new level of knowledge of the nature of tumor, its diagnosis and treatment.
According to Vasily Fedorovich, the main problem in preventing cancer is not insufficient funding of Ukrainian science - even in the richest country in the world the U.S. has not defeated by cancer. Just science has not yet reached a level where the problem of cancer can be solved at the molecular or even more subtle level - at the level of genetic information. And when this happens is unknown. High hopes pinned on the genome sequencing but when it happened in 2003, the cancer problem not solved. There are about 300 genes that give off and determine the development of cancer. Scientists believe that the victory of humanity over the terrible disease will come when people will learn these 300 genes, synchronize them, constitute a road map or "atlas of functional onkogenoma."
A vaccine against cancer, scientists have become engaged at the beginning of last century. But there was radiation therapy, and doctors initially thought that the future of her neglected work on the vaccine. When they realized that radiation therapy is not everything is decided, there was chemotherapy, and all hopes were to impose on her. But if the first 80-90 of the tumors were sensitive to it, and only 20% - no, now, after half a century - has 80-90 percent of tumors used to the effects of drugs, moreover, is an enormous burden on the entire body.
And because the scientists went back to the idea of a vaccine. In Ukraine, over her work with 60 of the last century, and the Kiev Institute of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, this idea has brought in the 80s famous Ukrainian scientist Dmitry Zatula. He has worked on this problem in Kharkov with Nikolai Mazurenko. Now science has stepped far forward, especially molecular oncology, biotechnology, scientists have learned to separate individual proteins tumor-associated antigens. Of these, the vaccine consists of Ukrainian scientists, which, after it is administered to the patient, increases his vigilant immune system, allowing the organism to cope with the cancer cells circulating in his blood. Completely cured of cancer is not yet possible, but can not forestall the development of metastases - the body begins to recognize tumor cells and kills them.
- Tacit statistics show that one with cancer can be cured by 200 himself, - said Vasily Fedorovich, - and, for some reason. Been advanced cancer, doctors predicted the sad outcome, and suddenly ... the patient is recovering. Often speculate on this charlatan, they say, is their methods have helped. But in reality - the body itself cope with the tumor process, since it joined the autonomous protection mechanisms. We try to do it with a vaccine.
Sorry for the Fatherland
Currently, oncologists around the world have chosen two priority areas - early diagnosis of cancer and preserve the quality of life of patients. Ukrainian vaccine meets the second requirement - she entered an outpatient basis, and, in contrast to chemotherapy or radiation, is easily tolerated. And, say members of the Institute, increases the survival of cancer patients by 15-20 percent ... Today, experts from the institute, improving technology, work with third-generation anticancer vaccines. Reserved up to two dozen patents, clinical trials of vaccine by the Institute of Oncology, Urology, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, the capital's cancer hospital. There is also a state certificate for "Medical Immunology drug" cancer vaccine ". You can deploy a serious, large-scale production, but there is no state order. And talks about the production of vaccines are not only domestic firms - and representatives of Switzerland, Bulgaria, South Korea, etc. It is clear that foreigners, manufacturers are unlikely to indicate that the vaccine was developed in Ukraine. That's why the creators while they resist the onslaught - they do not lose hope that their offspring will still in the first place, his native country.
Do not need big words
As I explained at the institute, you should not apply here with diseases of the blood - they are well amenable to chemotherapy. Are taken here for treatment of solid tumors that are palpable (felt by touch) and not amenable to cytostatic drugs and radiotherapy. Trying to help people with cancer stage at 1-3. Autologous vaccine, is needed for its manufacture tissue resected tumor.
As for real examples of healing the sick, many of these, but specific names - medical secret.
- We have treated a lot of famous people - artists, scientists, artists, prominent government officials - said one of the founders of the vaccine, the deputy director of the institute of Gregory Potebnya - it is clear that they do not want to advertise their illness ... I can say that a scientist who operated on for cancer of the lungs, taking the vaccine lived for 8 years, patients whose colorectal cancer has given metastasis to the brain, there have been 5 years. We try, whenever possible, to help everyone, but if a person has 4th stage cancer, the chances of his recovery a little.
In the laboratory, the Institute has a log which records data about the patient, record the nature of the disease. The situation here is very modest, quite frankly - does not agree with the importance of committed here Affairs. "However, our science could do much more with adequate regard to her authority.
Tatiana Sataev
Editor's note: Every year in Ukraine kills 90,000 cancer patients. Not so long ago, President Viktor Yushchenko spoke about the need to create a "National Cancer Institute." However, according to specialists, oncologists, which would be more appropriate to an inventory of all parts of our medical, employment problems of cancer, all inventions, discoveries and innovations made by Ukrainian scientists on the issue.
Source: newspaper "Evening News", № 061 (1557), 26 April 2006.