Breast cancer vaccine on the horizon

A vaccine may one day be available to prevent breast cancer, thanks to new research.

American scientists have developed a prototype vaccine for breast cancer. Containing a protein called alpha-lactalbumin, which is found in large amounts inside most breast cancers. The vaccine, which has shown promising results in mice, works by preparing the immune system to target cells containing the protein. However, more research is needed to see if it would be effective in humans.

Spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, Professor Robert Hawkins, said; ‘This very early study describes an interesting approach to the prevention of breast cancer.’

However, he cautioned; ‘It will be several years before this vaccine can be tested fully to asses its safety and effectiveness as a way to stop the disease spreading in women.’