Research: Biological Strategies

Biological Strategies

This approach involves development and use of such treatments as cancer vaccines that are able to stimulate the patient's immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer, and anticancer antibodies that can distinguish between normal, healthy cells and cancer cells, and are thus used to target anticancer substances (radioisotopes, drugs, biological toxins) directly to the cancer cell.

Laboratory Tests for Early Detection and Diagnosis - Monoclonal antibodies that are specific for, or relatively specific for a certain type of cancer (e.g., ovarian cancer) are used to measure the concentration of a cancer-antigen shed from the tumor site into the bloodstream. High levels of the antigen in the blood indicate the probable presence of cancer.

Imaging for Detection, Diagnosis and Staging - Cancer-targeting monoclonal antibodies are tagged with low doses of certain radioactive isotopes. When injected into the bloodstream, it is possible to detect, locate, and size tumors, through the use of special imaging techniques (e.g. Planar, SPECT, PET), that are not detectable by other methods.

Antibody Targeted Therapy - Anti-cancer agents (e.g., high dose radioisotopes, drugs or biological toxins) are attached to monoclonal antibodies which then target the agent directly to the cancer site(s). Because the antibody is not reactive with, and does not target to, normal tissues, the toxic side effects are minimal. Current studies indicate great potential for biological therapy to become the fourth treatment modality along with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.