Scientists working on cancer vaccine that uses immune system’s ‘killer’ cells

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists are working on a “breakthrough” cancer vaccine after discovering how the body’s immune system targets cells devastated by the disease. The scientists found a peptide – short chains of amino acids – derived from the XPO1 protein attracted the natural killer cells which triggers the body’s immune response against the cancerous cells. “As well as liver cancer, killer cell treatment in the future could be used to treat head and neck cancers, endometrial, bladder or breast cancer.” A University of Southampton spokesman said previous studies had linked natural killer cells to the body’s protection against cancer, but the latest study is the first of its kind to highlight a viable technique of activating killer cells by targeting the XPO1 protein to fight the disease. “The potential to develop targeted therapies that utilise the body’s own immune system is incredibly exciting.” The Southampton spokesman added: “The scientific team at Southampton are now working on the development of the world’s first vaccine that uses natural killer cells to fight cancer.”