UF Immunologist Seeks Patent For Vaccine Against Melanoma Skin Cancer

September 1, 2005
Topic(s): Uncategorized

By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281

Source(s):
Howard Johnson johnsonh@ufl.edu, (352) 846-0968
Dr. John Carucci jac2015@med.cornell.edu, (212) 746-6538

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A vaccine against melanoma — the most deadly form of skin cancer — provides almost complete protection in mice and could lead to a similar treatment for people, according to a University of Florida immunologist who has developed a novel treatment for the cancer.

The vaccine uses inactivated or dead melanoma cells in combination with a super-antigen to boost the immune response in mice against malignant melanoma cells, said Howard Johnson, a professor of immunology at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Super-antigens are proteins that are potent stimulators of cells of the immune system. He said UF is in the process of obtaining patent protection for the vaccine and licensing the technology to a pharmaceutical company. Once the vaccine is licensed, human clinical trials can begin, a process that could take three or four years. (more…)