IISc Bengaluru develops synthetic compound that could aid in development of cancer vaccine

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru have created a new substance that shows promise in enhancing cancer vaccines. This synthetic substance, or antigen, has the ability to attach to a blood protein and travel to the lymph node, where it can stimulate the production of antibodies that fight cancer cells. The institute announced this development on Monday.

In their experiments, scientists administered this antigen-laden compound to mice. The results were significant; even with low doses, the mice showed increased levels of antibodies, surpassing those that received the antigen with a different protein carrier. Following a second dose, the antibody levels surged dramatically, exceeding those after the first dose.

N Jayaraman, a professor in the organic chemistry department and the study’s lead author, expressed optimism about the findings published in Advanced Healthcare Materials. He anticipates that this compound will move forward to human trials for cancer vaccine development.

Keerthana TV, a doctoral student working with Jayaraman and a co-author of the research, noted that the antigen they used is common to many cancer cells, including those of breast and prostate cancer. She mentioned the potential for modifying the antigen to create vaccines that could target a variety of cancers.

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