Ann Conkle
Jan 17, 2012

Treating melanoma with a cream

A prescription cream containing the compound imiquimod has been shown to effectively treat melanoma in mice. Imiquimod has several tumor fighting elements, but one of the more complex is its ability to modify the body’s immune response. A team of researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, identified a new way in which imiquimod modifies the immune system to clear tumors in a mouse model of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Specifically, the team found that topical application of imiquimod leads to the recruitment of immune cells known as plasmacytoid DCs to the site of the tumor. Moreover, exposure to imiquimod at the site of the tumor converts these cells into tumor-cell killers.

Companies
1
Patents
1
0 Comments
Related Articles
Kristin Wall
Dec 24, 2011
What can increase your risk of skin cancer? Surviving cancer.
One would hope that, when it comes to developing cancer, lightning doesn’t strike in the same place twice. Yet, unfair... Read More
Valerie Clark
Jan 12, 2012
Earlier detection of cancer is a reality, thanks to three midwest universities
“Well, at least they caught it early.” That’s what optimistic people will say about a newly diagnosed cancer patient. The... Read More