Context:
Researchers at the IISc-Bengaluru have developed a new way to deliver cancer vaccines using the body’s natural transport system.
In news:
- They have developed an antigen that can hitch-hike on a natural protein called serum albumin in blood and ride all the way to the nearest lymph node.
- This method avoids the need for artificial carriers that can cause side effects.
- It allows for more targeted delivery of cancer vaccines.
What are Bio-taxis?
- Also known as targeted drug delivery or targeted therapy
- It is a developing area of cancer treatment that utilises the body’s natural transport mechanisms to deliver therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells.
- Aim – To enhance the effectiveness of treatment while reducing the side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy (minimising the damage to healthy cells).
- Example – Use of antibodies or nanoparticles that are designed to bind to specific molecules on the surface of cancer cells.
How to carry antigens to lymph nodes?
- Cancer antigens (immune response triggers) were traditionally delivered to lymph nodes using artificial carriers like viruses or proteins. But these carriers can be bulky, cause side effects, and sometimes even reduce the immune response.
- A new method uses the body’s own transport system. Scientists created an antigen that can bind to serum albumin, a common protein in blood plasma.
- This antigen “hitchhikes” on albumin, which carries it directly to the lymph nodes where the immune system gets activated. This method is simpler and avoids problems associated with artificial carriers.
- Scientists made a specific carbohydrate called Tn in the lab. This carbohydrate is found on the surface of many cancer cells.
- They mixed this carbohydrate with a long-chain chemical that likes oils. This created bubble-like structures called micelles. These micelles bind strongly to human serum albumin.
- When a micelle attaches to albumin, it breaks apart. The individual antigen molecules then bind to the available albumin.
- This discovery suggests that we might not need to look for viruses, proteins, or other carriers. Serum albumin alone can effectively transport the antigens. This is a breakthrough in delivering cancer vaccines.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements:
1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Recombinant Vector Vaccines:
They are genetically modified and involve the use of genetic engineering to mimic the actual virus for which the vaccine is being produced. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Recombinant vector vaccines are live replicating viruses that are engineered to carry extra genes derived from a pathogen—and these extra genes produce proteins against which we want to generate immunity. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
