Cancer kills millions of people annually and is commonly feared as “the Big C”. But what if we had a vaccine, especially one that can attack different kinds of cancers?

A new study in mice suggests it’s possible: A shot containing two compounds that stimulate the immune system was injected directly into tumours and killed those cancer cells.

Stimulating the immune system

Not only that, it also destroyed rogue cells from the tumours that had already travelled to other sites in the rodents’ bodies, researchers reported.

The study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

What’s more, they said this approach worked for lymphoma, breast cancer, colon cancer and the deadly skin cancer melanoma.

How did the researchers accomplish the feat?

“We found a way to get the body to reject cancer by putting stimulants of the immune system directly into the cancer,” said study author Dr Ronald Levy, director of the lymphoma programme at the Stanford Cancer Institute in California.

Minimal side effects

“The immune system can recognise cancer and kill it, but the cancer is inhibiting the immune cells. If we stimulate the immune cells, we can get them to do their job at the tumour and do the job elsewhere,” he said.

However, according to a previous Health24 article, cancer vaccines have been promising without really delivering for decades.

So will this approach work in humans?

Levy said he has no reason to believe it wouldn’t. And because the treatment is injected directly into the tumour in very small doses, side effects would likely be minimal.

But Dr Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, was considerably more cautious about the treatment’s potential.

“This study had excellent results. The mice had substantial responses, and the mice lived longer. But it’s important to remember that it’s a mouse study. Lab studies in animals don’t always translate to people,” said Lichtenfeld, who had no part in the study.

Foreign invaders

He noted it’s a good sign that both agents used in the new treatment are already being tested in people.

Levy and his colleagues explained that as cancer begins to develop, the immune system recognises cancer cells as foreign invaders and sends cells to attack and destroy the invader. Specifically, T-cells often infiltrate and attack cancer cells.

But as the tumour grows, the cancer cells may come up with ways to suppress the activity of the T-cells, according to the researchers. This allows cancers to grow at the original site, and to release cells that allow cancer to spread to other parts of the body.

A lot of unknowns

So far, the researchers were able to eliminate four types of cancer in the mouse study. In the majority of those cases, one treatment was enough to eliminate the cancer.

The researchers expect to start a small human trial involving 15 people with lymphoma soon.

Dr Levy said he imagines that this treatment would be one tool against cancer, and that it would likely be combined with other treatments to overwhelm the disease. He noted that when treatments such as surgery and radiation are combined, some cancers can already be treated successfully.

Lichtenfeld pointed out that there are still a lot of unknowns about this treatment: Will it work on everyone? How many cancers might be impacted? Does it have the potential to overstimulate the immune system?

The bottom line, he said, is that this is an interesting, and certainly important, study, but further research is needed.

“Hopefully, this research will move forward quickly,” Lichtenfeld added.

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Foot infections are among the most common health complications in people with diabetes. When a seemingly normal wound is left untreated, it can become severely infected.

We look at the reasons why diabetics should take special care of their feet.

Why diabetics are prone to foot conditions

Diabetics have abnormally high levels of glucose in their blood for long periods of time. This can lead to artery and nerve damage, which can compromise sensation in the feet.

When diabetics get a simple cut, scrape or foot ailment and they leave it untreated, it can lead to serious complications.  

The two major conditions that can ultimately cause foot problems in diabetes are:

• Neuropathy – occurs because of nerve damage, causing diminished sensation in the feet. This can lead to injuries such as wounds or scrapes getting infected.
• Peripheral vascular disease – a condition that affects blood flow, making it more difficult for a cut or wound to heal.

“It’s not that these two conditions will cause ulcers as such, but they can result in extremely poor healing of any skin injuries. Often diabetics will have an injury, such as a blister or a cut, and because they have no feeling in that region, they do not realise that they have been hurt, and continue walking on an injured foot or leg,” says podiatrist Chris Delpierre.

The risk of foot ulcers and amputation

As we now know, neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes affect the feet. One of the biggest risks for diabetics is foot ulcers which can eventually lead to amputation of the foot or lower leg.

“The longer a person has had diabetes, the greater the chances of getting ulcers, making them more common in older people. But this does not mean that young people are exempt from getting these ulcers,” according to Delpierre.

According to an article published in the journal American Family Physician, foot ulcers are the most common injuries related to diabetics, and most other foot problems such as bone deformity (Charcot’s foot) and amputation, can stem from foot ulcers.

This research also states that the risk of amputation is 15 to 46 times higher in diabetics than in people who do not have diabetes. 

Another study published in the South African Medical Journal states that up to 90% of all foot and lower-leg amputations are associated with diabetes. Even more devastating is that up to 70% of all patients who undergo an amputation related to diabetes will die within five years of the operation.

Take care of your feet

The prognosis may sound dire, but foot complications and amputation can be avoided, and the risk reduced if you have diabetes and pay proper attention to your feet. Delpierre suggests that you should do the following:

• Try and avoid minor foot injuries by wearing sturdy shoes and socks.
• Examine your feet regularly to detect minor foot ailments such as blisters, calluses and corns. These might not be serious, but can lead to infection if you don’t notice them and they are left untreated.
• Regularly wash, clean and dry your feet properly to avoid contracting fungal skin infections.
• Do not hesitate to see a podiatrist if you are worried.
• Tell your doctor about any change of sensation such as sudden numbness or tingling in your feet.

Spot the problems early

Inspect your feet to look for any of these minor foot ailments and treat them urgently to avoid infection or broken skin that can increase your risk for ulcers. You should check your feet daily for any visible injuries if the feeling in your feet is compromised.

Photos of each condition are included as a visual guide:

1. Blisters are caused by friction. Avoid blisters by wearing shoes that fit properly.

2. Corns and calluses are hardened skin, caused by pressure. Avoid corns and calluses by wearing the right size shoes to avoid pressure.

3. Plantar warts are caused by a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Avoid picking up plantar warts by wearing flip-flops in shared shower areas.

4. Minor sprains can be caused by rolling your ankles. Wear supportive shoes to help avoid injury.

5. Minor wounds such as cuts and punctures can be avoided by always wearing shoes when outside.

6. Ingrown toenails are caused by cutting the nail in a rounded shape instead of straight across, or wearing shoes that are too tight.

7. Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) or nail fungus can be avoided by properly drying your feet, wearing clean, breathable socks and wearing flip-flops in shared showers.

For more information, do not hesitate to address any questions to Health24’s diabetes expert. 

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Marelize Wilke