health.ltn.com.tw noted that the preliminary research results were presented in November at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.
The scientific team aimed to prompt the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer cells by creating an inflammatory environment inside the tumor.
Investigators administered an initial flu shot in the patient's arm, followed by direct injections into the tumor days later and a second intratumoral dose on the twelfth day.
Most participants received approximately three times the standard dose of a normal flu vaccine during each tumor injection. The study recorded no severe adverse events among the 18 participants during the treatment phase.
Surgeons removed the tumors roughly two weeks after the final injection for pathological examination. Tissue samples showed infiltrating immune cells, while blood tests revealed altered immune-suppressive cells and distinct inflammatory signals.
Unlike customized cancer vaccines that require individual sequencing and manufacturing for each patient, off-the-shelf influenza vaccines are readily available and inexpensive. This accessibility offers a pathway toward lower-cost immunotherapy options.
The approach is restricted to accessible tumors that allow direct needle injection.
While those procedures increased immune cell infiltration inside the colorectal tumors, the lesions did not visibly shrink.
| Trial Parameter | Ohio State University Trial | Danish Colorectal Trial |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer Type | Resectable Melanoma | Colorectal Cancer |
| Participant Count | 18 Patients | 10 Patients |
| Delivery Method | Direct Needle Injection | Endoscopic Delivery |
| Tumor Response | Shrinkage in 7; Pathology clear in 3 | Immune increase without visible shrinkage |
Individuals with severe egg allergies or contraindications to standard influenza immunization must discuss vaccine safety with their primary oncologist before considering any related protocols.
Anyone managing diagnosed melanoma or other skin lesions should consult a qualified surgical oncologist or dermatologist immediately if they notice rapid changes in mole size, shape, or coloration. Professional medical evaluation remains essential for staging and approved therapeutic management.
- Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting Proceedings, Phoenix.
