Prostate cancer vaccine a step closer

RESEARCHERS at the Cork Cancer Research Centre have made a global breakthrough by devising a potential DNA vaccine against prostate cancer.

Human clinical trials into the drug are due to start shortly, after the drug, which works to activate the immune system against prostate cancer, was successful in pre-clinical laboratory trials. The vaccine could go into clinical production, if the human trials are successful, and end up in pharmacies in seven years time.

Ireland has a higher incidence of prostate cancer than Britain – and a higher death rate. The incidence of prostate cancer here continues to grow due to an ageing male population.