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" US scientists have created an implant the size of a fingernail that delivers a cancer vaccine designed to attack tumours. The technology consists of plastic discs impregnated with protein antigens that are the same as those found on the tumour being targeted. These plastic discs can be implanted under the skin and immune system cells called dendritic cells enter tiny pores in the discs, where they are exposed to the tumour-specific antigens. The cells then alert the immune system&amp;#039;s T cells so that they seek out and destroy the tumour cells. Scientists at Harvard University have trialled the implants in mice with melanoma tumours, which disappeared after the implants were inserted. Dr David Mooney, professor of bioengineering at the university&amp;#039;s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, commented: &amp;#039;We&amp;#039;ve taken a major step toward the design of effective cancer vaccines. &amp;#039;Inserted anywhere under the skin - much like the implantable contraceptives that can be placed in a woman&amp;#039;s arm - the implants activate an immune response that destroys tumour cells,&amp;#039; he confirmed.Experts are excited by the advance - which is detailed in the journal Science Translational Medicine - as the technique only targets tumour cells. This means that there should be fewer side-effects than with existing anti-cancer therapies. Dr Joanna Owens, science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said that the idea of implants to deliver cancer vaccines was &amp;#039;particularly interesting&amp;#039;. However, she told the BBC: &amp;#039;The results look encouraging, but more research is needed to see if the technology can be scaled up and adapted for use in people.&amp;#039; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a18888/tiny-implant-may-combat-tumours/>