IISc develops synthetic antigens that boost production of antibodies to fight cancer cells

The researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have developed synthetic (compound) antigens that can boost the production of antibodies that fight against cancer cells. 

The antigen is carried to the lymph node through serum albumin, a natural protein present in the blood. The antigen clings to the protein and travels to the lymph nodes. This innovation may help in developing cancer vaccines for various types of cancer. 

The research was tested by injecting the antigen into mouse models. 

The synthetic antigen is developed by a team of researchers, including Professor N Jayaraj, Organic Chemistry Department, and T. V. Keerthana, a research student from Kannur. 

Earlier the scientists had tried transporting the antigens into the body using artificial protein, virus particles, but these experiments were not effective as they sometimes caused adverse side effects and produced antibodies that reacted inversely with the cancer-curing antibodies. In this research, they have used natural proteins present in the body as carriers.