As a young woman, Maria Kitay watched her cousin lose her battle with breast cancer. Despite the suffering, she saw an inspiring force in her family member. In February of this year, at age 67, she was diagnosed with the same disease, and in June she was emboldened to participate in a study that led to a new vaccine.
Maria was the first person to receive the treatment developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, US.
“This is a very innovative approach to breast cancer screening, especially precancerous screening, which is vaccine-preventable. The long-term goal is to prevent cancer. The women who participate in this study will really help us do that once and for all,” said Olivera Finn, one of the professors involved in the study.
The vaccine, one of the scientists said, is designed to train the immune system to recognize precancerous cells and attack them before they transform into invasive cancer. It could provide a significant improvement in patients’ lives, but is not suitable for those already at a very advanced stage of cancer.
The study was funded by the Glimmer of Hope Foundation for $100,000 (US$91,000) and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for $2.1 million (about €1.9 million), according to the University of Pittsburgh.
Maria Kitay received doses of the vaccine 12, 10, and two weeks before her surgery.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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