In a significant breakthrough, a team of researchers from Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan has uncovered findings behind the spread of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, that could potentially result in a vaccine. The study, led by Prof. Carmit Levy of Tel Aviv University and Prof. Shoshana Greenberger of Sheba Medical Center, revealed that melanoma cancer cells employ a unique strategy to manipulate their environment, resulting in the creation of new lymph vessels in the dermis, the top layer of the skin.
The research findings, recently published in the esteemed Journal of Investigative Dermatology, shed light on the intricate process by which melanoma metastases spread through the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Metastasis, the ability of cancer cells to migrate from the original tumor site to distant locations, is a critical stage that significantly worsens the prognosis for individuals diagnosed with melanoma. At the premetastatic stage, melanoma cells are not yet dangerous before spreading to other body parts.
“Melanoma confined to the skin is not life-threatening. Hence, the most promising approach to combat melanoma lies in immunotherapy. We aim to develop a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to target melanosomes, specifically attacking the lymphatic endothelial cells invaded by these vesicles. By halting the mechanisms that generate metastases in lymph nodes, we can effectively impede the disease’s progression,” says Prof. Greenberger, one of the lead researchers. The team’s investigation involved analyzing tissue samples from melanoma patients at various stages of the disease. By employing advanced imaging techniques and molecular analysis, the researchers could observe the melanoma cells’ behavior within the skin and unravel the intricate network of lymph vessels created by the cancer cells.
The development of a vaccine against melanoma would be a major breakthrough in the field of cancer research, as it has the potential to prevent the disease altogether. Although traditional treatments for melanoma, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, have proven to be effective in many cases, the ability to halt the spread of the disease before it reaches other parts of the body could save the lives of millions. While researchers acknowledge that more work is needed to fully understand the complex mechanisms underlying melanoma metastasis, their discovery provides a solid foundation for future studies and potential vaccine development. This groundbreaking research offers a glimmer of hope for the millions of individuals affected by melanoma worldwide. With further investigations and advancements in the field, the day when a preventive vaccine against this deadly skin cancer becomes a reality may be within reach.
