Effective colon cancer prophylaxis in mice using embryonic stem cells and carbon nanotubes

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, a new concept of an anticancer vaccine has been proposed to prevent and control the proliferation and expansion of cancer cells by eliciting an immune boost in biological systems. The recent literature supports the role of embryonic stem cells (ESC) as cellular agents that stimulate the biological systems to destroy cancer cells. However, at present, a true anticancer vaccine remains elusive. There are several lines of evidence showing that carbon nanotubes may be used to initiate and maintain immune responses. OBJECTIVE: The authors proposed to test the therapeutic potential of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) combined with ESC as agents to induce an immune boost and provide subsequent anticancer protection in mice. METHODS: C57 BL/6 mice were immunized with ESC and MWCNTs. RESULTS: The proposed vaccine led to significant antitumor responses and enhanced tumor rejection in mice with subcutaneous inoculation of MC38 colon malign cells compared with groups only administered ESC, only MWCNTs, and controls. CONCLUSION: The application and potential of ESC combined with MWCNTs as anticancer immunization agents may represent the beginning of a new chapter in the treatment of colon cancer.