ASU is the first in the world to develop early cancer detection techniques

Alexander F. Lazarev especially touched upon cooperation with American scientists in the framework of Anti-Cancer Center under Altai State University that is currently working on new methods of cancer detection.

“The problem of oncology is at the forefront in world’s healthcare. Americans have declared war against cancer. Sometimes even the most expensive treatment does not produce any results. One of the richest people in the world Steve Jobs, who died of pancreatic cancer, is a case in point. Currently, a scientific center for research in extra-early cancer detection is operating in Arizona. They reached out to Altai State University and me with a cooperation proposal. Since then we have been first in the world to develop immunosignatures (a method of early cancer detection) and create immunological image of a patient, who looks healthy on the outside but already has transformations at the cellular level. The first to appear and single oncological cells cannot be detected with any other existing methods such as radiological or endoscopic ones.  Only immunology system can find them,” says Professor Lazarev. “Now scientists are working on a peptide-based vaccine. A cancerous tumor is filled with specific peptides that make immune system active. Why do many oncology patients have non-functioning immune system? Because immune reactivity of a cancerous tumor is low. Tumor develops from its own tissues, that is why there is almost no immune reaction. The usage of peptides increases immune reactivity and tumor becomes available for treatment with its own antibodies and lymphocytes.”

A.F. Lazarev also noted that the regional oncological center made up a list of Altai citizens that are most susceptible to oncological diseases. For the present moment there are about 10 thousand patients on the list.

“There are categories of people, who have a great risk of getting cancer (workers of hazardous industries), and there are those, who have almost no risk at all. Thus, 50% of people will never come down with cancer, so there is no need to scare everyone in sight. Although, people, who have three or more relatives that suffered from malignant tumors, should pay more attention to their health. People, who would like to be diagnosed for the risk of cancer development, can come to the Disease Prevention Unit of Altai Regional Oncologic Dispensary. They receive patients every Saturday. Importantly, patients don’t need a doctor’s referral to go there. This test is also preferable for people older than 40,” emphasized Chief Physician of Altai Regional Oncologic Dispensary.