DOCTORS are researching a new treatment for leukaemia that will use a patient's own immune system to kill the disease. A team from Liverpool University is working on a vaccine using a protein attached to cancer cells. Trials have already begun on a small number of sufferers of chronic myeloid leukaemia to ensure the technique is safe and effective. Dr Richard Clark, based at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, plans to study up to 40 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia over the next three years. He said: "Patients will receive a series of six injections over nine weeks. "We will then test if the vaccination has been successful by looking for the development of immune cells that can recognise and kill the leukaemia cell. "Though still in its infancy, this revolutionary approach to attacking cancer has generated a great deal of interest from doctors and scientists around the world." The research is based on findings that a number of dormant leukaemia cells can remain after a patient is in remission, which may cause them to relapse. The new treatment prompts the immune system to sweep up any residual cells left after chemotherapy. Why a mother has agreed to act as guinea pig for new treatment JULIE Tyson, 38, from Chester, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2000 and was treated with a new drug called Glivec. However, some months later she discovered she was pregnant so doctors decided to stop the treatment and monitor her instead. She is now involved in the new vaccine trial. Ms Tyson said: "Whilst I am doing very well on Glivec, I realized that this type of study is the only the way to make sure that new treatments become available to patients in the future. "I was warned that the injections might cause some flu-like symptoms but apart from that it has not been too bad." Ms Tyson has to give a blood sample once a month to monitor the effect of the vaccine. She added: "I am delighted to say that I have a wonderful two year-old girl, Ella. I have been back on Glivec and have been doing very well ever since." | 
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