The autologous tumor cell vaccine trial begins by isolating the patient's own tumor cells and irradiating them. GM-CSF results in increased numbers of neutrophils and macrophages. The irradiated, GM-CSF transfected tumor cells are then suspended in sterile saline awaiting injection into the dog's skin. Of course I didn't write the above paragraph, that was from a letter written by Dr. Gary Hogge DVM, MS , who worked closely with Chelsea during her participation in the autologous tumor vaccine study. Neutrophils and macrophages are the key white blood cells that protect the body against foreign substances.
Tumor cells have certain 'markers' that are only found on other tumor cells.
The hope is that once the irradiated tumor cells are returned to the body, the immune system will mount a response to similar cells, wherever they are found in the body. Subsequent booster vaccinations are designed to increase this ability. Chelsea's surgery was performed in December 1996. Six weeks had passed from the time the split nail was noticed, to the time the toe was amputated. The pathology report came back in early January, it confirmed there were no cancer cells in the lymph node and none on the edge of the toe.