Coley's vaccine

Coley’s vaccine is an early form of cancer treatment developed in the late 19th century by Dr. William Coley. It involved injecting patients with a mixture of bacteria or bacterial products to stimulate the immune system. The idea was that this immune activation could help the body recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Although its use declined with the development of modern therapies, Coley’s approach was a pioneering effort in cancer immunotherapy, highlighting how boosting the immune response might combat tumors. Today, understanding immune-based treatments continues to evolve, building on concepts introduced by Coley.