Hi Jswy17,
I have no problem with people that have an opposing viewpoint. I welcome it really. I don't think there is anything to be gained if everyone agrees and has the same thing to say. I know that my viewpoint isn't particularly popular. I know that LTT's view is even less so. But my viewpoint is based on what I know or at least think I know. I'm sure your view is derived the same way.
That said, it's certainly possible that Marnix Bosch and the other scientist working with him have come up with a strategy that works. I inquired a few posts ago about why Bosch is in Seattle while NWBO is in MD. Where is the research being conducted? Who is conducting the research? No answers came... Maybe the research phase is over completely. I hope not. I don't think there has been a single peer reviewed article to come out of NWBO in over a decade. That worries the crap out of me.
As to what proprietary knowledge NWBO has developed, well I doubt that they have discovered some new magic molecule that when dendritic cells are exposed to it somehow overcome all of the hurdles laid out by tumors. One reason I think this is because I've read through the patent for -L and Direct, and although there are some modifications, there isn't anything groundbreaking in them. There is no mystery molecule in the mix; just standard cytokines and adjuvants.
NWBO has probably done the most of any company ever in optimizing the process of preparing the DCs and stimulating them to take up antigen and produce co-stimulatory molecules. If any DC therapy can work at this point in our understanding of immunotherapy, it will be the one that NWBO is developing. Maybe in the end there isn't a need for a new mystery molecule or combinatorial therapy. I think your model-T before the Porsche comment is not far from what I am saying. I don't believe that NWBO will totally flop. I think they will show some efficacy. I just don't believe it will be earth shattering and send the share price to the moon. I mean it when I say I sincerely hope that I'm wrong. I am tempering my expectations based on what I know. Now if something were to come along, like...oh I don't know, maybe an actual peer reviewed article describing NWBO's Direct technology in animals that changed our understanding, then my expectations could change. Or even better, how about a hault for efficacy! wow, that would totally change the landscape and dogma on immunotherapy.
I've been very slowly adding back my position in NWBO. Not exactly something a doubter would do.
