Cancer and Alcohol Research Reveals Potential New Therapies

According to a WSU press release, in a study regarding malignant melanoma and alcohol consumption, “it was discovered that increased alcohol consumption resulted in decreased spread of the cancer into the lungs of mice,” but it did not extend their lives. Researcher Gary Meadows, director of Washington State University’s Chronic Illness Research Center was awarded a five-year, $1 million grant last fall from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in part to try to explain the mechanism behind this paradoxical discovery. What is the explanation? Do they have it in part or in full yet?
The press release notes many of the known health aspects of increased alcohol consumption, and provides several others as well. Meadows and assistant professors in the College of Pharmacy say they will use the grant to answer several questions regarding the links between cancer and alcohol. What answers do they hope/think they will find?
The press release also mentions a vaccine treatment in development for melanoma and a few other tumors. What does this entail? What are the key components to this development? Is it strictly preventative or can it be used on patients who already have cancer?
What do these discoveries mean for WSU, for alcohol consumers, for Meadows?