Each year millions of people are diagnosed with cancer making it one of the most pressing health concerns all around the world. It is true that early detection and treatment have resulted in a growth in survival rates but emphasis should be put on the idea of preventing cancerous growths altogether. As of now vaccines are one of the most effective methods in combating cancer as they help in minimizing the chance of developing a cancerous infection in the body or enhance the immune system’s response against the presence of infected/tumor cells.
This time we will focus on the different categories of cancer vaccines available, their functions, and effectiveness in cancer prevention. We will discuss how certain vaccines that protect against infections like the human papillomavirus or hepatitis B could avoid cancerous cells from developing in the body. We will also talk about treatment vaccines that target cells which are already cancerous. It is important to recognize the reason why these vaccines are critical for the future of tackling cancer due to the ability to potentially cure multiple forms of cancer.
Presently Available Types & Role of Cancer Vaccines In Their Administration
Cancer prevention vaccines are focused on two categories, those include: vaccines that are administered to elicit preventive effects and vaccines that are administered to augment the immunological response against malignancy. Although both share some similarities when used in cancer treatment, we will see that they are also completely different in scope.
For instance, cancer vaccines do not share the same role as preventive vaccines because the latter’s aim is to stop new virus and infection induced cases of cancer from being contracted, while the first is meant for pre-existing cancer patients in order to trigger and boost their immune system to easily fight off cancerous cells.
In this section, we will touch upon the important ones for this paper, cancers that are more common and debilitating, itself the breast cancer rehabilitation formula which appears to be the most sought out piece for this section.
1. Preventative (Prophylactic) Cancer Vaccines
According to the literature, several promising candidates for preventing cancer from an infection have so far encouraging results; this research target the HPV infected area. HPV was identified to be guilty of around 70% of cervical cancers,19 therefore vaccines targeting such HPV types that cause cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions around the world have rapidly started to make penetration in the market. The strategy involved is to use adjuvants that are so potent that there is no need to use viruses in order to elicit a strong immune reaction to the pathogen.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
The HPV vaccine stands as one of the best known and most commonly used vaccines against cervical cancer. HPV is a collection of over 200 viruses out of which several like HPV 16 and 18 are known to be high risk and can induce several cancers including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal (throat), vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers. Just about all cases of cervical cancer stem from persistent infection caused by high risk HPV strains, and several other cancers can also develop from strains of the high risk HPV.
How It Works: This vaccine is targeted against the high-risk individuals in the population specifically against HPV 16 and HPV 18 which are high-risk HPV strains that lead to almost all cases of HPV induced malignancies. This is possible as the vaccine prompts the users immune system to produce anitbodies against the virus which would make cellular infection and eventual cancer highly unlikely to occur.
Efficacy: The vaccine is particularly effective at preventing HPV infection as well as the infections associated with HPV. Used properly, the HPV vaccine practically guarantees protection against HPV related cancers.
Available Vaccines: HPV vaccine is focused on specific age groups such as teens and preteens, and the most common ones are Gardasil and Cervarix. These can be administered to females and males as well, even those as old as 45 years.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B is an infection that affects the liver and is one of the leading causes of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma). Over time, Individuals with chronic hepatitis B can experience liver cirrhosis, and eventually liver failure, and even cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is instrumental in performing the key task of eradicating such conditions.
How It Works: The hepatitis B vaccine works by developing humoral (blood) antibodies that target the hepatitis B virus (HBV) after bringing an immune response. Thus due to such an effect the vaccine reduces the risk of developing liver disease and cancer due to chronic HBV infections.
Efficacy: The hepatitis B vaccine has a strong potential to make a person immune to Hepatitis B, provided that the vaccination is done in the infancy/early childhood period. Vaccine is also recommended for adults who are at higher risk of exposure to hepatitis B like healthcare workers, multiple sexual partners or people with chronic liver disease.
Available Vaccines: The hepatitis B is a very common illness and therefore the vaccine is supplied in large quantities, it comes as part of the scheduled childhood vaccine. It is administered in 3 or 4 doses which are sprcised over a couple of months.
2. Importance of Avoidable Cancer Vaccines
Since universal cancer vaccines are said to have an infection related defense mechanism, this function is not the only one as they help in mitigations cancer incidence globally. Infection on the other hand is also lessening the global cancer burden through vaccination against certain viruses that are causative agents of some cancers.
Mitigating Cancer Cases
Through the use of the HPV and hepatitis B vaccines, the prevention of the associated cancer diseases is bound to be a success as they stand to reduce the HIV virus infection. Cervical as well as liver cancer are high mortality types of cancer, hence immunization would enable elimination of these forms cancers, sparing countless individuals every year.
Reduced Cost
Involuntary cancer cases on the other hand when preventable through vaccines offer a more cost effective means than non preventative means. When people do not suffer from cancer, there are no huge medical expenses on surgeries, medical care and chemotherapy, because cancer in some cases is fatal if left untreated. Cancer death is the other way around, as it elevates economic instability as well as depletes resources in a family and medical sectors.
Implications for Society as a Whole
National cancer immunization programs can integrate a preventative cancer vaccine thereby decreasing the rate of vaccine preventable cancers. The population health burden is staggering especially because viruses associated with some forms of cancer could be eliminated with appropriate vaccination. Cancer could be transformed primarily in the areas of the globe with high vaccination rates, thanks to the novel cancer vaccines.
3. Cancer therapeutic vaccines (coming soon)
While preventive vaccines aim towards avoiding the occurrence of the cancer; therapeutic vaccines aim towards curing the currently existing cancers by evoking immune response against the tumor cells. Recurrent therapeutic cancer vaccines are still under advanced research or clinical testing stages, but they provide hope for people grappling with cancer. Some cancers therapy vaccines are aimed at melanoma, prostate cancer and others by treating key portions of the cancer cells in order for the immune system to locate and kill them.
Therapeutic vaccines that are being researched and developed include:
Provenge (Sipuleucel-T): Provenge is a therapeutic vaccine indicated for prostate cancer and utilizes the patients own immune cells to attack prostate cancer cells.
Personalized cancer vaccines: due to the diverse malignant tumors present in different patients, scientists are creating more specific tailored vaccines to target those specific types.
Among the viral infections, the cancers arising from HPV and hepatitis B can be moderated to a great extent using preventive vaccines such as HPV and hepatitis B vaccines. Their utility in the area of cancer preventing as these not only avert the transmission but also lessen the prospects of cancer to occur globally is beyond comprehension. .As the research unfolds, the provision of the therapeutic vaccines can help the persons who are suffering from the cancer in the near future potentially altering the concept of how that type of disease is treated. In the meantime, the future use of preventive vaccines is one of the most vigorous instruments in cancer control response.
Dr. Pooja Babbar: A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Cancer
Dr. Pooja Babbar’s expertise as a medical oncologist is a beacon of hope for those battling cancer. With over a decade of experience in providing personalized cancer care, she has earned the trust of her patients through her compassionate approach and deep understanding of the latest advancements in oncology.
Her commitment to delivering precise, effective treatments tailored to each patient’s unique needs, combined with her dedication to improving the quality of life for cancer patients, makes her an invaluable asset in the field of medical oncology.
Whether it’s through precision oncology, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, Dr. Babbar remains committed to helping her patients fight cancer with confidence and strength. With her guidance, patients find not only a skilled oncologist but a partner in their journey toward recovery and wellness.
