The usage of vaccines to treat existing cancers or to prevent the development of certain types of cancers is now made possible with the advancement in technology and research. Cancer vaccines differ a lot from the traditional vaccines that fight off a type of viral or bacteria infection. Cancer vaccines are developed to enable the immune system to clearly identify and target rogue cancerous cells.
The application of a cancer vaccine enables the immune system to respond to a particular abnormal cell that sets itself apart from the bulk of tissues that surround it, and does not cause damage to other healthy cells. By using a particular vaccine to treat a disease instead of preventing it helps us scale new heights in the science of medicine, allowing us to have considerable faith towards better prevention and curing methods.
Let us take a look at the cancer vaccines in detail, how they are further classified and what mechanisms are used against cancerous cells. We will also provide more insights into the details surrounding the other types of vaccines that also aid the curing process such as preventive vaccines meant for HPV.
What Are Cancer Vaccines?
To prevent or treat cancer, a cancer vaccine is a type of immunotherapy that increases activity in the body’s immunological system. These vaccines elicit an immune response against aberrant cells by making the immune system aware of these cells. It either prevents cancer by attacking viruses responsible for it or triggers an immune response to eliminate existing cancerous cells.
The main goal for cancer vaccines is to arm the immune system with adequate weapons to combat cancer. These set of vaccines work toward specific cancer cells by pointing out certain cancer cell proteins (antigens) and instructing the immune system to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells so that it may target and neutralize them.
Compared to more traditional treatment alternatives such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, these types of cancer treatment methods appear to be quite unique since they are more targeted and less aggressive. Let’s explore the different subtypes of cancer vaccines and their distinct methods of action.
Types of Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines can be classified into two major categories:
1. Vaccines Comprised In The Preventive Category
Their use is directed toward healthy patients to prevent the disease's occurrence by treating infections that might cause cancers of particular kinds. These vaccines are directed mostly toward oncogenic viruses.
HPV Vaccines:
Most types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are sexually transmittable and are associated with cervical, anal, throat, and penile cancers. Vaccinations like Gardasil and Cervarix are meant to avert infection with the high-risk strains of HPV, chiefly type 16 and 18, which are responsible for the majority of HPV-associated cancers. These vaccines are given in a series of shots and are more efficacious when delivered prior to exposure to the virus, which is usually in the puberty years.
Additonal Benefits
- Once these vaccines are inoculated, it helps decreases the risk factors of HPV-related cancers globally.
- May also aid in the prevention of genital warts caused by specific HPV strains.
Hepatitis B Vaccine:
Chronic infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can increase the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The vaccine against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) protects individuals against HBV infection; in so doing, the risk of liver cancer is reduced. This vaccine is usually given to infants within the first few months after delivery and later on to adults who are more likely to be infected, for example, those working in the health sector or people who come into contact with HBV infected individuals.
Additional Benefits:
- Prevents liver injury from HBV infection with chronic hepatitis.
- Reduces the cost of health care for HBV infected patients.
Emerging Preventive Vaccines:
Efforts are being made to develop vaccines against other oncogenic viruses, like the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and some lymphomas.
2. Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines
These vaccines are used to manage tumors after a person has been diagnosed and target specifically known cancer antigens on tumor cells. These vaccines are designed to augment the immune response to bolster the body’s defenses against the cancer, inhibit tumor growth, and reduce the chances of the cancer coming back.
Sipuleucel-T (Provenge):
This is one of the first vaccine therapies to be approved by the FDA for cancer treatment. It is given for prostate cancer that is in its metastatic stage. This vaccine works by harnessing the immune response against prostate cancer targeting antigen Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP).
Key Features:
- It is an individualized approach and vaccine is prepared from the patient’s own immune cells.
- Overwhelming evidence suggests that administration of Provenge increases survival in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
Experimental Therapeutic Vaccines:
Therapeutic vaccines are being prepared for different types of cancers like melanoma, breast, colon and lung cancers and are currently in experimental stages in clinical trials aimed at improving treatment efficacy.
Includes are:
GVAX: A vaccine under research for pancreatic and prostate cancers.
Neoantigen Vaccines: Are tailored vaccines that target particular mutations in a person’s tumor which enables the body to mount an immune response that is very specific.
Combination Therapies:
Therapeutic cancer vaccines are sometimes used along with other modalities such as checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) in order to make them more potent. Combination therapies can be more effective by improving immune responses and clinical outcomes.
Through understanding both kinds of preventive as well as therapeutic cancer vaccines enables us to comprehend their crucial importance in controlling the prevalence of the disease and benefiting the palliative issues in patients. Due to recent developments in immunology and biotechnology, the opportunities of developing better and more accessible vaccines are staggering, which gives new perspective in the battle against cancer.
How do cancer vaccines work?
Cancer vaccines work with the principal strategy to augment the immune system function in destroying malignant cells. To further understand how these work, let us look at their mechanisms in detail.
- Antigen Identification
All malignant organs take over the production of certain proteins known as ‘antigens which are then utilized by the body to mark those cells' for destruction. These antigens are usually absent in normal cells making them the defining mark to cancer. Vaccines contain these antigens or genetic information that is the blue print of the antigen, so that it can aid the immune system in distinguishing cancer cells from healthy ones.
- Immune System Activation
After the vaccine is administered, the immune response is triggered to produce specific immune cells like T-cells, whose function is to target and eliminate malignant organs that mark the target antigen.
- Memory Formation
In addition to these benefits, vaccines also program the immune system to remember and respond more aggressively if malignant cells come back in the future.
Obstacles & Above-Highlighted Future Progress Towards Cancer Vaccines R&D
Even though there lies great potential for cancer vaccines, their development comes with its own challenges,
- Evasive Tumour Identification: It becomes increasingly complicated to consistently target cancer cells as they possess the ability to mutate, allowing them to go unnoticed by the immune system.
- Variable Individual Response: The lack of consistency in immune response amongst individuals leads to unwanted impact on the efficacy of vaccines.
- Accessibility Issues: Like many other modern medicines, vaccines also suffer from high costs for their research and development and distribution in certain regions.
With genic engineering, artificial intelligence, and personalized medicine gaining momentum, it’s safe to say that more effective and advanced cancer vaccines are achievable. There is further ongoing research being conducted and progress being made towards more effective and easily accessible cancer vaccines.
Final Thoughts
In the context of prevention and treatment, cancer vaccines bring hope into the world combining Auramedi and the immune system. These vaccines offer more targeted and advanced approaches in comparison to traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, making them a blessing for many patients.
For the millions of people all over the globe, understanding how cancer operates and knowing about the different types of vaccines empowers them into making better choices in terms of health. These vaccines could prove to be a financial grail while serving as a major tool to combat cancer. Research shows that when combined with devices like the HPV vaccine, the therapeutic option of curing existing cancers becomes evermore potent and powerful.
Dr Poooja Babbar: A Trusted Leader in Oncology Care
Dr. Pooja Babbar’s decade-long journey in medical oncology reflects her commitment to excellence and compassionate patient care. With an impressive record of successful cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, she has become a trusted name in oncology. Dr. Babbar’s dedication to her patients’ well-being and her pursuit of advanced treatment options make her a beacon of hope for individuals navigating the challenges of cancer.
