Oncologist Dr Sachin Marda explores the availability of cancer vaccines and discusses their potential to help with prevention and treatment.
Cancer vaccines already exist for some types of cancer. (Creative Commons)
In recent years, vaccines have emerged as a promising approach in the battle against cancer. These vaccinations provide a fresh promise for both prevention and treatment by stimulating the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
Let’s explore the availability of vaccines for certain types of cancer and discuss their potential to pave the way toward a cancer-immune world.
The immune system is the body’s built-in defense system. Most of the time, it effectively combats invading microorganisms. Certain infections, on the other hand, might overwhelm the immune system, resulting in significant infection and disease.
Vaccines are products that aid the immune system in combating microorganisms that cause disease. They are a reliable and effective technique to prevent certain diseases.
Cancer vaccines work by training the immune system to recognise specific antigens found on cancer cells. Some vaccines target viruses, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which can prevent certain types of cancer, including cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer vaccine. (Wikimedia Commons)
Other cancer vaccines focus on activating the immune response against tumour-specific antigens, found uniquely on cancer cells. Vaccinating individuals before exposure to these viruses can reduce the risk of developing associated cancers.
For example, the HPV vaccine can prevent cervical, vaginal, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.
In terms of treatment, these vaccines hold the promise of stimulating the immune system to recognise and eliminate cancer cells. They can be used alongside other therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, to enhance their effectiveness.
Several vaccines are currently being tested in clinical trials, showing encouraging results in specific cancer types, including melanoma, and certain types of lung and prostate cancers.
While cancer vaccines represent a significant breakthrough, it’s important to note that they are not a universal solution for all types of cancer.
Despite their potential, there are obstacles in terms of creating effective vaccinations for every kind of cancer and gaining universal distribution.
Cancer is a complex disease with various subtypes, making it difficult to develop a universal vaccine. Furthermore, the costs, logistics, and regulatory processes associated with vaccine production and delivery present additional challenges.
Cancer vaccines hold immense potential for both prevention and treatment. As research and development continue, these vaccines have the potential to pave the way toward a cancer-immune world, where the burden of this deadly disease is significantly reduced through effective prevention and improved treatment options.
Researchers are testing vaccines for many types of cancer, including bladder, breast, brain, lung, colorectal, blood, and kidney cancer.
(Dr Sachin Marda is a Senior Consultant Oncologist & Robotic Surgeon (Cancer Specialist) at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad)
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