Cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat, but recent advancements in immunotherapy have brought new hope. Cancer vaccines are one of these innovations that shows promise as a treatment.
“Cancer vaccines are intended to activate the immune system to identify and combat pre-existing cancer cells, in contrast to conventional immunizations that prevent infections.”
How Do Cancer Vaccines Work?
Cancer vaccines train the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells by targeting specific tumor-associated antigens (unique markers on cancer cells). There are two main types:
Preventive (Prophylactic) Vaccines: These protect against viruses known to cause cancer, such as Hepatitis B (which lowers the incidence of liver cancer) and HPV (which prevents cervical cancer) are examples of preventive (prophylactic) vaccines that offer protection against viruses known to cause cancer.
Therapeutic Vaccines: These increase the immune system to treat malignancies that already exist. Examples include continuing mRNA-based vaccine trials for melanoma and other malignancies, as well as Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) for prostate cancer.
Current Progress in Cancer Vaccines
- mRNA Vaccines: mRNA cancer vaccines, such as those made by Moderna and BioNTech, work similarly to COVID-19 vaccines in that they direct cells to create antigens unique to cancer, which sets up an immune response. Early trials for melanoma and pancreatic cancer show promise.
- Personalized Vaccines: Certain vaccines are more effective when they are customized to a patient’s particular tumor mutations. This strategy is being pioneered by businesses such as Neon Therapeutics.
- Combination Therapies: Cancer vaccines work better when paired with checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., Pembrolizumab) or chemotherapy, enhancing immune responses.
Challenges and Future Directions
Cancer vaccines still face several challenges despite great advancements, such as tumor evasion (cancers hiding from the immune system reduce vaccine effectiveness), high costs (because producing personalized vaccines is costly and complex), and a small number of FDA-approved options, the majority of which are still in clinical trials. By enhancing vaccine design, delivery systems, and accessibility, researchers are actively attempting to get around these challenges.
“Neoantigen vaccines, dendritic cell vaccines, and oncolytic viral therapies are promising developments that are intended to improve cancer patients’ immune responses and treatment results.”
These developments could eventually make cancer vaccinations a more practical and popular therapy option as science progresses.
Cancer vaccines mark a dramatic change in oncology, with a tailored, less harmful alternative to traditional treatments. We are getting closer to a time when cancer can be better controlled—or possibly cured—if they can teach the immune system to combat the disease, albeit more study is required.
Cancer vaccines could soon be a routine component of cancer treatment as clinical studies progress, giving patients across the world hope.