Cancer Vaccines

21.03.2024

VACCINES IN CANCER TREATMENT

Cancer vaccines are a promising new treatment approach in the fight against cancer. These vaccines generally fall into two categories: preventive and therapeutic vaccines. Protective cancer vaccines help prevent certain types of cancer by providing immunity, especially against viruses that can cause cancer, such as human papillomavirus (HPV). Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to strengthen the immune systems of patients already diagnosed with cancer in the fight against cancer cells. These vaccines can train the patient's own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Research in the field of cancer vaccines is advancing rapidly, and the role of these vaccines in cancer treatment may become even more important in the future.

Image 1: Cancer vaccines are divided into two groups: preventive and therapeutic.

Cancer vaccines can generally be divided into two main groups:

Protective (Prophylactic) Cancer Vaccines: Preventive cancer vaccines are administered to protect against infections that can lead to cancer. Examples include vaccines such as the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine, which can cause cervical cancer, and the hepatitis B vaccine, which can cause liver cancer. These vaccines may help prevent cancer from occurring or reduce its risk.

Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines: Therapeutic cancer vaccines are used to help treat people who already have cancer. These vaccines stimulate the immune system to react against cancer cells and work to target the cancer cells. Therapeutic cancer vaccines can help control or destroy cancer cells. These types of vaccines are often used in combination with other treatment methods for cancer patients.

Cancer vaccines have been developed for different purposes to prevent or treat cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, the patient's health status, and the stage of the cancer, the appropriate cancer vaccine may be included in the treatment plan. Therapeutic cancer vaccines, although still in the experimental stage, may play an important role in cancer treatment in the future.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Cancer vaccines are special medical products designed to stimulate the immune system to respond against cancer cells. These vaccines are used to activate immune cells that can recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Below is information explaining how cancer vaccines work step by step.

1-Antigen Presentation: Cancer vaccines contain certain proteins (antigens) found on the surface of cancer cells. The vaccine presents these cancer antigens to the body.

2-Activation of Immune Cells:The vaccine injected into the body stimulates the immune system to react against these antigens. The immune system perceives these antigens as foreign and harmful.

3-Antibody Production:The immune system begins to produce immune cells and antibodies against antigens. These antibodies cooperate with special immune cells that recognize and target cancer cells.

4-Targeted Attack: Immune cells and antibodies recognize and target cancer cells. Cancer cells are tried to be destroyed against this immune attack.

5-Memory Effect: The cancer vaccine creates a "memory" effect regarding cancer antigens recognized by the immune system. It may help the immune system mount a faster and more effective response when cancer cells appear again in the future.

The main purpose of cancer vaccines is to contribute to strengthening the immune system to increase its ability to detect and destroy cancer cells and thus prevent or control the development of cancer. However, cancer vaccines alone may not be enough to completely cure cancer. It is considered an option that can be used together with other cancer treatments (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy).

Image 2: Cancer vaccines are a promising area in cancer treatment. It is not yet widely used in clinical treatment management.

IN WHICH CANCERS IS IT USED?

The use of cancer vaccines for therapeutic purposes is still a subject being researched at the experimental stage, and studies in this field are continuing. However, there are some experimental studies and clinical trials for cancer vaccines that can be used for treatment of certain types of cancer.

Prostate cancer: Immunotherapy vaccines are being developed for the treatment of prostate cancer. These vaccines attempt to target cancer cells by stimulating the immune response against prostate cancer cells. In particular, the immunotherapy vaccine called sipuleucel-T (Provenge) has been used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer and has been approved by the FDA. However, this vaccine is used as a special treatment option for prostate cancer patients at a more advanced stage, and treatment results may vary from person to person.

Lung cancer: Immunotherapy vaccines are being studied for the treatment of lung cancer. These vaccines are intended to increase the immune system response against lung cancer cells.

Breast Cancer: Cancer vaccines are being investigated experimentally in the treatment of breast cancer. However, studies in this area have not yet been completed and more research is needed before vaccination is considered an effective treatment option.

Other Cancers: Studies are continuing on cancer vaccines for therapeutic purposes in other types of cancer. Based on the results of these studies, vaccines may become more widely used in cancer treatment.

Since the use of cancer vaccines for therapeutic purposes is still in the experimental stage, the results of clinical trials and scientific research are awaited. A medical oncologist who specializes in cancer treatment can provide the most up-to-date information about cancer treatment options and determine the treatment plan accordingly.