This week, Vladimir Putin appeared in the news again, but this time about something unrelated to the invasion of Ukraine. His name made headlines around the world as he made some very encouraging statements during the conference. Moscow Technology Forum. It was about Russia’s role in the development cancer vaccines or in other words, vaccines aimed at treating cancer.
According to him, Russian scientists have made great progress in developing these formulas, so he hopes that they will soon become available in the country’s primary health care system. Unfortunately, there is no evidence what he says is beyond his own words. No studies have been published on this subject, and there are no data from clinical trials. Of course, a breakthrough in the field of cancer vaccines would be wonderful.
However, it is important to highlight two factors to which the Russian president did not pay sufficient attention. First, these types of vaccines they already exist. In fact, some of them are approved in different places around the world. Secondly, it’s actually impossible to get something like cancer vaccine. It is a very diverse set of diseases and therefore requires very different and individualized approaches to treat it. Despite this, there is hope that in the future there will be much more effective treatments for this pathology, in which, fortunately, research has made significant progress. But we need patience. At least until the Kremlin provides more data on the cancer vaccines they are talking about, we must continue to wait for the progress of those reporting steps taken.
What are cancer vaccines?
Vaccines are generally associated with prevention. The vaccine is being administered prepare the immune system against an infectious agent. This is exactly what is happening with the COVID-19 vaccine, measles vaccine, rabies vaccine and many others.
When it comes to cancer, we know very well that This is not an infectious disease. However, it is true that some are known virus This can cause changes in cells that can become cancerous in the long term. There is a vaccine for some of these viruses. This is the case human papillomavirus, responsible for all cases of cervical cancer and a significant percentage of cases of other tumors, such as tumors of the anus, penis, vagina and oropharynx. This is also the case hepatitis B virusassociated with the occurrence of liver cancer.
But in fact, when they talk about cancer vaccines, they mean immunomodulatory treatment which turn the immune system itself against tumor cells. In fact, it usually happens on its own. The immune system attacks not only infectious agents. It also targets cells that begin to divide uncontrollably, increasing the risk of tumor formation. If cancer occurs, it is because the immune system was unable to attack these cells in time. In fact, cancer cells themselves are capable of secreting substances that suppress the immune system.
Therefore, many ways build or strengthen the patient’s own defensesso that they attack tumor cells, avoiding the shields created by the cancer itself.
Approved options
Most of the cancer vaccines that exist today are at the research stage. It is true that some of them have even begun clinical trials on humans, and others have even been approved for use. In fact, Russia approved oncovaccine against kidney cancer since 2008. However, health authorities in other parts of the world did not consider the evidence of their effectiveness and safety provided by the company that makes them sufficient and therefore did not give approval.
Another option included in approved cancer vaccines is Cipuleissel-T, Provenge. In 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for the treatment of certain types of prostate cancer.
But with both these drugs and those in clinical trials, it is important to remember that they are not a panacea that can be used for all types of cancer. Not even for everyone of the same type.
Personalized cancer vaccines
Before introducing already approved oncology vaccines, it is necessary to characterize the cancer of the patient being treated very well.
After all, vaccines stimulate the attack of specific antigens. That is, the molecules are found on the surface of tumor cells. It is necessary to check which antigens are present on their cells and whether there is already a therapeutic approach against them. In some cases, to make this even more specific, Vaccines are created from the patient’s own cells.
All this requires preliminary preparation and is the reason why we cannot talk about mass production cancer vaccines, as was done, for example, with COVID-19. This disease is much more difficult to treat and prevent. Therefore, it takes much more than just words to believe in a real breakthrough in this regard. I hope this is true. Until studies appear that confirm these words, we have no choice but to wait.
Source: Hiper Textual
