Cancer vaccines: past, present and future; a review article.
Eddie Grimmett1, Bayan Al-Share2, Mohamad Basem Alkassab1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
Discover Oncology
|May 16, 2022
Summary
Cancer vaccines, a form of immunotherapy, face challenges like tumor heterogeneity but are advancing rapidly. Lessons from COVID-19 vaccines are boosting interest in developing effective novel cancer vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Vaccines have long been used for infectious disease prevention.
- Cancer vaccines, as therapeutic immunotherapy agents, are less common than preventative vaccines.
- Challenges include tumor heterogeneity, antigen identification, and delivery platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical development of cancer vaccines.
- To discuss the current state of cancer vaccine research and development.
- To explore the future prospects and potential of cancer vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on cancer vaccines.
- Analysis of challenges and recent advancements in cancer vaccine development.
- Examination of lessons learned from other vaccine technologies, such as COVID-19 vaccines.
Main Results:
- Few cancer vaccines are approved, though some target infectious agents linked to cancer.
- Significant progress has been made in addressing key challenges in cancer vaccine development.
- Recent advances and insights from other vaccine fields are revitalizing interest in cancer vaccines.
Conclusions:
- Cancer vaccine development is a complex but rapidly evolving field.
- Overcoming challenges in antigen identification and delivery is crucial for future success.
- The future holds promise for novel and effective cancer vaccines, informed by past experiences and recent breakthroughs.
