We already discussed the first FDA approved cancer vaccine, Provenge©, an individualized treatment for metastatic (late stage) prostate cancer. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute recently published an article explaining the process of developing new cancer vaccines. According to the National Cancer Institute there are currently nine phase III clinical trials and 64 phase II clinical trials testing cancer vaccines. Cancer vaccines are developed to treat cancer—they’re not preventive.
The problem in developing vaccines has been to find a way to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Cancer cells produce antigens which in turn trigger an immune response—often too weak to kill or weaken the cancer cells. NCI researchers are studying numerous ways to make it easier for your immune system to identify and mount a stronger response to destroy cancer cells. Cancer treatment vaccines have two goals. First, they must stimulate specific immune responses against the correct target. Second, the immune response must be strong enough to overcome the barriers that cancer cells use to protect themselves.
Vaccines were first tested on patients with late stage cancer who had suppressed (weakened) immune systems. Some current trials focus on patients with earlier stage cancers and stronger immune systems. Vaccines may work better when combined with standard treatments including chemotherapy and radiation.
Are you interested in a cancer clinical trial using a cancer vaccine? Go to the NCI clinical trials databaseand check out your type of cancer and see what clinical trials are available. Vaccines have the added benefit of minimal toxic side effects.
Want to know more about cancer vaccines? The NCI has an extensive Cancer Vaccine Fact Sheet online.
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