Cancer Vaccines

Vaccines are vital tools that help the immune system combat viruses and infections. When used to prevent or treat cancer, these are referred to as Cancer Vaccines. These vaccines are administered either to individuals at risk of developing virus-induced cancers or to treat certain cancers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following cancer vaccines:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine
BCG live vaccine
Sipuleucel-T vaccine
Talimogene laherparepvec vaccine

Alternate Names

Cancer vaccines are also known as HPV vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, and BCG live vaccine.

Body Location

Cancer vaccines primarily work by stimulating the immune system.

Procedure Type

Cancer vaccines involve an invasive vaccine injection.

Preparation for Cancer Vaccines

Who needs the vaccine: Children, teenagers, and individuals exposed to cancer-causing viruses may require vaccination as a preventive measure.
Medication considerations: Inform healthcare providers about any ongoing medications before vaccination, as some may need to be paused.
Trial doses for treatment: For cancer treatment, smaller trial doses may be administered initially to monitor effects.
Hospital admission: Vaccination for prevention is an outpatient procedure. However, individuals undergoing cancer treatment may require hospitalization.
Fasting: No fasting is needed before vaccination.

Procedure for Cancer Vaccines

Vaccines to Prevent Cancer

Certain viruses, such as HPV and HBV, can lead to cancer. Vaccines targeting these viruses help the immune system recognize and destroy virus-specific antigens.

Target audience: Administered mainly to children and teenagers who may be exposed to these viruses.
Dosing schedule: Delivered in stages, including an initial dose followed by one or two additional doses at set intervals.

Vaccines to Treat Cancer

Some vaccines are designed to treat cancers like prostate cancer, melanoma, and bladder cancer. These vaccines train the immune system to recognize and destroy tumor-specific antigens, differentiating them from normal cells.

Mechanism: Once trained, the immune system identifies and eliminates cancer cells.
Examples: Vaccines in this category include BCG live vaccine, Sipuleucel-T vaccine, and Talimogene laherparepvec vaccine.
Dosing schedule: Similar to preventive vaccines, these are administered in stages.

Cancer vaccines are a significant advancement in preventive and therapeutic medicine, empowering the immune system to fight cancer more effectively.

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