Cancer vaccine research sees advancements in immunology and technology

A recent review published in JAMA highlights significant advancements in the development of anti-cancer vaccines. While vaccine technology has prevented an estimated 154 million deaths from infectious diseases over the last 50 years, applying these principles to cancer has historically faced limited clinical success.

Recent breakthroughs in tumor immunology and vaccine technology have changed the research landscape. More than 2,000 tumor antigens have been identified, and there is an expanded understanding of the immunological mechanisms required for the immune system to recognize and neutralize cancer cells. New, safe, and effective delivery technologies are also driving renewed interest in treating various forms of cancer.

Anti-cancer vaccines typically consist of three components: an antigen (the target), an adjuvant (to activate the immune response), and a delivery system. Once administered, antigens are processed by innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells, which then present them to T- and B-lymphocytes to trigger a specific, long-lasting adaptive immune response against cancer cells carrying those specific antigens.