There are 2 main types of cancer vaccines:
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Preventive. These vaccines aim to keep cancer from developing at all. Some examples are the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the hepatitis B vaccine. HPV has been linked to cervical, anal, throat, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers. Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Hepatitis B is linked with liver cancer. These vaccines are only used to prevent cancers linked to infection. Most other types of cancer such as lung or breast cancer are not caused by infections.
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Therapeutic. These vaccines treat existing cancers. They help your immune system find and kill cancer cells. This article will focus on therapeutic vaccines.
How do therapeutic cancer vaccines work?
Therapeutic cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy. Cancer cells contain tumor-associated antigens. Therapeutic cancer vaccines help your immune system recognize these antigens and attack the cancer cells. The vaccines may be made using your own tumor cells, your own dendritic cells (a type of immune cell), or a certain type of virus that affects cancer cells but not normal cells.
What cancers can be treated with vaccines?
Prostate cancer. Sipuleucel-T can be used to treat people when prostate cancer is no longer responding to hormone therapy.
Advanced melanoma. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) can be used for advanced melanoma that can't be completely removed with surgery. It is given as a shot (injection) into the tumor.
Bladder cancer. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) can be used for treatment of early-stage bladder cancers.
Other types of cancer vaccines are in clinical trials.
What to expect during treatment
Your experience with vaccine therapy will depend on a few things. These include your cancer type and stage as well as the kind of vaccine being used. Other things to ask about are:
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How you’ll get it. Cancer vaccines may be given as a shot into your muscle or into your tumor. They may also be given as infusions. The method depends on the type of vaccine.
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When you’ll get it. The number of doses and their timing can vary based on the vaccine and your treatment plan.
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Side effects. The side effects you have will depend on the type of vaccine, dose, your cancer, and your overall health. Some side effects of vaccine therapy include pain or swelling at the shot site, fever, and severe tiredness (fatigue). You could also feel like you have the flu. These side effects are normally mild. In rare cases, therapeutic cancer vaccines may cause allergic reaction, stroke, high blood pressure, trouble breathing, confusion, and tumor lysis syndrome. This syndrome can cause damage to the kidney, heart, and liver. Ask your provider what side effects to watch for and when to report them.
Cancer vaccine therapy with other treatments
Vaccine therapy can be used alone or with other cancer treatments, like chemo or radiation. Your healthcare team will look at your needs and build a plan just for you.
Clinical trials and ongoing research
Vaccine therapy is an active area of research. Clinical trials test new vaccines and their combinations with other treatments. Joining a trial is one way to get the newest therapies. Talk with your healthcare team to see if you’re a match for any ongoing trials.
Choosing the right treatment for you
Remember, the decision is yours. When thinking about vaccine therapy, consider factors like your cancer type and stage, available options, and your needs. Your healthcare team is there to support you in making decisions about your treatment.
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