The pharma huge marketing effort to promote vaccination against cancers have gotten parallel response from the governments and private health institutions.Hence,vaccines against Cervical cancers are available ubiquitously even in the economically weak third world countries.One may question the real value of this preventive measure as compared to the cheaper alternative like circumcision of the partners and living a healthy sexual lifestyle.
The idea of vaccinating against the development of cancer per se has been around for quite some time.The difference between vaccinating against a germ as compared to cancer is that of "clonality".
The germ's antigen/protein against which the antibodies are generated in the process of vaccination is usually homogeneous in nature ie.their structure are usually of one type.On the contrary,there are so many antigens/proteins that make up cancer cells ie they are polyclonal.Vaccination in this situation is extremely difficult.It is much easier in this situation to generate antibodies in vitro and then infuse these antibodies back into the patients as part of systemic treatment of an establish cancer patients.The latter is called Cellular Therapy of cancers.
However,the novel idea of primarily vaccinating against cancer is worth pursuing.
in reference to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8714085.stm (view on Google Sidewiki)
The idea of vaccinating against the development of cancer per se has been around for quite some time.The difference between vaccinating against a germ as compared to cancer is that of "clonality".
The germ's antigen/protein against which the antibodies are generated in the process of vaccination is usually homogeneous in nature ie.their structure are usually of one type.On the contrary,there are so many antigens/proteins that make up cancer cells ie they are polyclonal.Vaccination in this situation is extremely difficult.It is much easier in this situation to generate antibodies in vitro and then infuse these antibodies back into the patients as part of systemic treatment of an establish cancer patients.The latter is called Cellular Therapy of cancers.
However,the novel idea of primarily vaccinating against cancer is worth pursuing.
in reference to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8714085.stm (view on Google Sidewiki)
