New cancer treatments leverage immune system
New cancer treatments harness the immune system, including CAR-T cells and therapeutic vaccines, showing promising results.
Why it matters
- Harnessing the immune system could revolutionize cancer treatment.
- New therapies like CAR-T cells and therapeutic vaccines show promise in extending survival rates.
- Preventive vaccines could potentially eliminate pre-cancerous cells before they become malignant.
By the numbers
- About half of cancer patients survive at least a decade.
- CAR-T therapy extended survival for stomach cancer patients from 5.5 to 8 months.
- Two in 10 women and six in 10 men over 80 had unnoticed cancers.
The big picture
- The immune system naturally fights cancer, and new treatments aim to enhance this ability.
- CAR-T cells and therapeutic vaccines are being tested and show promise.
- Preventive vaccines could target pre-cancerous cells and potentially prevent multiple types of cancer.
What they're saying
- Experts highlight breakthroughs in CAR-T cell therapies and the potential of preventive vaccines.
- Personal anecdotes share success stories with CAR-T treatments.
- Concerns about funding cuts and political influences on vaccine research.
Caveats
- CAR-T cell therapies are more effective against blood cancers than solid tumors.
- Preventive vaccines are still in development and not yet widely available.
- Political and funding challenges may impact research progress.
What’s next
- Continued development and testing of CAR-T cells and therapeutic vaccines.
- Research into preventive vaccines and tests for pre-cancerous cells.
- Potential for a universal cancer vaccine (All Vax) to prevent multiple types of cancer.