I believe cancer vaccines operate by tuning the immune system to target something specific related to the cancer cells. Some vaccines are therapeutic and can be administered after a disease has occurred in the body to help bolster the response.

I’m not really any expert on these though, so maybe someone else can supply some more info.

Elizabeth, I am curious. How can a vaccine “work” for cancer – especially if the body/immune system no longer recognizes the “bad” cell as being bad? Normally, a vaccine is created from a weakened version of whatever it is that ails you, and your immune system can whip it easily. Does the same theory apply to cancer cells, and how would you get the weakened version? From a patient who has already been “cured”? I dunno, maybe I’m missing something here…

Jimmy, I appreciate the fact that you have written this for the understanding of the general public who have little scientific knowledge (sadly, this is our educational system, today) and clarifies the mistaken notion that there is only one possible method for curing cancer.

You mentioned how frustrating it must be to researchers that what appears to be promising in the petri dish, turns out to be ineffective on humans. One thing I see in this regard with the patients in my group who participate in the trials of these newly developed drugs is that the human body cannot tolerate the side effects. That issue is not studied in the petri dish. Therefore the failure of such promising studies.

A few, in responding, have erroneously made claims of “true” cures for cancer. I can attest to the fact that many of the patients in my group have led lives pure of chemicals, eating a so called proper diet and still have ended up with this rare bone cancer.

I might point out that if there really were a true cure for cancer, such has been suggested, that no amount of the “evil” drug companies attempts to control and keep secret that knowledge, would prevent that news from getting out and being effective. There are other countries who do not have such controls. And think about this, please…Truly there are doctors who, themselves, get cancer, as well as, and especially, their children, who, if given the chance, would use those methods to cure themselves and their family members of cancer. Would it be possible to keep this a secret?

I hope to see more on this subject and would like to see more on the ideas of apoptosis presented in a simple understandable format. As well as some views of the different types of cancer and why a cure for one would not work as a cure for another.

There is new research, and trials regarding the idea of vaccinating against certain cancers. I hope, too, that you might present some information on this topic.