Scientists are working on vaccines that will protect against cancer
It has now been proven that some cancers can be linked to previous infections. Scientists have already named more than 10 different viruses and other pathogens that can cause cancer - this topic was discussed at the Future Technologies Forum, as well as one of the possible solutions to the problem, namely the search for cancer vaccines.
Research into the viral nature of some types of cancer is also being conducted in our country. Russia's first reference center for viral and infectious oncopathology has been opened in the Petrovsky Russian Cancer Center - its specialists are finding out which viruses can become a trigger in the development of a dangerous disease, and coming up with protective measures.
"Today it is proved the connection of some types of cancer with previously suffered infectious and viral diseases - there are already more than a dozen of them," - said the head of the reference center Andrei Biryukov. For example, the oncogenic effect of human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to cervical cancer, as well as head and neck tumors, has been proven. Hepatitis C and B can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Several other pathogens can also trigger tumor development, and the list is growing. Scientists are now investigating several candidate viruses that also appear to have carcinogenic effects.
We encounter viral and other infections throughout our lives - that's why it's so important to be aware of the long-term effects they have on our bodies and to seek protection.
"This is an extremely relevant and important question. After all, the answer to it largely determines the algorithm of treatment measures," explains Andrey Biryukov. - For example, if we talk about HPV infection, then currently there are more than 150 types of this virus, and oncogenic properties have only 14 of them - both low and high risk for cancer. If a girl is diagnosed with HPV of low oncogenic risk, the disease is often asymptomatic with rapid recovery, but if diagnosed with high-risk HPV, the probability of cervical cancer is very high - from 70 to 100%".
Knowing this, a lot can be done by patients themselves - do not forget about the risk factors of infection, competently approach contraception, at the same time protecting themselves from the threat of other sexually transmitted infections. Medics, in turn, offer preventive measures. There is already a vaccine against HPV, besides, early diagnosis is also available - cytological examination and HPV-test are carried out within the framework of screening programs.
HPV is an infection that is no longer difficult to control. In Australia, for example, since 2007 there is a nationwide vaccination program against this virus. Girls are vaccinated against HPV at the age of 12-13 years. And today the effect is already clearly visible - cases of cervical cancer in young Australian girls have decreased to the point where this type of oncology can be recognized as rare, - said the expert.
By the way, it is planned to include such vaccination in the Russian National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations.
Another positive example is the incidence of hepatitis B and C. We also have a reliable vaccine against hepatitis B. And we have learned to treat hepatitis C, and since last year we have expanded the range of patients who have access to modern drugs that can completely suppress this dangerous virus. It is clear that both vaccination and timely started treatment protect patients from future cancer.
"Now we are focused on the study of oncologic material of the digestive organs and genitourinary system. In particular, on identifying the links of the most malignant forms of gastric cancer with infection caused by Helicobacter pylori," Dr. Biryukov told us.
Here again, the level of understanding on the part of patients is important. To treat chronic gastritis caused by this bacterium in time is to save yourself from the high risk of getting stomach cancer. "This microbe lives in our stomach and causes chronic inflammation there, increasing the likelihood of gastric cancer four times (!) compared to people who do not have it. Cancer develops through a series of successive stages, first from pre-cancerous diseases of the stomach. And it is quite a long process, it lasts on average 15 years. Therefore, each of us has both time and opportunities to carry out treatment of chronic gastritis", - emphasized the expert.
Research continues. "We have collected a large volume of material and examine it for the presence of oncogenic viruses. An important task is to create collections - tissue, cellular, molecular, which will form the basis of research", - said the expert. Vaccines against cancer diseases are also being developed in Russia. "There can be no universal, protecting against all types of cancer vaccine. But work is underway, candidate vaccines are already available, the main issue is to improve their effectiveness," Biryukov concluded.