While some viruses have been identified as the cause of cancer in humans, viruses can also be used to control, and even prevent, cancer. This is due to the fact that some viruses are naturally able to target and destroy cancer cells.
3.1 Cancer Vaccines
Vaccines can be used as a preventative measure for cancer. The most common way of using viruses to prevent cancer occurring in the first place is by means of vaccination against viruses that are associated with cancer. Vaccines for the Hepatitis B virus that is associated with liver cancer, and Human papillomavirus that is associated with cervical cancer, are already widely used (Beneficial Use of Virus)
Approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4000 women die from the disease in the United States each year (HPV Vaccine 2012). There are currently two vaccines that are available to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes most cervical cancers, bivalent vaccine (Cervarix) and quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil). The vaccines target and kill the cells that most commonly cause cervical cancer. Both the bivalent vaccine and quadrivalent vaccine are highly effective in preventing the targeted HPV types, as well as the symptoms associated with the HPV (HPV 2012). According to researchers, the vaccine is long lasting. It has been proven to last up to six years without any weakening of its protection over time (HPV 2012). It is 100% effective where the person taking the vaccine has not been sexually active in her life and consequently is being offered in many countries as part of school vaccination programs (Gostout)
3.2 Virotherapy
It is possible to use the cell-killing effects of viruses directly instead of relying on the immune syste...
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...red systematically (Beneficial Use of Virus). This means that the active, cytotoxic form of the drug is only produced where the relevant enzyme is present and active. The example often given to explain this process is the adenovirus expressive thymidine kinase (TK) enzyme of herpes simplex virus. This can be used in conjunction with systemic administration of a drug called ganiclovir, which in enzymes where the cell is present, is converted by the TK to its active form. This process is used in HIV treatment (Beneficial Use of Virus).
3.4 Future for Cancer Therapy
The future of cancer therapy certainly looks more promising as viruses have already been utilized to prevent cancers through vaccinations but also through techniques such as virotherapy and pro-drug therapy, which are safer and with less side effects than current cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.
Because of advancements in technology and funding survival rates have increased in each patient and quality of life due to better chemotherapy and radio therapy drugs are helping millions of survivors round the world to lead a generally normal life without the risk of the cancer returning.
In 1989, Fogleman et al. analyzed the uncoating and penetration of Simian virus (SV 40). It uses the ganglioside...
Vaccine safety is one of the most controversial topics in today’s public discourse. Everyone has heard of them, but few know why they are so encouraged. A vaccine contains a weak or dead version of a microbe. This creates a small scale invasion of the immune system, which activates cells to destroy the microbe. Once these cells have been made they are always there to provide protection. This protection is immunity, for those cells are then able to recognize any live version of the same microbe and attack it immediately. This can save lives but also be dangerous, vaccines carry many other components which can cause side effects. These could be simple adverse effects such as a small cold or, in the rare case,
Flanagan, J.M. “Host Epigenetic Modifications by Oncogenic Viruses.” Nature Publishing Group, 19 Dec. 2006. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. .
...0’s cancer mortality rates have dramatically decreased from 10% to over 80% for leukemia. Overall decline in mortality for cancer was nearly 54% from 1978 to 2008 (National Cancer Institute, 2011). Decrease in mortality rates are due to improvements in cancer treatments. Recent advances in treatments are due to aggressive cancer therapies and collaboration of findings from clinical trials. More than 80 percent of patients are expected to be long term cancer survivors (National Cancer Institute, 2011).
“Vaccinations are causing a major upsurge in childhood diseases, adult maladies, and even deadly ailments such as Gulf War Syndrome and Lou Gehrig’s disease” (Blaylock). Every now and then an individual’s doctor calls telling them about the latest vaccine they should receive. The person immediately schedules a time to come in and get it done. But do they even give a second thought about it? Have they ever thought that maybe they do not need another vaccination? Many people have not taken the time to seriously think about the process of immunization. The truth is, there are many dangers that the average person should be unaware of. Rarely do vaccines actually accomplish what the public has been told. In fact, a lot of vaccines contain harmful substances that have been linked to disorders such as autism. The lack of education and dishonesty from doctors are putting people in danger of health problems without even realizing. Many parents feel obligated for their children to get vaccinated because of school, not knowing they have the alternative option of refusing immunization.
I attended the IPE Film and Book Experience on Thursday July 18, 2016 and we watched a NOVA PBS documentary titled “Vaccines: Calling the Shots.” The members of my team and the college/profession they represent are listed below:
The Harmful Effects of Vaccines Vaccines are becoming increasingly hazardous for many children and parents are not being informed about the safety of their children. Current reports are linking vaccines to serious life-threatening disorders such as asthma, autism, immune system dysfunction, and mental retardation (Williams). These recent revelations are causing an increasing amount of people to claim religious and medical exemptions from vaccines. From 1999 to 2006, exemptions have more than doubled from 9,722 to 24,919 (Cronin). It is very clear that vaccinations are posing many problems for parents everywhere.
The unforgettable story of vaccines is a story of triumph and controversy. The saddest part of the story is persistent ignorance and a lack of education, comingled with the personal need of some parents to explain away the problems of their children, have caused the controversy to arise. The good news is that the triumphant reality of vaccines as a whole is still the larger enduring legacy. The human papillomavirus vaccine is not an exception to this rule; in fact despite all the controversy surrounding the vaccine, it is one of medicine’s greatest lifesaving gifts to us.
Most people know what vaccines are and have received them during our childhood years; but past that knowledge, most people do not think much about vaccines until we have children of our own. Some parents are more skeptical than others on the topic of vaccinations, but most parents choose this preventative measure in protecting their children from harmful diseases. However, in the case of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, there is quite a controversy as to if it is appropriate to administer the vaccine to pre-teen to teenage children. Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States; an estimated 14 million persons are newly infected every year (Satterwhite,
Today, annual pap smear is used for early detection of cervical cancer. However, HPV vaccination offers the best approach to prevent HPV-related cervical cancer in the future. Currently, the CDC recommends that HPV vaccination start at ages 11 or 12 and recommends it for girls aged 13 to 26, and boys aged 13 to 21 (CDC). At this time, Cervarix and Gardasil are the two HPV vaccines available to prevent HPV-related cervical cancers as well as anal, vulva, vagina cancer and precancerous lesions (CDC). However, Gardasil is the only one offered for both boys and girls. These vaccines are given in three doses over a period of time, and preferably before the teenagers become sexually active (CDC).
Since the smallpox vaccine was invented, there have been over a hundred other vaccines created. Every vaccine created goes into one of the seven types of vaccines. One type being live or attenuated, which means the vaccine contains a live virus that has been weakened or altered so it doesn’t cause illness. Attenuated vaccines are good “teachers” for the body since they’re the closest thing to a natural infection. An example of an attenuated vaccine would be the vaccination for the measles, mumps, yellow fever or the chicken pox. Attenuated vaccines can be made in several ways. Most common method involves taking the virus and putting it through series of chick embryos. When the virus passes through the embryos it loses the ability to reproduce in human cells. The only downside to the attenuated vaccine is that it doesn’t work o...
“This knowledge will help us design drugs that mimic the viral effects on these proteins to either activate a host’s immune response or shut it down,” said Dr. Michael Gale, associate ...
To prevent new cancers from taking off, scientists look at risk factors and protective agents. Anything that increases your chance of getting cancer is called a cancer risk factor; anything that lessens your chance of getting cancer is called a cancer protective factor. Some risk factors for cancer can be averted, but many cannot. For instance, both smoking and inheriting certain genes are risk factors for some types of cancer, but only smoking can be avoided. Normal excise and a healthy diet can help reduces the chances, but do not promise.
... But for now, our main concern should be prevention and early awareness. Being aware of the early stages of cancer makes it easier to overcome the disease. Living a healthy lifestyle is also a great way to decrease the chances of getting cancer. If you’re one of the many hoping for a cure for cancer, donating whenever possible is also a great way to start this long journey!