Cancer treatment gets personal: How custom-made vaccines help the immune system fight tumours

Cancer treatment is increasingly shaped by the biology of an individual tumour. Personalised cancer vaccines represent an emerging development in this approach. Unlike preventive vaccines such as the HPV vaccine, which protects against an infection associated with certain cancers, personalised cancer vaccines are therapeutic. They are designed to help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells in an individual patient.

How is a personalised cancer vaccine made?

The process begins with sequencing the patient's tumour to identify genetic changes that distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells. Some of these mutations produce abnormal proteins called neoantigens. These act as unique markers that the immune system can potentially recognise.

Using this information, scientists design a vaccine, often based on messenger RNA (mRNA), that provides instructions for the immune system to identify these tumour-specific markers. This activates immune cells, particularly T cells, to recognise and attack cancer cells carrying them. The approach is particularly promising during the period after surgery, when scans may show no visible tumour but microscopic cancer cells could remain. Researchers are exploring whether the vaccine can help target these cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Where do personalised vaccines fit into cancer care?

These vaccines are being explored as an additional tool alongside established treatments. Depending on the cancer type, stage and tumour characteristics, treatment may include:

Surgery: Removing the tumour when it is operable and clinically appropriate.

Chemotherapy: Using medicines to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Radiation and proton therapy: Delivering radiation to control tumours, with proton therapy offering more precise dose distribution in selected cases.

Targeted therapy: Acting on specific molecular changes that drive tumour growth.

Immunotherapy: Helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.

Hormone therapy: Blocking hormones that support the growth of certain cancers.

The choice and combination of treatments depend on the individual diagnosis. Personalised vaccines may eventually complement some of these approaches rather than replace them.

The promise and challenges of personalised cancer treatment

Personalised cancer vaccines offer the possibility of treatments designed around the unique characteristics of an individual's tumour. However, not every tumour carries the same identifiable targets, and the approach may not be suitable for every patient. The process also involves detailed tumour analysis, specialised manufacturing and time to develop a vaccine tailored to each individual. Cost, availability and access to advanced diagnostic facilities will be important considerations as the technology develops. Further research is needed to establish which cancer types and patient groups are most likely to benefit.

What patients can do today

The future of cancer care may become increasingly personalised, but prevention and early diagnosis remain essential. Patients can take practical steps:

* Follow age- and risk-appropriate cancer screening recommendations

* Consider HPV vaccination to prevent infections linked to cervical and certain other cancers

* Ensure hepatitis B vaccination, which helps prevent infection associated with liver cancer

* Seek medical evaluation for persistent or unusual symptoms

Personalised cancer vaccines signal an important direction for oncology. Their wider role will depend on clinical evidence, patient selection, manufacturing timelines and accessibility. For now, timely diagnosis, preventive vaccination and established evidence-based treatment remain central to better cancer outcomes.

(The author is a senior consultant, medical oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi)

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.