Breast cells can be divided into milk-producing cells (lobular tissue) and ductal cells. Breast cancer is the result of either type of cell developing genetic mutations that cause the cells to divide abnormally quickly. Because breast cancer cells are different than normal tissue, the immune system can try to destroy them. Breast cancer vaccines aid this immunological response.
Vaccine Mechanism
Vaccines of any sort work to stimulate the immune system. The immune system typically responds to proteins or other compounds (called antigens) that indicate a disease is present in the body. When this happens, the immune system develops cells that are able to specifically attack cells with these antigens.
Cancer Vaccines vs. Other Vaccines
Vaccines for breast cancer work differently than other, more common vaccines, such as those for mumps or measles. Most vaccines work to generate special immune cells called memory T cells, which prime the body to respond rapidly to a pathogen once it tries to infect. These memory T cells allow the body to rapidly develop the ability to fight off an infection before it can cause serious problems. As BreastCancer.org notes, breast cancer vaccines are not preventive. Instead, they work to stimulate the body's response against already occurring breast cancer.
Immunological Response to Cancer
As a 2005 article in "Endocrine-Related Cancers," titled "Breast cancer vaccines: maximizing cancer treatment by tapping into host immunity," explains, there are two different pathways within the immune system. The innate immune system works to destroy cells that are stressed or appear to be abnormal, such as tumor cells. The adaptive immune system, on the other hand, is the target of vaccines; it is able to rapidly generate an immunological response against cells that have certain antigens on their surface.
Vaccine Production
Breast cancer vaccines are mixtures of antigens that breast cancer cells commonly have on their surface. These vaccines are made from either the patient's breast cancer cells or contain synthetically made antigens. Once the vaccine is injected into the patient, it can stimulate the immune system to attack breast cancer cells.
Development
According to BreastCancer.org, breast cancer vaccines are still in clinical trials. This means that they are still experimental, although they are being used for some patients with breast cancer. Researchers are also working on identifying other antigens that are specific for breast cancer in order to make better vaccines.
