Cancer Research UK
30th December 2024
The powerful promise of cancer vaccines has dominated headlines in 2024, confirming we are living in a golden age of cancer research.
Cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy, designed to help our immune system beat cancer. Cancer Research UK forms part of the global effort exploring if vaccines can be used to treat and prevent certain cancers.
The technology offers the tantalising possibility that we might one day be able to stop some cancers before they take hold in the body, saving countless lives.
Cancer vaccines aren’t new: Cancer Research UK-funded science led to the development of the HPV vaccine, which has helped reduce cervical cancer cases by nearly 90% in women in their twenties who received the vaccine at age 12–13.
In May, we shared new analysis showing the HPV vaccine continues to prevent cervical cancer across England.
Credit: Michelle Mitchell – Cancer Research UK
Photo Credit: Numstocker/Shutterstock.com