Cure for cancer? UK scientists are creating a vaccine that could stop disease up to 20 years early

As it seems, cancer is not incurable anymore.
At least, we should hope so!
Pharmaceutical giant GSK and the University of Oxford have teamed up and scientists are working to create a new cancer vaccine that could “detect the undetectable” and stop the disease up to 20 years before it has the chance to develop, i.e, a vaccine that targets cells at the pre-cancerous stage.

The University of Oxford has world-leading expertise in the study of pre-cancer biology, such as through identifying and sequencing neoantigens, which are proteins that form on cancer cells and can be a target for drugs. According to Professor Sarah Blagden, who is the director of the partnership, cancer “does not come from nowhere”. As per the professor, who told BBC’s Radio 4, “You always imagine it would take about a year or two years to develop in your body but, in fact, we now know that cancers can take up to 20 years, sometimes even more, to develop - as a normal cell transitions to become cancerous.” According to her, “We know that actually at that point, most cancers are invisible when they are going through this, what we now call pre-cancer stage. And so the purpose of the vaccine is not to vaccinate against established cancer, but to actually vaccinate against that pre-cancer stage.”
As per prof Blagden, the GSK-Oxford Cancer Immuno-Prevention Programme has been launched on the back of several technological and scientific advances that have made the potential for vaccines against pre-cancer possible.
She said, “We’re lucky because there have been a huge amount of technical breakthroughs that mean we can …. start to be able to detect the undetectable. And from that, we’ve been able to work out what features those cells have as they’re transitioning towards cancer, and so we can design a vaccine speficially targeted towards that.”
GSK, the pharmaceutical giant, as part of the deal, will invest up to £50 million over three years into the program, which will look at how to identify vulnerabilities in pre-cancerous cells with vaccines or targeted medication.
GSK’s chief scientific officer Tony Wood stated, “We’re pleased to further strengthen our relationship with Oxford University and to combine the deep knowledge of Oxford and GSK scientists. By exploring precancer biology and building on GSK’s expertise in the science of the immune system, we aim to generate key insights for people at risk of developing cancer.”


According to data from Cancer Research UK, more than 385,000 people are currently diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK, and more than 167,000 people a year will die from it. Breast cancer is the UK’s most common form of the disease, followed by prostate, lung, and bowel cancer, which combined account for nearly half of all cancer deaths.
Science and Technology secretary Peter Kyle, who said the government would back the life sciences sector to help it deliver research that could transform the health of the country, added, “Cancer is a disease that has brought pain and heartbreak to every family in the country, including my own. But through our world-leading universities and businesses working in lockstep, like Oxford and GSK are doing here, we can harness science and innovation to transform what’s possible when it comes to diagnosing and treating this disease.”
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease that occurs when breast cells grow abnormally and form tumors. The tumors can spread to other parts of the body, which can be fatal.
Symptoms:
A lump or thickened area in the breast
Nipple changes, like flattening or inward turning
Changes in breast skin color, like redness, pinkness, or darkening
Changes in breast size, shape, or appearance
Dimpled or orange peel-like skin texture
Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the skin
Types:
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): The most common type of breast cancer, starting in the milk ducts.
Invasive lobular carcinoma: Starts in the milk glands (lobules).
Inflammatory breast cancer: A rare and aggressive type that causes the breast to look inflamed.
Paget's disease of the breast: A rare type that starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the nipple and areola.

What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system. It's the most common cancer in men in the United States.
Symptoms:
Blood in the urine or semen
Frequent urination, especially at night
Painful ejaculation
Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away
Pain or burning during urination
Trouble urinating
Weak or interrupted flow of urine
Diagnosis Prostate and blood tests and Biopsy to determine the grade of the cancer.
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs when cells mutate and grow out of control. It's the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women.
Causes:
Exposure to dangerous chemicals in the air
Other factors that may contribute to lung cancer, even in people without exposure to toxic substances
Types:
Small cell lung cancer: One of the two main types of lung cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancer: The more common of the two main types of lung cancer.
Symptoms:
A chronic cough that doesn't go away
Difficulty swallowing
Chest or shoulder pain that may worsen when breathing
Coughing up blood
Unexplained fatigue or tiredness
Swollen face or enlarged veins in the neck
Shortness of breath or wheezing
Hoarseness or a raspy voice
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the large bowel, also known as the colon or rectum. It can also be called colorectal cancer.
Symptoms:
Blood in stool, which may be red or black
Bleeding from the bottom
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, or needing to use the toilet more or less often
Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
Unexplained weight loss
Feeling tired for no reason
Causes:
Lack of exercise
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Obesity
Diabetes or insulin resistance
Eating more red meat or processed meat