Increased Recovery Rates in Cancer Treatment with Viral Vector Vaccines Expected

At the 5th International Vaccine Science Congress in Kayseri, Prof. Dr. Hakan Akbulut, Director of the Ankara University Cancer Research Institute, shared insights on cancer research, emphasizing his 30 years of experience. He noted that in the early years of his practice, around 60% of diagnosed patients succumbed to cancer, but significant advancements in treatment began in the 2000s.

He highlighted the introduction of targeted therapies, also known as "smart drugs," which support the immune system through immunotherapy. According to Akbulut, the success rate of cancer treatments has increased by 10% compared to two decades ago, rising from 45% to around 55% globally, although there still remains a 40% failure rate, particularly among patients with advanced-stage cancer.

Moreover, Akbulut expressed that there is a need for new and more effective treatments, particularly viral and gene therapies, which have shown promising results in clinical trials. He pointed out that the use of viral vector vaccines in advanced cancer treatments could boost success rates to 65-70% by 2035.

Advancements at Ankara University Cancer Research Institute

Akbulut announced that his team has developed four candidate viral vector vaccines, with one currently in Phase-1 clinical trials. He believes these vaccines could contribute to a significant increase in cancer treatment success rates, as evidenced by successful animal trials.

The Future of Cancer Treatment Lies in Viral Vectors

Currently, two cancer vaccines have been approved globally, targeting skin cancer and bladder tumors, utilizing herpes and adenoviruses, respectively. However, the associated costs are high, especially for the skin cancer vaccine, which is about ten times more expensive than existing treatments. Akbulut emphasized the necessity for Turkey to invest in these technologies to avoid future economic losses in healthcare. He assured that their viral vector solutions pose fewer risks compared to traditional immunotherapies, making them a safer alternative.