What are the two main types of cancer vaccines?

The two main types of cancer vaccines are classified as preventative (or prophylactic) and therapeutic. Preventative vaccines are designed to prevent cancer from developing in healthy individuals by stimulating the immune system against pathogens that can lead to cancer, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine or the hepatitis B vaccine, which can help prevent cervical and liver cancers, respectively.

Therapeutic vaccines, on the other hand, are intended to treat existing cancers by enhancing the immune response against cancer cells. They work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells or by providing specific antigens from the cancer cells to prime the immune system.

The distinction between preventative and therapeutic is important in understanding the role of vaccines in cancer management, as these categories represent different approaches to harnessing the immune system in the fight against cancer.