World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on February 4 and is coordinated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The aim of this day of action is to draw attention to how cancer is researched and treated and what possibilities there are for prevention. In addition to procedures such as surgical tumour removal, radiation and chemotherapy, there are a whole range of innovative therapeutic approaches in the field of biomedicines. Prevention is also possible for some virus-induced tumour diseases. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut supports the development of new vaccines and biomedicines. The Institute's scope of responsibilities also includes ensuring the quality, safety, and effectiveness of those drugs.
According to a recent market study in Germany, oncology remains the preeminent focus of development for biomedicines. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut supports product development with scientific advice and approves clinical trials in Germany. In addition, the Institute's experts evaluate the data submitted with marketing authorisation applications. The safety of the medicinal products continues to be monitored after authorisation to ensure that each individual product has a favourable benefit-risk balance over its entire life cycle. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut also contributes to the understanding of mechanisms of action and research methods in cancer therapy with its expertise in non-clinical research.
Monoclonal antibodies are used successfully against a variety of cancers, such as in the treatment of blood cancer (leukaemia), breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, or pancreatic cancer. They are an established form of therapy alongside chemotherapy and radiation.
CAR T-cells are an example of a treatment from the field of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) for certain forms of blood cancer and lymphatic cancer. There are currently six authorised CAR T-cell drugs in Europe. Other CAR T-cell therapeutics for solid tumours are currently in clinical trials.
The concept of mRNA vaccines, which has become the focus of public attention in the COVID-19 pandemic for the prevention of viral infection, originally came from cancer research. mRNA immunotherapeutics (e.g. against skin cancer) are currently being tested in clinical trials. This form of therapy uses the body's own immune defence against cancer cells and the immunological differences between normal human body cells and cancer cells.
Some viral infections can cause cancer in humans long after infection. Vaccination against hepatitis B viruses (HBV) protects against HBV infection and thus against HBV-induced liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). This albeit rare occurrence can be a late consequence of HBV infection. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) protects against infection with high-risk HPV types, which can later cause diseases such as cervical cancer.
Updated: 03.02.2023
