The Priming Process: A Step-by-Step Journey
1. The Vaccine is Introduced
A therapeutic vaccine containing cancer-specific **antigens** (unique markers from tumor cells) is administered to the patient.
2. Antigens are Captured
Specialized **Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)** near the injection site find and engulf the vaccine's antigens.
3. The Threat is Presented
APCs travel to lymph nodes, the immune system's command centers, and "present" the captured antigens to **T-cells**.
4. T-Cells are Activated
Recognizing the antigen, T-cells become activated and begin to multiply rapidly, creating an army of specialized cancer-fighting cells.
5. The Search Begins
The newly primed T-cell army leaves the lymph nodes and circulates throughout the body, actively hunting for cancer cells with the matching antigen.
6. The Attack is Launched
Upon finding a cancer cell, the T-cell binds to it and releases toxic substances that destroy the tumor cell from within, leaving healthy cells unharmed.
Visualizing the Impact
T-Cell Population Growth
A key goal of the vaccine is to dramatically increase the number of cancer-targeting T-cells in the body.
Cancer Vaccine Research Focus
Vaccines are developed using various platforms, each with a unique way of presenting antigens to the immune system.
Meet the Key Players
Antigen
A unique protein or marker on the surface of a cancer cell. It acts as a "red flag" that the immune system can be trained to recognize.
Antigen-Presenting Cell (APC)
The scout of the immune system. It captures antigens and presents them to T-cells, initiating the targeted immune response.
T-Cell
The soldier of the immune system. Once primed by an APC, it multiplies and actively hunts down and destroys cells bearing the target antigen.