Tumor Vaccine For Oral Cancer: Prospects And Challenges In Dentistry

Abstract

Oral cancer is one of the major reasons for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite significant advances in radiation, surgery and chemotherapy, substantial gap remains in its effective control. Even with all recent advances, the overall five-year survival rate for oral cancer has remained status quo at around 55% and hence, a need for effective vaccine has been felt for long that could confer long-term immunity and have a huge impact in control of this deadly disease. We did a retrospective literature search with key terms “Tumors Vaccines” AND “Oral Cancers” AND “Dentistry” through Pub Med, MEDSCAPE, MICROMEDEX, relevant immunology, dental and medicine journals and this was done independently by the authors. Majority of tumor vaccine research in dentistry is limited to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines. However these are more focused on cervical cancer, with oral malignancy as only one of the secondary outcomes. It has been observed that HPV has a definitive role in oral cancers and these vaccines could have a positive impact in prevention of its ever-increasing incidence, though gray areas in research like optimal dosing schedule, efficacy in men, duration of protection and oral cancer specific studies remain unanswered. Emergence of second generation tumor vaccines against oral cancer does seem promising. There is a need to sensitize dental professionals with the latest advancement in tumor vaccines. A subtle shift from bench side research to bed side availability of an effective tumor vaccine in dentistry armamentarium does not seem to be a distant dream.