Summary, Patients will be able to get immunotherapy in the form of a vaccine called nivolumab in just 15 minutes, as opposed to an hour on an IV drip. England becomes the first country in Europe to offer it, with approximately 1,200 people receiving it each month for 15 different types of cancer, including skin, bladder, and oesophageal cancer. The medicine is a monoclonal antibody that attaches to a protein called PD-1 on a type of immune cell known as a T cell. It works by preventing cancer cells from deactivating T-cells, allowing the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells.
this post was submitted on 03 May 2025
291 points (97.7% liked)
Uplifting News
14929 readers
2163 users here now
Welcome to /c/UpliftingNews, a dedicated space where optimism and positivity converge to bring you the most heartening and inspiring stories from around the world. We strive to curate and share content that lights up your day, invigorates your spirit, and inspires you to spread positivity in your own way. This is a sanctuary for those seeking a break from the incessant negativity often found in today's news cycle. From acts of everyday kindness to large-scale philanthropic efforts, from individual achievements to community triumphs, we bring you news that gives hope, fosters empathy, and strengthens the belief in humanity's capacity for good.
Here in /c/UpliftingNews, we uphold the values of respect, empathy, and inclusivity, fostering a supportive and vibrant community. We encourage you to share your positive news, comment, engage in uplifting conversations, and find solace in the goodness that exists around us. We are more than a news-sharing platform; we are a community built on the power of positivity and the collective desire for a more hopeful world. Remember, your small acts of kindness can be someone else's big ray of hope. Be part of the positivity revolution; share, uplift, inspire!
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
It's not a vaccine, though, it's a treatment for people who already have cancer, not a prophylactic. And it's still delivered by IV.
As an elaboration; vaccines do exist for cancer causing viruses such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer, but "cancer" is an extremely broad term that describes the general concept of cells replicating too much or in places they shouldn't, and applies to many many different disease processes with many different causes and treatments.
However, this treatment does apply to multiple forms of cancer, which is really exciting!
Fun fact: so far they've found 7 viruses that cause cancer.
...that's not fun at all.
True, true.
Anyhoo. You don't want any virus. Even a "harmless" virus like the common cold can fuck shit up.
more fun than most social gatherings
There are therapeutic vaccines, like for rabies, which you only get after you have been exposed to the thing to be treated (in this case, cancer).
Preventative vaccinations are for sure the ones we are most familiar with, but they aren’t the only kind :)
That is quite a mistake.
Also: "as England becomes the first country in Europe to offer it."
https://www.maggiedeblock.be/immuuntherapie-voor-het-eerst-terugbetaald-voor-eerste-lijn-longkanker/
It says immune therapy from now on paid back by the goverment.
From january 2017 in Belgium!
What are these journalists smoking?
It's the Independent.
So for us non-british readers… that does mean they smoke a lot?
It seems to be authorised for usage in the EU since 10 years??? what is this all about? https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/opdivo
Lol is vaccine like a general term for any treatment now?