TWiV 1309: Maybe they're all cancer vaccines

The podcast episode centers on virology and cancer research, particularly the mechanisms behind sterilizing immunity in HPV vaccines and the impact of respiratory viral infections on lung cancer development. The panel explores how HPV vaccines, unlike many others, can prevent infection due to a prolonged window for antibody neutralization. They then discuss a study linking severe respiratory infections like COVID-19 and influenza to increased lung cancer risk, highlighting the role of altered neutrophil behavior in creating a pro-tumor environment. Vaccination against these respiratory viruses is presented as a potential preventative measure. The discussion also touches on the complexities of immune responses and the challenges of translating mouse model findings to human health.