Pakistan Achieves Breakthrough with Breast Cancer Prevention Vaccine

Lahore: In a groundbreaking development for women’s health, Pakistan has successfully created a vaccine designed to help prevent breast cancer, according to ARY News.

The Institute of Public Health (IPH) Punjab has spearheaded the research and production of this vaccine, marking a significant advancement in the fight against one of the most common cancers among women.

Policy Dialogue on HPV Vaccine Production

Health authorities have also initiated a policy dialogue regarding the large-scale production of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which experts believe could be a game-changer for Pakistan’s healthcare sector.

Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja praised the achievement, emphasizing that the provincial government is prioritizing healthcare reforms. He noted that the successful development of the Papilloma Vaccine by IPH is a “remarkable milestone” in the country’s medical research.

Expert Opinion: Lifelong Protection Possible

Renowned medical specialist Professor Dr. Javed Akram highlighted the vaccine’s long-term benefits. He explained that administering three doses to girls around the age of 12 could offer lifelong immunity against breast cancer, significantly reducing the disease burden in the future.

Related Development: FDA Approves New Breast Cancer Drug

In another major step against breast cancer worldwide, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Datroway, a precision drug jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Japan’s Daiichi Sankyo.

The newly approved treatment is targeted at patients with advanced forms of breast cancer who have already undergone prior therapies. AstraZeneca announced that Datroway, priced at $4,891.07 per vial, will be available in the U.S. within two weeks by prescription.

Unlike traditional chemotherapy, Datroway belongs to a class of medicines called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—often referred to as “guided missiles” because they specifically attack cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues.