8 April 2022

Preventive cancer vaccines deliver proteins known as tumor antigens, which are scarce on healthy cells but abundant on tumors, or neoantigens, which are unique to tumors. Immune cells take up the antigens and produce antibodies and killer T cells that attack incipient tumor cells, preventing cancer growth.

The goal of this illustration was to show the basic concept behind how a vaccine against cancer would work in an approachable way. The image focuses on the human aspect of receiving a vaccine and the molecular details are overlaid.

Made with Adobe Fresco and Illustrator