The hepatitis B virus, infecting around 375 million people and causing more deaths than AIDS, is linked to millions of liver cancer cases. The narrative highlights the groundbreaking discovery of the virus and the development of a vaccine that significantly reduces infection rates globally. This vaccine is notable not only for its role in preventing hepatitis B but also as a potential first effective cancer vaccine. The account emphasizes the challenges faced during its discovery, underscoring a significant achievement in twentieth-century medicine.
