A New Frontier: mRNA Cancer Vaccines
By Shuchi Vanga
The quest to find the cure for cancer is advancing, with researchers developing mRNA cancer vaccines that could change cancer treatment for years to come. These vaccines consist of messenger RNA that encodes antigens, which are then delivered to the immune system to defeat the cancer cells. While these vaccines are not being currently used, they are being tested in multiple trials and research facilities to be a part of cancer treatment in the future.
The mRNA cancer vaccine allows personalized vaccinations to be produced since the doctor can target specific antigens of the patient’s tumor samples. Additionally, while many virus-based vaccines are infectious under some circumstances, mRNA cancer vaccines are safer and free of contamination. They also provide a faster and broader immune response. Furthermore, they are free of mutations and cause fewer side effects than treatments like chemotherapy, which often leave patients feeling exhausted and ill. Therefore, they increase the patient’s quality and quantity of life.
The history of mRNA to start immune responses began in 1993, with early studies demonstrating mRNA’s ability to trigger immune cells against viral and cancer cells. These vaccines gained attention for cancer therapy due to their safety, specific antigen targeting, and non-integration into the genome. The technology uses layered lipid nanoparticles for delivery, aiming to “teach” the immune system to identify and attack cancer cells. In early trials, patients with melanoma showed promising responses, with their immune systems targeting and attacking cancer cells. More recently, researchers at the University of Florida developed an mRNA vaccine that prompts a strong immune response against glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. In a small human trial, the vaccine quickly activated immune cells to target the tumor. Having shown promise in early studies with patients and dogs, these mRNA vaccines will soon be trialed in larger and pediatric studies. Moderna, one of the companies that developed a successful COVID-19 vaccine, is also working on this technology, and is looking to expand their trial to “phase three”, meaning it will expand globally. If their trials succeed, it is possible that mRNA cancer vaccines could be a treatment option in the future for those who have high-risk melanoma.
Several challenges with mRNA cancer vaccines are keeping them in the research phase. For example, there are concerns about the instability of mRNA and the inefficiency of in vivo delivery. To fix the instability, researchers are using synthetic mRNA. Researchers are also modifying the in vivo delivery methods of RNA vaccines to provide more efficiency. Despite challenges, these vaccines could revolutionize cancer treatment in the future, offering new hope for patients.
Overall, once proven successful mRNA cancer vaccines are going to change healthcare and the landscape of cancer treatment. With their personalization and effectiveness, they will save many lives. While the usage of mRNA cancer vaccines in healthcare may come in many years, they represent an exciting step in medicine where cancer could possibly be cured.
Works Cited
Stebbing, Justin, Dasha Majra, “An Update on MRNA Cancer Vaccines.” Rcpath.org, 2021, www.rcpath.org/resource-report/an-update-on-mrna-cancer-vaccines.html.
Duan, Li-Juan, et al. “Potentialities and Challenges of MRNA Vaccine in Cancer Immunotherapy.” Frontiers in Immunology, vol. 13, 26 May 2022, https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.923647.
Jaffee, Michelle, “New MRNA Cancer Vaccine Triggers Fierce Immune Response to Fight Malignant Brain Tumor - UF Health.” Ufhealth.org, ufhealth.org/news/2024/uf-developed-mrna-vaccine-triggers-fierce-immune-response-to-fight-malignant-brain-tumor.
