COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could unlock the next revolution in cancer treatment – new research

New research suggests that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, like those used to combat the virus, could revolutionize cancer treatment by enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy. A study involving over 1,000 late-stage melanoma and lung cancer patients found that those who received a Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy treatment were more than twice as likely to survive for three years. This benefit was particularly pronounced in patients with tumors that typically do not respond well to immunotherapy, showing a nearly fivefold improvement in survival. The mechanism behind this enhanced efficacy appears to be the mRNA vaccines acting as an immune system alarm, prompting it to recognize and attack tumor cells. This complements the action of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a common immunotherapy that prevents tumors from shutting down immune responses. Together, the vaccine and the inhibitor coordinate to unleash the immune system's full potential against cancer. This approach is particularly promising for "cold" tumors, which are resistant to current immunotherapies, by potentially "waking up" the immune system. Unlike personalized mRNA cancer vaccines, which are costly and time-consuming to develop, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are widely available and inexpensive. This accessibility could significantly expand the reach of... download the app to read more