Even though cancer vaccines have been around for a while (more information here), with the rise of mRNA* vaccines many researchers have investigated this technology to develop new cancer treatments [1].
While there are no mRNA vaccines currently approved for treating cancers, numerous ongoing clinical trials are exploring their use in targeting a variety of tumours. In general, these mRNA vaccines are developed by looking at specific mutations on unique proteins** in the tumours, called tumor-associated antigens***.
Once in the cell, the vaccine replicates these specific markers of the tumour cells (only the proteins, not the whole tumour cell itself). Because there is an increase of proteins considered as “foreign” by the immune system, it will target and kill the cells carrying these markers (i.e., cancer cells) [1]. Unlike antibody therapies where a molecule binds a tumour target, this process allows for the activation of both the B-cell and T-cell mediated immunity (more information about the immune system in this post and video), which can lead to a more robust immune response [2].
Although mRNA vaccines are still early in the field of cancer therapeutics, they are highly regarded because they are very easy to personalize and quick to produce [1] – as has been exemplified by the rapidity of the COVID-19 vaccine production. For example, this current phase I clinical trial compares mRNA vaccine therapy alone or in combination with Pembrolizumab in resected (surgically removed) and unresected solid tumours [3].
While it may be tempting to view mRNA vaccines as the next cancer cure, it is still earlier in development compared to monoclonal antibody therapy and traditional chemo/surgical options (see immunotherapy types, including vaccines and antibodies, here) [4]. Currently, cutting-edge cancer treatments tend to include combinations of chemotherapy and antibodies targeting checkpoint inhibitors (the mechanism that the cell has to check if there are errors in the genome, and that is normally inhibited/malfunctions in cancer cells) or other tumour markers, like this phase II trial for pancreatic cancer subtype [5].
Click here for more information about current cancer immunotherapy clinical trials, and here to read more about the different types of immunotherapy treatments.
*mRNA - Ribonucleic acid, one of the nucleic acids found in cells. It is transcribed from DNA. There are many types of RNAs, some of which can have a specific function controlling or regulating some processes in cells while others (known as messenger RNAs, or mRNAs) carry the genetic information that can be translated into proteins by ribosomes.
**Protein - A molecule that forms the structure and gives function to organisms at the most basic level. Proteins consist of amino acids, which can be combined in different sequences to form different protein structures with different functions in cells.
***Antigens - A molecule or substance that is considered foreign to the organism. It can be a toxin, a small part of a microorganism in cases of infection or it can even be a small part of our own body in cases of autoimmune diseases. The antigens stimulate an immune response and the production of antibodies.
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Written by: Dominique
Edited by: María
BioDecoded is a volunteer group committed to sharing accurate scientific information. For more information about vaccines and their safety profile, please see previous posts or consult with your personal physician. If you have any questions about this topic, please comment or send them to our email.
References:
Fiedler K, et al (2016). “mRNA Cancer Vaccines”. Recent Results Cancer Res, 209:61-85. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28101688/
Miao, L., Zhang, Y. and Huang, L. (2021) “mRNA vaccine for cancer immunotherapy”, Molecular Cancer, 20(1). Available at: https://molecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12943-021-01335-5
Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of mRNA-4157 alone in participants with resected solid tumors and combination with pembrolizumab in participants with unresectable solid tumors (2022). National Cancer Institute. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/search/v?id=NCI-2018-00215&r=1 (Accessed July 18, 2022).
Immunotherapy Treatment Types (2022). Cancer research. Available at: https://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/treatment-types(Accessed July 18, 2022)
Padrón, L. et al. (2022) “Sotigalimab and/or nivolumab with chemotherapy in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer: clinical and immunologic analyses from the randomized phase 2 PRINCE trial”, Nature Medicine, 28(6), pp. 1167-1177. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01829-9#Sec1
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