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Scientists are researching a vaccine against cancer. The researchers are using mRNA technology. Initial results are promising.
Frankfurt – Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, more than 230,000 people died from the disease in 2022. The chances of recovery are increasing through Preventionprevention and treatment of cancer. In the future, the survival rate is expected to continue to rise. coronapandemic has driven research into messenger RNA vaccines (mRNA). Initial study results show that mRNA vaccines can also be effective in cancer patients.
Cancer research: mRNA vaccines increase chances of survival
The pandemic was a breakthrough for mRNA technology. It has been used in cancer research for some time. Studies are investigating how cancer can be treated using mRNA vaccinations. The mRNA works like a blueprint. Cancer patients are vaccinated with a small section of a protein typical of cancer, as the “National Decade Against Cancer” initiative informs.
To do this, only protein sections found on the cancer cells are selected so that the body can recognize them as foreign and a strong immune response is triggered. At the same time, healthy proteins are prevented from being attacked. The cells read the injected mRNA and build up more of it so that the body is flooded with it. This is intended to wake up the immune system and direct it at the corresponding tumor cells. The mRNA is broken down again in the body, but the immune system can remember the cancer-typical protein and fight cells in which it appears again in the future.
mRNA vaccines against cancer: First studies show positive results
The mRNA vaccines are faster and easier to produce than conventional vaccines. Nevertheless, each mRNA vaccine for cancer patients must be produced individually, as each tumor has its own unique combination of changes. Initial study results on the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccination in cancer patients is promising.
As part of a recent study, Biontech produced mRNA vaccines for patients with pancreatic cancer. After vaccination and surgery, the disease progression was significantly improved, as Dirk Jäger, Director of the Department of Medical Oncology at the National Center for Tumor Diseases in Heidelberg, told the Focus explained. Pancreatic cancer is one of the types of cancer with the lowest chances of survival.
Advances in mRNA technology against cancer – vaccinations should help
Positive progress is being made, particularly in the treatment of melanoma, even when metastases have already formed – that is, the tumor has spread throughout the body. “Nowadays, probably half of the patients have a long-term chance of survival despite metastases. Ten years ago, things were completely different, when these patients had a prognosis of less than a year,” said Jäger.
However, there are also types of tumors where only slow progress can be seen, such as in the treatment of brain tumors. “But in this area too, we now have the first early, very exciting results from cell therapy,” added Jäger. “You take lymphocytes, i.e. white blood cells, from the patient and manipulate them outside the body by introducing genetic information into the cell,” the doctor explained the process of cell therapy. The genetic manipulation means that the white blood cells recognize and attack cancer cells back in the body.
Vaccinations against cancer: mRNA technology will only be possible in a few years
However, it will probably take several yearsuntil the mRNA vaccine can also be used in everyday medical practice. “Ultimately, large clinical studies still have to show which patients benefit from the vaccination and which do not. We are probably looking at several years before the relevant results are available,” said Niels Halama, head of the Translational Immunotherapy Department and senior physician and head of the Adaptive Immunotherapy research group at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, the German Cancer Research Center.
“I would like to stress, however, that the vaccination will certainly not be a miracle weapon that can immediately fight all types of cancer,” Halama continued. A vaccination can only be successful if the immune system is in a condition to fight the tumor. The studies currently being conducted must also clarify in which combination with other therapies the vaccination could be useful so that more cancer patients can benefit from mRNA technology. (vk)
The information provided in this article is no substitute for consulting a doctor. Only specialists can make the correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy. The use of medication or nutritional supplements should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.
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