mRNA vaccine shows promise in tackling pancreatic cancer
Clinical studies suggest that the mRNA vaccine may play a role in treating pancreatic cancer, identified as one of the most lethal cancers, according to a report in "Nature." Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest, and there remains a lack of effective treatments against it.
Currently, only 13% of patients with pancreatic cancer survive more than five years, and this is mostly when the disease is detected at an early stage. Unfortunately, up to 90% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, significantly complicating treatment efforts.
mRNA vaccine as a new treatment method
Due to the limitations of traditional treatments like chemotherapy, researchers are exploring new solutions. One option is a therapeutic vaccine based on mRNA technology, which could potentially effectively combat pancreatic cancer. This preparation targets the antigens of mutated cancer cells, enabling the immune system to identify them.
Phase 1 clinical trials, conducted by BioNTech in collaboration with Genentech, indicated that the mRNA vaccine may be effective in some patients. The study involved 16 individuals with operable pancreatic cancer who received the vaccine after collecting cancer cell samples.
mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer: promising research results
Prof. Vinod Balachandran, the study's lead author from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, highlights that half of the patients responded to the vaccine. Their bodies began producing T-cells, which attack the mutated cancer cells. Importantly, these immune cells can remain active for a long time, even up to eight years.
Although the results are encouraging, it is not yet known whether the vaccine will extend patients’ lives. Further studies are required involving a larger group of participants. The second phase of clinical trials aims to confirm these findings.
Universal vaccine in research phase
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is conducting parallel research on a universal vaccine against pancreatic cancer. These studies focus on the KRAS mutation, which is present in 90% of pancreatic cancer cells. Although still in the early stages, they may lead to a breakthrough in treating this type of cancer.
