A groundbreaking mRNA cancer vaccine could offer long-term protection against pancreatic cancer, with early clinical trials showing promising results.
In a small trial, patients who received the vaccine remained cancer-free for more than three years, according to a study published in Nature on February 19. The vaccine, developed by BioNTech and Genentech, works by training the immune system to recognize and attack pancreatic cancer cells.
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat, with a five-year survival rate of just 13%. Many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, limiting treatment options. Existing therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, have had limited success in significantly extending survival rates.
Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent disease, this therapeutic vaccine is designed to be administered after diagnosis. It introduces the immune system to a patient’s unique cancer markers, helping the body recognize and eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
The trial included 16 patients who underwent surgery followed by standard chemotherapy, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and the personalized mRNA vaccine. Eight of the patients showed a strong immune response, and only two of them experienced cancer recurrence. In contrast, among the eight who did not respond to the vaccine, seven saw their cancer return within a year.
“This is a major breakthrough,” said Aaron Sasson, director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at Stony Brook Medicine, who was not involved in the study. “It suggests that the vaccine can generate long-lasting immune cells that continue to patrol the body and prevent cancer from coming back.”
While the vaccine was not effective for all patients, researchers believe the spleen may play a role in immune response. Some trial participants who had their spleens removed before vaccination may have experienced a weaker immune reaction.
Encouraged by these results, scientists are now expanding the trial to a larger group of patients across multiple research sites, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Researchers are also exploring similar mRNA vaccines for other cancers, such as melanoma and colorectal cancer.
Despite the excitement surrounding mRNA-based cancer treatments, concerns have arisen about potential funding challenges. Reports suggest that U.S. health officials are advising researchers to avoid mentioning mRNA technology in grant applications, raising concerns that critical advancements in cancer immunotherapy could face setbacks.
As trials progress, scientists remain hopeful that personalized mRNA vaccines could revolutionize cancer treatment, providing patients with a powerful new weapon against some of the deadliest forms of the disease.
