Cancer vaccines are finally showing promise as Moderna and Merck touted promising data on an experimental skin cancer vaccine and the U.K. announced plans for a “landmark” scheme to test the technology across the country this week, after decades of research that could bring a new era of personalized medicine.
mRNA, short for messenger ribonucleic acid, is a kind of informational molecule that carries instructions for cells on how to make proteins, including antigens that can stimulate the immune system. While mRNA shots for viruses like COVID-19 are designed to prevent disease by instructing cells to produce a harmless viral protein that trains the immune system to recognize and defend against the virus in the future, mRNA cancer vaccines are therapeutic and are for people who already have cancer.
Each vaccine is developed using samples of their cancer and personalized to an individual patient using genetic sequencing and artificial intelligence, priming the immune system to recognize unique mutations or features of the cancer cells and attack them if any are remaining or resurface after treatments like surgery, boosting chances of recovery and remaining cancer free in the future.
In addition to melanoma, trials of the personalized vaccines are already planned or underway for a wide range of cancers, including otherGet Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to 335-0739 or sign upshift for cancer treatment is on the horizon, it is still early days for the therapy. The treatments have a long way to go until entering mainstream clinical practice.