mRNA Technology and the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer: Advances Highlighted on World Pancreatic Cancer Day
World Pancreatic Cancer Day, observed annually on the third Thursday of November, serves as a critical reminder of the challenges posed by this devastating disease.Pancreatic cancer is currently the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death globally,with a grim five-year survival rate hovering around a few percent,and is projected to claim approximately 470,000 lives worldwide this year. However, recent advancements in mRNA technology, recognized with the 2023 Nobel Prize for Medicine, are fueling promising new research avenues in the fight against this aggressive cancer.
While personalized cancer vaccines are a major focus of mRNA research, the potential extends far beyond oncology, encompassing applications in rare genetic diseases, cellular disorders, and allergies. Currently, over 200 clinical trials utilizing mRNA are underway globally, spearheaded by both established pharmaceutical companies and emerging start-ups in countries like the United States, China, and Japan.France is particularly distinguished for its robust fundamental research teams dedicated to this field.
Researchers at the ART lab in France are actively investigating mRNA therapies, focusing on both production methods and targeted applications. Current mRNA production relies on expensive, test-tube synthesis often restricted by US-held patents. To address this, the team is exploring a cost-effective choice: producing RNA within yeast, potentially reducing manufacturing costs by 10 to 50 times. rigorous purification processes are essential to ensure the resulting RNA meets stringent pharmaceutical standards.
A key project within the lab centers on developing a novel therapy for pancreatic cancer, a disease notorious for its low survival rate. Despite a doubling of the five-year survival rate from 5% in 2000 to approximately 10% today, progress remains limited, and conventional treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy offer modest benefits.
The French researchers are pioneering a combined approach, integrating an mRNA vaccine with high-intensity ultrasound technology. This technique utilizes ultrasound to generate gas microbubbles within the tissue surrounding the pancreatic tumor. Controlled explosions of these microbubbles “permeabilize” the dense barriers protecting the tumor, allowing the mRNA vaccine to penetrate more effectively. Once inside, the vaccine instructs the immune system to identify and attack the cancer cells.
Initial findings indicate that ultrasound submission to the pancreas is safe and can enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments. The next phase of research will focus on determining the impact of this combined therapy on overall patient survival rates. These encouraging early results were unveiled in conjunction with World Pancreatic Cancer Day, underscoring the urgency and hope surrounding this innovative approach to combating a lethal disease.
