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A novel approach to cancer vaccines, developed by researchers, shows promise as a “universal” treatment capable of priming the immune system to combat various tumors. This breakthrough, detailed in a recent study, suggests a new paradigm in cancer vaccine growth.
The research team, led by Dr. Sayour, has demonstrated that an RNA vaccine, designed not to target specific cancer mutations but to elicit a robust immune response, can be effective. This strategy aims to sensitize the immune system against individual tumors, potentially leading to a broadly applicable cancer vaccine.
In a concept test, the vaccine was administered alongside a checkpoint inhibitor in a melanoma mouse model. The combination therapy proved more effective than checkpoint inhibitors alone in mice with treatment-resistant tumors. furthermore, the vaccine demonstrated promising anti-cancer effects when used independently in mouse models of other cancers, including glioma (brain cancer) and pulmonary osteosarcoma (bone cancer that metastasizes to the lungs).
Historically, cancer vaccine development has focused on two main strategies: identifying specific targets present in many cancer patients or creating vaccines tailored to the unique targets within an individual’s tumor. However, this new study introduces a third emerging concept.
Dr. Duane Mitchell, a co-author of the study, explained that by designing a vaccine to stimulate a strong immune response rather than specifically attacking cancer, a powerful anti-cancer reaction can be achieved. This has important implications for cancer patients and could pave the way for a readily available cancer vaccine.This current research builds upon previous work from Dr. Sayour’s laboratory. Last year, a first-in-human clinical trial demonstrated that an mRNA vaccine could rapidly reprogram the immune system to target glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis. A key finding from that trial involving four patients was the speed at which this method, utilizing a “specific” or personalized vaccine derived from the patient’s own tumor cells, generated a potent immune response against the tumor.
In the present study, the team adapted their technology to test a “generalized” RNA vaccine. This formulation, prepared similarly to COVID-19 vaccines but not targeting the spike protein, was designed to induce a strong immune response without being directed at specific viral or mutated cancer cells.
Sayour and his colleagues have initiated a human clinical trial to evaluate a two-step approach: administering a ready-to-use cancer vaccine followed by a personalized vaccine. This trial is currently enrolling patients with two types of recurrent cancers: high-grade glioma and pediatric osteosarcoma.
According to Sayour, this combined approach conserves valuable time typically required for personalized vaccination and can induce rapid immunity. This immunity can then be further enhanced through personalized therapy.the findings suggest the potential of a universal cancer vaccine that can activate and prepare the immune system to work in conjunction with checkpoint inhibitors to attack cancer. In some instances, it may even be capable of eliminating cancer cells on its own.
