Science Quickly Can Vaccines Help Defeat Cancer?
Nov 14, 2025
Rowan Moore Gerety, a science reporter for Scientific American, dives into the groundbreaking world of mRNA vaccines and their potential to treat cancers like pancreatic cancer. He unveils the transformative journey of cancer survivor Barbara Brigham, showcasing how these vaccines can enhance quality of life post-remission. The discussion also highlights the innovative mechanism of mRNA technology in teaching the immune system to target tumors, and addresses the pressing political and funding challenges facing cancer research today.
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Patient's Unexpected Long Remission
- Barbara Brigham entered remission from pancreatic cancer and has lived four more active years enjoying family and social life.
- She attended grandchildren events, welcomed a new grandchild, and plays weekly mahjong with friends.
mRNA Trains Immune System To See Tumors
- Cancer is hard for the immune system to spot because tumors arise from the body's own mutated cells.
- mRNA vaccines can teach the immune system to recognize tumor-specific mutations and generate a new targeted response.
Checkpoint Inhibitors Unmask Tumors
- Checkpoint inhibitors free T cells that tumors have tricked into standing down using checkpoint proteins.
- Immunotherapies work by altering immune regulation rather than directly attacking cancer cells.