Health Check Vaccinating against skin cancer
Sep 2, 2026
Matthew Fox, Boston University epidemiologist, explores personalized mRNA vaccines for melanoma, HPV-targeting chewing gum, multilingualism and brain ageing, and album releases linked to traffic deaths. Journalist Rogelio Navarro reports on Cañonazo, a videogame-powered stroke rehabilitation project in Mexico City. Endocrinologist and author Saira Hameed explains hormone signalling, cortisol, fatigue, and menopause treatments.
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Personalized mRNA Vaccines Target Returning Melanoma
- Personalized mRNA vaccines train the immune system to recognize cancer-specific proteins and attack melanoma if it returns.
- The late-stage trial involved about 1,100 patients whose advanced melanoma had been surgically removed, but production remains difficult to scale.
Chewing Gum Traps Cancer Linked HPV
- A bioengineered chewing gum captured 93% of HPV in test saliva, potentially reducing exposure to viruses linked to cervical and head-and-neck cancers.
- The result remains preliminary because researchers have tested it only on laboratory samples, not people.
A Stroke Survivor Fires Her Way Back To Walking
- After a stroke left Silvia Salinas unable to move the left side of her body, she used Cañonazo to aim a virtual cannon by kicking with her leg.
- A 3D-printed knee brace measured her movement and controlled the pirate-ship game.
