The extraordinary promise of personalised cancer vaccines
May 2, 2024
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Prof Alan Melcher from the Institute of Cancer Research discusses the promise of personalised cancer vaccines targeting glioblastomas and melanoma. They explore how mRNA vaccines reprogram the immune system to target specific cancer antigens, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment by stimulating the immune system for preventative strategies and early detection in immunotherapy.
Personalized mRNA vaccines show promise in targeting aggressive cancers like Glioblastoma and Melanoma.
Development of preventive cancer vaccines could revolutionize early detection and treatment of tumors.
Deep dives
Vaccine Development for Glioblastoma and Melanoma
The podcast episode discusses the exciting progress in developing vaccines for aggressive cancers such as Glioblastoma and Melanoma. Researchers conducted trials on mRNA vaccines in a small group of participants and observed a rapid reprogramming of the immune system to target and attack tumors. These vaccines, using mRNA technology similar to some COVID vaccines, instruct the body to fight cancer cells effectively, raising hope for novel cancer therapies.
Evolution of Cancer Immunotherapy through Vaccines
The conversation delves into the historical development of cancer immunotherapy, focusing on activating the immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells. The discussion highlights the challenges faced in directing the immune system to target tumors safely and effectively. The narrative progresses to the current advancements in cancer vaccines, notably personalized mRNA vaccines that target neoantigens specific to individual tumors.
Future Prospects of Cancer Vaccines and Preventative Strategies
The episode explores the potential effectiveness and implications of cancer vaccines, emphasizing their necessity in conjunction with other therapies to enhance immune responses against different cancer types. Additionally, the dialogue touches on the prospect of developing preventative cancer vaccines that could intercept the growth of cancer cells before forming tumors. Screening technologies like liquid biopsies offer promise in identifying early-stage tumors for targeted vaccination strategies, pointing towards a preventive approach for cancer treatment.
Glioblastomas are an extremely aggressive type of brain tumour, which is why the news this week of a vaccine that has shown promise in fighting them is so exciting. And this comes right off the back of the announcement of another trial of the world’s first personalised mRNA vaccine for melanoma, a kind of skin cancer. Ian Sample talks to Prof Alan Melcher of the Institute of Cancer Research about how these vaccines work and whether they could one day be used to target cancer before it is even detectable on scans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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