Are mRNA Vaccines Our Greatest Hope in Treating Deadly Cancers?

By Genni Burkhart

Exciting breakthroughs in messenger RNA (mRNA) research are reshaping the way we approach cancer treatment. One of the most promising developments is the rise of mRNA-based cancer vaccines, designed to activate the body’s immune system and target even the toughest malignancies. These innovations are opening new doors in the fight against cancer, offering fresh hope for more effective treatments.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) and BioNTech presented pivotal findings at last month's 2024 ESMO Congress, underscoring the potential of mRNA vaccines to reshape cancer care as we know it.

Targeting The Deadliest Cancers

One of the latest advancements in mRNA technology involves a vaccine targeting pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers, with a historically poor five-year survival rate of only 12%.

I lost my father to this disease in 2021. After being told only two months earlier that he was "cancer-free," my father experienced a sudden and severe decline in his health and quickly passed away.

If you've ever lost someone to pancreatic cancer, you know how uniquely devastating it is due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. It serves as a stark reminder of life's fragility and underscores that, despite all the progress made by modern medicine, we've yet to combat the most lethal cancers effectively.

However, researchers are making significant strides with mRNA cancer vaccines, aiming to improve outcomes and bring hope to patients and families affected by the relentless nature of pancreatic cancer.

Promising Trials

In a recent phase 1 trial led by Dr. Vinod Balachandran at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, an experimental mRNA vaccine called autogene cevumeran ( (BNT122, RO7198457) showed promise by activating T cells to recognize and attack pancreatic tumor cells. “This investigational mRNA vaccine can trigger T cells—the cells that mobilize anti-tumor immune responses—that may recognize pancreatic cancers as foreign,” explained Dr. Balachandran. Preliminary results show that the vaccine stimulated durable immune responses, with immune cells persisting in patients' blood for up to three years. (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2024)

Meanwhile, efforts to combat lung cancer—another notoriously deadly cancer—are also gaining momentum. Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have explored the role of mRNA-based immunotherapy to enhance immune responses in non-small cell lung cancer. (NSCLC) Ongoing trials are investigating mRNA vaccines in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, which aim to sustain immunity and improve survival outcomes for patients with limited treatment options. (MD Anderson, 2024)

Personalized Vaccines

These developments are part of an evolution toward personalized cancer vaccines using mRNA technology.

One of the most promising aspects of mRNA technology is its adaptability. Researchers are developing personalized mRNA vaccines tailored to the unique genetic profile of each patient’s tumor. These vaccines teach the immune system to recognize specific neoantigens—proteins found only on the patient’s cancer cells—allowing for precise immune targeting. Early results from personalized mRNA vaccine trials suggest this treatment could become a standard in cancer care, complementing (not replacing) existing therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. (BioNTech, 2024)

Rapid Progress and Challenges

At the 2024 ESMO Congress, BioNTech reported encouraging data on personalized mRNA cancer vaccines targeting Epstein-Barr virus-positive tumors. The ability to modify mRNA vaccines swiftly for specific tumor profiles highlights the technology's adaptability and potential to revolutionize personalized medicine. (BioNTech, 2024)

Beyond oncology, mRNA is being explored for diseases such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, further broadening its therapeutic potential. This adaptability was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, as researchers rapidly updated mRNA vaccine formulations to address emerging variants.

Despite the promise of mRNA vaccines, challenges remain. Cold chain storage requirements pose logistical difficulties, although new formulations are being developed to improve stability. Additionally, equitable access to these advanced vaccines is a priority, with organizations like the World Health Organization working to address global distribution gaps.

Science: Humanity's Best Hope

Science has always been at the forefront of medical advancement, pushing boundaries and exploring unknown territories. From the development of vaccines to the discovery of antibiotics, scientific innovation has been instrumental in extending life expectancy and improving our quality of life. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine represents the latest in many scientific breakthroughs that have revolutionized medicine.

Factually speaking, science isn't merely a body of knowledge or a collection of data points; it’s a method, a process of inquiry that allows humanity to understand and navigate the natural world around us. Misguided ideas that science is something to "believe in" (or not) reflect a misunderstanding of this fundamental principle. Moreover, science isn't a matter of belief—it's a rigorous process of inquiry and discovery grounded in testing, data, and peer-reviewed evidence. Through this process, science delivers results we can trust, not because of faith but because of verifiable, reproducible outcomes.

Carl Sagan once famously said, “Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.” His words remind us that science and spirituality aren’t at odds; rather, they're meant to coexist. Science helps us understand the how of the world, while spirituality addresses the why.

In Conclusion: mRNA’s Role in Shaping the Future

The progress in mRNA research underscores the importance of continued scientific exploration and our trust in it. As Dr. Balachandran noted, “Our findings show that this vaccine candidate can induce a lasting immune response—up to three years—in some patients,” a crucial feature for preventing cancer recurrence. (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2024)

mRNA vaccines represent a significant leap forward in infectious disease prevention and cancer treatment. With ongoing mRNA trials in pancreatic, lung, brain, and liver cancers and personalized treatment options advancing, the future of oncology looks promising. This breakthrough technology, built on decades of medical research and peer-reviewed evidence, exemplifies the ability of science to push boundaries, offering new hope for patients and redefining the possibilities of treating the "untreatable."

Author: With 14 years as a published journalist, editor, and writer, Genni Burkhart's career has spanned politics, healthcare, law, business finance, technology, and news. She resides in Northern Colorado, where she works as the editor-in-chief of the Incisor at DOCS Education.

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