Cancer Vaccines: Personalized mRNA Breakthrough in Preventing Recurrence

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Cancer Vaccines: Personalized mRNA Breakthrough in Preventing Recurrence

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Cancer Vaccines: Personalized mRNA Breakthrough in Preventing Recurrence.

A Step Closer to Reality! Three Years Cancer-Free with Regular Vaccine Injections Every Three Weeks.

Recently, the globally renowned academic journal Nature published a significant research paper discussing how personalized cancer vaccines developed using mRNA technology can help prevent tumor recurrence in cancer patients.

Similar to the technology used in COVID-19 vaccines, these personalized vaccines are tailored based on the genetic information of a patient’s tumor. They aim to stimulate the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

A clinical trial conducted at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University demonstrated the effectiveness of personalized mRNA vaccines combined with immunotherapy (such as the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab) in preventing melanoma recurrence.

Results from the clinical trial indicated that personalized vaccines more effectively stimulated the immune system to attack cancer cells and significantly reduced the risk of cancer recurrence compared to immunotherapy alone.

About mRNA Cancer Vaccines

mRNA cancer vaccines represent a novel immunotherapy based on mRNA technology, which gained widespread use and demonstrated significant efficacy and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The principle of mRNA cancer vaccines is to use messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding specific cancer antigens to activate the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. These vaccines can be personalized based on the unique mutations of a patient’s tumor, significantly enhancing the specificity and effectiveness of the immune response.

In simple terms, mRNA cancer vaccines are a new therapy that fights cancer by enhancing the body’s immune system. They use a molecule called mRNA to instruct the body on how to produce a specific protein found in cancer cells. The immune system then recognizes these proteins and attacks the cancer cells. Because each patient’s cancer has unique characteristics, these vaccines can be customized to better activate the immune system to destroy cancer cells, acting as a personalized “immune weapon” for each patient.

Multiple mRNA cancer vaccines are currently undergoing clinical trials worldwide, targeting various types of cancer patients.

1. mRNA-4157 (V940) for Melanoma

mRNA-4157 (V940), developed by Moderna and Merck, is a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine.

According to results from the Phase 2b clinical trial KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201, announced on June 3, 2024, the mRNA-4157 (V940) vaccine combined with the PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab) showed significant efficacy in high-risk stage III/IV melanoma patients who had undergone complete tumor resection:

• With an average follow-up of 34.9 months, the combination of the vaccine and Keytruda reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% and the risk of distant metastasis or death by 62%, compared to Keytruda alone.
• The 2.5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 55.6% for the Keytruda-only group and 74.8% for the combination group, indicating that 74.8% of patients experienced no cancer recurrence 2.5 years after starting treatment.

Angela Evatt’s Case

Melanoma patient Angela Evatt participated in this trial and has benefited from the mRNA cancer vaccine.

Angela enjoyed sunbathing in her youth and never considered the risks of tanning and sunburn. In late 2019, a large mole on her back began to hurt and bleed. A biopsy confirmed that she had stage IIIC (advanced) melanoma.

In March 2020, Angela joined the clinical trial at Georgetown University. This trial aimed to investigate whether a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine could reduce recurrence risk and improve survival rates for advanced melanoma patients.

Under anesthesia, Angela underwent surgery to remove a malignant mole from her back and a lymph node from her left armpit. The goal was not only to remove the cancerous tissue but also to create a personalized cancer vaccine to train her immune system to attack remaining cancer cells.

Angela received the customized mRNA-4157 (V940) vaccine and Keytruda. Over the next year, she visited the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center every three weeks for mRNA vaccine injections in both arms.

Although Angela experienced severe flu-like symptoms after each injection, the vaccine soon showed significant efficacy.

Over three years of follow-up, Angela’s health improved with no signs of cancer recurrence by 2024, thanks to the personalized mRNA vaccine and immunotherapy.

Moderna and Merck have initiated several Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the combination of mRNA-4157 (V940) and Keytruda as adjuvant therapy in high-risk melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer patients.

2. BNT122 for Pancreatic Cancer

BNT122, also known as Autogene cevumeran or RO7198457, is an mRNA cancer vaccine developed by BioNTech and Genentech.

According to a Phase 1 trial presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in April 2024, BNT122 as adjuvant therapy significantly delayed the recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients and reduced postoperative recurrence risk.

The study included 16 patients, and after an average follow-up of 3.2 years, 8 patients responded positively to the vaccine, with 6 experiencing no recurrence.

BNT122 induced positive anti-tumor responses in 50% of PDAC patients, with over 80% of responses persisting for more than two years.

The study is now in Phase 2, recruiting patients globally to compare BNT122’s efficacy and safety as adjuvant therapy against the standard chemotherapy regimen mFOLFIRINOX.

3. BNT111 for Melanoma

BNT111, an mRNA cancer vaccine developed by BioNTech, showed promising results in a Phase 2 trial (BNT111-01) announced on July 30, 2024. The combination of BNT111 and the PD-1 inhibitor cemiplimab demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with refractory or recurrent, unresectable stage III or IV melanoma who progressed after PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors.

The trial is ongoing.

4. mRNA-4359 for Melanoma, Lung Cancer, and Other Solid Tumors

A Phase 1/2 trial, Mobilize, is evaluating mRNA-4359’s efficacy in treating melanoma, lung cancer, and other solid tumors. The trial, sponsored by Moderna, aims to assess the vaccine’s safety and tolerability, both alone and in combination with Keytruda.

In October 2023, the first UK patient, an 81-year-old with treatment-resistant melanoma, successfully received the mRNA-4359 vaccine. The trial is in its early stages, with global patient recruitment planned over the next three years.

Cancer Vaccines: A Promising Future

Personalized cancer vaccines, represented by mRNA vaccines, have opened a new path for cancer treatment with broad application prospects. By designing vaccines based on individual tumor characteristics, treatment specificity and effectiveness can be improved, helping patients achieve better outcomes.

With ongoing advancements in cancer vaccine technology and deeper clinical research, personalized cancer vaccines will be applied to more cancer types and gradually integrated into clinical practice. Cancer vaccines are expected to become a crucial treatment option, bringing hope to countless cancer patients.

Looking ahead, we are optimistic about a new era filled with possibilities. We believe cancer vaccines will become a vital weapon in the fight against cancer, bringing light and hope to the lives of many patients.

Cancer Vaccines: Personalized mRNA Breakthrough in Preventing Recurrence

References:

(source:internet, reference only)

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Important Note: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice.