“Cancer” is a much dreaded word that nobody wants to hear in their lifetime. Fortunately, with the medical advancements and improvements in care over the last few decades, cancer no longer has to be a death sentence.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid roll-out of mRNA vaccines have shone a spotlight on a new possibility for treating cancer and increasing survivorship. Imagine being able to train the body’s immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells using personalised instructions tailored to the patient’s condition. This is the future of mRNA cancer vaccines.
While the the idea may sound new, researchers have long been exploring the use of mRNA vaccines to treat cancer. There are currently dozens of ongoing trials, and while the trials are small, early results have been promising. Some have demonstrated a significant reduction in tumour size, while others have shown an increase in overall patient survival rate.
While there is still much to be learned and researched in this new area, the potential benefits of mRNA vaccines for treating cancer are immense. Ultimately, the hope is that one day, this innovative technology can help countless individuals win their battles against cancer.
