The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

What are these 'cancer vaccines' I'm hearing about? And what similarities do they share with COVID vaccines?

  • Written by Sathana Dushyanthen, Academic Specialist & Lecturer in Cancer Sciences & Digital Health| Superstar of STEM| Science Communicator, The University of Melbourne
What are these 'cancer vaccines' I'm hearing about? And what similarities do they share with COVID vaccines?

Barely a month goes by without headlines announcing yet another advancement in cancer vaccines.

Just last month, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted[1] breakthrough therapy designation to Moderna and Merck’s skin cancer vaccine. This allows expedited development and review of drugs intended to treat serious conditions.

We already have a vaccine[2] to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical and other cancers. We also have a vaccine to protect against the hepatitis B virus, which can cause liver cancer.

But you may have heard of new types of cancer vaccines being developed using technology similar to that used for COVID vaccines. Decades before COVID vaccines, scientists had been working on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines targeting cancer.

Rather than preventing disease, these vaccines are a personalised treatment for cancer, to combat disease.

How do they work?

Science in Motion.

Traditionally, vaccines inject part or all of a weakened virus (or other pathogen) into the body to provoke an immune response.

mRNA works by[3] injecting only the genetic instructions and allowing the body’s cells to make part of the cancer protein (antigen) itself. This trains the immune system to develop antibodies against the protein.

When these same proteins are present on an invading tumour cell, the immune system stimulates an immune response against it.

While COVID mRNA vaccines respond to one antigen – the spike protein on the outside of coronavirus – cancer vaccines act on several antigens present on the tumour surface.

The mRNA cancer vaccines train the patient’s immune system to fight their own cancer. Most trials[4] are manufacturing vaccines for individual patients based on the specific antigens present on their tumours.

It takes around two months[5] to produce a vaccine.

Doctor checks patient's mole
The vaccine stimulates an immune response against cancer cells. Shutterstock[6]

How are they made?

To make these vaccines[7], a sample of the patient’s tumour and healthy tissue is taken. These samples are DNA-sequenced to compare differences between the DNA in the cancerous cells and the healthy cells.

Scientists identify problem mutations driving disease. These can then be used as antigen targets in the mRNA vaccine.

Bespoke approaches allow scientists to target a wider range of cancer antigens. Targeting multiple antigens decreases the odds that cancer cells will mutate and become resistant to vaccines, because the immune system attacks on multiple fronts.

Personalised medicines are extremely expensive[8] because they are bespoke products. Manufacturing costs for bespoke treatments remain high. However, with rapidly falling costs of different aspects such as genome sequencing (some companies are now offering genome sequencing for just US$100[9]), sequencing the entire genome is becoming more viable.

As large-scale manufacturing increases in future for off-the-shelf vaccines, there will be resource efficiencies that reduce cost.

What vaccines are in development?

In December 2022, Moderna and Merck (known outside the United States and Canada as MSD[10]) published the results of its early phase (2b) clinical trial[11]. The trial was investigating a combination therapy of an mRNA vaccine and immunotherapy (a drug that stimulates an immune response) in advanced stage melanoma patients.

After one year of treatment in 157 patients, they found the combination reduced the risk of cancer recurrence or death by 44%[12].

Now, Moderna and Merck plan to follow up their initial trial with a phase 3 trial for advanced melanoma in 2023. Phase 3 trials test for safety and efficacy in larger groups of patients.

Read more: Moderna's experimental cancer vaccine treats but doesn't prevent melanoma – a biochemist explains how it works[13]

BioNTech has several mRNA cancer candidates in the works, including for advanced melanoma, ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It will release results from its own phase 2 melanoma trial (of 131 patients) using immunotherapy and an mRNA vaccine combination later this year. Its primary aim[14] is to measure cancer progression and survival over 24 months in previously untreated patients.

A third company called CureVac is also developing mRNA vaccines targeting a range of cancers[15] including ovarian, colorectal, head and neck, lung and pancreatic.

CureVac has a deal with Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, to develop small, portable mRNA bioprinters[16] to automate the process of producing patient mRNA. These can be shipped to remote locations[17] where they are able to churn out vaccine candidates based on the DNA template (recipe) fed into the machine.

A lot of these vaccines[18], including those targeting cancer, are in pre-clinical to phase 1 stages of development, to test the effects and side effects in the laboratory, animal models or small groups of patients.

When will they become available?

Overseas, Moderna and Merck’s mRNA cancer vaccine was fast-tracked for review by the US FDA in February 2023.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has not approved the use of mRNAs for use either alone or with other cancer treatments yet.

In January 2023, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service partnered[19] with BioNTech to fast-track the development of mRNA cancer vaccines over the next seven years. Eligible UK cancer patients will get early access to clinical trials from late 2023 onwards. By 2030[20], these mRNA vaccines will be made clinically available to around 10,000 cancer patients.

Read more: Cancer vaccine trials could start in the autumn – UK signs deal with BioNTech[21]

In Australia, BioNTech is establishing[22] its Asia-Pacific mRNA clinical research and development centre in Melbourne, in partnership with the Victorian government. This would develop[23] mRNA vaccines for research and clinical trials, including personalised cancer treatments.

Meanwhile, Moderna will develop[24] Australia’s first large-scale mRNA vaccine facility at Monash University by 2024, in partnership with the state and federal government. This will give Australians priority access[25] to mRNA vaccines made locally.

What else could the technology be used for?

Aside from cancer, there is huge potential[26] to use mRNA technologies across many gene therapies.

There are studies underway[27] testing mRNA vaccines for various diseases such as evolving COVID strains, seasonal influenza[28], malaria[29], HIV[30], cystic fibrosis[31] and even allergies, giving new hope for many previously incurable diseases.

Read more: 3 mRNA vaccines researchers are working on (that aren't COVID)[32]

References

  1. ^ granted (www.pharmtech.com)
  2. ^ vaccine (www.cancer.net)
  3. ^ works by (pharmaceutical-journal.com)
  4. ^ trials (www.thelancet.com)
  5. ^ two months (www.cancer.gov)
  6. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  7. ^ make these vaccines (www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com)
  8. ^ extremely expensive (www.health.gov.au)
  9. ^ US$100 (leaps.org)
  10. ^ MSD (www.biopharma-reporter.com)
  11. ^ clinical trial (www.bbc.com)
  12. ^ cancer recurrence or death by 44% (www.theguardian.com)
  13. ^ Moderna's experimental cancer vaccine treats but doesn't prevent melanoma – a biochemist explains how it works (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ aim (www.clinicaltrialsarena.com)
  15. ^ targeting a range of cancers (pharmaceutical-journal.com)
  16. ^ portable mRNA bioprinters (www.reuters.com)
  17. ^ remote locations (www.reuters.com)
  18. ^ vaccines (www.curevac.com)
  19. ^ partnered (www.theguardian.com)
  20. ^ 2030 (www.nature.com)
  21. ^ Cancer vaccine trials could start in the autumn – UK signs deal with BioNTech (theconversation.com)
  22. ^ establishing (www.premier.vic.gov.au)
  23. ^ develop (www.biospace.com)
  24. ^ will develop (www.industry.gov.au)
  25. ^ priority access (www.globalaustralia.gov.au)
  26. ^ huge potential (www.technologyreview.com)
  27. ^ studies underway (pharmanewsintel.com)
  28. ^ seasonal influenza (www.pfizer.com)
  29. ^ malaria (www.curevac.com)
  30. ^ HIV (www.nih.gov)
  31. ^ cystic fibrosis (www.businesswire.com)
  32. ^ 3 mRNA vaccines researchers are working on (that aren't COVID) (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/what-are-these-cancer-vaccines-im-hearing-about-and-what-similarities-do-they-share-with-covid-vaccines-197988

The Times Features

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping