Il vaccino A mRNA - Unomattina - 26/04/2023

Summary

The transcript discusses the groundbreaking development of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, initially a tool for COVID-19 prevention, now expanding into cancer treatment. Experts Paolo Marchetti and Massimo Andreoni highlight the potential of personalized mRNA vaccines to target and destroy cancer cells by teaching the immune system to recognize tumor-specific proteins. While research has made significant strides, including studies on melanoma and lung cancer, challenges remain, such as the high cost and technical hurdles of stabilizing mRNA. The hope is that within the next four years, these therapies will become widely available, offering a new frontier in cancer treatment.

Takeaways

• 😀 mRNA vaccines have the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment by teaching the immune system to target specific cancer cells.
• 😀 These vaccines are distinct from traditional vaccines as they serve as a therapeutic rather than preventive measure, especially for conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, and allergies.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of mRNA technology, shortening the development timeline from decades to months.
• 😀 The research behind mRNA vaccines is progressing rapidly, with ongoing studies on melanoma and other cancer types like lung and head/neck cancers.
• 😀 Personalized treatment is a key aspect of mRNA cancer therapies, where the vaccine is tailored to target the unique proteins of each patient’s tumor.
• 😀 The cost of developing mRNA vaccines for individual patients is high, involving detailed genetic analysis to identify specific altered proteins, though prices have decreased from earlier estimates.
• 😀 The therapeutic mRNA vaccines have shown good tolerability, with minimal side effects like fatigue, muscle pain, or fever, compared to traditional cancer treatments.
• 😀 One of the major challenges in mRNA vaccine development is ensuring the stability of the mRNA, which is naturally fragile and prone to rapid degradation.
• 😀 A breakthrough solution has been the use of liposomes, small lipid bubbles, to protect and deliver the mRNA into cells effectively.
• 😀 Experts predict that within the next four years, these mRNA cancer therapies could become widely available, following the rapid progress seen with COVID-19 vaccines.

Q & A

What is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in cancer treatment, according to the script?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are being explored as a therapeutic tool in cancer treatment, not just for prevention of infectious diseases. These vaccines work by training the immune system to recognize and target specific proteins on cancer cells, allowing for targeted treatment.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of mRNA vaccines?

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated mRNA vaccine development by providing an opportunity to test the vaccine's effectiveness on a large scale in a short period. What had been decades of research was fast-tracked due to the urgent need for a COVID-19 vaccine.

What is the difference between mRNA vaccines used for prevention and those used for therapy?

mRNA vaccines for prevention are designed to stimulate the immune system to protect against infections, while therapeutic mRNA vaccines are intended to treat diseases like cancer by helping the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.

What types of cancers are currently being targeted in mRNA vaccine trials?

Current mRNA vaccine trials are focused on melanoma, certain types of lung cancer, and cancers of the head and neck. These trials aim to teach the immune system to recognize altered proteins in cancer cells.

Why is the mRNA vaccine approach personalized for each patient in cancer treatment?

The mRNA vaccine approach is personalized because it requires identifying the specific altered proteins in each patient's tumor cells. This ensures that the vaccine is tailored to target the unique characteristics of the individual's cancer.

How does the mRNA vaccine work to treat cancer cells?

The mRNA vaccine instructs the body's cells to produce specific proteins found on cancer cells. These proteins act as markers, signaling the immune system to target and attack the cancer cells selectively.

What are the potential side effects of mRNA vaccines used in cancer therapy?

The side effects of mRNA vaccines in cancer therapy are generally mild and include fatigue, muscle pain, and mild fever. These side effects are similar to those seen in other types of inflammatory responses and are less severe compared to traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

How much does it cost to produce an mRNA vaccine for a single cancer patient?

Currently, the cost for producing a personalized mRNA vaccine for a cancer patient is relatively high. The process involves detailed DNA analysis, identification of altered proteins, and creating a specific vaccine for each patient, which may cost around 800-1000 euros.

What challenges do researchers face in developing mRNA vaccines for cancer?

One of the main challenges is the instability of the mRNA itself. Since mRNA is quickly degraded, researchers have developed liposomes, small lipid bubbles, to protect the mRNA and ensure it can be delivered into the cells without being destroyed.

When are mRNA vaccines for cancer expected to be available for general use?

It is expected that these mRNA cancer vaccines could be available within the next four years, although the timeline could be accelerated, as was the case with the COVID-19 vaccines, given the lessons learned from the pandemic.