Cancer Vaccine Developer Sees Limitations to mRNA’s Effectiveness Despite Successful Trial — [this highlights the need to shift our emphasis to early detection]


Institute4HealthTransformation (I4HT)


Joaquim Cardoso MSc
Founder and Chief Researcher and Editor
December 19, 2022


Tech Times
Trisha Kae Andrada
17 December 2022,


Limitations Behind Success


According to Bloomberg’s report, ex-BioNTech SE executive and current University of Pennsylvania researcher Katalin Kariko are generally credited with laying the groundwork for the technology’s effectiveness during the Covid-19 epidemic.


Now, she has speculated that patients with just a small number of cancer cells may benefit most from tumor-fighting mRNA vaccines.


Now, she has speculated that patients with just a small number of cancer cells may benefit most from tumor-fighting mRNA vaccines.


To combat cancer, vaccinations operate by instructing the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells by detecting certain antigens. 


However, Kariko emphasized that the subsequent reaction likely would not be strong enough to wipe out a tumor’s mass.


To combat cancer, vaccinations operate by instructing the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells by detecting certain antigens. 

However, Kariko emphasized that the subsequent reaction likely would not be strong enough to wipe out a tumor’s mass.


In an interview at Semmelweis University in Budapest, where she was awarded, Kariko noted that the immune cells could not combat a massive, gigantic tumor.


She said that this highlights the need to shift our emphasis to early detection, such as by developing blood tests that may identify malignancies years before patients would otherwise be diagnosed.


She said that this highlights the need to shift our emphasis to early detection, such as by developing blood tests that may identify malignancies years before patients would otherwise be diagnosed.


(Photo : Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)
Dr. Katalin Karikó speaks onstage at the TIME100 Summit 2022 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on June 7, 2022 in New York City.

According to Kariko, the technology’s potential was recently shown by the results of research that combined a personalized vaccination developed by Moderna Inc. with Merck & Co.’s best-selling cancer medicine Keytruda.


She stressed that the study was conducted in individuals whose tumors had previously been surgically removed. 

The results suggest that although the findings show that an mRNA vaccine may be used to combat cancer, it is crucial to note that this is not the case for everyone.


She stressed that the study was conducted in individuals whose tumors had previously been surgically removed.

The results suggest that although the findings show that an mRNA vaccine may be used to combat cancer, it is crucial to note that this is not the case for everyone.


Some cancer cells survive, and the vaccine cannot be used to fight them, said Kariko.


Some cancer cells survive, and the vaccine cannot be used to fight them, said Kariko.


(Photo : Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)
Dr. Katalin Karikó speaks onstage at the TIME100 Summit 2022 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on June 7, 2022 in New York City.

Innovative Treatments


The mRNA technology was originally introduced to patients during the mad scramble for a Covid vaccine or treatment. It is now rapidly growing in the field of oncology.


To develop more mRNA therapies, both Moderna and BioNTech are reinvesting billions of dollars in their research and development programs from selling their blockbuster Covid vaccines.


To develop more mRNA therapies, both Moderna and BioNTech are reinvesting billions of dollars in their research and development programs from selling their blockbuster Covid vaccines.


The combined mRNA vaccination used in the Moderna-Merck melanoma research reduced the probability of cancer coming back after surgery or death by 44%.


The combined mRNA vaccination used in the Moderna-Merck melanoma research reduced the probability of cancer coming back after surgery or death by 44%.


Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel told Bloomberg that the company aims to increase output to perform a variety of late-stage clinical studies in the hopes that the technology would be effective against additional kinds of malignancies.


Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel told Bloomberg that the company aims to increase output to perform a variety of late-stage clinical studies in the hopes that the technology would be effective against additional kinds of malignancies.


He compared the progress that has been made in mRNA technology to the revolution in cancer treatment brought about by the introduction of immunotherapies like Keytruda. “We’re going to be very aggressive.”


(Photo : Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)
Dr. Katalin Karikó speaks onstage at the TIME100 Summit 2022 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on June 7, 2022 in New York City.

Leadership Pressure


BioNTech is looking into a wide variety of cancers, including melanoma, using its experimental mRNA therapies.


Kariko claims to consult for BioNTech despite resigning as senior vice president earlier this year. 

She said she had faced intense pressure to succeed in her leadership roles. “With two-three hours of sleep, that was unsustainable.”


She said she had faced intense pressure to succeed in her leadership roles. “With two-three hours of sleep, that was unsustainable.”


Now that she is 67, she wants to focus on helping young people develop an interest in science via research and teaching.


Now that she is 67, she wants to focus on helping young people develop an interest in science via research and teaching.


Originally published at https://www.techtimes.com


Names mentioned


ex-BioNTech SE executive and current University of Pennsylvania researcher Katalin Kariko

Moderna Inc. with Merck & Co.’s 

Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel

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