As of: February 5, 2024, 8:19 p.m
By: Karolin Schaefer
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Several pharmaceutical companies are hoping for an mRNA-based cancer vaccine soon.
This is intended to be primarily directed against one type of cancer.
Munich – In the EU, around 2.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, cancer remains the second most common cause of death in Germany.
But research continues to develop.
There could be another vaccination in just a few years.
Pharmaceutical companies expect vaccination against cancer to be available soon
Alexander Zehnder, the new boss of the biotech company Curevac, is convinced that there will soon be an mRNA-based cancer vaccine.
The biotechnology company Biontech is also researching an mRNA cancer vaccine.
The active ingredient is expected to come onto the market by 2030.
There have been successes in research in particular for one type of cancer: black skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
This often resembles a dark birthmark or mole and is usually removed surgically.
However, there is always the risk that the disease will return.
According to the German Cancer Society, a personalized mRNA vaccination in combination with immunotherapy should significantly reduce the risk of relapse after surgery.
This is shown by the results of a phase 2 study by Edith Cowan University in Australia.
Vaccination against cancer: How mRNA technology could help
During the study, all patients had their tumors completely removed.
In addition to immunotherapy, the vaccination is intended to stimulate the immune system more strongly to fight the cancer cells.
The risk of relapse could be reduced.
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Research has particularly advanced the mRNA vaccination against the coronavirus.
Potential cancer vaccinations are also based on this technology.
However, these are not directed against a pathogen like Corona, but against the body's own cancer cells.
There could be new cancer vaccines in the next few years.
© Radowitz/imago
“According to current knowledge, mRNA vaccinations are particularly an option if the tumor tissue has already been largely removed from the body, for example through an operation.
“Then, with the mRNA vaccination in combination with other active ingredients, you have a better chance of eliminating the cancer cells that may still remain in the body and that could lead to a relapse,” explained Susanne Weg-Remers from the German Cancer Information Service in an interview with of
Deutsche Welle
.
Moderna wants to bring a vaccination against black skin cancer onto the market in 2025
The US pharmaceutical company Moderna wants to bring a corresponding vaccine onto the market with accelerated approval as early as 2025.
The basis for approval could be a large-scale, international study on mRNA treatment of black skin cancer this year.
Thousands of patients are expected to take part.
The therapy should primarily be used on people who are already ill and whose melanomas have been removed.
According to Weg-Remers, research is also being carried out on other active ingredients against other types of cancer, such as colon and lung cancer.
However, vaccines are not a miracle cure in the fight against deadly diseases.
According to the German Cancer Society, the research is still in its early stages.
In addition, other cancer treatments could possibly influence the effectiveness of the vaccinations.
There is also hope for an anti-cancer pill that appears to destroy almost all tumors in the body.
Cancer does not always have to be a death sentence.
An association helps sick people and their relatives.
(kas/dpa)