Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) vaccines, in recent times, have been making headlines for their significant role in helping fight the Covid-19 pandemic. These vaccines now also show promising potential for cancer treatments, especially against advanced Melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
The mRNA Vaccine as a Therapy for Advanced Melanoma
An mRNA vaccine, specifically mRNA-4157/V940, made by Moderna and MSD (Merck & Co.) has displayed encouraging results against advanced melanoma in recent trials. The vaccine is personalized, tailor-made to each patient. Researchers create this vaccine by taking sample tumors and healthy tissues from patients. From these samples, they isolate mutant proteins only associated with cancer using genetic sequencing. Using this information, they design a vaccine that teaches our cells to produce a protein initiating an immune response.
The vaccine enables the body’s immune system to eliminate cancerous cells. It works in combination with Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug, to disable Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), a protein that assists tumors in evading the immune system. When introduced into a patient, the patient’s cells act like a manufacturing plant, producing exact copies of mutations for the immune system to identify and destroy.
The results showed a 44% reduction in the risk of cancer advancement or death after a year of treatment with the combination of mRNA-4157/V940 and Keytruda, indicating its effectiveness and safety.
Varieties of Vaccines
There are several kinds of vaccines, each with unique properties and advantages.
Inactivated Vaccines
This type of vaccine uses a killed pathogen, typically inactivated via heat or chemicals, to trigger the immune response. Examples include the vaccines for Hepatitis A, Flu, Polio, and Rabies. They provide less strong immunity compared to live vaccines, necessitating booster shots for long-term protection.
Live-attenuated Vaccines
These vaccines use a weakened form of the disease-causing germ and produce a potent, long-lasting immune response. Their limitation lies in their unsuitability for people with weakened immune systems. Examples include the vaccines for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
Messenger (m) RNA Vaccines
mRNA vaccines stimulate an immune response by instructing our cells to make specific proteins. They have several advantages, including shorter manufacturing times and no risk of causing the disease in vaccinated individuals, as they do not contain a live virus. The Covid-19 vaccine is one such example.
Subunit, Recombinant, Polysaccharide, and Conjugate Vaccines
These vaccines use certain parts of the germ, such as its protein, sugar, or casing, to prompt a potent immune response. They can also be administered to people with weakened immune systems and long-term health problems. Examples include vaccines for Hib disease, Hepatitis B, HPV, and Pneumococcal disease.
Toxoid Vaccines
Toxoid vaccines use a toxin made by the disease-causing germ to create immunity against the toxin instead of the germ itself. Examples include vaccines for Diphtheria and Tetanus.
Viral Vector Vaccines
Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus as a vector to deliver protection. Several viruses, including influenza, measles virus, adenovirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), have been used as vectors. Some Covid-19 vaccines in clinical trials also use viral vectors.
As science continues to evolve, vaccines remain a critical tool in combating various diseases. mRNA vaccines, with their success against Covid-19 and potential against advanced melanoma, mark an exciting development in our ongoing fight against disease.
