Hello,
I have 2 questions regarding cancer mRNA vaccines. When synthetic mRNA vaccine for cancer is introduced into the body, our expectation is that the immune system will be activated against the tumor cells and exhibit a response to eliminate them.
However, the question arises as to whether, after translation and the emergence of tumor antigens on the surface of the target cells, primarily dendritic cells (DCs), it leads to the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and other immune cells that only eliminate those specific cells rather than the millions of tumor cells that have already caused cancer in the body tissues.
Despite many studies, I cannot comprehend the philosophy behind mRNA cancer vaccines in the face of this challenge.
Furthermore, I have another question in the same context. Assuming that the activated immune cells are intended to eliminate cancer cells, they face a formidable barrier called the tumor microenvironment and mechanisms by which tumors evade the immune system. Ultimately, these factors somehow inhibit the immune system.
The question is, how can the activated immune cells by mRNA vaccines overcome this microenvironment barrier and reach cancer cells? Especially considering that in many research samples, inhibitors of the tumor microenvironment are not simultaneously used with mRNA vaccines.
If you have information on the answers to these two questions, I would greatly appreciate your guidance.
Thank you.
Messenger RNA vaccines are not made up of simply any mRNS, but mRNAs specific for the antigen in question. For example, in COVID-19 vaccines, the mRNA is for intracellular translation to snthesise the Spike Protein that finds and latches on to the ACE-2 cell receptor. If such selected mRNA is injected, they will be hunted out and destroyed by innate immunity and natural RNAse in the body. So the vaccine-mRNA has to be 'stabilised' from such quick destruction -- that stabiisation procedure got the 2023 Nobel Prize to Drew Weissman and Katalin Kariko. The choice of the antigen is the important success factor. Against that cancer tissue antigen, body is 'hyperimmunised' and we hope for amelioration of the progression of cancer in those in whom the recommended chemotherapy/radiation could not achieve remission. The antigen is not 'shotgun' covering any and all antigens but selected specifically to enable the immune system to eutralise just that specific cancer antigen (or ather cells that express it).
I am very grateful for your responsiveness.
Best wishes to you.
T Jacob John
The immune system can recognize and respond to foreign mRNA through various mechanisms, particularly when mRNA is introduced into cells via delivery systems such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) or viral vectors. Here's how the immune system can become activated against mRNA and potentially eliminate it:
Overall, the immune system can become activated against foreign mRNA through various recognition pathways, leading to the induction of innate and adaptive immune responses aimed at eliminating the foreign mRNA and preventing potential harm to the host organism.