Solid tumors, mRNA, and two of the COVID vaccines

Tamlen

Reuters published this today:

mRNA Vaccines May Need More Study for Treating Some Cancer Patients

COVID-19 vaccines that employ new messenger RNA (mRNA) technology to fend off the illness may require further testing before it becomes clear they are safe for cancer patients with solid tumors, cancer treatment experts say. That would include the vaccines from Pfizer Inc with partner BioNTech SE and from Moderna Inc. The vaccines work by carrying genetic instructions for making a protein from the virus that the immune system learns to recognize and defend against. The mRNA is encased in a microscopic "packet" called a lipid nanoparticle (LNP), or liposome, that protects and delivers the fragile molecule into cells. While this technique is new for vaccines, it has long been used to carry cancer drugs into tumors, because tumors easily take up liposomes. This raises the possibility that tumor tissues would capture some of the liposomes carrying the vaccine's mRNA, said Gerard Milano of Nice University in France. The potential for part of the vaccine to become stuck in tumors and the resulting effect on cancer patients "is an open question to which there is currently no answer," Milano said. In a paper published on Wednesday in the British Journal of Cancer, his team calls for "a careful evaluation of the efficacy of these promising mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered as lipid carriers for patients with solid tumors, including a possible re-appraisal of the dosing for optimal protection of this specific and frail population." (go.nature.com/2JQq4hV)

Forherself

Thanks for sharing

That is an excellent point this article makes.  The vaccine appears to be a form of immunotherapy.  

TeddyandBears_Mom

Thanks Tamlen for sharing

Thanks Tamlen for sharing this. So much to consider. 

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

LisaPizza

Very interesting and kinda

Very interesting and kinda scary!

Forherself

LisaPizza said:

Very interesting and kinda

Very interesting and kinda scary!

on the other hand

The mRNA stimulates our immune system to kill the cell that the mRNA entered.   Why am I wondering if the immune system wouldn't kill the cell that had the mRNA in it?  Even cancer cells?

NoTimeForCancer

Forherself said:

on the other hand

The mRNA stimulates our immune system to kill the cell that the mRNA entered.   Why am I wondering if the immune system wouldn't kill the cell that had the mRNA in it?  Even cancer cells?

Forherslef, I listened to an

Forherslef, I listened to an interesting webinar last week and they are working on vaccines for cancer.  I pray.

Forherself

NoTimeForCancer said:

Forherslef, I listened to an

Forherslef, I listened to an interesting webinar last week and they are working on vaccines for cancer.  I pray.

Me too

And it is not out of the question at all.

Maxster

Covid Vaccine and Cancer Patients

I discussed the implications of the article at the top of this thread with my physician cancer researcher son-in-law.  He recommended I get the vaccine and said some of the article is disputed.  Risk of dying from Covid is much greater than getting the vaccine.  Also I get messages from Memorial Sloan Kettering--which is where he works--because I received a second opinionmfrom them.  They sent out a great email about reasons to get the vaccine.  I wanted to allay fears and offer a counter to the article.  

https://view.mskinfo.org/?qs=19093bd19f19fc869b521d45b321c32497aa44bc4c27188c6717716764ee2d633bf71d3336341218a9ee6bf47be3a31bdc8b87f08413bc71&utm_source=MyMSK3UpdateEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_content=preheader&utm_campaign=viewonline

 

NoTimeForCancer

Thank you, Maxster.  I hope

Thank you, Maxster.  I hope you don't mind that I create this as a link that will automatically open.

https://view.mskinfo.org/?qs=19093bd19f19fc869b521d45b321c32497aa44bc4c27188c6717716764ee2d633bf71d3336341218a9ee6bf47be3a31bdc8b87f08413bc71&utm_source=MyMSK3UpdateEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_content=preheader&utm_campaign=viewonline

Maxster

Link

Thank you!  I didn't know how to do that!