Latest news with #DuaneMitchell
CNBC
11 hours ago
- Health
- CNBC
Healthy Returns: Researchers move closer to a universal cancer vaccine
A universal cancer vaccine – what once seemed like a pipe dream – may be inching closer to becoming reality. On Friday, University of Florida researchers said findings from a new study could lead to the development of a universal shot that can jumpstart the immune system to fight cancer. The study in mice, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, showed that an experimental mRNA vaccine boosted the tumor-fighting effects of a common cancer drug called immune checkpoint inhibitors. The vaccine is not designed for a specific virus or cancer cells, but engineered to "wake up" the immune system against the disease, "spurring it to respond as if fighting a virus," according to a UF release. "What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction," Dr. Duane Mitchell, a co-author of the study and professor of neurosurgery at the university's College of Medicine, said in the release. That's unlike current approaches to cancer vaccines, which involve finding a target expressed by many cancer patients or, in the case of Moderna and Merck, developing personalized vaccines tailored to each patient's specific tumor. The universal vaccine has the potential to be used broadly across cancer patients, "even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine," Mitchell said. The UF researchers are still working to replicate the findings in humans. If they do, a one-size-fits-all vaccine could provide an alternative to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Here's how the vaccine works: The mRNA shot essentially tells the body to produce certain proteins that stimulate the immune system, including one called PD-L1, which is often found on the surface or inside of cancer cells. Those cells often use PD-L1 to hide from immune attacks. But by boosting PD-L1, the vaccine can actually make tumors more vulnerable to immune checkpoint inhibitors that block that protein, helping the immune system recognize and destroy the cancer. The study showed promising results on treatment-resistant tumors in skin cancers by combining the mRNA vaccine with a monoclonal antibody, a common immunotherapy drug that attempts to alert the immune system that a tumor is foreign and should be attacked. It also showed positive results when tested on mouse skin, bone and brain cancers as a solo treatment. In some cases, the tumors were eliminated entirely. "This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumor or virus – so long as it is an mRNA vaccine – could lead to tumor-specific effects," said senior author Dr. Elias Sayour, a UF Health pediatric oncologist, in a release. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at We're just days away from the peak of digital health earnings season, and this quarter is sure to be an interesting one. The two companies that went public earlier this year, Hinge Health and Omada Health, will report results for the first time since their debut. And since President Donald Trump's tax-and-spending bill passed and his Aug. 1 tariff deadline is approaching, we'll get some insight into how digital health companies have been operating against a volatile macroeconomic and policy backdrop. Here are some of the reports CNBC will be watching for: Hinge Health – Aug. 5 Omada Health – Aug. 7 Hims & Hers Health – Aug. 4 Doximity – Aug. 7 Teladoc Health – July 29 We'll have plenty to dive into in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep up with CNBC's coverage. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘One-two-punch' cancer vaccine weaponises the immune system to attack ANY tumour – raising hopes of universal jab
Last year, scientists tested the jab on brain cancer patients and saw a strong immune response that fought the killer tumour TAKEDOWN 'One-two-punch' cancer vaccine weaponises the immune system to attack ANY tumour – raising hopes of universal jab A NEW experimental cancer jab could one day be used to fight any type of tumour, US scientists claim. Experts from the University of Florida say they've developed a powerful mRNA vaccine that trains the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. 1 The discovery brings us closer to a universal cancer jab that could work across many tumour types Credit: Getty It's dubbed the 'one-two punch' after the powerful boxing move where a jab sets up a cross to knock the opponent down. This is because this jab also works in two steps: first by waking up the immune system, then helping it attack cancer cells more effectively. It does this by boosting the effects of immunotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. The groundbreaking discovery brings us closer to a universal cancer jab that could work across many tumour types, it is hope Research in mice showed that combining the jab with a common immunotherapy drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor helped fight even resistant tumours. Dr Elias Sayour, the study's senior author, said: 'This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumour or virus, so long as it is an mRNA vaccine, could lead to tumour-specific effects.' He added: 'This finding is a proof of concept that these vaccines potentially could be commercialised as universal cancer vaccines to sensitise the immune system against a patient's individual tumour.' Unlike previous cancer vaccines that try to hone in on a particular protein in the cell, the new jab works by simply firing up the immune system, tricking it into responding as if it were under viral attack. By boosting levels of a protein called PD-L1 inside tumours, it makes them more receptive to immunotherapy and helps immune cells recognise them as dangerous. Lead scientist Dr Duane Mitchell, co-author of the study, said: 'What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction. The signs and symptoms of cancer 'And so this has significant potential to be broadly used across cancer patients, even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine.' For the past eight years, Dr Sayour's lab has been developing cutting-edge vaccines using the same mRNA technology found in Covid jabs. Last year, they trialled a personalised version in four patients with glioblastoma - an aggressive and usually deadly brain tumour. They saw a fast and fierce immune response that helped fight off the cancer. 'Profound' The latest study, published today in Nature Biomedical Engineering, tested a more generalised version of the jab, not tailored to individual tumours, and still saw dramatic results. In mice with melanoma, a type of deadly skin cancer, combining the jab with an immunotherapy drug called a PD-1 inhibitor led to tumour shrinkage While in some skin, bone, and brain cancer models, the jab alone eliminated tumours completely. Dr Sayour explained: 'Even an immune response that is seemingly unrelated to the cancer may be able to activate T cells that weren't working before, allowing them to multiply and kill the tumour if the response is strong enough.' Dr Mitchell said: 'It could potentially be a universal way of waking up a patient's own immune response to cancer. 'And that would be profound if generalisable to human studies.' The team are now working to improve the formula and begin human trials as soon as possible.
