All articles tagged with #mrna vaccines
A Lancet review of billions of doses finds mRNA vaccines are safe, highly effective at preventing disease spread, and promising for future uses like cancer treatment; they do not alter human DNA, are safe for children and pregnant people, and boosters extend protection, though rare side effects can occur—emphasizing transparent safety communication to counter misinformation.
An FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended approving Moderna’s mFlusiva, the first influenza vaccine made with mRNA technology, for adults ages 50–64 and 65+ pending final FDA clearance by early August. The shot could enable faster manufacturing and better matching to circulating strains. In trials, it reduced flu cases by about 27% in people 50+ versus a standard vaccine and produced a strong immune response in 65+ compared with a high-dose vaccine, with mostly mild, temporary reactions. If approved, Moderna will run a large follow-up study (about 400,000 people 65+) over two seasons to gather more safety and efficacy data, including in frail or immunocompromised individuals.
An FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine (mFlusiva) for adults 50 and older, approving it for two age groups (50–64 and 65+), with a requirement for an additional post‑market trial in the older cohort. In trials, the shot was about 27% more effective than standard flu vaccines. If FDA and then CDC sign off, it could become the first mRNA influenza vaccine, and its flexible, quickly updated design could help match circulating strains, though final timelines and access this fall remain uncertain amid regulatory and political considerations.
A small Memorial Sloan Kettering study finds a patient-specific mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer can provoke strong immune responses and deliver long-term survivors, despite a turbulent year of funding and public skepticism around mRNA. Eight of 16 patients had a meaningful immune response and seven are alive six years after the trial; larger multisite trials and industry backing are advancing the approach, which also includes non-personalized, off-the-shelf vaccines aiming to trigger broader anti-tumor immunity.
Nature reports that mRNA–LNP vaccines prime CD8+ T cells not through the classic cDC1 cross-presentation, but via redundant input from both cDC1 and cDC2 dendritic cells; a substantial portion of priming comes from cross-dressing—peptide–MHC-I complexes transferred from non-hematopoietic cells in a type I interferon–dependent process—broadening T-cell activation to antigens not encoded by the vaccine and supporting anti-tumor immunity and memory.
Researchers are advancing personalized mRNA cancer vaccines that may transform cancer care, but the spread of misinformation—notably the turbo cancer myth tying COVID-19 vaccines to aggressive cancers—could erode public trust and hinder adoption; proactive, transparent science communication and clinician conversations are essential to realizing these vaccines’ potential.
A federal vaccine advisory panel has dropped plans to withdraw the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine recommendation, even after some members floated removing the shots amid safety concerns. Current guidance remains in place, with upcoming discussions on vaccine injuries and long COVID, as uptake of the updated shot stays low and political concerns loom over vaccine policy.
The FDA has reversed its earlier stance and agreed to review Moderna’s updated mRNA flu vaccine, with plans for full approval in adults 50–64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older, plus a post-marketing study in older adults. A decision is expected by August 5, and Moderna shares rose on the news.
Sanofi has deprioritized its phase 1 mRNA seasonal flu program, scrapping the effort as part of a broader strategic shift, while continuing to pursue an mRNA vaccine for an H5 pandemic and focusing on established influenza vaccines (Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok). The influenza/COVID vaccine franchise generated €2.3 billion last year, a 6% decline from 2024 amid lower US immunization rates, and the company underscored a multi‑platform vaccine strategy, including the Dynavax acquisition, as its growth path.
Stanford researchers have identified that rare cases of heart inflammation post-mRNA COVID-19 vaccination are driven by immune responses involving cytokines CXCL10 and IFN-gamma, and found that the soy-derived compound genistein may help reduce this inflammation, offering insights into safer vaccine strategies.
Stanford researchers have uncovered a biological mechanism explaining why rare cases of myocarditis occur after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, identifying two cytokines, CXCL10 and IFN-gamma, as key drivers of heart inflammation, and suggesting that cytokine inhibitors or dietary supplements like genistein could potentially reduce this risk.
A Stanford Medicine study indicates that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis, especially in young men and adolescents, with a very low incidence rate, but most cases recover fully and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.
A recent study suggests that Covid mRNA vaccines may boost the immune response in cancer patients, significantly increasing their median survival time and potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment by repurposing existing vaccines to enhance immune system activation, though further research is needed to confirm causation.
A study suggests that mRNA COVID vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna may enhance survival rates in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy, potentially 'priming' the immune system to fight cancer more effectively, though more research is needed; the vaccines remain primarily important for preventing COVID-19 complications.
A study suggests that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna may enhance survival rates in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy, potentially 'priming' the immune system to fight cancer more effectively, though more research is needed; the vaccine's primary benefit remains COVID-19 prevention.