Single dose ‘Covid-style’ vaccines could stop cancer tumours in their tracks
SINGLE dose Covid-style cancer vaccines could destroy tumours and stop them coming back.
Research in mice found an mRNA injection, like those used in Pfizer’s coronavirus jab, could tackle cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus.
The disease kills around 900 UK women per year and often has young patients – Big Brother star Jade Goody died of it aged just 28.
A study by the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil found the treatments boosted white blood cells and helped the body battle tumours.
Lead author Dr Jamile Ramos da Silva said: “Even single low doses of the vaccines elicited strong immune responses.
“They led to complete tumour regression in 80 per cent of the mice at advanced stages.”
The mRNA vaccines are injected through a drip and provide a genetic code for the body’s immune system to read and ramp up production of attack cells.
Scientists now hope to trial the therapy on humans.
HPV is a common bug spread by skin contact and infects around eight out of 10 Brits at some point in their lives.
It is usually harmless but can lead to cancers in the cervix, mouth and throat and the genitals.
Experts believe school vaccinations will wipe the virus out within decades but there is currently no way to get rid of the bug once you have it.
Professor Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira added: “This kind of vaccine will add an extra tool to face the problem of cancer caused by HPV.
“The current vaccines are very efficient to control infection, but do not have any impact for people already infected or those with tumours.”
A study last year found that mRNA vaccines could prevent deadly pancreatic cancers from growing back after surgery.
BioNTech, the German firm which developed Pfizer’s Covid jab, said it aims to have a cancer-busting vaccine by 2030.
Dr Sam Godfrey, of Cancer Research UK, said: “These results add to growing evidence that mRNA vaccines could add another powerful treatment option for cancer in the future.”
“But further trials are needed before they can be given to patients.”