A test identifies cancer patients at high risk of relapse. A vaccine could protect them from metastases in the future. © Imago/Panthermedia
Biontech was a pioneer in developing an effective COVID-19 vaccine. Now the company is also making strides in cancer research.
Cancer is currently the second leading cause of death in Germany, following cardiovascular disease. This makes a cancer diagnosis a source of fear and panic for both patients and their families. However, this might change in the future as medical advancements offer hope. Recovery rates are improving due to a variety of treatment options and promising therapeutic strategies. The biotechnology company Biontech is contributing to this progress, having developed an effective vaccine against the virus just ten months after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
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Successful Cancer Treatment: Personalized Vaccines for Everyone
Biontech is currently developing personalized vaccines for cancer. This vaccine aims to train the immune system using messenger RNA (mRNA) to better recognize and destroy cancer cells. The underlying mechanism works as follows: the mRNA carries the DNA code for specific cancer cell proteins. Once this code reaches a healthy body cell through vaccination, it is decoded, and the protein is produced. Eventually, the body’s immune system identifies this protein as foreign and attacks everything that has a similar structure, including cancer cells.
However, the vaccine is effective against only a limited number of cancer cells, particularly in early stages or after surgically removing visible tumors. For larger tumors and numerous mutated cells, combination therapies are directed to target multiple areas, thereby attacking cancer from different fronts. The company aims to utilize these therapies in cases where options are scarce but medical needs are significant.
Pancreatic and Colon Cancer: mRNA Vaccination Could Help Combat Aggressive Cancers
This is particularly relevant for aggressive cancer types, such as pancreatic cancer and colon cancer. “Patients who undergo surgery typically receive chemotherapy afterward. Despite often appearing tumor-free, metastases can develop in up to 80 percent of these cases within a few years,” says Biontech founder Prof. Dr. Uğur Şahin in an interview with Bild.
Early Detection of Colon Cancer: Ten Symptoms That May Indicate a Tumor
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In colon cancer, up to 40 percent of patients experience relapses within the first five years following surgery. Surgical interventions can initially give the appearance of a cure. However, a significant number of patients develop metastases that may remain undetectable for one or two years. The mRNA vaccine aims to eliminate these hidden cancer cells.
New Therapeutic Approach Expected by 2030
Patients at high risk of relapse can already be identified using a test. Until now, no treatment options beyond chemotherapy have been available, limiting the test’s usefulness. The personalized mRNA vaccine is set to address this gap. In Biontech’s studies on colon and pancreatic cancer, half of the 16 pancreatic cancer patients who received the vaccine responded positively, generating substantial numbers of tumor-fighting immune cells. Consequently, six out of these eight patients did not experience a relapse three years post-treatment. Biontech aims to bring this form of cancer therapy to market by 2030.
This article provides general information regarding the health topic and is not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment, or medication. It is not a substitute for visiting a doctor. Our editorial team is not authorized to answer individual medical questions.
Cancer Research: How mRNA Vaccines Are Revolutionizing Treatment
Biontech was a pioneer in the development of an effective corona vaccine. Now the company is also making progress with its research in the fight against cancer.
Tackling Cancer: The Growing Need for Advanced Treatments
Cancer stands as the second leading cause of death in Germany, following cardiovascular disease. A cancer diagnosis can provoke a wave of anxiety and despair among patients and their families. The silver lining, however, lies in the remarkable medical advancements that are continually reshaping cancer treatment paradigms. Companies like Biontech, known for their rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine, are now channeling their expertise to combat cancer more effectively.
The Future of Cancer Treatment: Individualized Vaccination
Biontech is pioneering an individualized vaccination approach against cancer. This groundbreaking technology is based on messenger RNA (mRNA), which instructs the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. The mRNA encoded with specific cancer cell proteins facilitates the immune response, enabling the body to recognize and attack tumors.
How Does mRNA Cancer Vaccination Work?
The following steps outline the mechanism of mRNA vaccines:
- The mRNA carries the genetic instructions of specific cancer proteins.
- Upon vaccination, healthy cells adopt these instructions and produce corresponding proteins.
- The immune system identifies these proteins as foreign, inducing a targeted response against similar structures, including cancer cells.
While the mRNA vaccine shines in early-stage cancer scenarios or post-surgical settings, challenges remain in treating larger tumors with numerous mutations. Consequently, Biontech is exploring combination therapies to address multiple targets simultaneously, which enhances the potential for successful treatment.
Fighting Aggressive Cancers: Pancreatic and Colon Cancer
A daunting prospect lies in aggressive cancer types, notably pancreatic cancer and colon cancer. Biontech’s founder, Prof. Dr. Uğur Şahin, points out that even patients who seem tumor-free post-surgery face alarming relapse rates. “In up to 80 percent of cases, metastases reappear within a few years,” states Şahin.
Symptoms to Watch for Early Detection of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer may present various symptoms that warrant vigilant evaluation:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdominal Pain | Persistent discomfort or cramps in the stomach area. |
| Change in Bowel Habits | Unexpected changes in frequency or consistency of bowel movements. |
| Unexplained Weight Loss | Significant weight loss without changes in diet or exercise. |
| Blood in Stool | Visible blood, either bright red or dark, in stool samples. |
| Fatigue | Persistent exhaustion not linked to overexertion. |
Statistics indicate that nearly 40 percent of colon cancer patients experience relapses within five years after surgical treatment. This has led to the development of mRNA vaccines aimed at eliminating hidden cancer cells that often evade detection.
Looking Ahead: Market Arrival by 2030
Identifying patients at high risk of relapse has been made possible through advanced testing methods. Unfortunately, the options for these patients have traditionally been limited to chemotherapy. However, with the advent of individualized mRNA vaccinations, hope is on the horizon. In preliminary studies involving pancreatic cancer, approximately half of the patients who received the vaccine showed a marked response, with many producing substantial quantities of tumor-fighting cells. Impressively, six out of the eight respondents remained relapse-free three years later.
Biontech aims to introduce this innovative cancer therapy to the market by 2030, promising a transformative shift in cancer treatment paradigms.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis, treatment, or medication. Consulting a healthcare professional is vital for tailored medical advice.
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