Irish researchers finding success in anticancer vaccine development

A study by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences has shown success in targeting neuroblastoma.

The research represents an innovative approach to anticancer vaccine development, and the results provide evidence of the efficacy of an mRNA vaccine against neuroblastoma, the deadliest childhood cancer.

Researchers tested an mRNA vaccine using peptide carriers to assess its effect on neuroblastoma tumours. Results from this show that the vaccine delayed tumour development in preclinical models by 10-11 days and reduced the tumour size by 70%.

Sadly, neuroblastoma remains one of the leading causes of childhood cancer deaths, accounting for 15% of childhood deaths overall. The RCSI say that between five and ten cases are diagnosed in Ireland every year, with 80% of patients showing very little response to current treatments.

Dr Olga Piskareve, who led the research, said: “The mRNA vaccine technology is like LEGO bricks. By combining different bricks, we can tailor the vaccine to the individual's needs with high precision. This pilot study indicates promising potential in the development of anticancer vaccines for neuroblastoma, offering new hope for children and families suffering from the disease. We are at the beginning of the mRNA vaccine development road, but the first milestone has been successfully completed.”

What makes neuroblastoma so difficult to treat is that if the cancer comes back after initial treatment, it often becomes resistant to existing therapies. RCSI say that further research into innovative treatments like the one in the study can help address this challenge