Promises of mRNA in Cancer, COVID, and Beyond

In 2017, a small group of people with advanced malignant melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, signed on to a very early stage clinical trial to test a promising new therapy. All of these people had end-stage disease and were out of options. The trial used mRNA (messenger RNA) technology tailored to each individual’s disease to attack tumors and block new growth. In all 13 cases, the results were stunning. The black melanoma patches shrunk and new ones did not appear. 

So what is mRNA?  Messenger RNA is a group of molecules that is basically a code for protein production for the body. All living things constantly produce proteins. In the case of mRNA for malignant melanoma, mRNA gives your cells the blueprint for a bit of protein that alerts your immune system to the foreign invader, the cancer cells. Then, your immune system attacks and kills the unwanted, dangerous melanoma cells. mRNA therapy is safer and with fewer side effects than traditional cancer treatment.  It does not change the genetic code of the body; it simply acts as an instruction for the immune system. The beauty of mRNA is that it can be designed for virtually any invader. 

Enter COVID-19. Both the Pfizer and Moderna companies already had been working with mRNA technology for years as demonstrated by the stunning melanoma results in 2017. COVID-19 was an ideal next target. They were able to quickly pivot and use their know how from their successful targeted cancer therapy to develop safe, effective COVID vaccines in a short period of time. Change the molecular structure to mimic a protein found in the COVID virus, and there you have it. 

When I first heard that Moderna was working on an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, I was excited. I could not help but think of the nothing-short-of-miraculous melanoma trials with mRNA and the targeted cancer therapy I had been following. When the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were released under emergency authorization, I heard so many people express their hesitancy because they believe it to be unchartered territory. On more than one instance, I shared my excitement and the history I knew about the technology. 

Without a doubt, this technology is here to stay and for good reason. It is versatile, effective, and inexpensive. It has given me hope and peace of mind. I imagine a cancer world with cures that involve far less mutilating surgery.  Imagine mouth cancer treatment that doesn’t involve removing a big portion of the face or brain tumor treatment that doesn’t require removing a chunk of the brain.  And imagine a world where no one dies from viruses like COVID-19. 

By: Donna Williams