mRNA vaccines show promise in boosting cancer immunotherapy, says Dr. Elias Sayour

Dr. Elias Sayour, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist, joins Lester Kiewit to discuss research suggesting that Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy in some cancer patients. Dr. Sayour explains that when administered within 100 days of starting checkpoint inhibitor treatment, the vaccines “act like a 911 siren,” mobilizing immune cells to better target tumors, with evidence observed across cancers including lung, melanoma, breast, and head and neck cancers. While the findings are retrospective and not yet definitive, Dr. Sayour highlights the potential for future trials and the broader promise of mRNA technology in cancer therapy, universal vaccines, and personalized immune responses. “Even if we run a phase three trial and it doesn’t work, it is my sincere belief that this idea holds merit,” he says.

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