mRNA melanoma vaccine revolution spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic

Front Immunol. 2023 Mar 30:14:1155728. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1155728. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

The advent of mRNA vaccines represents a significant advance in the field of vaccinology. While several vaccine approaches (mRNA, DNA, recombinant protein, and viral-vectored vaccines) had been investigated at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA vaccines quickly gained popularity due to superior immunogenicity at a low dose, strong safety/tolerability profiles, and the possibility of rapid vaccine mass manufacturing and deployment to rural regions. In addition to inducing protective neutralizing antibody responses, mRNA vaccines can also elicit high-magnitude cytotoxic T-cell responses comparable to natural viral infections; thereby, drawing significant interest from cancer immunotherapy experts. This mini-review will highlight key developmental milestones and lessons we have learned from mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific emphasis on clinical trial data gathered so far for mRNA vaccines against melanoma and other forms of cancer.

Keywords: COVID – 19; cancer vaccination; mRNA vaccination; melanoma; neoantigen.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Melanoma*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Vaccines*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Viral Vaccines