ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated mRNA vaccines to global recognition due to their unprecedented success rate in protecting against a deadly virus. This international success is underscored by the remarkable versatility, favorable immunogenicity, and overall safety of the mRNA platform in diverse populations. Although mRNA vaccines have been studied in preclinical models and patients with cancer for almost three decades, development has been slow. The recent technological advances responsible for the COVID-19 vaccines have potential implications for successfully adapting this vaccine platform for cancer therapeutics. Here we discuss the lessons learned along with the chemical, biologic, and immunologic adaptations needed to optimize mRNA technology to successfully treat cancers.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Neoplasms , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Humans , Immunotherapy , Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasms/therapy , Pandemics/prevention & control , mRNA VaccinesABSTRACT
Published series on COVID-19 support the notion that patients with cancer are a particularly vulnerable population. There is a confluence of risk factors between cancer and COVID-19, and cancer care and treatments increase exposure to the virus and may dampen natural immune responses. The available evidence supports the conclusion that patients with cancer, in particular with hematologic malignancies, should be considered among the very high-risk groups for priority COVID-19 vaccination.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19/prevention & control , Health Care Rationing/organization & administration , Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , Hematologic Neoplasms/epidemiology , Humans , Immunity , Immunization Programs/organization & administration , Odds Ratio , Proportional Hazards Models , Public Health/methods , Risk , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome , VaccinationABSTRACT
The successful development of COVID-19 vaccines within an unprecedented short time needs to be followed by rapid vaccine uptake, in particular, in high-risk populations such as patients with cancer. It is important for the scientific research community and cancer physicians to convey the knowledge behind the COVID-19 vaccine development and contribute to build the required trust on their use.