Dwain Northey (Gen X)

I feel it necessary to explain a short history of vaccines and how they have affected everything we do and how the current iteration of mRNAs is light speed compared to what was.

Vaccines have played a transformative role in public health, preventing millions of deaths from infectious diseases. The story of vaccines began in the late 18th century with Edward Jenner, who in 1796 developed the first successful vaccine using material from cowpox pustules to protect against smallpox. This groundbreaking method of inoculation led to the eventual eradication of smallpox, declared by the World Health Organization in 1980—a major victory for modern medicine.

The 20th century saw rapid advancements in vaccine development. One of the most notable successes was the fight against polio. In the 1950s, Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first effective inactivated polio vaccine, followed by Albert Sabin’s oral version in the early 1960s. These vaccines dramatically reduced the incidence of polio worldwide, and today, global polio cases are reduced by over 99% thanks to sustained immunization efforts.

Vaccines traditionally worked by introducing weakened or inactivated viruses, or pieces of them, to prompt the immune system to recognize and fight future infections. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the adoption of a new vaccine technology: mRNA vaccines. Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines deliver genetic instructions to cells, prompting them to produce a harmless protein that mimics part of the virus, triggering an immune response.

The success of mRNA vaccines in fighting COVID-19 opened a new frontier in medicine, with researchers exploring their use beyond infectious diseases—most notably, cancer. Cancer occurs when cells grow uncontrollably due to genetic mutations. mRNA technology offers a highly customizable way to target these abnormal cells.

mRNA cancer vaccines work by teaching the immune system to recognize proteins specific to an individual’s tumor. Scientists can sequence the tumor’s DNA to identify mutations and design personalized mRNA molecules that encode tumor-specific antigens. When these mRNA molecules are injected, the body’s cells produce these antigens and present them on their surfaces, training the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells displaying the same markers.

This approach holds promise for various cancers, including melanoma, lung, pancreatic, and breast cancers. In early trials, mRNA vaccines have shown encouraging results, especially when used alongside existing treatments like immunotherapy. For instance, combining mRNA vaccines with checkpoint inhibitors can enhance the immune system’s ability to fight tumors, potentially leading to long-term remission in some patients.

Moreover, mRNA vaccines are faster and cheaper to produce than traditional cancer therapies. Their adaptability means they can be updated quickly as new tumor mutations are identified, offering a dynamic tool against a constantly evolving disease.

In summary, from the eradication of smallpox to the near-elimination of polio, vaccines have already reshaped human health. The advent of mRNA vaccines represents the next leap forward—not only in controlling infectious diseases but in tackling one of medicine’s greatest challenges: curing cancer. With ongoing research and clinical trials, mRNA vaccines could one day revolutionize cancer treatment and bring us closer to personalized, precision medicine.