Latest news with #EliasSayour
Economic Times
19-07-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Cancer cure found? Scientists create a new mRNA vaccine that triggers strong anticancer immune response against tumours
A new approach to cancer treatment Towards a universal cancer vaccine Live Events Building on past research (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a major development in cancer research , scientists at the University of Florida have created an experimental mRNA vaccine that stimulates the immune system to attack tumours. According to a study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the vaccine, when used alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors, produced a strong antitumor effect in vaccine does not target specific cancer proteins. Instead, it activates the immune system in the same way it would respond to a virus. Researchers found that the vaccine increased the levels of a protein called PD-L1 within tumours, making them more sensitive to Elias Sayour, a paediatric oncologist at UF Health and the lead researcher, said this development could lead to a new form of cancer treatment that does not rely entirely on surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other leading institutions.'This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumor or virus – so long as it is an mRNA vaccine – could lead to tumor-specific effects,' said Sayour, who is also the principal investigator at the RNA Engineering Laboratory at UF's Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor added, 'This finding is a proof of concept that these vaccines potentially could be commercialised as universal cancer vaccine s to sensitise the immune system against a patient's individual tumor.'The research challenges the two current approaches in cancer-vaccine development: targeting common proteins found in cancer patients or customising a vaccine for each patient. This study suggests a third path that focuses on stimulating a broad immune response.'This study suggests a third emerging paradigm,' said Duane Mitchell, MD, PhD, a co-author of the paper. 'What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction. And so this has significant potential to be broadly used across cancer patients, even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine .'Sayour has spent more than eight years developing mRNA-based cancer vaccines using lipid nanoparticles. These vaccines work by delivering messenger RNA (mRNA), a molecule that instructs cells to make specific proteins, into the body to prompt an immune year, Sayour's lab conducted a human trial using a personalised mRNA vaccine made from a patient's own tumour cells. The treatment quickly activated the immune system to fight glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer. The new study builds on that work by testing a generalised mRNA vaccine, not specific to any virus or cancer formulation of this new vaccine is similar to the technology used in COVID-19 vaccines but is designed to prompt a general immune response rather than target a specific protein like the COVID spike the vaccine shows similar results in future human studies, it could lead to a universal tool in the fight against cancer.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Cancer cure found? Scientists create a new mRNA vaccine that triggers strong anticancer immune response against tumours
In a major development in cancer research , scientists at the University of Florida have created an experimental mRNA vaccine that stimulates the immune system to attack tumours. According to a study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the vaccine, when used alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors, produced a strong antitumor effect in mice. The vaccine does not target specific cancer proteins. Instead, it activates the immune system in the same way it would respond to a virus. Researchers found that the vaccine increased the levels of a protein called PD-L1 within tumours, making them more sensitive to immunotherapy. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Public Policy CXO PGDM Others Leadership MCA Data Science Management Product Management Degree Design Thinking Data Science Cybersecurity others Finance Digital Marketing Technology Artificial Intelligence Healthcare MBA Data Analytics Project Management Operations Management healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details A new approach to cancer treatment Dr. Elias Sayour, a paediatric oncologist at UF Health and the lead researcher, said this development could lead to a new form of cancer treatment that does not rely entirely on surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other leading institutions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo 'This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumor or virus – so long as it is an mRNA vaccine – could lead to tumor-specific effects,' said Sayour, who is also the principal investigator at the RNA Engineering Laboratory at UF's Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy. Towards a universal cancer vaccine Sayour added, 'This finding is a proof of concept that these vaccines potentially could be commercialised as universal cancer vaccine s to sensitise the immune system against a patient's individual tumor.' Live Events The research challenges the two current approaches in cancer-vaccine development: targeting common proteins found in cancer patients or customising a vaccine for each patient. This study suggests a third path that focuses on stimulating a broad immune response. 'This study suggests a third emerging paradigm,' said Duane Mitchell, MD, PhD, a co-author of the paper. 'What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction. And so this has significant potential to be broadly used across cancer patients, even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine .' Building on past research Sayour has spent more than eight years developing mRNA-based cancer vaccines using lipid nanoparticles. These vaccines work by delivering messenger RNA (mRNA), a molecule that instructs cells to make specific proteins, into the body to prompt an immune reaction. Last year, Sayour's lab conducted a human trial using a personalised mRNA vaccine made from a patient's own tumour cells. The treatment quickly activated the immune system to fight glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer. The new study builds on that work by testing a generalised mRNA vaccine, not specific to any virus or cancer mutation. The formulation of this new vaccine is similar to the technology used in COVID-19 vaccines but is designed to prompt a general immune response rather than target a specific protein like the COVID spike protein. If the vaccine shows similar results in future human studies, it could lead to a universal tool in the fight against cancer.
NDTV
18-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Could This Be The End Of Cancer? Scientists Develop Revolutionary mRNA Vaccine
In a significant advancement in cancer research, scientists at the University of Florida have developed an experimental mRNA vaccine that enhances the body's immune response against tumours. The study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, shows that this vaccine, when combined with standard immunotherapy drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, produced a strong antitumor effect in mice. What makes the finding especially promising is that the vaccine doesn't target specific tumour proteins. Instead, it activates the immune system as if it were fighting a virus. This effect was achieved by boosting the expression of a protein called PD-L1 within tumours, which made them more responsive to treatment. Lead researcher Dr. Elias Sayour, a paediatric oncologist at UF Health, said in a news release this discovery could lead to a new way of treating cancer without relying solely on surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other major institutions. If future studies in humans show similar results, the research could pave the way for a universal cancer vaccine that helps treat many types of difficult, treatment-resistant cancers. "This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumor or virus - so long as it is an mRNA vaccine - could lead to tumor-specific effects," said Sayour, principal investigator at the RNA Engineering Laboratory within UF's Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy. "This finding is a proof of concept that these vaccines potentially could be commercialized as universal cancer vaccines to sensitize the immune system against a patient's individual tumor," said Sayour, a McKnight Brain Institute investigator and co-leader of a program in immuno-oncology and microbiome research. Until now, there have been two main ideas in cancer-vaccine development: to find a specific target expressed in many people with cancer or to tailor a vaccine that is specific to targets expressed within a patient's own cancer. "This study suggests a third emerging paradigm," said Duane Mitchell, MD, PhD, a co-author of the paper. "What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction. And so this has significant potential to be broadly used across cancer patients, even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine." For more than eight years, Sayour has pioneered high-tech anticancer vaccines by combining lipid nanoparticles and mRNA. Short for messenger RNA, mRNA is found inside every cell, including tumour cells, and serves as a blueprint for protein production. This new study builds upon a breakthrough last year by Sayour's lab: In a first-ever human clinical trial, an mRNA vaccine quickly reprogrammed the immune system to attack glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour with a dismal prognosis. Among the most impressive findings in the four-patient trial was how quickly the new method, which used a "specific" or personalised vaccine made using a patient's own tumour cells, spurred a vigorous immune system response to reject the tumour. In the latest study, Sayour's research team adapted their technology to test a "generalised" mRNA vaccine, meaning it was not aimed at a specific virus or mutated cells of cancer but engineered simply to prompt a strong immune system response. The mRNA formulation was made similarly to the COVID-19 vaccines, rooted in similar technology, but wasn't aimed directly at the well-known spike protein of COVID.
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘One-two-punch' cancer vaccine weaponises the immune system to attack ANY tumour – raising hopes of universal jab
A NEW experimental cancer jab could one day be used to fight any type of tumour, US scientists claim. Experts from the University of Florida say they've developed a powerful 1 The discovery brings us closer to a universal cancer jab that could work across many tumour types Credit: Getty It's dubbed the 'one-two punch' after the powerful boxing move where a jab sets up a cross to knock the opponent down. This is because this jab also works in two steps: first by waking up the immune system, then helping it attack cancer cells more effectively. It doesn't prevent disease, like vaccines are typically used. Rather, it is used as a form of treatment. The study showed it boosted the effects of immunotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Read more on cancer Research in mice showed that combining the jab with a common immunotherapy drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor helped fight even resistant tumours. Dr Elias Sayour, the study's senior author, said: 'This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumour or virus, so long as it is an mRNA vaccine, could lead to tumour-specific effects. 'This finding is a proof of concept that these vaccines potentially could be commercialised as universal cancer vaccines to sensitise the immune system against a patient's individual tumour.' Unlike previous cancer vaccines that try to hone in on a particular protein in the cell, the new jab works by simply firing up the immune system, tricking it into responding as if it were under viral attack. Most read in Health By boosting levels of a protein called PD-L1 inside tumours, it makes them more receptive to immunotherapy and helps immune cells recognise the tumours as dangerous. Lead scientist Dr Duane Mitchell, co-author of the study, said: 'What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction. The signs and symptoms of cancer 'And so this has significant potential to be broadly used across cancer patients, even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine.' For the past eight years, Dr Sayour's lab has been developing cutting-edge vaccines using the same mRNA technology found in Covid jabs. Last year, they They saw a fast and fierce immune response that helped fight off the cancer. 'Profound' The latest study, published today in In mice with While in some skin, bone, and brain cancer models, the jab alone eliminated tumours completely. Dr Sayour explained: 'Even an immune response that is seemingly unrelated to the cancer may be able to activate T cells that weren't working before, allowing them to multiply and kill the tumour if the response is strong enough.' Dr Mitchell said: 'It could potentially be a universal way of waking up a patient's own immune response to cancer. 'And that would be profound if generalisable to human studies.' The team are now working to improve the formula and begin human trials as soon as possible. Cancer treatments explained – from chemotherapy to radiotherapy and surgery Because everybody is different and people's cancers are caught at different stages, there is no one size fits all treatment. It's also common for patients to be offered a combination of treatments to provide the best chance of survival. According to the NHS, there are six main ways of treating cancer. Surgery : Removes the tumour physically; not used for cancers like blood or lymphatic system tumours. Radiotherapy : Uses high-energy rays (like X-rays) to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumours. Nearly half of cancer patients receive this. Common side effects include fatigue and sore skin. Chemotherapy : Systemic treatment with powerful drugs that kill fast-dividing cells throughout the body. May be given before or after surgery to shrink tumours or reduce recurrence risk. Side effects range from hair loss to nausea. Hormonal therapy : Stops certain cancers (like breast or prostate) from growing by blocking hormone production or function. Targeted/biological therapy : Focuses on specific cancer-linked proteins or genetic changes; also includes some immunotherapy drugs. Stem cell/bone marrow transplant – Replaces damaged blood-forming cells after high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy; used in cancers like lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma.
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘One-two-punch' cancer vaccine weaponises the immune system to attack ANY tumour – raising hopes of universal jab
Last year, scientists tested the jab on brain cancer patients and saw a strong immune response that fought the killer tumour TAKEDOWN 'One-two-punch' cancer vaccine weaponises the immune system to attack ANY tumour – raising hopes of universal jab A NEW experimental cancer jab could one day be used to fight any type of tumour, US scientists claim. Experts from the University of Florida say they've developed a powerful mRNA vaccine that trains the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. 1 The discovery brings us closer to a universal cancer jab that could work across many tumour types Credit: Getty It's dubbed the 'one-two punch' after the powerful boxing move where a jab sets up a cross to knock the opponent down. This is because this jab also works in two steps: first by waking up the immune system, then helping it attack cancer cells more effectively. It does this by boosting the effects of immunotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. The groundbreaking discovery brings us closer to a universal cancer jab that could work across many tumour types, it is hope Research in mice showed that combining the jab with a common immunotherapy drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor helped fight even resistant tumours. Dr Elias Sayour, the study's senior author, said: 'This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumour or virus, so long as it is an mRNA vaccine, could lead to tumour-specific effects.' He added: 'This finding is a proof of concept that these vaccines potentially could be commercialised as universal cancer vaccines to sensitise the immune system against a patient's individual tumour.' Unlike previous cancer vaccines that try to hone in on a particular protein in the cell, the new jab works by simply firing up the immune system, tricking it into responding as if it were under viral attack. By boosting levels of a protein called PD-L1 inside tumours, it makes them more receptive to immunotherapy and helps immune cells recognise them as dangerous. Lead scientist Dr Duane Mitchell, co-author of the study, said: 'What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction. The signs and symptoms of cancer 'And so this has significant potential to be broadly used across cancer patients, even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine.' For the past eight years, Dr Sayour's lab has been developing cutting-edge vaccines using the same mRNA technology found in Covid jabs. Last year, they trialled a personalised version in four patients with glioblastoma - an aggressive and usually deadly brain tumour. They saw a fast and fierce immune response that helped fight off the cancer. 'Profound' The latest study, published today in Nature Biomedical Engineering, tested a more generalised version of the jab, not tailored to individual tumours, and still saw dramatic results. In mice with melanoma, a type of deadly skin cancer, combining the jab with an immunotherapy drug called a PD-1 inhibitor led to tumour shrinkage While in some skin, bone, and brain cancer models, the jab alone eliminated tumours completely. Dr Sayour explained: 'Even an immune response that is seemingly unrelated to the cancer may be able to activate T cells that weren't working before, allowing them to multiply and kill the tumour if the response is strong enough.' Dr Mitchell said: 'It could potentially be a universal way of waking up a patient's own immune response to cancer. 'And that would be profound if generalisable to human studies.' The team are now working to improve the formula and begin human trials as soon as possible.
