According to a recent study published in Nature, mRNA vaccines seem to trigger a powerful immune response that increases the median survival time by about 75% for certain cancer patients. These findings – which are being further developed – could indicate the power of repurposing vaccines and medicines that have already passed trials for safety and are available at reasonable cost.

 

Researchers in the US looked at the medical records of patients with stage 3 and stage 4 lung cancer treated between 2015 and 2022 at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Of those, 180 patients had received a Covid mRNA vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna – within 100 days of starting immunotherapy treatment. In this observational study, the researchers compared them with 704 patients who had the same drugs but did not have the Covid jab.

 

After controlling for age, disease severity and other confounding factors, the results were striking: vaccinated patients lived a median of 37.3 months compared with 20.6 months in the unvaccinated group. Three years after starting treatment, 55.7% of vaccinated patients were alive compared with 30.8% of those who weren’t. A similar pattern was found when looking at a second group of patients with metastatic melanoma (a skin cancer that has spread around the body). The same benefit was found regardless of whether it was Pfizer or Moderna, but not in non-mRNA Covid vaccines.

 

Covid vaccines may increase the lifespan of cancer patients – this could be a game changer

 

What could explain this? The researchers suggest that mRNA vaccines act as a flare, activating immune cells throughout the body. This doesn’t directly target cancer, but primes the immune system to be more alert and responsive.

If these findings are confirmed in other studies, this could revolutionise how cancer is treated. As Dr Elias Sayour, an oncologist and a co-author of the study, said: “We could design an even better non-specific vaccine to mobilise and reset the immune response, in a way that could essentially be a universal, off-the-shelf cancer vaccine for all patients.”

 

‘In an observational study, vaccinated cancer patients lived a median of 37.3 months compared with 20.6 months in the unvaccinated group.’ Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images© Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

24 minutes ago, bannork said:

According to a recent study published in Nature, mRNA vaccines seem to trigger a powerful immune response that increases the median survival time by about 75% for certain cancer patients. These findings – which are being further developed – could indicate the power of repurposing vaccines and medicines that have already passed trials for safety and are available at reasonable cost.

 

Researchers in the US looked at the medical records of patients with stage 3 and stage 4 lung cancer treated between 2015 and 2022 at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Of those, 180 patients had received a Covid mRNA vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna – within 100 days of starting immunotherapy treatment. In this observational study, the researchers compared them with 704 patients who had the same drugs but did not have the Covid jab.

 

After controlling for age, disease severity and other confounding factors, the results were striking: vaccinated patients lived a median of 37.3 months compared with 20.6 months in the unvaccinated group. Three years after starting treatment, 55.7% of vaccinated patients were alive compared with 30.8% of those who weren’t. A similar pattern was found when looking at a second group of patients with metastatic melanoma (a skin cancer that has spread around the body). The same benefit was found regardless of whether it was Pfizer or Moderna, but not in non-mRNA Covid vaccines.

 

Covid vaccines may increase the lifespan of cancer patients – this could be a game changer

 

What could explain this? The researchers suggest that mRNA vaccines act as a flare, activating immune cells throughout the body. This doesn’t directly target cancer, but primes the immune system to be more alert and responsive.

If these findings are confirmed in other studies, this could revolutionise how cancer is treated. As Dr Elias Sayour, an oncologist and a co-author of the study, said: “We could design an even better non-specific vaccine to mobilise and reset the immune response, in a way that could essentially be a universal, off-the-shelf cancer vaccine for all patients.”

 

‘In an observational study, vaccinated cancer patients lived a median of 37.3 months compared with 20.6 months in the unvaccinated group.’ Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images© Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Not so surprising really. Other vaccines have also been show to provide broad immunological boosts.

Hoping this pans out that would be great!!👍 

12 hours ago, Tug said:

Hoping this pans out that would be great!!👍 

 

Yeah?

Are you gonna ease up on Trump a bit if they roll it out during his adminstration? 

Be a bit more grateful ? 

 

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

Yeah?

Are you gonna ease up on Trump a bit if they roll it out during his adminstration? 

Be a bit more grateful ? 

 

Be grateful for someone doing their job??here’s a clue he’s doing what he’s supposed do why would I be great full?perhaps if it rolls out he didn’t squash it out of some petty jealousy…..well yea I’d be grateful that we would have dodged the bullet…..

That sounds promising,hope for the future.

@bannork,some people on AN are not going to be happy!

they will probably show up soon.

On 11/12/2025 at 8:29 PM, save the frogs said:

 

Yeah?

Are you gonna ease up on Trump a bit if they roll it out during his adminstration? 

Be a bit more grateful ? 

 

Seems unlikely

US government slams mRNA vaccine research

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr is cancelling $500 million in mRNA vaccine research, citing false claims about such vaccines’ safety and effectiveness. The funding will be cut from 22 grants awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-025-02826-2

12 hours ago, Alan Zweibel said:

Seems unlikely

US government slams mRNA vaccine research

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr is cancelling $500 million in mRNA vaccine research, citing false claims about such vaccines’ safety and effectiveness. The funding will be cut from 22 grants awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-025-02826-2

 

Yeah, that's interesting and perplexing ....

Definitely a story I will be following.

 

I read the same summary of the research, and it sounds good. But we need a cure, not just an extension.

Other drugs are being looked at, such as metformin. 

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Metformin can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms associated with PCOS, such as excessive hair growth (hirsutism) and acne, by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering androgen levels. 
• Cardiovascular Health: Emerging research indicates that metformin may have protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, potentially reducing the risk of heart-related issues in diabetic and non-diabetic patients alike. 
• Cancer Research: Some studies are exploring the potential of metformin in cancer treatment, as it may help inhibit cancer cell growth and improve outcomes in certain types of cancer. 
• Neurodegenerative Diseases: There is ongoing research into the effects of metformin on neurodegenerative diseases, with some studies suggesting it may help delay the onset or progression of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. 
• Age-Related Diseases: Preliminary studies suggest that metformin might help prevent or delay age-related diseases in healthy individuals, although more research is needed to confirm these findings. 
• Metformin's versatility makes it a valuable medication beyond its primary use in diabetes management, but it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider before using it for any off-label purposes.

9 minutes ago, Purdey said:

I read the same summary of the research, and it sounds good. But we need a cure, not just an extension.

Other drugs are being looked at, such as metformin. 

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Metformin can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms associated with PCOS, such as excessive hair growth (hirsutism) and acne, by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering androgen levels. 
• Cardiovascular Health: Emerging research indicates that metformin may have protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, potentially reducing the risk of heart-related issues in diabetic and non-diabetic patients alike. 
• Cancer Research: Some studies are exploring the potential of metformin in cancer treatment, as it may help inhibit cancer cell growth and improve outcomes in certain types of cancer. 
• Neurodegenerative Diseases: There is ongoing research into the effects of metformin on neurodegenerative diseases, with some studies suggesting it may help delay the onset or progression of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. 
• Age-Related Diseases: Preliminary studies suggest that metformin might help prevent or delay age-related diseases in healthy individuals, although more research is needed to confirm these findings. 
• Metformin's versatility makes it a valuable medication beyond its primary use in diabetes management, but it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider before using it for any off-label purposes.

Given that metformin is already widely available as a generic medication, it seems like a promising choice.

On 11/12/2025 at 8:29 AM, save the frogs said:

 

Yeah?

Are you gonna ease up on Trump a bit if they roll it out during his adminstration? 

Be a bit more grateful ? 

 

mRNA vaccines were being used for Cancer therapies years ago.

The appointment of Kennedy as  Health Secretary and the destruction of the  integrity of the department is inexcusable.

9 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

mRNA vaccines were being used for Cancer therapies years ago.

The appointment of Kennedy as  Health Secretary and the destruction of the  integrity of the department is inexcusable.

https://www.avantorsciences.com/us/en/support/knowledge-center/history-of-mrna-vaccines