From Spike to Strike: SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines Sensitise Tumours to PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade
Julian Jamie Freen-van Heeren1
1Independent Scientist, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|December 11, 2025
Abstract:
This letter comments on work by Grippin et al. demonstrating that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines can reprogram the tumour microenvironment and enhance PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, suggesting broader implications for mRNA-driven immune activation in cancer therapy.
Insights
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 can reprogram the tumor microenvironment. This reprogramming enhances programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade efficacy, suggesting new cancer therapy strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in cancer progression and immune evasion.
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, have revolutionized cancer therapy but face limitations.
- The potential of mRNA vaccines beyond infectious diseases is an emerging area of research.
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