Vaccine BNT116 is designed to treat non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer.
- Lung cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer death, accounting for about 1.8million deaths every year.
Vaccine is based on mRNA (messenger Ribonucleic Acid) technology.
- This technology is seen as the next big phase of cancer treatment.
About mRNA Vaccine Technology
- Working Mechanism:
- It works by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein, usually a small piece of a protein found on the virus’s outer membrane.
- mRNA is a genetic molecule that contains instructions or recipe that directs cells to make a protein using its natural machinery.
- This mRNA prompts cells to create viral proteins, triggering the immune system to produce antibodies and boost the immune system.
- E.g., the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 directed cells to produce copies of a protein on the outside of the coronavirus known as the spike protein.
- It works by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein, usually a small piece of a protein found on the virus’s outer membrane.
- Benefits:
- Safer as it do not contain any live or weakened viruses.
- Also, can be developed quickly, unlike other traditional vaccines, which can take months to produce by growing weakened forms of the virus.
