UF researchers say discovery could pave the way for universal cancer vaccine [View all]

Study found that generic mRNA vaccine prompted anti-cancer reaction in immune system.

University of Florida researchers have stumbled upon a discovery they say could lead to development of a universal vaccine that can jumpstart the immune system to fight cancer.

A study, published today in Nature Biomedical Engineering, showed that an experimental mRNA vaccine boosted resistance to tumors when paired with common anticancer drugs in mice.

If the same effect occurs in humans, it could provide an alternative to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. It could also mean much earlier treatment for patients in cases where the cancer has either evaded detection by the body’s immune system or has exhausted the body’s ability to fight it.

The vaccine is now being trialed in human patients. It could be commercialized as universal cancer vaccines to ratchet up the immune system’s response to a tumor, said UF Health pediatric oncologist Elias Sayour.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2025/07/18/uf-researchers-say-discovery-could-pave-way-universal-cancer-vaccine/

So...naturally the Trump administration is slashing funding for this type of research...