Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Ireland have created an experimental mRNA vaccine that reduced the size of neuroblastoma tumours by around 70% in animal tests. Neuroblastoma is a rare but deadly cancer that mainly affects babies and young children, causing about 15% of childhood cancer deaths. The vaccine was tested in early laboratory studies, and the results were published in Molecular Therapy Oncology.

The vaccine works because it trains the immune system to find and attack neuroblastoma cells. It uses mRNA, a type of genetic message, to teach immune cells to recognise a special protein called Glypican-2 (GPC2), which is found on the cancer cells but not on healthy cells.

Because of this research, doctors hope that personalised mRNA vaccines could help children with cancers like neuroblastoma in the future. The vaccine is still in the early stages and must be tested in humans next.