The review authors were careful to highlight that they are not suggesting that modified RNA causes cancer but that its effects may lead to an environment that aids in the development of cancers.
“Those who do not read in depth will be quick to say that we are AFFIRMING that mRNA vaccines cause cancer,” the review authors wrote to The Epoch Times in an email, pointing to a passage in their paper stating, “It is important to clarify here that mRNA vaccines do not cause cancer; but they could stimulate its development ... We are more concerned with experimental and clinical data with regard to the latter.”
Their review was based largely on a study on mice in Thailand. The senior author of that study, however, says that the review took the results out of context and did not suggest that modified mRNA promotes tumor formation.
Uridine is a key component of mRNA. However, when mRNA is injected into the body, it is broken down by cells and also triggers a broad immune response, leading to its rapid degradation. This immune response can be bypassed: Researchers Katalin Karikó and Dr. Drew Weissman found that when uridine is modified to N1-methyl-pseudouridine (m1-psi), the mRNA is not degraded and proteins can be produced. The two were awarded a 2023 Nobel Prize for their findings.
Pfizer and Moderna used this patented technology to ensure that the mRNA vaccines would be able to produce spike protein inside cells, and the authors suggest that this very modification that makes COVID-19 vaccines effective may present additional risks
“Within the framework of COVID-19 vaccination, this inhibition ensures an appropriate spike protein synthesis and a reduced immune activation,” the review authors wrote in the study’s abstract.
The authors are concerned the reduced immune activation in turn may create conditions to aid the development of cancer in susceptible individuals.
Modified vs. Natural RNA
Modified and natural RNA stimulate different responses in the body. Studies have shown finding that unmodified RNA when introduced into the body stimulates the release of immune chemicals like type-1 interferon—a key immune chemical for fighting infections and also cancer. Contrastingly, modified RNA stimulates a milder response.Most importantly, modified RNA induces a more muted response in the body than natural RNA, which may have broad implications for the body’s ability to fight other infections and cancers, the authors said.
A critical piece of evidence the review authors cited comes from a mice study in Thailand.
In the study, mice were induced to have melanoma. They were then injected with unmodified or modified RNA.
The Thai researchers found that when injected with 100 percent natural RNA, it activated cancer-fighting processes in the mice while 100 percent modified RNA, stimulated a much muted response.
The survival rate in the mice group without modified RNA was 100 percent. Conversely, in the group with the modified uridine, only half of the mice survived.
The review authors interpreted the findings to mean that adding 100 percent of “[m1-psi] to the mRNA vaccine in a melanoma model stimulated cancer growth.”
The Cancer Debate
Although the senior author agreed that the unmodified RNA is associated with “robust anti-tumor immunity,” he added that their study “did not indicate, conclude or suggest that modified mRNA promotes tumor formation.
“Modified RNA ... just simply did not induce IFN type I production,” he wrote.
Besides the Thai study, several other papers have indicated that modified RNA diminishes the magnitude of the body’s immune response and cancer fighting processes.
The review authors believe that this can promote an environment conducive to cancer development, while other researchers disagree.
Dr. Tian Xia, a professor in the Division of NanoMedicine at the University of California–Los Angeles, told The Epoch Times that the basis of m1-psi is to reduce immunotoxicity “not to suppress the innate and adaptive immunity,” and the cancer-causing conclusion doesn’t have “strong scientific support.”
Reduce Modified RNA Use
The review authors suggested that mRNA therapeutics should include a “lower percentage” of modified RNA in the future.They also wrote that they do not discourage the use of mRNA injections in cancer treatment, given that natural or unmodified RNA reduces tumor growth, improves the efficiency of immune responses, and may increase survival.
The authors told The Epoch Times that with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the scientists “only focused on maximizing the production of the spike protein” without considering other downstream effects.
“We have to do a deep reflection here: if you lower the [percentage] of modification, you have a less effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2,” the authors wrote, but at the same time, there may be fewer unintended adverse effects.
Raquel Valdes Angues, a senior research associate at Oregon Health and Science University, told The Epoch Times that she and her colleagues welcome the review “addressing the potential implications of using COVID-19 [m1-psi]-modified mRNA vaccines on cancer progression and metastasis.”
She highlighted that modified RNA has been shown to impede interferon signaling, and given its complex role in tumor biology, “it becomes imperative to exercise caution when integrating modified [m1-psi] mRNAs for therapeutic use” in live animals and humans.
“These considerations warrant thorough investigation and thoughtful deliberation in the pursuit of mRNA-based therapeutics,” she said.
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