Cancer has tormented humans since the dawn of mankind. But finally, our hopes of a cure have gone one step further. In a groundbreaking development, researchers are using mRNA technology, the same revolutionary technology that delivered COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines are now being trained to target one of the most challenging and deadly cancers the world has ever seen, colorectal cancer!

One promising development is the mRNA ELI-002 vaccine, which targets mutations (changes in genes), specifically KRAS mutations (KRAS mutations are changes in the KRAS gene, which plays a key role in cell signaling pathways that control cell growth, differentiation, and survival), a genetic driver present in many colorectal cancers. In Phase I clinical trial, 84% of patients showed a strong immune response. These vaccines use mRNA molecules to train the body to recognize and destroy corrupted cancer cells. Saanjali Vinay

Another breakthrough that has been made comes from combining immunotherapy drugs botensilimab and balstilimab. Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the immune system to fight diseases. These drugs have shown remarkable success in combating colorectal cancer. Oncologists (cancer scientists) have been researching for a breakthrough in this field for the past 3 to 4 years. By training these mRNA vaccines, millions can be saved. Immunotherapy can also provide lots of help in fighting colorectal cancer. All in all, 2025 has started, as well as the dawn of a new era in fighting cancer.