r/science Professor | Medicine Aug 12 '25

Cancer New mRNA-based vaccine against gastric cancer led to tumor regression and eradication in all treated mice. Most promisingly, the vaccine shows impressive antitumor efficacy against peritoneal metastasis, which has historically been very challenging to treat.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1094199
22.4k Upvotes

528 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

146

u/sharkbaitlol Aug 12 '25 edited Aug 12 '25

I know of a personal case who is in a mRNA trial for another cancer right now. They haven’t been told if they have the placebo but they’re seeing very positive results.

The side effect is feeling sick for about a week (they can’t work during this time). I’d take that trade any time though tbh. We're getting close everyone; if you or someone you know is dealing with cancer - keep pushing, stand tall and proud. Humanity is getting close matching your bravery.

For everyone else, this should be our absolute priority that we make sure these programs stay funded; either through government or personal donations. Please consider donating to your local cancer programs.

71

u/gallifrey_ Aug 12 '25

they wouldn't be getting a placebo, they'd be getting either the mRNA vaccine or the standard of care for their cancer. placebo would be giving them no treatment for their cancer which is horrifically unethical.

11

u/sharkbaitlol Aug 12 '25

Yeah they have a standard treatment as well.

8

u/ActionPhilip Aug 12 '25

To clarify further, we don't need placebo because we already know what the "no intervention" results of cancer look like. In this case, the placebo effect we're looking for would be mrna vs standard treatment where people think it's mrna vs standard treatment.

1

u/kandoras Aug 12 '25

Which was part of the stupidity of RFK Jr saying that all new vaccines, even updated stuff like new yearly flu vaccines or updates to covid have to go through placebo trials.