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A universal cancer vaccine, once a far-off fantasy, is starting to feel more real!
On Friday, scientists from the University of Florida announced that their latest study might pave the way for a groundbreaking vaccine that could energize our immune systems to combat cancer. Research published in Nature Biomedical Engineering reveals that an experimental mRNA vaccine significantly enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a common cancer-fighting drug.
Rather than targeting specific cancer types, this innovative vaccine aims to activate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, almost as if it were responding to a viral infection, stated a release from UF.
Dr. Duane Mitchell, the study’s co-author and a professor at the University’s College of Medicine, remarked, “We discovered that utilizing a vaccine designed to provoke a general immune response – not one aimed strictly at cancer cells – produced a remarkably robust anticancer effect.” This approach contrasts sharply with typical cancer vaccine strategies, where researchers usually focus on specific targets prevalent in certain tumors, or even craft personalized vaccines according to an individual’s unique tumor profile.
The team sees this universal vaccine as a game changer that could be broadly applicable to all cancer patients, possibly evolving into a readily available option that doesn’t require custom tailoring.
Currently, the researchers are aiming to replicate their findings in human trials. Should they s d, this one-size-fits-all shot could become a viable alternative to conventional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
So, how does this cool vaccine work? Essentially, the mRNA shot prompts the body to make proteins that gear up the immune system, including a protein called PD-L1. This protein can often be found on cancer cells, which use it to effectively evade immune detection.
By increasing the levels of PD-L1, the vaccine could help make tumors less shielded against treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors, thus enabling the immune system to spot and destroy the cancer cells!
The research displayed promising results for melanoma and other treatment-resistant tumors when the mRNA vaccine was combined with a monoclonal antibody—an immunotherapy aimed at rallying the immune response to attack cancer.
Even as a standalone treatment, sorts of this vaccine were effective on mouse models of skin, bone, and brain cancers, with some completely eliminating tumors. Dr. Elias Sayour, a senior author and pediatric oncologist at UF Health, expressed excitement over the unexpected results, stating that the mRNA component could lead to targeted tumor responses despite its broad design.
Stay tuned as we cover more on this progressing technology in future updates!
Digital Health Earnings Season on the Horizon
As we gear up for the digital health earnings season, it’s shaping up to be an interesting quarter!
Two companies that recently went public—Hinge Health and Omada Health—will soon share financial results for the first time since their market debuts. Additionally, with Trump’s tax-and-spending proposals and the August tariff deadline approaching, we’ll gain insights on how these digital health firms navigate a shaky economic environment. Here’s what to keep an eye on:
- Hinge Health – Aug. 5
Digital physical therapy provider Hinge Health is set to reveal its second-quarter earnings on August 5—their first report since hitting the NYSE in May. After starting at $39.25, the shares have climbed over $46. In Q1, they reported a 50% revenue jump to $123.8 million, and a net income of $17.1 million, compared to a $26.5 million loss a year prior. - Omada Health – Aug. 7
Virtual care firm Omada Health will report its second-quarter results on August 7, marking their first financial disclosure since launching on Nasdaq in June. With shares opening at $23, they’ve slipped to around $19 since debuting. Omada’s revenue rose 57% in their first financial quarter, climbing to $55 million, up from $35.1 million in the previous year’s quarter. - Hims & Hers Health – Aug. 4
Telehealth company Hims & Hers Health will be making announcements about their second-quarter results on August 4, likely facing scrutiny regarding their short-lived deal with Novo Nordisk. This partnership, intended to provide access to weight loss drug Wegovy, fell apart due to sales of cheaper alternatives. - Doximity – Aug. 7
Medical networking platform Doximity saw its stock prices soar, and they’ll be in the spotlight when they present their fiscal first quarter 2026 results, set for August 7. This year, Doximity shares have risen over 13%. - Teladoc Health – July 29
CEO Chuck Divita is honing strategies to revitalize Teladoc Health following a challenging period marked by decline. They are anticipated to announce their second-quarter results on July 29, while their share price has hovered over a downturn of more than 4% as of mid-week.
We’re looking forward to diving deeper into these events in the upcoming weeks. So, keep an eye on our coverage!
