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Here are the top medical news for the day:mRNA COVID vaccines may improve survival rates in cancer patients, Study shows Scientists have discovered that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do more than just fight infection—they may also significantly improve survival in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. A recent study published in Advanced Research analyzed data from over 1,000 patients treated between 2019 and 2023 at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Those who received an mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immune checkpoint therapy were twice as likely to be alive three years later compared to unvaccinated patients. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may help immunotherapy by boosting the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. When given around the time patients start checkpoint inhibitor treatments—drugs that “unmask” cancer for the immune system—these vaccines act like an alarm, alerting immune cells to target tumors more effectively. This study showed that cancer patients vaccinated within 100 days of starting immunotherapy were twice as likely to survive three years later. The research further suggests that mRNA vaccines “train” the immune system, strengthening its ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, especially when combined with checkpoint inhibitors. These immunotherapy drugs help reveal cancer cells that evade immune detection. Early animal studies and clinical observations support the idea that mRNA vaccines act as a “wake-up call” for the immune system, enhancing tumor recognition and destruction. Lab studies showed that vaccination raised PD-L1 protein on tumors, which checkpoint inhibitors then block, allowing the immune system to target cancer more effectively. The finding builds on earlier work by University of Florida researchers who initially developed personalized mRNA cancer vaccines and noticed that mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases might have similar effects. These insights are leading to plans for a Phase III trial testing mRNA vaccines as routine complements to immunotherapy, especially for “cold” tumors that usually resist treatment. In advanced lung and metastatic melanoma cancers, vaccinated patients had notably longer survival times, sometimes nearly doubling expected outcomes. Lead researcher Dr. Adam Grippin called the results “extraordinary,” highlighting the potential for repurposing mRNA vaccine technology to transform cancer therapy worldwide. While more research is needed to verify mechanisms and optimize treatment, this innovative strategy offers hope for better outcomes and new avenues in oncologic care. Reference: Grippin, A.J., Marconi, C., Copling, S. et al. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint blockade. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09655-y Eating peanuts during pregnancy may affect how child's genes respond to breastfeeding: Study Scientists at Syracuse University studied how eating peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding might affect the DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns of children, potentially influencing their brain development and inflammation response. They recruited 35 children aged 2-7 and gathered data on maternal peanut butter and peanut consumption during pregnancy and lactation, breastfeeding duration, demographics, and child saliva samples for DNAm analysis.DNAm-an epigenetic mechanism-affects how genes related to neurodevelopment (like BDNF) and inflammation (IL6 and others) are expressed. The study was published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition. Researchers at Syracuse University studied how eating peanuts and peanut butter during pregnancy and breastfeeding affects children's DNA methylation, which influences gene activity. They recruited 35 children aged 2-7 and collected saliva samples for DNA testing along with questionnaires on maternal diet, breastfeeding, family background, and child experiences. They analyzed methylation changes in genes linked to brain development and inflammation. Results showed that children whose mothers consumed both peanuts and peanut butter during pregnancy had different DNA methylation patterns related to breastfeeding duration, suggesting maternal diet can shape a child's gene expression and health. The study found that when mothers ate both peanuts and peanut butter during pregnancy, longer breastfeeding was linked to increased DNA methylation in key brain development genes (BDNF and BDNF-AS), which may affect gene regulation positively. However, when mothers consumed only peanut butter, longer breastfeeding was associated with decreased methylation, possibly increasing gene expression. Maternal peanut intake also influenced inflammation-related DNA changes depending on household income and race. These effects may reflect nutritional differences between whole peanuts and peanut butter. Additional influences included household income and race, which interacted with maternal peanut intake to affect DNA...
