DiscoverScience FridayStudy Finds COVID mRNA Vaccines Boost Cancer Treatment
Study Finds COVID mRNA Vaccines Boost Cancer Treatment

Study Finds COVID mRNA Vaccines Boost Cancer Treatment

Update: 2025-11-10
Share

Description

Over the last five years, billions of people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. New research has found an unanticipated result of these vaccines: Cancer treatments are more effective for some vaccinated patients, and many live longer than their unvaccinated counterparts. This news comes at a time where the federal government is slashing funding for mRNA research. 

Host Ira Flatow speaks to lead study author Adam Grippin and vaccine expert Eric Topol.

Guests: Dr. Adam Grippin is a radiation oncologist at the MC Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. 
Dr. Eric Topol is a cardiologist and genomics professor at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.


Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Comments 
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Study Finds COVID mRNA Vaccines Boost Cancer Treatment

Study Finds COVID mRNA Vaccines Boost Cancer Treatment

Kathleen Davis, Ira Flatow