新型mRNA疫苗在兒童癌症治療上展現潛力
New mRNA vaccine shows promise against childhood cancer
Updated at: June 19, 2026 at 08:00 AM
醫學研究人員正在利用曾經用於COVID-19疫苗的mRNA技術，在治療兒童癌症方面取得令人振奮的進展。
Medical researchers are making exciting strides in treating childhood cancer by adapting mRNA technology once used for COVID-19 vaccines.
雖然疫苗通常用於預防，但這種新方法將其作為一種治療工具，用來對抗現有的腫瘤。
While vaccines are usually for prevention, this new approach uses them as a therapeutic tool to fight existing tumors.
最近，愛爾蘭皇家外科醫學院(RCSI)在神經母細胞瘤這一種特別致命的兒童癌症上取得了突破。
A recent breakthrough at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences focused on neuroblastoma, a particularly deadly childhood cancer.
科學家透過肽奈米顆粒，將mRNA指令傳遞給免疫系統，訓練其去獵殺癌細胞上發現的一種稱為GPC2的蛋白質。
By using peptide nanoparticles, scientists delivered mRNA instructions to train the immune system to hunt for a protein called GPC2 found on cancer cells.
這種方法在臨床前研究中成功將腫瘤體積縮小了70%，為未來免受傳統療法嚴苛副作用之苦帶來了希望。
This method successfully reduced tumor volume by 70% in preclinical studies, offering hope for a future without the harsh side effects of traditional treatments.
透過分析兒童特定腫瘤的遺傳基因，醫生可以創造客製化的治療方案，重新訓練免疫系統去辨識並攻擊先前被其忽略的癌細胞。
By analyzing a child's specific tumor genetics, doctors can create custom treatments that re-educate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells it previously ignored.
研究人員常將這種靈活的技術比作「樂高積木」，因為其組件可以進行更換，以針對不同的癌症。
Researchers often compare this flexible technology to 'LEGO bricks,' as components can be swapped to target different cancers.
儘管該領域仍處於臨床早期階段，但這種創新方法旨在防止癌症復發，並顯著改善全球兒科患者的生活品質。
While the field is still in early clinical stages, this innovative approach aims to prevent cancer relapse and significantly improve the quality of life for pediatric patients everywhere.
