Amping up T cells to target cancer

MIT researchers introduced an mRNA-encoded adjuvant that activates T-cell signaling pathways, delivering it via lipid nanoparticles. In mouse models of bladder, colon, melanoma, and metastatic lung cancers, the adjuvant amplified vaccine-induced T-cell responses, slowed tumor growth, eradicated many tumors, and enhanced checkpoint-inhibitor efficacy; it also boosted COVID-19 and flu vaccine T-cell responses ten- to fifteen-fold.