From the Guidelines
No, there is no evidence that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) increases cancer risk. The vaccine has been extensively studied in clinical trials and post-approval surveillance involving millions of people, and no association with cancer development has been detected 1. The mRNA technology used in the Moderna vaccine works by instructing cells to produce the coronavirus spike protein, triggering an immune response, but it does not alter human DNA or affect cellular processes that could lead to cancer.
Key Points
- The mRNA is quickly degraded by the body after it delivers its instructions, typically within days, and does not integrate into the genome.
- Some people may have concerns because cancer diagnoses sometimes occur after vaccination, but this represents coincidental timing rather than causation.
- The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 far outweigh any theoretical risks, and major health organizations worldwide continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccines, including Moderna, as safe and effective preventive measures.
Clinical Guidance
According to the most recent guideline from the Journal of Clinical Oncology, vaccination of adults with cancer is recommended, with the most current recommendation for previously COVID-19–vaccinated individuals being to receive at least one dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine (any authorized formulation) 1.
Safety and Efficacy
The vast majority of adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination are mild to moderate (grade 1 or 2), with the most common side effects being injection site pain, fatigue, myalgia, headache, and fever 1. COVID-19 resulted in many more hospitalizations and deaths among immunocompromised patients with cancer prior to COVID-19 vaccine availability, and the COVID-19 vaccines protect patients with cancer, reducing the risk of severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization.
From the Research
Association between Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Cancer
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) causes cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Studies have shown that patients with cancer are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19, and vaccination is an important preventive measure to protect against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 2, 3, 4.
- However, some studies have raised concerns that COVID-19 vaccination may generate a pro-tumorigenic milieu that could lead to cancer progression, recurrence, and/or metastasis in some patients with cancer 5.
- The available evidence suggests that the risk of cancer is not increased by COVID-19 vaccination, but rather by the underlying cancer itself and other factors such as age, sex, and type of cancer therapy 2, 3, 4.
Vaccine Efficacy and Safety in Patients with Cancer
- The efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with cancer are still being studied, and more research is needed to fully understand the effects of vaccination on cancer biology and tumor registries 5.
- Some studies have shown that vaccination against COVID-19 can be effective in preventing severe outcomes in patients with cancer, but the risk of breakthrough infection and severe outcomes is still higher in patients with cancer compared to those without cancer 3, 4.
- The use of nanotechnology in vaccine development may provide a promising solution to improve the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised individuals, including those with cancer 6.
Limitations and Future Directions
- More research is needed to fully understand the association between COVID-19 vaccination and cancer, including the potential risks and benefits of vaccination in patients with cancer 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Further studies should investigate the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on cancer biology and tumor registries, and adjust public health recommendations accordingly 5.