On Oct. 22 in the journal Nature, MBI researchers published a study finding that patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccine.
The observation is a defining moment in a decade-plus of research testing mRNA-based therapeutics designed to “wake up” the immune system against cancer. Building on a previous University of Florida study, the observation also marks a significant step toward a long-awaited universal cancer vaccine to boost the tumor-fighting effects of immunotherapy.
According to Altmetric, which measures the online attention and impact of scholarly work beyond traditional citation, the study received a score of 6806. When compared with over 340,000 papers in 2025, that mark was eighth among all papers in all journals. Overall, it ranks in the top 5% of all research outputs ever tracked and is the third-highest in UF history. For reference, Altmetric began tracking scores in 2011.
Below, see a few examples of coverage this study received from top media outlets across the world:
Associated Press: COVID-19 vaccines may help some cancer patients fight tumors
Fox News Digital: Cancer survival appears to double with common vaccine, researchers say
France24: mRNA Covid vaccines may help some cancer patients fight tumours
Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit: mRNA vaccines show promise in boosting cancer immunotherapy, says Dr. Elias Sayour
Healio: Potential ‘new paradigm’: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines boost response to cancer immunotherapy
Medscape: COVID mRNA Vaccines Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy: Now What?
Record (Brazil): Boa Notícia: Vacina contra Covid-19 pode ajudar a combater tumores do câncer
ScienceNews: Cancer treatments may get a boost from mRNA COVID vaccines
The Conversation: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could unlock the next revolution in cancer treatment — new research
The Guardian: Covid vaccines may increase the lifespan of cancer patients – this could be a game changer
The Independent: Covid jab sparks immune response to fight cancer, study finds
The Manny Munoz Show: Dr. Elias Sayour on the Breakthrough Linking mRNA Vaccines to Cancer Immunity
The Times of India: Is this the beginning of the end for cancer? mRNA breakthrough hints at universal vaccine
The Washington Post: Study finds mRNA coronavirus vaccines prolonged life of cancer patients
More about the study.
link