Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong Calls for Urgent Scientific Focus on SARS-CoV-2 Viral Persistence and Cancer Link

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a prominent physician, surgeon, and owner of the Los Angeles Times, recently took to social media to highlight what he describes as a critical challenge: the potential link between SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence and an increase in various cancer types, particularly in younger individuals. In a tweet, Dr. Soon-Shiong emphasized, "Connecting the dots. Spike protein, viral persistence, reduction in p53, protease enzyme TMPRSS2, multiple cancer types - prostate, pancreas, colon... The need to clear the SARS-CoV virus / spike protein infected cells and address the science is critical." He further stated that his focus would be on addressing this issue and developing cancer vaccines.

Dr. Soon-Shiong's concerns, also articulated in a recent interview, center on the hypothesis that persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated spike protein may lead to immune suppression and chronic inflammation, creating conditions conducive to cancer development. He has publicly used terms such as "turbo cancer" to describe an alleged rapid progression of the disease, citing anecdotal observations of cancers like pancreatic and colon cancer in unusually young patients. He questions whether the increase in such cases post-COVID-19 infection and vaccination is coincidental, given the spike protein's ability to enter cells throughout the body via ACE2 receptors.

However, the broader scientific community currently does not support a causal link between SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccines and an increased risk or accelerated progression of cancer. According to a review by Science Feedback, claims of "turbo cancer" are "unsupported." Reputable scientific publications, including a Nature review, state there is "no strong evidence" for such a causal relationship. Experts indicate that the observed rise in certain cancer types among young adults predates the pandemic, with trends dating back decades, and is more likely attributed to long-term lifestyle and environmental factors. Furthermore, no known biological mechanism links COVID-19 vaccines to cancer development or acceleration.

Through his companies, ImmunityBio and NantWorks, Dr. Soon-Shiong has been developing a dual-antigen (Spike and Nucleocapsid) Ad5-based vaccine for COVID-19, aiming to induce robust T-cell immunity. He advocates for a "Bioshield" approach, focusing on clearing the virus from the body and enhancing the immune system's natural killer cells and T-cells to combat both infectious diseases and cancer. His work emphasizes the importance of T-cell responses for long-lasting immunity, contrasting with antibody-centric vaccine strategies.

The ongoing scientific inquiry into the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its intricate interplay with human health, including cancer, remains a critical area of research. While Dr. Soon-Shiong calls for urgent scientific attention to viral persistence and its potential oncogenic implications, the scientific consensus emphasizes the need for further robust studies to establish any direct causal relationships.