Abstract:

The incidence of cancers has increased exponentially worldwide since the universal COVID-19 vaccination program began at the end of 2020. These cancers tend to present at an advanced stage, progress rapidly, and occur in younger patients. Additionally, some patients previously in remission have been reported to develop uncontrolled cancer relapses shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination (usually a booster). The temporal association between these cancers and COVID-19 vaccination is undeniable. These observations have given rise to the term “turbo-cancers.”

Although not a formally recognized oncologic classification, the term “turbo cancer” has gained traction among clinicians describing a pattern of unusually aggressive, rapidly progressing cancers—particularly among younger individuals and those previously in remission. In light of these reports, this review explores plausible biological mechanisms and available data to encourage scientific inquiry rather than premature dismissal. According to the Vaccine Event Reporting System (VAERS), the highest reported cancer risks involve the appendix, followed by breast, colorectal, laryngeal, endometrial, and hepatic cancers. A multi-hit hypothesis of oncogenesis—grounded in biological plausibility and supported by safety reports filed to VAERS — has been proposed to explain how COVID-19 vaccination may contribute to cancer development. In addition, we propose that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein directly interferes with the fundamental pathways causing carcinogenesis, namely metabolic reprogramming, cancer stem cell propagation, apoptosis resistance, metastatic potential, and altered immune surveillance. While the prognosis of these cancers is poor, an aggressive therapeutic approach using metabolic and repurposed drugs may offer benefit.

Keywords: Turbo cancers, COVID-19 vaccines, mRNA vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, carcinogenesis, tumor microenvironment