Russia has announced a groundbreaking development in cancer treatment with the creation of an mRNA-based vaccine designed to treat cancer patients. This revolutionary vaccine, set to be launched in early 2025, will be distributed free of cost to Russian citizens, according to state-run media reports.
The personalised vaccine, which uses genetic material derived from a patient’s tumour, will cost the state approximately 300,000 rubles (USD 2,869) per dose. The announcement was made by Andrey Kaprin, head of the Radiology Medical Research Centre of the Ministry of Health. “This vaccine aims to treat cancer patients rather than prevent tumour formation,” Kaprin stated.
The mRNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of messenger RNA to the body, prompting cells to produce a specific protein. RNA or Ribonucleic acid is a polymeric molecule that’s essential for most biological functions in living cells.
The immune system recognises this protein as foreign and generates antibodies to fight it. In the case of cancer, this process is tailored to help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells.
The new vaccine mirrors similar efforts underway in Western nations to create personalised cancer treatments. In the United States, researchers at the University of Florida recently tested an individualised vaccine on patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The vaccine showed promising results, triggering a robust immune response within two days of injection.
Meanwhile, in the UK, scientists are trialling a personalised vaccine for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Early findings indicate improved survival rates.