Russia has successfully developed an mRNA-based cancer vaccine, which will be distributed to patients free of charge, according to Andrey Kaprin, General Director of the Radiology Medical Research Center under the Russian Ministry of Health. The news was reported by the Russian agency TASS.
Pre-clinical trials have shown promising results, demonstrating the vaccine’s ability to suppress tumor growth and reduce metastasis. The process of vaccine development has been significantly accelerated through the integration of artificial intelligence, which enables personalized vaccine creation in just an hour, streamlining the traditionally lengthy procedure.
The new vaccine works by enhancing the immune system’s ability to identify and destroy cancer cells. Speaking to TASS, Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, confirmed that the vaccine will enter general circulation in early 2025.
The development of the vaccine was a collaborative effort involving various research centers. Therapeutic cancer vaccines target specific proteins or antigens found in tumor cells, training the immune system to attack them. Some vaccines rely on modified or weakened viruses to deliver these antigens, thereby generating a strong immune response.
While therapeutic vaccines treat existing cancer, preventive vaccines like the HPV vaccine protect against viruses that can cause cancer, thereby reducing the risk of cancers such as cervical cancer.
The newly developed mRNA cancer vaccine aims to:
- Bolster the immune system to target cancer cells.
- Slow tumor growth and reduce metastasis.
- Prevent cancer recurrence and eliminate early-stage cancers.
With this breakthrough, Russia joins global efforts to harness mRNA technology in the fight against cancer, offering hope for more effective and accessible cancer treatments.
