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Russia has announced the development of an mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine, expected to be available free of cost to patients by early 2025. It is being developed under the Russian Ministry of Health, with pre-clinical trials showing promising results in suppressing tumour growth and metastasis.

What is an mRNA-Based Cancer Vaccine?

• mRNA (Messenger RNA) vaccines deliver genetic instructions to the body’s cells to produce antigens—proteins that trigger an immune response.
• In the case of cancer, these vaccines train the immune system to recognize and destroy tumor-specific antigens, thereby attacking cancer cells.
• Unlike conventional vaccines, these are therapeutic, not preventive, and are used in existing cancer patients.

How Does It Work?

• The vaccine prompts the body to produce proteins that mimic tumor markers.
• These markers stimulate the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.
• The treatment is personalized, with the mRNA sequence tailored to match the unique antigens of a patient’s tumour, enhancing precision and efficacy.
• It can potentially target multiple antigens simultaneously, unlike standard mRNA vaccines such as those for COVID-19.

Advantages Over Conventional Therapies

• Selective Action: Targets only cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
• Fewer Side Effects: Compared to chemotherapy, the side effects are significantly reduced.
• Customizable: Can be adapted to target various cancers through tumor-specific markers.
• Boosts Immunity: Enhances the body’s natural defense mechanisms for long-term protection.

mRNA Technology – Core Concepts

• mRNA is a single-stranded RNA transcribed from DNA.
• It delivers genetic instructions to ribosomes (protein factories) in cells to produce specific proteins.
• In mRNA vaccines, this mechanism is harnessed to make the body generate target antigens, which the immune system learns to combat.

India and mRNA Vaccines

• India has approved two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines developed by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals with DBT-BIRAC support:
  • GEMCOVAC-OM(Omicron-specific)
  • GEMCOVAC-19
• Features include needle-free delivery and thermostability, marking India’s entry into mRNA-based immunotherapy platforms.

Cautions and Limitations

• Not Preventive: These are not preventive like HPV or Hepatitis B vaccines, which protect against cancers linked to viruses.
• Limited Data: Russian vaccine data is not yet publicly available; clinical validation is pending.
• Not Universally Effective: Immunotherapy may not work for all types or stages of cancer.
• Time-Consuming Trials: New treatments must undergo phased trials, often spanning years, before general approval.