mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccines: opportunities, challenges and outcomes

mRNA-based cancer vaccines represent an innovative approach to cancer treatment. Cancer mRNA vaccines are structurally based on specific tumor antigens, a technique which enables the patient's immune system to become activated against cancer cells. Clinical trials of mRNA vaccines against various types of tumors, including melanoma, lung cancer, pancreatic carcinoma, breast cancer and others, are currently underway. Because of their favorable safety profile and adaptability, these therapeutics hold considerable promise in efforts to enhance cancer treatment efficacy and prolong patient life. This review outlines steps in the development of manufacturing technologies for mRNA-based therapeutics, describes the algorithm used to design personalized anti-tumor mRNA vaccines, discusses their practical implementation, and summarizes current clinical trials in cancer immunotherapy.