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Cancer mRNA vaccines: clinical application progress and challenges

Hang Li1, Lang Min2, Haotian Du1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.

Cancer Letters
|April 30, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines show promise for cancer treatment, offering ease of production and safety. This review covers optimization strategies, clinical progress, and challenges for mRNA cancer vaccines, including personalized neoantigen approaches.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccine Technology

Background:

  • Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have demonstrated significant potential in immunotherapy, accelerated by their success during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The established efficacy and safety profile of mRNA vaccines have spurred exploration into their application for cancer treatment.
  • Preclinical and clinical data suggest substantial applicability of mRNA technology in oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review optimization strategies for mRNA cancer vaccines in preclinical research.
  • To summarize the progress and challenges of mRNA cancer vaccine clinical trials.
  • To analyze delivery vehicles, administration methods, and applications across various cancer types.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of preclinical studies and human clinical trials on mRNA cancer vaccines.
  • Analysis of vaccine design factors, including antigen selection, stability, and delivery systems.
  • Evaluation of safety, tolerability, and immune response data from clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • mRNA vaccines effectively induce specific anti-tumor immune responses.
  • Clinical trials indicate favorable safety and tolerability profiles for mRNA cancer vaccines.
  • Personalized neoantigen vaccines represent a promising direction for future cancer immunotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • mRNA vaccines are a viable and advancing therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Addressing challenges in antigen selection, stability, and resistance is crucial for further development.
  • Continued research into personalized mRNA vaccines holds significant potential for improving cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
Keywords:
Cancer immunotherapyCombination therapyPersonalized vaccinesRNA vaccines

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