Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

A Nonviral Approach to Generate Transient Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Using mRNA for Cancer Immunotherapy
09:56

A Nonviral Approach to Generate Transient Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Using mRNA for Cancer Immunotherapy

Published on: February 21, 2025

1.5K

Recent Advances in mRNA Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines

Amy D Laflin1, Jing Pan2, Ming You2

  • 1Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;

Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering
|May 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccines enhance antitumor immunity by delivering tumor antigens and immunostimulants. This review covers current mRNA vaccine therapies, challenges, and future directions for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Cancer immunotherapies boost patient immune systems against tumors.
  • Messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccines offer high specificity and safety.
  • mRNA vaccines incorporate tumor antigens to activate T cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current clinical and preclinical mRNA cancer vaccine therapies.
  • To discuss mRNA encoding immunostimulants as adjuvants or monotherapies.
  • To explore limitations, challenges, and future directions in mRNA cancer vaccine development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical and preclinical studies.
  • Analysis of mRNA vaccine strategies using tumor antigens.
  • Examination of mRNA-based immunostimulants in cancer treatment.

Main Results:

  • mRNA vaccines show promise in enhancing tumor antigen-specific T cell responses.
  • mRNA encoding immunostimulants can act as potent vaccine adjuvants.
  • Both antigen-based and immunostimulant-based mRNA therapies are being explored.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic mRNA cancer vaccines are a rapidly advancing field.
  • Overcoming challenges is crucial for the clinical success of mRNA cancer vaccines.
  • Future research will focus on optimizing delivery and efficacy for diverse cancers.
Keywords:
adjuvantscancer vaccinesimmunostimulantsmRNA therapeuticstumor-associated antigenstumor-specific antigens

More Related Videos

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo12:42

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

Published on: January 7, 2019

9.1K
In Vitro Synthesis of Modified mRNA for Induction of Protein Expression in Human Cells10:07

In Vitro Synthesis of Modified mRNA for Induction of Protein Expression in Human Cells

Published on: November 13, 2014

24.5K

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
1.3K
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
1.3K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.0K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

1.4K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
2.5K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
4.9K