Russia claims to have developed a cancer vaccine that will be provided free of charge to Russian patients starting in early 2025. The announcement was made by Andrey Kaprin, General Director of the Radiology Medical Research Center under the Russian Ministry of Health, as reported by the state-owned news agency TASS.
Unlike preventive vaccines, this vaccine is reportedly designed to treat cancer patients and will be personalized for each individual. Alexander Ginsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, previously stated that the vaccine could suppress tumour growth and prevent the spread of cancer.
Details about the specific types of cancer the vaccine targets, its effectiveness, and even its name remain unclear. While it is scientifically plausible to develop a vaccine targeting cancer, other countries are also pursuing similar advancements.
Vaccines designed to prevent cancer already exist, such as those targeting human papillomaviruses (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer. In October 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved Cecolin®, a new single-dose HPV vaccine, bolstering global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.
Building on the success of mRNA technology in COVID-19 vaccines, several mRNA-based cancer vaccines have progressed to clinical trials. Interim results from a Phase I trial of mRNA-4359, an mRNA cancer immunotherapy, have shown encouraging outcomes in patients with advanced solid tumours like lung cancer and melanoma. Similarly, CureVac has presented promising data from its glioblastoma vaccine study at the ESMO Congress, highlighting the potential of mRNA platforms in tackling aggressive cancers.
In 2024, the NHS launched the Cancer Vaccine Launchpad (CVLP), an innovative program designed to fast-track access to personalized cancer vaccines for patients across England. Developed in collaboration with BioNTech, a leading mRNA vaccine developer, the CVLP focuses on creating vaccines tailored to each patient’s unique tumour characteristics. The initiative aims to provide personalized cancer therapies to up to 10,000 patients by 2030.
Meanwhile, preclinical trials of the Russian cancer vaccine reportedly show its potential to inhibit tumour growth and metastasis, marking a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy.
