RNA-Based Cancer Vaccines: Advancement and Challenges

Biological response modifier therapy has proven to be a significant advancement in the management of cancer in the current era. The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cancer immunotherapy is gaining widespread acceptance due to its ability to stimulate the production of target-specific antibodies (Abs). mRNA-based vaccines aim to generate proteins that combat cancer and related conditions. These vaccines offer notable advantages such as high efficacy, targeted action, reduced toxicity, ease of manufacturing, and convenient administration, making them superior to established and conventional vaccines. mRNA-based vaccines have demonstrated exceptional success in preventing COVID-19 infection and other similar conditions. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted in recent years to evaluate the efficacy of mRNA vaccines in patients with various types of cancer. However, to date, no mRNA vaccines have been approved by regulatory bodies worldwide, either as standalone treatments or as adjuvant therapies for cancer management. This is primarily due to the challenges associated with the variability and ineffective delivery of mRNA, which hinders the widespread application of this technology. In order to address these issues, significant modifications have been made to the structure and administration methods of mRNA over the years. This review will provide an overview of the current developments and improvements in mRNA vaccines and their delivery in cancer immunotherapy, as well as the challenges and regulatory hurdles that need to be addressed for clinical use. It will also highlight the approaches towards optimizing mRNA- based vaccines for the effective and successful treatment of cancer.