Russian scientists have developed a new cancer vaccine that is
now ready for clinical use, according to the Federal Medical and
Biological Agency (FMBA). The announcement was made by FMBA head
Veronika Skvortsova at the Eastern Economic Forum, as per a report
by Russian news agency TASS, Azernews reports.
The vaccine, called Enteromix, is based on mRNA technology — the
same approach used in some Covid-19 vaccines. Instead of using a
weakened virus, mRNA vaccines teach the body’s cells to produce
proteins that trigger an immune response against cancer cells.
Skvortsova said the vaccine has completed years of research,
including three years of required preclinical trials. The trials
showed that the vaccine was safe even with repeated doses and was
highly effective. In some cases, tumors shrank or grew more slowly
by 60% to 80%, depending on the type of cancer.
Researchers also noted improved survival rates among test
subjects.
The first focus for this vaccine will be colorectal cancer,
which refers to the cancer of the large intestine. Work is also
advancing on vaccines for glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain
cancer, and certain types of melanoma (a serious skin cancer),
including ocular melanoma, which affects the eye.
The announcement came during the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in
Vladivostok, which drew more than 8,400 participants from over 75
countries.