Russia is set to begin human trials of a groundbreaking personalised mRNA cancer vaccine, which it plans to offer to patients free of charge starting in 2025.
Developed by the Radiology Medical Research Center in partnership with the Gamaleya Institute, the vaccine uses artificial intelligence to tailor each dose to a patient’s specific tumor profile, an approach made possible by advanced neural networks that can design individualized vaccines in under an hour.
Early pre-clinical tests on animals have shown promising results, including up to 80% tumor reduction and significant improvements in survival rates.
Unlike preventive vaccines, this therapeutic cancer vaccine is intended for patients already diagnosed with certain types of cancer, beginning with melanoma and expanding to lung, pancreatic, and kidney cancers. Each dose is unique and cannot be reused, underscoring its personalized nature.
Despite production costs estimated at around $3,000 per patient, the Russian government has pledged to distribute it at no cost to citizens, a move seen as both a public health measure and a geopolitical signal.
While hailed as a potential breakthrough in precision oncology, experts caution that results from human trials are still pending, and peer-reviewed data has yet to be published. Similar mRNA-based cancer therapies are also being tested in the U.S. and Europe, but Russia’s model is unique in its speed, use of AI, and public accessibility.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this early promise translates into a safe and effective new standard in cancer treatment.
