Recent advances in mRNA cancer vaccines
Roschier, Miia (2026)
2026
Bioteknologian ja biolääketieteen tekniikan kandidaattiohjelma - Bachelor's Programme in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
Lääketieteen ja terveysteknologian tiedekunta - Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology
Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2026-06-10
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202606107207
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202606107207
Tiivistelmä
Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based cancer vaccines are emerging as a promising approach among cancer immunotherapies. The aim of mRNA cancer vaccines is to induce sufficient immune responses that help modulate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and eliminate cancer cells based on the antigens they encode. After delivery to the cytosol, in vitro transcribed mRNA is translated into antigenic proteins that are presented to immune cells on major histocompatibility complexes, eliciting humoral and cellular immune responses. Two main platforms are used in mRNA cancer vaccinology, non-amplifying mRNA and self-amplifying mRNA. These vaccines encode different antigens such as tumor associated antigens, tumor-specific antigens and viral antigens.
Despite their significant safety profile and therapeutic potential, several limitations are associated with mRNA cancer vaccines. The inherent instability of mRNA often results in poor antigen expression, while cancer heterogeneity and the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment often lead to only modest clinical responses. In addition, exogenous mRNA can be recognised by pattern recognition receptors, inducing innate immune responses that supress translation and inhibit antigen expression. This thesis focuses on recent advances solving these problems. Methods examined here are various delivery platforms, nucleoside modifications and purification of mRNA. Different antigen selection methods are also evaluated, as well as recent clinical results.
Advances in delivery technologies and RNA engineering have improved the safety, stability and efficacy of mRNA cancer vaccines. Several preclinical and clinical studies have proven their ability to induce antitumoral immune responses, particularly when using tumor-specific antigens. However, these trials are still in early stages and often require combination with other immunotherapies for robust therapeutic effects. These results highlight the potential of mRNA cancer vaccines, yet further research is still needed to enhance their clinical efficacy.
Despite their significant safety profile and therapeutic potential, several limitations are associated with mRNA cancer vaccines. The inherent instability of mRNA often results in poor antigen expression, while cancer heterogeneity and the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment often lead to only modest clinical responses. In addition, exogenous mRNA can be recognised by pattern recognition receptors, inducing innate immune responses that supress translation and inhibit antigen expression. This thesis focuses on recent advances solving these problems. Methods examined here are various delivery platforms, nucleoside modifications and purification of mRNA. Different antigen selection methods are also evaluated, as well as recent clinical results.
Advances in delivery technologies and RNA engineering have improved the safety, stability and efficacy of mRNA cancer vaccines. Several preclinical and clinical studies have proven their ability to induce antitumoral immune responses, particularly when using tumor-specific antigens. However, these trials are still in early stages and often require combination with other immunotherapies for robust therapeutic effects. These results highlight the potential of mRNA cancer vaccines, yet further research is still needed to enhance their clinical efficacy.
Kokoelmat
- Kandidaatintutkielmat [11807]