Moscow, August 3 — In a significant breakthrough for oncology and personalized medicine, Russia is poised to begin clinical trials of its first AI-assisted, mRNA-based cancer vaccine within the next few months, according to Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
The vaccine, designed to target malignant tumors using a patient’s own genetic profile, represents a new frontier in individualized cancer treatment. Gintsburg confirmed in an interview with RIA Novosti on Saturday that preparations are underway to launch experimental treatment trials in cooperation with two of Russia’s premier oncology centers — the Hertsen Research Institute and the Blokhin Cancer Center in Moscow.
“In accordance with a Health Ministry-approved plan, we are preparing to initiate experimental therapy using a cancer vaccine based on neoantigens in a selected group of melanoma patients,” Gintsburg stated. He emphasized that the vaccine is “entirely personalized,” developed using unique tumor data from each patient, making it non-transferable between individuals.
Revolutionary Use of AI and mRNA Technology
The vaccine, first conceptualized in mid-2022, employs messenger RNA (mRNA) technology similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines. It works by teaching the immune system to recognize and attack tumor-specific proteins (antigens), enabling cytotoxic lymphocytes to systematically destroy cancer cells.
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in expediting the process — from sequencing the tumor genome to formulating the personalized vaccine — a task that Gintsburg claims can be completed within one week.
Given its individualized nature, the vaccine is governed by a special regulatory protocol introduced by the Russian government earlier this year, differing significantly from traditional pharmaceutical approval processes. “We are working closely with the Health Ministry under these new guidelines to ensure safe and timely implementation,” said Gintsburg.
Early Results and Future Expansion
Initial trials of the vaccine in animal models and a limited group of human patients have shown encouraging results. While the first phase is focused on melanoma, the Gamaleya Center is also developing mRNA vaccine candidates for other hard-to-treat cancers, including pancreatic, renal, and non-small-cell lung cancer — the latter being one of the most lethal and prevalent cancer types globally.
This innovative project comes from the same institute that developed Sputnik V, the world’s first registered COVID-19 vaccine, bolstering the center’s reputation for cutting-edge biotechnological research.
A National Priority with Global Implications
According to Russia’s Health Ministry, approximately four million people in the country are living with cancer, with over 625,000 new diagnoses reported each year. If proven safe and effective, the personalized cancer vaccine could mark a transformative milestone in the nation’s healthcare strategy.
The project has already garnered international interest. Gintsburg confirmed that several leading medical institutions abroad have expressed a willingness to collaborate on research and clinical applications.
As the world closely watches Russia’s progress in personalized oncology, the upcoming trials may not only change the course of cancer treatment domestically but could also have profound implications for global medicine.
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