mRNA vaccine development and applications: A special focus on tumors (Review)

Abstract

Cancer is characterized by unlimited proliferation and metastasis, and traditional therapeutic strategies usually result in the acquisition of drug resistance, thus highlighting the need for more personalized treatment. mRNA vaccines transfer the gene sequences of exogenous target antigens into human cells through transcription and translation to stimulate the body to produce specific immune responses against the encoded proteins, so as to enable the body to obtain immune protection against said antigens; this approach may be adopted for personalized cancer therapy. Since the recent coronavirus pandemic, the development of mRNA vaccines has seen substantial progress and widespread adoption. In the present review, the development of mRNA vaccines, their mechanisms of action, factors influencing their function and the current clinical applications of the vaccine are discussed. A focus is placed on the application of mRNA vaccines in cancer, with the aim of highlighting unique advances and the remaining challenges of this novel and promising therapeutic approach.

Keywords: application; cancer; mRNA vaccines; mechanism; prospects.

Figure 1

(A) Basic epidemiological characteristics of cancer in different genders. (B) The main types of tumor vaccines.

Figure 2

Research history of mRNA vaccines and progress in tumor therapy.

Figure 3

Production process and main structure of mRNA vaccine. ORF, open reading frame; UTR, untranslated region; PEG, polyethylene glycol.

Figure 4

Schematic of the general mechanism of action of mRNA vaccine. MHC, major histocompatibility complex; TCR, T-cell receptor; PFN, perforin; GzmB, granzyme B.

Figure 5

mRNA vaccines offer enormous promise in the treatment of a wide range of disorders. NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HSV, herpes simplex virus; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.