Russian scientists have developed a new cancer vaccine ready for clinical use, the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) announced. The news was announced by FMBA head Veronika Skvortsova during the Eastern Economic Forum, Russian news agency TASS reported.
The vaccine, called Enteromix, uses mRNA technology — the same one used in some Covid-19 vaccines. Instead of a weakened virus, mRNA vaccines teach the body’s cells to produce proteins that stimulate an immune response against cancer cells.
According to Skvortsova, the vaccine has undergone years of research, including three years of mandatory preclinical trials. The results show that it is safe even with multiple doses and highly effective: in some patients, tumors shrank or grew more slowly by 60-80%, depending on the type of cancer. Researchers also noted improved survival rates.
The initial focus will be on colon cancer, while vaccines are being developed against glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer, and certain types of melanoma, including ocular melanoma.
The vaccine was announced at the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, which brought together more than 8,400 participants from more than 75 countries.
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