First cancer vaccines: start of oncology treatment in Moscow

Director Alexander Gintsburg said that documents have been submitted to the Ministry of Health for registration; the first 60 melanoma patients (30 each at the Herzen and Blokhin centers) will receive the vaccine within 1.5 months. Safety trials on animals (Sechenov University, 7.2 million rubles) and humans (66 million rubles) are underway simultaneously, focusing on melanoma, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer.​

At present, there are four stages in creating a vaccine. “In the first stage, doctors collect personalized data from the patient. The second stage involves mathematical processing of the genetic information using artificial intelligence technology. The third stage is the synthesis of the mRNA vaccine and its encapsulation in lipid nanostructures. The fourth stage is administering the drug to the patient and monitoring its effects,” explained Gintsburg. The vaccines stimulate immunity against tumor neoantigens; preclinical tests on mice showed halted melanoma growth and survival of vaccinated animals.

The Ministry of Health has approved mRNA and peptide vaccines (“NeoOncoVac”) for inoperable melanoma, developed with the Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology. Next in line is lung cancer. “Preclinical studies have shown positive results. This new treatment method offers great hope for doctors and patients,” said oncologist Suna Isakova. This represents a Russian breakthrough that surpasses Pfizer and Moderna analogues and strengthens the country’s healthcare system, writes FARMMEDPROM.