INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF
CancerGenetics
Next-Generation Cancer Vaccines: mRNA Platforms and Personalized Neoantigen Approaches
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Mohamadamir kakaee ,1,*
1. shahid beheshti university of medical sciences
- Introduction: General Definition of Cancer Vaccines Cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. They can deliver tumor antigens, nucleic acids, or entire cells to enhance antitumor immunity, aiming to induce long-term memory against tumors and prevent recurrence or metastasis (Gupta, 2022). Difference Between Preventive and Therapeutic Vaccines Cancer vaccines are classified into two main types: 1. **Preventive Vaccines**: These aim to prevent cancer from developing, particularly in individuals at high risk due to factors like viral infections (e.g., HPV vaccines). 2. **Therapeutic Vaccines**: These are intended to treat existing cancer by activating the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells (Lei, 2025). Emergence of Next-Generation Vaccines Next-generation cancer vaccines, particularly those utilizing **mRNA technology** and **neoantigen-based vaccines**, represent significant advancements: * **mRNA Vaccines**: These vaccines use messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce tumor antigens, thereby eliciting a robust immune response. They have gained attention due to their success in COVID-19 vaccines and are now being explored for cancer treatment (Ni, 2023). * **Neoantigen-Based Vaccines**: These vaccines target unique antigens produced by tumor-specific mutations, allowing for personalized treatment. They have shown promise in early clinical trials, demonstrating safety and the ability to induce specific T-cell responses against tumors (Li, 2017). Why This Matters The development of cancer vaccines is crucial for several reasons: * **New Evidence**: Recent studies indicate that personalized neoantigen vaccines can enhance immune responses and potentially improve patient outcomes (Niemi, 2022). * **Existing Gaps**: Despite advancements, challenges remain, such as optimizing vaccine design, overcoming tumor-mediated immunosuppression, and ensuring effective delivery systems (Melief, 2010). * **Future Prospects**: The integration of cancer vaccines with other therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, holds promise for improving therapeutic efficacy and patient survival rates (Zheng, 2022). In summary, cancer vaccines represent a dynamic and evolving field in oncology, with the potential to significantly alter treatment paradigms and improve patient outcomes through innovative technologies and personalized approaches.
- Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies on next-generation cancer vaccines, particularly those utilizing mRNA platforms and personalized neoantigen-based approaches. The following search strategy was applied: > ("cancer vaccine" AND "mRNA" AND "neoantigen" AND (personalized OR individualized OR precision)) This search was limited to articles published between 2015 and 2025, written in English, and focused primarily on human studies. Both original research articles, systematic reviews, and clinical trials were included. After removing duplicates and performing an initial title and abstract screening, 46 articles were selected for full-text review. Following a detailed eligibility assessment based on relevance to mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccines, 19 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. These studies represent the current landscape of innovations in cancer immunotherapy, with a specific focus on the integration of messenger RNA technologies and neoantigen targeting strategies to achieve personalized and effective cancer vaccine platforms.
- Results: Next-generation cancer vaccines, particularly those utilizing **mRNA platforms** and **personalized neoantigen approaches**, have shown promising results in recent studies. 1. **Personalized Neoantigen Vaccines**: These vaccines are designed to trigger T cell responses against neoantigens that are specific to individual tumors. Clinical studies have demonstrated robust tumor-specific immunogenicity and preliminary evidence of antitumor activity, particularly in patients with melanoma and glioblastoma. The process of generating these vaccines involves rapid sequencing and bioinformatics technologies, which have made it feasible to create tailored treatments for patients ((Blass, 2021), (Niemi, 2022)). 2. **mRNA Vaccine Platforms**: mRNA vaccines are emerging as a significant category within neoantigen vaccines. They have been shown to effectively mobilize the immune system against cancer cells by encoding specific neoantigens. The integration of artificial intelligence in the design of these vaccines has further enhanced their development, optimizing various stages from neoantigen discovery to mRNA formulation ((Kong, 2025), (Chi, 2024)). 3. **Combination Therapies**: The efficacy of neoantigen vaccines is often enhanced when combined with other treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. This combinatorial approach has been shown to improve the overall immune response against tumors ((Niemi, 2022), (Li, 2023)). 4. **Clinical Trials and Future Directions**: Ongoing clinical trials are exploring various formats and delivery strategies for these vaccines. The results so far indicate that personalized neoantigen vaccines are not only feasible and safe but also capable of eliciting significant immune responses. Future research is focused on improving the identification of immunogenic neoepitopes and optimizing vaccine delivery systems to enhance clinical efficacy ((Naffaa, 2025), (D’Alise, 2023)). In summary, the combination of mRNA technology and personalized neoantigen approaches represents a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy, with ongoing research aimed at refining these strategies for better patient outcomes.
- Conclusion: Next-generation cancer vaccines, particularly those utilizing mRNA platforms and personalized neoantigen approaches, represent a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy. Here’s a detailed discussion of these innovative strategies: 1. Personalized Neoantigen Vaccines Definition and Mechanism: Personalized neoantigen vaccines are designed to elicit immune responses against unique antigens derived from the specific mutations present in an individual's tumor. These neoantigens are recognized as foreign by the immune system, prompting a targeted attack on cancer cells ((Blass, 2021)). Clinical Evidence: Initial clinical trials have shown that these vaccines can induce robust T cell responses and exhibit preliminary antitumor activity, particularly in cancers like melanoma and glioblastoma. The process involves sequencing the patient's tumor, identifying neoantigens, and formulating a tailored vaccine ((Li, 2023), (Niemi, 2022)). Challenges and Future Directions: Despite their promise, challenges such as tumor heterogeneity and the complexity of neoantigen identification remain. Ongoing research is focused on improving the efficiency of neoantigen discovery and enhancing the immune response through combinatorial therapies ((Pounraj, 2023), (Naffaa, 2025)). 2. mRNA Vaccine Platforms Advantages of mRNA Vaccines: mRNA vaccines offer several advantages, including rapid development, high potency, and the ability to encode multiple antigens. They can be produced quickly and at scale, making them a versatile option for cancer treatment ((Vishweshwaraiah, 2022)). Technological Innovations: Recent advancements in mRNA design and delivery systems, particularly lipid nanoparticles, have enhanced the stability and efficacy of these vaccines. This has led to increased interest in their application for cancer immunotherapy ((Chi, 2024)). Clinical Applications: mRNA vaccines are being explored in various clinical trials, often in combination with other therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. This combinatorial approach aims to enhance the overall immune response against tumors ((Niemi, 2022), (Kong, 2025)). 3. Integration of AI in Vaccine Development AI Applications: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of personalized cancer vaccines has shown promise in optimizing various stages, from neoantigen discovery to mRNA formulation. AI tools can enhance the identification of immunogenic neoantigens and improve vaccine design ((Kong, 2025)). Future Prospects: Leveraging AI could streamline the development process, making personalized vaccines more efficient and effective. This approach addresses challenges such as data scarcity and tumor heterogeneity, potentially leading to better clinical outcomes ((Naffaa, 2025)). Conclusion Next-generation cancer vaccines, particularly those based on mRNA and personalized neoantigens, are at the forefront of cancer immunotherapy. They offer a tailored approach to treatment, harnessing the body's immune system to target specific tumor characteristics. While challenges remain, ongoing research and technological advancements hold the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment
- Keywords: MRNA Cancer vaccines
