Russia is set to introduce a groundbreaking cancer vaccine in the New Year, with plans to make it available to patients for free starting early 2025.
According to TASS, Russia’s state-owned news agency, Andrey Kaprin, the General Director of the Radiology Medical Research Center under the Russian Ministry of Health, confirmed the readiness of the country’s mRNA-based cancer vaccine.
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Here’s an overview of what we know so far and the significance of this development:
Russia’s Progress on a Cancer Vaccine
The Russian Ministry of Health has announced the development of a cancer vaccine designed to treat patients rather than prevent the disease in the general population. Unlike conventional vaccines, this one is reportedly personalized to each patient.
Previously, Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, mentioned to TASS that this vaccine has the potential to suppress tumor growth and prevent the disease from spreading.
As of now, details remain scarce regarding which specific cancers the vaccine targets, its mechanism of action, or its official name.
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Earlier this year, President Vladimir Putin remarked on the significant progress Russian scientists have made in developing cancer vaccines. During televised remarks in February, he expressed optimism about the creation of new-generation cancer vaccines and immunomodulatory drugs, describing them as potential breakthroughs for personalized therapy.
How mRNA Vaccines Work
This cancer vaccine is intended for patients already diagnosed with tumors. It utilizes RNA, a type of genetic material, extracted from the patient’s tumor to tailor treatment uniquely to their condition.