mRNA-Based Cancer Vaccines: A Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Melanoma Patients

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and the leading cause of death from skin tumors. Given the increased incidence of melanoma diagnoses in recent years, it is essential to develop effective treatments to control this disease. In this regard, the use of cancer vaccines to enhance cell-mediated immunity is considered to be one of the most modern immunotherapy options for cancer treatment. The most recent cancer vaccine options are mRNA vaccines, with a focus on their usage as modern treatments. Advantages of mRNA cancer vaccines include their rapid production and low manufacturing costs. mRNA-based vaccines are also able to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. In addition to the many advantages of mRNA vaccines for the treatment of cancer, their use is associated with a number of challenges. For this reason, before mRNA vaccines can be used for the treatment of cancer, comprehensive information about them is required and a large number of trials need to be conducted. Here, we reviewed the general features of mRNA vaccines, including their basis, stabilization, and delivery methods. We also covered clinical trials involving the use of mRNA vaccines in melanoma cancer and the challenges involved with this type of treatment. This review also emphasized the combination of treatment with mRNA vaccines with the use of immune-checkpoint blockers to enhance cell-mediated immunity.

Clinical advances and ongoing trials of mRNA vaccines for cancer treatment

“…However, identifying tumour-specific mutations or non-conforming sequences and predicting corresponding neoepitopes for individual HLA alleles remains difficulut. 48 , 49 Furthermore, the technological and regulatory hurdles that will arise from the need for rapid and large-scale good manufacturing practice production of individualised mRNA vaccines are future obstacles that will need to be addressed.…”

The paradigm shift in treatment from Covid-19 to oncology with mRNA vaccines

“…Of these, immunotherapy with ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been approved as standard therapy for cutaneous melanoma. Chemotherapeutic treatment regimens damage the normally dividing cells along with tumor-infected cells [91] . Hence, the process of development of further treatment strategies which suppress tumor growth is being explored.…”

“…Polymeric materials though are less clinically investigated than ionizable lipids, they coat mRNA without the hassles of self-degradation and also promote protein expression. The drawback of polymeric materials however are polydispersity and the clearance of large molecules [91] . To improve the stability of the polymeric platforms, structural modifications such as lipid chains, expansion of branch structures and construction of biodegradation-promoting domains is considered [118] .…”

How far are the new wave of mRNA drugs from us? mRNA product current perspective and future development

“…The mRNA drugs currently under development can be divided into three main categories by use and drug type: prophylactic vaccines, therapeutic vaccines, and therapeutic drugs ( 43 – 45 ). According to statistics, there are 56 mRNA drugs in the clinical pipeline worldwide, with R&D mainly focused on vaccines, accounting for about 84%, while therapeutic drugs account for about 16%.…”