One of the most significant technological advancements of the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA vaccines are now in the spotlight for their potential to revolutionize the fight against cancer. This technology, which has caught the world’s attention with COVID-19 vaccines, enables the immune system to be trained to combat diseases more effectively. mRNA cancer vaccines provide the body’s immune system with “instructions” to target and eliminate specific types of cancer. These vaccines are personalized using biopsies taken from the patient’s cancerous tissue. Following genetic analysis, a treatment tailored to each patient’s cancer is prepared.

WHAT IS AN mRNA VACCINE? WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES FROM TRADITIONAL VACCINES? Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are an innovative type of vaccine developed to “train” the body’s immune system about a specific protein. Unlike traditional vaccines, they do not contain a direct pathogen component (such as protein); instead, a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule is used to explain how that protein will be produced. mRNA vaccines do not contain live pathogens, hence do not pose an infection risk. Additionally, they remain in the cytoplasm and do not interact with the nucleus, preserving genetic integrity. Since the synthesis process occurs outside the cell, mRNA vaccines can be designed and produced much faster compared to traditional vaccine production. This feature provides a significant advantage, particularly in urgent situations like pandemics. In cancer vaccines, customized treatment approaches can be developed using patient-specific antigen sequences.

While studies on cancer vaccines are conducted worldwide, the UK leads in this field. The “Cancer Vaccines Starting Platform” initiated in the country accelerates the conduct of clinical trials both nationally and internationally. In addition, the UK government has made significant investments in cancer treatment by establishing long-term partnerships with companies like BioNTech and Moderna.

Oncologist Lennard Lee, who advises the UK government on mRNA cancer vaccines, mentioned that there are currently 15 ongoing cancer vaccine trials in the country, with hopes of obtaining results in the early months of 2026. Lee, in an interview with Wired, stated, “If successful, just five years after the first licensed mRNA vaccine for COVID, we will have invented the first approved personalized mRNA cancer vaccine. This is quite impressive.”

Hundreds of mRNA cancer vaccine trials are currently ongoing worldwide. The first approved mRNA cancer vaccine is expected to be released in the next few years. If this technology proves successful, it may not only be the silver lining of the pandemic but also initiate a new era in medicine and cancer treatment.