Russia Unveils Personalized Cancer Vaccine Set to Launch Next Year
MOSCOW — Russia has developed a customized cancer vaccine that is set to hit the market next year, according to Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Moscow-based National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Gamaleya. The innovative treatment targets tumors on an individual basis, recognizing the unique nature of each cancer.
The vaccine’s creation stems from a collaborative effort involving the University of Science and Technology Sirius, the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, and major Russian oncological institutions. "There are no two identical tumors, so each vaccine will be created individually for each patient," Gintsburg explained.
At its core, the vaccine employs an mRNA platform, training the human immune system to combat cancerous cells. "It results in the appearance of recognition cells that adhere to the tumor and release active enzymes," Gintsburg detailed. "Some enzymes make holes in affected cells, while others penetrate them and destroy tumor proteins."
Currently, animal trials are underway, with human testing anticipated to commence in September 2023. Gintsburg noted that the project’s inception took place in mid-2022, led by the team behind Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V. "In 10-15 years, humanity should be able to extend the possibility of living without these diseases," Gintsburg envisioned, intimating a shift in the current perception of cancer as a disease.
However, the vaccine’s cost per dose—estimated at approximately $3,000 (300,000 rubles)—has raised concerns. Russian Health Ministry’s chief oncologist, Andrei Kaprin, emphasized the need for citizen access, stating, "It should be free."
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