mRNA Vaccines Against Infectious Diseases and Cancer

Abstract

Synthetic mRNA acts as a template for synthesizing proteins, protein fragments, or peptides and now has many pharmaceutical applications.1,2 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel zoonotic RNA virus, has resulted in the rapid development of dedicated mRNA vaccines.3–5 This rapid response was made possible by using mRNA platforms that already existed for experimental vaccines against other infectious diseases and cancer.6–12 Carrier-based mRNA vaccines have been developed using lipid-based delivery, peptide-based delivery, polymer-based delivery, and cationic nano-emulsions, as well as dendritic cells.13 The mRNA vaccine leads to the expression of encodedantigensinantigen-presentingcells(APCs),generatingbothinnateandadaptiveimmuneresponses.Futuredevelopments in mRNA therapy in oncology are expected to include adaptations in the routes of administration and co-delivery of multiple mRNAs with other anti-cancer treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. In addition, advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology allow the genome, exome, and transcriptome of a single cancer patient to be deciphered. This new knowledge about the diversity of epitopes in different tumors and corresponding specific T cells has allowed the advancement of personalized cancer treatments.14 The article aims to present the rationale for the new therapeutic roles of mRNA vaccines, from COVID-19 and other infections to personalized oncology therapeutics.