Russia has begun clinical trials of a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Center, the same institute behind Sputnik V. The project targets melanoma and is offered free to eligible citizens, a program officials call “a major step in the fight against cancer.”
The vaccine uses each patient’s tumor data to create a custom mRNA sequence that teaches the immune system to attack cancer cells. Trials are taking place in Moscow’s leading oncology centers with about 100 participants who have stage II–III melanoma.
According to the report, “the treatment would otherwise cost about 300,000 rubles per dose,” but the government will fully fund it. Experts believe melanoma is ideal due to its “high mutational load,” making it easier for the immune system to target.
Officials say success could expand this approach to lung, pancreatic, or kidney cancers.
While the article describes the project as a “new frontier for mRNA technology,” it also notes concerns about transparency and political influence. Russian authorities promised to “publish the trial data openly” to ensure credibility.
