Tumor vaccination using messenger RNA: prospects of a future therapy

While the endeavor to vaccinate against cancer has been pursued for over 20 years, only recently was the first tumor vaccine approved. Among the different antigen formats assessed for vaccination, coding messenger RNA (mRNA) is emerging as a particularly attractive option. It can code for all types of transcript based proteins, is easy and cost efficient to produce, has a favorable safety profile and enables induction of combined immune responses. Within the last few years major developments have been achieved in this field. Clinical approaches use mRNA either for direct administration or for engineering of adoptively transferred dendritic cells. However, there are still challenges to be overcome for successful clinical application of mRNA-based immunotherapies.

► Coding mRNA is emerging as an attractive option for antitumor vaccination. ► mRNA not only serves as an antigen format but also has an intrinsic adjuvant effect. ► Current clinical approaches are assessing mRNA either transfected into DCs or administered directly. ► A considerable number of clinical trials showed excellent safety profile of mRNA. ► Induction of antitumor immunity has been demonstrated in vaccinated patients.