Russian personalized melanoma vaccine eliminates metastases in first patient

Alexander Gintsburg, scientific director of the Russian National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology (Gamaleya Center), announced the recovery of the first patient to receive a personalized vaccine against melanoma, with metastases disappearing and no new tumors detected for four months, according to a statement to Russia's Gazeta.ru.

Gintsburg explained that the patient's condition will be monitored for another three years.

He noted that the vaccine was developed using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, similar to that used in modern COVID-19 vaccines, and works by training the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

The vaccine is individually manufactured for each patient based on their genetic data.

Anatoly Altstein, a senior researcher at the center, explained that therapeutic vaccines aim to boost the immune response in patients, especially in cases where tumors may cause a weak or delayed reaction.

He emphasized that while there is extensive experience in this field, previous results have often been questionable. However, the development of cancer vaccines is now seeing new principles and promising directions globally, not only in Russia.

Altstein added that the new vaccine does not guarantee recovery for all patients, but current indicators show a positive effect. He stressed the need for caution until positive results are repeated in more patients.

He noted that the disappearance of metastases in the first patient is a significant sign, but it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions.

The NEOONCOVAC vaccine was developed in collaboration between the Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center and the Gamaleya Center, and is produced at the National Medical Research Center for Radiology under the Russian Ministry of Health.

The drug received approval from the Russian Ministry of Health for clinical use in early December.