Latest news with #Gamaleya
Economic Times
03-08-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Cancer cure? Russia commences human trials of revolutionary personalized cancer vaccine
In a landmark advancement for oncology and personalized medicine, Russia's Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology—the creators of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine—announced this year that it will begin human clinical trials of the world's first personalized mRNA-based melanoma vaccine within the next few months. Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Center, confirmed that this groundbreaking vaccine, tailored specifically to the genetic profile of individual patients' tumors, will start experimental administration as early as September-October 2025 in collaboration with leading Russian oncology institutions. Q. What are melanoma cellsA. Melanoma cells come from melanocytes, the skin cells that give it color. When these cells grow too much and become cancerous, they cause melanoma, a dangerous kind of skin cancer that can spread fast if not treated early. Q. What is mRNA, and how is it used in vaccines? A. mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to the cell's protein-making machinery. It acts like a messenger, conveying the code needed to build specific proteins that perform various functions in the body. In vaccines, mRNA teaches cells to produce a harmless piece of a virus or cancer antigen, triggering the immune system to respond and protect the body. This novel cancer vaccine is designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack melanoma cells by creating a bespoke mRNA blueprint derived from each patient's unique tumor mutations. The process involves sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms that analyze the tumor's genetic data to produce a molecular template, which is then synthesized at Gamaleya's production facilities. This tailor-made mRNA encodes proteins that activate a targeted cytotoxic immune response, aiming not only to eradicate primary tumors but also to address metastatic cancer elaborated that the entire vaccine development cycle—from tumor sequencing to vaccine production—can be completed within about one week due to AI-assisted mathematical modeling and neural network computing. This rapid manufacture represents a significant leap compared to typical timelines in personalized cancer therapies. Q. What is a personalized cancer vaccine?A. Personalized cancer vaccine is a tailored immunotherapy designed to train the patient's immune system to recognize and attack their specific cancer cells. It uses information from the patient's tumor genetics to create a unique vaccine that targets tumor-specific mutations, differing from general vaccine model was developed starting in mid-2022 and has already demonstrated promising efficacy in preclinical animal studies, showing the ability to suppress tumor growth and reduce metastasis. The upcoming Phase I clinical trials will take place at two of Russia's foremost oncology centers: the Hertsen Research Institute and the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology in Moscow. Importantly, this tailored vaccine is part of a wider Russian initiative to advance cancer treatment across various difficult-to-treat types, including pancreatic, kidney, and non-small-cell lung cancers. The Russian Ministry of Health classifies this vaccine development and approval under a new, specialized regulatory process recognizing its individualized nature, differing fundamentally from traditional drug registration. The state plans to provide this cancer vaccine free of charge to Russian citizens, with an estimated production cost of around 300,000 rubles (approx. USD 2,869) per dose covered by government to health authorities, about 4 million Russians live with cancer, and approximately 625,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually, underlining the urgent need for innovative therapies. The vaccine's success could mark a pivotal moment in Russia's fight against cancer and elevate its personalized medicine the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines designed to target a single viral antigen, this personalized cancer vaccine encodes multiple neoantigens specific to each patient's tumor, offering a multi-targeted immune approach.
Russia Today
07-02-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Moscow's upcoming Future Technologies Forum a 'unique platform'
Moscow is set to bring together top minds in science and business at its 'unique' annual Future Technologies Forum, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko has announced. The capital will host the flagship event on February 20-21, gathering scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and government officials from Russia and abroad. The forum will showcase groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technologies that are expected to shape key industries in the years ahead, according to the event's official website. Held annually since 2023, each forum highlights a distinct technological domain. Chernyshenko told RT on Thursday that in past years the event has showcased quantum communications and medical advancements, while this year's theme will be new materials and chemistry. 'This is a unique platform where the science of the future is discussed,' he stated. The collaboration between science, industry, and government is crucial to securing Russia's leadership in technology – a goal set by President Vladimir Putin, Chernyshenko added. Read more Russian lab touts MRNA cancer vaccine by end of year Achieving this objective will require close cooperation among research institutions, businesses, and academia, along with proper state support, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov noted last month in a statement about the forum's upcoming agenda. 'The New Materials and Chemistry National Project will accelerate industry development, launch new production facilities, and boost the chemical sector's contribution to GDP,' Manturov, who leads the initiative, explained. According to the program outline, the forum will feature discussions across four primary themes: 'Chemistry and High-Purity Substances', 'Modern Materials and Technologies', 'New Horizons', and 'Ecosystem'. The 'Chemistry and High-Purity Substances' segment will address the production and domestic manufacturing of essential chemical components, as well as advancements in high-tech chemistry for next-generation materials. 'Modern Materials and Technologies' will explore the role of innovative substance in fields such as biomedicine, transportation engineering, and nuclear energy. READ MORE: 'Cancer will evolve but can be defeated in its current form' – head of Gamaleya research institute The 'New Horizons' segment will highlight the materials driving progress in emerging sectors, including space exploration, nanomaterials for energy solutions, and quantum metamaterials, which feature extraordinary properties not found in nature. Finally, the 'Ecosystem' segment will focus on regulatory frameworks, standardization, infrastructure, and workforce development for these evolving industries.
