TEHRAN: Iranian scientists have developed an experimental next-generation mRNA vaccine candidate for breast cancer, marking an important advance in cancer immunotherapy aimed at harnessing the body's immune system to fight tumors more precisely.
Designed using advanced computational methods, the vaccine candidate was developed by researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, the Pasteur Institute of Iran, and Motamed Cancer Institute.
The findings, published in the journal International Immunopharmacology, suggest that the vaccine could potentially induce long-term immune protection against breast cancer. However, researchers emphasized that the work remains at the computational stage and must undergo laboratory studies, animal testing, and human clinical trials before any clinical application.
Breast cancer remains one of the world's deadliest cancers
Breast cancer continues to represent a major public health challenge worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease caused more than 670,000 deaths globally in 2022 and remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in 157 countries.
Although surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have transformed cancer care and saved countless lives, these conventional therapies often affect healthy tissues, produce significant side effects, and may eventually encounter treatment resistance.
These limitations have fueled growing interest in cancer immunotherapy, which aims to train the immune system to identify and eliminate malignant cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Vaccine targets two proteins crucial to tumor survival
The Iranian researchers designed the vaccine to simultaneously target two proteins that play essential roles in tumor development and progression: VEGFR2 and c-MET.
VEGFR2 promotes angiogenesis, the process through which tumors develop new blood vessels to obtain nutrients and oxygen required for growth.
Meanwhile, c-MET contributes to tumor survival, growth, and metastasis—the spread of cancer cells to distant organs.
By directing immune responses against both proteins, the vaccine seeks to deprive tumors of their blood supply while reducing their ability to invade and spread throughout the body.
Advanced computer modeling accelerated vaccine design
Unlike traditional vaccine development, which initially relies heavily on laboratory experiments and animal studies, the research team employed an immunoinformatics-based approach.
Using computer simulations and genetic databases, scientists predicted how the vaccine would behave before laboratory testing. This "in silico" strategy has emerged as a powerful tool that can shorten development timelines and lower research costs.
To generate an effective immune response, researchers identified protein fragments known as epitopes, which are recognized by immune cells.
After a rigorous 12-step screening process involving thousands of potential protein fragments, the team selected 10 epitopes for incorporation into the final vaccine construct.
Findings suggest potential for durable immunity
According to the study, computer simulations demonstrated encouraging immune responses.
Researchers observed increased levels of protective antibodies and activation of immune memory cells, both of which are considered vital for long-term protection and preventing tumor recurrence.
The analyses also indicated that the vaccine structure remained stable at human body temperature and showed a low likelihood of causing allergic reactions or toxicity.
Human trials still needed before clinical use
Despite the promising findings, scientists stressed that the research remains in its early stages.
The current results are based entirely on computational analyses, meaning the vaccine candidate must still undergo laboratory validation, animal studies, and phased human clinical trials to establish its safety and effectiveness.
Nevertheless, researchers believe the study provides an important roadmap for future cancer vaccine development and highlights how artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and computational biology may accelerate the development of targeted and personalized cancer treatments.
As mRNA technology continues to evolve beyond infectious diseases, experts say similar approaches could pave the way for more effective therapies against breast cancer and other malignancies while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
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