Russia’s Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) has announced the development of a new cancer vaccine that is now ready for clinical use, following successful experimental trials. The breakthrough, revealed at the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, is being hailed as a promising step forward in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
Veronika Skvortsova, head of the FMBA, introduced the vaccine—named Enteromix—which is based on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, the same platform used in several COVID-19 vaccines. Unlike traditional vaccines that rely on weakened or inactivated viruses, mRNA vaccines work by teaching the body’s cells to produce specific proteins that activate the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.
According to Skvortsova, the vaccine has undergone years of research, including three years of mandatory preclinical trials. Results showed that it is safe even when administered repeatedly and demonstrated high effectiveness. In some cases, tumours shrank or slowed their growth by 60-80%, depending on the cancer type, and survival rates improved among participants.
The FMBA noted that the initial focus of Enteromix will be colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting the large intestine. Researchers are also working on additional versions targeting glioblastoma—an aggressive brain tumour—as well as certain types of melanoma, including ocular melanoma, which affects the eye.
The Eastern Economic Forum, which drew more than 8,400 participants from around 75 countries, provided an international stage for the announcement. The event brought together scientists, policymakers, and investors, giving Russian researchers a platform to showcase their work to a global audience.
Experts believe that moving mRNA-based cancer vaccines into the clinical phase could mark a major shift in oncology. The hope is that these therapies will deliver more precise, effective, and less harmful alternatives to traditional chemotherapy, signalling a new era in personalised cancer treatment.
