Building on the success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists are increasingly focused on harnessing the power of this technology to fight cancer and other diseases. Research teams worldwide are investigating how mRNA can be tailored to stimulate the immune system, offering potential for personalized therapies with fewer side effects than traditional treatments.in orléans, France, researchers at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) are pioneering innovative approaches-from reducing manufacturing costs to enhancing drug delivery-in the rapidly evolving field of mRNA-based medicine.
A growing number of research teams are investigating how messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules can be used to bolster the immune response and improve cancer treatments. This increased interest follows the success of mRNA technology in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, which has opened the door to much wider applications in medicine. The potential for mRNA-based therapies represents a significant advancement in the fight against challenging diseases.
Researchers in Orléans, France, are testing different forms of mRNA – molecules that carry the genetic instructions needed to produce proteins within the body. Scientists at the ART laboratory of the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) are focused on how these genetic messages can stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight cancerous tumors.
While mRNA has been known since the 1960s, the pandemic demonstrated its flexibility and speed in vaccine development, a breakthrough recognized with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Currently, much of the research centers on personalized cancer vaccines, but French researchers emphasize that the field offers opportunities beyond oncology, including potential applications in rare genetic diseases, cellular disorders, and allergies. More than 200 clinical studies involving mRNA are underway globally, conducted by major pharmaceutical companies and startups in the United States, China, Japan, and other countries. France is distinguished by its strong teams conducting fundamental research in this area.
At the ART laboratory, scientists are producing and testing various types of mRNA to evaluate their toxicity and effectiveness on cell lines. The mRNA commonly used in experiments is currently produced in a lab setting through a costly process, often limited by patents held by American companies.
To substantially reduce costs, the INSERM team is exploring an alternative method: producing mRNA in yeast. This organism could potentially lower manufacturing prices by 10 to 50 times. After production in yeast, the molecules must undergo rigorous purification to meet pharmaceutical industry standards.
Another project at the laboratory aims to develop an innovative therapy for pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease, characterized by a very low survival rate after diagnosis. Although the five-year survival rate has doubled in the last two decades – from 5% in 2000 to approximately 10% currently – progress remains modest, and standard therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy offer limited benefits to patients.
Researchers are now attempting a combined approach, using an mRNA vaccine alongside ultrasound technology. High-intensity focused ultrasound creates vibrations in tissues, generating gas bubbles that, when burst in a controlled manner, can break down the dense barriers surrounding pancreatic tumors. This “permeabilization” process would allow the mRNA vaccine to penetrate the tumor more effectively, potentially instructing immune cells to recognize and attack the cancer.
Initial results indicate that ultrasound can be used safely on the pancreas and may improve responses to existing treatments. The next step is to determine how this combination can contribute to increased survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.
These findings were first revealed in connection with World Pancreatic Cancer Day, annually observed on the third Thursday of November to raise awareness of this extremely serious condition. Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease, ranking as the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with a five-year survival rate of only a few percent. Approximately 470,000 people globally are expected to die from pancreatic cancer this year alone.
The ongoing research highlights the potential of mRNA technology to address critical unmet needs in cancer treatment and beyond, offering hope for improved outcomes in the future.
