Cancer Center at Illinois research lab publishes breakthrough on mRNA Cancer Vaccines

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Researchers at the Cancer Center at Illinois have released new findings on an innovative mRNA cancer vaccine platform.

Hua Wang, a member of the center, introduced a study featuring a hydrogel-based platform designed to guide immune cells. This method addresses a major challenge faced by traditional mRNA cancer vaccines: the low efficiency with which antigen-encoded mRNAs are processed by the appropriate immune cells in the body.

Rather than allowing vaccine components to diffuse passively and reach dendritic cells, Wang's approach actively recruits a significant number of dendritic cells into a hydrogel that contains the antigen-encoded mRNAs.

While mRNA vaccines have shown promise in fighting infectious diseases, cancer presents greater challenges. Effective cancer vaccines must stimulate both antibody and T-cell responses. Wang’s method employs a macroporous hydrogel infused with chemokines to actively draw dendritic cells, thereby improving the processing of mRNA and enhancing antitumor immune responses in preclinical models.

Although this research is still in the preclinical phase, the concept holds broad potential for various applications. For Wang's team, the next steps involve optimizing the material system to achieve even greater T-cell activation and improved antitumor results.