Russia announced a breakthrough in cancer treatment with its novel vaccine Enteromix, which showed 100% efficacy and safety in initial human trials for colorectal cancer. The vaccine, developed using mRNA technology, could transform cancer care by offering personalized immunotherapy with minimal side effects.
Key Highlights
- Vaccine Name: Enteromix
- Focus: Colorectal cancer (initially); later targets include glioblastoma (brain tumour) and ocular melanoma
- Trial Details:
- Conducted on 48 volunteers
- Carried out by National Medical Research Radiological Centre (Russia) & Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology
- Announced at 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
- Also showcased at 10th Eastern Economic Forum, Vladivostok (Sept 3–6, 2025) attended by 8,400 delegates from 75 countries
- Results:
- Tumour shrinkage observed
- 60–80% slowdown in tumour growth
- Improved survival rates
- No serious side effects
- Next Step: Regulatory approval by Russia’s Ministry of Health
How Enteromix Works?
- Uses mRNA technology (same platform as COVID-19 vaccines)
- Personalized design: Each dose is tailored to the tumour’s genetic profile using mutation-profiling algorithms
- Mechanism: Trains the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells
- Repeated administration: Safe and effective in preclinical and clinical stage
What Sets It Apart?
- Personalized Immunotherapy – custom vaccine based on tumour genetics
- mRNA Platform – scalable, adaptable for multiple cancer types
- Improved Specificity – avoids “one-size-fits-all” failures of past cancer vaccines
- Low Side Effects – unlike harsh chemotherapy and radiation
Global & Indian Context
Global Implications
- Could mark a paradigm shift from toxic, broad treatments to precise, patient-specific therapies
- Potential to treat aggressive cancers with fewer side effects
Indian Relevance
- India faces high cancer burden, especially colorectal and cervical cancers
- If made accessible, Enteromix could:
- Reduce treatment gaps
- Improve survival rates
- Support India’s cancer-care infrastructure
- Challenges for India:
- Cost and affordability
- Cold-chain logistics for mRNA vaccines
- Genomic profiling capabilities
- Regulatory approvals
Background – Cancer Vaccines
- Traditional vaccines: Prevent diseases (measles, chickenpox, HPV vaccine for cervical cancer)
- Cancer vaccines: Train body to attack cancer cells (bladder, prostate vaccines exist)
- Therapeutic cancer vaccines: Like Enteromix, used for treatment rather than prevention
Key Facts
- American Cancer Society (ACS): Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
- mRNA Vaccine Fact: First widely used for COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna)
- Eastern Economic Forum: Annual event in Vladivostok, Russia, launched in 2015