Comparison of DNA and mRNA vaccines against cancer. Issue 3 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jahanafrooz, Zohreh; Baradaran, Behzad; Mosafer, Jafar; Hashemzaei, Mahmoud; Rezaei, Tayebeh; Mokhtarzadeh, Ahad; Hamblin, Michael R.
• Is Part Of: Drug discovery today. Volume 25:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 552
• Page End: 560
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Drugs -- Design -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.12.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6446

Abstract

Highlights: Cancer vaccines have a long history, but traditional protein/peptide antigens have not had much success. Nucleic acid vaccines based on either plasmid DNA or mRNA encoding tumor antigens are a promising alternative. The present review compares DNA and mRNA vaccines based on preparation, delivery, immunogenicity, and clinical trials. Other immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors can be combined with NAVs. Abstract : Nucleic acid vaccines (NAVs) have recently been tested as a cancer therapy. DNA and mRNA vaccines deliver genetic information encoding tumor antigens (TAs) to the host, which then produces immune responses against cancer cells that express the TAs. Although NAVs are easy, safe, and simple to manufacture, they have not so far been considered viable alternatives to peptide vaccines. Choosing the right TAs, insufficient immunogenicity, and the immunosuppressive nature of cancer are some challenges to this approach. In this review, we discuss approaches that been used to improve the efficiency of anticancer NAVs.