mRNA Immunotherapy Eliminates Pancreatic Cancer in Half of Mice

Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School developed an experimental mRNA therapy combining five cytokine mRNAs and three tumor-associated antigen mRNAs in a single injection. About 50% of mice with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma saw complete tumor regression and stayed disease-free for up to a year after treatment stopped. The study was published in Nature Communications.

• Therapy combines 5 cytokine mRNAs and 3 tumor antigen mRNAs in one injection
• About 50% of mice with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma had complete tumor regression
• Remission lasted up to a year after therapy was discontinued
• Five-year survival for stage IV pancreatic cancer is 3%