The Russian Health Ministry has announced the development of a cancer vaccine, which is set to be distributed to patients free of charge in early 2025. The vaccine is said to slow tumor progression and reduce tumor size by 75-80%.
Andrey Kaprin, head of the Radiology Medical Research Center under Russia’s Ministry of Health, confirmed the vaccine’s launch in early 2025. Unlike preventive vaccines that aim to stop cancer from developing in healthy individuals, this vaccine is designed to treat existing cancer cases.
Russian government scientists have suggested that, similar to cancer treatments being developed in Western countries, the vaccine may be personalized for each patient. This means it could be tailored to the specific type of cancer and the individual characteristics of each patient.
While the announcement has generated excitement, several details remain unclear. It is unknown which types of cancer the vaccine will target, its effectiveness, or the government’s distribution plans. The name of the vaccine has also not been revealed.
Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya Research Centre in Russia, explained that the vaccine is personalized, not only for each type of cancer but also for individual patients. He emphasized that it is a therapeutic vaccine, not a preventive one, and it does not protect against infectious diseases. Instead, it treats patients with cancer by directing their immune system to target malignant cells. The vaccine contains genetic changes specific to tumors, making it a novel approach to cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, other countries are also working on personalized cancer vaccines, reflecting growing global interest in this promising field of cancer treatment.
