A Russian vaccine, based on mRNA technology and an ‘off the shelf’ vaccine from MSK in America that may also fight pancreatic cancer, seem potential game changers. What do we know?
Russian mRNA colorectal vaccine
Russia has announced significant progress in its development of an mRNA-based cancer vaccine, Enteromix, for colorectal cancer, reporting 100% efficacy and safety in early trials (1).
The vaccine, developed by Russia's National Medical Research Radiological Centre and the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, uses personalized immunotherapy tailored to an individual's tumor profile and is based on the same mRNA technology used for COVID-19 vaccines.
Preclinical trials in animal models reported a 100% success rate in preventing tumor formation. And early trial results in 48 humans showed 100% efficacy and safety in for Enteromix with no serious side effects reported and significant tumor shrinkage observed.
As of September 2025, the vaccine has successfully completed preclinical trials, demonstrating tumor shrinkage of 60% to 80% and improved survival rates, with the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) stating it is now ready for clinical use pending official regulatory approval. Apparently the Russians are talking about it being ‘Free of charge’.
The American Rival for some colorectal and pancreatic cancers
A promising new off-the-shelf therapeutic vaccine, ELI-002 2P, targeting the common KRAS mutation, has shown encouraging early results in a trial from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Clinical trial data (2) indicates the vaccine is safe and can stimulate a strong, lasting immune response, leading to improved relapse-free and overall survival compared to historical norms, with the greatest benefits observed in patients who mounted a robust T-cell response.
The phase 1 trial involved 25 high-risk patients with KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer who had undergone surgery, demonstrating that the vaccine is well-tolerated with mild side-effects. Medical oncologist Dr. Eileen O’Reilly of Sloan Kettering helped lead the trial investigating a ready-made vaccine as a treatment for pancreatic and colorectal cancers with certain KRAS mutations.
After a median follow-up of 19.7 months, median relapse-free survival was 16.33 months and median overall survival was 28.94 months, both exceeding historical expectations.
The vaccine, which uses synthetic peptides to target KRAS-G12D and KRAS-G12R mutations, was found to not only stimulate immunity against the targeted mutations but also generate responses against personalised tumour antigens unique to individual patients.
A larger, randomised phase 2 trial has also been completed, and results are currently being analyzed to confirm these early findings.
A spokesperson for MSK said that this off-the-shelf approach contrasts with personalized mRNA vaccines and offers a faster, less expensive alternative that can be mass-produced and stored for immediate use.
Go to: Colorectal cancer - Latest news, latest research
References
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Cancer Breakthrough? Russia’s new mRNA vaccine shows 100% early success. Business Standard Healthcare.
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Wainberg, Z.A., Weekes, C.D., Furqan, M. et al. Lymph node-targeted, mKRAS-specific amphiphile vaccine in pancreatic and colorectal cancer: phase 1 AMPLIFY-201 trial final results. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03876-4