The clinical impact of mRNA therapeutics in the treatment of cancers, infections, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases

Heliyon. 2024 Feb 29;10(5):e26971. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26971. eCollection 2024 Mar 15.

Abstract

mRNA-based therapeutics have revolutionized medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. The recent progress in the optimization and formulation of mRNAs has led to the development of a new therapeutic platform with a broad range of applications. With a growing body of evidence supporting the use of mRNA-based drugs for precision medicine and personalized treatments, including cancer immunotherapy, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases, this emerging technology offers a rapidly expanding category of therapeutic options. Furthermore, the development and deployment of mRNA vaccines have facilitated a prompt and flexible response to medical emergencies, exemplified by the COVID-19 outbreak. The establishment of stable and safe mRNA molecules carried by efficient delivery systems is now available through recent advances in molecular biology and nanotechnology. This review aims to elucidate the advancements in the clinical applications of mRNAs for addressing significant health-related challenges such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, and infections and provide insights into the efficacy and safety of mRNA therapeutics in recent clinical trials.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Cancer; Genetic disorders; Vaccine; mRNA therapy.

Publication types

  • Review