The role of immune subtyping in glioma mRNA vaccine development

Immunotherapy. 2023 Sep;15(13):1057-1072. doi: 10.2217/imt-2023-0027. Epub 2023 Jul 11.

Abstract

Studies on the development of mRNA vaccines for central nervous system tumors have used gene expression profiles, clinical data and RNA sequencing from sources such as The Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas to identify effective antigens. These studies revealed several immune subtypes of glioma, each one linked to unique prognoses and genetic/immune-modulatory changes. Potential antigens include ARPC1B, BRCA2, COL6A1, ITGB3, IDH1, LILRB2, TP53 and KDR, among others. Patients with immune-active and immune-suppressive phenotypes were found to respond better to mRNA vaccines. While these findings indicate the potential of mRNA vaccines in cancer therapy, further research is required to optimize administration and adjuvant selection, and precisely identify target antigens.

Keywords: brain tumor; central nervous system; immunotherapeutic; mRNA vaccines; mRNA-based drugs; tumors.

Plain language summary

Scientists study special vaccines for hard-to-treat brain tumors. They looked at things, such as information about patients and the small parts of cells that make up the tumor, to find ways to help. They found that brain tumors can make our body's defenses act differently. They also found some possible targets and unique defense patterns that are special to each patient when fighting these tumors. Patients with these special defenses and good targets might respond better to treatment with vaccines. This is exciting because it means that in the future, we might have treatments made for each person. But we still need to do more research to figure out how to get these vaccines to the tumor, so this research gives us hope that we can find better treatments and more choices for people with brain cancer. If we keep researching, we might find even better treatments in the future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Cancer Vaccines*
  • Glioma* / genetics
  • Glioma* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic