Messenger RNA-based vaccines with dual activity induce balanced TLR-7 dependent adaptive immune responses and provide antitumor activity.

Direct vaccination with messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules encoding tumor-associated antigens is a novel and promising approach in cancer immunotherapy. The main advantage of using mRNA for vaccination is that the same molecule not only provides an antigen source for adaptive immunity, but can simultaneously bind to pattern recognition receptors, thus stimulating innate immunity. However, achieving both features remains challenging, as the complexation of mRNA required for immune-stimulating activity may inhibit its translatability.