How an mRNA Vaccine for Lung Cancer Teaches the Immune System to Fight

This patent describes a specific mRNA vaccine designed to treat lung cancer by instructing the body's cells to produce six distinct tumor proteins, thereby training the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

What it covers

This patent describes a special recipe, called a composition, for an mRNA vaccine to fight lung cancer. The core idea is to use messenger RNA (mRNA) that carries instructions for making six specific proteins, or 'antigens,' found on lung cancer cells. These antigens are 5T4, Survivin, NY-ESO-1, MAGE-C1, MAGE-C2, and MUC1 (Claim 1). When this mRNA is introduced into a mammal, like a human, the body's cells read these instructions and produce these cancer-related proteins. This process then teaches the immune system to recognize these proteins as foreign, prompting it to launch an attack against any cells displaying them, which includes lung cancer cells. The patent also details ways to make the mRNA more effective, such as making it more stable (Claim 7), increasing its G/C content (Claim 8), and adding special caps and tails (like a 5' cap and poly(A) and poly(C) tails) to the mRNA molecule (Claim 10) to improve its lifespan and protein production within the body.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover mRNA compositions that encode only some, but not all six, of the specified antigens (5T4, Survivin, NY-ESO-1, MAGE-C1, MAGE-C2, and MUC1).
• —Does not cover vaccines for lung cancer that use different types of molecules, such as DNA, viral vectors, or protein-based vaccines, instead of mRNA.
• —Does not cover compositions designed to treat other types of cancer, as the claims specifically mention 'treatment of lung cancer'.
• —Does not cover compositions that use a different set of antigens for lung cancer, even if delivered by mRNA.
• —Does not cover mRNA that lacks specific stabilizing features like a 5' cap, poly(A) tail, or increased G/C content, as these are claimed modifications.

The clever bit

The novelty here lies in the specific combination of six distinct tumor antigens delivered via mRNA, designed to provoke a broad and potent immune attack against lung cancer cells. Additionally, the detailed mRNA modifications for enhanced stability and protein production within the body are crucial for the vaccine's effectiveness.

Why it matters

This patent is significant because it focuses on using mRNA technology for cancer immunotherapy, a field that has seen tremendous growth. mRNA vaccines, famously used for COVID-19, offer a flexible and rapid way to develop treatments. By targeting a specific combination of antigens, this approach aims to create a highly tailored immune response against lung cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. CureVac AG, the assignee, is a key player in advancing mRNA technology for various therapeutic applications.

Real-world examples

• 1.CureVac's ongoing research and development pipeline for mRNA-based cancer therapies
• 2.BioNTech's mRNA cancer vaccine candidates
• 3.Moderna's mRNA cancer vaccine candidates
• 4.General field of cancer immunotherapy