RNA Instructions for Cancer-Fighting Vaccines

This patent describes specific RNA molecules designed to carry instructions for making proteins found on cancer cells, which can then be used to create vaccines or treatments that teach the body's immune system to fight cancer.

What it covers

This patent describes an RNA molecule that contains at least one coding sequence. This coding sequence holds the genetic blueprint for a specific tumor antigen, which is a protein found on cancer cells. Claim 2 lists many examples of these tumor antigens, such as Her2/neu or MAGE-A3. The RNA can be an mRNA, a viral RNA, or a replicon RNA (claim 5). To make the RNA more effective, it can be modified, for instance, by increasing its G/C content or adapting its codons to human usage, which helps cells make more of the desired protein without changing the protein itself (claim 7). This specially designed RNA can then be used in compositions, vaccines, or kits to treat or prevent cancer.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover RNA that encodes antigens for infectious diseases like viruses or bacteria, focusing specifically on tumor antigens.
• —Does not cover DNA-based vaccines or therapies, as the claims are directed to RNA molecules.
• —Does not cover RNA that lacks specific modifications like increased G/C content or codon adaptation for improved expression, if such modifications are claimed as essential features.
• —Does not cover protein-based cancer treatments where the protein itself is administered, rather than RNA instructions for making the protein.
• —Does not cover RNA encoding tumor antigens not listed in the extensive group provided in claim 2, or variants outside the scope of the claimed fragments or variants.

The clever bit

The clever bit is the detailed specification of RNA molecules designed to encode a very specific and extensive list of known tumor antigens, combined with methods to optimize these RNA molecules for better stability and protein production within human cells. This includes strategies like increasing G/C content and adapting codons to human usage, ensuring the body efficiently produces the cancer-fighting proteins.

Why it matters

RNA-based therapeutics, especially mRNA vaccines, have shown significant promise in recent years. This patent focuses on applying this technology to cancer, a major global health challenge. By providing specific RNA sequences that encode tumor-specific proteins, it aims to develop highly targeted immunotherapies. This approach seeks to harness the body's own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells, potentially offering a new way to treat or even prevent various forms of cancer.

Real-world examples

• 1.mRNA cancer vaccines in clinical trials
• 2.BioNTech's BNT111 (melanoma vaccine)
• 3.Moderna's mRNA-4157 (melanoma vaccine)
• 4.Curevac's CV8102 (intratumoral RNA immunotherapy)