In a groundbreaking development that could transform oncology, Russian researchers have introduced Enteromix, a personalised cancer vaccine that has demonstrated 100% efficacy and safety in initial human trials.
The announcement, made at the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, has drawn global attention. Developed by the National Medical Research Radiological Centre in collaboration with the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Enteromix is built on mRNA technology, the same platform that powered COVID-19 vaccines, and is designed to activate the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.
Enteromix has been specifically created for colorectal cancer patients. Each dose is fully personalised, tailored to the genetic profile of an individual’s tumour. Using advanced mutation profiling, scientists identify unique biomarkers that enable the vaccine to trigger a precise immune response.
In the Phase 1 trial with 48 volunteers, patients saw significant tumour shrinkage without experiencing severe side effects—a rare achievement in early cancer vaccine studies.
Unlike conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, which often damage healthy cells and cause debilitating side effects, Enteromix stands out for its:
Personalised Therapy: Every dose is customised to match the genetic makeup of a patient’s tumour.
mRNA Technology: Allows rapid design, scalability, and adaptability to treat multiple cancer types.
These innovations position Enteromix as a potential leader in next-generation immunotherapies.
If approved by Russia’s Ministry of Health, Enteromix could represent a major step away from one-size-fits-all treatments toward precision medicine with minimal toxicity.
For India—where colorectal and cervical cancers rank among the leading causes of mortality—access to such a vaccine could dramatically improve outcomes. However, this will depend on addressing challenges such as cost, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory frameworks.
Medical experts stress that while the early results are remarkable, larger multi-phase trials are necessary to validate long-term benefits and broader clinical use. Furthermore, scaling up personalised mRNA vaccines presents hurdles, including genomic profiling requirements, cold-chain logistics, and regulatory harmonisation.