mRNA-based cancer therapies work by delivering genetic instructions that tell cells to produce specific proteins without changing DNA, reducing risks linked to genome integration. However, mRNA is unstable and difficult to deliver into cells because it degrades quickly and cannot easily cross cell membranes.
To overcome this, scientists use lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that protect mRNA and help it enter cells. These particles are made of ionizable lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, and PEG-lipids, which together improve stability, circulation time, and cellular uptake. Newer designs also improve targeting by adding ligands that direct LNPs to specific immune or tumor cells.
In oncology, this platform is being used for cancer vaccines, CAR T-cell engineering, and bispecific T-cell engagers that help immune cells attack tumors more effectively.
Manufacturing advances such as microfluidic systems support large-scale production, but stability and storage remain challenges. Early clinical trials in several cancers show encouraging results, although immune toxicity, tumor penetration limits, and biological complexity remain key hurdles.