The mRNA Vaccines and Their Application to Combat Infectious Diseases and Cancers: A Review Article

Abstract

Background: In the last several decades, numerous attempts have been made to develop medications based on mRNA. These efforts have been able to take a crude idea and evolve it into a clinical reality, which is a significant accomplishment. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the fastest-ever known development of a vaccine in history was recorded, with mRNA vaccines leading the way. Methods: By searching the ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases and using the keywords (mRNA vaccine, Cancer, Infectious disease) as well as their synonyms, appropriate articles were included in the present study. Findings: This review article describes the technology that is used to develop mRNA vaccines, focusing on lipid nanoparticles and other non-viral delivery carriers. In addition, recent developments in the clinical application of mRNA vaccines for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancers are reviewed, and a future outlook for this revolutionary technology is provided. Conclusion: Even though it has been shown that mRNA vaccines effectively protect patients from infectious diseases, further study is needed to improve mRNA design, intracellular delivery, and applications other than the prevention of SARS-CoV-2. © 2023 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.