Table 7 Comparison of different delivery systems for mRNA cancer vaccines
From: The use of RNA-based treatments in the field of cancer immunotherapy
Delivery System | Advantages | Disadvantages | Target Cells | Efficacy | Immunogenicity | Safety | Stability | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ex vivo DC mRNA | - Allows for the loading of DCs with tumor-specific antigens | - Complex and costly procedure | Dendritic cells | Promising in preclinical studies | Low immunogenicity | Generally considered safe | mRNA needs to be stored at low temperatures and protected from degradation | [471] |
In vivo naked mRNA | - Simple and easy to administer | - Limited efficacy due to degradation in the body | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | Low | Low to moderate | Generally considered safe | mRNA is unstable and easily degraded in the body | [472] |
Lipid nanoparticles | - High efficiency of mRNA delivery | - Potential toxicity and immune response to the delivery vehicle | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | High | Moderate to high | Generally considered safe | mRNA is stable and protected from degradation | [128] |
Polymer-based delivery | - Biocompatible and biodegradable | - Less efficient compared to lipid nanoparticles | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | Moderate | Moderate to high | Generally considered safe | mRNA is stable and protected from degradation | [443] |
Peptide-based delivery | - Highly specific targeting of cancer cells | - Limited clinical data and validation | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | Low to moderate | Low to moderate | Generally considered safe | mRNA is stable and protected from degradation | [473] |
Self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) | - Requires lower doses of mRNA for efficacy | - Potentially higher toxicity due to longer persistence | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | High | Moderate to high | Generally considered safe | SAM vaccines are more stable than non-SAM vaccines | [62] |
In vivo electroporation | - Increases cellular uptake and reduces the need for delivery vehicles | - May cause pain, discomfort and tissue damage | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | Moderate to high | Moderate to high | Generally considered safe | mRNA is unstable and easily degraded in the body | [135] |
Jet injection | - Simple and easy to administer | - Limited efficacy due to degradation in the body | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | Low | Low to moderate | Generally considered safe | mRNA is unstable and easily degraded in the body | [435] |
Hydrodynamic delivery | - Rapid and efficient mRNA delivery | - Limited clinical data and validation | Liver cells and surrounding tissue | Moderate | Moderate | Generally considered safe | mRNA is unstable and easily degraded in the body | [474] |
Physical delivery methods | - Can achieve high mRNA delivery efficiency | - May cause tissue damage or be limited by tissue barriers | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | Varies | Varies | Generally considered safe | mRNA stability and degradation depend on the delivery method | [475] |
In vitro transcription | - Allows for the large-scale production of mRNA | - High cost and complex procedures | Cancer cells and surrounding tissue | Promising in preclinical studies | Moderate to high | Generally considered safe | mRNA needs to be stored at low temperatures and protected from degradation | [170] |