Introduction: Messenger RNA (mRNA) has become one of the most influential concepts in contemporary medical biotechnology. While it was long viewed only as a temporary carrier of genetic information, it is now appreciated as a highly adaptable molecule that can be engineered for therapeutic use. The success of COVID-19 vaccines dramatically changed how clinicians and researchers perceive the potential of mRNA, proving its safety, scalability, and flexibility in real-world settings. Oncology, where treatment options remain limited and outcomes for many patients are unsatisfactory, has quickly emerged as the next frontier for mRNA-based interventions. In this context, mRNA is not merely a tool for generating antigens but a versatile platform that can connect fundamental advances in molecular biology with applied clinical therapies. Nevertheless, its use requires careful attention to several challenges, including the molecule’s fragility, the need for efficient delivery into tumor cells, and the complex immune reactions that can arise. This abstract provides an overview of how mRNA is positioned to act as a bridge between biotechnology and cancer therapy, with emphasis on design strategies, delivery systems, and clinical translation.
Methods: This study systematically reviewed recent advances in the application of mRNA-based strategies for cancer therapy. The review encompassed key aspects including mRNA design, structural engineering, innovative delivery platforms, and mechanisms of mRNA quality control. Particular attention was given to the dysfunction of quality control pathways in cancer cells. Furthermore, findings from preclinical and clinical trials of tumor mRNA vaccines were critically evaluated within the scope of this review.
Results: Optimization of mRNA design—through 5′ cap modification, poly(A) tail engineering, and codon optimization—enhances stability and translational efficiency. Advanced delivery systems, including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), polymeric nanoparticles, and lipidoid-based carriers, have substantially improved cellular uptake and cytosolic release. Early clinical trials of tumor mRNA vaccines demonstrated the induction of potent cellular immune responses and, in some cases, measurable tumor regression. Furthermore, evidence from (Nature) suggests that dysregulation of mRNA surveillance complexes in cancer cells may constitute a therapeutic vulnerability, where simultaneous disruption of multiple components can selectively induce cancer cell death.
Conclusion: Taken together, these developments highlight mRNA as more than a temporary trend; it represents a transformative bridge between laboratory innovation and real clinical application. By combining chemical modifications, delivery technologies, and computational design, therapeutic mRNA is becoming a practical option for oncology. It offers a flexible framework that can complement conventional treatments such as chemotherapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors, while also enabling highly personalized interventions. Significant hurdles remain, including unpredictable immune reactions, technical barriers to large-scale manufacturing, and the need for precise targeting of diseased tissues. Nevertheless, the exploration of RNA surveillance pathways as drug targets introduces an entirely new direction for cancer treatment. As biotechnology continues to converge with clinical medicine, mRNA based therapeutics are expected to play a pivotal role in the coming decade, supporting the broader move toward precision oncology.