Review
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World J Exp Med. Nov 20, 2013; 3(4): 62-73
Published online Nov 20, 2013. doi: 10.5493/wjem.v3.i4.62
RNA vaccines for anti-tumor therapy
Fabian Benencia
Fabian Benencia, Biomedical Engineering Program, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, United States
Fabian Benencia, Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, United States
Fabian Benencia, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Academic Research Center, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, United States
Author contributions: Benencia F solely contributed to this paper .
Supported by Ohio University and a Research Scholarly Affairs Committee grant award to Benencia F, No. RP1206
Correspondence to: Fabian Benencia, PhD, Assistant Professor of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Academic Research Center, Ohio University, 61 Oxbow Trail, Athens, OH 45701, United States. benencia@ohio.edu
Telephone: +1-740-5972133 Fax: +1-740-5972778
Received: July 30, 2013
Revised: September 27, 2013
Accepted: November 2, 2013
Published online: November 20, 2013
Processing time: 112 Days and 20.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: In this review we discuss the use of RNA encoding tumor antigens for anti-tumor vaccination. RNA has several features that makes it relevant for vaccination purposes. Importantly, the RNA has no possibility of integration into the genome, and the tumor translated proteins enter the intrinsic antigen processing pathway thus enabling presentation by MHC-I molecules thus specifically activating cytotoxic CD8 T. Further, RNA can be delivered as a naked molecule f or can be used to transfect dendritic cells. This combination of RNA technology with dendritic cell vaccination provides a powerful tool for cancer immunotherapies.