Russia Tests First mRNA Cancer Vaccine on Advanced Melanoma Patient

A 60-year-old man in Russia has become the first patient to receive an experimental mRNA cancer vaccine. The treatment, called Neonka-Vac, was administered in early April 2026 as part of a trial for advanced skin melanoma. Early results suggest signs of progress in his condition.

The patient, a resident of the Kursk region, had few remaining treatment options before the vaccine was offered. His doctors decided to proceed with Neonka-Vac after standard therapies failed. The vaccine was approved by Russia’s Health Ministry in November 2025, following development by a team of leading research centres.

The Gamaleya National Research Center, the Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, and the A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center collaborated on the project. Unlike conventional treatments, Neonka-Vac is custom-made for each patient, based on the molecular and genetic profile of their tumour.

Initial blood tests have shown minor but promising changes in the man’s immune response. These include shifts in cytokine production, which could indicate the vaccine is triggering an anti-tumour effect. The patient has already received his first dose and is scheduled for around ten more injections. His next treatment is due in early May, with ongoing monitoring at a regional oncology clinic in Kursk.

The early results mark a cautious but notable step in the trial of Neonka-Vac. The patient’s immune response will continue to be tracked throughout the treatment course. If successful, the vaccine could offer new hope for those with limited options in fighting advanced melanoma.