Russian molecular biologists have made a groundbreaking advance in oncology: the nation’s first non-viral gene therapy drug, ‘AntionkoRAN-M,’ is now in clinical trials. Irina Alekseenko, Head of the Gene Immuno-Oncology Group at the M.M. Shemyakin & Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (Russian Academy of Sciences), discusses this innovation and its potential pathway to clinical adoption.
According to Alekseenko, Phase I trial involving a small cohort of patients unresponsive to other treatments confirmed the drug’s efficacy, including against sarcoma and melanoma, cancers notorious for recurrence and metastasis. ‘AntionkoRAN-M’ has demonstrated universal applicability," noted Alekseenko.
"The drug combines two genes," she explained. "One delivers a tumor-targeted toxin to kill cancer cells, while the other produces a protein that recruits and activates immune cells against the malignancy. By targeting universal tumor properties, it shows promise against multiple cancer types, even orphan forms lacking effective treatments. If subsequent trial phases succeed, ‘AntionkoRAN-M’ could reach patients by 2027," Alekseenko emphasizes.
However, Irina Alekseenko cautioned that, as research practice and expertise prove, unfortunately, many breakthroughs never progress beyond animal trials at the lab. By fostering broad connections among representatives of the scientific community, as well as with participation of business representatives and government authorities, BIOPROM Forum allows to accelerate research across multiple areas. According to the head of the research group of developers, a participant of the upcoming BIOPROM 2025 Forum, with the proper early-stage involvement of specialists in drug development promotion, their time-to-market will significantly decrease, and the price will be reduced.
Check out our full interview for more!
According to Alekseenko, Phase I trial involving a small cohort of patients unresponsive to other treatments confirmed the drug’s efficacy, including against sarcoma and melanoma, cancers notorious for recurrence and metastasis. ‘AntionkoRAN-M’ has demonstrated universal applicability," noted Alekseenko.
"The drug combines two genes," she explained. "One delivers a tumor-targeted toxin to kill cancer cells, while the other produces a protein that recruits and activates immune cells against the malignancy. By targeting universal tumor properties, it shows promise against multiple cancer types, even orphan forms lacking effective treatments. If subsequent trial phases succeed, ‘AntionkoRAN-M’ could reach patients by 2027," Alekseenko emphasizes.
However, Irina Alekseenko cautioned that, as research practice and expertise prove, unfortunately, many breakthroughs never progress beyond animal trials at the lab. By fostering broad connections among representatives of the scientific community, as well as with participation of business representatives and government authorities, BIOPROM Forum allows to accelerate research across multiple areas. According to the head of the research group of developers, a participant of the upcoming BIOPROM 2025 Forum, with the proper early-stage involvement of specialists in drug development promotion, their time-to-market will significantly decrease, and the price will be reduced.
Check out our full interview for more!