WANA ( Jul 21) – Iranian research teams have successfully developed an innovative anti-cancer vaccine based on a genetically engineered measles virus, showing remarkable results in treating patients with malignant brain tumors.

 

Preliminary findings from the clinical trials reveal that the vaccine not only halts the progression of aggressive brain tumors but has also led to tumor shrinkage, and in some cases, complete elimination.

 

One notable case involved a 38-year-old woman treated at a hospital in Tehran, where the vaccine led to the reduction and eventual disappearance of her brain tumor.

The 38-year-old woman’s case before the treatment. Social media/ WANA News Agency

The vaccine, which had already shown promising results in laboratory and animal studies, is now being tested on patients in advanced stages of cancer who have no remaining conventional treatment options.

 

According to researchers, a key advantage of the vaccine is its high safety profile and specificity—it targets cancerous cells without harming healthy ones. If final trials prove successful, the therapy could offer a powerful new approach to treating late-stage cancers.

 

This trial marks the first of its kind in the region and could serve as a turning point in cancer treatment if successful.

The 38-year-old woman’s case after the treatment. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Globally, the first clinical trial of a cancer vaccine using the measles virus began in the United States in 1997. A significant milestone came in 2014, when a woman with advanced-stage leukemia was reportedly cured using a similar genetically modified measles-based therapy.

 

Iran’s entry into this cutting-edge field underscores the growing capabilities of the country’s biotech sector and raises hopes for more accessible cancer treatments in the near future.