The Application of mRNA Immunotherapy Technology in Refractory Malignancies Associated With Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important tumor-associated virus. In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified EBV as a Group 1 carcinogen, as it is implicated in the pathogenesis of various epithelial malignancies and multiple types of lymphomas. Epithelial malignancies associated with EBV infection include nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and oral cancer, among others. Currently, optimal therapeutic strategies for EBV-associated tumors remain lacking, particularly in patients with recurrent, metastatic, or refractory disease. Furthermore, although EBV infection plays a significant role in the development and progression of EBV-positive tumors and may influence patient prognosis, there are currently no precision therapeutic approaches specifically targeting EBV-positive lymphomas. Thus, treatment options for this patient population warrant further attention. EBV mRNA vaccine is a therapeutic vaccine based on messenger RNA (mRNA) targeting antigens related to EBV. This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and preliminary antitumor activity of EBV mRNA vaccine in patients with advanced EBV-positive malignant tumors, thereby providing a scientific basis for subsequent clinical development.