A Russian cancer vaccine shows 100% efficacy in preclinical studies: here's what we know so far.

Several international media outlets have been reporting this week that the Russian serum EnteroMix, often described as a "cancer vaccine," has passed the relevant tests and could be ready for general availability. However, we must be cautious with this information.

In fact, EuroNews claims, Russian authorities had already begun operations in June They announced that this "vaccine" to combat the progression of certain types of cancer had shown 100% efficacy in some preclinical trials (laboratory tests and tests on animals, not humans). These are promising results, but they do not mean that the drug is ready for clinical use in the public: rather, they allow for studies on humans that, in time, could lead to final approval.

What we know about EnteroMix

In fact, according to the National Radiological Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the serum (created in collaboration with the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology) was scheduled to begin patient recruitment for this type of study between the end of last year and the beginning of this year. Finally, the organization began Phase I trials a few months ago , with 48 participants, and no further information has been made public yet.

EnteroMix (created in collaboration with the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology), the institution explains, is based on a combination of four non-pathogenic viruses that have the ability to destroy cancer cells and simultaneously activate the patient's anti-tumor immunity. It emphasizes that its effect varies from slowing tumor growth to complete disappearance in some cases, and that no serious adverse effects have been detected.

Despite being defined as a "vaccine," the term can be misleading, as it isn't a vaccine in the classic sense. It's not a preventative tool, but rather an immunotherapy treatment for patients who already have cancer.

References

Cagla Uren. EnteroMix, Russia's Promising Cancer Vaccine: Progress, Myths, and Realities. EuroNews (2025). Accessed online at https://es.euronews.com/salud/2025/09/08/esta-listo-el-uso-de-la-vacuna-contra-el-cancer-de-rusia on September 8, 2025.

National Medical Research Radiological Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Vaccinotherapy. Viewed online at https://new.nmicr.ru/en/pacientam/metody-diagnostiki-i-lechenija/vaccinotherapy/ on September 8, 2025.

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