Researchers reported two separate advances: an mRNA engineering approach that enhances allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to create an off‑the‑shelf cell therapy dubbed DC-25, and an off‑the‑shelf mRNA vaccine platform targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The DC-25 work describes mRNA-modified MSCs designed to improve immunotherapeutic payload delivery and persistence, while the HCC vaccine study demonstrated antigen-specific immune activation in preclinical models. Both programs aim to overcome limitations of autologous therapies by standardizing manufacturing and widening patient access. The studies highlight mRNA’s versatility beyond protein replacement—enabling cell engineering and modular vaccine constructs for cancer indications.