London: The UK has initiated the administration of a pioneering cancer vaccine to patients as part of a worldwide trial. This groundbreaking development utilizes mRNA technology, similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines, aiming to offer new therapeutic avenues for cancer patients.
The vaccine operates by marking specific protein markers on cancerous cells, enabling the immune system to recognize and combat the tumor effectively. This innovative approach has the potential to transform cancer treatment by making the disease more detectable and treatable by the body’s natural defenses.
Leading the trial are researchers from Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust and Imperial College London. The study, conducted at Hammersmith Hospital in West London, focuses on evaluating the vaccine’s safety and efficacy against lung cancer, skin cancer, and other solid tumors.
An 81-year-old man from Surrey, battling skin cancer, became the first UK recipient of the vaccine, named mRNA-4359. Despite limited success with previous treatments, he expressed hope for change in cancer statistics, highlighting the disease’s widespread impact.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins lauded the trial as a “ground-breaking development,“ underscoring its potential to save lives and revolutionize cancer treatment through more effective and less toxic therapies. She emphasized the UK’s commitment to positioning itself as a leader in life sciences through research and innovation.
Scientists express particular enthusiasm for mRNA therapy, one of two main cancer vaccine types under development. Unlike personalized vaccines, which require individual tailoring, mRNA vaccines offer a “ready-made” solution potentially applicable to multiple patients with certain cancer types. However, due to cancer’s complexity, various mRNA vaccines may be necessary to address different cancer forms.
The NHS is pioneering these trials, with Prof. Peter Johnson, the NHS national clinical director for cancer, stating the potential revolutionary impact of vaccinating individuals against their cancers to prevent recurrence. The ongoing research, including a collaboration with BioNTech for the “Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad” and a partnership with Moderna for mRNA cancer vaccine development, signifies a hopeful direction towards curing cancer.
Participants in the trial, spanning the UK, US, and Australia, will either receive the vaccine alone or in combination with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, with monitoring extending up to 34 months. This trial marks a critical step towards harnessing the patient’s immune system in the fight against cancer, aiming for treatments that are less toxic and more precise.
SCIENCE | Scientists discover DNA test for 18 early cancer detection
