A vaccine that tells the body how to kill and fight cancer cells is currently being trialled for the first time on a 67-year-old man.
The vaccine, which was made by German biotechnology company BioNTech and will be offered to 130 patients to try if it is successful, should destroy fewer healthy cells than some available treatments such as chemotherapy.
Experts believe it could be groundbreaking. Professor Siow Ming Lee, who is the clinical lead for the UK part of the trial, told the BBC: ‘We hope to kick-start this new era of mRNA cancer vaccine treatment for lung cancer.
‘Hopefully, in combination with the current standard treatment – immunotherapy and chemotherapy – we can provide an additional immune boost.’
Mr Janusz Racz, a 67-year-old from London, is the first ever patient to trial the new treatment. He was diagnosed with lung cancer after experiencing breathing problems he believed to be asthma.
‘I hope it will provide a defence against cancer cells. But I also thought that my participation in this research could help other people in future, and help this therapy become more widely available,’ he said. ‘As a scientist myself, I know that science can only advance if people agree to participate in programmes like this.’
Dame Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England, added: ‘A cancer diagnosis is very worrying, but access to groundbreaking trials – alongside other innovations to diagnose and treat cancers earlier – provides hope.
‘We expect to see thousands more patients taking part in trials over the next few years.’
The clinical trial will recruit people who have both been diagnosed with the disease early and late to have the vaccine alongside standard immunotherapy.
UK hospitals taking part include:
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Velindre University NHS Trust
- The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
- The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
According to the latest research, an estimated 1.8 million died from lung cancer in 2020. Currently, there are no signs or symptoms for the early stages, but individuals are encouraged to see their doctor if they experience any of the following:
- Coughing up blood
- Recurring chest infections
- A cough that won’t go away
- A cough that continues to get worse
Image: Robina Weermeijer