Researchers have begun testing the world’s first mRNA vaccine for lung cancer, which holds potential to save thousands of lives. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, responsible for around 1.8 million fatalities each year. Survival rates are particularly low for advanced cases where the cancer has metastasized.
The new vaccine, BNT116, developed by BioNTech, aims to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most prevalent type of lung cancer. This phase 1 clinical trial is the initial human study of BNT116 and is being conducted across 34 research sites in seven countries: the UK, US, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and Turkey.
In the UK, six sites in England and Wales are participating, with the first patient receiving the vaccine on Tuesday. Approximately 130 patients, ranging from those in early stages before surgery or radiotherapy to those with advanced or recurrent cancer, will be included in the study. About 20 participants will be from the UK.
Similar to Covid-19 vaccines, this jab uses messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells displaying specific tumor markers associated with NSCLC. The goal is to enhance the immune response to cancer while sparing healthy cells, unlike traditional chemotherapy.
Professor Siow Ming Lee, a consultant medical oncologist at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), which is leading the trial in the UK, commented, “We are entering an exciting era of mRNA-based immunotherapy trials for lung cancer. The technology is straightforward to administer and allows us to target specific cancer cell antigens. This represents a significant advance in cancer treatment.”
Janusz Racz, a 67-year-old London resident, was the first person in the UK to receive the vaccine. Diagnosed in May, he began chemotherapy and radiotherapy shortly after. As an AI scientist, Racz was motivated to participate in the trial due to his belief in the importance of scientific progress. He stated, “Being part of this trial is beneficial to me and to the broader effort to advance medical science. I hope this new methodology will help eradicate my cancer and eventually benefit many others.”
As reported by portside.org, Racz underwent six injections, each with different RNA strands, administered over a 30-minute period at the National Institute for Health Research UCLH Clinical Research Facility. He will continue receiving the vaccine weekly for six weeks and then every three weeks for a total of 54 weeks.
Professor Lee added, “We hope this treatment will prevent cancer recurrence, as it often returns even after surgery and radiation. Having been involved in lung cancer research for four decades, I have seen significant advances. Our aim is to improve survival rates further, and this mRNA vaccine, combined with immunotherapy, could offer an additional benefit.”