World – first lung cancer vaccine trials launched across 7 countries

Lung cancer remains the top cause of cancer deaths worldwide, claiming around 1.8 million lives each year. Survival chances are particularly bleak for those with advanced forms of the disease, where it has already spread.

But there’s a new hope on the horizon. Experts are now testing a promising vaccine that teaches the body to track down and destroy cancer cells, while also preventing them from returning. This vaccine, called BNT116 and developed by BioNTech, is specifically aimed at treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type.

The first human trial of BNT116, a phase 1 study, has begun at 34 research sites across seven countries: the UK, US, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and Turkey.

Professor Siow Ming Lee is the clinical lead for the UK part of the trial.

Siow Ming Lee, Professor of Medical Oncology at University College London (UCL) and Consultant Medical Oncologist at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), is internationally recognized for his pioneering lung cancer research trials. Over three decades, his work has significantly advanced clinical practice and improved treatment outcomes for lung cancer and other cancers.

Lung Cancer Europe shared on LinkedIn:

“NEWS: World-first lung cancer vaccine trials launched across seven countries
This is an interesting story published in The Guardian in the UK: ‘Doctors have begun trialling the world’s first mRNA lung cancer vaccine in patients.’
You can read the full piece here.”

Image: Janusz Racz receives the UK trial’s first injection of BioNTech’s mRNA cancer immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer at University College London hospital. Photo: Aaron Chown/PA.

Anthony Magliocco, President and CEO at Protean BioDiagnostics Inc:

“Doctors are currently trialling the world’s first mRNA lung cancer vaccine in patients, a groundbreaking development with the potential to save thousands of lives. Lung cancer, responsible for approximately 1.8 million deaths annually, is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Survival rates for individuals with advanced forms of the disease, where tumors have spread, are notably low.”

Wafik S. El-Deiry, Associate Dean for Oncologic Sciences, Warren Alpert Medical School:

“World-first lung cancer vaccine trials launched across seven countries

First patient in UK gets dose of jab designed to kill most common form of lung cancer – and stop it coming back.”

Yüksel Ürün, Medical Oncologist at Ankara University:

“World-first mRNA lung cancer vaccine trial launches across 7 countries, including Turkey!

Could this be a game-changer in lung cancer treatment? ”

UCLH:

“A lung cancer patient at UCLH is the first in the UK to receive a novel cancer vaccine as part of a clinical trial. The vaccine made by BioNTech SE is designed to prime the immune system to recognise and fight cancer cells.”

Amol Akhade, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Suyog Cancer Clinics and Reliance Hospitals:

“Lung cancer vaccine phase 2 trial has started in various countries and it is making news headlines . This is Lu-Ca-Merit -1 trial and name of vaccine is BNT-116 – It is IV mRNA Vaccine and it will be studied in combination with cemiplimab and Chemotherapy in various cohorts – mainly in relapsed refractory setting to begin with .

This vaccine has 6 mRNAs , each encoding for a tumor associated antigen frequently seen in NSCLC . Preliminary results of phase 1 data mainly focused on safety has been presented in AACR 24 – it showed manageable safety profile with ORR of 10 % . Will this work in phase 2 ? Will this be the answer for what after IO plus chemo for NSCLC?

Let’s hope so . But , I am not so sure. Such vaccine based approach in cancer treatment have been tried before and one is approved already in prostate cancer ( Sipuleucel -T vaccine ) which is not much used inspite of approval ( with questionable trial design) Off course, these are mRNA Vaccines and are different from one studied before .

Almost all solid tumors, such vaccine trial will start sooner or later ( see the pipeline for one company -BioNTECH ).”

For more information visit oncodaily.com