ANKARA 23 August 2024 (TDI): Physicians have initiated the world’s first mRNA vaccine trial for lung cancer across seven countries, including Turkiye, marking a groundbreaking development in cancer treatment, Turkish media reported on Friday.
The vaccine, named BNT116 and developed by BioNTech, targets non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer. It is designed to eliminate cancer cells and prevent recurrence by training the immune system to recognize and attack tumor-specific markers associated with NSCLC.
The phase 1 clinical trial, conducted in the UK, the US, Germany, Spain, and Turkiye, represents a significant advance in lung cancer treatment. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, accounting for approximately 1.8 million deaths each year, with low survival rates for advanced stages.
The trial is being carried out at 34 research sites, including six in the UK. The first UK patient received the vaccine on Tuesday, marking a key milestone in the study, according to the Guardian.
Approximately 130 patients at various stages of lung cancer, from early to advanced or recurrent cases, will participate. They will receive the vaccine along with immunotherapy. The mRNA technology used in BNT116, similar to that in COVID-19 vaccines, works by stimulating the immune system to target cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue, unlike traditional chemotherapy.
Experts, including Siow Ming Lee from University College London Hospitals, view this trial as the beginning of a “very exciting new era” in cancer research, as reported by the Guardian.
One of the first participants, 67-year-old scientist Janusz Racz from London, joined the trial driven by his belief in advancing scientific progress. Diagnosed in May, Racz hopes the new treatment will help eradicate his cancer and contribute to the global effort to develop effective cancer therapies. He will undergo a rigorous regimen, including multiple weekly injections followed by periodic doses over the course of a year.
As the trial advances, researchers aim to demonstrate the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing lung cancer recurrence, with the potential to establish it as a standard treatment worldwide.
This initiative is part of a broader NHS scheme to expedite patient access to innovative cancer treatments, which is being hailed as a potential game-changer in the fight against lung cancer.
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance expressed optimism about the trial, noting the vaccine’s potential to save thousands of lives, according to the Guardian.
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Meanwhile, Racz remains hopeful that after completing his treatment, he will be able to return to running and achieve his goal of completing the London Marathon.
This trial represents a significant milestone in lung cancer research, with the potential to transform treatment outcomes and offer new hope to patients around the world.
