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Doctors have begun trialing the world’s first mRNA lung cancer vaccine, BNT116, aimed at treating and preventing non-small cell lung cancer.
The vaccine instructs the body to kill cancer cells and prevent their return.
The phase 1 trial is being conducted across 34 research sites in seven countries, including the UK and US.
Experts are hopeful about its potential to save thousands of lives.
The vaccine developed by BioNTech, is designed to target non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type of lung cancer.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, responsible for approximately 1.8 million deaths annually, with particularly low survival rates for advanced cases, according to the Guardian.
Around 130 patients with varying stages of lung cancer, from early-stage to advanced or recurrent, will participate in the trial, receiving the vaccine alongside immunotherapy.
The mRNA technology used in BNT116 is similar to that in COVID-19 vaccines, working by prompting the immune system to attack cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, unlike traditional chemotherapy.
Experts, including Siow Ming Lee of University College London Hospitals, see this trial as the start of a “very exciting new era” in cancer research, as reported by the Guardian.
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One of the first participants, 67-year-old scientist Janusz Racz from London, joined the trial due to his belief in advancing science. Diagnosed in May, Racz hopes the new treatment will help eliminate his cancer and contribute to global efforts to develop effective cancer therapies.
He will undergo a rigorous treatment regimen, including multiple injections weekly, followed by periodic doses over a year.
As the trial progresses, researchers aim to demonstrate the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing lung cancer recurrence, potentially making it a standard treatment worldwide.
This initiative is part of a broader NHS scheme to fast-track patients into clinical trials for innovative cancer treatments, which has been hailed as a potential game-changer in the fight against lung cancer.
This trial represents a significant milestone in lung cancer research, with the potential to transform treatment outcomes and offer new hope to patients globally.
