World-First Lung Cancer Vaccine Trials Begin in Seven Countries

Doctors have initiated the world’s first clinical trial of an mRNA lung cancer vaccine, BNT116, targeting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), The Guardian reported yesterday.

This phase 1 trial involves 130 patients across 34 research sites in seven countries: the UK, US, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and Turkey. The UK has six sites, with the first patient receiving the vaccine on August 20, 2024.

The vaccine is designed to instruct the immune system to identify and eliminate cancer cells while preserving healthy cells. Participants range from early-stage patients to those with late-stage or recurrent cancer. The trial aims to enhance the immune response and potentially prevent cancer recurrence after surgery or radiation.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to advance cancer treatment through innovative therapies. The trial is expected to pave the way for further phases and, ultimately, for the vaccine to become a standard treatment option for lung cancer worldwide.