MAJOR STEP: Cancer breakthrough as new vaccine ‘stops tumours in their tracks and prevents new disease’
According to THE SUN, A groundbreaking cancer vaccine may significantly impact the treatment of advanced cancers, according to researchers. The vaccine, mRNA-4359, developed by Moderna, aims to prime the body’s immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells, potentially offering a more effective treatment for advanced stages of the disease.
Early Trial Results
The vaccine uses mRNA technology, similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines, to help the immune system distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells. In the first human study, 19 patients with advanced solid tumors received between one and nine doses of mRNA-4359. Results showed that tumors did not grow and no new tumors appeared in eight of the 16 patients evaluated. Additionally, the treatment was “well tolerated without serious side effects.”
Presentation and Future Prospects
The results of this study will be presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Barcelona by Dr. Debashis Sarker, chief investigator from King’s College London and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Dr. Sarker emphasized that while the study represents an important initial step in developing a new cancer treatment, more research is needed to fully assess its effectiveness.
Ongoing and Upcoming Trials
The study is now enrolling patients with specific cancers, such as melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer, to test mRNA-4359 in combination with the immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda). This trial is part of a significant international effort involving the UK, USA, Spain, and Australia.
Moderna’s senior vice president, Kyle Holen, expressed optimism about the phase 1 results, noting the vaccine’s potential to induce strong immune responses while maintaining a manageable safety profile. This approach may help shift the tumor microenvironment to a more immune-permissive state, offering new hope for patients with advanced solid tumors.
Other Cancer Vaccine Trials
The mRNA-4359 trial is one of several studies exploring cancer vaccines. BioNTech is conducting a trial of their BNT116 vaccine across 34 research sites in seven countries, including six in England and Wales. Approximately 130 lung cancer patients are expected to participate, with 67-year-old Janusz Racz being the first UK patient to receive the vaccine in August.
Phase 3 trials of mRNA-4157 (V940), a personalized mRNA vaccine for melanoma, are also underway. This vaccine is tailored to each patient’s tumor using DNA sequencing and artificial intelligence. Steve Young, a British patient, received this personalized jab earlier this year.
In July 2023, the UK Government signed an agreement with BioNTech to provide up to 10,000 patients with precision cancer immunotherapies by 2030, underscoring the growing commitment to advancing cancer treatment.
