According to a reporter in London, scientists in the UK are using technology similar to that which created the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to develop the world’s first vaccine capable of activating the immune system to destroy cancer cells and prevent lung cancer in high-risk individuals.
As reported by Sky News, scientists from the University of Oxford, the Francis Crick Institute, and University College London (UCL) are developing the LungVax vaccine.
Scientists have developed the LungVax vaccine. (Image: Shutterstock).
This vaccine works by using a DNA sequence to train the immune system to identify and destroy “red flag” proteins, or mutated antigens, found in lung cancer cells.
The research team has received funding of £1.7 million ($2.14 million) from charitable organizations including Cancer Research UK and the CRIS Cancer Foundation to produce 3,000 doses of the vaccine.
If LungVax successfully triggers an immune response in laboratory settings, the vaccine will move on to clinical trials and subsequently be tested on high-risk individuals.
Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani from UCL and the Francis Crick Institute, who will lead the clinical trial phase for LungVax, stated that currently, fewer than 10% of lung cancer patients survive for 10 years after diagnosis.
This research complements existing efforts through lung screenings to detect cancer earlier in those at the highest risk.
LungVax may also provide a viable pathway to prevent certain cancers from being detected at early stages. However, Professor Jamal-Hanjani emphasized that the best solution to reduce the risk of lung cancer is to quit smoking.
According to Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, LungVax represents a significant step forward towards a future where more cancers can be prevented.
According to data from Cancer Research UK, there are approximately 48,500 new cases of lung cancer in the UK each year, with 72% of those attributed to smoking.
