New Lung Cancer Vaccine to Enter Clinical Trials Soon
Researchers in the UK are preparing the first clinical trial for a pioneering vaccine aimed at preventing lung cancer, one of the deadliest cancers worldwide.
A team of British researchers from the universities of London and Oxford has announced preparations for the world’s first clinical trial to test a novel vaccine designed to prevent lung cancer, one of the most lethal diseases globally.
The vaccine, named LungVax, uses mRNA technology, similar to COVID-19 vaccines, aiming to train the immune system to recognize abnormal proteins caused by mutations in lung cells and eliminate them before they develop into tumors.
Phase one of the trial is set to begin in summer 2026, following funding exceeding £2 million from the UK’s Cancer Research Foundation, focusing on determining the appropriate dosage and monitoring potential side effects.
Dr. Maryam Gamal Al-Hanjani, the lead researcher, emphasized that long-term survival rates for lung cancer remain below 10%, noting that early intervention could significantly improve outcomes, while stressing that the vaccine does not replace the need to quit smoking.
The trial will involve patients diagnosed at early stages who have had tumors removed, as well as participants in the national lung cancer screening program, given their higher risk of recurrence.
The research team hopes the trial will reveal insights into vaccine administration, patient response, and target groups for potential wider use if proven effective.
Currently, the UK sees about 48,000 new lung cancer cases annually, with over 70% among smokers, while adenocarcinoma cases are rising among non-smoking young women, with air pollution possibly linked to a third of cases.
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