Cancer breakthrough as new vaccine ‘stops tumours in their tracks and prevents new disease’
A groundbreaking cancer vaccine, mRNA-4359, developed by Moderna, has shown potential in preventing tumor growth in patients with advanced cancer, according to early trial results. This innovative jab is designed to prime the body to recognize and combat cancer cells, effectively stimulating the immune system for improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers have hailed these findings as “an important first step” in creating a new therapy for individuals suffering from advanced cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer.
Innovative mRNA Technology
The mRNA-4359 vaccine employs technology similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines, teaching the immune system to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells while mobilizing it to target and destroy malignant cells.
In the first human study involving this treatment, 19 patients with advanced solid tumors received between one and nine doses of mRNA-4359. The results were encouraging: in eight of the 16 evaluated patients, tumors did not grow, and no new tumors emerged. The treatment was also described as “well tolerated” with no serious side effects reported.
Presentation of Results and Future Steps
Dr. Debashis Sarker, UK chief investigator and a clinical reader in experimental oncology at King’s College London, will present these findings at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Barcelona. He noted, “This study evaluating an mRNA cancer immunotherapy is an important first step in hopefully developing a new treatment for patients with advanced cancers. We have shown that the therapy is well tolerated without serious side effects and can stimulate the body’s immune system in a way that could help treat cancer more effectively. However, as this study has only involved a small number of patients, it’s too early to determine its overall effectiveness for advanced-stage cancer.”
The first patient in the UK to receive the mRNA-4359 jab was an 81-year-old man at Hammersmith Hospital in late October 2023. This patient has malignant melanoma that has proven resistant to previous treatments.
Ongoing Trials and International Collaboration
The study is currently enrolling patients with specific cancers, particularly melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer, to receive low doses of mRNA-4359 in conjunction with an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda. Dr. Sarker emphasized the significance of this study as part of “a huge international effort” involving researchers from the UK, USA, Spain, and Australia.
Kyle Holen, senior vice president and head of development for therapeutics and oncology at Moderna, expressed optimism about the phase 1 results of mRNA-4359, highlighting its ability to elicit strong antigen-specific T-cell responses while maintaining a manageable safety profile. He stated, “This novel approach could be a key component in shifting the tumor microenvironment toward a more immune-permissive state, offering potential hope for patients with advanced solid tumors.”
Other Cancer Vaccine Trials
The mRNA-4359 trial is part of a broader landscape of research into vaccines designed to combat cancer. One such trial involves BNT116, developed by BioNTech, which is currently underway at 34 research sites across seven countries, including six in England and Wales. It is anticipated that around 130 lung cancer patients will eventually be enrolled in this trial.
In August, a 67-year-old lung cancer patient named Janusz Racz became the first person in the UK to receive the BNT116 vaccine. Additionally, phase 3 trials for mRNA-4157 (V940), a personalized mRNA jab for melanoma, are in progress, with British patient Steve Young being among the first to receive this treatment earlier this year.
This personalized approach involves using a tumor sample, DNA sequencing, and artificial intelligence to create a vaccine tailored specifically to the patient’s tumor. In July 2023, the UK government signed an agreement with BioNTech to provide precision cancer immunotherapies to up to 10,000 patients by 2030, further underscoring the potential of these innovative treatments.
