Revolutionary Vaccine to Combat Deadliest Common Cancer in Britain
British scientists are making groundbreaking progress in the fight against lung cancer by developing the world's first vaccine for the disease. This innovative vaccine aims to train the immune system to target and destroy specific proteins found on lung cells that may harbor cancerous mutations.
Leading experts from Oxford University, University College London, and the Francis Crick Institute have secured £1.7 million in funding from Cancer Research UK to conduct a two-year study on this pioneering vaccine.
With lung cancer being the deadliest common cancer in Britain, claiming around 35,000 lives out of 50,000 cases annually, this vaccine could potentially save thousands of lives each year.
LungVax: The Vaccine Using Oxford AstraZeneca's Technology
The vaccine, named LungVax, will utilize the same technology as the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid jab. By employing a harmless chimp virus to transport a segment of DNA from dangerous pre-cancer proteins, known as neoantigens, white blood cells will be trained to identify and eliminate these proteins to prevent cancerous cells from proliferating.
The initial phase of testing will involve lab experiments, followed by human trials that will commence with middle-aged smokers at high risk of developing lung cancer. If successful, this vaccine could potentially cover around 90% of all lung cancers, offering a promising avenue for preventing early-stage cancers.
Empowering Our Immune System to Fight Cancer Naturally
Professor Tim Elliott from Oxford University emphasized the significance of training the immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells effectively. He highlighted the challenges in distinguishing between normal cells and cancerous cells, underscoring the potential impact of this vaccine in saving tens of thousands of lives annually in the UK alone.
Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, expressed optimism about the transformative potential of this research project, stating that it is part of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing lung cancer survival rates.
