![\"PA](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/ae37\/live\/03ddbe10-6126-11ef-af52-71029fe3b80e.jpg.webp\")
PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA 67-year-old man has become the first person in the UK to try what doctors hope will be a revolutionary new treatment for lung cancer – a vaccine that tells the body how to fight and kill the disease. <\/p>\n It uses the same mRNA technology as some Covid jabs to give instructions to the immune system. <\/p>\n The early-stage trial in which Janusz Racz is taking part will check the shot is safe. <\/p>\n Some 34 research sites in seven countries, including University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, will recruit 130 patients to try it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The treatment should specifically target cancer cells for destruction rather than healthy ones, hopefully meaning fewer side effects. <\/p>\n It contains information about several markers found on the surface of lung cancer cells to teach the patient’s immune system what to find and fight. <\/p>\n The BNT116 vaccine, made by German biotechnology company BioNTech, could be a game-changer, say experts. <\/p>\n Prof Siow Ming Lee, who is clinical lead for the UK part of the trial, told the BBC’s Today programme: “We hope to kick-start this new era of mRNA cancer vaccine treatment for lung cancer.<\/p>\n “Hopefully, in combination with the current standard treatment – immunotherapy and chemotherapy – we can provide an additional immune boost.”<\/p>\n Mr Racz, from London, says he is open to trying new things. <\/p>\n “I hope it will provide a defence against cancer cells. But I also thought that my participation in this research could help other people in future, and help this therapy become more widely available.<\/p>\n “As a scientist myself, I know that science can only advance if people agree to participate in programmes like this.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Mr Racz, who works in artificial intelligence, was diagnosed with lung cancer after having some breathing problems that he thought might be asthma. <\/p>\n A medical scan (for an unrelated issue) revealed a tumour on his right lung.<\/p>\n NHS England national cancer director Dame Cally Palmer said shots like this one could be “revolutionary” in vaccinating people against their own cancers to prevent the disease returning.<\/p>\n “A cancer diagnosis is very worrying, but access to groundbreaking trials \u2013 alongside other innovations to diagnose and treat cancers earlier \u2013 provides hope. <\/p>\n “We expect to see thousands more patients taking part in trials over the next few years,” she said.<\/p>\n The trial will recruit people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from early-stage before surgery or radiotherapy, to late-stage disease or recurrent cancer – to have the jab alongside standard immunotherapy.<\/p>\n The other UK hospitals taking part include:<\/p>\n There are several other vaccines being used against different types of cancer.<\/p>\n Unlike vaccines to protect us from infectious diseases, such as measles, cancer treatment vaccines are for people who already have the illness. <\/p>\n Cancer vaccines help your body\u2019s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.<\/p>\n Some, like this latest one, are designed based on common markers that tend to occur only on cancer cells. Others are bespoke or tailor-made<\/a> for an individual’s specific tumour. <\/p>\n Cancer Research UK\u2019s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: “We\u2019re pleased to see that another cancer vaccine trial has opened in the UK, allowing more patients to access cutting-edge therapies. <\/p>\n “The science that helped us out of the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to show promise as a potential treatment option for patients<\/p>\n “While very early stage, we look forward to seeing how the study progresses.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with an estimated 1.8 million in 2020. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type.<\/p>\n There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages, but things to see a doctor about include: <\/p>\nHighly targeted<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Lung cancer: Signs and symptoms<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n