Spain participates in phase I trials of first vaccine against deadliest lung cancer

Fatima of the Kingdom
Cancer vaccines, an idea that once seemed like science fiction, are taking their first steps into clinical reality. A 67-year-old patient in the city of University Hospital London (UCLH) He became the first person to receive experimental vaccine BNT116intended for combat non-small cell lung cancer (NMSC), the most common and lethal type of this disease.

This phase I clinical trial marks the beginning of a new era in the fight against cancer. Developed by a German biotech company. BioNTekThe BNT116 vaccine uses messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, similar to that used in Covid-19 vaccines. The vaccine supplies the immune system with tumor-specific markers, priming the body to destroy cancer cells expressing those markers in the hope that, unlike chemotherapy, healthy cells will be spared.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the BNT116 vaccine both as monotherapy and in combination with other established treatments for non-small cell lung cancer.

The study is being conducted in 34 research centers is distributed in seven countries, including the UK, Spain, the US, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Turkey. Spainhospitals such as Hospital Virgen de la Macarena in Seville, Jimenez Diaz Foundation in Madrid, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital Valencia, Geman Trias and Puyol Hospital And Hospital Val d’Hebron in Barcelona, ​​besides University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela.

In total, 130 patientsFrom those in the early stages of the disease to those who experience frequent relapses, will receive the vaccine along with immunotherapy. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of BNT116 both as a monotherapy and in combination with other established treatments for non-small cell lung cancer.

In Spain, the death rate has increased by 16% over the past five years, with one person dying from the disease every 20 minutes.

Non-small cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with nearly 1.8 million deaths in 2020. In Spain, the death rate has increased by 16% in the last five years, with one person dying every 20 minutes from lung cancer. this disease. This type of cancer, which occurs when cells grow abnormally in the lungs, is particularly dangerous because only 30% of cases are detected in the early stages, when the chances of survival can increase to 80%.

Artificial intelligence scientist first patient to receive vaccine

Janusz RaczA scientist specializing in artificial intelligence was the first patient to receive the vaccine. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2024 and began chemotherapy and radiation.

“I decided to take part because I hope it will protect against cancer cells, but I also thought that my participation in this study could help other people in the future and help make this therapy more accessible. As a scientist, I know that science can only advance if people agree to participate in programs like this.– said Rats.

Last Tuesday, Racz received six consecutive shots of the vaccine. The process will be repeated weekly for six weeks, then every three weeks for a year. Each dose contains a different strand of RNA designed to boost the immune response against cancer.

“We are entering an exciting new era of clinical trials of mRNA-based immunotherapy.”” he commented, according to statements collected Guardian teacher Siou Min Leeconsultant medical oncologist at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), who is leading the UK study.

“This technology is the next big step in cancer treatment.”“He added, highlighting the ease of administration and the ability to select and attack specific antigens on cancer cells. If the results of this first stage are positive, the researchers hope to be able to move forward with the next stages with the hope and goal that the BNT116 vaccine will become a standard of care for lung cancer worldwide. This could save countless lives and bring new hope to patients facing the disease.