New mRNA vaccine touted as promising treatment against lung cancer

A new mRNA vaccine against lung cancer, known as BNT116, has shown encouraging results in its initial trials, offering hope for improved treatment options.

The vaccine, developed using mRNA technology, aims to train the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells, potentially leading to a significant reduction in cancer recurrence.

Thanos Dimopoulos, a leading expert in therapeutic oncology-hematology, highlighted the potential of mRNA vaccines in cancer treatment. He noted that the development of mRNA technology, particularly through the COVID-19 vaccine, has opened up new possibilities for creating effective cancer vaccines.

There are two main categories of mRNA cancer vaccines being developed: personalised vaccines tailored to individual patients’ tumour neoantigens and specific vaccines targeting common mutations in lung cancer. BNT116 falls into the latter category, focusing on frequently found neoantigens in non-small cell lung cancer.

The vaccine is currently undergoing clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy. Early results from the first 20 patients with metastatic lung cancer have been promising, showing improved clinical outcomes when combined with chemotherapy.