Oxford vaccine will prevent lung cancer in smokers

In the United Kingdom, a team of scientists, including members from the University of Oxford, is seeking to develop a vaccine that protects against the disease Lung CancerIntended for smokers over 50 years of age. The immunization capabilities are called LungVax.

British researchers are still in the early stages of developing a lung cancer vaccine, but they will work to replicate it The same immunization techniques used in the COVID-19 vaccineone of the most used formulas in the world during the pandemic.

To accelerate the research and first clinical trials, the project has just received a funding contribution of €1.7 million – approximately R$9.16 million, in a direct transfer. Some of the money comes from Cancer Research UK.

Lung cancer vaccine

If all goes well, the LungVax vaccine will be the world's first vaccine to immunize against lung cancer. Ideally, it will target people aged 55 to 74, and smokers or have ever smoked. This age group is closely linked to lung cancer.

To produce immunity in the body against lung cancer, scientists will coat harmless proteins on the surface of cancer cells known as neoantigens.

When new antigens encounter the immune cells of healthy people, the immune system will begin to produce defenses against these invaders. If an individual develops cancer in the future, these defenses will be activated, which may prevent tumor development.

The delivery system for these small parts is inspired by Mechanism of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. In both cases, a viral vector is adopted – a virus (adenovirus) that does not cause disease in humans, but activates the immune system along with the cancer piece.

Why don't we have cancer vaccines?

“Cancer is a disease that affects our bodies and it is difficult for the immune system to distinguish between what is normal and what is cancer,” Tim Elliott, the scientist behind the LungVax project, says in a note. “Getting the immune system to recognize and attack cancer is one of the biggest challenges in cancer research,” he adds.

This is one of the problems that has so far prevented a breakthrough in the development of tumor vaccines. However, “if we can repeat the success [da vacina contra a covid-19] “During the pandemic, we will be able to save the lives of tens of thousands of people every year,” Elliott says.

today, Potential vaccines against cancer, including lung cancer, are in development. However, these formulas seek to protect the body of patients who have previously had the disease and need strategies to prevent recurrence of the disease. They are not usually recommended for preventive treatments.

Development steps

By 2026, the team hopes to complete initial testing of a lung cancer vaccine and produce around 3,000 doses of the vaccine, through the Oxford Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility initiative. After that, human testing will begin on the immunization device that could save millions of people around the world.

“Projects like the LungVax vaccine are a really important step towards a future where cancer is more preventable,” says Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK. “We are in a golden age of research, and this is one of many projects that we hope will make a difference in lung cancer survival,” he adds.

source: Cancer Research UK

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