UK Government and BioNTech to deliver cancer immunotherapies to 10,000 by 2030

NHS patients to access personalised cancer vaccine clinical trials to improve an immune response that prevents cancer recurrence 

Thousands of cancer patients in England are set to gain fast-tracked access to personalised cancer vaccine trials through a new National Health Service(NHS) initiative, the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad.

This groundbreaking service aims to find new life-saving treatments by matching eligible patients with clinical trials across the country.

The first patient to receive a personalised vaccine for bowel cancer is Elliot Phebve, a 55-year-old lecturer, treated at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Phebve, diagnosed through a routine health check, underwent surgery and chemotherapy before joining the trial.

Sponsored by German biotech company BioNTech SE, the colorectal cancer vaccine trial is one of several taking place across NHS trusts.

Thousands more patients are expected to benefit from the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, which facilitates easier access to cutting-edge research by fast-tracking patients to participating hospitals.

Participants provide cancer tissue samples and undergo blood tests. If they meet trial criteria, they are referred to the nearest NHS site.

The vaccines, based on mRNA technology similar to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, are created by analysing patients' tumors to identify specific mutations.

This personalised approach aims to induce an immune response that prevents cancer recurrence by targeting residual cancer cells.

BioNTech will present preliminary data at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual conference, suggesting that measuring circulating tumour DNA could help detect colorectal cancer early.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, described the launch as a landmark moment.

"Thanks to advances in care and treatment, cancer survival is at an all-time high in this country. These vaccine trials could one day offer us a way of vaccinating people against their own cancer to help save more lives," she said.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, emphasised the potential of these vaccines to prevent cancer recurrence by targeting remaining cells after surgery.

"Access to clinical trials could provide another option for patients and their families. Through our national launch pad, we will widen opportunities for many more people," he added.

Dr. Victoria Kunene, Principal Investigator at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, highlighted the promise of mRNA-based vaccines while noting that more data is needed.

"Based on the limited data we currently have of the in-body response to the vaccine, this could prove to be a significant and positive development for patients," she said.

Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, called the trials a potential game-changer.

"If successful, the vaccine will prevent the onset or return of bowel cancer," he stated.

The initiative follows a government agreement with BioNTech to provide up to 10,000 patients with precision cancer immunotherapies by 2030, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment and research.