This innovative treatment employs messenger RNA (mRNA) to present common tumor markers to the patient’s immune system. The goal is to train the immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells expressing these markers, potentially eliminating cells that could suppress the immune response. Imperial College’s trial, conducted in collaboration with Moderna-UK Strategic Partnership, is part of a broader effort to bring mRNA vaccine manufacturing to the UK and enhance preparedness for future health emergencies. Moderna, in a 10-year partnership with the government, has committed substantial investments to research and development, including running various clinical trials in the UK.
At this initial stage, the primary focus of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerance of the mRNA therapy, whether administered alone or in combination with the existing cancer drug pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Researchers are also exploring whether this combination can actively reduce tumors in patients with specific lung and skin cancers.
About the cancer vaccine
The first patient in the UK to receive mRNA-4359 was an 81-year-old man from Surrey, diagnosed with treatment-resistant malignant melanoma in late October. The UK Government has collaborated with several pharmaceutical companies to facilitate the development of mRNA-based immunotherapies for cancer. Multiple such therapies are currently in early phases of clinical testing, assessing feasibility, safety, and preliminary activity.
The trial itself is a non-randomized Phase 1/2 study, where all participants receive the same treatment. It is also an open-label trial, meaning both clinicians and patients are aware of the treatment being administered. Unlike blinded trials, where patients are unaware of their treatment, this transparency enhances collaboration and understanding among all involved parties.
Cancer vaccines, including mRNA-4359, represent a promising frontier in immunotherapy. These vaccines aim to augment the effectiveness of conventional immunotherapy. They fall into two categories: personalized cancer immunotherapies, which use a patient’s genetic material extracted from their tumors, and therapeutic cancer immunotherapies like mRNA-4359, which are pre-made and tailored to specific cancer types.Dr Kyle Holen, head of development, therapeutics and oncology at Moderna, told The Telegraph that researchers “we’re really excited about some of the early results and we hope that this brings in the dawn of a new age of cancer treatments.”
Cancer vaccine Mobilize trial
The Mobilize trial, a partnership between Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, is conducted at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Imperial Clinical Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital. While the experimental therapy is in its early testing phases, researchers hope it could become a new treatment option for challenging-to-treat cancers, provided its safety and efficacy are established.
Dr. David Pinato, a Clinician Scientist at Imperial College London, emphasized that mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies like mRNA-4359 offer a new approach by leveraging the patient’s immune system against cancer. Despite being in the early stages, the trial lays crucial groundwork for potential therapies that are less toxic and more precise.
Dr. Nichola Awosika, part of the clinical research delivery team, expressed excitement about contributing to the Mobilize trial, highlighting the importance of patient participation in advancing innovative treatments. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, praised the pioneering work happening across the country and the potential revolutionary impact of cancer vaccines.
Victoria Atkins, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, emphasized the progress being made in cancer treatment, acknowledging the potential of this vaccine to save lives and revolutionize cancer therapy.
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