A groundbreaking new vaccine that aims to train the body to detect and combat cancer cells has shown promising results in early trials. The vaccine, known as mRNA-4359 and developed by Moderna, is targeted at individuals with advanced melanoma, lung cancer, and a variety of other solid tumour cancers. This innovative vaccine utilises mRNA technology, similar to what is used in Covid-19 vaccines, to educate the immune system on distinguishing between cancerous and healthy cells, preparing it to eliminate the cancerous cells.
In a preliminary human trial, 19 participants with advanced solid tumours received varying doses of mRNA-4359, ranging from one to nine doses. Encouragingly, evaluations revealed that in eight out of the 16 patients evaluated, the tumours did not grow or develop new tumours, marking a significant finding. Additionally, researchers highlighted the vaccine’s favourable safety profile, noting that it was well-tolerated without serious side effects.
The lead investigator from the UK, Dr. Debashis Sarker, who holds roles at King’s College London and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, will present the trial results at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Barcelona. Dr. Sarker described the trial as a crucial first step in potentially developing a new treatment for patients with advanced cancers, emphasising the vaccine’s ability to stimulate the immune system effectively.
An 81-year-old man in the UK became the first person to receive the mRNA-4359 vaccine, administered at Hammersmith Hospital to combat malignant melanoma skin cancer that had not responded to other treatments. The ongoing study is actively enrolling patients with specific cancers such as melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer to test low doses of mRNA-4359 in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda).
Moderna’s senior vice president, Kyle Holen, expressed optimism about the phase 1 results of mRNA-4359, highlighting its potential to generate strong immune responses while maintaining a manageable safety profile. He noted that this novel approach could play a significant role in creating a more immune-permissive environment within tumours, offering hope to patients with advanced cancers.
The mRNA-4359 trial is just one of many studies exploring the efficacy of vaccines designed to combat cancer. These efforts include a phase 3 trial of a personalised mRNA vaccine for melanoma and a trial of a lung cancer vaccine named BNT116, produced by BioNTech. These advancements in cancer immunotherapy hold promise for the future of cancer treatment and offer hope to patients battling the disease.