Lung Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise

Lung Cancer Vaccine – Oxford Clinical BioManufacturing Facility

Researchers at the University of Oxford are developing what could be known as the world’s first lung cancer vaccine, LungVax. This vaccine would be able to train the immune system to recognize the difference between normal cells and cancer cells. For lung cancer patients, this vaccine could drastically improve their odds of survival as a cure for Lung Cancer has eluded experts forever.

The University of Oxford has worked alongside the Francis Crick Institute and University College London and has received funding to study the vaccine over the next two years. If the study is successful, they will begin manufacturing the first 3,000 doses at the Oxford Clinical BioManufacturing Facility. The lung cancer vaccine uses technology similar to the COVID-19 vaccine, and researchers hope it will replicate the success seen during the pandemic trials. In this article, we will quickly dissect the news and what it could mean for people with lung cancer and their families.

LungVax Vaccine – What Does it Do?

The immune system is not able to differentiate cancer cells from normal cells. Unlike normal cells, lung cancer cells have proteins called neoantigens that appear on the surface of the cell. The lung cancer vaccine carries a strand of DNA that is trained to recognize neoantigens and will teach the immune system to recognize and kill all cells containing neoantigens. If scientists can successfully show this vaccine can trigger the immune system, they will start a clinical trial.

For cancer patients and in the field of oncology, this is a massive step in the right direction. Success in the early trial could mean the vaccine can be scaled for people at a high risk of lung cancer such as current smokers or previous smokers ages 55-74. The biggest hurdle at this point is achieving success in this first stage trial so it’s best to proceed with cautious optimism when it comes to being released to the public.

Potential Impact on Lung Cancer Treatment Landscape

Currently, lung cancer accounts for the highest rate of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The lung cancer vaccine has the potential to lower this rate and make cancer more preventable. This means that, alongside existing therapies and treatment options, the survival rates for lung cancer patients will be higher than ever before. The lung cancer vaccine could reduce the burden of lung cancer deaths globally, making history in the field of oncology

The emotional weight of a lung cancer diagnosis can also weigh heavy on those with the mesothelioma or lung cancer diagnosis. With a vaccine option, this could provide some emotional relief as there is still hope for survival within a late-stage diagnosis. The lung cancer vaccine, if successful, has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, shifting it from a primarily reactive approach to a preventive one. While hopes should stay within reason, this could mark a historic moment in the fight against lung cancer.

There is a Brighter Future Ahead for Lung Cancer Patients

There is a brighter future ahead for those suffering from lung cancer. Being diagnosed with lung cancer can be difficult to navigate, but you are not alone. Our Lung Cancer Center Team is here to provide you with information and resources that will assist you every step of the way. We encourage you to support organizations like Cancer Research UK and CRIS Cancer Foundation so they can continue to develop treatment options, and hopefully one day a cure.

If you or a loved one needs help navigating care options or exploring potential compensation methods, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We will keep you up to date on all information regarding the lung cancer vaccine, treatment options, and support recourses. Just because cancer is hard doesn’t mean you have to deal with it alone.