A LUNG cancer vaccine which has almost doubled the survival rate of patients during a study in Cuba is going on trial in Scotland for the first time.
Researchers at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are recruiting participants as they prepare to head up a global clinical trial of the therapeutic lung cancer vaccine known as BV-NSCLC-001.
The vaccine, which treats the most common form of the disease – non-small cell lung cancer – was developed by Aberdeen-based biopharmaceutical firm, Bioven.
It has already been tested on around 700 Cuban cancer patients over the past five years, where it has been shown to improve overall survival rates from 30% to 50% over a 12-month period compared to patients receiving only standard chemotherapy. Patients taking part in the study received both chemotherapy and the vaccine.
The study, which will recruit 438 patients, is being led by Dr Marianne Nicolson of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, a consultant medical oncologist and chairwoman of the UK National Cancer Research Institute's Lung Clinical Studies Group.
Studies will run concurrently at the ARI and Edinburgh Cancer Centre in Scotland, Leicester Royal Infirmary and Guy's Hospital in London, and at various locations around the world, including Europe, India and south-east Asia.
The vaccine works by using the body's own immune system to block the receptor pathway for a naturally occurring stimulant known as epidermal growth factor (EGF) – the chemical which encourages normal growth during childhood, but which can also lead to uncontrolled cancerous growths in adulthood.
Steven Drew, chief executive of Bioven, said: "EGF is overexpressed in cancer cells and what we're encouraging the body to do – as you would in children's vaccines – is to use the body's own immune system to neutralise EGF. In simple terms, it's like putting a master key in a lock and turning the lock off."
The trial is open to men and women aged 20 to 65 whose lung cancer is inoperable.
Dr Nicolson said: "I am delighted to be clinical head for the global Phase III clinical trial for Bioven. The previous studies have shown promising clinical results regarding the benefits of the therapeutic vaccination."
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