Lung cancer can also be prevented with a vaccine.

 

Humankind is embarking on conquering lung cancer, the leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. Utilizing messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which enabled the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, efforts have begun to develop a vaccine to prevent lung cancer, and initial clinical trials have already started in seven countries including the United States and the United Kingdom. As Yuhan Corporation's lung cancer treatment drug 'Rekrazza' receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), expectations for lung cancer treatment are rising, and attention is focused on whether humanity will acquire a new weapon to combat lung cancer.

 

According to the UK National Health Research Institute (UCLH) on the 27th, clinical trials for the mRNA-based lung cancer vaccine 'BNT116' developed by German biotechnology company BioNTech have recently begun. On this day, the first patient in the UK received the vaccine candidate, and clinical trials will be conducted at 34 institutions across seven countries. This is the world's first time initiating an mRNA vaccine clinical trial targeting lung cancer.

This vaccine is based on mRNA. The mRNA-based cancer vaccine, which played a key role in enabling the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, prompts cancer cells to produce abnormal proteins within the body. In response, the body's immune cells generate antibodies against these proteins. The principle is that these antibodies destroy the cancer cells.

It is estimated that 1.8 million people worldwide die from lung cancer each year. This is because recurrence or metastasis often occurs even after treatment. To improve the survival rate of lung cancer patients, preventing recurrence is essential.

BNT116 is a vaccine that prevents recurrence. It enhances the body's immune response against cancer cells, significantly reducing the likelihood of remission or recurrence. Unlike chemotherapy, it has the advantage of not affecting healthy cells.

 

The clinical trial will be conducted with 130 participants. The 130 individuals are composed of a diverse group, including patients with early-stage, advanced, and recurrent lung cancer. They will receive the vaccine for six consecutive weeks and then continue to receive the vaccine every three weeks for 54 weeks afterward.

 

Reporter Ko Jae-won

 

 

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Lung cancer is the silent organ.

This year, when I get my health check-up, just in case, also check for lung cancer.

I'm going to have a test.

 

That's good news.

 

If vaccination is possible... there are cases where lives are lost.

It will decrease.