A new cutting-edge cancer vaccine clinical trial now running at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has recruited its first patients. 

Clatterbridge has been carrying out cancer vaccine trials for the past few years, with the first patient on the Transgene cancer vaccine trial for head and neck cancer being treated in February 2022.

This new study – sponsored by German biotechnology company BioNTech – is for colorectal cancer patients with two people already on the trial at Clatterbridge alongside other sites in England.

The cancer vaccine in this trial is based on mRNA – the same technology used for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – and is created by analysing a patient’s tumour to identify mutations specific to their own cancer. Using this information, medics then create an experimental individualised cancer vaccine.

The NHS announced on Friday that more than 30 hospitals across England have signed up to the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, which it says will benefit thousands of cancer patients in England who will be fast-tracked access to trials of personalised cancer vaccines at centres such as Clatterbridge in a world-leading NHS trial ‘matchmaking’ service to help find new life-saving treatments.

Patients who agree to take part have a sample of their cancer tissue and a blood test taken. If they meet a clinical trial’s eligibility criteria, they can be referred to their nearest participating NHS site, meaning patients from hospitals across the country will find it easier than ever to take part in ground-breaking research.

The developmental vaccines are designed to induce an immune response that may prevent cancer from returning after surgery on the primary tumour, by stimulating the patient’s immune system to specifically recognise and potentially destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Clatterbridge has pioneered a series of cancer vaccine clinical trials led by its director of clinical research, Professor Christian Ottensmeier.Wirral Globe: Professor Christian Ottensmeier Professor Christian Ottensmeier (Image: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust) He said: "Our knowledge of cancer vaccines is growing quickly. We are really pleased to be able to offer these innovative therapies to eligible patients at Clatterbridge – they could become standard treatments in the future.”

Dr Gillian Heap, Clatterbridge's director of research operations, said: "Clatterbridge is at the forefront of developing cancer vaccines as part of our growing research capability which is offering our patients early access to these cutting-edge therapies, as well as pushing forward our understanding of the treatment of cancer.

"Our new colorectal cancer vaccine study, led at Clatterbridge by our consultant oncologist Dr Amir Montazeri, is another exciting development in our portfolio – and we are hoping to be starting a similar study targeting lung cancer soon.”

The NHS is working in partnership with Genomics England on the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, with work already helping patients access the latest testing technologies and ensures they are given more targeted precision treatments for their cancer.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer at the NHS, said: "We know that even after a successful operation, cancers can sometimes return because a few cancer cells are left in the body, but using a vaccine to target those remaining cells may be a way to stop this happening.

"Access to clinical trials could provide another option for patients and their families, and I’m delighted that through our national launch pad we will be widening the opportunities to be part of these trials for many more people, with thousands of patients expected to be recruited in the next year.”