Dec. 17, 2024 – Tests are underway for a potentially cutting-edge intervention in the fight against lung cancer.
The world’s first mRNA lung cancer vaccine, known as BNT116, is currently in phase I trials in the U.S., U.K., and other European countries. The shot, from BioNTech, is made to treat the most common type of the disease: non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The vaccine is not designed to prevent lung cancer, but rather treat the disease for patients with early-stage or advanced lung cancer, as well as those with recurring cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, with low survival rates for those with more advanced forms of the disease.
“It is exciting that we are seeing novel technologies and strategies for further enhancing the immune system’s response against targets on lung cancer,” said Diane Tseng, MD, a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of lung cancers at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle.
The trial shines light on a new approach to immunotherapy by utilizing mRNA technology, much like what was used to create the COVID-19 vaccines, according to Eric Singhi, MD, a thoracic medical oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
“If successful, BNT116 could offer a targeted treatment strategy that may not only improve survival rates, but also help prevent cancer recurrence in a way that traditional therapies, like chemotherapy, do not,” he said.
The BNT116 vaccine is designed to coach your body’s immune system to recognize and kill lung cancer cells, Singhi explained. The vaccine sends mRNA strands to your body, which prompts cells to produce six proteins on NSCLC cancer cells. These proteins serve as “flags” or “markers” to your immune system to attack these cells, while steering clear of healthy tissue.
“This is a key advantage over traditional chemotherapy, which is typically [toxic to living cells] and often works without selection, thus targeting both healthy and cancerous cells alike,” Singhi said. “The mRNA approach allows for a more precise, tailored immune response, with the potential to reduce side effects and improve treatment outcomes.”
BNT116 is unlike other vaccines that cater to a person’s unique tumor mutation profile, according to Adam Schoenfeld, MD, a thoracic oncologist, cellular therapist, and early drug development specialist with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
“Unlike these personalized approaches, BNT116 is an ‘off-the-shelf’ vaccine strategy designed to train the immune system to recognize six tumor-associated antigens,” he said. “This design potentially allows for broader accessibility and easier delivery to patients. However, its applicability and effectiveness may be limited to tumors that express the specific antigens targeted by the vaccine.”
It’s important to keep in mind that BNT116 is still in the early stages of clinical trials, and more testing is needed to determine its dosage guidelines, safety, and effectiveness, said Singhi.
Harmful side effects are one potential cause of concern for not only this vaccine, but all new immunotherapies. Some patients have had treatment-related side effects like fevers, chills, vomiting, and fatigue,” he said. A small number of patients have had more severe side effects, including pneumonia and pneumothorax, or a partially or fully collapsed lung. More studies will also be important to see how the vaccine works when used with other treatments, as well as in more widespread, diverse populations, said Schoenfeld.
If you or someone you love has lung cancer and are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor to ensure you’re fully aware of the possible benefits and the risks, Singhi said.
“Clinical trials like this one are critical for advancing medical knowledge and discovering new treatments, but they are not yet approved for widespread use outside the trial setting,” he said. “While this vaccine has a novel mechanism of action, holds promise, and offers potential new hope for our patients, its safety and efficacy must be carefully evaluated over the course of the trial.”
While there is still a lot to be learned about BNT116, the current progress offers a glimmer of hope and innovation for the future of cancer research.
“The concept of an mRNA vaccine platform is quite versatile and could be adapted toward various targets on cancer,” said Tseng.
