LungVax, lung cancer vaccine: World’s first-ever jab in development by British researchers

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of tumour wherein the malignant growth develops in or around the lungs thereby disrupting its normal functions.

But now, British researchers have developed a first-ever vaccine for lung cancer. This shot will work by training the immune system to destroy the proteins that are seen on potentially cancerous mutations within. Researchers from Oxford University, University College London and the Francis Crick Institute will be conducting a study on the vaccine with support from Cancer Research UK.

How does a lung cancer vaccine work?

Lung cancer risk is often associated with smoking in all forms. This disease is one of the deadliest forms of cancer which has less than 10% survival rate in patients who have been living with it for over 10 years. Experts say that the jab could cover 90% of all forms of lung cancer. It may not be an alternative to quitting smoking but is still one of the best ways to reduce disease risk and offer a route to prevent its early phases.

The vaccine, which is named LungVax, will be using the same tech as Oxford AstraZeneca Covid jab. Researchers say that it will be using a harmless chimp virus to carry a piece of DNA from neoantigens, pre-cancer proteins. While blood cells will then recognise the same over time and kill them thereby preventing cancer cells from multiplying to form a tumour.

Researchers said that this will be the first-ever tech to be tested in a lab and then move to human trials with middle-aged smokers at high risk of lung cancer. Experts say that people who would be most likely to benefit from the jab will be if the same is rolled out to the public.

What is lung cancer?

Cancer is a disease characterised by the growth of abnormal cells that together form a tumour. When it comes to its treatment, doctors say that it is imperative to keep an eye out for the early warning signs and detect the disease in a timely for to mitigate the risk of long-term complications.

Lung cancer is when a tumour forms in the lungs and obstructs its normal functioning. This form of the disease is said to be deadlier than bowel, breast and prostate cancers. The disease has a low survival rate and it is said to be deadlier citing the absence of early warning signs. The symptoms of lung cancer are:

Unusual tiredness
Breathlessness
Cough that lasts over three weeks and hurts too
Repeat chest infections
Coughing up blood