Experimental mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Potential for Advanced Stage Cancer Patients in Phase 1 Trial
Interim data from the Phase I dose escalation part of the mRNA cancer immunotherapy (mRNA-4359), show promise in patients with advanced solid cancers.
Results from the Phase I trial were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Barcelona.
The investigational mRNA cancer immunotherapy is targeted for patients with lung cancer, melanoma and other solid tumours. Nineteen patients with advanced stage cancers received between one and nine doses of the immunotherapy treatment. Scientists have found the immunotherapy created an immune response against cancer and was well tolerated, with adverse events including fatigue, injection site pain and fever.
Eight out of sixteen patients who could have their responses evaluated were able to demonstrate their tumour size did not grow and no new tumours appeared.
Data also showed the mRNA immunotherapy could activate the immune system in many patients, generating immune cells in the blood that could recognise the two proteins of interest (PD-L1 and IDO1). Researchers were able to show in some patients that the immunotherapy can increase levels of important immune cells that can kill cancer cells as well as reduced levels of other immune cells that can prevent the immune system from fighting cancer.
The UK’s Chief Investigator of the trial Dr Debashis Sarker, a Clinical Reader in Experimental Oncology at King’s College London and a consultant in medical oncology at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This study evaluating an mRNA cancer immunotherapy is an important first step in hopefully developing a new treatment for patients with advanced cancers.
“We have shown that the therapy is well tolerated without serious side effects and can stimulate the body’s immune system in a way that could help to treat cancer more effectively. However, as this study has only involved a small number of patients to date, it’s too early to say how effective this could be for people with advanced stage cancer.”
Reference: mRNA cancer immunotherapy Phase I trial presented on Saturday, 14th September at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference in Barcelona. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/mrna-cancer-vaccine-potential-advanced-stage-cancer-patients-in-phase-1-trial
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