A lung cancer patient will be the first person in the UK to receive a new lung cancer vaccine.

Janusz Racz, 67, from London will receive the treatment, which is designed to prime the immune system to recognise and fight cancer cells, today [Friday 23^rd August].

Mr Racz was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in spring 2024. He started concurrent chemo and radiotherapy in June and was delighted to hear that the tumour was shrinking faster than expected. It was then that he learnt about this new clinical trial and after much consideration and discussion, he opted to participate.

“I decided to take part because I hope it will provide a defence against cancer cells and stop the cancer coming back,” explained Mr Racz.

But I also thought that my participation in this research could help other people in the future and help this therapy become more widely available.”
Janusz Racz, first UK lung cancer vaccine trial participant

Approximately 130 participants will be enrolled in the study across 34 research sites in seven countries. Six UK sites have been selected including University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), where Mr Racz will receive this novel treatment.

The trial will enrol patients with different stages of non-small cell lung cancer, from early stage disease before surgery or radiotherapy (stage 2 and 3) to stage 4 or recurrent lung cancer.

The investigational vaccine, made by the German biotechnology company, BioNTech is designed to improve the immune system’s ability to identify cancerous cells and target them directly. This will reduce of toxicity on healthy cells which traditional treatments like chemotherapy are unable to distinguish.

The ultimate aim of the trial is to determine the safety of the treatment and that patients are able to tolerate it well.

UCLH consultant medical oncologist, Dr Sarah Banafif, is leading the delivery of the study at UCLH.

She said: “The strength of the approach we are taking is that the treatment is aimed at being highly targeted towards cancer cells. In this way we hope that in time we are able to show that the treatment is effective against lung cancer whilst leaving other tissues untouched.”

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said: “Today is a very exciting, and potentially monumental day, in our fight against lung cancer.

“The possibility that patients could receive a vaccine would revolutionise the way we treat lung cancer and save thousands of lives every year. This latest trial demonstrates the significant progress being made and I hope gives those living with the disease real hope for the future.”

The 20 UK patients will be recruited across six sites: