A lung cancer patient in the UK has become the first person to receive a new experimental vaccine that could help his body fight off the deadly disease. According to reports, 67-year-old Janusz Raz was given at least six syringes – each containing genetic material for a different part of the tumour – to train the five billion cells in his immune system to attack.

The vaccine – codenamed BNT116, has been produced by BioNTech using the same mRNA technology that forms the basis of its highly effective COVID-19 vaccine. According to doctors, the experimental vaccine – developed by University College London Hospital – is far more precisely targeted than chemotherapy, and therefore should not cause the same collateral damage to healthy cells.

“It’s painless,” Racz told Sky News after his first vaccine. He added: “It’s much better than chemo, which was tough for me.”

According to experts, by using mRNA, this vaccine works by presenting common tumor markers to the patient’s immune system. This helps train the patient’s immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells expressing these markers, but also potentially eliminate cells that may suppress the immune response.

Doctors, more than 100 patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer will take part in the trial. “It doesn’t matter to me if I was the hundredth or the first (study volunteer). I believe that if the vaccine starts production quickly, it will help me and other people. The COVID-19 vaccine has helped millions of people. This will help millions more,” Racz said.

How does this vaccine work on tumors?

Doctors say the vaccine could flag key components of a tumour as a threat, prompting the body to respond by destroying cancer cells, no matter where they are. This would help reduce tumour size and the risk of recurrence. The trial will also confirm whether the vaccine has any major side effects, before larger studies are carried out to establish clinical effectiveness.

The vaccine is expected to strengthen the immune systems of volunteers, who will be given dozens of doses over 12 months.

What is non-small cell lung cancer?,

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer – it grows slowly but has often spread to other parts of your body by the time it’s diagnosed. Therefore, early detection and treatment are essential. Most, although not all, cases are caused by smoking. Many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment is less effective. Currently, only about a quarter survive for five years. It spreads to other parts of your body, including your brain, liver, skin, lymph nodes or adrenal glands. When this happens, it’s called metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

The NHS has now started screening older people who smoke in the hope of finding cases of lung cancer. If you have symptoms such as cough, chest pain and fatigue, you should see a doctor immediately.

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