UK oncology researchers have come together to write the first ever national thought leadership strategy report into cancer vaccine advances and the opportunities these present for those affected by cancer. The strategy report has been published in Cambridge University Press journal Cambridge Prisms: Precision Medicine .
Cancer vaccines hold the potential to revolutionise cancer treatment. These vaccines leverage neoantigens to activate the immune system against tumours, offering a personalised approach to combat cancer. This transformative potential is particularly significant in light of recent advancements in oncology, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies.
The backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic has also demonstrated how possible it is to develop vaccines swiftly, setting the stage for a strategic shift towards cancer vaccine trials. The UK, with its substantial contributions to both vaccine development and distribution during the pandemic, is uniquely well-positioned to lead this charge.
Lead author Lennard Lee, Associate Professor of Cancer Vaccines at the University of Oxford and clinical advisor on the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launchpad, said: "A central challenge for the UK in developing cancer vaccines lies in harnessing national infrastructure, particularly the country's healthcare system, to facilitate efficient trials.
"This will require careful coordination and allocation of resources to support local trial delivery centres across the country.
"Yet the UK is a scientific powerhouse – meaning that with continued investment and effort, there is no reason why the UK shouldn't be a pioneer in cancer vaccine development."
The researchers also offered four key recommendations for how the UK can best level-up in cancer vaccine research. These recommendations are:
1. Leverage COVID-19 vaccine success. Insights can be drawn from the rapid development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. Processes were streamlined, pragmatism prevailed over perfections and groups were able to make timely decisions. Cancer vaccine trials should be delivered in a similar fashion.
2. Create shared missions. There is a multitude of pharmaceutical partners with new cancer vaccine technologies across many different subtypes of cancers. Ambitious long-term partnerships between trialists, sites, industry, healthcare leads and patient groups can forge the path for continual iterative improvement of cancer vaccine technologies.
3. Modern trials infrastructure. Cancer vaccines require effective trials infrastructure with seamless integration of genomic data across different platforms and institutions. Trial teams and infrastructure should receive investments to upgrade and be made as effective as possible.
4. Engage public and trialists. Greater attempts can be made at fostering effective public awareness. This includes understanding the potential opportunities and limitations of cancer vaccine technology. It should aim to garner support and increase the momentum of clinical trials at small as well as large cancer centres.
