A pioneering vaccine aimed at preventing lung cancer is set to begin human trials in the summer of 2026. British scientists at the University of Oxford are leading this significant development, which could have far-reaching implications for cancer prevention. Following this initial trial, researchers plan to create vaccines targeting breast, ovarian, and bowel cancers.
The potential impact of these vaccines is substantial, with estimates suggesting they could save up to 3.6 million lives globally each year from the deadliest forms of cancer. By preventing these diseases, the initiative could also alleviate pressure on healthcare systems, allowing resources to be redirected towards tackling other serious conditions, such as dementia and heart disease.
The project has garnered support from the NHS, Cancer Research UK, the CRIS Cancer Foundation based in Spain, and several major pharmaceutical companies. Professor Sarah Blagden, a clinician-scientist at the University of Oxford, revealed the progress made in developing the vaccine during a recent episode of the Channel 4 documentary series, “Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures.”
Blagden highlighted the transformative potential of this research, envisioning a future where a single vaccine could prevent most major cancers, similar to existing vaccines for diseases like measles and rubella. She was inspired by a podcast featuring Professor Charles Swanton, deputy clinical director at The Francis Crick Institute in London, discussing how cancers evolve and develop resistance to treatments. This prompted her to consider a more proactive approach to cancer prevention.
Utilizing accelerated vaccine development techniques honed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Blagden and her team are close to introducing an anti-lung cancer vaccine. She remarked, “What we think we have is the first vaccine that could actually prevent cancer from starting in the first place. Even lung cancer takes probably a decade plus to develop in your lungs.”
Blagden explained the concept of “pre-cancer,” where cells are already undergoing changes that lead to cancer. The vaccine aims to stimulate the immune system to eliminate these early-stage cells. She noted, “We thought we can use the backbone of the vaccines that we’ve been working on and we can actually repurpose them to design them against cancer rather than COVID.”
Despite initial challenges in securing funding, Blagden’s team has successfully produced the first batch of the vaccine in Oxford. The goal is to merge multiple cancer vaccines into one comprehensive jab for young people, ideally provided free on the NHS during routine doctor visits.
Blagden emphasized that this initiative marks a significant shift in the approach to cancer treatment, stating, “Oncologists like myself, we’re very fixed on treating established cancer. We’re not looking underneath the iceberg at the moment.” She believes this project offers a unique opportunity to prevent cancer before it manifests.
“Nobody else is doing it like this,” she added. “There are other people doing early work on vaccines, but we’re working in a much more coordinated, faster way and across multiple disease areas.” The plan involves combining the most effective elements of various vaccine candidates into a single shot for young adults, aiming to significantly reduce their risk of developing cancer.
Blagden expressed a sense of urgency, stating, “I want us to keep moving fast, fast, fast.” She highlighted the availability of skilled scientists and advanced technologies as crucial elements in this endeavor.
While acknowledging the complexities of proving the vaccines’ safety and efficacy, she noted that insights gained from the COVID-19 response have accelerated this process. “This comes from a good place,” she said, referencing the personal experiences many scientists have had with cancer. “We all want to try and get rid of this disease.”
As the team moves forward, there is a palpable sense of optimism about the potential of these vaccines. Blagden concluded, “We’ve seen already from the experiments that we’ve done – let’s just say that they look really, really promising.” Her determination is clear: “My message to cancer is, ‘we’re coming for you’.”
