Research into Covid vaccine now helping cancer patients

Two Liverpool hospitals are helping to lead the way in this new field of medicine by way of clinical trials which owe much to the pioneering work carried out during the race to find a Covid vaccine.

The cancer vaccine trials use the same mRNA technology as most Covid vaccines and operates on the same principle – training the body to fight and destroy harmful diseases.

Dr Sheena Khanduri, medical director at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said “This technology harnesses defects in the cancer cells and creates personalised vaccines for the individual.

“It’s hugely exciting and it really represents a paradigm shift in the knowledge we have about how cancer vaccines work.”

Clatterbridge, working in partnership with the Royal Liverpool Hospital and the University of Liverpool, is running a number of world-first clinical trials on cancer vaccines.

At the Royal Liverpool scientists are preparing for another trial, which uses mRNA vaccines following bowel cancer surgery.  Tumours are removed by surgeons and then analysed in the lab.

Consultant liver surgeon Rob Jones explained “We look at the genetic code for the cancer and then we make a specific vaccine for that patient so the vaccine is targeting their individual cancer.  It’s the ultimate personalised medicine.

“The great advantage of vaccines is that they can be delivered everywhere.  You will have had a flu or a Covid vaccine delivered in a GP setting or a school hall.  With cancer vaccines exactly the same thing can happen.  This is walk in, have a jab, walk out.  And that can be rolled out across the country.”

Many researchers think vaccines will revolutionise cancer treatment in the near future.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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