The world's first experimental vaccine designed to prevent potentially deadly lung cancer, named LungVax, is set to undergo clinical trials, offering new hope for high-risk patients. Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Oxford, backed by over £2 million from Cancer Research UK, will conduct the four-year trial, with its crucial first phase expected to commence in summer 2026.

Lung cancer remains the most common cancer globally and the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for approximately 35,000 fatalities in the UK each year. With fewer than 10 percent of lung cancer patients surviving for 10 years or more, experts emphasize the urgent need for preventative strategies. Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, co-founder and trial lead, underscored that tackling lung cancer at its earliest stages is paramount for improving survival rates.

The LungVax vaccine utilizes messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, similar to the COVID-19 vaccines developed by the University of Oxford. Its mechanism involves training the immune system to identify and target 'red flag' proteins, known as tumour antigens, produced by DNA mutations within abnormal lung cells. By teaching the body to hunt down these cells, the vaccine aims to eliminate them before they can develop into cancerous growths.

The initial phase of the trial will focus on determining the optimal dose of LungVax and monitoring for any potential side effects in high-risk patients. Participants will include individuals who have previously been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and have successfully had it removed, making them susceptible to recurrence. The vaccine will also be offered to patients undergoing lung cancer screening as part of the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme in England.

Professor Sarah Blagden, co-founder of the LungVax project from the University of Oxford, highlighted that despite decades of research, lung cancer survival rates have remained stubbornly poor. She views LungVax as a significant opportunity to actively prevent the disease by leveraging years of dedicated research into the fundamental biological changes occurring in its earliest stages.

While acknowledging the vaccine's potential, Professor Jamal-Hanjani reiterated that preventative vaccines are not a substitute for stopping smoking, which remains the most effective way to reduce lung cancer risk. However, she believes they offer a viable new pathway to prevent some cancers from emerging. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, expressed the organization's commitment to preventing more cancers, seeing the LungVax trial as a vital first step towards enabling people to live longer, healthier lives, free from the fear of lung cancer.

Graeme Dickie, 55, from Scotland, a non-smoker diagnosed with stage two lung cancer in 2013, has contributed to preparing for the trial. Having undergone extensive treatments including surgery, over 80 rounds of chemotherapy, and a targeted therapy, Mr. Dickie attests to the life-saving power of research. Although he will not directly benefit from LungVax, he hopes his story will help others access better interventions at an early stage.

The broader landscape of lung cancer reveals complex trends. Approximately 48,500 cases are diagnosed annually in the UK, with over 70 percent attributed to smoking. Alarmingly, there is a worrying rise in lung cancer cases among young individuals who have never smoked, accounting for up to 20 percent of diagnoses. In never-smokers, the cancer is almost exclusively adenocarcinoma, a type originating in mucus-producing cells and often diagnosed in late stages. While not definitively confirmed, air pollution is thought to contribute to around a third of cases diagnosed each year.

Cancer experts consistently caution against viewing lung cancer as an 'old person's disease,' especially as more cases emerge in younger populations. Young women, in particular, are urged not to dismiss a persistent cough, which is the main symptom, especially during seasons when colds are prevalent. Many of these cases in never-smoking women make providing preventative advice challenging for medics. Key symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough lasting over three weeks, repeated chest infections, coughing up blood, pain while breathing, persistent breathlessness, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. More unusual signs include changes in finger appearance, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, voice changes, and swelling of the face or neck. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to consult their GP.