Scientists Rapidly Advancing Cancer Vaccine Prospects Using Same Technology as Covid-19 Shots - Seite 2

Researchers behind the AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) candidate have designed a two-dose cancer vaccine using the same viral vector technology used in its Covid-19 treatment. The AstraZeneca candidate targets specific structures, known as MAGE proteins, found on the surface of many cancers.

"We knew from our previous research that MAGE-type proteins act like red flags on the surface of cancer cells to attract immune cells that destroy tumours,"said Benoit Van den Eynde, Professor of Tumour Immunology at the University of Oxford. "MAGE proteins have an advantage over other cancer antigens as vaccine targets since they are present on a wide range of tumour types… This broadens the potential benefit of this approach to people with many different types of cancer."

Back in June, BioNTech SE (BNTX) announced the first patient dosed in its Phase II trial of its mRNA cancer vaccine, BNT111 that targets anti-PD1-refractory/relapsed unresectable Stage III or IV melanoma.

The open-label randomised trial will assess the efficacy, tolerability and safety of BNT111 in combination with Libtayo. While BNT111 is fully owned by BioNTech, Libtayo, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, is being co-developed by Regeneron and Sanofi.

"Our vision is to harness the power of the immune system against cancer and infectious diseases," said BioNTech's co-founder and CMO Özlem Türeci. "We were able to demonstrate the potential of mRNA vaccines in addressing Covid-19. We must not forget, that cancer is also a global health threat, even worse than the current pandemic."

According to analysts, the mRNA cancer vaccine market is expected to boom to $127 billion at a CAGR of +28% between 2021-2028.

Therefore, another developer, whose name is now synonymous with mRNA vaccines, Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) also has an eye on cancer vaccines. Recently the company announced the launch of Phase II randomized, placebo-controlled study of personalized vaccine full enrollment. These programs focus on stimulating a patient's immune system with antigens derived from tumor-specific mutations to enable the immune system to elicit a more effective anti-tumor response.