Head and neck cancer patients given enhanced access to new vaccine trial

Patients across the South are set to be fast-tracked into a trial of a new cancer vaccine.

This follows the expansion of a Southampton-run national programme.

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is one of 15 hospitals across England running the trial.

Several UHS patients with head and neck cancer have already received the investigational vaccine.

The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a world-leading trial ‘match-making’ service. It is being coordinated by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU) on behalf of NHS England.

Training the immune system

More than 11,000 new head and neck cancer cases are diagnosed in England every year. These cancers typically develop in the mouth, throat or voice box.

Despite advances in care for patients with head and neck cancer, the advanced form of the disease is difficult to treat. It also has high rates of recurrence. Two-year survival rates are at under 50%.

The investigational cancer vaccine being trialled uses mRNA technology. This helps the immune system recognise and kill cancer cells which express human papillomavirus (HPV) proteins.

Over 100 patients with advanced head and neck cancer across England will be matched to the trial.

‘Renewed hope’ for patients

This is the third cancer vaccine trial to be run through the NHS CVLP. Hundreds of patients have already been referred to trials of vaccines for bowel and skin cancers.

The first head and neck cancer patients in England have already received the investigational mRNA cancer vaccine in the clinical trial. It is known as AHEAD-MERIT (BNT113-01). More patients will soon be enrolled at their nearest NHS hospital.

Hospitals in Dorset are acting as CVLP referring sites. Eligible patients will be referred to Southampton to take part.

The investigational cancer vaccine is designed to encode two proteins that are frequently found in head and neck squamous cell cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV-16). This is the most common type of head and neck cancer, accounting for 95% of these types of cancers. The vaccine aims to train the immune system to fight the cancer.

NHS England is partnering with life sciences company BioNTech to help identify patients who may be eligible.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England National Clinical Director for cancer, said:

“It’s fantastic that more patients with advanced head and neck cancers will now be able to access this potentially transformative vaccine. It could offer renewed hope for patients, who often live in fear of keeping their cancer at bay. It has the potential to greatly enhance treatment options in the future.

“The NHS is always looking for evidence-backed innovations in treatment to improve survival and quality of life for people diagnosed with cancer. This expansion of our Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad will give hundreds of patients the chance to be part of cutting-edge advances in cancer care.”

Toll of the disease

67-year-old Chris Curtis was diagnosed with HPV-related head and neck cancer in 2011. He set up a support charity called The Swallows.

Chris said: “I know first-hand the physical, emotional, and psychological toll this disease takes not just on the patient, but on the entire support system around them.

“When I was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer and two secondary cancers, one each side of the neck, my world just fell apart. I then had to go through brutal treatment, including six weeks of radiotherapy, chemotherapy every week, two neck dissections and be fed on a tube for almost three years. I lost 12 stone in weight and was severely physically and mentally unwell.

“With this cancer you live in the fear every day – so anything that could help control the disease or give people peace of mind is groundbreaking. It'll allow people to get on with their lives and move forward.”

Dr Victoria Goss, Associate Professor of Early Diagnosis and Translational Research at the SCTU, said:

“We are delighted to bring this latest trial onto the CVLP programme and give more people with advanced head and neck cancer the chance to take part in this exciting research.

“Our trials unit has great expertise in this area, having run the very early phase trial of this experimental cancer vaccine. It is fantastic to be working with BioNTech again to continue developing this potential new cancer treatment.”

Transforming treatment options

Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, said:

“It’s great to see more clinical trials of vaccines for head and neck cancer supported by the Cancer Research UK-funded Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.

“Research into personalised cancer treatments is vital. There are over 200 different types of cancer and it's unlikely there will ever be a single cure that works for everyone. That’s why it’s vital that we support a wide range of research, so that more people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

Minister for Health, Karin Smyth, said:

"This is a massive win for cancer patients – and is exactly the kind of innovation we’re aiming to deliver with our 10 Year Health Plan.

“These investigational cancer vaccines could be game-changing for patients facing some of the most challenging diagnoses. By getting these trials running in our NHS, we’re putting ourselves at the forefront of medical innovation, improving outcomes for people living with cancer.

“With our Plan for Change, we’re building an NHS that’s fit for future – one that is committed to transforming how cancer is treated and helping people to live longer.”

World-leading research

The CVLP has been instrumental in accelerating trial activity in cancer research. Sites are driving faster patient enrolment timelines compared to a typical clinical trial process. In one recent study, enrolment was almost a year faster.

The ambitious programme aims to match thousands more patients with cancer vaccine and immunotherapy trials in the future.

Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

“Advancements in cancer research offer patients hope for a better quality of life, and a better chance of survival. We believe this clinical trial may be an important milestone for an exciting new approach for patients living with head and neck cancer.

"Our partnership with BioNTech is delivering for patients right across the country. I hope to see more ambitious work like this as they continue to invest in Research and Development and AI as part of their billion-pound backing for the UK over the next ten years.

“We're determined to work closely with leading life sciences companies like BioNTech to drive this thriving sector to even greater heights."