New vaccine approaches developed in the field of cancer offer hope

Stating that one of the most important reasons why cancer becomes difficult to treat in advanced stages is that tumor cells are not genetically stable, Yeditepe University Hospitals Medical Oncology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhat Ferhatoğlu said, “This situation causes cancer cells to acquire different characteristics over time. We can liken this process to biological evolution. Just as mutations lead to the emergence of new species, cancer is a dynamic process that progresses by branching out in a similar way.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu said, “Cancer vaccines have emerged as one of the most notable areas of immunotherapy in recent years. These vaccines are generally divided into two: preventive vaccines developed against viruses such as HPV and HBV, and therapeutic vaccines that directly target cancer cells. Therapeutic vaccines aim to eliminate cancer cells by activating the immune system. However, a new approach developed in this field is attracting attention by offering a deeper look into the nature of cancer,” he added.

‘CANCER CELLS CAN DEVELOP RESISTANCE TO TREATMENT’

Pointing out that these genetic differences between tumor cells bring with them the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions and develop resistance to treatments, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu emphasized that methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery can sometimes be insufficient to completely eliminate cancer. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu stated, “Cells that survive treatment can multiply over time and become more resistant. Therefore, new, more targeted treatment strategies are needed.”

‘GOAL: TO ELIMINATE THE ROOT OF CANCER’

Stating that the newly developed approach is based on targeting the mutations that form the root of cancer, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu expressed that these mutations can be thought of like the trunk of a tree. “If we can identify these root mutations, it may be possible to prevent cancer before it even forms by stimulating the immune system against these targets,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu, adding that this approach holds significant potential, especially for individuals at high risk for lung cancer.

‘TRACERX STUDY HAS OPENED A NEW DOOR’

Stating that the TRACERx study, launched in 2014, revealed that cancer develops like an ‘evolutionary tree’ and demonstrated the existence of root mutations common to all tumor cells, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu stated that these findings formed the basis of LungVax, the first lung cancer vaccine developed for high-risk individuals.

‘PREVENTION OF RECURRENCE IS TARGETED’

Stating that the LungVax study to be conducted in Oxford aims to prevent the recurrence of cancer, especially in patients who have undergone surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu said, “With this vaccine, it is aimed to create a strong immune response by targeting neoantigens commonly found in tumors. Thus, cancer cells can be eliminated before they clinically emerge.”

‘TECHNOLOGY SIMILAR TO COVID-19 VACCINES’

Stating that the developed approach is based on a mechanism similar to the mRNA vaccines used during the COVID-19 period, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu noted that the immune system is stimulated via neoantigens that it needs to target. He stated that safety and efficacy will be evaluated in a group of 40 patients in the first stage, and the study is planned to begin in the summer of 2026.

‘A NEW ERA IN CANCER TREATMENT: PRECISION PREVENTION’

Emphasizing that this approach is an important example of a ‘precision prevention’ strategy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferhatoğlu said, “This method opens the door to a new era aimed not only at treatment but at preventing cancer before it occurs.”

News Source: 12punto