Wales to conduct new cancer vaccine study against head and neck cancer

Patients in Wales are taking part in a study of an investigational cancer vaccine aiming to treat head and neck cancers associated with Human Papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16).

The investigational cancer vaccine uses messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology to help the immune system recognise and kill cancer cells containing proteins associated with HPV-16. In the study, the investigational mRNA cancer vaccine is given in combination with an established immunotherapy called Pembrolizumab, aimed at helping to improve the way the immune response is directed against cancer cells containing HPV. 

The study is open at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, and is accessible to patients across Wales, as part of a coordinated approach to study delivery supported by Health and Care Research Wales, and the Cardiff Cancer Research Partnership. Patients can also be referred to Velindre from elsewhere in the UK through the Cancer Vaccine Launchpad (CVLP), a platform set up by the NHS England and Genomics England, to help broaden access for cancer patients to clinical studies including mRNA cancer vaccine clinical studies. 

Over 700 new head and neck cancer cases are diagnosed in Wales every year, with cancers typically developing in the mouth, throat or voice box. Cancers caused by HPV tend to occur in the tonsils and the back of the tongue, and account for 20-40% of head and neck cancers overall. Despite advances in care for patients with head and neck cancer, the advanced form of the disease is difficult to treat and has high rates of recurrence, with two-year survival rates at under 50%.

The investigational cancer vaccine is designed to encode two proteins that are frequently found in head and neck cancers caused by HPV type 16, the most common type of HPV found in head and neck cancer. The vaccine is designed to direct the immune system to specifically fight the cancer.

Health and Care Research Wales and organisations across the UK are partnering with life sciences company BioNTech to help identify potentially eligible patients to refer to Velindre and other NHS hospitals running the clinical study.

Professor Mererid Evans, Director of Wales Cancer Research Centre, Clinical Professor at the Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, and Consultant Clinical Oncologist specialising in the treatment of head and neck cancer at Velindre University NHS Trust said: 

“HPV-associated head and neck cancers have been increasing in incidence in Wales and the rest of the developed world over the last 20 to 30 years, and we are seeing it commonly in our clinics. Patients who are diagnosed with HPV-associated head and neck cancer tend to do well overall, but unfortunately a small proportion (10-20%) do find that their cancer has spread making it difficult to treat with existing treatments.

“We are proud to support this study in order to allow head and neck cancer patients in Wales to access a treatment that could potentially improve their outcomes. We are also supporting other cancer vaccine studies by recruiting eligible patients from Wales and other parts of the UK to them. In doing so, Wales is playing its full part in the development of potential new cancer treatment options that have the potential to improve future care for people around the world.”

Dr Nicola Williams, National Director of Research Support and Delivery at Health and Care Research Wales, added: 

“The chance to access an investigational treatment which could help the immune system target cancer is incredibly significant.

“We’re working closely across health boards in Wales to ensure eligible patients are efficiently referred to this pioneering clinical study recruiting at Velindre Cancer Centre. It’s a powerful step forward in increasing patient access to investigational options in their treatment and in our collective efforts to improve outcomes and offer renewed hope to patients and their families throughout the country.”

Sign up to our weekly newsletter and keep up with the latest research news, funding opportunities and other useful information.