Smokers…. And 💉👻’s ungVax is an experimental, first-of-its-kind vaccine designed to prevent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by training the immune system to detect and destroy abnormal lung cells before they become cancerous. Using technology similar to the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, it delivers genetic instructions to help the immune system recognize "red flag" neoantigens on early-stage pre-cancerous cells. Cancer Research UK - Cancer News Cancer Research UK - Cancer News +3 Key Details About LungVax: Target Population: High-risk individuals, particularly smokers or former smokers aged 55–74, who are most susceptible to developing lung cancer. Technology: It uses a viral vector (ChAdOx2) to introduce DNA into the body, encouraging a targeted T-cell response against cancer-related proteins. Development Stage: Developed by researchers at the University of Oxford, UCL, and the Francis Crick Institute with funding from Cancer Research UK and the CRIS Cancer Foundation. Trial Timeline: A Phase I trial is planned to start in summer 2026, focusing on safety and immune response in around 40 participants. Purpose: The goal is to act as a preventative measure for those at high risk, though it is not a replacement for quitting smoking. University of Oxford University of Oxford +5 The project, led by Professor Sarah Blagden and Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, aims to target lung cancer at its earliest stage to improve the currently low survival rates for the disease
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