A global clinical study is testing a preventive vaccine for lung cancer, targeting individuals at high risk, with the aim of identifying and early eliminating abnormal cells.

Lung cancer remains a lethal form of cancer, and its prevention is essential. A clinical study, launched by University College London and the University of Oxford, is testing an experimental vaccine called LungVax, aimed at individuals at high risk of lung cancer. Its goal is to induce an immune response that recognizes and eliminates lung cells with tumor changes before the disease manifests. The study, funded with over 2.3 million euros, will assess the safety and optimal dose of the vaccine, with a planned launch for the summer of 2026.

The vaccine is based on the identification of neoantigens, abnormal proteins expressed by cancer cells, which can be recognized by the immune system. In the first phase, the vaccine will be tested on individuals with early-stage lung cancer and on participants from the national screening program. If the results are favorable, the study will be expanded to assess the utility of the vaccine as a large-scale preventive strategy. In the United Kingdom, approximately 48,500 cases of lung cancer are reported annually, most of which are associated with smoking. The vaccine could complement existing preventive measures, providing a new approach in the fight against this devastating disease.