A first-of-its-kind treatment vaccine has moved into a phase I clinical trial for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
AST-VAC2 is a collaboration agreement between Cancer Research UK and Asterias Biotherapeutics Inc.
Cancer Research UK will manage the initial clinical development of AST-VAC2, which is a promising immunotherapy candidate that is derived from a standardised human embryonic stem cell line.
If shown to be safe and effective, it’s hoped that AST-VAC2 could be used as an additional treatment for patients who no longer have advanced disease, but whose lung cancer is at high risk of coming back, or in combination with other treatments for patients with advanced disease.
Dr Nigel Blackburn, Cancer Research UK’s Director of drug Development, said: “This vaccine trial is a pioneering approach to improving treatment for lung cancer, the biggest cause of cancer death worldwide.
“By coupling our expertise with a leading biotechnology company, we’ve accelerated the development of this experimental treatment by years.”
