
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”
This trial looked at a vaccine that might help the immune system to recognise and kill nasopharyngeal cancer cells that contained a virus called Epstein Barr.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a cancer that begins in the part of your throat called the nasopharynx.
Cancer Research UK supported this trial.
The usual treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer is radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (chemoradiation).
Vaccines can help the immune system to recognise and act against a virus. Researchers hoped a vaccine that gets the body’s immune system to recognise and attack Epstein Barr (EBV) might kill cancer cells containing the virus. The vaccine is called MVA-EBNA1/LMP2.
EBV is a common virus that many people carry without noticing any effects. But the virus is sometimes found in cancer cells and is often found in nasopharyngeal cancer cells.
In this trial, they wanted to find out:
The researchers found the vaccine was safe and the side effects were mild. It stimulated the immune system in a few people.
22 people took part in this phase 1 trial. Everyone had already had treatment and in some:
The vaccine is an injection. Everyone had the MVA-EBNA1/LMP2 vaccine up to 3 times. And a final injection 3 months later.
Results
The trial team found the vaccine stimulated the immune system to attack the virus. They had the results for 17 people. Out of these, 6 people’s immune system responded.
The trial team looked at how well the 4th vaccination worked. They found it didn’t help the immune system as much as they had hoped.
At the end of the 2 year follow up period:
Side effects
Everyone had at least 1 side effect. Most were mild and included:
Conclusion
The researchers found the vaccine was safe and could stimulate the immune system in some people. They hope to run more trials using the vaccine in combination with other treatments.
We have based this summary on information from the research team. As far as we are aware, the information they sent us has not been reviewed independently () or published in a medical journal yet. The figures we quote above were provided by the research team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Neil Steven
Cancer Research UK (Centre for Drug Development)
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
This is Cancer Research UK trial number CRUKD/13/001.
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”