Cancer Research Wales

This summer sees the recruitment of patients to a Cancer Research Wales funded Phase II vaccine trial for metastatic and inoperable colon cancer. The trial, led by Dr Andrew Godkin, is a collaborative venture involving Cardiff University, Cancer Research Wales and Oxford BioMedica, suppliers of the vaccine.

The design of the trial stems from key findings of previous research funded by Cancer Research Wales. Dr Godkin and his team based at the University Hospital of Wales have discovered that a type of specialised immune cell known as T-regulatory (T-reg) cells are responsible for reducing the overall activity of the immune system in patients with colon cancer. T-reg cells normally prevent auto-immune reactions by stopping the guardians of the system, T-effectors cells, from attacking normal tissue. However, colon tumours, cleverly manipulate this delicate balance to cause increases in the number of T-regs so that T-effectors can no longer recognise and eradicate abnormal cancer cells. This ensures the survival of the tumour.

The current trial seeks to boost the immune recognition of colon tumours by using a vaccine based upon 5T4, a molecule that is expressed by colon cancer cells and recognised as foreign by the immune system under normal conditions. Initially, use will be made of low dose cyclophosphamide, a conventional chemotherapy agent known to reduce the numbers of detrimental T-reg cells in patients. It is hoped that the resultant deficit of immuno-suppressive T-reg cells in patients will give rise to larger and more robust immune responses against an administered 5T4 vaccine, translating into greater immune control of the tumour. Clinical endpoints such as progression-free survival and overall-survival are important parameters that will be measured during the trial.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.K. with approximately 1,200 people diagnosed annually in Wales, alone. Of these, around 1 in 5 will already have established metastatic disease. Therefore, at Cancer Research Wales we are proud to be involved in such an exciting trial and look forward to the results of the study in due course.

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5T4, Cancer, Cancer Research Wales, cancer vaccines, Cardiff University, Dr Andrew Godkin, immune system, Metastatic Colon Cancer, Oxford BioMedica, T-Reg cells