A MAN whose lung cancer was discovered 'by coincidence' has become the first person in the UK to receive a 'game-changing' vaccine. Janusz Racz, 67, is taking part in a trial of the jab which is designed to help the immune system recognise and fight lung cancer. 4 Janusz Racz is the first person to trial a lung cancer vaccine Credit: PA 4 The grandpa only discovered he had cancer in May Credit: PA The vaccine works by priming the patient’s immune system to recognise and fight tumour markers created by non-small cell lung cancer.
The process leaves healthy cells untouched, unlike chemotherapy . The jab, called BNT116, is based on mRNA , the same technology used in the Covid-19 vaccine . Consultant medical oncologist Dr Sarah Benafif is leading the delivery of the study at University College London Hospital.
Read more on lung cancer ROBOT CURES 'Pond scum' robots could 'shrink lung cancer tumours and boost survival by 40%' LIFELINE FOR BRITS 'Best' lung cancer drug halts tumours - giving YEARS to dying patients She said: “The strength of the approach we are taking is that the treatment is aimed at being highly targeted towards cancer cells. “In this way we hope that in time we can show that the treatment is effective against lung cancer whilst leaving other tissues untouched.” Janusz, who is originally from Poland but has lived in London for 10 years, received six injections five minutes apart over a half-hour period.
He will get the vaccine every week for six consecuti.