Early results of cancer vaccine trial in Singapore look promising

Tuesday, 27 January 2015 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SINGAPORE: There has been a promising breakthrough in cancer research, as a vaccine trial being conducted in Singapore shows no major side effects on the four patients with Stage 4 cancer. This is the first time it is being tested in humans. It was first launched by the National Cancer Centre of Singapore in September 2014 in partnership with the Singapore Clinical Research Institute and United States biotech company MicroVAX. The vaccination is targeted more specifically at those with lung, breast, prostate, colon or ovarian cancer. This is because it encodes one of the most common proteins that is expressed on these particular cancers. It is a form of immunotherapy, which works by boosting the body’s immune system, so it can then attack the cancer-causing protein in the patient’s body.

National Cancer Centre Singapore Deputy Director, Dr. Toh Han Chong, said: “It is a first-in-human study, which means that nobody else in the world has had this vaccine except these four patients. And in a first-in-human study, the idea is to see how safe it is, and we have achieved that. We have shown that it is really safe, there are absolutely no side effects, so in a sense that is already a victory in itself.” One of the patients undergoing the trial, Janet Quah, said it has given her hope: “I have faith that it will work, and it could be a big breakthrough. Of course, it depends on the individual, but I am quite positive that it will work for me.” Singapore was chosen as the site for the trial because of its position as a top medical hub. Singapore Clinical Research Institute CEO, Dr. Teoh Yee Leong, said: “Our doctors are well-known as the top doctors in the region, we also have very good centres, for example, the National Cancer Centre, National Heart Centre, National Skin Centre and so on. These are the top centres in the region that are able to attract a lot of these trials coming in Singapore for our patients to benefit from.” This is just the first phase of the trial. The vaccine has to be tested on approximately 20 more patients before the trial moves on to the next phase. (Channel News Asia)