Personalised Cancer Treatment
House of Medics
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At the heart of our astonishing diversity and shared humanity, lies a common thread that defines us all - the remarkable language of DNA. A code that is somehow 99.9% identical in each of us but inexplicably more complex than 0s and 1s. For centuries, medicine had been akin to a one size-fits-all approach. With the advent of personalised medicine, a future is now possible where DNA becomes the guiding light of treatments tailor-made for your genetic makeup. Conventional medicine can now transcend the limitations of traditional approaches and target illnesses at the molecular level. Not only does this elevate the efficacy and precision of treatment, it will bring a shift from reactive to proactive care enabling predictive and preventative measures.
One example of the evolutionary effects of personalised medicine is the clinical trial of Neon Therapeutic’s ‘Neoantigen personalised vaccine’ in cancer patients. In the past few years, there has been constant development of immunotherapy drugs that equip patients’ immunity to fight cancer. While these have been instrumental, most patients are still unable to benefit from these treatments with prognoses less than 12 months. The novel personalised vaccines are one strategy to alleviate this ailment.
These vaccines work on the same principal as immunotherapy with one key difference - genome sequencing i.e reading DNA/RNA. The NEO-PV-01 vaccine consists of 20 peptides with approximately 20 amino acids each. Each of these peptides were carefully designed after sequencing the RNA and DNA in the solid tumours of the trials’ patients. Tumours present ‘new antigens’ called Neoantigens that can encode proteins recognisable by the immune system. The vaccine was used to replicate peptides that encode the most immunogenic neoantigens and induce a large mechanism against the cancer. It was found that the patients’ immune system responded to the neoantigens introduced subcutaneously as opposed to a spontaneous reaction to the tumour itself. This reaction is still not completely understood.
The completion of Phase 1b of this clinical trial showed very promising results. It was seen that patients administered with this vaccine had very strong, durable and specific T cell responses. It was also noted that the vaccine had no serious adverse reactions apart from mild injection site erythema.
However, it's important to acknowledge that Phase 1b trials are just one step in the development process. Further research and clinical trials, including Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials, are needed to confirm the vaccine's effectiveness, safety, and potential benefits for a larger population of patients. Additionally, understanding the mechanisms underlying the immune system's response to the vaccine and how it differs from spontaneous reactions to tumours is a significant scientific challenge that requires further investigation.
Nonetheless, the Neoantigen personalized vaccine is a remarkable example of the power of personalized medicine and how it can contribute to the advancement of cancer treatments. As technology continues to improve, the ability to decode an individual's DNA and tailor treatments accordingly will likely become even more precise and effective, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients. Personalised Medicine is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and technological advancements. Personalised Medicine is the future.
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By Manisha Mishra