First Welsh patient gets investigational vaccine against colorectal cancer

4 February 2024

A Velindre patient has become the first person in Wales to receive an investigational vaccine designed to fight her own specific form of cancer, as part of a groundbreaking new research study.

Lesley Jenkins was diagnosed with Stage 2 colorectal cancer in April 2024 after completing a free NHS bowel screening test. She had surgery to remove the tumour and chemotherapy and is now taking part in a research study at Velindre Cancer Centre.

“Being diagnosed with colon cancer came as a shock as I hadn’t noticed any symptoms. Things moved very quickly - in April I didn’t know I was ill, and by December I had finished chemotherapy and was told I didn’t need any more treatment, which was brilliant! " said Lesley.

The study is investigating whether personalised vaccines can prevent colorectal cancer from returning. The vaccines use mRNA technology, pioneered by BioNTech in the development of the world’s first Covid jabs. They are created using samples from the patient’s tumour as well as DNA sequencing to effectively vaccinate the patient against their own specific cancer.

Lesley heard about the trial while having chemotherapy at Velindre Cancer Centre.

“I was told I was eligible for the trial and think I said yes straight away. The staff at Velindre are very supportive and so patient, and I wanted to do something practical to help the NHS and pay back the care and professionalism my family and I had been shown.

“It’s exciting to be the first person in Wales to have this new treatment. It is fascinating to be involved in something which could make such a difference to cancer patients in the future," said Lesley

Lesley had her first vaccination in January and is currently receiving weekly injections as part of the trial, as well as being closely monitored by clinicians at Velindre.

Professor Rob Jones, Associate Medical Director at Velindre Cancer Centre, Co-Director of Division of Cancer and Genetics Cardiff University, and lead investigator on the study, said,

“There is huge potential in this trial for colorectal cancer patients, one of Wales’ most common cancers. In many cases, if colorectal cancer recurs after initial treatment, it is no longer curable.

“This trial could have a significant impact for patients who have already undergone surgery and chemotherapy, by stimulating the immune system to eliminate any remaining cancer cells thus improving the chance of a cure.

It is very exciting to be leading on this trial in Wales and to see Lesley become the first Welsh patient to receive this potentially groundbreaking new treatment.”

The trial, known as BNT122-01, is part of a new collaboration between BioNTech and Health and Care Research Wales, to boost the clinical research infrastructure across Wales and give Welsh patients greater access to trials.

Watch Rob and Lesley talking about this clinical trial.