Stay updated with this week’s Vaccines insights covering early immunotherapy signals, prevention-trial funding, mid-stage neuroimmunology studies, regional label expansions, and late-stage vaccine efficacy.
In Today’s Newsletter
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🫁 Atezolizumab + DC vaccine flags long-term survivors in ES-SCLC [1] [15 Nov 2025]
https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/atezolizumab-vaccine-combo-may-show-long-term-survival-in-es-sclc
Context: Phase 1b/2 poster (NCT04487756) in ES-SCLC reported median PFS 4.7 months and OS 11.2 months; 24-month survival observed in a subset; safety described as favorable.
Key point: Expansion of XCR1-positive cDC1s and CXCR5+ PD-1+ CD8 T cells associated with longer survival in the combo arm.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.
🎗️ Duke highlights long survival from a breast cancer vaccine trial [2] [US • 16 Nov 2025]
Context: Local media feature with patient story; trial specifics (endpoint, size, controls) not stated.
Key point: Participants reportedly alive with robust, long-lasting cancer-recognizing immune cells years after vaccination.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design and confounding control.
🫁 CRUK funds LungVax prevention Phase 1 in high-risk populations [3] [UK • 17 Nov 2025]
https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/cancer-research-uk-cancer-trial/
Context: Up to £2.06m granted to Oxford and UCL to start a four-year Phase 1, with cohorts post-resection high-risk and screening participants; start anticipated mid-2026.
Key point: Vaccine uses AZ-like vector tech to target neoantigen “red-flag” proteins before malignancy.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.
🧠 UK Horizon trial targets EBV in MS with a vaccine [4] [UK • 19 Nov 2025]
https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/new-uk-vaccine-trial-targets-virus-linked-to-ms/201386/
Context: Phase 2, 180-patient study across up to ten UK sites; led by University of Edinburgh, sponsored by Moderna; endpoints not specified.
Key point: Tests whether suppressing EBV can reduce MS activity in recently diagnosed patients.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design and confounding control.
🫁 GSK Korea’s RSV vaccine “Alex B” expands to high-risk 50–59 [5] [KR • 20 Nov 2025]
https://www.mk.co.kr/en/it/11473246
Context: MFDS expanded indication from 60+ to include 50–59 with chronic conditions or in care facilities; basis was immunogenicity and safety non-inferiority vs older adults.
Key point: Prior efficacy cited in 60+ and comorbidity subgroups; new age group supported by immune bridging.
Implication: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.
🧪 Pfizer’s mRNA flu shot tops standard vaccine in Phase 3 [6] [US • 20 Nov 2025]
Context: 2022–2023 season, >18,000 adults; comparator Fluzone; reactogenicity higher but mostly transient; NEJM publication referenced.
Key point: 34.5% fewer flu-like illnesses vs Fluzone, with coverage against A(H3N2), A(H1N1), and B lineages noted.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.
Why it matters
- Prevention strategy: LungVax aims to intercept lung cancer pre-malignancy in defined high-risk groups.
- Causation test: EBV vaccine in MS explores a mechanistic pathway, beyond broad immunosuppression.
- Platform agility: mRNA flu could allow later strain selection and potentially better seasonal matching.
- Access expansion: RSV label change in Korea broadens protection for comorbidity-burdened adults.
- Immuno-oncology signals: DC vaccination plus checkpoint blockade may help identify biomarkers of benefit.
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FAQ
What are the key efficacy readouts for the ES-SCLC combo?
Median PFS was 4.7 months and OS 11.2 months in the treated cohort, with a subset surviving beyond 24 months; immune correlates included XCR1-positive cDC1 expansion. Data are from a Phase 1b/2 poster [1].
Who is running the LungVax program and when could Phase 1 begin?
University of Oxford and UCL, funded by Cancer Research UK up to £2.06m, plan a four-year Phase 1 starting around mid-2026, per the source [3].
What exactly is the UK Horizon trial in MS?
A Phase 2, 180-patient UK study targeting EBV in recently diagnosed MS, led by University of Edinburgh and sponsored by Moderna; endpoints were not specified in the article [4].
What changed for GSK’s RSV vaccine in Korea?
MFDS expanded the indication to high-risk adults aged 50–59, supported by immunogenicity and safety non-inferiority vs older adults; prior approval was for 60+ [5].
How strong was Pfizer’s mRNA flu result vs standard vaccine?
The mRNA shot reduced flu-like illness by 34.5% vs Fluzone in a large Phase 3; side effects were more frequent but mostly short-lived. No mRNA flu vaccine approval was reported in the source [6].
What did Duke’s breast cancer vaccine story establish?
A local report described long-term survivors with durable cancer-recognizing immune cells from a small trial, without detailed endpoints or controls [2].
Entities / Keywords
Atezolizumab, Tecentriq, dendritic-cell vaccine, extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, XCR1 cDC1; Duke Health, breast cancer vaccine; LungVax, Cancer Research UK, University of Oxford, University College London, neoantigen prevention; Epstein–Barr virus, multiple sclerosis, University of Edinburgh, Moderna, Horizon trial; GSK, RSV, Alex B, MFDS Korea; Pfizer, mRNA influenza, Fluzone, NEJM.
References
[1] https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/atezolizumab-vaccine-combo-may-show-long-term-survival-in-es-sclc
[2] https://abc11.com/post/duke-health-researchers-announces-breakthrough-breast-cancer-vaccine-trial/18161631/
[3] https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/cancer-research-uk-cancer-trial/
[4] https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/new-uk-vaccine-trial-targets-virus-linked-to-ms/201386/
[5] https://www.mk.co.kr/en/it/11473246
[6] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/pfizers-mrna-flu-shot-outperforms-standard-flu-vaccine-late-stage-tria-rcna244814