Establishing a UK Platform to collect Tumour Samples and Perform DNA/RNA Sequencing for the Development of Personalised Cancer Vaccines.

Research summary

The objectives of the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launchpad (CVLP) are to: 1. Identify cancer patients undergoing resection or biopsy of their tumours who could be eligible for personalised mRNA therapies such as cancer vaccines. 2. Create a pathway for collection and transfer of tumour samples, blood samples and pseudonymised clinical data during routine NHS care. 3. Send samples for DNA extraction, molecular analysis and sequencing initially in partnership with industry (Phase 1) and later to be performed by the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (Phase 2). 4. Use the results to accelerate access of eligible cancer patients to cancer vaccine trials. The programme aims to profile up to 10,000 tumour samples in a phased approach over 7 years. To achieve this we will enrol patients diagnosed with different cancers and seek their consent for: 1. Collection of surplus tumour biopsies or surgical resection samples to be sent to genetic testing laboratories for DNA or RNA extraction and sequencing. 2. Collection of a blood sample to perform relevant tests for cancer vaccines, eg: circulating free tumour DNA or sequencing of healthy cells to compare to the tumour. 3. Collection of routine clinical data on demographics, staging, diagnostic tests, treatment and outcomes. 4. The linkage of this data in a database held by a central team to co-ordinate between clinical sites, industry partners and cancer vaccine trial sites. 5. Onwards referral of potentially eligible patients to CV trials or linked research studies provided relevant research ethics approval has been granted - for which separate consent will be sought. No specific therapeutic intervention will be carried out under this protocol and any activities for the CVLP will happen in addition to routine genetic testing that is carried out as standard of care. If CV gain regulatory approval we hope the CVLP pathway will become part of routine care.

Principal Investigator

Dr Miranda Payne

Contact us

Email: latephaseoncology@ouh.nhs.uk

IRAS number

325291