Vaccines in Thoracic Oncology: The Next Frontier in Immunotherapy

In this episode of 'Conversations in Lung Cancer Research,' Professor Tom John from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne discusses the significant progress and excitement surrounding cancer vaccines, particularly their emerging role in lung cancer treatment.He is joined by Professor Ken O'Byrne, a medical oncologist and clinical scientist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Queensland University of Technology, and Professor Georgina Long AO, the medical director of the Melanoma Institute of Australia and co-recipient of the 2024 Australian of the Year.The experts delve into technological advances spurred by COVID-19 vaccine development, promising results from recent melanoma and lung cancer vaccine trials, and the potential for personalised neoantigen mRNA vaccines. They also discuss historical challenges in vaccine efficacy and the promising future of immunotherapy and cancer vaccines, including patient perspectives and the logistics of rapid vaccine production and distribution.00:00 Introduction03:15 Historical Context of Cancer Vaccines05:13 Technological Advances in Vaccine Development06:53 The Promise of mRNA Technology14:03 Personalised vs. Off-the-Shelf Vaccines18:02 Identifying Neoantigens for Vaccines21:13 Caution and Optimism in Vaccine Development23:18 Exploring Tumour Mutation Burden and Vaccine Bias29:35 Challenges and Opportunities in Metastatic Disease33:53 Immunotherapy and Vaccine Hesitancy37:52 Future of Cancer Vaccines and Rapid Innovation42:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Support TOGAThank you for listening to Conversations in Lung Cancer Research. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.---------------Connect with TOGAAttend an Event: https://thoraciconcology.org.au/events/Become a Member: Join the TOGA community at https://thoraciconcology.org.au/membership/Donate: Support our research and treatment initiatives at https://thoraciconcology.org.au/support-us/donate/Follow UsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thoracic-oncology-group-of-australasia/X (Twitter): https://x.com/TOGAANZInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/togaanz/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Thoracic_Oncology---------------Acknowledgement of CountryThe Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia Limited acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultures; and to Elders past and present.