Target Vaccination Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of response to routine vaccination to assess immunocompetence in patients with cancer
IRAS ID
311034
Contact name
Christian Ottensmeier
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The strength of the immune system or “Immunocompetence” is very important in the outcome of patients with cancer and infectious diseases. However, measuring immunocompetence is challenging as the immune system is very complex.
Patients with cancer and who are undergoing cancer treatments are known to be at higher risk of developing infections and also are less protected by vaccinations against infection. Many newer anti-cancer treatments such as immunotherapy and cancer vaccines aim to stimulate the immune system to fight against cancer. However, if the immune system is not working properly, these treatments may be less effective.
This study aims to develop a way to measure the strength of the immune system in patients with cancer to help improve vaccination strategies and to develop tools to predict responses to cancer treatment and prognosis. This study could also help develop new treatment strategies for patients, such as using vaccines in the treatment of patients with cancer.Patients with lung or head and neck cancer who may benefit from vaccination against infections such as tetanus and flu will be invited to take part in the study.
Participants will have a blood sample taken before vaccination and up to 8 times after vaccination over the course of just over a year if possible. If surgery or a biopsy is part of the planned treatment, a sample of the tissue will also be collected. A number of people will be asked to have a skin challenge test and a small skin biopsy after vaccination against tetanus to understand how the immune system remembers the vaccination.
The study will be conducted in several hospital and hospice sites in the region of Liverpool and is funded by the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Grant R24 AI108564-05.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0426
Date of REC Opinion
22 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion