Jennifer
Jennifer, from Broughty Ferry, has become the first person in Europe to receive a personalised cancer therapy as part of a global clinical trial at Ninewells.
Jennifer was experiencing symptoms like acid reflux and regurgitation. After undergoing two endoscopies and a CT scan, Jennifer was officially diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal cancer —a revelation that, despite her symptoms, came as a shock. Determined to overcome the disease, she has maintained a positive outlook: “There is only one outcome for me, and that is that I’m going to overcome it and beat it.”
Jennifer is participating in a Phase 1 clinical trial at the Tayside Cancer Centre, at Ninewells. She is receiving an investigational therapy called mRNA-4157 (V940), developed by pharmaceutical companies Moderna and MSD. This therapy, which is similar to the technology used in COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, is designed specifically for each patient’s tumour by analysing its biological makeup to identify targets for the immune system. The personalised mRNA therapy aims to train the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Ninewells is one of the few cancer treatment centres in the country offering this groundbreaking treatment.
Professor Russell Petty, leading the clinical trial in Scotland, explains: “This therapy aims to provide a new approach to engaging the patient’s own immune system to fight their cancer. This trial is establishing critical foundations that bring us closer to developing therapies for solid tumours that are potentially efficacious, less toxic and more precise.
“It is currently being used alongside other cancer treatments in patients who are receiving surgery to remove their tumours, but ultimately if successful the therapy could have much broader use in the future.
“This is a very novel treatment approach which could transform the way we treat cancer, and these trials are the beginning of that journey. Every patient who this works for provides us with more knowledge to improve the way we treat cancer.”
Jennifer’s participation not only offers hope for her own recovery but also contributes valuable insights to the future of cancer therapy.
Jennifer has expressed her gratitude for being part of this groundbreaking trial: “I’m excited and privileged to be the first person in Europe to have this treatment; that’s really something special.”
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