THE FIRST CANCER VACCINE

The vaccine, never before used in Britain, uses genetic technology to kick-start the body's immune system into destroying cancer cells.

The jab has been developed following ten years of clinical tests and is expected to revolutionise the way cancer is treated across the world.

Catherine Nosrati, a cancer patient at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, who lives in Verwood, Dorset, was due to receive the first jab this morning.

Professor Freda Stevenson, from the Tenovus Institute in Southampton, who led the research with Professor Terry Hamblin, said it was an important milestone.

She added: "The genetic research started in 1990 so we're very excited to get to this stage. It's the culmination of a lot of work. "We should be cautious at this stage - it's unlikely that the first design will be the best and we will be looking to improve it. But we hope it can really help these patients."

The scientists have created "designer vaccines" by fusing together genetic material from a cancer cell with that of a harmless toxin.

They believe the body's immune system will be alerted by the presence of the toxin and start to seek and destroy it, killing all the cancer cells in the process.

The researchers have developed technology to tackle a range of different cancers, including breast, colon, rectum, prostate and ovarian.

The vaccine is designed to stop the cancer returning, which chemotherapy can't guarantee.

Around 30 patients will be selected at Southampton, Bournemouth and Manchester, who will all receive injections over a six-week period.

The vaccine, which has already been shown to work in mice, will be given to patients who have already had treatment for cancer. It Dr Christian Ottensmeier, senior lecturer in medical oncology at Southampton General Hospital, said: "The patients will be recruited one after another as they come into the appropriate condition."

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