A cancer patient has been given a personalised "vaccine" to stop his bowel cancer from returning.

Richard Nelson, 73, from Timperley, received the so-called vaccine as part of a clinical trial at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.

The trial involves a new type of "vaccine", given in two injections five minutes apart, which aims to prevent the recurrence of bowel cancer by making the body recognise and kill cancer cells.

The experimental vaccines are administered after patients have received surgery to remove the tumour.

Vaccines are usually designed to prevent disease, by training the body’s immune system to not get an infection but cancer "vaccines" are created as a treatment once someone has already been diagnosed.

The reason they have been called vaccines, explained a spokesperson, is that they aim to teach and activate the immune system to fight cancer, like vaccines teach the immune system to protect the body from viruses and bacteria.

Mr Nelson, a retired college vice principal and grandfather to five-year-old twins, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer 12 months ago.

He had surgery last December and it was discovered the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes.

Mr Nelson was informed about the clinical trial at The Christie for the BNT122-01 vaccines and was eligible due to the stage of his cancer and the presence of circulating DNA in his blood, indicating a higher probability of the cancer returning.

He began the injections in September 2024 and will continue the treatment until July next year.

Professor Mark Saunders, consultant oncologist at The Christie, said: "In Richard’s case we found DNA from cancer cells in his blood, so unfortunately Richard’s cancer would have a greater chance of coming back.

"The hope is that patients who are given the personalised vaccines have a better chance of long-term survival and cure.

"Richard’s personalised vaccine is primed to attack his unique cancer and prevent any new cancer cells from returning in the future."

Mr Nelson, who enjoys long-distance walks and has hobbies including Morris dancing and playing in a folk band, said: “When I was approached to take part in the trial I welcomed the opportunity.

Mr Nelson, whose hobbies include Morris dancing, will continue to be on the treatment until July 2025Mr Nelson, whose hobbies include Morris dancing, will continue to be on the treatment until July 2025 (Image: Supplied)

"I’m very happy to take part.

"I hope it will benefit me, but I also hope it’ll help other people in the long run.

"I have had a couple of side effects after some, but not all, of the injections, mainly a short period of quite severe shivering and an elevated temperature, rather like the symptoms of the onset of flu.

"These begin a few hours after being given the vaccine and are an indication that the treatment is working.

"The symptoms don’t last very long, and I am able to resume normal life as soon as they have passed."

German biopharmaceutical company, BioNTech SE, is jointly developing the vaccines - known as BNT122-01 - with Genetech, a member of the Roche Group.

The trial is recruiting patients in the UK and America.

More information about taking part in clinical trials can be found at https://www.christie.nhs.uk/research-and-innovation/studies-and-trials/take-part-in-studies-and-trials