A new study on a clinical trial of an mRNA vaccine targeting pancreatic cancer shows promising results. The vaccine was tested on 16 patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer and showed strong immune responses in eight patients. These patients had not experienced any recurrence of their cancer for up to 3.2 years after treatment, significantly longer than the average time for those treated with chemotherapy and surgery alone.
The vaccine targets mutations created by pancreatic cancer and is designed to alert the immune system to these changes. The researchers used a rapid production method that allowed them to customize each vaccine in just nine weeks, paving the way for potential treatments of other cancers as well.
While the study’s results are encouraging, Dr. Suneel Kamath notes that more research is needed to confirm causality and explore the role of the spleen in this process. An ongoing clinical trial will focus on early-stage pancreatic cancer patients with intact spleens and aims to build upon these findings.
For patient Barbara Brigham, participating in the trial has given her a second chance at life. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four years ago and has not experienced any recurrence since taking part in the trial. Her experience highlights the potential of mRNA vaccines as a treatment for this challenging disease.
The development of mRNA vaccines presents an exciting opportunity for cancer treatment. Their ease of customization, rapid production, and ability to target specific mutations make them a promising tool in the fight against cancer.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pancreatic-cancer-vaccine-clinical-trial-memorial-sloan-kettering